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Clover Lane

Home » Blog » Seaside Or Close Enough

Seaside Or Close Enough

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Family Life

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We spent last week in Seaside, Florida, and I’m in recovery mode this week.  It was such a relaxing vacation this year…but honestly it was the quickest week ever.  It just seemed to fly.  And usually I take so many pictures…once more my pregnant slacker self just took a little more laid back approach this time…which seems to be happening in every facet of my life right now.

Our rental place was outdated…think Brady Bunch (or Mad Men?), but it worked perfectly for us and I fell in love with it instantly.  I think the family had just started renting it out-it was a family gathering spot for generations.  It had such a sweet sentimentality about it.  As old as the house was it was in pristine condition inside and out-very well taken care of.   You know how much I love the beautifully decorated Seaside houses, but there was something a little more genuine “beach cottage” here.

A beautiful shell collection in the front hallway-my little ones loved this.

Cutting edge-about 40 years ago?

You needed to see a close-up of that paneling in the kitchen didn’t you?

 We spent most of our time at the beach of course- we had the most beautiful weather, every minute of every day.  Lucky ducks we were.

The Easter Bunny put kites in the Easter baskets.

We rented a paddle board for 3 days and it was well-used…even once by pregnant old me…although getting on that thing was quite a feat.

Abbey took this picture…yes the water is really that color and the sand is perfectly soft squishy sand.

Isaac and his friend went way way way out and did some diving and shell hunting.

Someone remind me to buy Matthew some sunglasses and a hat next time-he has my sun sensitive eyes.

Abbey and a friend went paddle boarding one day and neither were crazy about sea life.  One time a school of leaping fish went right over the paddle board, and from the screams that followed I think every beach-goer far and wide thought these two girls were being eaten by sharks.

We saw Isaac for about 5 hours the entire week.  To eat and/or to get money to eat.  I did get to spend about 20 minutes with him to take his Senior pictures.  The one thing I think is so great about this place (or that works well for us with our wide range of ages) is that I can give the older kids freedom and I feel it’s completely safe…and no driving involved for the most part.

Abbey’s bike-how cool is that.

A perfect reading corner.

A few more coming up soon-then I have to get back to real life.

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April 17, 2012 · 47 Comments

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Comments

  1. Ruth says

    April 17, 2012 at 5:29 am

    I love these pictures…that bottle green water color and the squishy sand are beautiful.

    Reply
  2. Debra says

    April 17, 2012 at 5:35 am

    It sure is beautiful there. I know it would be hard for me to come home. I kind of love that house! It has a lot of character. And you can't beat being right on the beach. Looks like everyone had a great time. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Cathy says

    April 17, 2012 at 5:37 am

    You are killing me! Looks gorgeous. I can feel the salt air in my lungs.

    Reply
  4. miasmummy says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:30 am

    It all looks fabulous to me, from the other side of the world!! Looks like a great holiday was had by all!! x

    Reply
  5. Magnolia Verandah says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:34 am

    What a great spot for a family holiday.

    Reply
  6. Muffy Loves says

    April 17, 2012 at 11:23 am

    That house is amazing. Coul you share the vrbo number? Thanks

    Reply
  7. Kelly says

    April 17, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Such a retro feel, with the vintage books it was made for you!

    I am curious… do you allow the older kids to text etc when on vacation? Seems so precious to see Abeey reading, and after a weekend away where my daughter was more consumed by texting than lounging or reading I am thinking the phone won't be allowed onvacation this summer!

    Reply
  8. Simply LKJ says

    April 17, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    Beautiful! Love the charm of the older home, so much history. Looks like everyone had a restful, relaxing break.

    Reply
  9. luvnmy10 says

    April 17, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    I love beach vacations! We always do the Atlantic side in fl because of the bigger surf, but the paddle boarding and being able to snorkel would be really fun. I think the house is awesome, I like how the owner embraced it's coolness and kept it authentic throughout. I am a huge Brady bunch fan, however : ). So glad you were feeling well enough to enjoy it. I buy 2 loaves f whit mountain bread every week, we love it! Delicious tasted with home ad jam!

