After running races for a few years, I was totally burnt out. Until recently. I am feeling the sport again. And, although I am a self proclaimed weather geek (but, LOATHE Jim Cantore), I didn't realize how beautiful it is today in Southeastern North Carolina. So, I put on my running gear, uploaded some new songs, and headed out to run the loop. When I realized how warm it was, and that it was low tide, I decided to do it on the beach. I am so glad I did. The shells were great today! For those of you on Wrightsville Beach, they are up near the tide line on the north end, so combing the beach all day is possible! Here are some of the gems I found!

Auger with attached Coral and a Brown-banded Wentletrap.

Wittle tiny baby whelk.

Keyhole Limpet (Chinaman's Hat).

Wrightsville Beach in February!

Common Eastern Starfish.

Can you spot the two Keyhole Limpets (Chinaman's Hats)?

Another wittle tiny baby Whelk (technical term).

Sea Urchin no spikes, Sea Urchin spikes to right with seaweed intertwined.

Happy Hunting and Gathering!

Cheers Y'all!
Margaret

Wrightsville Beach on Dwellable

Kim Kardashian vs. Duchess of Cambridge. What?!

As I am sitting in my kitchen nook eating a lovely breakfast and sipping a good cup of tea, I overhear from the Today Show, that more women relate more to Kim Kardashian's wardrobe rather Princess Kate's wardrobe. That Kim's style resonates more with women than the Duchess's style. How is that even possible? I would like to see the people who helped create these results, or better, what they were wearing. But, the fact that the Today show actually spoke about this survey, or whatever it was, proves that the United States of America has perhaps gone downhill when it comes to fashion, or more they way we present ourselves. Look at the English Icon (Duchess of Cambridge): beautiful, poised, elegant, and classy. Verses the USA Icon (Kim Kardashian): Tight clothes, cleavage, obvious makeup, short short short dresses. Even when Pippa Middleton's derriere was being discussed, it looked elegant and classy.

Should we be embarrassed or should we stand up and shout: "Hell to the yeah, we are American's and we do it like we like to do it....now, I'm going to Walmart." I'm not trying to be unpatriotic at all. It's a valid comparison that is being made in many places. Take a look at the premiere of Downton Abbey. Shirley Maclaine vs. Maggie Smith. Didn't most of you root for Maggie Smith. Yes, she is judgmental and rude, but she is also entirely likable. Shirley Maclaine is more eclectic, non-traditional, aggressive and slightly flighty. Aren't all Americans?

But, then again when Robert and Cora were discussing their financial troubles, didn't we American's cheer when Cora responded: "I'm American, have gun with travel." I guess when Countess Crawley says something like that in her braid and gorgeous nightgown, we don't think of it as tacky. I'm not one to talk. I am neither Kim Kardashian nor the Duchess of Cambridge. Nor do I want to be. I admire Kim for showing off her curves rather than trying to cover them up. I admire almost everything about the style of Princess Catherine: her poise, her style, her ability to make being a Royal look easy. I could never do that. After all, I am a loud, obnoxious American - louder and more obnoxious than most. But, I'd like to think my style is more toned down than that. Maybe Kim Kardashian's style resonates more because of her curves; we all can relate to curves. And, Kate Middleton doesn't have many, although she will have a bump soon. And, I can see that's it's difficult to imagine wearing hats to weddings among other things. But, the Duchess's style resonates more with me. Maybe because I don't have her poise that I admire, or maybe I just want to wear Temperley to a party or to every party I can. Cheers! Margaret

Sand Dollar Ornaments

Sand Dollars make great ornaments, if you don't break them.  Growing up, we had various sand dollars on our tree, from plain white to ones with something festive painted on them.  Yesterday I tried to be an artist.  First I painted one red, and then tried to paint a sea urchin on another - they look horrible.  Then, I stumbled upon the Bald Head Island Emblem used for the island.  And, for some reason I could paint it well enough to know what it was.  Take a look.

Bald Head Island Emblem adapted

So, I then decided to try it on some sand dollars.  I know what it is, and I think at least my family will too.

Bald Head Island Sand Dollar Ornaments

More Ornaments on Reindeer Edward Teach

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Margaret

Hunt, Gather, Shell, Fish

December in Coastal North Carolina has been lovely.  And, this weekend is no different.  Lucky for me, I have spent most of it on the water.  Success in finding shells and trout was in order, and so was capturing some great moments.

