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Let it Snow Winter

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A Coastal Inspired Gift

I have always had fond memories of spending time with my family at the Jersey Shore and my aunts were a big part of that.  Over the past few years I have been bringing my son back during the summer as often as I can.  Since my aunts were a big part of that time as well, last Christmas I put together a pedicure kit, tied together with a picture of my son at the shore.  It included Toe In the Line Foot Scrub, fun and colorful nail files, nailpolish, shea butter lotion and pedicure socks.  All items were from Bath and Body Works.  It was fun, easy and an inexpensive way to show them how much they mean to me.  I also hope it reminded them of a warmer time in the cold winter months. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

Totally nautical bag by Straw Studios.

Whale Percale Sheets, also sometimes available in a red lobster pattern, from L.L. Bean.

Arrrrgh! Pirate accessories for the little man! From Childrens Place. I don't have to convince my little model that nautical is the way to go!

Check back for more of my favorites. I have a weakness for bags and bedding. Feel free to post your favorites or your shopping weakness!

North American Sea Glass Festival

This festival is a can't miss for me. I'm a Jersey Girl at heart who spent much time at the Jersey Shore hunting for sea glass and sometimes still do. Where: Ocean Place Resort & Spa Long Branch, NJ When: Saturday, October 8 th - 10am – 6pm Sunday October 9th – 9am – 5pm Additional Info: Admission: $5 per adult per day, children 12 and under free No advance ticket sales, admission paid at door, cash only http://www.seaglassassociation.org/festival_nasga.html

Upcoming Festivals for Fall

Some of these festivals are coastal while others are a little inland, but all are sure to be a can't miss good time for you and your family. 

A Fun and Playful Housewarming Party

This should really be called the Target clearance party, because that is where our savvy host aquired most of the items for her housewarming party.  When coming up with the theme the host and I were actually inspired by the lovely diving ladies featured in the Retro Inspired post.  Well after many months of waiting planning and gathering items for this shindig, and even rescheduling thanks to Hurricane Irene, the big day had finally come and this is how it turned out.

Bring Some Punch To Your Party!

While helping to prepare for a housewarming party this weekend, I came across this super easy recipe for Tropical Champagne Punch.  We sure are going to try it out and I hope you do too! And be sure to check back for all the details on the housewarming party, which has a retro beach party theme! 

Tropical Champagne Punch

For the best flavor, chill all ingredients before combining.

Combine 2 cups pineapple mango juice, 2 cups orange juice, 2 cups cranberry juice, 2 cups quava nector, and 1 cup apple juice in a large bowl.  Stir in 1 (750ml) bottle sparkling wine.  Garnish if desired with sliced star fruit and limes.

Makes about 12 cups.

An Easy Transformation

Many of you know that the easiest way to transform a look in your home is with some paint.  Well for one look in my home, I transformed an old picture frame into a piece of stylish beachy decor. I have no idea where this picture frame came from and had a hard time finding any use for it except hanging it on the wall with a piece of ribbon and no picture inside.  To give it a new life and purpose, I decided it needed some paint and a new ribbon.

Retro Inspired

These retro dive girls were an awesome find.  Inspired by, you guessed it, Coastal Living Magazine.  I saw them in an ad on the back of the magazine years ago and wanted them so bad for my own.  The price was just not right.  I found my dive girls this past summer on a shopping trip at the Christmas Tree Shop in New Jersey.  I am not so sure they were even in the right spot in the store but there were only two and they had my name all over it!  The cost of these lovely ladies...$9.99 each.  My insipration...$92.00.  Talk about a good find.

Check out - http://www.cottageandbungalow.com/seaside.html  for my inspired look.
Check out - http://www.christmastreeshops.com/ for Christmas Tree Shop Locations near you.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog.  The reason you are reading this now is because I am an avid reader of Coastal Living Magazine, I love all things coastal and spending time in the sun, sand and especially by the water.  All these elements inspire my life in many ways from my home decor to my sons birthday parties, to my wedding I am currently planning.  Something coastal has touched my life in some way.  Now if you have ever read Coastal Living Magazine they feature coastal products, travels, articles, decor, recipes, etc.  Many of the decor and places they feature are out of my price range as well as for many Americans.  That is where I come in, I have managed over the years to aquire a coastal taste and decor inspired by Coastal Living, as well as travel to coastal places and still remain within a reasonable budget.  Daily I will feature different coastal inspirations and ideas from my life.  It may be from my decor, my Key West wedding, a trip to the beach, or my future move to Key West, FL but it will be coastal inspired.