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Scenic 30-A: Cottage Charm Giveaway

in Create, Dwell on

While I was in college, I was very fortunate to spend two summers working in Destin, Florida.

These were very formative summers for me, not the least because they served as a proving ground for a budding romance with the man who eventually became my husband.

I worked at the Customer Service counter of a grocery store — which is quite the place to be in the middle of tourist season, I can tell you. Among some of my more momentous life lessons and experiences:

  • I met Amy Grant.
  • I learned to distinguish at least three distinct variations of Mississippi Southern accent.
  • I rode out two major tropical storms.
  • I had a pregnant woman go into labor while I was ringing up her groceries — and then refuse my offer of help to load her car.
  • I learned to intuit with astonishing accuracy the type of cigarettes preferred by almost any given customer. It’s amazing how certain types of people gravitate to certain brands.
  • I sold liquor illegally. (I had to relieve the liquor store clerk for her break one day. The store manager apparently didn’t realize I wasn’t 21 at the time.)
  • I learned that the thrill of a four-hour, deep sea fishing cruise is greatly diminished by the sensation — not to mention odor — of baiting your hook with squid. Like neoprene rubber covered in snot. Gross.
  • It was the general consensus of the locals that Roy Scheider is a creep. I’m just telling you what I heard.

Nevertheless, I have a very soft place in my heart for the Redneck Riviera.

If you share my admiration for white, sugar sand beaches and blue waters, I hope you’ll enjoy this contribution to Kim’s Fourth Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway.

Included in this giveaway is “Beaches of Scenic 30-A,” an original, destination blind-style painting featuring twelve of South Walton’s most beautiful beaches, painted on 12″ x 24″ canvas in a beautiful gray-green acrylic and then distressed for that beachy appeal.

(Sorry about the crummy photos. This is the best I could do on a rainy day…)

Villages listed include: Dune Allen, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, WaterColor, Seaside, Seagrove Beach, WaterSound, Seacrest, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment to this post, including your email AND answering the following question:

“If you could have a destination blind from any city/area in the world, what city/area would you choose?”

TO ENTER A SECOND TIME:

Click here and become a Facebook Fan — or “Liker,” or whatever they’re calling it these days.  Every Facebook Fan/Liker will receive an additional entry in the giveaway.

Winner will be announced on May 29th. Don’t forget to include a way to contact you in case you win!

RULES:

  1. I will ship within the contiguous United States only.
  2. Ummmmm … can’t think of any other rules at the moment. But I reserve the right to add or amend them at any time if it suits me.

Thanks and good luck!

Save

Comments

  1. I would choose spots in Texas. As a native Texan, I would love to see one of these spotlighting cities/spots in Texas or popular spots in Ft. Worth where I live. I may have to figure out how to make my own! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. As the first comment, I think my chances are slim to none to win but it was great to see and loved visiting your blog.

  3. I lived right outside Destin for 11 years and I really miss the white sand, beach and sunshine… Ooh, and the seafood too. It would get crazy during tourist season! I love, love the painting since it reminds me of all the fun times we spent along 30-A. If I had to chose a place other than Destin for a destination blind it would be Venice, Italy.
    Thanks for this great giveaway.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

  6. Hi,

    First time to your blog but I will be returning! Please enter me in your wonderful giveaway! I invite you to enter mine. Any destination in the world? There’s no place like home – the NJ shore!

    Deborah

  7. For some reason my above comment isn’t showing my blog:
    FairfieldHouseNJ.com

  8. I would love to have my name in the hat! My destination blind would be Warsaw, Poland. I was so glad to see your blog for the first time.

  9. I would choose my destination as Virginia Beach,VA/Hampton Roads area. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.

  12. I’ve never been to Florida, but I’ve lived near Virginia Beach. I’m very happy where I am but I love visiting our kids and grandkids in California.

    Cute blog, sugar!

    xoxo,
    Connie

  13. Oh, I would actually pick the Destin area. My dad lives there now on the bay. Beautiful white sand beaches, good food, and shopping!!

  16. I’m so excited to participate in your giveaway – I’d have to agree with Gina and Andrea. I would choose Texas. I’m a Texan born and bred. I love my home state, it’s people and it’s history.

  18. First..
    That is my native soil!
    I am a NATIVE Pensacolian!
    I roamed those beaches as a kid..
    long before any commercialization had begun!
    Any time I am home, I’m there with my camera..
    dragging my toes through that sugary white sand..
    breathing in the salty air..as the sun kisses my cheeks..

    Secondly..
    my choice would be either one of two favorites..
    Spain.. or Venice Italy..

    I would love being the winner!
    warmest hugs..laughing smiles..
    Loui♥

  21. A tough question, but I think I would like to visit out west. We were in Colorado several years back, and the land was beautiful. I would love to visit wyoming, Arizona, Montana, and more of that are. Thanks for your generous giveaway. Jackie

  22. This is the ‘neighborhood’ of the beach hubby and I got married on…….in Pensacola Beach. We love this area and the gulf beaches there! Please put me in.

    thanks!

    Hugs N Herbal Blessings, Mandy

  23. I would have to choose my heritage Slovenia the former Yugoslavia where my grandparents came form. But I love my native home Colorado too!! Thanks for sharing!

  24. I’m entering this wonderful give-away for my brother (who doesn’t even know what a blog is 🙂 He and his family love Destin and hope to retire there. The sign would be prefect for him. Love your blog! I am working this morning on getting my give-away together so I hope you can visit soon.

  25. I would like to go to London and the countryside, as a big Jane Austen lover! Realistically, I would like to go to the Destin area. I went to Pensacola a few years ago and loved it and have been told to try Destin! Maybe you could give me tips on where to stay!
    Love your giveaway!
    ~Nancy

  26. This is such a great way to find new blogs! And I am glad to find you! I would choose places in the US that are on my list to visit. Why go out of the country when there are so many wonderful places here! And beaches are on the top of my list!

  28. Oh, I would have to say Paris, France. I have been to a lot of beachy island places, but Paris still holds a mystery to me.
    I love your giveaway and I will be sure to follow you too! Thanks!!

  30. I would LOVE to visit the south of France. Why? Well, the thought of all those flea markets (any part of France as long as the famed flea markets are there).

    Smiles~
    Marilyn
    mcgoo4(at)gmail.com

  37. well I would have to say the coast in Australia maybe…I have never been but its on my bucket list. Within the US maybe Virgina Beach…or the Hamptons???

  43. Hello sweet Abigail – thank you so much for entering me in your fabulous giveaway! I love your painting. I’ve been on the hunt for one for a year now. This one is absolutely COOL! It would look great in my living room.

    Blessings,
    Marie

  44. Tough decision …
    I would have to choose Italy (overseas) …
    Bozeman MT (mountainesque) …
    or Lake Geneva WI (lakeside) …

    Thank you for the opportunity!

  46. If I could choose I would choose Arkansas of course because that’s where I was born and raised :)! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!