Embroidered Midi Dress feat. Mara Hoffman + 5 Must Do Things in Seaside, Florida

dress: Mara Hoffman | shoes: Tory Burch | clutch: Clare V. | watch: MICHELE (c/o) | bracelets: Hermes, David Yurman | earrings: Calypso St. Barth

Happy Wednesday! Today's outfit is one that I love not just for the fashion but for the memories from these pictures. Being a fashion blogger and photographing lots of outfits can become a bit redundant, but on this night being in such a beautiful place I was reminded why I started this blog in the first place: to share the utter beauty and joy of the Lord and especially the beauty of His miraculous creation. 

Fashion is something that is created. As the Lord created the Earth and each and every one of us, fashion designers create garments that have such an impact on people visually as well as sometimes emotionally. I love the parallel of these two and learning more about fashion design/ construction has helped me understand our Heavenly Father as a creator in a more tangible way. Although not a single fashion design will ever compare in any itty bitty tiny way to the unbelievably stunning world the Lord created, I love the common thread between the two, which is creativity.  "For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." -1 Corinthians 8:6

One of my favorite things from sharing about my vacation on Instagram last week was receiving comments from some of y'all that have visited Seaside or are planning trips soon! I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my very favorite things to see/do there, so take a look at those below. If you have never been to Seaside before, then I highly recommend visiting :) and if you have been there, then you already know how unique and beautiful it is! 

5 MUST SEE/DO THINGS IN SEASIDE, FLORIDA

ONE

 get a sweet treat at Frost Bites on your way down to the beach. just try and make it to the beach before it melts in the sun! 

TWO

go shopping! my favorite stores are Willow + Woods, Mercantile, Wendy Mignot Pearls, and Perspicasity, and Ophelia Swimwear

-I love Willow + Woods for their bright and colorful selection of fashion, as well as all the great brands they carry. From Joie to Tory Burch to one of my new favorites English Factory, I know I will always find way too many things I love (and want to take home with me) here! 

-I talked about Mercantile on Monday (see here), but it has become one of my favorite stores to find beautiful white tops and dresses, as well as jeans! Their entire store feels like my closet, because I am always reaching for a versatile white top to throw on with jeans or denim shorts. I also really love the western vibe of their store! 

-I could spend hours in Wendy Mignot's store browsing all of her gorgeous pearl jewelry designs. If you are in Seaside, you have to see the beauty of them all in person!

-Perspicasity is by far the most unique store in Seaside to me, because it is set up as a "beachside bazaar" with a european market feel that is only steps from the beach. You can see a picture of it on my Instagram here! Each time I come back, I am always blown away by their amazing selection of tops, dresses, accessories, bags, and shoes. Perspicasity is a place I always find something really unique that I have never seen before and completely fall in love with! I especially love that their products are arranged into each hut by color - which makes shopping really fun!

-Ophelia Swimwear is the one stop shop for all things beach and swim! They have the best swimwear brands and cutest beach accessories. I could spend hours in here trying on everything and admiring all the trendy swimsuits and dresses! I'll be sharing another post later about one of my favorite finds from Ophelia! Stay tuned :)

THREE

grab a good book to read at Sundog Books. I could spend hours in here picking up new titles and finding new beach reads. I just picked up this one last week- I totally recommend it! 

FOUR

go to a concert/ play/ performance at the Seaside Amphitheater. Seaside always has fun events planned, so grab a blanket and find a spot in the amp to enjoy one of their summer concerts!  

FIVE

eat dinner at Bud and Alley's Roof Deck Bar & watch the sunset over the ocean.  i promise the view WILL NOT disappoint! also, their crab cakes are the best- you have to try them! 

BONUS:  Instagram and tag Seaside Crew Life @livescl #livescl :) 

Also, don't forget today is the last day to enter to win the $1225 gift card to Nordstrom before the Anniversary Sale starts tomorrow! Be on the lookout for some fun posts rounding up my sale favorites soon! Enter to win below! 

SHOP