The Zappos shout out featured in this blog post is sponsored by Zappos!
Hi guys! How are you doing today!? I am comin’ at you from the Outer Banks of North Carolina where we’ll be spending the weekend with my extended family (almost 30 of us!) in a big ol’ beach house. I am so, so thrilled to be here and cannot wait to explore, get my toes in the sand and relax with my favorite people!
This is also our very first time visiting the Outer Banks, so if you have any recommendations for must-do activities or must-eat foods, please let me know. Our itinerary is pretty much wide open, so I’d love some suggestions and you guys never let me down! (We are staying in Kill Devil Hills.)
Before I sneak away to soak up some sun and family time, I wanted to be sure to share this week’s Things I’m Loving Friday blog post with ya! Below you will find a short roundup of some things that are making me smile today. As always, I’d love to hear a little bit about something you are loving right now in the comments section.
Have a fantastic weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Vacation Finds from Zappos
With our vacation to the Outer Banks in the back of my mind, I found myself browsing around for cute cover ups and comfy slides for our upcoming weekend getaway. I was so pumped when I stumbled upon this Cold Shoulder Cover Up on Zappos because it looked so breezy and beautiful and I am such a sucker for shoulder cut-outs right now. This cover up will get a ton of wear this summer during our boat days on the lake! It’s sheer enough to know it’s a cover up but the fit is loose and super comfy.
I also nabbed a pair of faux tortoise shell sunglasses and ALDO slides from Zappos that seem super versatile to me.
I know I’ll be able to dress the slides up or down and pair them with everything from flowy maxi dresses and skinny jeans to cover ups and more. Thank you so much for the vacation treats, Zappos!!!
- Individual Flavored Coffee Pods at Fresh Market
Last Friday, Ryan, Chase and I popped into Fresh Market to pick up some food for dinner and I was a little too giddy when I saw individual coffee pods on sale! I am such a huge fan of flavored coffee but am always a little apprehensive when it comes to purchasing a new bag of flavored coffee I haven’t tried yet. These mini pods are the perfect solution since it gives me the chance to try out a new coffee flavor in my Keurig before committing to a whole bag to use in my refillable K-cup! WOOP!
There’s something about the warmer weather that has me lovin’ all things coral again. I’ve already busted out my beloved OPI Cajun Shrimp nail polish and recently discovered the coral lip color of my dreams from Jane Iredale. I love the look of a bright coral lip but in the past have struggled to find one that doesn’t look too orange. This color is gorgeously bright and the creamy formula helps it glide right on and make my lips feel incredibly soft. (I have the lip crayon in “Saucy” but also love the subtle pink look of the “Charming” crayon.) The coral color is also extremely long-lasting which I love since my lips are seriously pale and blend right into my face without a little help. I’ve been using the lip crayon on top of my favorite Stainiac lip stain (which makes it a little more pinky-coral) and love the combination.
- Pre-Dinner Cereal Snacks
I bought a big box of Fruity Cheerios last week to use to fill some of Chase’s Easter eggs and let me just tell you that this cereal is ridiculously delicious and made the perfect pre-dinner snack for this girl all week long. Please tell me I’m not the only one who basically snacks her way through dinner prep? I should really follow those tips you see in magazines that tell you to snack on raw veggies if you’re hungry while prepping dinner but that sure would be a lot easier if fresh veggies tastes like Fruity Cheerios… or ice cream.
- Friday Flashbacks
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars (Combine crunchy peanut butter, sweet honey, crispy bran flakes, chewy oats, cinnamon and protein-packed chia seeds and five minutes later you’ll have a delicious batch of no bake peanut butter bars ready for snacking!)
Beat Boredom Interval Workout (The perfect workout for days when the thought of staying in one place for too long sounds like the worst thing ever!)
Questions of the Day
For those who have been to the Outer Banks: Do you have any recommendations for us this weekend?
