VACATION... OBX I heart you

Nags Head, North Carolina

This is the week I look forward to the most the whole year long. A week away at the beach on the Outerbanks of North Carolina, you automatically feel relaxed the minute you pull into town and drive along the beach road. And it is also extra special this year because it is sister's birthday. The last year of her 20's, it is hard to believe she is so grown up, time flies, to me she will always be my little sister. Happy Birthday Ruth! and cheers to vacation.

Friday Wine Tasting... Shelton Vineyards Bin 17

Wine of the Week
Shelton Vineyards Bin 17, American Chardonnay
$11.99

While we were on the Outerbanks we did some wine tasting at an adorable wine store in Nags Head, NC. I love trying local wines when I am traveling, as just about every state has at least one vineyard and are producing some serious wines. As we were tasting through a number of different local vintages, I discovered a delightful unoaked Chardonnay from Shelton Vineyards, Bin 17 American Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes: Lush fruit with highly-concentrated flavors of our Dijon Clone Chardonnay characterizes the 2008 Bin 17 Chardonnay. This wine receives no barrel-aging and no malo-lactic fermentation. This is a wine built on fruit expression alone that is abundant in this wine. The focused citrus notes are accented with melon, banana, and other tropical fruit nuances with a rich, round texture.

Taking a piece of the beach home... Decorating with Shells

One of my favorite thing about being at the beach is to walk along the water and collect shells, purple shells. The beaches on the Outer Banks are the only place I have ever seen them. Problem is I always collect these beautiful shells and they end up sitting in a bag. This trip I am thinking of a way to bring a piece of the beach back with us and into our home. Some thoughts for decorating with shells...

Collection of Purple Shells from Nags Head, NC

1. In an Elegant Jar with a lid.

2. In a fillable glass lamp (I wish this was our living room)

3. Collection of Ball Jars on a table, shelf or mantle (My mother in law has hers displayed in the kichen, where the light shines through them)

4. Cylinder Vase

5. Votive Holders