Blog Archives

January 19, 2012

Diabetes in a New Light

In case you missed it, Paula Deen announced that she has Type 2 diabetes Tuesday on the TODAY Show. We are so proud of Paula’s brave announcement, it took a lot of guts! Here’s the video, if you didn’t catch her appearance this morning. All the best to you and yours, Paula, and thank you for sharing your story to help others dealing with the same disease!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Follow this link to a personal message from Paula. If you are interested in learning more about Type 2 Diabetes and even getting some lighter recipes from Paula herself, make sure to check out Diabetes in a New Light. Diabetes can be scary, but it is manageable. Best of luck and health, Paula! We love you!

 

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January 12, 2012

Mermaids in Our Midst: Enlisted Mens’ Mess Hall Bliss

We always love to hear from you, our cherished guest, about your stay here on Tybee! After one trip to Mermaid Cottages, you are part of our family, which makes you an honorary Mermaid! Here’s what a recent Mermaid had to say about her December stay at the Enlisted Mens’ Mess Hall:

“My sister and I traveled to the US from Australia in Dec 2011, after staying in NYC for ten nights, we were quite homesick. All of that changed once we were dropped off at this cottage; our whole trip finally felt like a holiday. It was just the most perfect stay we could have hoped for. The attention to detail is exceptional, there is not one thing the team at Mermaid Cottages hasn’t thought of. The cottage felt clean, fresh and summery. The bed was so comfortable I could have slept all week, and the bathtub! Wow. You could have a party in there. I have stayed in a lot of places, all around the world, and this cottage is without a doubt the best so far. Thank you so much for the blessing of letting us stay here.”

Nothing makes us happier than to know our guests are happy…especially when we hear a review like this! We are so glad you had a wonderful stay. Don’t be a stranger!

We love hearing from each and every one of our guests. If you have stayed with Mermaid Cottages, we’d love to hear from you about your stay. You can share your review on our Mermaid Cottages Facebook Page, or email us at diane@mermaidcottages.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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December 26, 2011

Mermaid Cottages in the Media!

We are always excited when Mermaid Cottages gets a mention or a feature in the media! Forbes Magazine recently mentioned the wonderful Paula Deen’s Ya’ll Come Inn in their recent article, When a Celebrity is Your Landlord. We couldn’t be more excited and honored that Ya’ll Come Inn and Mermaid Cottages were mentioned!

Paul Deen‘s special Tybee Island retreat is a true treasure, and we are honored to call it part of our Mermaid family. Paula is all about giving back and sharing with her fans as much as possible.  When she bought the house, it was intended to be their family beach escape.   But the reality was, due to her hectic traveling and appearance schedule, she is lucky just to find time to enjoy her home in Savannah, let alone the Tybee beach house.  Because it is so beautiful, she decided it would be an outstanding opportunity to share something that is very personal and beautiful to her and open it up to visits from her fans.   She offers the home at the best price, comparative to the other island homes. She also sweetens the pot by adding even more of her personal Paula Touch with special gifts to visiting guests that include VIP reservations to her restaurants, The Lady and Sons or Uncle Bubba’s, a personalized autographed cookbook, and a Paula Deen Bag of Goodies with spices & treats!  Unlike most of the vacation rentals on Tybee, Paula will not even allow the restriction of a minimum nights stay.  To help her fans even more, she loves to offer even lower rates for them during the off season, like the one we have now for the winter.

We couldn’t be more proud that Paula Deen’s Y’all Come Inn is part of the Mermaid Cottages family! If you want to learn more, check out our booking information page or call our Reservation Mermaids Denise and Jan at 912.655.6525 or 912.658.1550. Make sure you check out the article over on the Forbes site as well!

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December 15, 2011

Happy Guests Make Us Smile!

Tybee Island is the perfect escape…and we mean any time of year! Sure, summer is beautiful, but our fall and even winter are fabulous. The holidays are one of our favorite times of year, so when you stay with us for your holiday, it’s the best present we could have to know you trust your special memories to Mermaid Cottages! We can’t contain our smiles when we hear from you, our cherished guests, about your successful holiday stay with us. For instance, check out what Erika and Sarah had to say about their recent Mermaid Cottages holiday:

“This was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgivings I can remember. The cottage is very whimsical and when you step outside you can hear the ocean. I believe that this was the first year in a new Thanksgiving tradition.” ~Erika W. from Mesa, AZ about a stay at The Shrimp Cottage

Plan your trip to The Shrimp today!

“This was our second year a Mermaid cottage. Dutton Waller was warm and inviting. Once we put a few lights out on the porch to have our traditional al fresco Thanksgiving, we were all set. Diane and her Thanksgiving Turkey elves took care of everything we needed. The concierge service is impeccable. I highly suggest you rent any of the Mermaid Cottages. I know we will be back again and I cannot wait.” ~Sarah S. from Los Angeles, CA about a stay at Dutton-Waller Cottage.

Dutton-Waller Cottage is just waiting for you!

Thank you for sharing Erika and Sarah! Nothing makes us happier than hearing about happy guests! We enjoyed sharing your Thanksgiving, and we hope to see y’all again real soon!

