26 Jul Turning Heads #Linkup: Our Outer Banks Beach Vacation

Hello Ladies!

Welcome back to #TurningheadsTuesday! Glad to have you here and see the fashions on these hot summer days.

If you didn’t get a chance, check out my post from yesterday on my collaboration with Uncommon Goods and the beautiful bracelet that I will most certainly take to the beach when we return. Boy, did I need the vacation. It also gave me a rest from the computer and most of social media. It did feel good to get away for awhile and just be “in the moment”. I would have love to have taken better pictures on the beach, but we decided not to bring a fancy camera out in the sand, so the first few photos are from my phone and IG.

Ahhh. the beach. Sun, sand, peace. Suncreen. Hat. Bikini. I want to share a bit with you about my vacation to the Outer Banks and  staying in Wanchese ( Italians would say Wan-cha-zay) or pronounced ( Won-cheese) at our Pet-friendly Bed and Breakfast. A short drive at only 6 hours ( compared to the long drawn out-lose your patience 11 hours to Philly), it was also lovely to enjoy the view of the water as we rode past to our destination.  Archeological evidence shows that Wanchese was the site of the first fishing village on Roanoke Island. Indigenous people inhabited the area 1500 years ago, and their various cultures used this site for fishing for 1100 years. They also collected oysters and shellfish from nearby beds in the Sound.^[4 Wiki]These are just some highlights as we took tons of photos!

We stayed at a light baby pink older home/bed and breakfast, where Jean ( the owner) also breeds Bishon Frise, and keeps a lovely home. The house met the checklist we had in our heads. Pet-friendly ( meaning COULD lay on bed, couch, etc), delicious breakfasts ( sweet and savory) bed with matress pad ( love those Temperapedic!)10 minute drive to Nags Head, the beach,  and of course, the jacuzzi tub!

I could of course go on and on, and we wouldn’t get to the LINKUP, but I will share some of the highlights.

Staying at the Bed and Breakfast was perfect. We were about 10 minutes to the town of Manteo with quaint shops, restaurants and ice cream parlors. I did not shop as we didn’t have time. ( I know, most would say MAKE time for shopping!) but at that same distance was the Nags Head Beach and I had my mind set on that. We finally had the right “set-up” this year, a canope/tent-like place to put two chairs under, lay a matt down and beach towels. The water looked amazing and I was enjoying reading, “Girl On the Train” on my Kindle. I wore my black har from ASOS as I like to avoid sun on my face, and used 50 SPF for sunscreen. I wore a red rose floral bikini also from ASOS, from a company called, PAPER DOLLS. It was just my style. Women over 40, wear that bikini if you want to! It is really about feeling confident in oneself, and enjoying it. We were at the beach for 3- days out of the 5, and went in the morning as it was unbelievably hot! I thought I was walking across hot coals in the sand, my feet burned!

Some of the other highlights were celebrating our 15th Anniversary, at a place called 1587,  a gourmet restaurant that left our taste buds “dancing for joy.” Artful dishes , a view of the marina and delicious wine, was something we both enjoyed. The atmosphere was lovely and we truly had a memorable time. We finishes the meal with some chocolate Pot De Creme. Mmm. Chocolate heaven in a cup!

We spent the days at the beach, and the rest of the days exploring. One of those days we visited the Cape Hattaras Lighthouse, a historic landmark, and a flight of 250 stairs one would have to climb. For this reason, hubby took his camera and climbed the stairs, I was on puppy patrol. I watched the pups from below, and just enjoyed the view.

We went to Ocracoke Island, an Island with an old lighthouse and very natural beach. Off to explore, we took the puppies on the ferry and to the island. I love a natural beach!

Our last night at the Outer Banks, I had wanted to go on a Schooner. This boat, a 55 foot schooner named the DownEast Rover would take us out to the       Roanoke Sound, as we witnessed a beautiful orange-yellow sunset. Hubby took pictures and we continued to enjoy the view. We had been on a schooner in Charleston before but not a Sunset Cruise. Afterward we had ice cream, and a girl at the shoppe asked if I was from France. I got a kick out of that, as she thought I looked French. I told her I spoiled it when I opened my mouth, and she began laughing!

There are so many more pictures that I will be posting on INSTAGRAM if you care to follow me there.