Traveling Tote Adventures
and a Giveaway
Welcome to another adventure of Tales of the Traveling Tote. This is where my fellow Tales of the Traveling Tote friends and I share our latest travels, projects and our most current events. You will have an opportunity to visit other members at the end of this post and learn about our giveaway.
My favorite place to be beachside is
somewhere, anywhere along scenic Highway 30A in the panhandle of Florida's emerald coast. Jim and I look forward to a spring getaway and this year we enjoyed a weather perfect week mid-March with mild temperatures and lots of sunshine.
Trips here in the past find us in a beach house, townhouse or condo. This trip we were beachfront in a condo with million dollar views. My sister and brother in law drove down from Atlanta to join us. Come along while I share some of my favorite places along this Florida coastal hideaway.
A previous drawing my sister did of me
happy to be by the shore
Loving this beach house where we were guests with my sister and brother in law on several occasions. When we are in the neighborhood we always drive by to see the new homes
Seagrove
Next to the pool and only steps to the beach. The Grove by the Sea. My favorite beach houses!
Seaside
A favorite food at the beach is blackened grouper
Served up at one of my favorite restaurants in
Seaside. Everything is always as you remember.
And known for their key lime pie
And right next to Great Southern Cafe is my favorite beach bookstore
Sundog Books
I chose a few books from the shelves for beachside relaxing
For a leisurely stroll, lunch and shopping, a great spot is Baytown Wharf at San Destin
Clay Gardens and Gifts
I love to visit this local garden and gift shop. Spring is a great time to visit for ideas and inspiration. 
Rosemary Beach and a little shopping
Alys Beach
The striking architectural features of this town are traditional Bermuda brilliant-white homes. Featured with pathways and courtyards only a short walk to the beach
Miss Courtney held my MacKenzie-Childs Berries and Blossoms set for a pretty spring table setting. I mixed it with the white beach theme set in the condo
Love the "waves" in the glassware
Thank you for your visit. I hope you will leave a comment, it's the only way I know you stopped in.
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Be sure to join us for a special post coming
July 31
So Many Ways to Enjoy Summer!
July 31
So Many Ways to Enjoy Summer!
Now for the Giveaway!
Ricki Jill at The Sketchy Reader will be hosting the giveaway for a chance to win a Wine Tote from MacKenzie-Childs. For a chance to win just leave a comment on her blog post.
Tales of the Traveling Tote members would love for you to visit.
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women
OHHHH, how I want to visit this area! I am going to go back and look at these photos again and dream of being in the panhandle (an area of Florida where I havent been yet) Your table setting is adorable!! And I adore the "basket wall - they are beautiful!. So which home did you and Jim choose? I love the large white one!!! Your tote looks so happy basking in the sun on the beach - Happy Travels!!!
ReplyDeleteEmily your photos are just stunning, and you definitely captured the feel of the 30A area! It is so fun and fabulous! We almost bout a house on 30A years ago and then found Ono. I have been lucky enough to stay at Seaside several times for weddings. That bookstore looks wonderful, I know RJ writes about it too, and I love the books you picked out! The view from your condo is breathtaking, and I had to smile to see you brought some MKC pieces along for a tablescape! Next time you go to the coast I hope you can come visit me in Orange Beach! Again, your photos are beautiful, you made me feel like I was there!
ReplyDeleteStay cool 😅 Jenna
I enjoyed your post so much. Seeing all the familiar sights made me so homesick to be there. The sugar sands along 30 A and Panama City are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI loved that you took your MC berry dishes with you to the beach. Your tablescape is so pretty. Miss Courtney was holding valuable cargo.
Thanks for beautiful pictures and the map was an excellent idea so people can see the area.
Your trip with your sister and her husband sounds so special.
