What CherithInks

Share this article: As a self-professed Alabama’s Beaches aficionado, I’m sharing my Gulf Shores itinerary. I’m in my late 40s and I can’t remember a year that my getaways haven’t included a trip to my home state’s beautiful white-sand beaches. If you’ve never been, let me just say — you are in for a treat. This corner of the Alabama Gulf Coast has a way of getting into your bones and claiming a space in your heart.

Share this article: The Island Resort sits right on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline in beautiful Fort Walton Beach, Florida. From the moment I arrived, I understood what this place was really selling — not just a room, but an experience. Two nights here, and I didn’t want to leave. Two nights. That’s all I had. But two nights on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline in the panhandle of Florida is better than zero nights, right? And The Island Resort gave me a great stage for all of it.

Share this article: I’ve lived in Pell City for over 20 years, which is technically longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. I guess that makes Pell City home for me. And some of my earliest memories of living here include the annual Pell City Block Party. This small town knows how to throw a block party. In fact, it can easily hold its own against similar events in much larger cities.

Share this article: If you’re looking for the perfect Nashville itinerary for a long weekend, let me save you some time. I came back from four days in Music City USA with a full heart, a slightly looser waistband, and a whole new appreciation for why people can’t stop talking about this place. Nashville is loud and neon-lit and dripping with history all at once, and somehow it works together beautifully.

Share this article: Some of my earliest vacation memories live on a balcony overlooking the Gulf. A small round table. Two mugs of coffee. My mom and I, wrapped in the quiet of a morning before the beach woke up. Even when she was ill, she still wanted to go to the beach (Orange Beach was her favorite). On days when walking the sugar-white sands felt like too much for her, she would sit on the balcony and watch me and the kids enjoy the beach.

Share this article: Traveling with adult children looks very different than traveling with young children. Schedules seem fuller, interests are broader, and everyone arrives needing something slightly different from the trip. That’s why Gulf Shores family travel in the spring has become one of my favorite ways to reconnect with my young adult children. Spring feels like the perfect time to gather the entire family without the pressure and chaos that often comes with summer travel.

Share this article: Saint Simons Island is a beautiful, coastal Georgia town that offers a variety of attractions and activities. I visited the island for the first time on a work trip and quickly fell in love with it. Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun, a relaxing beach day, or a cultural experience, you’ll find it here. Here are 10 things to do in Saint Simons Island that will have you loving it, too. This island is a gem, for sure.

Share this article: Do brown girls need sunscreen? That’s a question that I’ve debated my whole life. In fact, the only time that I can remember using sunscreen growing up was when we went to the beach. And, I really think the only reason we used it then was that, well, you’re supposed to use sunscreen at the beach, right? When you’re in Rome, you do as the Romans. Period. Like many people with melanin-rich skin, I assumed darker skin meant built-in sun protection — but dermatologists say otherwise.

Share this article: The Valley Hotel Birmingham sits just outside the city in nearby Homewood, but it’s close enough that you still feel Birmingham’s energy all around you. Hotels are a dime a dozen in this area, but as a local, I highly recommend you check out this one—no pun intended. This Hilton Curio Collection property sits near dining and shops, and it houses a hotel restaurant that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about hotel dining.

Share this article: Finding the perfect Valentine’s gifts for teens can feel impossible, especially when their tastes change overnight. Whether you’re shopping for your own teen, a niece or nephew, or a teen who’s hard to impress, this list of Valentine’s Day gift ideas for teens focuses on gifts they’ll actually use and enjoy. From trendy accessories to thoughtful, budget-friendly picks, these are Valentine gifts teens will genuinely appreciate.