Happy Halloween from the Coast!

From our beach house to yours- 

Happy Halloween!

Close up version:

Thanks to my good friend Cami Hattrick for the sparkly pumpkin!  Orange seaglass from last year's driftwood arrangement, all shells and driftwood gathered on Northern California beaches, tiny pumpkin from Half Moon Bay.

Mason Jars + Candy Corn = Beach Cottage Candle Centerpieces

Apparently, today is National Candy Corn Day.  I almost missed it! 

According to my friend Janet Rudolph on her blog "Mystery Fanfare",  

"The National Confectioners Association estimates that 20 million pounds (9000 tons) of candy corn are sold annually.  The top branded retailer of candy corn, Brach's sells enough candy corn each year to circle the earth 4.25 times if the kernels were laid end to end."

Yikes!  That's a whole lot of candy corn.  Personally, I haven't eaten a piece of candy corn in over 20 years.   But I did spot this fun idea for a candle centerpiece on Pinterest to celebrate fall at the coast.
  

Pretty darn easy to create something fun for a Halloween Centerpiece! 

Mason Jars, Fall colored candles and candy corns.  For something a little more "beachy" think about mixing it up with vintage aqua jars!

P.S.  Janet's recipe on her blog today looks pretty darn scrumptious!  Candy Corn Truffles

Saturday Beach Zen

Whew!  What a week it has been...

Before I get started on my to-do list for Saturday, I am going to pretend that I am back here on Pescadero Beach enjoying my moment of Zen.

Wanna come?

Pumpkin Martinis

That's right, I said Pumpkin Martinis.

The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay ,  posted this incredible pic of their latest cocktail concoction on Facebook last week, and now I am inspired.  Thinking that I might have to make a run over there this afternoon and try one for myself!  Although, it is bound to be a little stormy today...

Here's one recipe I found for you all to try.  I had no idea that there were so many ways to make a pumpkin drink.

I would love to hear your reviews, if you whip  this concoction up in your martini shaker!

Pumpkin Spice Martini 

Glass: Martini
Method: Build in shaker           

1.5 ounces ABSOLUT Vanilla                  
1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream        
½ ounce Monin Pumpkin Spice        
2 ounces half-and-half
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish

Sounds so yummy!  Will have to give this a whirl when Tom gets home from Washington DC, as I am a bachelor girl this weekend with way too much time on her hands...

Thought that our "pirate" glassware would be such a fun idea for Halloween and Fall parties!

Whiskey Decanter and Double Old Fashioned Glasses

The black-stemmed martini glasses are a new addition!

Stemless wine tumblers are great for deck parties (or if you have spill-prone guests!)

One of my favorite pieces in this whole collection! 

Have a great weekend everyone.  Please feel free to pipe up if you have a favorite pumpkin cocktail recipe that you'd like to share!

12 Inspired Clam Shell Ideas

You might think I am crazy, but I have been collecting "faux" clam shell ideas for months!  I just think that this one piece of coastal home decor is simply an essential for a beach house.  These large clam shells are  really popular items that we sell on our website, so I thought that we would share some of the  decorating inspiration that I've collected from around the web!

Antiqued Silver Clam Shell Set - Caron's Beach House

In the poolhouse... 

from Cote De Texas, a fabulous design blog that you really must see!

At the Glamorous Home of George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth - can you see the large shell in the fireplace?  Don't you just love the violets and blues in this room? So different, but still so coastal.  Elle Decor

Add a little green with succulents; my kind of plants - I might actually be able to keep these alive!

bhg.com

Look at this pretty fall collection for us beach lovers!  Created by Linda at Lime in the Coconut (very very fun blog!)

Fill your clam shell with even more shells, and bits of coral, faux coral if possible,
so perfectly beachy!

From Starfish Cottage

Or fill with vintage sea glass floats..(I might know where you can find some -ask me!)

Can just imagine one of these beautiful clam shells filled with Christmas ornaments and Holiday greenery - will have to try this year and show you all. 

Glam centerpiece to complete a dining room table (Elle Decor)

Or just fill with pretty sand, grab a few pillars and voila' you have an elegant centerpiece!

And then there's always the party idea!

(Elle Decor)

Or maybe the after-party idea? An interesting way to display your favorite wine corks...

