Rain RaIn Go Away

With the warm weather and beautiful beaches, its easy to find activities in Destin when its sunny; but what to do when it rains...shopping of course!  Luckily, shopping and all its thrills are easy to come by in Destin, thanks to an outstanding array of retail options. Smart shoppers hit the biggest areas first to maximize time — an easy prospect when you sweep the offerings at the shopping centers like Destin Commons, Grand Boulevard and Silver Sands Outlet. These places give you the biggest bang for the buck and provide a great overview of available merchandise. If you're devoted to businesses that stock more specialized and unique goods, don't neglect places like Couch and Four in FWB, The Zoo Gallery and McCaskill & Company. They'll entice you with their treasures, certainly, but they'll also promise unusual items to provide lasting memories.

Cyber Monday for Christmas 2010

Wow, I can’t believe that it’s here again. Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The 2010 season is proving to be more cyber than ever. Retailers Nationwide have noticed declines in sales over recent years. However, the amount of Cyber shopping has also been on the rise over the same time period.

 In fact, Cyber shopping allows many smaller retailers and manufacturers the same sales opportunities as the big boys. In fact, so much that Cyber Monday  has been steadily catching up in sales volume to it’s Black Friday counter-part.

Go to DestinWave.com for Cyber Monday  and check out our retailers. Just click and shop and see what  exclusive sales and deals you will find...remember they can only be redeemable at their online stores and websites. 

Cyber Monday 2010 is on Monday, November 29, 2010

How to Survive the Holiday Blues

We often think of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years as the favorite time of the year. The celebration of life, family, giving, sharing and letting go of the old to starting a new. For some this is the saddest time of the year. Whether it's due to loss of loved one, divorce, break up from a relationship or financial hardship. This time of the year can be pretty hard.

Here are a few suggestions to help Survive The Holiday Blues.

1. 
   
   Spend time with family and friends, people that care about you, who are nurturing and supportive. Go to a Christmas party, share a movie with friends, less time alone the better. If your family is in another state and you are unable to travel. Call family and friends that you haven't talked to in awhile, send emails, write, join a book club. Take a walk in a community park, watch a sunset, attend a concert. Surround yourself with people so you can feel close to the outside world.
2. 
   
   Visit church, the spiritual presence can bring joy to the heart and soul. Listening to the message, hearing a song and during the Christmas season embracing a concert of Christmas Carroll, or watching children put on a play. Not only can this bring a presence of joy, but can provide the of the healing process.
3. 
   
   We've all heard the saying, It's better to give than to receive. Well it's true. Visiting a shelter, volunteering, giving of your time is a wonderful way to fill the void and forget about self for a moment or two. It is a rewarding feeling that can uplift the heart, mind and soul.
   Remember, everyday is an opportunity to make a difference and start a new.

Free Photos with Santa at Grand Boulevard

Santa Claus is coming to town – the Town Center of Grand Boulevard, that is. Every Saturday in December 4,11 and 18 before Christmas, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Santa Claus will be available to take photos with children…of all ages. There is no charge for the photos. Santa stations are located at Learning Express Toys from
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. and at Pretty Please children’s boutique from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and take a photo with Santa Claus in Grand Boulevard and make a memory that will last a lifetime.

No kids... no problem because on  Saturday, December 4 pet photos with Santa at The Orvis Company.
The Orvis Company is teaming up with Alaqua Animal Refuge for pet photos with Santa. Bring your loving pet to The Orvis Company from noon - 3 p.m. and have a photo taken with Old Saint Nick. Complimentary kids' photos courtesy of Grand Boulevard.

Ice Skating on the Emerald Coast

The outdoor ice skating rink is making The Village of Baytowne Wharf a cool place to be this season. For those visitors who miss the cold and ice, the ice skating rink is the perfect opportunity to get into the winter spirit. The seasonal ice skating rink has become a local holiday favorite. The ice rink will be open November 5 to February 14 in the events plaza. For just $10 guests can skate for an hour and a half. The first hour of each day is reserved for "kids skate" for youths 12 and under.

Need more information just give them a call at 850-428-2736 or 850-267-8118. They also do private functions! Happy Skating!

Volunteer to Help for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas Feast

Great Thanksgiving Banquet and Christmas Feast!

Every year on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day the Waterfront Rescue Mission continues the tradition of opening its doors to the homeless and hungry men, women and children of the Gulf Coast by hosting its annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Banquets.

