Summer must: Beach camping

Hole in the Wall in the distance

I love camping, in particular on the beach. All you have to be concerned about are your basic needs: food, fire, water and shelter. We spent time collecting driftwood to build our fire, rocks to create my rainbow and the majority of our days exploring tide pools and watching the tide roll in and out. Being outdoors anchors me, it makes me feel alive and connected to this beautiful planet. Cameron and I are able to connect in a way no five star hotel allows. In the simple moments of filtering water, making food or playing card games we bond. We forge memories and create traditions. My favorite part of our relationship is how we genuinely love spending time with one another and camping on the beach is the perfect backdrop to do so.

Spring Travel: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale is a lot like Miami, it has the same spectacular blue skies, sunshine and abundant beaches, but without the frenzy. To start our exploring off right, we headed to the canals and hopped aboard a water taxi. The water taxis offer hop on hop off service all around the city which allow for plenty of exploring without a lot of back tracking. We were able to hop off at one place for lunch and then hop back on for more exploring. One thing I did not realize about Fort Lauderdale is just how many wealthy people gravitate here to build mega mansions or who call these waters home to their yachts. While we were there, we were able to see the Walmart family yacht, Elle Magazine yacht and too many celebrities to mention.

Let them be kids: Alki beach edition

At first she was uncertain about having a camera stuck in her face, but after awhile she warmed up to the idea. Before long she started to run, explore, climb, throw rocks and pretty much had the whole modeling thing down pat. The offspring to Marie, founder of Make and Takes, I am certain she is used to being photographed getting her craft on. On this particular day, she played the role of Seattleite well, dressed head to toe in REI and requesting a visit to Starbucks once the photo shoot commenced. 

Weekend Getaway: Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is the northernmost of the southern beaches in the coastal section of Olympic National Park. It is 27 miles south of the infamous town of Forks, Washington. We decided to stop here on our way home from Seabrook, but it would also make the perfect weekend getaway. I have seen spectacular shots of this beach at sunset, so next time I hope to time it just right.

$25 well spent

When typically plan trips to the beach in the warmer Spring and Summer months. Memorial day usually kick starts our beach time as we spend a long weekend camping along the coast. This year, we decided to mix things up and head to the beach earlier than normal. Before we went, Cameron thought it would be a good idea to buy some rubber boots. I had visions of bright yellow or red Hunter boots, but Cameron wanted to focus on function rather than fashion. A trip to Cabela's (I had never been there before) proved fruitful and we walked away with two pairs of rubber boots. Nothing fancy, nothing flashy, but good functional rubber boots that matched! Bonus.

Once at the beach these rubber boots worked like a dream. No sand to deal with afterwards all over our favorite shoes, nor freezing cold feet, or walks cut short because the water was too high. Rubber boots just made exploring the beach a ton more fun. One of the unexpected best parts was we did not have to walk around with our shoes in our hands which meant our hands were free to touch and explore the beach.

Boots for him and her. They might just change your life and if not they will definitely make you feel like a kid again.

Long weekend: Seabrook, WA

There exists a certain hierarchy with friends. There are church friends, work friends, school friends, neighborhood friends, couple friends, childhood friends and travel friends. As much as you adore certain friends it is with hesitation you might commit to a day trip or an overnight adventure, uncertain how that much time together might pan out. What will you talk about? What will you do? Then there are friends who are laid back, conversation flows with ease, time has no relevance and you just feel better about yourself after spending time with them. This weekend we were honored to spend time with two of our favorite people. Two people who like us for us, make no judgements of us and celebrate not only our joys, but do everything in their power to ease our sorrows.

The weekend was spent together at the loveliest beach house in Seabrook, WA. We walked along the beach, caught every possible ray of sunshine, ate delicious food, played games and even snuck a nap into the equation. We came back feeling rejuvenated and reminded of how lucky we are to have them as friends and live in such a beautiful place.

Open shelving in the kitchen.

For all you Twilight fans

I love looking at photos because they have the ability to transport you back to a particular place and time. Hands down my favorite wall decor for our home is photos from past trips we have taken and places we have visited. I know Forks has been all the rage because of Twilight, but Rialto Beach is nearby and hands down more stunning.

From primitive Nicaragua to posh Delray Beach

In Delray Beach, Florida there is this wonderful hotel named The Seagate Hotel. It is a boutique hotel, located close to the ocean and near many shops and restaurants. One of my favorite features of the hotel was the private beach club the hotel guests have access to. Upon check in we simply boarded a trolley and were driven to the front entrance of the beach club. We ate a leisurely late afternoon lunch and then spent the rest of the day swimming, walking along the beach and admiring the mad skills of the wind surfers.

Delray Beach on Dwellable

life's a beach

One of the best days we had in Nicaragua was the day we went to the beach. No one was around, there was plenty of great waves, a delicious fish lunch and a gorgeous sunset. Despite the fact my seashells were confiscated in Costa Rica, I will always look fondly back on that day.

Life in Nicaragua is simple, it makes you realize how overcomplicated we make things America.

Shortly after he learned how to walk, I bet he learned how to surf. This little guy was amazing.

 No, this was not our lunch.

I always like the idea of hats, but since my hair is so short and I usually never end up wearing them because I feel like a boy. I was determined to wear my hat at our day at the beach.

A break from the sun and the view for our lunch table. Never mind we were repeatedly hounded by small children selling trinkets. We are such jerks, we never bought anything, but they have the sad eye thing down pat.

The restaurant we ate lunch at.

All of the sudden some random horses joined us on the beach. They must have known the sunset was coming.

I never tire of sun, sand, freckles and spending the day with my husband.

At the beach: Seabrook

There is endless inspiration at the beach. There are silhouette shots

Nature shots

Action shots

Sunset shots

Athletic shots

Mid air shots

Low lying fog shots

Reflective shots

Ever changing sky and cloud shots

Dramatic shots

Emerging from the fog shots