Welcome to Sarah by the Sea
Welcome to Sarah by the Sea.
I’ve waited so long to say that.
The idea for this site sprang up in early winter during a hard time in my career. A big client and I had just parted ways and that left me reeling, and thinking on a large scale about how my life just wasn’t where I wanted it to be. And in my despair, I had a moment of clarity. Everything — every bit of my soul, every truth about me — points in one direction: to the beach. It’s my happy place. So during those dark days, I decided to make a commitment to myself that I would find a way to get back to the sea, the place where I am at peace and happy.
Shortly after, I bought this URL. The name, Sarah by the Sea, was the brainchild of my friend Cate O’Malley, who didn’t bat an eye when I said I was buying another URL and planning to work toward using it. Slowly, I mentioned it to a few people. Slowly the idea grew and formed a clear shape.
At first, the plan was to hold onto the URL until my husband and I could afford the big dream move of owning a home on the beach. But as I told everyone about my new URL and my dream for it, so many said the same thing: Why wait? You already spend the summer at the beach. After some contemplation, I realized they were right.
In creating a logo for this site, Rhian Sweirat, who has been a wonderful friend to me since my grungy envelope pushing days of high school, designed the logo, which I think captures the sentiment of this site for me just perfectly.
And the fact that today is somewhat of a move-in day here at Sarah by the Sea is a fitting thing. It coincides with move-in day at the Cottage, my family’s beach home where my two kids and I spend most of the summer. And the fact that today is also my birthday and the day after leaving my job at Education World to pursue other opportunities — including this one — is no coincidence either. It’s a day of new beginnings all around.
What is Sarah by the Sea?
Sarah by the Sea is a lifestyle site focusing on the joys of living and working by the beach. From decorating in a beachy style to reading to managing a freelance career, this site will cover a wide variety of topics. It will also cover my family’s quest to become full year beach residents.
Thanks for popping in. Be sure to check out the behind the scenes look at the creation of Sarah by the Sea, and come back as I share my beach love — and our journey to living by the beach year-round.
Category: Sarah by the Sea, The Making of Sarah by the Sea
As someone who has the same dreams of beach living, I can’t WAIT to keep following your beautiful new site! Congrats!
Thank you, Kristen! I love to hear that you share the same dreams.
Lovely idea! My family spends a good deal of time at a beach house in the summer too. Our plan is to buy a 2nd home at the beach when our son goes off to college. I can relate to your love for all things beachy! Good luck w/ the new site!
Thank you, Lori! That’s a great plan.
I love this!
Thank you, Lyz! This will also be good fodder for our panel at BlogHer!
Congratulations on taking another step towards your dreams! xo
Thank you, Cate — especially for all your help and guidance. I wouldn’t be here without you.
Love this site Sarah – can’t wait to see more! I love the beach too and miss living so close!
I feel so much more at peace when I am near the beach. Do you feel that way?
Many congrats Sarah on your new project
I adore the name!
Thank you, Aly! Cate from Sweetnicks thought it up for me — and I instantly knew it was the one.
Hurrah for sea changes (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun) and for moving in a new direction. Congrats! This looks lovely and hits home especially as we just came back from a week at the Jersey shore. This makes sense, given our recent conversation about moving forward and trying to be fearless…..