True to our 2011 resolution, which inspired us to sneak off to Maui last year, this year we’ve road tripped down to Destin, Florida so we can soak up some rays and recharge our drill DIY batteries.
Turns out even if you love painting and sanding and stripping wallpaper, it’s nice to step away from the primer and the sawdust to reboot for a week with your family. And since we had already driven down to Atlanta last week for the Haven Conference, we figured why stop there when the beautiful gulf coast was a half-day drive away…
Destin was our destination of choice because our good friends the Bowers have said such great things about it. Oh, and did I mention the Bowers came with us?
We do plan to drop in a few times throughout the next five days with some posts that we wrote up before we left (we have an awesome $1,000+ international giveaway that we’ll share tomorrow morning along with some other things, like a sweet Reader Redesign). But our main goal is to recharge, put the laptops down, and show Clara a good time.
So we’ll just be stopping by every once in a while until next Monday (please forgive us if we’re not actively answering comments until then). We can’t wait to come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to tackle everything on our beefy to-do list. If only we could coerce our house sitters into painting some blue trim while they’re there (we have a few friends and family members who are taking turns moving in to stare at the wallpaper hang out while we’re gone).
What do you think the odds are of them surprising us with some painted trim when we return? Methinks it’s zero point zero zero. So we’re grateful that this is the only blue that we’ll be staring at for the next few days:
Naaaature! (said in the voice of Robert Goulet, of course).
Robbie T says
Enjoy your time in my neck of the woods! While you’re here, I highly recommend you visiting Andy Saczynski Art Studio-Gallery in Grayton Beach. He specializes turning “junk into funk”. He is also 2013 Artist of the Year! Tell him and his wife, Lori, Robbie sent you!
http://www.artbyandyski.com/
https://m.facebook.com/artbyandyski
Lori says
Thanks, Robbie!
lizaanne says
What an absolutely gorgeous photo of you and Clara!!! Hope you consider that wall worthy, it’s really beautiful!
Have a great break!
Kate says
Our family just returned from Destin yesterday. Have a fantastic trip and enjoy they beautiful beaches and ocean. One tip of advice that worked out for us is to leave around 7am Saturday morning, since the majority of the rentals have a 10am checkout time. We beat all the traffic and shaved 2 hours off our trip home to DFW.
Lindsey d says
Nothing like the Gulf beaches. We just got back from a long weekend in Orange Beach with family. It is the BEST place to relax and recharge. I can’t wait to go again next month!
Jenn says
Frame that pic of Sherry and Clara. When they are both older they will love looking back on it. Seriously, Sherry is a hot mom!
Diana says
If you’ve made it to Destin then you must travel to St. George Island. It’s the best destination spot on the gulf of Florida. In fact it is rated #3 of the top ten beaches in the US. It’s a mom and pop kind of place. No commercialization. Love it!
Ryan M says
Welcome to my neck of the woods! Destin is gorgeous! If we were home, I’d let you house crash :). Make sure you visit the Donut Hole, Harbor Docks, and have some fun in The 30-A area.
Reenie says
Enjoy your vacay!!
xo
Amy says
So glad you came to enjoy our beautiful beaches! We are in house/moving transition right now, but if you ever come back to Destin, feel free to house-crash at our place! :)
Traci says
You guys are such hard workers, if anyone deserves a vacation it’s you. Hope you have a wonderful time!!
Ashleigh says
There’s a show called “Nature” on one of the channels I flip past when there’s nothing on tv. And every time I see it, I hear Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet. So funny…
Oh, enjoy your vacation! There’ll be plenty of DIY waiting for you when you get home, so just enjoy your time away :)
Laurie says
A most excellent idea you guys! I shall paint my trim in honor of you guys while you are gone. Of course that does nothing for the trim in your house…
Stacey says
Enjoy your vacation! That beach looks fabulous!
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
Enjoy your well deserved break!
L says
But did Burger come? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Heck yeah! He’s loving it.
xo,
s
Hollie says
Florida Gulf Coast resident here! I am biased, of course, but I think we have some of the nicest beaches around. Enjoy your vacation!
Gabby says
The fact that you’re taking some time to step away from the keyboard makes me really happy! (Seriously, at times I worry about you guys doing all that you do.) Have a wonderful, fabulous, fun time in the sun you guys!!!
Michelle @ Ten June says
Good for you guys. Have fun!! Grab a Fudpuckers t-shirt for me! xo
Whitney Dupuis says
So glad you guys are all taking time for yourselves! Soak it in and relax!!! We will be here when you get back.
brandy says
oh man! have fun…I’ll be there Saturday! :) yay for vacays!!
Angela n says
We are at the beach this week too!! Different directio from you though- Hilton head island. We came up from fl. Lol. Enjoy your time with friends and family. The beach is the perfect place to recharge.
Alice H says
Destin is my favorite place! And I have only been once, when I was barely pregnant with my now 3 year old son. I will take my 3 kids back as soon as I get Colton out of daycare! LOL! Enjoy your time there!
Pompano Joe’s was right down the beach from where our condo was and it was so delicious. Check it out if it is still there!
Julianne says
Well deserved….Have a beautiful time!! :0)
Julie @ Living on the Ledge says
You guys deserve it!
Those beach pictures are quite refreshing compared to the norm as of late…ahem, smurf blue trim. :)
How beautiful and fun to take some time to make some vacation memories with Clara. Enjoy!
Jenny says
Enjoy!!
Kay says
LOVE Destin!!!! We’re going in September for a MUCH needed vacay (which I know you guys don’t know anything about- haha). Enjoy yourselves and relax! And it’s so great that the Bowers are with you so they can show you all of the wonderful spots in Destin. Seriously, I could stay there forever.
alyson says
I live right where you are right now and gasped when I saw you were right here. I feel the need to go stalk the beaches and find you guys because I LOVE your blogs. Have a great time!