Banks Channel

Shell Bounty

Sunset at the Masonboro Jetty.

Visiting Pelican; perhaps to steal our trout.

Jetty Rocks with sunset hitting them.

Intracoastal Waterway

I hope your weekend has been as enjoyable wherever you may be.

Cheers,
Margaret

Shelling on Bald Head Island

This looks fake, but it's not!  What a shelling week!  

I love Bald Head Island (BHI).  But, it's more than love.  There is an ad in Bald Head Island's Magazine, Haven (which I don't think has published a new issue in over 6 months), that says:  "Do you believe a place can have a soul?"  That's exactly how it feels.  Or, maybe I just am in tune more with my soul while I am here.

One of my many favorite things to do on BHI is shell.  Growing up visiting this lovely island, I remember shells being almost everywhere.  My siblings, cousins, and I would find sand dollars daily, right out on the beach from my Mimi and Grandaddy's house, which was on Silversides.  As I have gotten older though, it seems more difficult to find shells.  Until now.  I think I have it figured out, but it takes a lot of work, exploring, and exercise.

On Sunday Morning, I headed out to West Beach.  I had some good luck here this past summer, so I tend to start out there.  We passed some nice folks from Richmond who gave me 3 sand dollars they had found on South Beach.  Crazy!  I haven't found a decent shell on South Beach since Mimi and Grandaddy days.  But, this is where they are.  And, they are white.  I say white because many times when you find sand dollars, you find them brown, still alive although dying.  Not to worry if you find them this way, you can't save them.  But, they are going to stink.  And, it's tough to get them looking the natural white color that the ocean gives them.

Where West and South Beach meet on Bald Head Island, there is an obvious erosion problem.  There always has been.  The old clubhouse had to be torn down because it was sitting in the Atlantic.  It is continually maintained, which is a completely different topic to discuss, by groins that stick out into the Atlantic to prevent additional erosion.    

BHI Groins - now covered because of "beach re-nourishment".

There are approximately 10-12 of these groins that start on South Beach and end where West Beach starts. It's also where the mouth of the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean, so you can imagine the water is a bit tumultuous.

Amazingly enough, sand dollars have been washing up here all week, and it's like finding a treasure every time!  Sunday, I found 19, Monday I found 15, and yesterday I found another 15.  I found a few on East Beach as well, but if you want sand dollars, go to the groins.

Sand Dollar 1.

Sand Dollar 2. (I speak to every single one I find)!

Don't you love when you can almost imagine how the ocean situated this treasure?

Recently removed from it's bed - the currents here are unrelenting.  But, I promise to decorate or give away brillantly!

Surprise!

One of my favorite ways to find Sand Dollars - seeing the star and digging it (carefully) out!

Bird tried to get the goods behind the star - not gonna work.

Gem.

Find!

New, but lovely.

If I hadn't found this today, it would either be whiten by the sun and ready for me to find, or broken.

This one has been washed ashore for a while now - you can tell by the skeleton being obvious - very fragile!

Atlantic Ocean and a bit of the Cape Fear washing over...beautiful!

Each one is more perfect than the last!

Think that orange on it is result of Cape Fear River.

Another bird or crab tried to poke into this lovely shell...no you didn't.

I find loads of sand dollars with the lower edges cut off - my theory - a crab!

Treasure!!

I love them all.

Breathtaking!

I looks like a bird tried to break the shell; they must be tasty as I see this often.

Lovely.

You will be taken care of now.

Will turn your hands jaundice.

I love each the same.  

Love you, Sand Dollar!

Yes, I took a picture of every sand dollar I found, but I won't keep boring you with the pictures, although I do think they are beautiful.

Sea Urchins were popular on Bald Head too, but mostly on East Beach, where I found them almost in clumps at the Point at Cape Fear.  I have spent much of my time this week cleaning them, but they are gorgeous and perfect to decorate with for Christmas!

What a BOUNTY - thank you Bald Head Island!

Sea Urchin Stars - gorgeous and where the Sea Urchin Star Design was born.

Check out my designs, if you haven't here.

Happy Shelling!