Emily, your beach trip has me wanting to pack a bag and get myself to the FL Gulf Coast. I've only been once, a week in San Destin, and your photos make me long for the white sugar beaches and the beautiful communities along the coast. The FL Gulf is so much prettier than the Texas Gulf. I know you and the family had a fun, relaxing time in that gorgeous beach side home. Nothing better than waking up to the sound of the sea, an early morning walk on the beach when few are around, and then a leisure day with a good book. Thanks for taking us on this beautiful beach trip. Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteWow Emily, what. Fabulous trip. The beach looks so inviting. You have captured some awesome places. The beach house is lovely. How special to spend time with your sister and family. The food looks so delicious. I love fresh seafood, always a treat to enjoy. I also enjoy looking at houses, seeing the different designs is so interesting to me. Getting a good book to read by the beach would be heavenly. You had so many choices. Thanks for taking me along on this fabulous trip. Oh, I cannot forget the key lime key, favorite of mine. Happy weekend to you and Jim.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I love your 30A beach excursion. We've been there, only once, but it was memorable. Many of the stops you've highlighted were part of our trip too. We stayed in a sweet cottage on the (Seaside) beach, enjoyed food trucks, bike rides and leisurely walks. How fun that you packed your berry plates for the trip.
ReplyDeleteHappy June!
Now I am wanting to go to the beach!!We go to Gulf Shores every September to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It is my favorite time of the year. We have not been to the Destin area in many years. It is much changed! thanks for taking us on a tour.
ReplyDeleteSign me up! The legendary white sands of Destin are on my bucket list. Everything you did would be on my bucket list. I love that you brought berries and blossoms. I brought a couple to Europe too. They travel so well and look so pretty! The book store, food and garden shop all look amazing and I love the beautiful homes. Now I need to find a time to get there!
ReplyDeleteI think my first comment got sucked away into the vast cyberspace. Your photos make me want to go back to that area. My first job was at Sandestin and it was so pretty. Glad you had fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time for you and your hubby along your favorite highway, Emily! I enjoyed tagging along with you at some of your favorite spots. Your Berries and Blossoms are my favorite pieces. Thank you for sharing your beach vacation with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat glorious beachy holidays, Emily! That house of Grove by the Sea -- I think I was ready to die for that one. And the bookstore. I really do need to order that funeral book from Amazon (it's a how-to, right, not a novel?). I like all you brought to the condo and what wonderful spots and homes you saw. Walks and beaches and warm weather and sunshine. All in short supply still up here but it can't stay cool forever! Love every bit of this one!
ReplyDeleteMy KC and her husband honeymooned in Seaside 17 years ago. They loved it then and they love it still. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pics of this beautiful bit of heaven on Earth. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteCoucou ma chère Emily, merci de partager ce merveilleux séjour à la mer, un endroit superbe, tes photos en témoignent !
ReplyDeleteJ'aime aussi particulièrement cette vaisselle ainsi que le menu au restaurant, quel régal !
Je te souhaite un très bon moins de Juin, doux bisous.
Lylou
What a delightful travel post! Thank you so much for allowing us to join you, virtually. It looks beautiful, and relaxing. AND fun!! We live near the ocean here in California, but it's great to see the beautiful coastline you visited. So happy you had a wonderful time. Wishing you a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteI love all things 30-A! Your summer reading list looks wonderful. Please share with me your favorites! I think we'll be visiting that area often in the next few months because Shanley wants to get married there! I haven't been to Alys Beach in a long time. Do you prefer Alys Beach or Rosemary Beach?
ReplyDeleteLooks like the tote is having a great start to the summer. I love that drawing your sister did. Talent runs in your family.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Emily, what a fun time for you and Jim along your favorite highway and some of your favorite spots. One of these days I would like to try to visit. Your Berries and Blossoms are my favorite pieces. Thank you for sharing your beach vacation with us! You made me feel like I was there. xo
ReplyDeleteI love that Miss Courtney held the Berries and Blossoms set for a pretty spring table setting. I am packing my dishes right now to take on a picnic at our camp. xo
I have lived off and on in Florida but have not been to the panhandle in twenty years. Thanks for letting me see how much it has changed and in a good way. I love that you took your MacKenzie-Childs Berries and Blossoms set to the condo. :)
ReplyDeleteSure looks like a fun trip! I love to pack a bag and go to the beach! We are over due to go but now we are having pop up showers. Soon though...I need to walk on the beach!!!
ReplyDelete