Instant Coastal - just add Blue and White!

Crisp Blue and White... the quickest travel escape to beach house style!  

Add Cobalt, Navy, Indigo; all of these shades of blue evoke memories of days spent in fresh summer salt air beside the sea. Mix with the bright white of white caps on a wind blown bay and billowing sails, and you've now created an instant elegant coastal escape!  

Bold Stripes!

Let the salt breeze in!

Timeless Style from Sarah Richardson...


A room is simply not complete without a pop of color from fresh flowers

Fresh!  Couldn't you just sit in this room for hours??

Magical! Especially when creating a room mixed with exotic treasures,wicker trunks, interesting comfy throw pillows and a touch of green.

Create an ever changing "functional" display with collected blue and white dinnerware.  I love my vintage Blue Willow mixed with my vintage Navy dinnerware, and yes, we do actually use all of the pieces! 

Love the versatility of a blue and white ginger jar stool, and you can't go wrong mixing in natural elements like this jute-wicker bed.  (so pretty!)

Boathouse Inspired!

 Nautical inspiration from designer Lynn Morgan - love the "chart" art!

One of my all-time favorite blue and white inspired living rooms! (not sure of the source)

Add an interesting lamp to for an extra touch of nautical

Like simplicity and uncluttered feel of this bookshelf showcased in Veranda. Knowing me though, there would be piles books to match the design, therefore not "uncluttered" for long!

Another gorgeous blue image from Designer Martin Home, featured in House Beautiful Magazine.  Too much, too little or just right?  I really like the complete infusion of blue exotic mix of textures and furnishings

Hope you enjoy the blue and white coastal inspiration!  You just can't go wrong with this simple color palette, and it's so easy to change up with small accents, pillows or art.  Start with a few anchored pieces; a great rug, a favorite sofa or even a fabulous lamp to begin the decorating journey. 

For our sources and even more inspiration - make sure to check out our Blue and White Pinterest Board.

Duke's Famous Clam Chowder - YUM

But first a summer blustery walk on the beach on Alki Beach....

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Duke's Award Winning Clam Chowder

• 1 lb. Clams
• 1 1/2 cups clam juice
• 1 oz. clam base
• 4 strips of bacon 
• 4 oz. butter
• 2 cups diced celery
• 2 cups diced onion
• 1/2 tsp. basil
• 1 tsp. thyme
• 1/2 tsp majoram
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 cups diced red potatoes
• 1/2 oz. garlic 
• 2 Tbl. parsely
• 1 Tbl. dill
• 4 oz. flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream (secret sauce!)

Blanch diced fresh baby red potatoes in boiling water (until tender). Cool and hold separately.

Cook bacon in heavy bottomed saucepan until bacon begins to crisp.  Add butter, onions, celery.  Saute until tender.  Add flour, lower heat and cook for 7 minutes.  Mix and dissolve all clam base with clam juice in a separate bowl. Add clam juice and base mixture to pot.  Add dairy products. Add herbs.  Heat until almost boiling, blending with a wire whip.  Add blanched red potatoes and clams.  Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Cool quickly or serve immediately. 

Taste the chowder and realize that you have just made the best Clam Chowder on the planet.  Pour yourself a great tasting glass of wine to go with!

(recipe courtesy of Duke's Restaurants in Seattle)

Delish and served in an adorable "dinghy"! 

All Roads in Northern California Lead to Wine...

And the Pacific Ocean...Yep.  I do believe this!

On a warm April Easter Sunday afternoon, we packed up a picnic and decided to explore what might be along the road north of Fort Bragg.  Oh my goodness, I  have to tell you about his little gem of a winery that  Tom and I stumbled upon, on the very Northern end of Hwy 1 on our travels that day!

The Mendocino Coast is almost indescribably beautiful; stunning views in every direction with wild, untamed nature and a roaring, unending turquoise ocean.  Following a winding road with dips and sharp turns through weather-beaten small towns standing just steps from crashing waves, Tom and I pinched ourselves numerous times to remind us at how lucky we are  to live so close to this beauty.

And then out in the middle of nowhere - we found the Pacific Star Winery.

Tom checking out the view from their cottage deck. 

(It's for rent  - would be such an awesome weekend getaway!)

Let me start off by confessing that I am so jealous!  Can you imagine that this stunning property is where you live and work every single day?  Our host told us that he and his fiance' love living here so much that they only leave their house about once every 2 weeks.

Inside their fun coastal themed tasting room -

 I can't blame them.  Not sure that I would leave either...

Of course, we had to bring some home - not sure when we will have another chance to escape.  Hopefully sooner than later!

We highly recommend Pacific Star Winery for some many reasons - starting with the property, and finishing off with the wine. Yum.