Cheers,

Margaret

Bald Head Island on Dwellable

Gather: Best Hand Cream

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is a luxurious formula that nourishes, protects and revitalizes the skin. Honey, almond and coconut oil are blended with 20% Shea Butter to help heal dry, dehydrated hands. Jasmine and ylang-ylang leave a delicate and comforting aroma on hands (Source: www.dermstore.com).

Hands down (pun intended), it's the best!  Seriously.  Coming from someone who has long suffered from dry hands and eczema, I have tried every hand cream.  I think the best trait about L'Occitane is that it doesn't leave your hands feeling oily or gooey (technical terms).  So, it isn't so irritating to reapply after washing your hands.  It's enjoyable.  It is isn't overly scented either; the scent is subtle and fresh.

L'Occitane has stores across the nation.  You can find it online from a variety of sites as well.  Dermstore offers free shipping, but you may have to wait 1-2 weeks for it.  There are 2 prices for 2 sizes.  1 oz. for $10, and 5.2 oz. for $28, order it here.  And, these prices are fixed; I've never seen this lotion go on sale.  But, the 5.2 oz. size will last you a season, unless you too become mildly obsessed.

Cheers!

Margaret



2 Degree Comfort Zone

Finding the perfect winter balance:  starting with these... 

I am only comfortable in 2 degrees.  I'm either hot or cold.  And, around this time of year, I am always cold.  It may only be 55 degrees outside, but I'm sorry, it feels much colder than that.  I live on the coast, and as we lucky people who are lucky enough to live at the beach know, it always feels colder on the water.  And, damp.  The kind of damp that shoots right to your coldness.  One good thing about the fact that we are having an actual fall and what looks like a very cold winter, is knowing the cockroaches are going to die.  And, for those of you who call them Palmetto Bugs:  they aren't Palmetto Bugs, they are cockroaches.  The population of this most disgusting insect has been so dense this past year because (based on a highly intelligent theory I have created) we didn't have either a fall or a winter last year; we had a lovely extended summer/spring.  And as enjoyable as that was, it didn't kill the cockroaches.  Total tangent, my apologies.  My intention here is to pass along some fantastic products that have helped me survive my constant cold nature and bring me back into my 2 degree comfort zone during these damp and cold months.

Smartwool Socks: 

These fantastic wool socks are $20.95, slightly pricey for a sock and highly worth every penny.  Smartwool Socks come in a variety of thickness, designs, and sizes.  They have boot socks for boots, or if you are like me, you wear them without boots for an extra layer.  They last forever.  And if your feet get wet while braving the elements, you won't suffer from hypothermia or early exit, because wet wool still warms.  It is great for those of you who enjoy shelling and fishing even out of your degree comfort zone.  They have free shipping if you spend $75 or more!  See there selection here.

Patagonia Pullover:  

 A Patagonia Pullover Fleece has been a constant staple in my winter wardrobe (well, I should be honest - I wear them year round, just not outside in the summer).  It is made from 51% recycled fleece and who doesn't want a kangaroo pocket to warm your hands all the time.  It goes with almost everything and keeps you warm.  And, if it's really cold you can layer over it!  It retails for $119, and those of you who love Patagonia like I do know it rarely goes on sale, although Great Outdoor Provisions and REI sometimes will have a sale out of the blue.  I love this winter white, but I kind of want the gray this year see it here.  (My sister stole my other fleece's so I am always in the market for a new one).

lululemon Turn around jacket: 

I not only love the outdoors, but I also love to run.  And, how many times a year do I not run because it's cold?  Way too much to mention.  When I first started my career as a runner, one thing always helped me get out of the door, and it never was the knowledge of knowing how good I would feel after.  It was cool running gear!  With this reversible jacket,  and it's stretchy cuffs, I would be excited to get outside.  And, obviously from the looks of this jacket, it is way more than a running jacket.  I would put this on to shell and fish!  Or, stay warm at a football game.  It is steep in price, $198, but lululemon pieces (yes, I call them pieces because they are a fashion piece for my wardrobe in addition to being so fully functional), but they always cover shipping.  You may have a lululemon in your city, but we all know if we step foot in the store, we will leave spending much more than $198. Check out more pictures of this jacket and features here.

With this outdoor gear, I can be assured to remain in my 2 degree comfort zone and not miss any activity!

Cheers!
Margaret