Not at the beach?

Wouldn't it be great to sit on a beach every day?  For most of us, it isn't a reality.

Beach web cams are a great way to check out what's going on at your favorite destination at any time.  From sunrise to sunset,  you can see the waves, sand, surf and beach goers.

A new webcam just launched in Avalon.  As I write this post, I'm enjoying the beautiful sunrise on the Avalon web cam.  The only thing better would be to be there to see it.

There are some other great web cams around the Jersey Shore. Check them out here.

I'm sure you'll see some of our beach rental items enjoying the sun!  

New Jersey Mobile Hall of Fame

The New Jersey Hall of Fame visited Ocean City this week. We were excited to make a visit and show the kiddo some of the other great people from our garden state.

Local convenience stores

It's amazing to see how many people frequent convenience stores while vacationing at the beach. Whether it be for a shorti, water, soda, chips, etc... It's a great way to get your food and go. We've noticed an unbelievable amount of traffic at one well known convenience store.

 It got me thinking about mom and pop convenience stores.  In my opinion, they are more convenient since they offer the same products with less lines and no Parking lot craziness.

Here are some of my favorites in Ocean City:
Blitzes
Boyars
Bennedettos

Delivery day

This is a nice reminder to "relax" on a delivery Saturday. Sign seen at one of our delivery locations. 

Thanks to our Oc driver for the photo. 

Margate fun

We had an enjoyable time tonight at Venturas Tiki Bar. The weather was finally perfect to sit out and enjoy the sea breeze and look at Lucy The Elephant. The menu was perfect for us. We were just looking for burgers and a beer. We got just that. We followed it up with a nice beach walk back to the car.

Vacationer tip: Venturas has more than one menu. The fancier side is indoors and the beach deck has burgers, pizzas, etc. the deck is cash only like most places at the beach. 

Team Member Spotlight: Megan

This week we are  excited to spotlight our team member, Megan.     

Megan loves her job as an 8th grade special education teacher, but looks forward to  summers RELAXING on the Jersey Shore! This is her 3rd summer with Relax. This summer she shifted south from LBI to spend more time in Ocean City. According to Megan  "I love getting to spend more time with all of my friends here, and have had a blast working in the store. Although, my biceps are a little weaker since giving up my delivery duties!"

During the "off -season" aka- September through June, she spends time teaching and volunteering as the President of the Auxiliary Board of the Children's Home Society of New Jersey. It's a wonderful group of ladies who work to raise money for Foster Care programs and families for at-risk children in New Jersey. They throw some really fun events and do some really rewarding work.

 One of her favorite things to do, whether  down the shore or land-locked ;) is hit the running paths.She's completed 3 full marathons, 12 half-marathons, and the LBI 18 miler twice! One of her favorite places to run on LBI is from  North Beach to the neighborhood around the Harvey Cedars Bible Conference. (12 CEDARS AVE HARVEY CEDARS). She also loves running down to the inlet at Barnegat Light in the morning. She loves watching all the fishing boats head out for the day! On the way home, she runs through the beautiful cul de sacs of High Bar Harbor. There are some beautiful homes and you might see a turtle or two as you run along the canals with the spectacular light house on the background.

When running in OC, she likes to split time between the boards and the south end. She hits the marsh lined road that heads out to Strathmere towards Avalon (55th street). She is rewarded with beautiful views of sea and marsh. According to Megan "I do have to dodge rabbits, turtles, and I have to be extra careful not to trip as I watch the herons! Word to the wise: lots of port of potties on this route at Corson's Inlet Park and at public accesses along the way! Do bring water! "

Most of all, Megan loves spending my summers  relaxing and enjoying time on the beach and in the water with my family and friends.

Relax North

Orders are all ready to go out to our vacationers for next week up in the Manasquan and Point Pleasant area.

  We were happy to visit our Northern location in Manasquan to check on things and also to enjoy a few hours off. (Thank you to our office team for making this easy.)

We visited the pediatrician, had lunch at Parker House in Sea Girt and walked around Manasquan. I got the baby an adorable shirt at Charlotte West and I got myself a cute shirt at Waterlily.

Afterwards we headed to our Lbi location to also check on things. Next time I hope to visit our favorite spots on the island.

New fan of Uncle Bills

We just returned from Uncle Bills after an early morning pickup.

The coffee is for me not the kid.
and the kid only had a
 taste of pancakes.

For those not familiar, Uncle Bills in an institution at the shore. They are best known for their pancakes but they have a variety of  breakfast  and lunch items.

I've been going to their Cape May location since I was a kid. In my mid teens, we started going to the  Stone Harbor location when we vacationed there. It's always been on my dad's list of places to go.

I figured today was the day for the kiddo to try pancakes for the first time. I couldn't think of a better place. Even though the pancakes were about  $10 - they were delicious as they've always been and we now have a new Uncle Bills fan.  My dad will love taking him there! 

Vacationer tip: This seems to be a hot spot on a Saturday morning after checking out of vacation rentals. The wait is very long!  Try going on a week day instead and head to a less well known spot after checking out.   

Night in Venice

Night in Venice is an Ocean City tradition.  I've been around for many many celebrations around town.

When I met my husband we used to watch from 15th and Pleasure. In recent years, we've celebrated at a family marina near 4th and Bay.

Every year has been fun. One year we got the invite to a Flyer's party!  That was pretty cool.

This year was pretty calm for us compared to years past.  That's a good thing cause we had such a busy day with our Relax deliveries and pickups.  We still had lots of fun with family, dancing to the dj and watching the boats.

It's all about the bay this weekend

It's all about the bay for us this weekend in Somers Point and Ocean City. Last night we went to the Somers Point beach to listen Walter Trout & His Band.  There are a lot of great concerts this summer. Here's the schedule:
http://www.somerspointbeachconcerts.com/ 

We are looking forward to hopefully checking out Vini Lopez from  Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band later this summer.

