Good morning and happy Monday! I’m still hanging here at Bald Head Island…it’s looking like a sunny day and I couldn’t be happier about that! This trip to BHI is turning out to be one of the most memorable in the 35 years I’ve been coming here…let me tell you a little bit about it.

The saga continued…

As I mentioned in my last post, we ended up hiring a boat to bring my daughter and her family over to the island. After all of that excitement, we had a wonderful dinner together, everyone was exhausted, and we turned in early.

The next morning, we woke up to thunder and lightning that lasted all day long. You can only imagine how challenging it is to entertain two small children (and three dogs!) on an island where the biggest attractions are the beach, bikes, and being outdoors. It’s one of the things I love most about Bald Head Island…it’s simple, peaceful, and unplugged, but when Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, it definitely becomes a little more challenging.

A few years ago we were here with the grandchildren during a hurricane, and let me tell you…that was an adventure I’ll never forget.

This time, we made the best of it. While the children napped, we wandered through a few of the shops, and that evening we cooked a delicious steak dinner. It turned out to be a much better day than we expected.

Then the next morning…we woke up with no power.

At that point, I gave up any hope of getting work done and crossed my fingers that the sun would eventually make an appearance. Instead, more storms rolled in that afternoon. During a brief break in the rain, Baldy took our grandson to see the alligators. I reminded him to take his phone, but for some reason he left it behind. On the way back, the golf cart broke down on the side of the road. Since no one could reach them, we assumed they were just having a good time….instead, they ended up walking all the way home! Thankfully, the rain held off until they made it back, but now we have another item to add to the vacation to-do list – getting the golf cart repaired.

Sometimes the best vacations are the ones that don’t go according to plan. They may not be relaxing, but they certainly give you plenty of stories to tell!

Yesterday, thank goodness the sun came out. We had a wonderful day by the pool and ate dinner out by the water last night. We drove my daughter and her sweet family to the ferry just a little while ago. I was so sad to see them leave but we made some wonderful memories that we’ll treasure forever! In spite of the weather, the cart and the power being out…we still enjoyed each other!

---

Rodan + Fields

I’m sure most of you have heard of the skincare line Rodan + Fields—or maybe you’ve even used the products. I have several friends who sold the line over the years, and I’ve tried a few of the products myself with really good results. The company recently sent me a few things to try, and I’ve been impressed with them so far.

I’ve been using the Total RF Serum, their comprehensive anti-aging serum designed to target the key signs of aging, along with the Redefine Multi Function Eye Cream, which helps firm, smooth and improve the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet. I’ve also added the Active Hydration Serum to my routine, and it gives my skin an immediate boost of hydration that leaves it feeling soft and refreshed. Finally, I’ve been using the Pure C Serum, a collagen-supporting vitamin C serum that helps brighten the skin and improve overall tone.

I’ve really enjoyed every one of these products. The biggest difference I’ve noticed is with the Pure C Serum…my dark spots have definitely started to fade a bit, and I must really love the eye cream because I’m already almost out of it! I find myself reaching for it several times throughout the day. If you’ve been curious about Rodan + Fields, I think these are wonderful products to start with and…I also love the sleek packaging!

What I didn’t realize until I started looking into the company is that they completely changed the way they sell their products a couple of years ago. Instead of the multi-level marketing model they were known for, they now sell their skincare much more like other beauty brands, making it easier for customers to shop directly. I thought it was an interesting reflection of how much shopping has changed over the years.

If you’ve been curious about Rodan + Fields or are thinking about updating your skincare routine, you can use code WELCOME25 to shop these products and receive 25% off.

---

Spartina 449 Warehouse Sale

If you’re a Spartina fan, don’t miss their Online Warehouse Sale. It’s one of my favorite opportunities to pick up handbags, jewelry, and gifts at deep discounts—some styles are up to 80% off, but quantities are limited, so if you see something you love, I’d grab it before it’s gone. I purchased the bags pictured below last year during the warehouse sale and pulled them out to pack for this beach trip. My daughter loved them both and I’m going to try to find her something similar today…maybe for a birthday gift or a just because gift!

---

New Pre Fall Pieces to Wear Now

I have so many wonderful pieces that are showing up daily and Baldy brought a whole suitcase of things so that I can create a little content while I’m here! The first thing I wore was the Jude Connally dress I have on in the picture above. It’s one of my favorite Jude Connally styles from the brand new collection and it was the perfect thing to wear to dinner last night. It doesn’t wrinkle so the kids could crawl all over me, it’s very flattering and comfortable and I love the print. I just threw on some Vahan jewelry and a pair of espadrilles and was ready to go!

---

When I come back to Bald near the end of August, I’ll definitely be packing this dress, also from Jude Connally. The shell motif is beachy and gorgeous with a touch of gold and it’ll be perfect dress for a beach trip as we go into the fall season.

I also received a fabulous skort and top from Spanx that has been perfect for walking the dogs and errands. Even though this island is very casual, I still try to look nice when I go out so this set can go from the grocery store in the morning to a dog walk and a bike ride in the afternoon and…I absolutely love the color!

Crisp green and white is a favorite color combo and this dress from Tori Richard is everything you want in a summer dress. It has a vintage feel and I can just picture it in Palm Beach!

And speaking of going into fall, I’m so excited to style these viral barrel jeans from Ruti. I’ve become such a fan of Ruti over the past couple of years. Their pieces have an effortless, modern look that feels polished without sacrificing comfort, and the quality is outstanding. I already have a denim jacket, skirt, and linen sweater (similar) that I wear often and I can’t wait to share how I wear the jeans.

And…loving this affordable set and just ordered these pants!

---

Tinned Fish Platter

In my post last week, I talked about how much I’m loving tinned fish for an easy and healthy dinner. I made this tinned fish platter the other night and it was delicious. In retrospect, I should have flaked the fish with a fork for the picture because it doesn’t look that appetizing, but trust me, this fish is so delicious and it really makes for the easiest dinner or appetizer…especially when it’s just too hot to cook! I have several other tins that I can’t wait to try and I’m also excited to try the caviar!

---

The house is much quieter now that everyone has headed home, and while I already miss everyone and even the chaos, I’m looking forward to a slower week on the island. I’m hoping for some sunshine, long walks with the dogs, and a little time to think about the season ahead and all the beautiful transitional fashion that’s beginning to arrive.

I know that on Sunday, we’ll head home to face the tree damage and everything that comes with it. I’m a little anxious about seeing the damage and excited for the renovation at the same time. I have a lot of planning to do, but for now I’m choosing to enjoy these peaceful days and take them one at a time.

~XOXO Suzanne