Aqua and Red Flocked Coastal Christmas Tree....

So I've finally finished my Christmas tree...and I have to say, I'm really happy with it.  I love the combination of Aqua and Red...so that was my theme this year, along with my favorite coastal touches.  And let's not forget the flocking which I love so much...I may never go back to a traditional tree again.  Or maybe I will have to have two trees next year.   

It is filled with starfish, seashells, red coral, apples, jingle bells and other beautiful ornaments.  I think this tree reminds me of a really large, beautifully wrapped Christmas present.  You'll notice the tree is not decorated on the bottom third...and has nothing around it other than a burlap tree skirt.  That's because I have some very curious cats who have lived under the tree since I put it up last week. I decided to not tempt them by decorating it at the bottom where they could do some major destruction.   

Hope you had a wonderful weekend...and while I'm a little late to the party, I'm linking up to:

Thrifty Decor Chick's A Christmas Tree Party
My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday
Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Nite Special
The House in the Roses Show off your Cottage Monday
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

An amazing Blue Whelk....

Hello Everyone from beautiful Sea Island, GA.  Today was a great day....and I just had to share this treasure I found.  Most of you know how much I love all kinds of shells....especially the old, weathered shells that no one else wants.  I see perfection in the imperfections.  I often wonder how many thousands of miles and years these old shells have traveled through the ocean.
  
And today - I found one of the most beautiful shells that I've ever collected....right here on the beach at The Cloister.  

I was walking along the shoreline and spied it just lying all dried up on the beach...and I just had to have it.  The colors are amazing....and it truly is a treasure.  

Have you ever found a blue seashell before?

This is a first for me. 

I just love this little beauty.  

Incredible Inspiration for your summer coastal decor....

I first gazed upon this amazing coastal summer mantle from Finding Home about a month ago.  It literally took my breath away.  That's how much I love this creative masterpiece of mantle decor.  As soon as I discovered it, I've been trying to figure out how to duplicate this look in my house...even though I don't have a fireplace and therefore, much of a mantle.  

I still haven't figured out how to re-create this look...but have continuously re-visited this post - just for inspiration.  It really makes me so happy to study the closeup details....the mason jars, the branch and bottle, the starfish and urchins...I could go on and on.  

I was so inspired that I asked Laura, the author of Finding Home and the person behind this magnificent mantle if I could share it on my blog.  So onto the photographs....  

I hope you've been as inspired as I am.  Please go over 

and visit Finding Home to learn more 

about this amazing piece. 

Have a great week!

A Treasured Whelk....

I'm so excited that I arrived home today to a package that I've really been looking forward to receiving.   Last week, I saw an amazingly pretty whelk shell from Beautiful Details  that was featured on Completely Coastal's  weekly Coastal Mix - Summer Decorations and Inspirations...and just knew I had to have it in my house.

I'm a huge fan of Carol's amazing coastal inspired vintage bottles...and so I knew that I would love this special whelk. And I do.  Here it is in its new home....what a perfect match.  

So what do you think?  Isn't this a pretty special little seashell?

Linking up to:

My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
At The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

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!  

Random touches of coastal inspiration....

Thought I'd share with you some random photos of several of my favorite coastal touches around my home.  Hope this inspires you to add a little bit of the ocean into your home....

That's my cat Nancy in her "glamour girl shot" from her photo shoot.
She is sitting on one of my living rooms chairs.
I call her Gisele because she is like a feline supermodel.  She loves the camera.

 

 

Have a coastal cool kind of day!


Linking up with Cindy for Show & Tell Friday 
.....at My Romantic Home.

And The Charm of Home's Home Sweet Home