A Coastal State of Mind
There’s a quote in our June Summer Edit that reads, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and after flipping through the beautiful pages of Saltwater: Coastal Carolina, I’d like to offer a little addition: joy is found in the salt air, sea breeze, and slow, simple moments. That’s exactly what Faith Tinsley captures in her debut coffee table book and coastal lifestyle brand, Saltwater Collection.
Faith, a Carolina girl through and through, has saltwater in her veins—literally, according to her grandmother, whose love of both the ocean and photography deeply influenced the direction of her life. “The Carolina coast has always had my heart,” she told us. “From a young age, my Grandmother told me that we had ‘saltwater in our veins.’ Her love for photography and the ocean inspired me to create Saltwater Collection—a coastal lifestyle brand featuring film photography of the Carolina coast.”
And let me tell you, this isn’t just a book—it’s an experience. Saltwater: Coastal Carolina is filled with dreamy, light-soaked images from across North Carolina’s shoreline, including the famous Outer Banks, the calm waters of the Crystal Coast, and the sun-kissed surf towns of Cape Fear. But it’s more than just pretty pages. “I believe the coast isn’t just a place, but also a state of mind,” Faith says. “When creating Saltwater: Coastal Carolina, I wanted it to be an immersive experience.”
It certainly is. From regional watercolor maps by Printed Hues to charming travel tips and local facts, this book is a love letter to the coast—and a heartfelt invitation to slow down and savor the moment. Faith hopes readers, no matter where they call home, “feel connected to the North Carolina coast.”
One of the most touching elements of the book is a poem titled The Cottage, written by Faith and inspired by her childhood summers on the Pamlico Sound. “With summer upon us, it’s a sweet reminder of how magical relaxed, carefree days by the water can be,” she shares. And as a busy mom who’s usually running in a million directions, that reminder hits home. Sometimes we need to be pulled back to the rhythms of saltwater living—where life is a little slower and joy is found in the small things, like seashells in your pocket or sand in your shoes.
So what exactly does saltwater living mean to Faith? “Slowing down and being present in the moment. Enjoying the beauty of nature around you and savoring the simple pleasures in life.”
If that’s not a summer mantra, I don’t know what is.
You can explore more of Faith’s coastal vision at www.saltwatercollection.com, and follow her journey on Instagram at @saltwatercollection_. Whether you’re a coast-loving Carolina girl or just dreaming of your next beach escape, this is the book that needs to be on your coffee table this summer.
So here’s your official permission to slow down, take a deep breath, and soak in a little saltwater joy. Faith Tinsley is showing us how.