Hi, and happy Memorial Day! I’m glad we can take this day to remember all of our armed services members who died while serving our country.
Although lots of people headed to the beach this weekend, our family actually went to the beach the previous week. A family friend who owns a beach house in Ocean Isle, NC, offered to let us rent it for a few days before the busy Memorial Day weekend started. So, at the last minute, our family started packing for a quick getaway. My sister already started her summer internship and wasn’t able to make it, so my brother, Caleb, and I were beach buds for the week.
On Monday afternoon, we loaded up the car, strapped our bikes on the back, and made the 3 hour drive from Raleigh to Ocean Isle, a quiet little town on the coast. 
Each day at the beach was pretty similar, which was fun because I love my “beach routine.” I’d wake up and go for a run, and then come back to wake Caleb up to join for the second half of my run. He’s hiking part of the Appalachian Trail for several weeks later this summer, so he asked if we could start running together to build up his cardio endurance.
I loved the peacefulness of the beach in the mornings. This is what it looked like when I’d leave the house around 7:30 am.
After running with Caleb, I’d shower off and make breakfast, which was the same every day– an omelet with fruit, plus some banana bread I made at home before we left.
After breakfast, I usually spent a few quiet minutes journaling in my favorite room of the house, this cute sunroom overlooking the beach.
I also loved this bedroom with all of the natural light and pretty, subdued colors.
After breakfast, Caleb and I would go on a bike ride either around town or right on the sand, which was a killer workout. Who needs spin class when you can ride bikes behind, or even worse, in front of your brother who’s breathing down your neck because he’s in much better biking shape than you are? 😉
Then, we’d have lunch (again, same thing every day!). My beach lunch consisted of a sandwich with Boar’s Head maple honey turkey, homemade honey mustard (2 parts mustard, 1 part honey), and tomato slices, with carrots and grapes on the side.
Everything tastes better at the beach☀️???☁️??????
A photo posted by Liv Bane (@livbane) on
After lunch, I’d usually go for a walk on the beach and lie out by the pool to read. I made it through a few books and I think the most interesting one was a new book called First Women, which was about the ten most recent First Ladies. The author focused on each woman’s role in the White House, as well as the relationships the First Ladies formed with each other, and I loved the “behind the scenes” take on these uniquely different, strong women. I’d recommend it!
I also went swimming in the ocean one day with Caleb, although the water was a little bit chilly. We were the only ones in the water for as far as we could see down the beach, which was a little unnerving, especially considering the 8 shark attacks last summer in Ocean Isle and the surrounding beaches.
Since we had breakfast and lunch at the house every day, we went out for dinner each night. One night was a local Italian restaurant, one night was Chipotle, and one night was Carolina Roadhouse in Myrtle Beach, about an hour away.
My family’s been going to Carolina Roadhouse for years since my dad’s work conference used to bring our family to Myrtle Beach every summer, and I actually went there with friends over spring break, too. I love their honey mustard dressing and they serve the best honey butter croissants with their salads, so a salad it was.
One day also included a trip to the outlet malls in Myrtle Beach, and most nights ended with a few rounds of cards and some moose tracks.
I stayed mostly off of social media throughout the trip, save a few Instagram pictures and some Snapchats, which felt nice. As I’m writing this post, I’m realizing I didn’t even didn’t take many pictures (although my brother would probably beg to differ). I’m bummed that I didn’t get a good picture of all of the whole family, but I’m really glad I got to go on a family trip before I leave for the summer.
Next up for me: I’m sticking around for my brother’s high school graduation on Friday and a beach trip with a friend’s family next week, and then I’m driving to Arkansas for a summer internship at a law firm and making a couple of fun stops along the way to break up the long drive.
So tell me…
What does your ideal beach day include as far as food and activities go?
Are you able to avoid getting sunburnt at the beach?
Apparently not, because even though I’d put on lots of sunscreen and reapply it, a different area got a littleeee bit burnt each day, so by the end of the four-day trip, I had a nice collection of small sunburns.
