Earlier this week, I quickly popped up to 30A on the Panhandle of Florida to join in on the Publishing Day celebrations for Mary Hollis Huddleston, better known as @mrssouthernsocial. It was a short, three-day trip, but we packed a whole lot of fun into those three days! I absolutely love this area of Florida, especially Watercolor, Rosemary Beach, and Seaside. I know 30A is becoming an increasingly popular vacation destination, so I wanted to share a little about where we stayed, where we shopped, what we ate, and what we did during our girls’ trip in case anyone is looking for suggestions!
30A Girls’ Trip
Not only was this girls’ trip memorable because of the beautiful location and the exciting celebration, but getting to know some truly remarkable women on a deeper level made it extra special. Mary generously hosted a small group of us in a lovely home, where I was joined by my friend Paige Minear and her daughter and Mary’s daughter as well. As much as we loved exploring the area, the downtime to bond and connect was the best of all! We also linked up with some other ladies that I’ve gotten to know through the Instagram community including Caroline Hernandez, Katie Corley, and Annie Malone. As crazy as Instagram can be, I’m forever grateful for the women I’ve connected with. We were all so excited for Mary and ready to cheer her on as she signed books at Sundog Books in Seaside, FL.
Mary Hollis Huddleston’s Books
Before jumping into my 30A recommendations, I must share about Mary’s books! Mary released her first book, Without A Hitch back in 2021. She drew inspiration from her job as a wedding planner in Dallas (we both lived there at the same time) and along with a good friend from her college days from TCU, they introduced us to Lottie – a 20-something working for a prestigious event design group who thought she had life all figured out but learned the hard way that things don’t always go according plan. I personally related to her story of learning to let go while staying open to possibilities beyond what you’d originally imaged. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, set against one of my favorite cities ever (Dallas, of course) so I was thrilled to hear Mary was publishing a sequel. During this trip, we celebrated the second book, Piece of Cake, and joined her for her first book signing! I started reading my own copy on the flight home and I didn’t want to put it down! I keep finding myself imagining the movie version of her characters because I have no doubt we’ll see this on the big screen one day – it is that entertaining! If you love fiction, romance, and comedy, you’ll love these!
Three-Day Trip to 30A
Back to 30A! This post is certainly not an exhaustive list by any means. Though sometimes too many options can be overwhelming, so maybe that is a positive! The below recommendations are based on this specific, short trip, and I feel more inspired than ever to return and learn even more about the area.
Where to Eat in 30A
Bud & Alleys: I had the best crab cakes I’ve ever had at this restaurant! The Jalapeno Margarita was also delicious! It is right off the beach and has both indoor and outdoor options.
Airstream Row: Head here for charming food truck-style fare. The Frose at Bushwackers is delicious and powerful!
Great Southern Café: This spot was a great choice when I had lunch with Annie Malone and Jami Ray. Whatever you do, get some grits! And if you like mojitos, this is your spot.
What we did in 30A!
Sundog Books: This bookstore hosted Mary’s signing and it is a book lover’s dream. I need to plan for a solid hour or two dedicated to getting lost in this store!
The SEASIDE Style (+ Kids): While we went into both stores, and they have as much of the iconic SEASIDE branded gear as you can hope for, the kids store was where my heart wanted to stay! The cutest clothes with brands like The Beaufort Bonnet Company as well as great little gifts, toys, souvenirs and beach accessories!
SEASIDE Pop-up District: SEASIDE Pop-Up District is the cutest concept and it’s literally right off the beach! This center is “dedicated to innovators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who have a ‘great business idea’ and need a place to launch and prove the value of their concept”. The stalls change and offer pop-ups of some big-name stores like Rustler hats (which you can customize right then and there!)
Cabana: If you shop the brands I wear and share, then a stop at this store will be heaven! They were fully stocked with the most colorful, lovely resort wear with a great range of price points. It seemed like most dresses started at $150 (there were many options in that price) all the way up to La Vie Style House caftans. They also carried home décor and entertaining gifting items, shoes, fabulous accessories, and pretty much anything you can think of!
Where to Stay in 30A
Stay in Watercolor! Yep, you heard that right! After all this talk about Seaside, I’m suggesting that you stay in Watercolor. Listen – it is all beautiful. I’ve previously stayed exclusively in Rosemary Beach. I know tons of people who return to Seaside year after year. But, I found Watercolor to be charming, relatively quiet, and also perfectly set up for families with great beach and pool club amenities. The tennis club caught my eye as well, which I passed every time I walked to Seaside. It was hot, but the walk was only about 10 minutes and so convenient. You can browse Watercolor rentals on 360 Blue. There is a 100% chance we’ll book a golfcart when we return with the girls.
What to Pack for 30A
I hope to be packing my 30A suitcase and heading back sooner rather than later. But until then, here’s a look at what I packed this week, in case you’re also shopping for upcoming vacations (or just want to feel like you’re on vacation!!) Click on each of the images below to shop.
30A Vacation
If you find yourself planning a trip to 30A, I hope these suggestions are helpful. I would love to return to the area ASAP and if I do I’ll be sure to add any new recommendations to this list! For additional travel inspiration be sure to check out my Disney World Packing List, my stay at the Le Méridien Dallas, and my stay at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek.
