Sandestin

Visit South Walton Sponsored Giveaway ($100 Amex Gift Card & Artisan Jewelry)

November 28, 2011 By Blonde Mom 776 Comments

I took this picture the last day of spring break 2009, just outside Sandestin. YA’LL. This was so hard to leave.

This giveaway is closed. The winner is Jaclyn Reynolds who commented on December 13, “I’d be interested in visiting the Santa Rosa beach!!” Congratulations Jaclyn and thanks to everyone who entered, as well as to Visit South Walton for sponsoring this giveaway.

I’ve been traveling down to the beaches of the Florida Panhandle with my family since I was about 12 years old. I’ve grown up spending spring breaks and summer vacation on these beaches. The turquoise waters that are like something straight out of the Caribbean contrasted with the pristine sandy white beaches are like a second home to me. I always roll down the car windows as soon as we cross the Okaloosa county line so I can soak in every second of the beach.

With 15 neighborhood beaches, South Walton has a beach for everyone, whether it’s the thriving arts community of Grayton Beach or the outlet shops, restaurants, and golf courses of Sandestin where we spent spring break of 2009. I recently met with the PR coordinator for South Walton beaches over coffee here in Nashville. Although I’ve gone to the same areas of the Florida Panhandle for most of my life, I didn’t realize that South Walton actually is comprised of 15 neighborhood beaches, each with its own unique vibe. Do you want to rent a colorful beach house? South Walton has that. Do you want to stay at a world-class resort with all the amenities you’d expect and more? South Walton has that. Do you prefer the charm of a bed and breakfast? South Walton has that. Want to stay at a modern high-rise condominium? South Walton has that.

I’m not the only one who loves South Walton. Santa Rosa Beach was chosen one of the Top 10 Beaches for 2011 by Yahoo! Travel, Frommer’s ranked South Walton and the Florida Panhandle as one of the Top 12 Destinations for 2010, and Watercolor Beach, with its nearly 500 acres of green space set aside for conservation, was named by Travel +Leisure as a top family-friendly U.S. resort.

I’m not surprised at all. I’ve loved the area for 30 years. Think of the beach as only a spring or summer vacation getaway? Think again. South Walton hosts some amazing events, from their November wine and culinary event (which I would LOVE to check out) to their February film festival. South Walton really has something for everyone, whether you’re planning a family trip for spring break with lots of outdoor activities, a girlfriends’ getaway with plenty of shopping and spa time, or a weekend filled with romance and relaxation.

Photo courtesy of Visit South Walton

Guess what? Visit South Walton has graciously offered to sponsor an amazing giveaway. I rarely posts giveaways here so this one is fantastic and just in time for the holidays. One lucky BlondeMomBlog.com reader will win a $100 Amex gift card, perfect to use during your next family beach getaway or for shopping, AND an incredible bracelet handmade with recycled glass beads, freshwater pearls, and leather by Allison Craft, South Walton 2010 Artist of the Year ($150 plus value)!

Allison Craft’s leather and fresh water pearl jewelry is simply stunning. (Photo courtesy Allison Craft.)

Love this unique twist on a class necklace! (Photo courtesy of Allison Craft.)

To enter this giveaway, just let me know if you’ve ever visited the neighborhood beaches of South Walton and which one is your favorite destination. Mine is definitely Sandestin, but I’d love to visit Grayton Beach or Watercolor. If you’ve never been to the beautiful beaches of South Walton, take a look at all the beach neighborhoods at Visit South Walton website and then come back and leave a comment here telling me which beach you’d like to visit.
For up to six additional entries you may:

Follow @BlondeMomBlog on Twitter

Follow @SouthWalton on Twitter

Let me know if you are a fan of Visit South Walton on Facebook

Tweet @Blondemomblog is giving away a $100 Amex gift card & an artisan bracelet from @SouthWalton http://t.co/xZNsuXYS

Subscribe to the BlondeMomBlog RSS Feed

Post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook page (please leave the URL in your comment)

Leave an additional comment on this post for each of these you do.

Good luck everyone! I’ll select a winner from all eligible comments left by Saturday, December 17 using Random.org. (Giveaway open to U.S. residents, ages 18 and up.)

Filed Under: Reviews & Giveaways, Travel 776 Comments

Year In Review: Turning 40, Losing Teeth (The 7-Year-Old, Not Me), And More

January 5, 2010 By Blonde Mom 14 Comments

Happy 2010 everyone!

I thought I’d write a 2009 wrap-up post that is, uh, rather lengthy. Initially I wasn’t going to do this, but as I went through last year’s posts I was reminded of some really awesome things that occurred. I also had some fun blog opportunities for which I am very thankful.

I kicked the year off by poking fun at Dick Cheney and was wowed by Celine Dion along with several other Nashville mommy bloggers, thanks to the fabulous Alli Worthington of Blissdom Conference fame.

