Dreamy Blue and White Dinnerware for Holidays and Beyond!

I am always on the lookout for coastal dinnerware that is meant to last, is beautiful and is actually functional. It's been so frustrating! You know what I mean, the kind of dishes that you can really put in the microwave and wash in the dishwasher.  Dinnerware that is super versatile, has lots of mix and match pieces and looks like it belongs at an elegant beach home, but does not scream "nautical".... (are you getting the picture now?)

This summer, I think we found what I have been looking for...

We are in LOVE. Introducing the Brisa Coast Collection!

The warm coastal breeze that blows from the sea and imbues the Algarve coast with delicious aromas and the fresh flavors of Ria Formosa was the inspiration for this fabulous blue and white Brisa stoneware tabletop collection! The amazing organic shapes and hand crafted blended blue and white glazes will absolutely transform your dining experiences to beautiful landscapes of ocean lagoons and sandy, shell strewn beaches.

What do I love the Brisa Coast Collection?  Oh mi... let us count the ways!

1.Totally Unique!

Each plate, bowl and serving piece will be slightly different with hand-crafted time honored stoneware glazing techniques from Portugal. 

Two Organic Shell-Like Shapes to choose from: Oval or Round.  So fun to mix it up!  

2.  Available in Two Mix and Match Coordinating Coastal Color Palettes! The Brisa Ria Blue pieces feature deep blue glazed edging surrounding a shell-colored center, while the Brisa Salt and Sea pieces feature an edging that is splashed with a hint of sea blue.  Perfectly blended to match and coordinate to create a table setting that is elegant and stylish! 3. Incredibly Durable - Perfect for Everyday Use! These pieces are meant to be used and enjoyed. Not all stoneware is created equally. These fine dinnerware pieces are created in Portugal by Costa Nova, combining ancient skills with modern technology to produce stoneware that is resistant to both thermal and mechanical shocks.  4. Oven, Freezer and Microwave Safe All pieces are manufactured with high thermal shock resistance, withstanding temperature variations between 0 and 500-degrees Fahrenheit. These pieces can be safely used in the oven, freezer and the microwave, although not recommended over a direct flame.  So versatile! 5. Dishwasher Safe Hallelujah! No more hand-washing after the dinner party - these pieces are easy to wash and clean. Abrasive cleaners can even be used without the risk of damaging the surface due to the high durability and low porosity. Most items can be washed daily in the dishwasher.   Must see the whole collection!

Summertime Prawn and Broccoli Pasta - Delish!

Truly, you can't mess this easy Summertime seafood recipe up!  Almost fool-proof with just a word of advice - have all of your ingredients ready to go before starting.


Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 Lemons. 1 for zesting and then cut into thin slices; 1 for lemon-wedge garnishes when the pasta is done 
• 6 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves removed (or dried if you don't have fresh)
• sea or kosher salt and fresh black pepper
• linguine pasta (we like fatter pasta with this kind of sauce)
• 3-4 Tablespoons butter - NOT margarine
• 1-2 pound fresh prawns, medium-or large sized, peeled, de-veined and with tails off
• 1-2 cups of broccoli
• 1 cup sliced red pepper; yellow or orange are fine too!
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
• 5 cloves of garlic minced
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1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a glass 9 x 13 (or larger)  baking dish, combine olive oil, lemon zest and thyme. Olive oil should liberally cover the bottom of the pan.  If it doesn't, then drizzle more in.  Season with salt and pepper.  Place in oven for 10-12 minutes.  Check it every few minutes - if it looks like it is getting too brown, remove and proceed to the next step.

2. Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to the package directions. Drain and toss with a pat of butter or olive oil.

3. Remove glass baking dish from the oven, add butter and swirl to melt.  

4. Add prepared prawns, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and the lemon slices.  Don't squeeze the lemon slices - just add to the prawn and veggie roasting mixture.  Give it a quick toss to mix well with olive oil/butter and spices. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until prawns turn pink.  You might want to check at 6 minutes or so to make sure that you are not overcooking the prawns. There is nothing worse than rubbery seafood.