Don’t forget, Tybee Island isn’t just a summer destination. We are a piece of paradise all year, so let us help make your holiday season merry and bright. Give us a call at (912) 313-0784 and we’ll do everything we can to make you smile!

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November 11, 2011

Serving With Honor, A Soldier’s Story

Mermaid Cottages is proud and honored to welcome Mary Sue and Gerry to Tybee Island for Beach Retreats For Heroes.  Mermaid Jan shared this loving exchange from Mary Sue.

Hi Jan,

This is Mary Sue and I just spoke with you on the phone.

My husband is Gerry  and he is a Staff Sergeant with the 165th
Air National Guard here in Savannah. He is a member of their Security
Forces Squadron and recently deployed with his unit to Afghanistan for 6
months. Prior to this service in the National Guard, Gerry was a member of
the US Army and served as a Military Policeman and criminal investigator
and was stationed in Korea.

While in Afghanistan, Gerry volunteered with a special group of airmen and soldiers who routinely went “outside the wire” on missions to ensure that the perimeter surrounding Bagram Air Base was secure.  Also during his tenure in Afghanistan, Gerry missed out on seeing me graduate from law school, and his faithful and loving bulldog of seven years was put to sleep.

Needless to say, his time spent serving his country in Afghanistan was tough. I’m so proud of him and proud to be a member of his family.

I can’t get over how wonderful it is
of your organization to do something like this for our vets!

Thank you,

Mary Sue

We are so happy to welcome Mary Sue and Gerry to Heron Hideaway this weekend.  Thank you both for your service, your commitment and support to each other and for inspiring us to make a difference.

You can make a difference, too.

Support our troops.

Be Thankful.

Say Thank You.

 

Mermaid Cottages and Beach Retreats For Heroes!

 

 

 

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November 10, 2011

A Soldier’s Story

It’s a Hero’s Homecoming Welcome for our wonderful guests, Elizabeth and Jason, staying at Mary Kay Andrews\’ beautiful Breeze Inn Cottage this week.  Mermaid Cottages is hosting Beach Retreats For Heroes in honor and celebration of our active service men and women and Veterans Day.

Mermaid Denise helped arrange this special getaway and she shares Elizabeth’s email of thanks here.

Hey Denise!
I spoke with you earlier about your Beach Retreats for Heroes program this weekend.  First, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart that y’all are going so far out of your way to make Veteran’s Day special for not only my veteran but myself as well.  My husband, Jason actually used to be stationed at Ft. Stewart before we were married, and he always speaks very fondly of his time in Savannah and days off spent at Tybee.  We have never been able to visit Tybee Island together, so this is such a nice surprise.  He is very excited to show me around his old stompin’ grounds.  I must also say that I selfishly am so excited to have the opportunity to stay in Mary Kay Andrews’ cottage!  I discovered her books while a student at the College of Charleston and immediately fell in love with her southern tales.  She is my most favorite author!  Y’all are truly making dreams come true!
Here is a little bit about my husband, Jason Widner.  He is originally from Seattle, Washington, and he became a soldier in the Army in February 2004 where he was first stationed at Ft. Stewart.  He soon after deployed to Tikrit, Iraq for 12 months.  He then deployed in 2007 for the second time for 15 months to the Al Anbar Province.  His third deployment was to Northern Afghanistan from June to November of 2010.  We currently reside in Columbia, SC where Jason is in school completing his bachelor’s degree, and I am becoming certified to teach Special Education.  For the Widners, the Army is truly a family affair because Jason’s older brother, Dan, is also a veteran having served two tours overseas.
I’ve also attached a picture of Jason taking a quick break during a patrol in August of 2007 during his second deployment.
Again, thank you so very much for reaching out to members of the armed forces in such a generous way!  It is so truly appreciated!
Have a wonderful afternoon,
Elizabeth North-Widner
It’s a story that touches every American man and woman and every person on this earth that is safe and at home with loved ones.  You see, it’s not just a soldier’s story.  It’s the story of spouses and parents and siblings and children and co-workers and friends who must carry on while their loved one is away in service to us all.
What can you do?   Be a good listener.  Be a good neighbor.  Be a good friend.  Be grateful.  Be thankful.
Say Thank You.
Celebrate homecomings.
 Make A Difference.

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November 3, 2011

Happiness at Crabby Pirate Cottage!

We are just so happy to hear from our guests! It’s our mission to make your stay here on Tybee Island the best ever, so when we get to hear about someone having  a wonderful trip, our hearts just swell with pride and joy. Messages like this one from guests like Patti, all the way from Calhoun, Georgia, just make us all warm and fuzzy on the inside!

“We loved everything about the Crabby Pirate Cottage!!! What an excellent trip! The cottage felt like home to us. We had everything we needed to make our vacation perfect. I will recommend Mermaid Cottage’s to everyone that I know. The beds where extremely comfortable and the kitchen was wonderful to have with the teenagers! The view of the marsh was wonderful also. We loved watching the wildlife early in the mornings.We can’t wait to return!”

