You guys! I am on the Outer Banks in North Carolina as we speak. (!!) I am having a bit of a Rachel Zoe moment because everything is ba.na.nas. It is so gorgeous I cant even handle it. Did you know that other than a quick trip to San Diego I have never been to the beach? (I mean, of course you didnt know that. But now you do!) I am here for Click photography retreat with my girl Cara and a pile of other talented ladies.
We flew in with a massive storm brewing and the ocean churning something fierce. The entire street was awakened at 6 am (4 am Utah time) to lightening hitting a telephone pole that is literally 200 yards away from our house. I thought for sure it had hit the house and I was super nervous to touch my doorknob (just in case there was a bit of electricity still lingering.) Cara couldnt be bothered. She had to get her beauty sleep (that is her secret to it all, I am convinced.)
The good news? They are totally prepared for stuff like this. There is so much chocolate here. The bad news?…
Dont judge.
So here is just a little glimpse of the fun.
On the decorating front, I feel like I finally get Coastal decor. The colors that you find in nature here are nothing like what you find in Southern Utah. It is so gray, but not in a dreary way. It just is. And the beach is just so powerful and inspiring.
Fun fact: Did you know that Americans spell the color Gray with an A and people in Europe spell it Grey? So either spelling is right, it just depends on where you are. And you can totes remember it A for America and E for England.
You are welcome.
But the best part is that I discovered that I have this freaky (and a little terrifying) hidden talent.
In an attempt to explain to me why Cara loved a certain baseball team, she brought up the soap opera Passions. Do you remember it?!
Apparently it made quite the impression on me. I could name literally every person in it. I was so caught off guard by it. Because while I loved it, I was not a freaky super fan. I mean, I didnt think I was.
But we are talking prodigy level folks.
Theresa, Sheridan, Gwen, Ethan, Whitney, Chad, Fancy, I mean, I can go on for days.
Did you love Passions? Do you love the Outer Banks? How about chocolate?
We were there just last week. Love that place!
Love the Outer Banks, so relaxing! Looks like you girls are having fun even with cloudy skies, enjoy!
Outer Banks is a really fun spot. So many cool shops that are local. I was there last year twice for a friends wedding. We went into a coffee shop and I ended up buying 2 old coffee bean sacks for like $5. If you get a chance you have to try Duck Donuts. So delish. They are lke no other donuts. Also, if you’re a seafood lover try the clam chower. Holy mother of creamy delightful yum. Do it. seriously. Even if you don’t like seafood. Try it.
Enjoy this side of the Country.
PS thanks for the Gray/grey. I spell it both ways because I never knew what was right!
Where in OBX are you? We have a house at Kure and have taken a girls’ weekend to Nags Head. I love my state!
My husband is from the Outer Banks! He was born in Elizabeth City and also lived on the beach at Nags Head/Kitty Hawk. I hope you get to see the Cape Hatteras or Bodie Island lighthouses, they are amazing!
Even though we live in Southern Utah too, my husband’s background means we have a lot of coastal colors and influences in our home. Can’t go wrong with all those beautiful blues and grays!
i watched passions in college (had a daytime tv problem then heh), but i’m not sure that i’d know everyone’s names the way you do. impressive! also, please do tell me about those tie-dye pants. super cute. and i love the outer banks. beautiful even when the ocean is angry! have you seen any wild horses yet?
I love the outer banks! I am from Raleigh and have done many trips to the beach. Emerald Isle is my favorite. Where are you staying? I’m excited to hopefully see some fum coastal decor on your blog!
Passions!!!! I remember moving my class schedule in college so I could watch it!! It was terrible, and it was the same day (it was either thanksgiving or xmas) for about 7 months straight, and the doll was so creepy (didn’t the actor pass away in real life?) but it was addictive!
We did a big family reunion vacation in the OBX 2 years ago – 25+ people in one of those huge houses. Loved it! Enjoy your stay!
I’m so jealous! I need a beach retreat like BAD. The pictures are gorgeous. I used to be a Days of Our Lives junkie. I gave it up when my kids were little and at home. I just thought that it was too mature for them. But, I bet I could name all the characters like they were family!
The Outer Banks are very pretty!
