Beach Book

Are you a guest book reader?

I sat down with the one here at Doyles this morning after breakfast.

I love reading about all the little things mattered to folks…like friendship and fun glasses…

And that one of the wonderful things they did was sit on the deck and talk with ocean as their backdrop…

And that when it came to the weather- there was a chance of rain three days, but they didn’t get one!!…

And that it was their babies first beach trip…

And that Taylor cheered BJ on while he was going after big crabs because she wasn’t about to touch them…

I look forward to filling in our page on Friday…

And I look forward to blogging from the sunroom here at Doyles a few more times this week too…

Cheers to WI-FI, indeed!

__________________________________________________________

Join us on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook!

___________________________________________________________

Need design inspiration? Need help with space planning?

Check out my e-book!

• COMMENT
• VIEW COMMENTS
• TWEET
• LIKE

• 
• 
• 
• 

28 Responses to Beach Book

1. Susan says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 8:26 pm

   Last year, my sister and brother-in-law purchased a “fixer-upper” cottage in Rehoboth. I included this same guest book in a house warming basket filled with “all things beachy” when we visited. My son and I were the first to write of our discoveries during our first week at the beach. When we returned this summer, it was fun to look back and read our entry from last year!

   

   Reply
2. Kim says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 8:29 pm

   I do love reading guest books. And that awesome guest book came from here, one of my fave beach island shops ever! http://www.how-to-live.com/products/beachhouse.html it’s on long beach island in new jersey. I highly recommend a beach vaca there and a visit to the “how to live store” beautiful, inspiring, handmade art made into all sorts of fun things. Now I cant wait for next summer to go there

   

   Reply
3. susie bloop says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 8:31 pm

   I love to read those too! Marc and I visited a plantation once. It happened to be the one where we were married. We had fun writing our story and allowing our surroundings to be our canvas. We giggled as we reffered to ourselves and Rhett and Scarlett. We still refer to those names sometimes…ha. Thanks for taking us back to visit those sweet memories. Guess that’s why I always love visiting here. I never leave without a smile~ Susie Bloop

   

   Reply
4. Beth @ NashvillePug says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 8:37 pm

   My parents have that exact book in their condo in Destin, FL! I LOVE reading it every time we’re down there to see what fun experiences our friends and family have had while at the beach! We were lucky enough to get to document our engagement on the beach (huge surprise to me!) in that book 6 years ago. Such a fun keepsake!

   

   Reply
5. Jen says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 8:40 pm

   I’m a scrapbooker with a love for design – my favorite thing to record are just everyday memories. Love that this guestbook is for just that! Thanks for sharing

   

   Reply
6. Jenny B. says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 8:40 pm

   I am definitely a guest book reader! We stayed at our favorite B&B this weekend, and that’s one of my favorite things to do while we’re there. We stayed there on our honeymoon, and a couple of years ago, I went back and found the entry I had written on our wedding night. The innkeepers made a copy for us, and it’s now in our scrapbook.

   

   Reply
7. Kim says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 9:04 pm

   My parents have a similar guest book at their beach house – it is so fun to read all the wonderful entries from the different familes. I know you and Kev are having a fun time. Living in Kansas, I miss the salty smell of an ocean breeze, the soft sound of the sea oats brushing and waving on the dunes, the seagulls and pelicans gliding lazely over the water. Hope we can make it next year for a visit!

   

   Reply
8. erin says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 9:32 pm

   This is such a fun post, Lay You know I love all the little things! Hope you guys have a great time on Tybee-looking forward to seeing the sunroom!

   

   Reply
9. Lisa says:

   Sep 24, 2011 at 9:36 pm

   I found a bathroom guestbook at Belk a couple of years ago for a white elephant Christmas exchange. It had questions in it and everything. We laughed thinking about what people could actually write in it. I am not sure if they ever used it or re-gifted it, but it was cute.

   

   Reply
10. Jessica @ Nucheys MOmmy says:

    Sep 24, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    So fun! Forgive me for sounding clueless (I’m a new follower) but do you rent out a cottage? I’m confused…I just read through your VERY cool magazine of a cottage redo…is that the one you rent? Nice job on the magazine! Looks great

    

    Reply
11. Tina Schiefer says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Completely off topic, but I’m loving the Christmas decor spread featured in the new Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas magazine… This must be from last year??, cause so much has changed since then!

    Congrats on another great feature! … And Maximus is cute as ever!

    Tina

    

    Reply
12. Kathy says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 6:33 am

    I don’t ever read them…but I love writing in them.
    My sister’s have cabins and I got them cabin journals kinda like quest books. Whenever they stay there they write in it and their guest too. Probably the best gift to give for people with second homes.

    Happy Sunday!

    

    Reply
13. Karena says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 9:58 am

    My brother Steve and sister in law Sheryl have a guest book at their beach house and yes I read it! It is fun to see the history of the good times had there!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    I hope you will come and enter my Giveaway from the Jose Esteves Collection at Interieurs!

