The Motherlode–Grayton Beach Jewelry, Allison Craft Designs

While our travel tastes can venture to the exotic, such as Latin American jungles, it's soothing to have a go-to place where we know what to expect and the living, err, vacationing is easy. While we're still searching for a mutual fave summer retreat in Western North Carolina, we've found our little go-to beach spot in the quiet Grayton Beach area of the Fort Walton region of Florida's gulf-facing panhandle.

Grayton has a laid back vibe lost on neighboring Seaside and further down beach buzzing scenes of Destin and the redneck rivera of Panama City. The growth is controlled by necessity of the two state parks on either border of the beach.

Each time we relish in returning to the familiar and also delight in discovering something new.  This time we were adopted by a local couple who seemed to think we be cool. Allison Craft is an art teacher turned artisan jewelry maker and creator of Allison Craft Designs, modeled by her and husband, Ken's, daughter, above. These leather and fresh water pearl jewelry were the RAGE from Grayton to Seaside, sported on the necks and arms of seemingly every tanned, chic-dressed blonde I encountered. I came home wearing a small necklace, a gift from our adopted friends.  Allison Craft Designs is sold online and at Ibizia here in Nashville. From my bike jaunts south, I brought home fun wares again from Perpicasity, Seaside's must-do Euro-style open-air bizaarr. 

We returned for oyster po'boys and the "great big salad" at Stinky's Fish Camp and learned that they sell the exfoliant available in their restrooms. I was in the market for some new exfoliator. While the Isle of Luxe Coconut Glowing Body Polish doesn't fit my tastes for an all-over body exfoliator, it has kept me from having to get a manicure, as the natural coconut oils and sugars moisturize my dry cuticles. It's particularly yummy rubbed onto and then rinsed off the feetsies. Even Husband 2.0 uses it on his otherwise alligator hands. 

We didn't see any gators, but we loved renting kayacks, allowing us to explore the area's mystical (at least to me) Western Lake beyond the shoreline. (Pictures coming whenever I finish organizing my office and rescue it's remaining contents from the jumble of boxes still stuffing the basement.)

The Red Bar is a must during any trip to the region. This year, thanks to the tip-off via our adopted local family, we returned three times like dancing fools for a band that knocked the socks off this musically jaded Nashville couple. Check out Dread Clampitt! These guys have it going on in looks, song writing, musical instrumentation. The total package. They do perform in Nashville–usually at the Station Inn, as they are rocking blue-grass boys. I'm betting these guys go big time in the Newgrass music scene.

It was a busy trip. How did I do that? I returned to Grayton Beach Massage, managed a hatha yoga session at The Studio, walks on the beach at sunset and several two-mile bike rides, one way, to Seaside. Yet, I managed to polish off my friend Paul Samuel Dolman's new book, Hitchhiking with Larry David. (Review to come.) 

We loved the many conversations and connections we made during our time spent hanging out and dining vegetarian each morning at our favorite Old Florida style lodging: Hibiscus Guest House. (Check out owner Cheri's "Be" message board and blog.) Cheri's added a Sunday jazz brunch that introduced us to many more laid-back locals. We also met many of our Nashville neighbors round the area. Like us, they "heart" Grayton!

LeisaHammett.com is not a review blog and thus, this post was written independently by me with no funding or gratuities from any of the businesses mentioned here.