Wishing Resort Girls a night on the Beach this Halloween… with maybe a Pumpkin Martini in hand.
Want to take your Resort Girl or Guy sweetheart on a sweet afternoon vacay? Roll into the historic district of Flowery Branch, Georgia. The train depot was big business back in the early days, now the city is big in the business of sweet treats. 
My first stop, (after stopping for the train to go by) was at the Liberty Candy Shop. The sweet aroma was even in the air on the outdoor shopping square. But once the Liberty’s doors opened, the delicious fragrance of chocolate and hard candy intensified. The store’s decor was retro in design, in keeping with its home – a 1906 building, even down to the shelves of hard candies and black and white tiles. I loved the pink and black store logo and the hand painted entrance floor showcasing the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty.
But most of all, it was the wide variety of hand-made candy that caught my eye and made my mouth water. There were so many choices; it literally took me 15 minutes to even begin to choose. But the regular customers who came in and out chose quickly, as they had their favorites down (this Resort Girl listened to their choices – it was the best way to discover the most popular products).
The owner was behind the counter this day and was energetic and friendly. You could feel her passion for her products by the way she explained the ingredients in each and every candy choice. I noticed this quote from the Liberty Candy’s Facebook page which does an excellent job in explaining the passion for their sweet treats:
“Busy day in the Candy Kitchen today! A sea of sea salt caramels, Caramallows, Coconut Sins, Chocolate Covered Oreos and Nutter Butters, Caramel & Chocolate Pretzel Rods and Caramel & Chocolate Apples (plain or with salted peanuts or toasted pine nuts). Restocking and making some of your favorites!”
Yes, this Resort Girl did feel like she was swimming in a sea of chocolate. So, after making my selections, I ventured back on to the historic Flowery Branch square. And to my delight, there sat another sweet shop – Calliope Sweets. Upon entering this quaint shop, I noticed all of the fresh baked goods that are their specialty. My choice was a key lime pie cupcake which was to die for. The cake mix was infused with tart lime flavors and, as a Resort Girl who appreciates design, the lime colors and topping swirls made this cupcake not only good to view but eat as well.
So, I was off with lots of sweet treats in hand. Then, I made a quick hop into the local craft beer store to see what what brews they had for sale. They have a nice selection and even offer growlers. There are also many other fine shops, and the popular Contemporary Southern “Antebellum” restaurant offering fine dining.
But with my limited afternoon vacation time, I wanted to do a quick historic tour of the Flowery Branch Train depot. 
In the old days, the depot was a hub of activity for commerce in Georgia. I stood back and imagined what it must have been like back then when the train pulled in, filled with goodies. We take that for granted nowadays with a local shop filled with everything we need on almost every corner. They did move the historic depot across the street from the actual train tracks and it is now used for social events. And then, my sweet afternoon vacay ended with taking a quick look at the cute red train caboose.
Choo-Choo! It was a sweet afternoon for this Resort Girl on the historic square of Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Being a social member of a resort club is a great way for Resort Girls to celebrate the holiday season. A clubhouse full of songs, laughter, sparkling decorations and lots of food… that is one way this RG loves to ring in the holiday season.
If you are single, like this Resort Girl, it’s even better. Clubs provide a great setting to meet new friends and join other RGs in an inviting, warm and secure environment. So far this season, I have attended two parties at my new clubhouse with lots of fun and festivities at both. My two BFF RGs have joined me at these holiday celebrations and laughter, lots of eating and good cheer was enjoyed.
In addition, our pro shop had a great 30% end-of-year holiday sale – I got two club logo golf shirts with a gift certificate that was given to me. Tennis and Golf pro shop sales are a good way for members to use up all those club gift points earned by making such things as a hole-in-one on the course or winning the club championships. They are also the perfect opportunity for a fellow club member to find the perfect gift, such as a logo shirt or golf/tennis accessory, to put under the tree.
If you are not a member of a club, Resort Girls can also go to dine at a semi-private club for some clubhouse holiday cheer.
Early in the month, I was staying at the Inn at Harbour Town and dined several times at the beautiful new Links Clubhouse next door. Located on the historic Harbour Town golf course, this clubhouse was decorated in spectacular fashion. This impressive tree was stunning against the swirling marble staircase.
And then there are the sparkling and festive decorations around resort entrances. I am not very good at putting up lights, but there’s no need for me to do the work, as they have wrapped the palm trees at my neighborhood entrance – steps away – with white lights. I can see them from my window and enjoy them just as if they were in my yard.