    Reply
  10. Melanie Gillespie says

    April 17, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    We were just down the road from you but only there for a long Easter weekend, not the whole week (we're from Florida so the beach is an easy weekend trip). 🙂 The weather was amazing!

    Reply
  11. Courtney says

    April 17, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Oh my goodness, that looks like heaven! Would you mind sharing where exactly you stayed (I would love to look into it, but I wouldn't want to steal this secret little gem you found!)?

    I'm so glad you had a wonderful vacation!!

    Reply
  12. Lisa Zahn says

    April 17, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    That place is a blast from the 1970s (our) past, right?! I love it!

    I'm so glad I'm not the only mom who allows junk food on vacation. What better time to let loose and let the family eat what's fun.

    Thanks for sharing your awesome trip. Wish I could get back to Florida. Oh, one thing though–my husband grew up on the water and that "back porch" is really the front porch if it's water-side. We Midwesterners just don't get that, I think!

    Reply
  13. The Stanfields says

    April 17, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Ahh… Seaside! Our favorite place to vacation! We'll be there in Sept and I cannot wait! Love all of your beautiful pictures! And the vintage beach house is priceless! So glad y'all had a wonderfully relaxing time!

    Reply
  14. Grace in my Heart says

    April 17, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    What a wonderful vacation and beautiful pictures! I'm so glad you all had a relaxing time. I love the "Mad Men" style house too…those light fixtures are priceless!

    Reply
  15. CourtneyKeb says

    April 17, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    I'm going to have to live vicariously though this post for vacation this year since it'll be a no go for us.
    The water looks gorgeous, and I'm glad ya'll enjoyed your week!

    Reply
  16. Kelli says

    April 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    Love all of your pictures and so glad you all had such a nice vacation. We leave for Destin very soon and I can't wait. Seeing that beautiful water gets me even more excited 🙂

    Reply
  17. Shawna says

    April 17, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Such gorgeous pics!!! We are leaving for Panama City Beach in a week and a half and now I am more in the mood to get there than ever. Such perfect water and sand…ahhhh… I love you old fashioned beach house. I bet this is a year you won't forget!

    Reply
  18. Anonymous says

    April 17, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    It's like a vacation straight out of a movie! What a beautiful place! Even the Brady Bunch charm is attractive to me! I love that house!! I'm glad ya'll got to enjoy some vacation time together!

    Reply
  19. Natalie B. says

    April 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    We live in the west…and I think going to the wrong ocean. The Pacific is beautiful, but often rocky, COLD, and nothing like those clear Florida waters! I think I need to make a reason we need to go out East after seeing these pictures! What fun memories!

    Reply
  20. AndeM1 says

    April 17, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    I am so glad you posted about Seaside….we have been going to Cape San Blas….but spent a day in the Seaside area last year….loved it. I have no idea which area is which…they all seem to flow into one another…..any suggestions since we have not really been there…..

    Reply
  21. Susan says

    April 17, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Gorgeous! Glad you guys had a nice time. do you bring friends with you or meet them ther? My daughter has been wanting to bring a friend on our family vacation and I cant decide how I feel about it.

    Reply
  22. Maiden Jane says

    April 17, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Completely glorious. Have you thought about college and schedules? Our college kids had two completely dif. spring breaks. Doesn't really matter since we have rarely taken spring break trips. Our "vacas" now are one night stands! LOL…lots of mini trips but I absolutely love a beach vacation and how relaxing it is. And to be on the beach – totally worth it! Love the decor! Glad you had a great getaway!

    Reply
  23. Amy @ OurScoop says

    April 17, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Beautiful pictures! That looks SO dreamy! I think you have sold us all on seaside! What a fun annual vacation for your family! I'm glad you got to relax!

    Reply
  24. Emily says

    April 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    What a great vacation! I loved the charm in the house as well.

    Reply
  25. Meagan Kenney says

    April 17, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    What a fun vacation! And you don't even look prego on that boat picture! You look about 22 years old….out there with a bunch of teenagers!

    And I totally cracked up about the pictures you took of the chandeliers. When I was growing up, we rented a beach house in Newport Beach, CA every summer. It was very old….circa 1950s and I swear it had one of the same light fixtures you had there (it looked more like the one over the longer dining table….but it was bright orange)! We still laugh about it today! Good times, good memories!

