Don't Worry...BE HAPPY!

Bet you didn't know that this month is National Admit You're Happy Month! I never knew there was such a thing but I am so glad there is. We spend so much time nit picking the things in our life we should be happy about. I don't like this about my job or the way I look or this that and the other. Well, I'm putting an end to that right now. In honor of Admit You're Happy Month, I'm going to share some of the things that make me happy today. Obvious inclusions are friends and family, but I want to share the little things that make me happy everyday. I challenge you to do the same. Take some time today and make a list of the things that make you happy. Give up the gig that nothing goes right for you and finally accept that you are great and life is good!

 Feel free to share some of the things that make you happy. I'd love to know what they are!

Color Me {Oyster Love}

This past weekend I indulged in a little end of season sale shopping. I picked up some new shorts, work pants, and a really cute dress that got me inspired for today. It's a watercolor print that reminded me of oyster shells. Sounds totally weird, I know, but it's to die for. Living near the coast, oyster are a staple in our house. They are best steamed and served a top a cracker with a bit of melted butter and hot sauce if you ask me. But, not only are they delicious to eat, their shells make for beautiful natural decor. After enjoying your oyster, save the shell, scrub it clean and get creative. Lay them in the center of your table as a runner, write guests names inside and use as place cards, or even turn them into votive candles for a truly coastal gathering.

Have a great Monday!

Real World Soiree {Fourth of July Bash}

We are continuing the holiday week into today with a look back at my Fourth of July bash. This year Rob and I took two days to celebrate with a trip the beach on Wednesday and a crab boil and oyster shuck at the house on Thursday. The way I figured it was if I couldn't be at the coast on the Fourth, I might as well bring some of my favorite things from the coast here. The intent was to do the crab boil outside, grill the oysters and enjoy a pitcher of sangria with friends. However the constant rain we have been receiving for the last week, put a kink in that plan. We moved the party inside but kept the feel the same. Rustic touches, bold blooms and patriotic elements filled the room. We wanted to keep the whole gathering simple, stress free, and big on fun. Even with the rain and cancelled fireworks, it was just that. I can't wait for next year's get together as we may just have to make the crab boil and oyster shuck a tradition!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Party DIY {Beachy Wine Charms}

I have to say, yesterday was one of the best days in a while. Nothing all that exciting happened except I took a much needed day of work and got to lose myself in some of my favorite things. Crafting, cooking, and catching up on some of my favorite blogs filled the day. I've been feeling a lack of inspiration lately because of a busy work schedule, but felt re-inspired after yesterday. One of the day's creations were these summery sea inspired wine charms. They were easy to make and super customizable. I love the idea of creating them as a gift for your favorite friend, tailoring to a specific holiday or using letter charms to monogram for a newlywed (or engaged!) couple.  You can always make them for your everyday too like I did. Here's the how-to...

:: Supplies ::
Bracelet Wire
Wire Cutters
Colored Beads of Choice
Charms

:: Directions ::
1. Using your wire cutters, trim wire into small circles.
2. Bend one end over forming a closed loop. String three beads, a charm, and three more beads via the other side. Bend the other end into a "U".
3. Put around base of wine glass, and put through loop.

Have a great Wednesday!

Color Me {Sea Life}

I've been craving a vacation for a while now, dreaming of going back to the days where summer meant sleeping in, hanging at the beach, and riding bikes. But, the real world ruins those plans after college graduation unfortunately. Early mornings, late nights and weekends have left me exhausted. I find solace though staring at images of everything I imagine summer to be. Shades of bright blue, pictures of pools, cocktails, the sun shining, afternoon thunderstorms, and sea creatures have me imagining I've transported myself back to the days where how defined my tan lines were was the biggest worry. Seeing as how I have yet to win the lottery, reliving those days is far away. Until then, I will continue to stare at these amazing renditions of sea creatures and believe that when I step out my front door I'll be at the beach (my happy place!) with a cocktail in hand. So raise a glass and let's all toast to being on an imaginary vacation this week! Have a great Monday y'all!

Color Me {Aqua & Gray}

Recently, work has been getting increasingly busy. It's a good thing I know but it makes time for relaxing harder. Because of that, I've finding ways to incorporate relaxing elements into my everyday. The major tactic is to make my house resemble the most tranquil place I know...the beach. I'm incorporating coastal elements everywhere but trying to keep the color scheme coordinating throughout. While there are always pops of coral, yellow, navy, and other sunny shades, gray and aqua are the base. To me, the color combo is refreshing and calming. Mix it with the ocean outside my front door and I think I would be in paradise!

