After months of collecting fabulous Outer Banks t-shirt designs for our t-shirt design contest, we narrowed the field down to five amazing pieces of art, and Tuesday we opened the final stage of voting on our Facebook page.

It was a 24-hour period of heated voting with two awesome designs battling it out down to the last minute of voting at midnight. And in the end, the fabulous “Mermaid” design, created by Ms. Patsy Bachus Ridlon, was crowned the victor!

I asked Patsy if there was a story behind the design, and here’s what she had to say…

Yes! I’m southern, so I always have a good story:)

I was raised in Asheville, North Carolina, and now live in the Pacific Northwest, soon to move to the coast of Oregon. Still, the Outer Banks has a feeling and life all it’s own. There is no place like it.

The first time I visited the Outer Banks, I was a kid. That was 30 years ago. We went to a local restaurant and the waitress was so beautiful she looked like she belonged on the front of a ship!

She and her family had lived there for generations. She had the most exotic green eyes, so she made me think of the mermaid and the Pirate bandana she is wearing.

The horse, turtle, fish, crab, the dolphin hidden in the wave, the little seahorse…all the wildlife, to me, is one of the most amazing and important parts of the Outer Banks.

Horses! I love the wild horses.

She is part of the ocean and the OBX, and protecting it, as the people of the Outer Banks do.

The Surfboard, energy and fun!

Thank you for having the contest, it was great. I am sooo happy to be a tiny part of this. All the designs were amazing, and I am honored to have won. Please thank your awesome staff. I read about you all every day. You’re my link to my favorite place.

Thank you!
Patsy

Awesome description.

It is amazing how much the Outer Banks can effect people. There is so much “everyday magic” on the Outer Banks. So much so, that we can be changed by it and not even realize it’s happening. I can speak from experience (as I’m sure most of y’all can as well). I grew up in Boston, but after vacationing on the Outer Banks a couple times, I knew this is where I wanted to spend every available minute. Now, here I am with my entire life built around this amazing place.

Patsy lives on the opposite side of the country – 3k miles away? – yet she stays tuned into our daily updates everyday, took the time to enter our t-shirt design contest, and created the winning design based on inspiration from her first OBX visit 30 years ago!  Amazing!

Great design, and great story. Thanks so much Patsy.

This was such a fun contest! We can’t wait to see the great design on the Seaside Vacations 2012 t-shirt, and we can’t wait to do it again next year! Get your creative thinking caps on.

T-shirts will be available soon. We’ll be sure to announce it as soon as they are ready. Stay tuned!

Outer Banks T-Shirt Design Contest: "Mermaid" - Winning Design

Seaside Vacations - Outer Banks - Surfrider Donation

Earth Day 2011 is approaching fast, and Seaside Vacations would like to do our part to support the environment…but we need your help.

The pristine natural environment is the Outer Banks most treasured asset; a wide array of wildlife, long stretches of gorgeous beaches, protected conservation lands, and the playground of Atlantic Ocean all offer a connection to nature that is rare in today’s world. We need to protect this connection.

In honor of Earth Day, Seaside Vacations will make a contribution to the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Seems like the perfect fit!

We are committed to the protection of the Outer Banks for all to enjoy, and we want to put our money where our mouth is. For every new Facebook fan we get from now through Earth Day (April 22, 2011), we will donate $1 (one dollar) to the Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

Please help us support this great cause. “Like” us and share with your friends. This is one check we can’t wait to sign!

Outer Banks Spring Vacation Savings

ENJOY SPECIAL SAVINGS WITH THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER.

Spectacular sunrises over the Atlantic. Windswept beaches and rolling dunes covered in swaying sea oats. A place of unparalleled beauty…and all of this from the comfort of your private vacation home.

Ready for another getaway to the beautiful Outer Banks – but worried about what it will cost?

Seaside Vacations has the answer.

Offer
Book your Outer Banks vacation between March 23 – April 30, 2011 and receive 5% off the rental rate for any week between March 23, 2011 – June 19, 2011.*

Book Now
To take advantage of this exclusive offer, you may book online or call 855.856.0752. Please mention promotion code SPRING5.