Thanks for sharing Patti! We couldn’t be happier that your vacation was a huge success. We sure hope to see you again real soon!

Have you stayed with us at Mermaid Cottages? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to send your thoughts to us at diane@mermaidcottages.com or even share a review on our Mermaid Cottages Facebook Page! We look forward to hearing from you!

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October 27, 2011

Mermaids in Our Midst: Jessica from New Mexico

Nothing makes us happier than hearing from you, our cherished guests. We had the best summer ever, and we can’t wait to see what autumn brings here on Tybee. We were so excited to read this lovely letter from Jessica, who recently visited our Crabby Jo’s Cottage all the way from New Mexico!

“We loved everything about Crabby Jo’s! The bedrooms were a bit small but that wasn’t a problem. There were three adults, one teenager, and two small children in our party (with numerous visitors during the day) and we all fit just fine. The extra showers downstairs were perfect for hosing off before venturing in after a day at the beach. While not “baby proofed” I felt comfortable letting my kids (age 3 and 11 months) wander freely about the home – it was very clean and well-kept. The beach, just steps away, was a dream – We even saw baby turtle tracks! The rest of Tybee Island was wonderful as well – we ate a number of local restaurants, visited numerous shops, hung out at the pier, and even purchased some kitschy art to bring back home to New Mexico (it’s a giant fish made out of scrap metal and an old boogie board!). We drove nearly 27 hours to visit Tybee (with two wee ones in the car) and I’d do it all over again. And I’d definitely stay at Crabby Jo’s again. Thank you for sharing your home with us!”

Thank you so much for sharing Jessica! We are overjoyed to hear that your time on Tybee Island was well spent! Twenty-seven hours is quite a trip, but we hope you can make it back real soon!

Have you stayed with us at Mermaid Cottages? We like nothing more than hearing from our guests. Please, don’t hesitate to let us know how your stay was! You can’t contact us by email at diane@mermaidcottages.com, or even leave your review on our Mermaid Cottages Facebook Page! Hearing from you, our Mermaid Family, just makes our day and we can’t wait to hear from you soon!

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October 20, 2011

Mermaid Cottage Goodies Alert!

They’re here! Mermaid Cottages goodies are pouring into Seaside Sisters and we are so excited! Now, you can bring Mermaid Cottages home with you in even more new and fun ways. Check these out!

These fabulous accessories are the handy work of Jackie Callahan and her company, J-Prons! Jackie is a self proclaimed “semi-empty nester” and wanted to fill her evening down time with creativity she doesn’t get the chance to let loose at her day job, where she is a registered nurse for an insurance company. “I have always loved to cook and, for some unknown reason, always loved aprons,” Jackie told us. So, she found a pattern, bought some yummy fabric, and pulled out her 28 year old Singer sewing machine. Not long after, her first apron was finished and the addiction began. After sharing a few of her creations on Facebook, she suddenly had loads of people wanting their very own apron! Ain’t Facebook grand?

Jackie says it has been so much fun finding whimsical fabrics and fine-tuning her own designs. “My husband Tim came up with the company name, J-Prons. Jackie+Arpons=J-Prons! In addition to the aprons, I also make slouchy shoulder/beach bags and baby/toddler hats. So, like our motto says, we’ve got you covered!” Make sure to head over to the official J-Prons Facebook Page and learn more about these fun, fabulous designs and keep up with all the new additions!

All of these fabulous designs are now available at Seaside Sisters here on Tybee, complete with our Mermaid Cottages logo!  The quality is outstanding…you will not be disappointed! These accessories make great souvenirs, but you will want to stock up because they make wonderful gifts as well! If you’d like to check out all of our goodies, head over to our Goodies page for a preview!

Don’t you dare leave Tybee Island without stopping by Seaside Sisters, the best little coastal shop ever. They have all things Tybee, and all things Mermaid Cottages! We can’t wait to see you there!

 

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October 6, 2011

Need a Little Girl Time?

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Girlfriend getaways are possibly the best thing a group of women can share. There’s just something about being with your girlfriends that re-energizes and refreshes the soul. We know a thing or two about that around here at Mermaid Cottages!  Well, if you are looking for a getaway to connect with like-minded women, and even make some new friends, look no further than The NewHeight Group and their Getaway Weekends for Women!

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Getaway Weekends are designed to foster the perfect combination of interesting women, networking opportunities, and exploration of new and important topics about changes women experience and how we transition in life. These getaways are small, with only about 10 to 12 women, to keep things intimate for active discussion and interaction. No doubt you will leave with new friends, new perspectives, new opportunities, the tools to move forward, and a renewed appreciation for taking time to step away from the world and take a little time for yourself.

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For more information on upcoming getaways, visit The NewHeights Group website or contact Susan Morris at susanvmorris@newheightgroup.com, or give her a call at 202-257-9241. You can also Like Getaway Weekends for Women on Facebook! Don’t wait because sometimes, we all need to step back and focus on the Four Rs: Reflect, Recharge, Refocus … and RELAX! If you need to getaway and get some girl time, check out Getaway Weekends for Women today!

 

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