Friday, May 20, 2016

Sophisticated Colonial Isle Tropic Decorating

Right on Trend for home decor and fashion for 2016! We are loving the sophisticated side of this coastal decorating style that we are seeing everywhere this year. Think British Colonial style of wicker, seagrass textures, warm bamboo, blue and white ceramics and large green palms.... Add a healthy dose of gorgeous tropical seashells and you have created a classic, elegant stylish Colonial Island look!

The shades of deep cobalt blues, large palm and floral botanicals with deep emerald greens, coral and seashell adding the final sculptural touch - we just can't get enough of this decorating style! Classic, and easy to create with just a little creativity!

Get the Look - Check out our new curated collection for ideas!
Colonial Isle Decorating

Here are a few coastal decorating samples to inspire you -

The Amistad Bermuda Blue Striped Rug

Large Blade Coral (faux, of course!) with the Caudina Blue Frosted Lamp

Don't forget the bamboo!

Tropical Round Lacquered Bamboo Mirror

Have a great weekend!

(p.s. All images and sources can be found on our Pinterest Board - Coastal British Colonial Style!)

Monday, May 9, 2016

Beach Picnic Season

It's that time of year again! Pack up your picnic basket and head to the beach for fun in the sun

Essential Beach Blanket!

Love my Whale Wine Glasses!

The Picnic - an adorable little book written by the girls of the Portland Picnic Society. Packed full of fun recipes, picnicking tips and advice about throwing together a fabulous picnic party. I bought my copy (impulse birthday present!) at one of my favorite gardening stores in Morrow Bay, but you can order a copy also from our friends at Liberty Bay Books.

I love their "advice" Chapter 1; Everything from how to plan the perfect picnic, picking the best picnic blanket and basket essentials to scouting out the best picnic spots!

Teal Coral Fan Indoor-Outdoor Pillows

Turquoise Veranda Pillows

Starfish Dinnerware + Teal Coral Fan Pillows

My picnic "essentials"? Pretty simple!

1. Wine Opener - I keep ours always packed in our basket.
2. Beach "Friendly" Glasses. Either stemless wine glasses, or fun acrylic non-breakable glasses
3. Coastal Indoor-Outdoor Dinnerware
4. Cloth Napkins (they don't blow away in the ocean breeze!)
5. Easy Care Beach Blanket - I like our cotton, Casual Throw Blankets for keeping in our basket. These throws roll, or fold up, small enough to fit in a picnic basket, can be washed and sand shakes out easily. Not great for wet sand - so be careful where you put your blanket down!
6. Outdoor Durable Pillows - need to be comfy!
7. Baskets for carrying blankets and outdoor pillows
8. Picnic Basket large enough for lunch, ice packs and dinnerware.
9. Now to plan a simple menu and you are set for a day at the beach!

Our Beach Picnic pictures were taken on the California Central Coast in a tiny coastal town that we love, Cayucos. Tom and I loaded up our Mini Cooper for my birthday and spent three days walking the beach, watching surfers, spotting whales, looking for sea glass and drinking wine watching sunsets from our picnic blanket. It was perfect - I highly recommend!

My Birthday Picnic Party - Get the look!

Starfish Dinnerware and Whale Glasses

Teal Coral Fan Lumbar Pillow - available in Square 20 x 20 size too!

Turquoise Veranda Shell Pillow

(available in Coral Orange too!)

Niko Sea Grass Baskets

Turquoise Green Essential Cotton Throw

And if you need a little inspiration - I really love this book!

The Picnic

Friday, April 22, 2016

Anchors' Aweigh Nautical Decorating!

Not sure if I mentioned that I am a Navy Mom... and this Navy Mom is missing her sailor. Alex called last week from the Seychelles - after having maybe one too many rum drinks - lol! He's having a blast doing the "world" tour aboard the USS Harpers Ferry, LSD-49; visiting Hawaii, Hong Kong, the Seychelles and many more ports of call to come.

Not sure where Alex is this week, or next - some where in the Indian Ocean? He did send me a Facebook note this week, requesting that I do not send any more chocolate. Apparently, the ship is underway somewhere in a hot climate and the chocolate melts all over everything else in the care-package boxes. Oops.

Here are my favorite men, enjoying our fabulous Half Moon Bay weather this past January when Alex came up for a quick visit before the ship left San Diego.

I am SO proud of Alex and so proud of the person that he's becoming. Toasting his success this week with his pre-deployment gift of Bulleit Bourbon to Tom. Cheers to the the US Navy!

And because it's spring on our coast and we can finally start living outside again, I decided to change up the colors on our deck and add some nautical touches with a few new indoor-outdoor pillows from our store! Loving the fun bright yellow, navy blue and aqua combo for this spring.