In addition, Seaside Vacations offers flexible payment plans – tailored to each guest – to help everyone enjoy a vacation on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Club Seaside - Outer Banks Fishing 101

Club Seaside - Paddleboarding Clinic

Guests enjoy 15 complimentary events including family portraits, yoga, paddle boarding, wine tastings, wild horse tours and more

KITTY HAWK, NC, (March 9, 2011) – Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, announces the lineup for their 2011 Club Seaside program.

Believing that a vacation should be more than just a house at the beach, Seaside Vacations is continuing to redefine the Outer Banks vacation experience by combining the best things about staying in a private vacation home with the best things about staying in a luxury resort.

Offered exclusively to all Seaside Vacations guests, the weekly Club Seaside events have grown from eight events to 15 complimentary events in 2011.  Returning from 2010 are the professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga classes, wine tastings, circuit training, family portraits and paddle boarding.  And new for 2011, guests will enjoy art in action with Katy Caroline, a beading class at Garden of Beadin’, a “Charming Party” with Renee Landry Style, a cooking class by Outer Banks Epicurean, a fishing class with Rock Solid Fishing, a pet party with Salty Paws Biscuits, a tour of The Whalehead Club and a wild horse tour by Corolla Outback Adventures.  In addition, all Seaside Vacations guests have special guest access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club. Each day of the week guests can experience the local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Seaside Vacations is committed to creating an exceptional vacation experience that includes a gorgeous house, but also access to local events that give guests access to all the Outer Banks has to offer. By giving guests the added value they desire, Club Seaside has become a favorite among Seaside Vacations guests.

A Seaside Vacations guest commented:

“Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

Seaside Vacations looks forward to yet another successful year with Club Seaside. For more information on the exclusive benefits of Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.outerbanksvacations.com/club-seaside.htm.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas.  Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 855.375.9208.

Amazing Outer Banks Photographer

A vacation should be more than just a house at the beach. It should be time with friends and family, a chance to relax and unwind, and an opportunity to experience the local culture.

You get more than just a house when you stay with Seaside Vacations; you get a true Outer Banks vacation experience.

As a Seaside Vacations guest, you get to experience the local culture with our exclusive Club Seaside events. From surfing to wine tasting to yoga, these events will not only enhance your Outer Banks vacation but introduce you to great local businesses and add value to your Outer Banks vacation rental.

One of the new additions to Club Seaside in 2010 was a complimentary “Portrait Party” with one of the best photographers the OBX has to offer, Brooke Mayo.

Brooke’s amazing creative eye and flair for editing set her apart.  We are very grateful to have Brooke as a Club Seaside partner, and the value she offers to Seaside Vacations guests is second-to-none:  a free sitting and a complimentary 8′ x 10′ of her favorite picture from the session…plus great pricing for any additional photos purchased.

Brooke’s “Portrait Parties” are year-round with Club Seaside, but please reserve your spot early because her magic camera lens is in high demand.

Last week Brooke opened the “Portrait Parties” to some of the staff (and families) at Seaside Vacations, and it’s safe to say we were not disappointed…more accurately, we were psyched beyond belief.   Brooke is so much fun to work with, and the results speak for themselves…

Thanks for the capturing amazing memories Brooke!

Amazing Outer Banks Pictures

Amazing Outer Banks Photography

KITTY HAWK, NC, (October 20, 2010) –

A proud sponsor of the Outer Banks Marathon, each year Seaside Vacations looks forward to welcoming runners to the Outer Banks for this one-of-a-kind racing event. With their wide selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals, they’re sure to have just what you need as you prepare for, participate in and celebrate after the race.  Plus, book your Outer Banks vacation with Seaside Vacations and receive a free early check-in and late check-out!

For more information on special Outer Banks Marathon savings with Seaside Vacations, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com/Outer-Banks-Marathon.htm or call 877.236.8399.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas.  Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 877.346.8231.

