Beach Bikes

If you are a follower of my Instagram page, you will probably recognize a few of these images.  Tom and I have become beach "bikers. and a whole new world has opened up to us!  It's funny how your neighborhood and beach trail look completely different from the seat of our bikes. 

There's nothing quite like sailing along on my beach cruiser on our Half Moon Bay coastside trail.  It's almost like being eight years old again with a complete sense of fun and freedom. BTW, yes this is me on my bike at Miramar Beach, just down from our house on the trail - after stopping for a glass of wine and Half Moon Bay artichokes at the Miramar Beach Restaurant.

Stopping for "sunshine" break!

We did quite a bit of comparison shopping before we bought our new Townies from our local Bike Shop (they were great!) Bike Works in Half Moon Bay.  (I am a BIG believer in supporting small local businesses)  Tom and I test rode and test "sat"on many different beach "cruiser" style bikes before deciding on ours.  We drove our our poor sales person at Bike Works crazy with all of our questions!

Tom off the coastside trail taking a quick view of Saturday waves! (Poplar Beach) 

There are a lot of features on these kinds of bikes that were important to me, and played a big factor into making the right decision for us. Beach bikes can be an expensive proposition, and since I had not been on a bicycle in 20 (or more!) years it was sort of a big deal. Not to mention that I was a little bit afraid of making a fool of myself, and not being comfortable riding.  

A foggy January morning off our cliff side trail - Kelly Ave/Francis Beach

We decided on these Townies by Electra after our young salesperson, Evan,  told us that these bikes were "like riding your couch".  He was so right!  Big comfy seats, and built with this cool technology that allows you to put your feet flat on the ground when you stop,  and the bike fits right so that you sit straight upright on the seat with an easy reach to the handlebars.  

And let's talk about beachy colors... okay, I admit it, I did kind of go for the "Seahawk" colors, but Townie bikes come in so many coastal shades from aqua or navy blue to coral orange. I do LOVE my lime green matching wire basket and adorable bell!

Shamrocks and fragrant blooming alyssum on our trail

Honestly, with my number 52 birthday just around the corner, buying these bikes was the best decision that I have made in a very long time.  Trying to get healthier while still having fun!

 Now you can find us most Saturday and Sundays whipping around our town; out to breakfast, down to the farmer's market, grabbing oysters in Princeton, or simply riding down to the beach to enjoy sunsets with a glass of wine. (hence, the NEED for the basket - lol!)  

Whale Wine Glasses are my FAVE!

Have to admit, I crashed the my bike the very first day that I rode it, but got right back up and peddled 2 miles home.  Big bruise on my knee, bent my basket, but no scratches on my bike and nothing broken. It was a rather spectacular accident! I hit a metal pole trying to cross the new bridge over Pilaritos Creek, and yes, there were other bikers that witnessed my "not so classy" downfall.

We're off on our bikes for appetizers and a glass of wine at Miramar Beach - have a great weekend everyone! 

New! Beach Bike Bookends - we think these are adorable!

Springtime at the Beach - Daisies Beach Bike Pillow

Coastal Easter Ideas to Try!

I love spring!  Spring here on our California Coast is especially gorgeous this year - every thing is blooming in all its' glory, from bright yellow shamrocks, to the explosion of Calla Lillies.  The last several years have been a bit bleak for blooms due to our historic drought, but the El Nino rains have been very kind this winter and our plants are totally digging it!

(Calla Lillies are from my front yard - bouquet with yellow bunny courtesy of Safeway)

I digress... Our Caron's Beach House crew has been so busy rounding up creative, charming ideas for celebrating Easter with a coastal theme, and I had to share some of my favorites that we've found for you this year.

1. Narwal Easter Eggs - Oh my gosh, these are just too adorable! From A Joyful Riot - click for the step by step instructions.

2.  Kate's Creative Space - why save these clear balls just for Christmas?  Love how she's used spring elements to create fun little place settings.   More Info!

3.  Make it Pink! Keeping it simple with deep fuchsia orchids, this gorgeous table setting by the sea welcomes guests with a slightly tropical style. From Hen House Linens

4.  A perfect beach cottage table setting - a little bit rustic, but beautiful with sea washed colors in the driftwood-like table, white linens, and aqua plates with Easter Eggs to match!  The bright yellow daffodils are a wonderful Spring finishing touch. (sorry not sure about the image source)

5. A bowl of sea-colored Easter Eggs makes a fabulous centerpiece!

6.  Nautical Bowl of Easter Eggs from The Mermaids Tale.  Seriously, check her entire blog post - so darn creative!  LOVE LOVE those little buoys and fish net covered eggs, not to mention the eggs sand dollar and sea urchin details.  WOW - am a little envious of the imagination that went into these beauties!