For everyone: What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
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Love the Outer Banks! My husband’s parents have a house down there and we try to make it down a couple times a year. It will of course probably be too cold for traditional ‘ocean’ activities, but I still love taking walks on the beach in the off season because it’s so empty! Fun stuff to do with kids in the off season that’s near Kill Devil Hills… Jockey’s Ridge, the largest sand dune on the East coast – kids love running up/rolling down it and awesome to see a sunset from the top. People also always fly kites on Jockeys Ridge because it’s windy on the Outer Banks and if you’re feeling adventurous, they have paragliding lessons there too I think. If you bring or rent bikes, it’s really fun to take them on the beach road, which has a sidewalk, and look at all the beachfront houses (though I assume Chase is a little young for that!). If it’s raining (or even if it’s not), the NC Aquarium on Manteo is always a good choice. Speaking of Manteo, it’s great to visit because it has an adorable soundfront street lined with cute little shops and restaurants. Similarly, to the north the town of Duck is really cute and has a boardwalk on the sound. There’s other stuff to do in the southern and northern parts of the Outer Banks but it’s kind of a hike to get to them and I assume you don’t want to spend your weekend driving around. As far as restaurants in the area – I love Blue Moon Beach Grill (always a long wait but maybe not in the off season), Tortuga’s Lie and of course Surfin’ Spoon, the best frozen yogurt place EVER.
This is amazing!!! Thank you for taking the time to type this out. I really appreciate it!! We can’t wait to explore!
No problem! Just realized my suggestions are kind of Nags Head-heavy (it’s to the south of Kill Devil Hills) because that’s where my in-laws’ house is, but Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills are only about 10 minutes apart, so not a bad drive.
So happy that you have a chance to hit the Outer Banks. Unfortunately, I have not been in over 10 years, so I don’t have any places to recommend 🙁
But, it’s so gorgeous there, and I have always wanted to rent a big house with friends/family there. You will have a blast I am sure!
LOVE the Outer Banks. Been going there since I was 4 and I’m 33 now. You have to have dinner at Black Pelican. And Sam and Omie’s. They are on opposite ends of Kill Devil Hills (we stay at milepost 8) but both worth the drive. Hit up the gas station called Stop n Shop. They have an incredible deli and the cutest store. Hope you have an amazing time!
Hi Julie! I used to live in Kill Devil Hills 🙂 I totally echo Elizabeth’s ^ Surfin’ Spoon recommendation – it’s owned by the nicest locals ever and is a great place for families/kids. Front Porch Cafe (milepost 6) is the best spot for coffee in the morning – again, owned by locals and they roast their own beans. The Brewing Station is a great place for dinner and to sample some delicious beers, and they have a big backyard with room for kids to play and often, live music! I could go on forever but those are just a few KDH-specific recs. Have fun!!
Thank you!!! This is perfect!!
Never been but one thing I am loving is that in one week I will in Charleston, SC for the first time. If anyone has recommendations let me know 🙂
When you started out the post saying hi guys I had to laugh, the video from instagram was too funny! Enjoy your weekend away!
My family had a house in the Outer Banks for most of my life, so I went down there all the time! Our house was waaay down in Hatteras, though, so totally different from where you guys are. I really miss going down there!
You have to go to duck donuts! I still think about those donuts from my last trip out there! Get the strawberry lemonade.. sounds weird but was amazing! You should also do a truck tour to see the wild horses in Corolla beach. It was so cool and Chase would probably love it!
Got their doughnuts this morning!! So so good!
Also they just opened one in Raleigh last year. I think it’s on six forks. My mom lives there and has gotten them! So when you go back to Raleigh you can get them again!
I’ve never been to the outerbanks but have heard the beaches are amazing! Enjoy the time with you family! Would love details on how you found a rental that fits 30 people, it’s be great to have everyone stay in one place when we travel!
You should visit Duck Donuts! We live in Wilmington and they opened one here… so good!
Yes! Totally guilty of the dinner prep snacking. My husband always yells at me – Haters gonna hate LOL
I have never been to the Outer Banks, but I have heard really great things – have the best time!
I love those shoes you got. I’ve been looking for some simple, but cute, summer slip on shoes, too. Something other than flip flops that looks a little more dressy. Those are perfect. I’ve also been on a cheerios kick lately! I still think honey nuts are my favorite, even with all the new fun flavors they have coming out over the years.
omg peanut butter chocolate coffee sounds amazing! And yes for coral and all spring colors!
There is a small aquarium on Roanoke Island that is perfect for Chase! Not too big, but still a lot to see and touch! Good for a morning or afternoon away from the sun!
Oops, per the post above – I think it is Manteo!