Below is a picture of today’s surf lesson with Club Seaside partner Outer Banks Boarding Company. The weather was gorgeous, the water is warming up (in the 70′s), and a great time was had by all.

http://www.OuterBanksVacations.com/ClubSeaside.htm

Outer Banks Surf Lessons

Outside Magazine

Paddleboarding is a relatively new sport (it’s actually an old Polynesian art, but it’s having a huge resurgence) that is soaring in popularity, and the Outer Banks is a world-class paddleboarding destination.  The OBX offers world-class surf on the Atlantic side and calm, tranquil waters on the Sound side; both offering great paddleboarding for different skill levels and different experiences.

Outside Magazine recently ran a five page story highlighting OBX paddleboarding and the abundance of natural beauty along the thin spit of land dangling into the Atlantic.  The article focuses on the journey of “Masochistic surf kook bent on taming very large stand-up paddleboard seek(ing) Graveyard of the Atlantic for island-linking expedition entirely at whim of wind and waves.” In essence, the article follows a paddleboarding beginner as he takes a marathon tour of the waters along the Outer Banks on his board.  It’s a great read!

Paddleboard with Seaside Vacations

At Seaside Vacations we believe your Outer Banks vacation should be so much more than just a house at the beach.  Seaside Vacations’ guests have the opportunity to participate in a complimentary paddleboarding lesson during their OBX vacation.   Starting in May, a free paddleboard clinic will be taught on Wednesday’s for Seaside guests.  Beautiful vacation rental homes still available!

Seaside Vacations' Club Seaside

Guests enjoy golf and tennis clinics, yoga, paddle boarding, wine tastings, surf lessons and circuit training

KITTY HAWK, NC, (March 8, 2010) – Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, announces the lineup for their 2010 Club Seaside program.

Believing that a vacation should be more than just a house at the beach, Seaside Vacations is continuing to redefine the Outer Banks vacation experience by combining the best things about staying in a private vacation home with the best things about staying in a luxury resort.

Offered exclusively to all Seaside Vacations guests, the weekly 2010 Club Seaside events include professional golf and tennis clinics, yoga, wine tastings, surf lessons, and circuit training – and new this year, stand-up paddleboarding.  In addition, all Seaside Vacations guests have special guest access to a state-of-the-art health and racquet club and special guest rates at a world-class golf club.  Each day of the week guests can experience the local culture by participating in one of these Outer Banks activities.

Seaside Vacations is committed to creating an exceptional vacation experience that includes a gorgeous house, but also access to local events that give guests access to all the Outer Banks has to offer.  By giving guests the added value they desire, Club Seaside has become a favorite among Seaside Vacations guests.

Seaside Vacations Jerry Knight commented:

“Please keep Club Seaside as a part of your rental program. We loved it very much! The amenities that are available free of charge and at a reduced rate are very well worth it!”

Seaside Vacations looks forward to yet another successful year with Club Seaside. For more information on the exclusive benefits of Club Seaside, including schedule and contact information, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com/ClubSeaside.htm.

About Seaside Vacations:

Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head.

Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, townhomes and villas.  Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 877.392.2710

HELP US HELP HAITI.

 On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti.  As Haiti struggles to recover from the devastating destruction, Seaside Vacations has decided to join efforts around the world to assist earthquake victims by promoting the “Vacation with a Purpose” campaign.  

From January 18, 2010 – January 22, 2010 book your reservation with Seaside Vacations and we will donate a portion of the reservation revenue to organizations supporting disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

This is your chance to join recovery efforts around the world to assist earthquake victims. By booking your Outer Banks vacation with Seaside, you will be helping disaster victims rebuild their lives and their communities.

Show you care and join Seaside Vacations on our mission to help Haiti.

Book your Outer Banks vacation with Seaside Vacations between January 18, 2010 and January 22, 2010 and a portion of the revenue will be donated to assist earthquake victims in Haiti.

 To book your stay, call 877.243.8159. Please mention promotion code HELP.

Seaside Vacations offers a wide selection of Outer Banks vacation rental homes, condos and villas on the beautiful pristine beaches of the Outer Banks.

Choose from charming 1-bedroom condos to expansive 14-bedroom private homes in the towns of Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

And also, be sure to check out our Outer Banks vacation specials.