sand, sea. . .and owls.

I am back from a week of sandy feet, massive sunburn and peeling skin, (much ugh) dolphin sightings, long walks into the sunset, shell hunting and jellyfish-avoiding. Yes, there were jellyfish washed up all along the beach in Oak Island, NC. They look squishy and feel hard, and sting if touched. The mild definition? Disgusting. OKI is a wild, mostly untouched place, where the occasional human invades and  the mood of the water changes from playful kitten to roaring lion, all in an instant. Where the mermaids croon when the tide comes in. (because I am a firm believer) Where the sound of waves get deep inside the soul until all you hear is that rumbling, beautiful sound. Coming in, going out. It amazes me, how all that glorious water--I truly can't enough of it--stays in one place. How could anyone spend even a short time on the ocean and not see God? He is in every salt-streaked breeze, every bird call, every drop of water meeting sand. I've been to the ocean before, but this time it captured me. Not blaming a balcony facing the waterfront or mornings watching pelicans whilst sipping coffee, of course. ;) I think the empty place in my heart will stay forever. . .unless I discover how to bottle the ocean, or make a pool in my room. Or maybe, yeah, maybe I'll just decorate everything beachy and summery. You know, maybe a bowlful of all the awesome shells I collected, some nautical colors. Maybe I'll just have to do it. :)

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." ~ Jacques Cousteau

I am basically in love with these tee shirts. Besides helping me discover that longer shirts are more flattering to my otherwise squat figure, :P they have an awesome natural fit that is all and everything a tee shirt should be. I'll be mentioning them again in a future post, but in the meantime, you are looking at what I call the pinnacle of all tees. Not only do they come in the most insanely adorable prints, (I mean seriously, owls?) but they don't cling and are just the right length to cover everything. Personal rule, but when I'm wearing pants I never wear anything above the knee and like to stay covered, so this assemble was a beach standby. Honestly though, I've hardly worn anything else so far this summer. The tees need some layering for modesty purposes--camis or Halftees work beautifully--but  they are so comfortable, easy to wear, cute. . .and yeah, I think you should stop everything and zip up to Kohls. ;)

If every evening could be an evening on the beach, I'd be the happiest girl alive. Each night on vacation my family would take a walk to the pier, and next to mornings-and-coffee-on-the-balcony, it was my favorite part of the day. Afterwards we'd tuck in our little beach condo for devotions and an episode or two of the Brady Bunch, then go to bed early. Not sure if it was all the exercise or salty ocean air, but my schedule completely readjusted itself. This night-owl has been going to bed around 11:30 PM every night, even now that we're home. This must be what milestones feel like. . . 

Hope you enjoyed this post, and that you take my advice and add a burnout tee to your collection. :) I have some really fun posts planned for the next week, including tips on how to pack minimally for the beach, how to create your own inexpensive, modest swimsuit, and what I'm loving in the Pinteresy world.*~

specs

Burnout shirtail tee: Kohls (on sale now! $7.99)

Shorts: Kohls
Owl necklace: Gift from a friend

Hoop earrings: Walmart

Bracelet: Gift from local shop

Sunglasses: Claires 

Hair scarf: Made by me

All photos by Anna.