I’m sure you’ll have an excellent weekend on the Outer Banks, it’s a great place to be! My best friend is from Kill Devil Hills (we live in Durham) and her favorite spot is Mama Kwan’s for some delicious fish tacos and a cocktail!
Mama Kwan’s has a garbage plate that cannot be missed (sounds terrible but it’s amazing and light and fresh)! I already commented once about the restaurants…maybe I should venture out for other activities other than eating next time I’m there. 🙂
If you have a couple hours drive about 40 minutes north to Corolla and take a wild horse tour! they drive you to where the paved road ends and drive you up the beach towards Virginia and wild horses run wild. http://wildhorsetour.com/. or if you have 4wd and are feeling adventuress save the money and drive up the beach on your own. Enjoy OBX, there really is no place like it.
Hi Julie! I hope you have a great vacation! Can you please post pictures of the house you are staying in? I would love to do a trip like this but it is so hard to organize my family and find an appropriate house!
Also by the way – your hair looks awesome. My hair is tough to manage and I am jealous!
Lastly – would love to hear which flavored coffee you are loving. I am trying to find a hazelnut coffee that is not too candy-like and not too bitter! My current go to coffee for the last year or so has been a Nespresso vanilla pod over ice with a splash of milk. Goes perfectly with peanut butter English muffin, toast, matzah, anything!
oh man, you’re going to love it. My family rented a big ol’ house on the Isle of Palms when I was little and I just LOVED it. I want to go back and do it again as an adult for sure.
Love the whole outfit, very pretty! I started keeping the drinkable yogurt in my fridge for dinner prepping time! That way when I’m really hungry and busy trying to make dinner, I drink some of the yogurt and that tides me over a bit. I’m in the post-graduate school job search crazy period right now, so my week was completely made by a bunch of interview offers!
You may have realized this by now, but their big spring half-marathon is this weekend. It is the Flying Pirate Half Marathon and First Flight 5K. You may enjoy getting out and cheering on the runners, but could make places more crowded than they might be in the off season. I do second the Blue Moon Beach Grill suggestion.
i am getting married in june in the berkshires and all the make up people i spoked to around there were obsessed with jane iredale! its meant to be organic and good for your skin!
Love that dress! It’s the perfect swimsuit cover up.
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We just got back from OBX last week. Love that place! Definitely eat at Blue Moon, everything is made fresh and it’s great for lunch or dinner. Duck Donuts is a must. They make the donuts while you are there and you can pick from so many toppings and glazes. Not sure if you have your dog with you but Manteo is very dog friendly. On the waterfront they have a cute playground and boats that you can look at or even go on. We were in Nags Head but made the drive to Corrolla for the light house. The grounds were beautiful. Have a great trip!
It is my dream to have a huge family vacation! Have a blast!
Oh my goodness I vacation there every year and my absolute favorite place is FAT BOYZ ICE CREAM!! they have lunch and other goodies too but the whole reason I go there is for the chocolate dipped cookie dough dips. Sooooooooo good I can’t even explain it and only $2 each! The ice cream is great too. The place is always crowded but the lines move fast.
We went to the Outer Banks 2 years ago and would’ve eaten at Kill Devil Hills Frozen Custard and Beach Fries (http://killdevilsfrozencustard.com/) every day if we’d discovered it earlier! Oh man, now I’m seriously jealous. (And we were staying all the way up in Corolla! But if you find yourself up near Duck/Corolla go to Lighthouse Bagels, get the cinnamon roll and thank me later!)
I agree with Jockey’s Ridge but go early or late because the sun gets hot midday. It was also worth the drive to go to Cape Hatteras/Bodie Lighthouse and go up in them. You could also pass the Nights in Rodanthe “Inn” and the Rodanthe Pier is really pretty too and we’re a sucker for movie locations. Can’t wait to see your recap!
Hope you are having a blast in OBX! We have a time share in Kill Devil Hills every summer and I’m already looking forward to heading down there. I second the recommendations for dinner at Black Pelican (great steamer bucket) and breakfast at Sam & Omie’s
The Brewing Station has live music most nights and a playground in their yard for kids which is nice.
And since you are ice cream people, American Pie actually has some great regular ice cream. The coffee oreo is not to be missed.
Enjoy!