In February the hubby gave me an iPhone and it’s been love at first app. I asked my readers to tell me about their favorite iPhone apps in a post entitled My iPhone Brings All The Geeks To The Yard. I slept with White Trash Mom at Blissdom and drove my friend Amy Allen Clark to BFE for biscuits at The Loveless. I was interviewed by The Tennessean for an article about blogging and then everyone in the world (OK just my boss and a few co-workers) found out about my blog. The article is no longer on The Tennessean’s website, but Murfreesboro blogger Bona Fide Mama posted it. Why didn’t I think of that?

March brought a much anticipated spring break trip. I lamented about buying a bathing suit when you’re 39 and suffer from stomach flabalance. We went to beautiful Sandestin resort in Destin, Florida, for the first time and loved it! I uploaded a ton of pictures to my Flickr account if you’d like to check out our Sandestin pictures. This was the first travel review opportunity through my blog and I’m hoping we get to review more family travel destinations (oh Disney…hint hint, we are Magic Kingdom virgins!) I wrote about Miss A’s thumb sucking habit and lo and behold later she quit cold turkey so I’m glad I documented it.

FrenchBully

Miss A discovered her inner fashionista and practically slept in her new black boots. The girls got a French Bulldog puppy named Gigi vicariously through my dad. I took some of my all time favorite pictures of the girls by the Harpeth River for On A Bike, Down By The River. I also wrote one of my favorite posts of 2009 called I Wanna Be 6, Or At Least Have The Stress Level Of A 6-Year-Old. April also was the month Miss C finally lost a tooth! I became a Blogger Fit Ambassador for Lee Jeans and I wear their Slender Secret jeans darn near DAILY (see also aforementioned flabalanche phenomenon with a side of blogger’s butt).

Thomas Drugs

In May Miss C and I went to an old fashioned soda shop, Thomas Drugs, with my mom near my hometown. My sister completed her first sprint distance triathlon at the JCC here in Nashville. I toured the Fed Ex Super Hub in Memphis along with fellow Nashville mommy blogger Amy from Milkbreath and Margaritas. Miss C, our soccer girl, performed in her first ever formal dance recital and her gorgeous costume took my breath away. The hubby and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary and yes I did shave my legs.

Miss C tutu

The next month I joined the Sprout TV Band of Bloggers. I got sentimental in This Dress. We flew to St. Augustine, Florida, for summer vacation in what was a little reunion for my husband, who lived in that area for three years. We stayed at the Renaissance Resort in the World Golf Village and loved it! My blog was nominated for best local Nashville blog by Nick Jr.’s Parents Connect. I did not win but it was honor, as they say, just to be nominated.

Castillo

Miss A discovered my childhood cheerleading costume in July and looked flat out adorable in it. I kvetch about our local ice cream man. Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was murdered and I recalled the first time we saw the then Tennessee Oilers play at Vanderbilt.

Miss A Cheerleader

Be still my heart, Miss C started second grade in August and Miss A celebrated by dressing like the Hello Kitty Unabomber. The hubby and I celebrated my 40th birthday with a trip to a lovely bed and breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina.

In September the girls and I ventured downtown to the library one rainy, miserable Saturday and we had a fantastic time watching the Nashville Ballet. Miss A invented The Poop Ghost. I invented The Tooth Fairy Authority Mom. We saw The Wiggles at Municipal Auditorium.

The Wiggles Concert Nashville

In October I was invited to the Nissan Sedan 2010 Media Preview and fell in lust with an Altima with leather interior. Rowwrrrr. I celebrated my 4th blogging anniversary and I admitted to being in a funk over turning 40. I reflected on my extinct boyfriends and give advice on how not to dress like a Cougar in the carpool lane. We had our first ER visit ever with a child with Miss A and it scared the pee out of me! Thankfully she was fine.

The fall brought more travel and we headed to Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, to celebrate a college friend’s 40th. But first, we had to get there. And that’s a whole notha story (there’s a reason I call myself “blonde” and it has nothing to do with my hair color). I became obsessed with AMC’s Mad Men Jon Hamm, my new favorite TV show. We searched for the Great Pumpkin.

Jon Hamm

Just a little eye candy to make sure you’ve made it this far. I know…just keep swimming, just keep swimming, I mean reading. You can do it. COME ON!

December brought another first for us as we were invited to ride in the downtown Franklin Christmas parade with friends (and we froze our booties off!) Our Akita mix Jack celebrated his birthday and I reflect on what a truly awesome beast he is.

I’m pretty excited about what 2010 holds. I say BRING IT!

Filed Under: Bloggy Things 14 Comments

Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Drool Drool

March 23, 2009 By Blonde Mom 11 Comments

Someone was very happy to see us yesterday after spending a week in my brother’s backyard and garage while we were in Destin. Old Bailey girl was happy, too, but she preferred to play it cool and nonchalantly gaze out the back window. Jack, however, did not hide hold back the emotions.

Or drool.

We need a dog drool shield for the back seat for such happy reunions.

sdc103581