I have found Paradise!!!! It’s been hiding in the panhandle of Florida all this time…..who knew!!!!! Well actually many people have already found this treasure and until a month ago I had only read of the beauty this place holds. Tucked between Pensacola and Panama City, the beaches and small towns nestled in between, along 30A are the best kept secrets around. Small shops, local artists, family owned restaurants and views to die for are just some of the magic along this stretch of road that runs along the shore.
If you are truly looking for Perfect, look no further that the towns of Seaside, the original master built community, then venture to Watercolor, Alys Beach (pronounced Alice) and Watersound. Try as I may, I could not even find a blade of grass out of place in these beautiful beachside communities. For a little more casual feel, try Seagrove Beach, Grayton Beach and Santa Rosa Beach. I found Santa Rosa Beach to be the place we will be staying next. It feels like what I think Old Florida must have been like, laid back, no high-rises, quaint and beautiful beach houses and some of the most beautiful sunsets on the coast.
Have I mentioned the people yet?????? Southern hospitality abounds here from the locals to the many folks that drive over from Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and surrounding areas. I decided to ditch the “you guys” in favor of the much friendlier and easier y’all! Us northerners can use a dose of southern hospitality now and then. It’s really nice to slow down, ask where folks are from and talk a spell. I know more about some of the folks I met in the pool and saw once or twice than I do of people I’ve been in business groups with for the 8 years!!!! That tells me I guess I need to hang out in the pool more!!!!!
The most interesting part of the trip was that this time I truly paid close attention to lifestyle, more than usual. We rented a condo on the beach and saw a significant difference between the way we live in Illinois vs. the way you live at the beach. Now in summer I do live in flip-flops from the moment my toes wont freeze until the moment they turn blue from the cold. Beach living however is much more laid back, casual and natural. There is no room for fussiness when living at the beach. Fabrics and surfaces need to be durable and easy to clean. I found the carpet in the condo we were staying at to be not such a good idea. As much as they try, keeping the sand and dirt out I believe must be a never-ending task. Colors play a significant role in the beach feel as well. I purposely did not book one condo because of the décor being in very dark reds, black and other heavy colors. Now I do realize that this is a matter of taste, but who wants to feel weighed down at the beach? Although I’m also not a fan of kitschy colors either, somewhere in between with sand, sea and sky colors with some fun brights thrown in for a wow factor now and then says beach house to me. And white….lot’s of white!!!! Scary with little ones, but again fabrics and surfaces that are easily cleaned make all the difference in the world. Here is the perfect place to paint your trim with ultra high-gloss marine paint!!!!
I believe not only the scenery, but the way of life is what inspires the many local artists to practice their craft. From tiny little road-side haunts, to bigger galleries, this stretch of 30A is full of some of the most creative, and friendly folks you will have the pleasure of meeting. Check out the Favorite Things sections for a little shop called, 30-A Art and Junk, here I found a hand-painted pineapple sign that I was sure was made just for me!
While I understand that not everyone is a beach person, some crave the mountains, some long for the woods, while others find their energy in the big city. We all long for that perfect place to call home, for me now it would be on the beach in the Panhandle of Florida with occasional trips to California…..still along the beach, do you sense a theme here???? What can I do about that while still living in Illinois until the magical day comes that moving is a real option? I can bring the beach to me. I’ve already started to transition my “Midwest” décor to a more shore oriented theme. I will continue to do that until I feel I have met a good balance of where I am and where my heart is. I’ll show you the progress now and then to give you inspiration of how you too can live your dream even before you move!
Til next time……make the living EZ!