4. Remove roasted lemon-garlic prawn and broccoli mixture from the oven and dump into the pasta. Stir completely into the pasta, over low heat for just a few minutes with a few squeezes of fresh lemon and a dash more of olive oil.  Taste test it for salt and pepper seasoning.

5.  Serve in your best pasta bowls with a great fresh rustic bread and a special white wine. Sauvignon Blanc during the summer months would be perfect!  

Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and left over lemon wedges. Enjoy! 

P.S.  The glasses and dinnerware can be found on our site!

Blue Crab Bay Stoneware

Pasta Bowls

Blue Crab Bay Deep Serving Bowl

Seahorse Large Etched Wine Glasses

A Touch of Gold - Beach Fall Dinner Party

I love it when company comes to visit us at the beach!  The perfect opportunity (excuse) to use a little

creativity to plan an extra special dinner party; delish seafood, fab California wine and an inviting dinner tablescape for our long time friends, Jim and Mary.

Inspired by my gold sea shell dish finds, this year I decided to create a tablescape combining beach found shells, fall-colored sea glass with lots of gold accents.

Starting with a trip to Michael's for a roll of burlap netting with a touch of gold, and a roll of all gold netting to use as a layered table runner.  Then I grabbed some plain white plates ($1.99) and large gold chargers ($2.25) from Home Goods to set the base for the rest of the tablescape. (loved the fun scalloped edges on both!)

*Sea Breeze Wine Glasses are from Caron's Beach House

*Gold-Beige Table Linens are also from our store

*Vintage Aqua and Gold Sea Gull Glasses were found at the Alameda Flea Market

*Seashell Candle Holders can also be found at Caron's Beach House 

 Love my new gold shell dishes from my friends at Nasturium - one of my favorite escapes for a quick shopping trip when I NEED inspiration away from my desk.  My friend Sudi is the designer and her elegant  Red Pomegranate dinnerware is hand-crafted in Turkey.  Exquisite pieces!

Oyster Shell Napkin Rings -- would love to know what you think of these!

I think we had a good time! (hence, the few blurry photos!)

P.S. Our incredible coconut scallops on the blog soon -  Super easy, and super yum

Dinner Party at the Beach

Maureen and Peter come to dinner, bearing gifts of Chardonnay and flowers on a warm sun-filled early October evening on our California coast.

So excited!  Our first official dinner party guests to our new tiny place in Half Moon Bay. The company was wonderful, the Cioppino turned out DELISH, and I think a good time was had by all.

Tom and Peter watching the last bit of sun drop into the Pacific - incredibly gorgeous! Have to pinch ourselves at how lucky we are to be so close to the ocean

My cute octopus has been waiting for months in a box in my office - just needed the right time (and the right company to show off for!) to light all his candles.

 New Coquille Pitcher.  Served ice water, but think this gorgeous piece would also look great with a bouquet of fresh flowers...

From our new collection of linen placemats and oversized napkins.... (hoping to have napkin rings on our site very soon!)

Cioppino!  

Super, super easy to make - just start with great seafood.   I recommend sticking with what is in season, and what is on sale.  For our party with Maureen and Peter, I used salmon, clams, mussels, large scallops and large prawns.  No crab legs as they are not in season right now, and sometimes it is a bit more than messy to have the crab legs in the Cioppino with dinner guests.

Also must have - fresh sour dough bread for dipping! We are very lucky to have several bakeries in our little town.  I grabbed a wonderful, still warm, loaf at Moonside Bakery off Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay to share with Maureen and Peter.  YUM.

Served an Mediterranean chopped salad in our new Octopus Bowl and Crabby Servers from our Sea and Shore Collection.  (could not resist having these for our house! )

Maureen even brought dessert!  Way too cute - and super yummy.

That was so fun, and we were sorry to see them leave....Can't wait until our next dinner party with friends! 

Sea Breeze Glasses

Moby Whale Wine Glasses