Fun time in the Sun By Wendy O. Dixon
Summer in Seaside — where a cool spot to the beach or pool is just a few steps away, the town is abuzz with festivities, and the whole family can join in the fun. The coolest things for summer are right here. Our picks will keep the kiddos happy and bring out the kid in you, too.
Comfort and Fashion - Town Square Shoes
Town Square Shoes has your feet covered with all your favorite shoe brands — Birkenstock, Chaco, and OTBT, just to name a few. Inspired by the beautiful beaches and the relaxed environment of 30A, comfort and easygoing style is a hallmark of the store’s collection. But they didn’t forget about the fashion. Rock the latest trends from Donald Pliner, wedges from Mephisto and beautiful looks from luxury brands like Salpy and All Black. Free spirits will love the artsy, unique footwear from Fly London, Spanish espadrilles from Kanna, and sophisticated European fashion from Arche. Town Square Shoes also offers designer hats and handbags that pair perfectly with a new pair of shoes.
The Perfect Tee - The SEASIDE Style®
The SEASIDE Style® is the official lifestyle brand of Seaside. The store’s collection includes clothing, accessories, spa, gifts, books, toys, and pet items that reflect the style of Seaside; simple, timeless, comfortable and fun.
The SEASIDE Style® is the place to pickup a souvenir T-shirt, towel or practically anything that sports the famous SEASIDE® logo screen printed across the chest.
The preshrunk cotton T-shirts come in a wide variety of colors, and include men’s, women’s, unisex and kids sizes. “New Town, Old Ways” is printed on the back. $25 at The SEASIDE Style®
Local Art - The Foster Gallery
The Foster Gallery is an artist collective led by the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County that features original work by CAA member artists on a seasonally rotating basis, along with special exhibits and invitationals throughout the year. Named for the late Susan Foster, a founder of the Cultural Arts Alliance and one of the area’s first professional artists and gallery owners, The Foster Gallery also symbolizes the support the CAA strives to provide for artists in our community.
Mary Redmann is best known for her abstract multi-dimensional work, in which she explores ocean scapes and rock formations. Her paintings consist of multiple layers of resin and mixed media in fluid, intuitive applications. Her popular oyster minis (pictured) are available at the Foster Gallery at Ruskin Place Artist Colony. Created by enveloping each oyster in gold leaf, they are then adorned with genuine freshwater pearls, set atop a background with several layers of medium. These look elegant grouped together on a wall, shelf, or a bookcase, and make perfect gifts! One of Mary’s main purposes is to create art that brings the viewer both joy and a sense of harmony. $125 at The Foster Gallery
Beach Sounds - Duckies Shop of Fun
The silliest store in Seaside, Duckies Shop of Fun is the place for toys, kids clothing all things whimsical. This SunnyLife portable radio is as charming as it is functional. The radio works with any smart phone or tablet. Water- and sand-resistant radio makes for a summer-loving blast on the beach. It comes with a built-in amplifier and AM/FM radio tuner.