Our Favorite North Carolina Beach

Last week, Mark and I went with his family on a much-needed vacation to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. I'll go ahead and say it. I am not a fan of Myrtle Beach, SC. While this town was our family's vacation destination my entire childhood, as an adult, I wouldn't choose Myrtle as my go-to. It's often congested and has become overrun with gimmicky-touristy attractions.

Not so at Ocean Isle Beach. This beach destination has maintained its small-town vibe. It's far enough away from the commercialization of Myrtle Beach that you feel secluded, bu close enough that if you want to go shopping or visit a boardwalk, you can. I however am perfectly content to spend my days lying on the beach and my evenings stuffing my gullet with Calabash seafood. Which I did with gusto. 

Allow me to regale you with the list of seafood in which I so stupendously indulged: flounder, trigger fish, clams, mussels, oysters, calabash shrimp, and scallops. I'm pretty sure I ate every seafood item available in North Carolina-- and I am not one bit ashamed. Is it bad that eating is one of my favorite parts of vacation? I guess it's good I workout everyday, huh?? 

Some of our favorite Ocean Isle Beach (and nearby) spots: 

Ocean Isle Fish Company

Drift Coffee Co

Sharky's 

Ocean Isle Creamery

Waterfront Seafood Shack

Victoria's Ragpatch

What is your favorite beach getaway? Mark and I are always looking for a new place to go. We hope to plan a long weekend trip for our fourth anniversary this year. So we are open to suggestions!

Four Weeks of Gratitude // Week One

Can you believe it's already November? I'm not sure where 2015 went, but went it has. 
November has always been one of my favorite months because it contains my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. Turkey Day is my all-time favorite holiday for many reasons: amazing recipes, family dinners, chilly weather, holiday time. I'm definitely a home-body, so the holiday that reminds us to stop and celebrate all things home is of course my favorite. In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to start a mini series centered around gratitude. Each week, I'll share one big thing and several little things for which I'm thankful. I think it's so important to stop and count my blessings, to realize that I have so very much in my life. 

This week, I'll start with the one person for whom I'm thankful every single day of my life: my husband Mark. 
Mark is my rock and adds so much happiness to my life everyday. He has always supported my goals and ambitions. He has taught me to stick up for myself, to realize that I'm strong, and to never be afraid to expect the best. At the same time, he's taught me so much about patience, kindness, and lending a helping hand.  He's a strong, hardworking man but also has a very gentle spirit. I'm so grateful to have found a partner in this life who can simultaneously accept me for who I am and challenge me to be better. 

One of my favorite things about my husband: working out with him every day. We started going to the gym together right after we got married. I have to say, it's my favorite part of the day. We typically do the same workout-- and we don't always even talk while doing it. But it's a great way to be together and blow off steam after the long workday. Hearing him say "good job" or "you did great baby" sometimes feels like the biggest compliment anyone could give. 
The little things I'm thankful for this week: - meeting my husband for lunch on Tuesday - my Friday morning Starbucks run #treatyoself - checking everything off my to-do list  - finally finishing our kitchen remodel  - friends (and sisters!) who are willing to listen -sketching logo ideas for my husband's personal training business What are you thankful for this week? Feel free to join in on the series.  Share your thoughts or post link in comments. 

Our Little City Does Fall

The sole purpose of today's post is to inundate your blog feed with photos of fall, fall, all things fall. We're talking pumpkins, leaves, berries, boots, big blue skies, and one cute pup.

Is it just me, or does Frederick do fall especially well? My first ever visit to Frederick was in late September, just a few weeks before my and Mar's October wedding. We walked around Baker Park, enjoying the crisp breeze and colorful leaves. Maybe it was the happy glow that being a newly-wed lends to everything, but I totally fell for the trickling creek, softball fields, and rows of maple trees.

Three years later, autumn is still my favorite season in Frederick. Our main street, Market Street, becomes coated with golden maple leaves while pedestrians bundled in coats and scarves scurry in and out of storefronts. Every porch and stoop boasts its fair share of pumpkins and mums, maybe even a token scarecrow or hooked-nosed witch. The blue sky overhead is just inviting enough to merit a came of catch in nearby Baker Park, but the cool breeze reminds you that winter approaches. The crisp weather makes everyone frisky and excited with thoughts of pumpkin carving, trick or treating, apple butter, and upcoming holidays.  I truly just love this time of year, don't you? 

Here's a few photos, so you can have a little taste of fall in Frederick too. 

What's your favorite part of fall? For me: boots, scarves, apple butter, hot cocoa, and pumpkins!