I’m so glad that you got to do this vacation. Aren’t vacations, where you stay in one place and have a fun routine, so wonderful? I love all different kinds, but those ones have a special way of just being really restful and memorable. They take you out of the house where you would be tempted to work, and they put you into a place, where you still have a routine, but you don’t have the extra work responsibilities, so you can rest and just spend time catching up on things you wouldn’t normally do. 😉 I also love how you and your brother got to spend time together motivating each other to do different workouts.
You perfectly described the best part about vacation! At home, I probably wouldn’t take the time to read several books in a few days but on vacation, it feels like the right thing to do!
Oh yes, and I almost always get burnt. Even here in Ireland, while we are on vacation, it seems like there have been a few days where we were out in the sun for a long time, and I got a bit rosy. I usually do put sunscreen on, but we didn’t bring any on this trip.
Oh no! Hope you stay in the rosy stage and don’t make it all of the way to the lobster stage! And hope you have an awesome time in Ireland!!
So fun! Beach vacations are so relaxing. Also sounded super active!
My favorite vacations involve being really active for the first part of the day and wearing myself out so I can lie around for the next part of the day and read or just rest!
What a fun and active trip!! I get sun burnt sooooo bad that I end up disliking the sun at the end of the trip. Ha! I am all about salads an fruit and I also get a tiny bit obsessed with grilled fish. By the way that bikini top is gorgeous!
Oh yes, I was ready to get away from the sun by the end of the trip! And thanks, Elsie!
wow, you’re going to arkansas for an internship?! that’ll be a long drive. but i can’t wait to hear more about it 😀
your beach trip sounds so fun, and so active! ugh, i’m still struggling to get up at 9, soooo i’ll use this as a little reminder to get up EARLIER to run in the not-so-hot-heat. i’m not a water girl, so that sounds like some good days to me; walking, running, and READING. oh! i went to B&N yesterday and finally bought some more books, yay!
and your brother may be a better biker, but sounds like you’re the better runner ;D look on the positive side!
As much as I love the thought of sleeping in, it gets hot so fast so I like getting up early to beat the heat for my run. Oh, love going to Barnes & Noble! Hope you enjoy your new books 🙂
Sounds like such a fun trip! I love trips that involve being outside/bike riding/feeling like a part of nature! I think it’s great you took a little social media break too to fully enjoy the vacation. Love your bathing suit top too Liv! Have a great Monday 🙂
Thanks so much, Alyssa! Target has some great swimsuit tops!
Your beach routine sounds a lot like mine on any beach vacation. It’s always nice to sloooow down a little bit and just enjoy each day. So glad you got some family time before you leave for your internship! I’ve never been to Arkansas – can’t wait to hear more about it 🙂
I’ll be sure to share more about it in a little bit! Hope you’re having a great long weekend, Ellen!
Looks like a great time filled with great memories! I was outside helping my family do some yard work yesterday and got sunburned! I’m super pale so I burn super easy 😉
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
Oh no, hope your sunburn goes away ASAP!
First off, the first thing I thought of when I saw your e-mail update (I subscribe :P) was that I instantly knew you got that swim suit top at target…the sad life of a target employee. Haha. But! I loved this post! So glad you got to spend time with family, and the relaxation sounds amazing! My ideal day includes waking up to go walk on the beach, and sit and read a chapter before breakfast. Then walk/bike around the town, to come back and play board games with my family. for dinner, something grilled! And being a redhead who’s prone to attracting every bit of the sun imaginable, I am never able to not get sunburnt so I feel your pain!
Haha! You know your Target swimwear (and thanks for subscribing!) 🙂 Your perfect beach day sounds a lot like mine– hope you get to spend some time at the beach this summer!
it looks like you had such a lovely little vacation!
I can usually avoid a sunburn, however, in New Zealand I was burnt to a CRISP one literally ONE INCH of my skin (where my leggings and my socks didn’t quite meet!) and I still have the weird tan line to prove it, haha! It was totally my fault as I had sunscreen on every other bit of exposed skin but that but I definitely learnt my lesson!
