If I’ve learned anything from our Bald Head Vacation this year, it’s that we definitely need a bigger house! Our family has grown so much over the years that we’ve outgrown the house and let me tell you…it’s been chaotic to say the least. We share our beach house with 3 other families in Burlington and every year, we get together in January to decide on a schedule. Our time started July 19 and went through August 15 and one week of that is family time when the whole family (or almost), comes. I always like to have a few days to get prepared before everyone descends upon us, but as luck would have it, the only time everyone could come was…yep, you guessed it, July 19. So…on the 19th, we all arrived with so much food, luggage, etc. etc. There were no sheets on the beds, no time to get the food put away and prepare a meal, but…that’s just how it happened and it was more than a little chaotic. We still had a great time and I just had to get my head right and not let the mess get to me. Hopefully we’ll have a better plan next year but still so thankful for our family time and the memories we made.

Another thing I learned on this trip is just how important it is to have a few minutes of stillness every morning. There were a few days when my meditation didn’t happen because I was too exhausted to get up early enough. It’s also been really difficult to write a blog post and that’s been hard for me. I like to blog 5 or 6 times a week, but there was just no time for that between everything going on. This has been a week of learning patience, gratitude for the moment, and trying to find balance and establish boundaries. A week in such close quarters with your grown children can definitely get you out of your routine.

Today, I’m sharing This & That from Bald Head that make island living easier plus a few things that I’m loving now!

I found this cute dress from Michael Stars at Rebecca & Co in Greensboro and I think it’s perfect island style! I love the beachy colors and the way it flows in the breeze!

Thank goodness for coffee on the porch! I was able to steal a few moments in the morning to have a cup of coffee and this cozy set from Lou & Grey was perfect for a cool morning. We’ve had the most wonderful weather with temps in the 80’s and low humidity! I’ve never been more grateful for the low humidity than I was the other night when we all gathered on the beach at sunset for family pictures with my friend and photographer, Sara-Anne (yes…we packed a lot into this trip). My hair stayed somewhat in place and didn’t get frizzy like it usually does. I did find a product that I’ve been loving when I wear my hair curly. It’s called Amika Curl Corps Curl Defining Cream. I don’t think anything can completely stop the frizzies when the humidity is high, but this product does help! Maybe one day I’ll film a curly hair tutorial on YouTube. Curly hair can definitely have a life of it’s own!

Last time we were here, I found a giant cheese board and was happy to pull it out several times this past week. Turns out it makes a great board to serve pizzas on and of course, I made a cheese board for everyone to enjoy before dinner one evening.

We have a love hate relationship with the beach! It can be so hard to take children to the ocean here because of all the stuff that has to be packed up! We have found one thing that seems to make it much easier once we get there and and also much more pleasant…it’s called the Shibumi Shade Tent. I ordered ours last summer and it came this year in March. The demand was so high last year that they were constantly backordered. The company, which was started by 2 guys in Wilmington has caught up with demand and they’re available now! These tents are extremely easy to assemble and disassemble and make a world of difference on the beach! They are most definitely worth the $250 price tag! Full disclaimer, this is not an affiliate link. I just think they’re an amazing product and wanted to share!

Every year, I like to find a new coffee table book to add to the collection at the beach house. This one…Island Whimsy, Designing a Paradise by the Sea by Celerie Kemble is on it’s way to me right now. I’m so excited to bring it back down and pour over it while rocking the morning away on the porch! I’m sure I’ll find lots of decor inspiration!

I’m still in full summer mode right now because I really feel as if summer just started and I have a closet full of clothes that I haven’t worn yet! I’m loving cooking fresh summer veggies, more time at the beach with Baldy and days by the pool. It does seems that because of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, the rest of the world has started to think about fall fashion. I will confess that there may be a box from Nordstrom waiting for me when I get home and I’m excited to try it all on. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is such an amazing event because you can get fall items at a great discount.!

However, if you’re like me, and still into summer, you’ll love the summer pieces below and some of them will transition well into fall!

New Movies

In my opinion, this is a movie everyone needs to see, especially during these times…

“From filmmaker Reinaldo Marcus Green, along with the Academy Award-winning writing team behind BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg, JOE BELL tells the intimate and emotional true story of an Oregonian father who pays tribute to his gay teenage son Jadin, embarking on a self-reflective walk across America to speak his heart to heartland citizens about the real and terrifying costs of bullying.”

I can remember watching Julia Child on PBS as a child and enjoying here even then! That’s why I’m so excited to see this new movie, about her life!

“JULIA tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child's surprising path, from her struggles to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, to her empowering story of a woman who found fame in her 50s, and her calling as an unlikely television sensation.”

I’m leaving you with a few articles from around the web that you might enjoy!

This article…How to Set Weekly Goals To Change Your Life, from Lifehack is worth reading and I found it very helpful. We tend to look so much at the big picture when it comes to goals, but having a weekly plan can be a good idea for everyone!

This blogpost from Heather Bullard called The Art of Weekending is so lovely!

I absolutely cannot wait to try this recipe for Brown Sugar Peach Shortcakes from Half Baked Harvest!

And one more blog that I stumbled upon this morning that I think you’ll love - Jillian Harris! Take a look and let me know what you think!

I’m saving this part for the end of the blog because I’m finally not mad about it anymore! This is the second time I’ve written this post! I finished the whole thing and my computer froze so it disappeared! If you’ve read until the end, it means the world to me…especially since blogging has been so difficult this week! I hope you’re all having a great Sunday!