I never watched Passions but in general, I have a freaky-good memory for TV trivia. It is kind of embarrassing because it sounds like I’m a TV enthusiast but I really don’t care that much about TV. Also, that TV trivia is apparently taking up room in my brain because I can never remember things about classic literature or world events but I can tell you which actors were in which sitcom. *sigh*
Guurrl I can’t believe this is only your second trip to the beach!! Enjoy it, the sound and smell of the ocean are the best. 🙂
I live in NC and LOVE the Outer Banks! I have to go every summer, it’s where I go to rejuvenate my soul. Enjoy your time there!
Love OBX! We go every year with my husbands family during the last week of September. We always stay in Corolla, but our favorite place to eat is The Red Sky Cafe in Duck – ah-mazing food. I also love Michael’s Gems in Timbuck II (across from the Food Lion in Corolla) – was so overwhelmed by the geode and agate collection this year I couldn’t make a decision on what to bring home with us.
I loved Passions too. By the way those are amazing pictures. What type of camera do you own? My messed up completely and looking to buy another. Any recommendations for me?
I’d completely forgotten about Passions… too funny! And I love grey (Canadian!) and coastal decor almost as much as I love your leggings 😉
Dude! I could sing the Passions theme song, by heart, right now. My sister got me hooked briefly when I went home for Christmas years ago. So much lunacy: excellent. VHS taped it.
And Mar-Timmies- a hosting staple in my home. Wanna bring them back with me? Non-alcoholic works great too, have used both. Without the rum is my favorite version, actually.
Let’s make Mar-Timmies happen.
The beach and chocolate… Enough said 🙂
Gemma
fadedwindmills.blogspot.co.uk
The Outer Banks is beautiful! My favorite place to vacation. I am actually only an hour away and go as often as I can. Have fun!
Love. Love. LOVE Outer Banks. It speaks to my SOUL. Fall/ winter can be dreary but in a beautiful and inspiring way. We always stay in Avon on Hatteras Island. If you happen to get down there, see if The Elegant Attic is open. It’s a second hand shop and she specializes in stained glass from Europe, which is SO not my thing. But the owner gives tours of her adjoining home and it’s absolutely lovely and creative, plus I have to admit all the stained glass and architectural pieces are pretty amazing. Last year I got a horse head coat hook, oak sewing drawers, and a 1930’s bread bin there– you never know what you’re going to find. Have a wonderful visit and be sure to sit on the beach and soak it all in!!!
In the words of Rachel Zoe. Passions was “everything”! I loved that show, I miss it!
I see what you mean about the beach colors. Yes, they really ARE beach colors.
Love that photo of you with the camera.
My very first view of the ocean in person was just three years ago (at age 37 – so sad) and came in the form of an hour hubby and I got to spend in Surf City, NC on Topsail Island. So incredibly gorgeous – I loved it and still want to go back! And chocolate, love chocolate too LOL. Remember Passions, but don’t think I ever watched it.
Mandi- We met at Haven. We talked about stealing from old people’s attics. We became insta-BFFs. OK, now onto more important things. #1- I live SO close to OBX and was sad when I didn’t even KNOW about the photography retreat. Like, real sad. Anyway, I also LOVED your Duck Donuts posts because- AMIRIGHT?! They’re amaaaaazing. #2- PASSIONS?! WHAT?! Yes, Chad and Fancy and how they were siblings and then weren’t and then Simone was jealous and AHHHHH?!
Glad someone else knows that soap. Also, Timmy and Tabitha. The end.
When are you coming back and posting! I am new to your blog and can’t wait to see and read more!
You’re so lucky,sigh could do with a beach holiday ‘specially somewhere as pretty as that.
Greetings from a GREY dull, suburb of London ,England !
Canadians spell it grey also! Just as an add on to your fun fact 🙂 but a lot of us spell it wrong ( by our standards) because all our computers are American and autocorrect to grey with an ‘a’. Anyway ! Your vacation looks beautiful, glad you’re enjoying it !
I’ve never lived anywhere but the coast of North Carolina, although not on the Outer Banks. I’m on the Crystal Coast. I wouldn’t even go to college in Raleigh because I was scared I would dry out or something. I was convinced that the lack of salt air would be detrimental to my health. So, I went to UNCW and all was right with the world. 🙂
HOLY COW! I thought I was the only one that watched that one! I wasn’t a super fan, but enjoyed the crap out of that crummy little soap opera! Glad I found time to catch up on your blog – this totally made my day!