    Reply
  26. hmferrero says

    April 17, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Love it – please let us know if you are willing to share the VRBO #.

    Reply
  27. Katey says

    April 17, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    We went to Seagrove for our Spring Break and to celebrate my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. We live in Alabama but usually stay in Navarre. We loved it! I was anxious to visit Seaside after reading your blog for several years. I took lots of pictures. Its too cute. I loved the whole area. It's all so family friendly. We had our family photos taken by a great photographer to celebrate. Glad you had a great trip too!

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    April 17, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    Oh goodness, I hope the next batch has a picture of your stack of books! 🙂

    Love the house, vintage and all! I'm so glad you had such a lovely time, even after all the stress before hand!

    Reply
  29. Jeanneke says

    April 17, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    I am very happy to honour you with my Liebster Blog Award, Sarah.

    Cheers!

    Jeanneke.

    Reply
  30. Jamie Jo says

    April 17, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    I love all your pictures, glad you had a great time!! Because of your posts about Seaside, we decided to drive there this year for our vacation:

    http://www.vrbo.com/149516

    Hoping this is as nice as it looks in the ad!

    Reply
  31. Erin says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Beautiful pictures Sarah! I'm so happy you were able to get away and relax with your family. Re-entry is brutal!! Hang in there this week. 🙂

    Reply
  32. Erin says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Beautiful pictures Sarah! I'm so happy you were able to get away and relax with your family. Re-entry is brutal!! Hang in there this week. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Monica says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    Your vacation looks heavenly! I love that you guys go there every year. What a wonderful tradition that your kids will never forget.

    Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    looks like a great time!

    Reply
  35. Anonymous says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    Someday we're going to Seaside! Thought about it this year but flights have gotten so expensive. Our kids our dying to go to Florida!

    Reply
  36. Ashley says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    That place looks great!! Can't wait for our trip! Do you mind sharing the VRBO info??

    Reply
  37. Ashley says

    April 17, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    That place looks great!! Can't wait for our trip! Do you mind sharing the VRBO info??

    Reply
  38. ShirleyRunner says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    those pictures are beautiful, I really miss the beach I am from California and just having the option to go and listen to the waves crash was all I needed to end a stressful day. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  39. Unknown says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your first picture – we stayed in the house right next door! I recognized the beautiful windows and lone palm tree right away. We love it there too! Such a perfect place for a family vacation, and that location is great too. Glad you had a nice, relaxing break!

    Reply
  40. Lisa says

    April 18, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Your photos are simply amazing! We would love to give Seaside a try. Will you please share the rental house info, it looks just perfect!

    Reply
  41. marlowe says

    April 18, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    I'm so ready … And this makes me long for school to be out even more!

    Reply
  42. Melissa says

    April 18, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    Um…can I go right now?? It looks so magical. No wonder you love it so much!!

    Reply
  43. Meghan says

    April 19, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    That picture of Jeff reading to Patrick and Andrew in bed is pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen. If you'll excuse my bossiness, I think you need to frame it.

    Reply
  44. Unknown says

    April 19, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Sarah: Loved getting a glimpse at your vacation – beautiful stuff! We just got back from a week of adventures in San Francisco (still trying to finish blogging it up) and I'm feeling like I need a vacation from my vacation – a beach vacation like yours, perhaps…

    Reply
  45. elaine says

    April 19, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    Looks like you had a wonderful vacation!And the sign,too funny!(I'm sure my husband will think it's hilarious!)

    Reply
  46. likeschocolate says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:12 am

    Adorable photos! Love the white sand. It doesn't get better than that!

    Reply
  47. Ryan, Sara, Bella and Brady Sedlak says

    March 9, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    I absolutely LOVE your blog!!! I'm from a catholic family of 8 kids and my husband is from a catholic family of 6 kids…and my family has been vacationing in seaside (actually we moved down the road to Summer's Edge and various places in seagrove because our family outgrew seaside at 32 of us now) since we were kids. My sister actually got married there! I really feel like you could be an "Early Girl". (My maiden name) and reading your blog is like peaking back at my childhood! Always excited to see your next post!

    Reply

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