Resort living and clubhouse happenings are a great way for Resort Girls (and Resort Guys) to enjoy the holiday. The social gatherings are a warm, causal and inviting way to celebrate the season.
This weekend, I will be wrapping up my clubhouse parties with one last breathtaking resort holiday cocktail party. Hmmm..I wonder what I will wear? The party atmosphere lends to the fun, as you don’t have to wear the traditional dress. Nancy from Lilly at Belk’s in Shelter Cove, Hilton Head, S.C. says this palm print dress is the one to wear this year to holiday resort parties.
Cheers! Enjoy your holiday celebrations Resort Girls, and share some of your best pictures by using #ResortGirl on Instagram.
To the glorious sunrises
To the sweet smell of the ocean
To the grains of sand beneath our feet
Resort Girls give thanks to all of nature’s beauty!
Happy Thanksgiving Resort Girls! Here’s to relaxing, reflecting and recharging this holiday!
Toby Hayes brings his passion for surfing and travel into his artwork – whether painting a canvas, a surfboard, or even designing a shower. His artistic and craftsman skills show how one can bring the resort life into every day life through artwork and even home construction.
Toby was a professional surfer, traveling the world and living in Hawaii at one point, but he has had the love of art from childhood (he began painting at the age of 14.) His son, Logan Hayes, now competes, keeping the RG lifestyle in the family.
“The value of memories and knowledge gathered by experiencing wonderful things especially through travel are like putting money in the bank of the soul” – Toby Hayes
Toby and I go back to high school, as we both hung out in Winter Park, Florida – my childhood hometown. Winter Park is a little gem of a town near Orlando with brick lined streets, shaded by mature trees and surrounded by gleaming lakes. I plan to do a Resort Girl road trip back home soon. It is a great place for all Resort Girls and Guys to visit.
Toby had his art studio in Winter Park for many years, and has now relocated, expanding his offerings into such things as Balinese furnishings from his new studio in Vero Beach, Florida. Like all RG & Gs, Toby likes to live free… and that means relocating when your life calls you to another special place.
Toby’s favorite aspects of art are water and lighting, capturing them in all their vibrant hues. Toby also likes to draw the world under the sea, which appeals to the mermaid in me. His main passion is the ocean, using it as the backdrop of many paintings, but one of my favorites are his flowers, as captured in this dynamic piece.
Toby even likes to catch the hues of the beach in abstract form, as well as the colors of the waves reflecting against a sunrise or sunset.
Living the resort life seems to fit Toby Hayes and he captures it, down to every detail in his beautiful paintings – even, at times, using a hair to capture the smallest of swirls and waves.
You can see more of Toby’s work, both art and craftsmanship, by visiting his site and follow him as he chases the waves and walks the breathtaking beaches around the world – living the Resort Guy life!
Don’t Resort Girls just wanna have fun? Be a little nutty and take an island escape — or just rock on a porch.
Seeing the world’s largest boiled peanut at Cahill’s on Monday inspired me to write this blog. Don’t we all need to get a bit nutty sometimes? It can’t hurt, especially with the stresses of the holiday season approaching.
So, how do Resort Girls like to get nutty? What I am figuring out from your wonderful feedback is that it’s not always by traveling. It could be, with the beach seeming to rank among the top destinations, but you can also let loose by chilling at a friend’s house or just on your front porch. Yes, rocking in the fall on your own rocker – that seems to do the trick. (See “Porching is a Prescription for Longer Life”)
Resort Girl and Guy minds need a brief mind escape when life gets nutty. The porch provides meditative place with a rocking chair, outdoor air, and birds chirping everywhere. Maybe sometimes all we need is the memory of that quick vacay escape to the islands – even while sitting in an office cubicle – or even just turning on an island tune.
Yesterday, I faced a seven-hour, grueling traffic-jammed trip to and through what is called one of the busiest and longest work commutes in America — Atlanta — on the way back to my city home.
Now, that will make anyone nutty – but in the wrong way. So to get back to my Resort Girl roots, I turned on some beach tunes. As this RG sang along, I got some interesting looks from fellow drivers, as I was acting a bit nutty, but it calmed my soul as the ocean breezes blew around in my mind.
All Resort Girls sing happy tunes and act a little nutty. After all, we all just wanna have some fun.
So as the acorns start to fall, let’s have some fun and rock in the fall.
Resort Girls, how do you get nutty?
