Celebrating 300 Followers with a Coastal Inspired Giveaway...

I'm so excited to be celebrating 300 Followers to my blog.  I know that does not sound like a lot, but for me...it really is a nice little milestone.  So today, I thought I'd offer a nice little giveaway that combines two of my favorite things:  Coastal Home Decor and Seashells. 

This little blog has brought me so much pleasure...I travel for a living and before I discovered blogging, I used to get so frustrated by delays at the airport - but now, I happily pass away my time catching up on my favorite blogs and writing posts for Love of the Sea.  This is such a wonderful little hobby in that I get to use the creative side of my brain...since I spend my days working with financials and numbers...this is a much cherished escape.

  

So part 1 of the giveaway is a little piece I love...actually I love it so much that I bought one for myself too...a Zondax red coral sculpture.  What's nice about this is that it is resin (I think) so if you don't like it in red, all you have to do is paint it the color your want.  

The second part of the giveaway is an array for shells that I have collected over the years from various beaches on the Gulf Coast and in Mexico.  I have also included in a couple pieces of coral, a starfish and a sand dollar.  I thought this little collection would be perfect in a wooden bowl or dish.  

So in order to qualify, all you have to do is be a follower of Love of the Sea and leave a comment on this post.  And if you post about this on your blog, you will get two chances to win.  I will draw the winner by random.org on Friday, July 1st.  

Thank you to all of you...I have really appreciated your interest and friendship!

Easy to make Seashell Candles....

Looking for a fun little project for some of your seashells? What better way to use your shells to decorate your summer tablescape than to create colorful little seashell candles.  

From Martha Stewart Living

First, clean the shells in a weak solution of bleach and water, and let dry. Melt paraffin wax or existing candles in the top of a double boiler (use one with a lip, if possible; it will be easier to pour from). We mixed the melted wax of pink, mauve, and yellow candles to create coral tones that complement our shells. 

If a shell has a tendency to wobble, stabilize it by resting it on top of a cup. Cut the wicking to 2 to 3 inches, and attach it to a metal wick holder; set aside. 

Pour the melted wax into the shell, then place the wick and holder in the bottom of the shell, being careful not to burn your fingers. If wick droops, trim slightly. Let cool until hardened, about 30 minutes. 

And be careful: The top layer of the wax hardens first, but the melted wax underneath will spill out if the candle is moved before it has had a chance to cool completely.

Hope you enjoyed this little summer 
project from Martha Stewart.  

I'm gonna try it this weekend...and see how it goes!  

Enjoying Sand and Sea Sunday....

In celebration of Sand and Sea Sundays, thought I'd share a couple of my favorite photos from our vacation to the Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico.  What an incredible view from the pool.  

As you can imagine....I spent most of my time floating around and doing nothing.  It was sheer heaven.  The beach was amazing, completely filled with precious cowrie shells, coral and other beautiful specimens from the sea.   

It seems like my challenge with leaving comments has been solved for now...so I'm pretty happy about about that.  Stay tuned for an awesome coastal giveaway in celebration of reaching 300 followers...I'm so excited about that.      

Have a wonderful Sand and Sea Sunday!

Gypsea Nurse

What's going on?

Today is the second day in a row that I can't leave a comment on any of my favorite blogs.....

Does anyone know what is going on?   I  have to figure out how to fix this or I am going to have to change to another platform. Oh - all my followers are missing too! 

Update:  the unchecked box did work for me - thanks for all your comments on how to solve the problem.  I"m going to check out these links tonight to learn how to fix this.  Have a great day!!

Anthropologie....the all in one shopping experience

Who doesn't love Anthropologie?  It is absolutely one of my favorite places. It's the best shop for women...it has great clothes, jewelry, housewares, linens, books and specialty items for your kitchen.  (they have awesome hardcover home and fashion books) 

It really is the best all in one place to get your shopping fix on.  So today, I thought I'd share my favorite home accessories.  Each one of these would be perfect for the coastal chic home.  Hope you enjoy!!

So next time your around an Anthropologie,

you must stop in. If you don't live near one...

order their catalog.  You will love it!

And for some reason...I'm not able to leave

comments on many of my favorite blogs...

Don't know what is happening...

Hope it is fixed soon!

Watermelon Wednesdays #5.... A refreshing gazpacho

Hello Everyone.  I hope you are having a wonderful week so far.  I'm off this morning to NYC for a quick trip...but before I left, I just had to share this yummy recipe for watermelon gazpacho from Martha Stewart. What wonderful and refreshing summer treat. Just yummy.

Ingredients:
5 cups peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped watermelon

• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup peeled, seeded, and diced cucumber
• 1 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)
• 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
• Juice of 1 lime (about 3 tablespoons)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 1 tablespoon jalapeno pepper, minced

Directions:

1. Combine 5 cups watermelon and the cranberry juice in the jar of a blender, and puree until mixture is smooth. Pass through a fine sieve into a large bowl or plastic storage container, discarding pulp. You should have 3 cups strained liquid.
2. Add cucumber, celery, bell pepper, onion, herbs, lime juice, vinegar, jalapeno, and remaining cup chopped melon to watermelon liquid, and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator until soup is well chilled, at least 1 hour. Serve, or store in refrigerator up to 1 day.

   
   

   Hope you enjoy this....have a great day!
   
   

Pink Peonies...the delicious looking flower

If flowers were edible...(and I know that some are)...there would be no more delicious flower than peonies.  They look like a cross between cotton candy and swirly pink ice cream.  I just can't get enough of these gorgeous flowers.  

They remind me of going to my grandmothers house when I was a little girl...she had an amazing garden and whenever the peonies were in bloom, I would stare at them transfixed, wanting to pick them and bring them inside, but never daring to because I was afraid that my grandmother would get mad at me.

They are not that easy to find where I live so when they are available, I happily over pay to get them.  I was so obsessed with this little bunch of five that I was able to get at Fresh Market...that I had a little photo shoot to capture their essence. My husband was looking at me like I was crazy - but in the end, he had to admit..these were beauties.  

Hope you enjoy these precious flowers...

These are just so yummy & fluffy looking.....

Aren't these fabulous....

What's your favorite flower?

Linking up with:

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Let's celebrate World Oceans Day....

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.

~John F. Kennedy

Celebrating World Oceans Day with Rhonda 

at Shellbelle's Tiki Hut. 

Hope you have a wonderful day..please keep an eye out 

for a coastal giveaway celebration in honor

 of reaching 300 Followers!

A perfect Key West Conch House....

Today when I was visiting the Traditional Home website, I came across one of my all-time favorite homes on the first page...and could not resist sharing it (again).  I did a post about this little gem last summer...and have saved the magazine so I can use this decor as my inspiration for my Keys Home redo.
Traditional Home is one of my very favorite magazines....I read it faithfully each month...I find the articles to be very inspiring and informative.  

I just can not stop admiring this custom made carpet
 where the pattern from the chair is dropped in.
And the fringe on the drapes - I love it. 

There's this magnificent carpet again.  And the toile fabric looks fantastic
mixed in with the tropical colors.  

What an amazing guest room.  Can you imagine waking up in this beautiful room?

I love the mixture of colors, textures, fabrics and wood in the master bedroom.

And the little guest cottage out by the pool....how cute is this?

Hope you enjoyed the tour of this perfect Key West Conch House....featured on the Traditional Home website.

Have a great week!