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I always get asked if our QVC guests and hosts are really as nice in person as they seem on TV.  In Susan Graver’s case the answer is that she is even nicer in person! 

I happened to see a Christmas day segment on Susan and her family filmed at her little beach getaway.  A couple months later I asked her where it was and how she liked it since my family still hadn’t found the beach location on this coast that we feel a strong connection with.  We got to talking and next thing I know she is offering up her place for me to take my hubby for his 40^th birthday!  Truly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. 

We drove up on a Sunday in April (coincidentally right after I got off the air with Susan) and we were giddy with excitement.  It was a gorgeous spring day.  We arrived at her place, located on a strip of land between the bay and the sound, and wasted no time heading to the shore.

The water was so clear and different shades of blue.  The colors played off the of white sand and rock beach and made you feel like you were in the Caribbean.  The area is rather protected so there wasn’t any wind on the sound side.  We grabbed a couple of Susan’s gravity free chairs and took in the view.

We walked no more than a half city block, across the small rural street, through the side yard and we were in the Gravers' back yard on the bay. I could imagine family picnics and Fourth of July parties spent on the lawn, the small dock that could be home to a boat that the kids could paddle out to the bay on, or even a larger boat that the family could use to sail south for the winter.

We weren’t more than an hour from bustling civilization but the home felt like it was a world away.  I found myself wondering what the people who lived out here did for a living and how I could do that too!  It feels like island life.  We drove to the nearest grocery store and bought some food & wine for a dinner at home.  While we were in “town” we browsed the few quaint shops and followed the main street down to the water where this boating community came to life.  

Hubby and I are both big boaters in fact you can read all about how we used to live on a boat in a previous blog, so just to see the sail boats made us happy.  Our perfect retreat is one that’s on the water and close to boats.  Looking back at this picture I snapped with the harbor behind us, I feel like we even look younger just by taking a step back in our own history, if only in our minds.

When we got back, I had to explore the house a little…. I mean after all I was in Susan Gravers house!  It was a surreal experience.  Such an awesome amazing woman who designs gorgeous clothes and accessories and linens and I was getting to sleep in her guest room!

 As you can imagine the place was decorated brilliantly.  It’s a mix of shabby chic and old English with accents of artwork from her talented son and soon to be daughter in law.  After cuddling up as the sun set (in a plush white Dennis Basso throw we found on her couch) we fell asleep early because that’s what parents of young children do when they have a night away.  

We woke to a gorgeous sunrise over the water in front of our plush bed. Wow, just wow!

I took a run on the beach and let the birthday boy sleep. I ran for miles and saw not a soul; my footprints the only ones in the sand.  The shore was wild and you could see the impact of the winter, but it was all so beautiful.  There were very few homes mixed between farm and forest land. I even saw a ton of horses in stables during my run on the beach! I was inspired to keep going and was rewarded with finding this little home all alone by the water.  It is honestly my dream cottage.  Right on the water, lots of windows.  Oh to dream…

After coffee by the water, hubby and I took a walk so I could show him my find.  We did so much exploring that I ended up well over my goal on my daily steps. Bonus!

Even though it was his 40^th birthday, we still had life and children to return to, so our trip was short, but oh so sweet.  We drove home feeling like we had escaped reality for 24 hours.  I am so grateful to Susan for her generosity and for making us feel so at home in such a magical place.

And you must check out her Today's Special Value Weekend Tunic! 

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Have a blessed day! 

Kerstin