A traditional holiday feast is served to those in need along with a celebration of the season. Each year the Mission serves hundreds of meals on-campus and delivers thousands more through the help of our amazing volunteers. Food is served, music is enjoyed and those who attend join together in rejoicing the holiday season.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Banquet Location:
An on-campus banquet is held at the Fort Walton Beach Mission site on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day: Fort Walton Beach Mission at 112 Hollywood Blvd. SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Holiday Banquet Volunteer Sign-Up 2010:
 If you would like to volunteer for the Thanksgiving Banquet please call beginning November 1, 2010 to sign up for a volunteer position. If you would like to volunteer for the Christmas Banquet please call beginning December 1, 2010 to sign up for a volunteer position. Note: All information is subject to change as the holidays approach, please check back for changes or call (888) 853-8655

Black Friday Shopping

With Black Friday ads in for most major stores, including Walmart, Best Buys, Target, Sears and Kmart,  the time has come to pass ultimate judgment.  As expected, many of these are “limited quantity” doorbuster deals so please rely on the fine print and details in each specific ad.
We present to you the best Black Friday deals of 2010:

1. Chefmate Appliances for $3 at Target. Originally $20 (approx.).

2. Emerson 32" LCD HDTV $198 at Walmart.. Originally $328.
3. Westinghouse 40" LCD TV $298 at Target. Originally $549.99
4  Nook WiFi eReader for $99.99 at Best Buy. Originally $149.99.
5. Philips Portable DVD player $49 at Walmart. Originally $69.99.
6. 2 GE cameras for $149.99 at Kmart Originally $219.98 for 1) GE x5 power Pro Series Digital Camera $149.99 2) GE C1033 10mp Digital Camera  $69.99.
7.  8GB iPod touch with $50 gift card $225 at Walmart. Originally $229 without gift card.
8. 5-piece luggarge  set $49.99 at Macy's. Originally $200.
9. eMachine 15.6" laptop $198 at Walmart. Originally $248.
10. Nerf Stampede for $34.99 at Kmart.
11. KichenAid Mixer $129.99 after 10% off, $20 rebate, $30 Kohl’s Cash at Kohl's Originally $250.
12. Wii Bundle for $299 at Sam.'s Club.  Originally $400.
13. Dyson DC14 for $219 at Sears.. Originally $439.
14. 2ct. Diamond bracelet for $99 at Kohl.s.
15. Apt 9 Cashmere sweaters for $34.99 at Kohl,s. Originally $100.

Silver Sands Holiday Lights

---

Tis the Season... 

Go check it out at the Silver Sands on Sunday, November 21, 2010
Silver Sands Holiday Lights in Concert is a stunning Christmas production of over 70,000 red, white, and green lights choreographed to your favorite Christmas songs. This event takes place at the 40-foot tree located in the courtyard of Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth and runs from November 21st through January 1st.

Rain Rain Go Away

With the warm weather and beautiful beaches, its easy to find activities in Destin when its sunny; but what to do when it rains...shopping of course!  Luckily, shopping and all its thrills are easy to come by in Destin, thanks to an outstanding array of retail options. Smart shoppers hit the biggest areas first to maximize time — an easy prospect when you sweep the offerings at the shopping centers like Destin Commons, Grand Boulevard and Silver Sands Outlet. These places give you the biggest bang for the buck and provide a great overview of available merchandise. If you're devoted to businesses that stock more specialized and unique goods, don't neglect places like Couch and Four in FWB, The Zoo Gallery and McCaskill & Company. They'll entice you with their treasures, certainly, but they'll also promise unusual items to provide lasting memories. 

HarborWalk Charters

Walked along the HarborWalk docks today and all the fishing boats had docked and unloaded their catch of the day.  Destin is known as being the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village and boy are they right.  You can board daily to experience just that! Located in the Destin Harbor and just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico, HarborWalk Charters offers anglers an adventure of a lifetime – deep sea fishing, charter boats, fresh water fishing, fishing guides, deep sea fishing party boats, dolphin sightseeing cruises... something for everyone!

Their fleet of boats accommodate single, group and private charters for all types of fishing! Charter boats range in size from 36 feet to 65 feet, and trips can be booked from 4 hours up to 12 hours or overnight fishing trips. Bait, license, tackle and ice are included in the ticket price. HarborWalk Charters is located in HarborWalk Village, on the Destin Harbor. Come on down and join in on the fun!

Great BBQ and Beer

Driving through Destin last night we went looking for a place to kick back and have a cold drink, watch the sunset and then grab a bite to eat. We decided to try The Shed over by Harborwalk Village. The place was a bit empty but then again it was 4pm!  The bartender Brandon greeted us as we walked in and explained the menu to us and the Happy Hour Specials. $1 dollar Mystery Beer (Which I think was like Natural Light), $2 Domestics and $3 Well...we grabbed a couple of the Mysteries...and headed to the upstairs deck to watch the sunset. Beautiful as always! Next it was time to try some BBQ...we decided on the Jumbo Sampler Platter... you get a choice of 2 sides and 2 meats. We chose the half-slab or Ribs, Pulled Pork, Potato Salad and Coleslaw. It was plenty big...a good size for 2. The ribs fell off the bone and was drenched in The Shed's own sauce. The pulled pork melted in your mouth and tasted great. The 2 sides were equally as good and were the perfect compliment to the delicious meat dishes. Next time I think we'll stick around (or just go a bit later) and enjoy the Live Music they feature here most nights of the week. So if you want some good ole, down-home BBQ, some cold drinks, live music and great service, make sure you drop in to visit The Shed in Destin!