Destination Destin

My last college spring break was a success. Florida welcomed us with warm weather and sunny skies. Crystal Beach is gorgeous with its emerald waters and powdery white sand. I didn't even know beaches could be this pristine in the United States. I soaked up every last drop of sunshine and ate as much seafood as possible. I'll never forget these last days spent with friends--being silly, playing truth or dare, watching romantic comedy flicks, reading on the beach, making pizza, drinking wine, and eating ice cream from coffee cups--before everyone heads off in their own directions whether that be grad school, marriage, a new job, or a new city. This week was ours.

Seaside

Today the girls and I hopped in the car, rolled down the windows, and blasted this song as we drove along scenic highway 30A until we reached Seaside, a charming master-planned community between Destin and Panama City Beach. Seaside is the poster child for New Urbanism, and it has garnered the attention of architecture, housing, and design professionals from all over the country. Everything in this town is adorable & perfectly put together, and within walking distance. There is a small old-fashioned post office, gelateria, street of food trucks, neighborhood charter school, quiet park, amphitheater, and tons of shops and art galleries. My favorite places include a coffee shop called Amavida Coffee that also serves up Latin American food; a two-story book and records store called Sundog Books; and a family-owned grocery store called Modica Market. Seaside is definitely an ideal locale for vacations; the town has something to offer every member of the family and everything is close together and in a safe area. I would love to come back to this quaint town with my family, and maybe just stick around forever and be barefoot and carefree the rest of my days. One can dream right?