Amen Sister!

Can I get an Amen for Amy Bickers at Southern Living? In September's issue of Southern Living Amy wrote a terrific "Southern Journal" article titled Dear Hollywood. If you are like me and feel as though you are constantly defending your Southern heritage against stereotypes, then her open letter to Hollywood is a must read for you.

Finally someone published that Hollywood portrays Southerns in the wrong manner. Living outside of the South, thank goodness for only a few more days, I have been exposed to all types of misconceptions about those of us from the South. It still to this day amazes me what people think of me when they hear I am from Alabama.

So I guess the only thing left to say is... Hollywood can kiss my grits. Yes, I can poke fun as well at myself.

xoxo- Gulf Dreamin'

End of Summer Party

have missed summer dearly this year. We've been lucky for the temp to rise above 75 degrees during the day out here in Cali, thus I am looking forward to glistening in the sun. I say glisten as ya'll know us Southern belles do not sweat, we glisten. Wishing for summer has made me realize summer is quickly coming to a close, in fact moving-in weekend will be the official close of summer with Labor Day. I wish I could throw a fabulous party and start amping up for football season. I would love to wear something like this, all from J Crew I might, most of it on sale to boot!

Get it here: Dress | Shoes | Sweater | Belt | Earrings | Ring

Free Car Washes

can't believe I am missing opening weekend of Beachy Clean Car Wash in Santa Rosa Beach! Brand new owner with brand new equipment will be giving free car washes all weekend long. I know my black car could use a good washing on any day of the week, especially a free one! Stop by 5707 US Hwy 98 West in Santa Rosa Beach for your free wash this weekend only. Click here for further details about Beachy Clean Car Wash.

An Entryway

e all need a place that is the "catch all" as you walk through the door. You know a place for the mail, keys, shoes, dog leashes, and so on. So I am hoping to have room make a space in our new home to fulfill this purpose. Here is what I am dreamin' about:

JC Penny Console table | West Elm Chunky Leaning Mirror | Crate & Barrel Green Stool | Urban Outfitters Rug | Owl Umbrella Stand | Crate & Barrel Green Table Lamp | Urban Outfitters Coat Rack | Bee Painting from Etsy

So it is a start of my dream entry. I might have to lighten or brighten the paint color in the hall and maybe even have a hint of shimmer to add light to the space. We shall see! Or dare I say we go white or ivory through such a high traffic area...

xoxo - Gulf Dreamin'

Won't You Be My Neighbor

'm going to be bringing you all a weekly featured property so I'm calling the segment "Won't You Be My Neighbor". I love the beach and the entire Florida panhandle, so I am all about bringing more people here to vacation and even be my full time neighbors!

Ladies and Gents may I present to y'all the very first of many "Won't You Be My Neighbor" segments. This is a new construction home priced at $329,000 which is located in the subdivision Cypress Breeze Plantation.

{The home was recently finished and the builder
is ready for you to be my neighbor!}

The 2300 square foot home boasts a grand kitchen with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an attached 2 car garage. Let me tell you all that 2 car garages are hard to come by in the 30A area. One of the best features of this home is its location! Only 1/2 mile from public beaches with restaurants and shopping at the famous Gulf Place within walking distance. Check out more pictures and features of the home and call the agent that will get the deal done for you! Bev Dudley lives by her motto of "if it goes to contract it will close!"

So won't you be my neighbor,

xoxo- Gulf Dreamin'


For inquires about this home please contact:

Porch Dreaming

{The beauty above is from last year over at Pottery Barn.}

I am dreaming of the covered porches we'll have once we sign on the dotted line for our house. I am in love with the idea of a bed swing on the porch. I think it might be a weekend project for the hubs and I as I really think we could do it. BTW when did Lowes get so creative and helpful? Check out their step-by-step guide on building a swinging bed. Or you could use Better Homes and Gardens guide too.

Or if you aren't a DIYer you could buy one of these lovelies:



xoxo- Gulf Dreamin'

Celebrate

Moving forward! It's time to take a moment to celebrate as the seller's have agreed to pay for the required FHA repairs.... Can't you all see the hubs doing his famous shopping cart dance move? I wish I had a picture of that to post here. While there isn't much time for celebration yet, there's just too much to do, there will be a lot of time to celebrate once we move. So everyone can start planning their visits to see us. At the Beach! <-Like how that becomes it own sentence? And I don't mean those visits you all promised to make to California and never did, you know who you all are. We still love you all anyways.

So while we celebrate this victory I am burying myself in fort of boxes. As with each passing day our home in California looks less and less like home and more like a storage unit. Today I walk around with a huge sigh of relief and ready to tackle the next project. Next project you might ask? Sending our Great Dane, all our stuff, and cars on its way to our new home. We'll meet it all there with if things go according to plan.

Counting Down

I haven't written recently because, well quite frankly it is the same story. We are waiting on the sellers. This week is D Day though. All repairs must be in place by Friday so the inspector can go back out and verify they have been done so we can close in time. There is some frustration on our end with the seller's not holding up their end of the bargain as they had said but we shall see if they do. We are moving forward as though it will all go smoothly though! Being optimistic that it will all work out in the end.

Besides I really don't have the time to worry about it all. I'm busy packing and trying to coordinate moving everything cross country while working full time and still doing freelance on the side. Yes I'm tired, but it will be SO worth it in 22 days. Yes, the count down has begun!

30A Named Best Beaches in Florida

Home Sweet Glorious Home, I can't wait to get there. Looks like this week the area we are moving was named as the the best beaches in Florida by Florida Travel + Life.

That doesn't surprise me with the sugar white sands and emerald waters. I know we can't wait to live our dream of living along 30A!