What's your favorite relaxing color combo?

Destination Dream {The Bahamas}

In honor of my last day in paradise, I wanted to give you a little glimpse into how amazing it would to host a soiree on one of the many islands of The Bahamas. Imagine sun filled days relaxing with the sand between your toes. Oh, and throwing the biggest party of your life! I'm not quite sure much could be better. Start the celebration with a parade featuring traditional dancers and music. Follow it up with dining beneath the palms and a dancing in the sand. Keep guests cool with custom straw fans made in the islands and cocktails featuring Bahamian flavors. It sure would be the event of a lifetime!

I will see you all back here on Monday! Until then have a great weekend! 

Color Me {Tropical}

Hi sweets! Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend. I am off this week for a much needed vacation in the Bahamas. Feeling inspired today by my tropical destination, I'm lacing this post with the many shades of the Sea of Abaco. From light turquoise to deep blue to clear shades of green, the color combo is one that instantly relaxes me. While I'm exploring the crystal clear waters and relaxing with drink in hand, I've got some great posts lined up for you like 4th of July style pointers from Lauren at La Petite Fashionista and a yummy dish from Jocelyn at Saucy Jocey's Kitchen as well as a few other posts I know you're going to love. 

Hope you all have a fabulous week and I will see you back here in a week!

xoxo

Makin' Waves

Hi sweets! As promised, I'm back today with a fun DIY. It's not exactly event related but it's a great way to escape from the everyday and just be creative for a while. If there are any two things I love more than events, it's making a house a home and the beach. 

On a weekend getaway back home, my Dad, R and I went micro brewery hoping around the Jacksonville Beaches. One of our last stops was this rustic, beachy spot called The Green Room. I feel in love with every bit of decor they had. From the pallet boards lining the wall, to the pour concrete bar top and floor, the wine barrels for cocktail tables, I was smitten the moment we walked through the door. One of the pieces they had hanging on the wall especially caught my eye. This collage of waves painted on pallet boards was so eye catching and one of a kind. What I loved most about it was that you could tell it was handmade and not printed or mass produced. After a bit of begging trying to get the bartender to sell it to me, I finally settled for a picture and knowing that I had an afternoon craft ahead of me. 

So, with some spare pallet boards, a measuring tape and a wood saw in hand, it was time to get to work. After determining my measurements and gathering the rest of my supplies, I was ready to paint. Not usually, the artist, what made this project so great for me, is that imperfection was actually the key. It's what makes it so unique and what makes me so proud to hang it on my wall. Here's the measurements and supply list...

:: Supplies ::

Paint in the colors of your choosing (I choose 3 shades of blue and a yellow)

Variety of brush sizes

Pallet Boards in the following measurements...

       (1) 24" piece

       (3) 18" pieces

       (4) 8" pieces

Create! 

Lusting After {Driftwood}

Hi there! We made it through another week and boy was it a long one for me. It left me dreaming of white sandy beaches and relaxing with refreshing cocktail in hand most days. Longing for the beach made me wish my house was filled with more stray pieces of driftwood that always remind me of lazy summer days. With their rustic, natural feel, driftwood takes me back to place that is so calming and refreshing. It got me thinking, why don't I use it more often? A plank running through the middle of long table adorned with candles and some lose buds would be perfect for an intimate dinner party or wedding. On of my favorite uses is to paint it in bright colors with sayings and pictures to use as a sign. In fact, in the small town of Hope Town in the Bahamas, all the street signs are made of old driftwood pieces. It's absolutely charming! But the uses for driftwood aren't just limited to fabulous soirees, it's a perfect home and store accent as well adding the perfect natural element to make guests and customers alike feel relaxed and comfortable. 

I hope you get a chance to "drift" away this weekend and enjoy! xoxo

Take a Seat

Hi there! Happy Tuesday! Fresh off my trip to the beach last week, I'm still dreaming of the sand between my toes and all things tropical. With summer quickly approaching, it's the perfect time to start talking about (and planning) beach side weddings. As always, every aspect of your big day should fit the theme. In this case, beachy details for a sand filled soiree.

An aspect of beach weddings every always seems to forget is the sea glass. After spending years being tumbled around by the waves, sea glass is perfectly frosted and gives off some of the most amazing color you've ever seen. While collecting enough sea glass to decorate with can take years, you can skip the decades of collecting and planning by buying a bag already filled to the brim. For these escort cards, I laid the sea glass out on a platter and used it as a support to keep the shells standing. Like the sea glass, you can spend decades trying to find enough perfect shells to use. Hence why I purchased these along with the glass.