Julie @ Living on the Ledge says
I have to say, those beach pictures are a refreshing change up from the norm as of late…ahem, smurf blue trim. :)
The pics looks amazing – what a wonderful way to relax and make some vacation memories with Clara. Enjoy! You guys deserve it!
Laurie says
I grew up in Destin! Of course when I lived there it was a tiny fishing village of less than 1,000 people and not a single fast food restaurant or chain of any sort. Now it is one of the top vacation destinations in the world. I prefer to remember it the way it was from my childhood. The beaches are spectacular. Enjoy!!
Lea Pino says
Destin is awesome! I grew up going to South Walton Co. beaches. Make sure you stop by Seaside and Rosemary Beach! Grab some shrimp to eat on the beach at the Shrimp Shack in Seaside and maybe a cold brew at Bud & Alley’s rooftop bar. Then head over to Rosemary for a design mecca of shops and architecture… there are tons of cool shops all along 30-A as well! Hope y’all are having fun on the Emerald Coast!
Lea Pino says
Oh and don’t forget the Red Bar at Grayton Beach- an authentic true Gulf Coast beach town! xo Lea
Kay says
Have a fantastic vacation! You guys deserve it!
melinda says
Yay! Happy memories of taking the kids to Destin. Even on rainy days, when we threw the bedspread over the kitchen table and ‘camped’. Another fave was visiting the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola. I’m sure the Bowers have all kinds of places to show you! Have a wonderful time!
Melissa says
Aww, my hometown!!!! I wish I were there! Wave to my parents for me!
If you want good local seafood you should definitely hit up the original Nick’s Seafood in Basin Bayou or their second location Nicks on the Beach on 30a.
Have fun!!! :) <3
Claire H. says
Beautiful beach photos- enjoy the family, friend, sun and sand time!
Joanne says
Enjoy your vacation! love that pic of Sherry and Clara, Sherry seriously look like a beach model *rawhh* :)
Carrie M. says
I haven’t been to Destin in forever! One of my FAVORITE places to eat is The Red Bar, down in Grayton Beach, about 30 minutes from Destin. They have the BEST seafood stuffed eggplant. Out of this world good!! Enjoy your vacation and all that white sand!!
Karyn says
We are headed down there on Friday to celebrate my 40th birthday! It will also be the first beach trip with our baby girl- who is just starting to walk! The photos are getting me super excited!!! Enjoy your time off.
Deb Praus says
Have fun and relax…If you get over to Santa Rosa, there is the grocery store that was on “The Truman Show”, fun to see and great food over there.
GreenInOC says
A while ago there was a post about who Clara looked like more and I was firmly in the John camp.
The picture above where Clara is running – that there is a blond Sherry!
Have A GREAT Trip!!
Megan says
Have a BLAST!!! and tell the bowers congrats!! try not to leave Katie sleeping in the room the whole time!! haha
Erin says
That sounds awesome! Destin is beautiful. My grandparents used to visit often and I went as a child- so one year in college I convinced my girlfriends that our annual spring break should be in Destin (we’re from Wisconsin, so anything that isn’t snow covered in March is a big deal). Let’s just say we were the only people under 50 in our hotel and that it wasn’t exactly the typical spring break beach scene that some of my friends were expecting for- but we loved it! More pristine white sand than MTV beach parties :) Enjoy!
Misty says
You guys enjoy your vacation! Put the laptops down and step away! We will all still be here when you get back! ;)
Amanda says
We used to live there! Oh, how I miss it. Eat at Dewey Destin (the local place, not the tourist one) if you get the chance; it’s WAY better than the Crab Trap.
Candace J says
That photo of you and Clara in the sand is so beautiful it’s heartbreaking. It’s one of those timeless photos that it seems like all girls wish they had with their mothers.
Looks like you are already in well-deserved vacation mode – thanks for providing daily doses of awesome and sharing your DIY lives for all of us wannabees out here.
x
Candace
Diana Buchanan says
I can honestly say I would be happy to paint blue trim if I were your housesitter! Just check out how we painted our ENTIRE house this weekend: http://fromragstonorthrich.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-transformation-begins.html
I’m the kind of person that wants to get it DONE so I’m completely focused on changing the ugly things I can’t live with as soon as possible. That blue trim would be driving me bonkers!
Also, Destin looks beautiful! One of my good friends is heading there Saturday. You guys deserve a break! Have a great time!!!
Eadie says
Gorgeous! And so happy for you! ….and a good reminder that it might be time to bust out a real vacation in our family too (last “real” vacay was at the end of 2011- almost 2 years). Yikes, no wonder I’m tired! Wishing you a fun, fulfilling, fantastic (and restful) trip, Petersiks! :D
Stefani says
Love it! Have a GREAT time!
Olivia says
Awesome – enjoy!!
Meagan says
Must recommend Louisiana Lagniappe (pronounced Lan-Yap), and The Back Porch. The MeltDown on 30A in Seaside is unique and delish – food trucks and grilled cheese – can’t go wrong. Definitely hit up Chicken Salad Chick in Montgomery or Auburn on your way home! It’s too bad we have a vanity, toilet and mirror in the middle of our living room floor or we’d ask you to crash our Montgomery cottage on your way home. Yay for bathroom remodels! :)
Meredith says
We love Destin! You and Katie should check out Tracery Interiors in Rosemary Beach while you are there. It is such a cute store.
Angel p says
If you have free time look up the pirate cruise for Clara and Katie’s boys. It is sooooo much fun. You will need to check to see if it is full before driving over but I don’t think it is far from where you are staying. My kids still talk about how much fun they had. The pics you get will be priceless.
http://piratecruise.net/