I recently started watching Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Netflix, and that’s what’s making me smile this week! There are so, so many amazing theatre references that are making this acting nerd quite the happy gal! 🙂 I’ve also been getting in great workouts at the gym, so of course I’m smiling about that too! Endorphins all the way.
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I took my daughters to Virginia Beach for Spring Break this week, so one thing that made me smile was watching my 7 year old be really excited when we saw dolphins. I’ve never seen a smile that huge!
OBX are wonderful. If you have time take the ferry to Ockracoke island, great town to walk around. And of course the Wrights Brothers Memorial is amazing.
Ocracoke is my favorite place in the world! 🙂 Second the recommendation if you have the time!
I’ve had several friends get married in OBX! I think you guys are going to have a blast!!
Go to Hatteras! It’s a beautiful, more quite spot. We are going this summer and we are staying in the town called Wave. We haven’t been in years but used to go every summer for two weeks when we were little. Best memories!
Your trip sounds so fun, I hope you have a wonderful time!! Something making me smile is my father in law visiting from Wisconsin – it’s so fun to see him with our baby, whom he hadn’t seen since he was three weeks old!
You MUST go to Mama Kwan’s. They have the best blackened fish tacos that I have ever had it my life. The downside is that you’ll always compare any other fish tacos to Mama Kwan’s. Enjoy!
We ate lunch there today!!! So good!
Hey Julie!
I messaged you on Instagram re: OBX suggestions (my husband was born and raised there and I lived there with him for 2 years before we moved to CA (where I’m from) , but I forgot to mention, if you do decide to go to Colington Cafe for a nice dinner…ask for Pam Gray! She’s the hostess and also my mother-in-law 😉 The restaurant is owned by Miss Carlen and her husband and if you tell her a blog reader by the name of Ashley Gray sent you, she will be sure to take care of you guys and fill your wine glasses up high! 😉 Enjoy every minute!
Have a blast in OBX!! On that side of the banks – go to Front Porch Cafe for coffee… Duck Donuts has amazing cake donuts. Tale of A Whale is a nicer restaurant but has wonderful food. Check out Brew Thru just because. The Outer Banks Brewing Station has good beers & food. If you like oysters, go to Awful Arthur’s. Love it there! Like a second home.
The OBX are just my favorite place in the world! I’m so jealous! We usually stay in Corolla but have taken day trips to Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is free and great to wear kids out–huge sand dunes to run around on! And, we always hit Spanky’s Grille after we go to Jockey’s Ridge for quick fish sandwiches and hush puppies (SO GOOD!).
Have fun during your weekend away. I’ve never been to the Outer Banks, but it looks like an absolutely gorgeous spot. Those sunglasses are pretty cute.
Have so much fun!! I’m smiling because it’s Friday – wooohooo!!!!
Love your dress/cover-up, and I’m ALL about the Cajun Shrimp right now too. It’s my favorite spring and summer color. I’ve always wanted to visit the Outer Banks! Have so much fun! 🙂
My friends and I just had this discussion about locking the pantry and fridge during dinner prep. I tend to nibble on anything. Those cheerios are my jam! Well actually my sounds because he thinks they are fruit loops…But I find myself opening up the bag for a handful here and there. Enjoy outer Banks! It’s beautiful!
I will have to try that interval workout! I’ve been doing the preset intervals on the treadmill but they do get boring and I like that you incorporate the 5-minute circuit to change things up!
Owen’s in Nags Head is a must for us when we visit. The portions are huge, so if you do go, go hungry!
Ha! I’m totally a snack through dinner prep person. Usually it’s apple slices and I try to stick to veggies and dip too. But chips or crackers or cereal are much tastier! Your lips look great in that coral color. I’ll be on the lookout for that coral nail polish too!
I have been loving lipsense lately! Have you heard of it, of tried it? This stuff is amazing!
I always nibble/snack when I cook dinner!
I have never tried Zappos, but I love that dress so I might have to check it out!!
and I totally feel you with the snacking before dinner habit, lol.
Food dudes has great stuff great little hole in the wall the locals love. And daredevil pizza – you can’t beat the Greek!
Sam & Omies is a must for lunch. It’s on the beach road in South Nags Head. Lone Cedar is great for dinner. Hope you enjoy..it’s my favorite spot!