Annnnnnd Wedding Countdown has officially begun, people. Stephanie’s bursting into tears on the treadmill thinking about next weekend, while I’m somehow remaining calm and super excited. Maybe it’s because I’m a gonna have alllll my besties and family around me during one of the best times of my life. Maybe it’s because I know I’m marrying a wonderful man. However, it could also be because the wedding’s happening at one of my favorite, favorite places on the planet.
But let me back up a little. If you ask me where I’m from, I’m gonna say Indiana. The term “Hoosier” fits me like a warm cozy glove. I can shuck a corn cob in 30 seconds. However, if you ask me where my other hometown is, where I watched my little brothers grow and spent some of the best times with my family for the past 15+ years, it’d be the glorious, sleepily charming Anna Maria Island, FL.
At the age of 16 my parents informed us chitlins they’d be packing up and heading south to sunny FL, and after scouring the area of my dad’s new workplace they settled on the cozy little island of Anna Maria. Situated on the Gulf Coast, this island is actually the location of the nuptials of yours truly and I can’t imagine a more serene, wonderful place to have it.
(This is literally the view from the house where I’ll be getting hitched)
There are no high-rise condos, and 60% of the land on this seven-mile island is open beach. The neighborhoods are quaint, and the sand is sugary-soft. But even greater than the environment are the memories I’ve got of the place: of my brother (now 19 and in the Air Force) learning to swim in the ocean as a precocious 4-year old; of spending hours with my beloved grandma looking for shells along the shore; and summers spent with my family who I missed so much while away at college in Indiana.
Anywho, you get that I think this place is special. And while we’re at it, I wanna give a ha-yuuuge shout-out to a new-ish business on the Island, one I discovered a couple weeks ago while in FL and which I just think is the bee’s knees.
It’s called Pink & Navy Boutique, and it’s a treasure trove. I mean, you’d think you’d just hit up a hot little corner in Venice, CA, or smack dab in Soho, NY, with the eclectic and incredibly cool goods they sell here.
The owner Janae (in below pic) is adorable and warm and has the most spot on taste I’ve witnessed in quite some time.
Ms. Janae
From clothes to knick knacks perfect for presents to delicious furniture, they’ve got it all.
Nothing’s stuffy about it; it doesn’t reek of Hipsterville, USA – just flattering, fashion forward stuff you’re just now seeing in the pages of magazines. Por ejemplo:
(Left: The most glorious dress from the Spring Tibi line. Right: A hunter green Charlie Jade romper)
(Left: Milly Tamara Blouson Sequin Dress. Right: 6 Shore Road dress)
Last but not least, behold this new Gypsy 05 dress I fell in love with and took home with me:
I don’t know about you but I’m a huge fan of those whose creative expressions lead them to greatness, and that’s exactly what’s happening with Janae.
Now. Back to Wedding Week. It’s upon me, I need to sleep, not have bags under my eyes, etc etc. So time for bed!
We’ll try and update you occasionally on fun stuff from the week, and look forward to posting peeectores!
Soon to have my toes in the water,
Miss