Large Faux Clam Shell

Caron's Beach House

See what I mean? Countless ways to use these faux large sea shells to dress up any space in your beach home, not to mention the endless display options to change with the seasons.   Think about mixing and matching:

*Seashells

*Seaglass

*Pillar Candles

*Potpourri

*Seasonal fruit (pumpkins!)

*bring in branches from outdoors

*driftwood

*Sand

*holly

*Christmas Ornaments

Would so love to see your ideas!  Do you have any that you would like to share?  Will be happy to share on our blog for our readers.

A Bit of Autumn on my Beach House Mantel

Well, it's not really my fireplace mantel,  it's my friend Marie of Sally Lee by the Sea's beach house mantel!  I have to admit I am a little bit jealous, as I do not currently have a fireplace mantel to decorate.... 

 Gone are the days where I take down every home accent in my house to replace it with something different for each season and/or holiday.  Most other blog authors may disagree with me on this – sorry to disappoint…

Am I getting lazier in my old age?  Possibly.  Do I just not care anymore? Possibly.  Have I learned that it’s more important to not stress over decorating my house? Yes!

I’d rather spend the glorious Autumn weather that we’ve been having by working in my yard or taking walks on the beach searching for driftwood and shells.  Decorating should be fun, stress-free and not just done to “do it” because every magazine and blog tells you that you should….nope.  Do whatever makes you happy.

How did I decide to decorate my shabby chic mantel? I added my favorite Beach Pumpkin onto my mantel with a few leaves.  A faux gourd was tucked into my “beach basket” (meaning it is filled with odds and ends discovered on various beach walks).  A favorite metal-based hurricane, which was a gift from a dear cousin, is filled with shells.

My Beach Treasure Basket it getting a little full…maybe it’s time for a bigger basket?  I have everything from Eagle feathers to driftwood, shells and a plastic sand shovel in it!

I used some leftover moss, gourds and burlap to throw this together…I’m still working on it (so don’t judge, lol!).

A little bit of Autumn here and there plus my beloved beach home decorating books, nautical chartsand sailboat…works for me!

I just wanted to note about using “faux” pumpkins, leaves, gourds etc.  If you want to use real ones, then please do.  These just work better for me at this point in my life.  I can easily store them, re-use each year and don’t have to worry about breakage.

Don’t forget….do whatever makes YOU happy when it comes to decorating.  I’m just here to share my thoughts with you – never to tell you what to do.

Marie

Lisa Stirrett, Pacific Northwest Artist Extraordinaire!

Last July, when we were on one of our semi-annual journeys to the Northwest, we stumbled into a magical light-filled glass studio in Silverdale, Washington.  Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio was simply an incredible experience!

Lisa's Art is created right in the same space as her showroom!

About Lisa -

"Since 1988, Lisa Stirrett has become accomplished in many mediums.  Her work has evolved and lends itself to beautiful interior and exterior art for personal or commercial use.  Lisa's work can now be viewed at multiple corporate and public venues including the Bremerton Transportation Center and Ferry Terminal, Bremerton Conference Center, Anthony's Restaurants, and has also been featured on the Costco Smoked Salmon box since 1998.

Lisa's work reflects her passion for the unrestrained natural beauty of the sea and her Native American Heritage"

Honestly, I feel very privileged to have met her, and am so glad she allowed me an attempt to show just a tiny glimpse of her work on our blog.

Starfish Birdbath 

Starfish!

Northwest Dungeness Crab and Roosevelt Elk

 Northwest Salmon

 Burnished Steel Dungeness Crab Screen

Jellyfish!

Long Salmon Plate - would be an excellent idea for a party!

Salmon Appetizer Trays (I could not resist!) 

Starfish Appy Plates

Lobster Appy Plate

Starfish Decor

Wall-Mounted Salmon

Sea Turtles, Starfish, Heron, and Sand Dollars (oh and maybe some swimming NW Salmon!)

Crabby Bowl

If you live, or travel anywhere near the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, Lisa's studio is a must stop.  I promise that you will find something that you just have to have!  

What did we bring home?  A beautiful salmon appetizer tray!  Love it.  

At the Studio:

• Custom Art Pieces
• Home Decor
• Landscape Art
• One of a Kind Gifts
• Demos and Classes
• Gift Certificates
• Glass Supplies
• Space for Parties and Events
• Complimentary Coffee Bar

Stop by their website for more details!  Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio

P.S. Wine Glasses are our School of Fish Stemless Tumblers!