7.  Scatter white large shells and starfish among your colored eggs - another charming idea for a centerpiece on your Easter table. Starfish Cottage Blog

8.  Blue Marbled Eggs from Alice and Lois - crazy cool patterns and you have to love that elegant indigo blue.  How-to's on their blog - PS it's nail polish!

9.  Easter Egg Topiary Trees from Sand and Sisal - in beautiful beach cottage colors of sand, ivory and aqua.  How to's on her blog - here

10, Our front door.  This is about as DIY as I can get!

a Store bought colorful Easter Egg wreath (I think World Market?)
b. Glue gun
c. Clear Acrylic Spray
d. Beach found treasures.  have so many everywhere in my house, this was a great way to display some of them!
e. Pretty wired ribbon
f. Voila' - Easy Easter Wreath for the front door!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Hope we've inspired you to add a little coastal flair to your Easter celebrations.

HGTV Blogger Block Party - Design Trends for 2016

I am a little bit late getting this blog post finally published!  Last summer while I was attending the New York NOW show, I had the opportunity to get invited to the HGTV Blogger Party at the HGTV offices in New York City. So fun! (excuse the cell phone images - was so excited to be there, that my picture taking skills may have suffered from celebrity sightings!)

All about Design Trends for 2016!

Met the absolutely adorable, Sara Peterson, Editor in Chief of HGTV!

Thanked her and her staff for including our store and products in several different HGTV Magazine issues over the past few years.  Sara was so incredibly gracious - love her! (even though I might have been slightly tongue-tied...)

And then the star of the show - Genevieve Gorder! Design Trends for 2016

Genevieve talked quite a bit about the Scandinavian,/Viking/Game of Thrones design trend that is happening right now.  (note her cute outfit!)  Includes unique woven textures, like chunky knits, rope and braiding, mixed with natural materials of bleached shells , driftwood, and sea grass, blended together to create a warm neutral decorating style. 

After listening to Genevieve talk about this design trend,  I was inspired me to create our Beachcomber Decor Collection last fall. 

"A little bit Scandinavian, hints of the Nordic with more than a dash of Northern Californian, this is one of our go-to coastal styles to welcome our friends and family to the beach!"  

Nordic beach style was fun, but, the Cuban island influenced style is the one that I am the most excited about!

 See Genevieve's slide above for a hint of the colors of this re-discovered Caribbean nation; shades of aqua, cerulean blue, deep turquoise, royal blues and emerald green. This design trend is tropical with a definite twist of  incredible Spanish and Moorish influenced art and (think Barcelona!) architecture. Imagine medallion circles and intricate tile shapes.. . So cool!  

We've been seeing this design influence  in just about everything from rugs,to pillows, to lamps to wall decor. I do not expect this rich with color and captivating historic trend to go away anytime soon, especially since the USA is now opening up all kinds of doors to Cuba and to the Cuban people.  I love it. 

Selfishly, I really would hate to see Cuba become something else and lose the true art that exists there...

Here are just a few of the new items that we've collecting in a new Coastal Style category that we will be calling Havana.  Hope you all enjoy!

Havana Coastal Style

Medallion Blue Sculpted Rug

Artisan Large Palm Rug - love the varying shades of blues in this!  (available in more colors too)

Palm Throw - Deep Blue and Emerald

Island Breeze Pillow - Spa Blues

New! Ravella Blue Tiles Rug

Vintage Tiled Knit Throw

Blue Parrot Pillow - fun vintage shapes and bright colors!

Ten Palms Area Rug - love the blue palm leaves mixed with a "tiled" pattern

 Parrot and Palm Art 

Green Parrot Art from Suzanne Nicoll

(image source - MyDomaine)

See what I mean?  I am totally captured by the romance of Cuba!

Look for this new re-vamped Caribbean island inspired design trend to be everywhere this year and continuing into the next several years!

P.S. We've been collecting all kinds of inspiration on our Cuban Art Pinterest Board - come take a look!