Lastly, get some chalkboard cards (I found these at Hobby Lobby) and write the name of each guest and there table number. Slide into the shell, balance on the sea glass and amaze your guests with the one beach detail they didn't expect to see when attending your wedding. However, I do have one suggestion. Make sure your trays are where you want them before setting up the shells. Trying to move the shells on the tray will only make them all fall over. 

Color Me {Tropical}

Happy Monday! Lately there has been a lot of talk about summer going around my house. Sailing trips to tropical locations and lazy days on the water have left me inspired and dreaming of crystal clear turquoise waters and the vibrant hues that surround it. Seeing colorful images of summer days leaves me with an instant sense of relaxation. I'm taken back to when I was younger and used to run around my quaint little beach town in a bathing suit, cover up, sunglasses, and no shoes. Can't wait to get to the beach this summer? Throw a tropical soiree one weekend for you and your friend to relax from the week while imagining you are far away laying by the crystal clear waters of the caribbean. Bright colors, bold patterns, palm frawns, and maybe even a little sand in your back yard. Pull out the lawn chairs, put an umbrella in your drink, and relax! 

Indulge In {Conch Fritters}

Allow me to tell you a little story. This is the story of my obsession with conch. If you've ever been to Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas, then hopefully this will hit home with you too. In Marsh Harbor, right off the main road is a little covered stand.  And behind this stand is a man named George.  George is the nicest man you will ever meet. But what George does for a living is what really makes him cool.  George sells conch. But, not just any conch. It's the best conch you've ever had. Right in front of you, he takes the meat out of the shell, chops the tomato, green pepper, and onion, squeezes a lime, and adds a dash of hot sauce.  And, magically creates the best conch salad you've ever had in your life. It's beyond fantastic!

I mean just look at it, I'm sure your mouth is watering right now! I know mine is!  So, the story continues. After you pass George, if you are to walk a little bit further to the marina, get on a boat, and take that boat over to Hope Town, and right on the harbor you will find a little place called Cap'n Jacks. If you EVER go to Cap'n Jacks, there is one thing you are to do. Order the conch fritters.  They are out of this world. They are probably even better than I'm remembering which must mean that they are really good. For a girl who doesn't really like fried food, I could probably suffice the rest of my life on this fried deliciousness of the Cap'n Jacks conch fritter.

                                

Anyways, I am always on a constant hunt for a conch fritter better than the one at Cap'n Jacks. And while I'm convinced it doesn't exist, this recipe looks pretty good: 

Conch Fritters Recipe - A Caribbean Delicacy
Ingredients: 1 lb conch meat (You might get away with this recipe by using minced clams.) 1/2 lg onion 2 stalks celery 1/2 red pepper 1/2 green pepper Salt to taste 1 egg 1/3 cup self rising cornmeal 1/3 cup flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/4 tsp hot sauce

Cooking Method:

Put conch through food grinder or food processor.  Process with onion, celery, red and green pepper and mix with conch, adding salt and egg.  Mix well.  Mix together cornmeal, flour and baking powder.  Add conch mixture.  Mixture should be thick.  Add buttermilk and hot sauce.  Drop by heaping tablespoon into deep oil until light brown.Drain.  Serve with mayonnaise and lime juice.

You're Invited!

It kinda looks like someone wrote this Save the Date in the sand right? Well here is a little back story that's a little off topic.  My dream has always been to get married on some island. Ironically in the Bahamas. I grew up in a beach town, and it's where I've always been the most comfortable.  For a girl who loves shoes and majored in fashion, when I'm home at the beach, I prefer to wear nothing but a bikini and no shoes.  Anyways, when I was younger, I used to love writing my name in the sand.  So, I'm sure you're wondering how this connects.  Well, since I've dreamed of getting married on some far away island, I've dreamed of having my Save the Dates written in the sand (I told you it would connect back). Which is why I think this Save the Date is so perfect! It's simple, clean, and a little modern. I love it! 

Color Me {Beachy}

Lately I've been dreaming of escaping to a tropical island. More specifically, the Bahamas. I've been going since I was young and it is truly the happiest place on earth (step aside Disney World). Leaving behind the stresses of everyday life and sipping a margarita on the beach is exactly what I could use right about now! With crystal turquoise blue water, sunny skies, and tropical libations, how can you go wrong? But, seeing as there is no tropical vacation in my near future, maybe I'll just transform my house into an island retreat and pour myself a margarita, or maybe even a rumrunner, every day after work! Who wants to join?

*Boat, Seagulls, Beach Party, Couple, Rock