Oh no that’s terrible! I’m glad it was just an inch even if you now have a funny tan line 🙂
I’m feeling the sunburn pain as I type 🙂 Sign of a fun weekend, I suppose? This sounds like the PERFECT beach week! I have the best time whenever we rent a beach house and I just love my beach routines.
Wish I would have read this post before I went to Barnes and Nobles because I passed by “First Women” and almost picked it up. Next time!
I’m almost done with that one and have really enjoyed it! Next time!!
I loved reading this recap. It was the epitome of what summer should be- all in a weekend! I hope this is the first of many summer activities for you and your family!
Ideal beach day: reading the entire time on the beach. Then eating a subway sandwich of tuna, mayo, mustard, veggies, and avocado. Probably also some cheetos and a coke because after all this is the ideal beach day! Then a nap. A nice long nap. All with no sunburn!
PS: Is it weird if I think your brother is cute? It’s weird isn’t it? Oops. Hehe.
Ooh, that like a perfect beach day to me, too! And hahaha if he sees your comment, I’m sure he’ll be flattered! 😀
Aw sounds like such a fun trip! I could definitely use a week like that! Also so glad I found your blog – I’m a college student and runner too 🙂
Hi, Megan! So nice to “meet” you!
Wow, Liv! Looks like a very relaxing time with your family. Those pastel rooms (especially the bedroom) are so lovely.
My perfect beach day would be sleeping in, going for a run or a bike ride, and then heading straight for the beach. I love that it doesn’t matter how sweaty you are before you jump in the ocean! I’d read a book or two and make some really chill playlists. I also love looking for crabs and shells.
And you are so right. Everything tastes so much better at the beach!
Sounds like a wonderful beach day! As people have been sharing their beach routines in the comments, it sounds like they’re all pretty similar, which I love!
A few bloggers have come down to OIB in the past couple weeks, and I’m sad I didn’t realize it until their recap posts! My boyfriend’s parents live down here and we’re living with them as we transition from life in Durham (I worked there) and Raleigh (my boyfriend went to State) to Wilmington. I’m going back to school to get a Masters in Social Work so we’re moving there!
Oh, that’s awesome! I lived in Durham last summer, so I’m a bit familiar with the area and of course familiar with NC State as a UNC girl myself :). Hope your move goes smoothly!
Turkey sandwiches at the beach are the bomb!
Ocean Isle is my favorite vacation spot. I have so many good memories there going with my best friend’s family.
Agreed and agreed! I love how peaceful and non-commercialized Ocean Isle is!
Aww, sounds great! Love the pictures, especially the ones of you and Caleb 🙂 So cute!
Thanks so much, Lea!
I love to journal while on vacation as well. I feel like vacations actually allow me to slow down, relax, and purge my thoughts. It looks like you had a wonderful time and enjoyed some yummy food! That’s nice you and your brother got to spend some quality time together. I can’t wait to take a vacation and see the ocean again. 🙂
Gosh that beach house is so cute!! What a fun and relaxing weekend!
We went to the beach on Memorial Day, and the only part of me that got sunburned was the top of one of my feet! I’m fair and tend to burn easily, so I’m happy I think I have a sturdy base tan going into summer running.
YES, running has helped with my base tan so much, especially on my arms and legs. Still working on everything else! 🙂
Aw, it looks like you guys had a great vacation! Times like these with your family are so special and experiences you’ll cherish forever. That beach house is lovely, and those dishes both look divine! Cool post! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us!
It looks like you had a great trip! All of your meals are so colorful and light – perfect for the beach!
It’s nice to live life to its fullest and enjoy a stress free time with yourself. Going on vacation lets us recharge our “batteries” by disconnecting us from our regular life. When we come back we feel invigorated and we are happy to be back in our day to day routine. It’s a very good stress remover that has a lot more to give than most people are willing to accept.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I always feel like you can’t go wrong with a beach vacation and usually the best way to relax!