“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”

— Romans 6:22 [NIV}

Good Morning

When I think of June, I cannot help but think of one of my husband's favorite summer phrases: June gloom.

These June mornings have not disappointed. There is something so peaceful about stepping into a day that begins with soft fog, glowing blue skies, and sunlight slowly making its way through the clouds. It has become the perfect backdrop for morning coffees and quiet drives to work.

Our Trip to Sea Pines, Hilton Head Island

Most summers, we take a family trip to Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island with my mom, aunt, uncle, and cousin. One of the things I love most about Sea Pines is how connected it feels to nature. It is easily one of the most beautiful and charming places we visit each year. People spend their days riding bikes, walking to the beach, heading to the marina, or making their way to the golf course. There are lagoons scattered throughout the community with alligators occasionally making an appearance, and the Spanish moss draped from the trees gives everything an almost storybook feel.

The beaches are another favorite. The wide stretches of sand and dramatic tides create so much space to walk, explore, and enjoy the water without feeling crowded. Since neither of us are huge fans of swimming too far out into the ocean, the shallow shoreline is perfect. Dolphins are almost always nearby, and this year we spotted several stingrays as well.

What I love most about these trips, though, is how relaxing they are. Since we have been coming here for years, there is no pressure to see everything or fill every minute with activities. Instead, we spend our time returning to favorite spots, taking long walks, reading by the pool, and enjoying slow mornings together. Will and I usually lean toward adventure when we travel, but Hilton Head has become our place to rest and recharge. This year, especially at eight months pregnant, that slower pace was exactly what I needed.

Here are a few of our favorite spots if you ever find yourself visiting the area:

Harbour Town Bakery & Cafe

Stopping here for breakfast has become a tradition. Most mornings began with coffee and breakfast from the bakery before heading off to start the day. This year they had a blueberry latte topped with vanilla cold foam, and I happily ordered it every single morning.

Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks

If we had to recommend just one restaurant on the island, this would probably be it. They do not take reservations, and during the summer it is not unusual to wait well over an hour for a table. This year we waited about an hour and a half, which is pretty typical. Every time, though, it feels completely worth it. The seafood is fantastic, the atmosphere is relaxed, and if you can, I highly recommend sitting outside on the dock. During dinner this year we spotted dolphins swimming nearby and even caught a glimpse of a shark. *Also, try not to leave without taking a few of their water cups home! They are free, and somehow we end up using them all year long at home haha.

Bluffton, South Carolina

Over the past few years, spending a morning in Bluffton has become part of our trip tradition. It is only about thirty minutes from Sea Pines and offers a completely different pace. The town is full of art galleries, historic buildings, and beautiful brackish coastal views. This year we wandered around for a bit, took some photos, grabbed brunch, and still made it back to the condo before lunchtime.

The Cottage Cafe, Bakery & Tea Room

Located in Bluffton, this was one of my favorite discoveries. The best way I can describe it is a charming coastal cottage with strong Gilmore Girls energy. The setting is beautiful, the food was excellent, and their iced coffee was exactly what we needed after a warm morning exploring town. It is the kind of place that makes you want to linger a little longer and order one more cup of coffee before heading out.

Hilton Head FujiFilm Recipe

I am by no means a photographer, but I absolutely love taking photos. It has become one of my favorite creative outlets. Last summer, we finally decided to invest in a Fujifilm X100VI, and I honestly cannot say enough good things about it.

What I love most about this camera is how easy it is to use. I enjoy capturing beautiful images, but I do not necessarily enjoy spending a lot of time adjusting settings or trying to perfect every technical detail. This camera makes it easy to focus on the creative side of photography and simply enjoy documenting moments as they happen.

One thing I especially love doing is choosing a specific Fujifilm recipe for each trip we take. There is something special about giving a collection of photos a consistent look and feel. Years from now, I think those colors and tones will help bring back the memories and nostalgia of that particular season of life.

For this trip, I used the following recipe for all of our photos:

Classic Negative
Color Chrome: Strong
Color Chrome Blue: Off
White Balance: Auto R4 B-4
DR200
Highlights: -1
Shadows: -2
Color: +4
Sharpness: -4