Next up Night in Venice in Ocean City!

Support your shore artists

When visiting the shore this summer, please consider supporting local artists. Whether it be visiting an art gallery (like William Ris in Stone Harbor), an arts and craft fair or even a coffee shop - there are many places to pick up some unique art.

We picked up these prints at Who's on First cafe in Ocean City.

Mark Curcio
CurcioArt.com

Concierge Services

We were delighted to work at this beautiful Ocean City home this weekend. We've always loved the property! We provided concierge services to help unpack and set up the house as well as many rental items.

We had such a fun time getting this vacationer ready for relaxation at the beach.

Vacationer tip:  This vacationer was well prepared for vacation.  They shipped their luggage in advance of their trip.  This may be a good option for others traveling from out of state since airlines charge a significant fee for additional bags.

Bay front Dining

Enjoying the deck at Baia

Baia, waterfront, inlet...  All three names refer to the same bayside restaurant in Somers Point.  We've been going there since the waterfront days. Now known as Baia, we love all the options.

On Thursday we sat outside with the baby and enjoyed some appetizers while the baby enjoyed his dinner.

Vacationer tip:  The outdoor deck has a different menu from the inside restaurant. We like both but if you are looking for something more casual - visit the deck.

Main Line Parent

We love our moms and dads at Main Line Parent.  We love working together!

Jetsetter and the Jersey Shore

We love checking Gilt for all their great deals. We especially love checking out Jetsetter. Jetsetter features awesome travel deals all over the world.

While my jetsetting days may be on hold for awhile, I love their feature on the Jersey Shore.   The offer many great options to folks visiting the shore including Pirate Boat trips in Ocean City, yoga in Sea Isle, visiting boardwalk in Seaside and Cape  May wine.

Whatever you decide to do, the Jersey Shore is open!  We'll see you there!

Afternoon in Stone Harbor and Avalon

Our pickup location
AKA Fort Knox:)

Today we attempted to do a pick up we've been trying to get since Saturday.  This location we now refer to as Fort Knox since it is very,  very secure.

Mike's Seafood in Sea Isle

We were successful in getting the items and had a blast.  Yeah!

Instead of heading back immediately, we decided to have some fun!

We first checked out the Flyers prospects playing volleyball in Stone Harbor.  I couldn't help but wonder if I will be watching my son play for this some day:)

From there, we walked around town. We had to stop at my favorite spots before heading back: Skirt, Suncatchers/Mimi's and Nesting. On the way back we couldn't resist happy hour at the Golden Inn. The baby loves music so happy hour makes everyone happy in our house.  Since I was not making dinner after all this fun, we ended the trip with some take out from Mikes.

Sometimes you just have to make the best of a tricky situation. 

Trial by the Isle in Stone Harbor

What is a duvet?

From time to time we get asked about duvets.  For those not familiar it can be somewhat confusing since it isn't exactly a sheet set or a comforter.  Here's some general information:

A duvet, pronounced "due-vay" (it means "down" in old French) is the same thing as a down or down alternative comforter. In it's simplest form, it is a cloth bag filled with down and feathers. The duvet, or down comforter (often referred to as a duvet insert by American interior designers), originated in rural Europe and was often filled with whatever kind of feathers, fowl or fair, that happened to be available.

Many people in the United States say "duvet" when referring to a duvet cover. Most people in Europe and Canada refer to a down comforter as a duvet. 

A duvet cover is the protective cover that slips over the down comforter (or duvet), much like a pillow case on a pillow. 

Thank you to this website for the detailed information.

Family Reunions at the Jersey Shore

We love providing services to family reunions at the Jersey Shore. The Jersey Shore is a great place to get the grandparents, adults and kids together. There is something for everyone to do.  What a great way to catch up, share stories from the past and make new memories.

I especially love it when reunions are personalized. My family had shirts made one year for a family reunion in Tennessee. Looking back, they were so cute but i was definitely at the age where I was mortified to wear one.  Now I wish we could get back together and wear the shirts. 

Here's a cool sign from a family reunion we provided items for this week.  

Fourth of July Fun At The Shore

Clear skies at the Jersey Shore

After a busy morning in the office we took the afternoon off to enjoy the Holiday.

We were fortunate to spend some time at the pool and catch the fireworks on the beach.  Beach fireworks are by far my favorite. I can still remember back to my first summer in Ocean City when I was 19 watching the fireworks from 50th street.  Such a cool thing to see up and down the shoreline while sitting in a beach chair with the sounds of the ocean.

Fireworks from beach in Ocean City

Happy Fourth of July

We hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July! 

Relax Cross Fit

Those that work for relax definitely think we get quite a work out. On delivery days 

we move around lots of bins, cribs and beach equipment. Even putting orders together in the office can be intense. Today we had some bins that were being  unruly.

Hard at work

There's a lot that goes into every Relax order. Our team works really hard all week long  to provide  our guests with the best experience. Sometimes the smallest thing makes our guests smile.

Music At The Beach

One of my favorite things at the shore is to check out the local papers to see the weekly band schedule at the bars. I can remember basing our whole week on LBI  on where Brian Kirk and Jirks were playing followed by the Nerds. 

Oh times have changed. I still love my cover bands but i don't get out to the bars much anymore with the baby. Its okay though because there are so many other music venues that are family friendly. Many shore towns have calendars of concerts and restaurants also host events. 

Last night we brought the baby to Sandi Point in Somers Point and enjoyed listening to a jazz band while we had dinner. While I didn't get to sing along to Rosalita, I was happy to do  something different and the baby loved it.