    

    Reply
14. VaneSsa says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 11:55 am

    There is no way I could sit next to that and not read it!
    I love looking at the fonts/handwriting for sure! It’s like reading a diary but encouraged! In sure mine would include a small drawing of something I found in the beach, probably sand dollars ! Which is the only place I have ever seen them ( tybee!) greetings from wisconsin… The fall leaves are turning colors, and the breezes are brisk And cold!! Treasure every
    Second !!! Love your blog- I’m a long time follower!
    Vanessa

    

    Reply
15. Shawn says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I enjoy looking at the world through another eyes. This guestbook gives glimpses of memories made, stories told and people loved.
    Hope this is week is full of simple pleasures for you and Kevin. I think those are some of the best:)

    

    Reply
16. Sunny says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    The whole time that I was reading this post I was thinking about how wonderful it would be if I could someday take my family to a place just like that. What a blessing for you and your husband to have such precious time together before the “little one comes”. Enjoy your time!

    

    Reply
17. KrugtheThinker says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Oh yes, the guest book is always the first thing I spring for when we go to a B&B! I love to read about the stories that have taken shape in the space, and many of them are so sweet! I hope you are having a wonderful time!

    

    Reply
18. Ricki Jill Treleaven says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    Read guest books? But *of course* I do. ;P I am such a Nosey Nellie by nature! This is such a cute post, Layla. Enjoy your stay!

    xoxoxoxo,
    Ricki Jill

    

    Reply
19. Linda says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    I have never seen one of these guest book journals but think they’re a great idea. They would be fun to pull out and read during a cold, dreary winter day to remind you that you have that to look forward to. I think I would be a better journal keeper if there were regular daily journals that asked you questions to respond to. Anyone know of a good source for journals??

    

    Reply
20. Geri says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    I definitely have that sin of envy right now.
    So glad if I can’ t be there discovering Tybee, you and Kevin can.
    Enjoy every second and go to a peaceful place inside of you (that puts the best decorating couple ever on vacay. ) Take lots of pics
    So we all feel like we usually do when you both have an adventure, like we are there with you. Hugs.Geri

    

    Reply
21. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    I’m tickled that you wrote about a guest book. Whenever we stay at a beach house in the Outer Banks of N.C. or in the mountains of Colorado, we make sure to read and write our own little story in the pages. It’s a glimse into someone’s life, their experience and adventures. Guest books are a series of snapshots of a family’s life.

    

    Reply
22. Rhonda I says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    Oh I love that.. I am a guest book reader. I love the way their book prompts folks to leave those great comments.. Living here in the central valley of California we are close to some historical gold rush B&B’s and it’s fun to see some of those original guest books… You become kindred spirits when reading comments from others, a special bond.

    

    Reply
23. Joanne B. says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this thought! We have a vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware that we rent out when we are not using it. We really try to make our house feel like someone lives there, rather than a run-of-the-mill rental and I always wanted to include a notebook of sorts for our renters, many who are repeaters, to leave notes about their stay. After reading your post I immediately went online and searched for that guest book and ordered a copy for our house for next year. Also picked up another book by the same author, “In a Beach House” after reading an exerpt about ‘outdoor showers’. I was sold in a second! Thanks for the motivation to finally do this!

    

    Reply
24. Claire @ Claire K Creations says:

    Sep 25, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    I love reading guest books especially when I’m overseas. It’s so interesting to see where all the other guests have come from and hear about special occasions and adventures.

    

    Reply
25. Hayley @ The Handmade Housewife says:

    Sep 26, 2011 at 8:57 am

    My mother in law has a guest book with similar questions that sits on the coffee table in the bay window. They are fortunate enough to live in a wonderfully large home on the ICW and are generous enough to share it with friends and family. I enjoy reading what other’s have to say about their stay…the weather, activities, memories. It’s a wonderful idea and I know it’s special to the owners as well.

    

    Reply
26. teresa says:

    Sep 26, 2011 at 9:59 am

    I love guest books- always read them. such fun. I actually started a guest book for my home back in 1985- all the people who are over night guest at my home sign it…..I love the memories it brings back.

    

    Reply
27. Michelle says:

    Sep 26, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    i’ve never stayed anywhere that had a guest book.. i’ve never even seen a guest book… this is so wonderful! thanks for sharing this.

    

    Reply
28. Janita says:

    Sep 29, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    I’ve had a guest book at my little cottage for more than 10 years and it’s a treasure — my family and guests are pretty creative. Along with small recaps of the time spent at “Wit’s End”, are clippings that report local happenings and weather reports, semi-secret references to partying or the after effects, a dried leaf or two that were somehow significant at the time, imprints of wine bottles and coffee cups, even a newborn’s footprint in chocolate! Since I figure my memory will fail altogether someday, I’ll be able to recall all those wonderful times via the guest book. (We use plain old blank journals and encourage people to get creative.)

    

    Reply