Products I Love

 

 

Every once in a while I run across a product I like so much that I just have to share.  I found these soaps at Richmond's Bizarre Bazaar and they smell just like the beach!  When I closed my eyes and took a "whiff" I immediately smelled sunscreen, salty air, and warm sand; I could even feel the ocean breeze and hear the call of the gulls. 

Bizarre Bazaar features all kinds of wonderful boutique products, but the soap from Ocean Soaps etc. was my pick of the day (although I have to admit I enjoyed the samples from the Wine Slushy-Maker too).  Ocean Soaps etc. are artisan handcrafted shea butter soaps and lotions.  They feature many scents, but "Beach Bum" was by far my favorite, and apparently many other people felt the same way as they were almost sold out by the end of the day. 

So here's a "Shout-out" to Pat & Bob Younce of Ocean Soaps etc.  - thanks for bringing a little of the beach to Richmond!   They can be accessed at www.oceansoapsetc.com or email: oceansoaps@aol.com.        

Lilly Pulitzer - A Colorful Life

 

Designer Lilly Pulitzer died in Palm Beach, Florida today, Sunday, April 7, 2013.  I was a fan of her bright, colorful prints which incorporated some of my favorite motifs -- flamingos, hibiscus, and palm trees.  A Lilly fabric was sure to mix colors in bold ways that somehow always worked:  Lime green and pink, turquoise and yellow, magentas, purples and blues.  Her products always seemed "happy" to me and brought a smile to my face, whether it was a classic Lilly dress, stationery, or a Tervis Tumbler. 

 

A link to a previous post I did about Lilly can be found here: http://pbmonet.blogspot.com/2012/10/fashion-friday-nothing-says-beach-like.html

 

Good-bye Lilly - thanks for making the world a more colorful place.

 

Coastal Style

Oh, look what came in the email!  (from Pottery Barn)  I'm ready to decorate my beach house!  Oh wait, I don't have a beach house.  Hmmm . . . must be time for another of my fantasy escape posts.  The trouble is, I'm not sure where my beach house should be. . .  The outer banks of North Carolina?  Florida?  Out on the Pacific Rim in northern California?  Perhaps a classic Cape Cod in Hingham, Mass.?   That sounds good - I can just see it now, perched on a rocky New England shore.  Grey shingles, black shutters, a white picket fence, and blue hydrangas tumbling over the garden gate. 

Inside, it will be pure comfort - couches to sink into, soft throws, pillows, down comforters . . .

        Candles and shell accessories . . . . the scent of lemon-verbena . . .

 

 

 

 

I feel like I need to send a big "Thank You" to all the people who read my blog.  I'm often surprised to receive beach-themed gifts at holidays and I've enjoyed the books, candles, bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets I've gotten this past year.  (Yes, Yankee Candle makes a Sun & Sand candle that really does smell like the beach!)

I'm also surprised when someone mentions my blog or has a suggestion for a post.  Sometimes I don't know who's out there reading my reflections, or maybe just enjoying the photography.  (thanks to Pinterest, when I can't use my own pictures.)  Who knew this was a good place to visit for a little break in the middle of a busy workday?   But now I know that there are many of you who like to take little fantasy trips to the coast or remember lazy days by the beach from vacations past. 

One of the suggestions I've gotten for a post is Beach Music.  Wow, what a great topic, but it could cover several posts.  There are so many genres:  some people think Beach Music is Carolina Beach Music, which is an R&B sound from the 50s and 60s.  For those who love to Shag, it's definitely the soundtrack for your vacation.   (and if you don't know what shagging is, well, it's a type of swing dancing popular in Virginia and North & South Carolina.) 

For others, Beach Music means the Beach Boys or Jimmy Buffett and at some point I'll give them each a post, as they've been favorites of mine at various points in my life.

But for many, Reggae is the sound of the islands.   Reggae is easily recognized by its offbeat rhythms.  The accents on the second and fourth beat in each bar, with the drum's emphasis on the third beat creates a unique sense of phrasing.  All I know is that when people hear a reggae song, they almost always start to sway or move their head with the rhythm.  So for now, I'll leave you with sounds of Mr. Bob Marley -- enjoy!  (and I love the animation in this video too!)

More Snow on the East Coast

Just when I thought Spring was close, Mother Nature dumped a big, wet, heavy snow on us!  I just had to share this photo from my Pinterest Board.  Too cute!  (and yes, I'd rather be making a "sandman" instead of a snowman! 

Ready for some sun!

I realize I haven't posted at all in February.  We have had a month of grey, rainy days here on the east coast and I haven't been feeling very "beachy". 

So I'll take a few moments to step back in time to remember the years I lived in Florida and how lovely February was in the southern latitudes.  Spring arrives early in south Florida . . . and seeing all the beautiful red strawberries in the grocery stores reminds me of the fact that they are at their peak in places like Plant City or Homestead.  Most people just think of Homestead as just a "jumping off" point for the Keys, but it's also home to some great little "pick-your-own" berry farms, roadside stands, and all kinds of fresh citrus. 

The hibiscus come into full bloom with a dazzling array of colors as warm breezes start to blow through.  Talk turns to baseball as the teams report to their various spring training cities.  T-shirts and flip-flops are pulled out from the closets in anticipation of warm days on the beach and lazy afternoons at the pool.  I'm ready . . . how about you?  

"Why the Beach Makes Us Happy"

 

Why the Beach Makes Us Happy . . .

If you have a chance to pick up Coastal Living magazine’s February issue, they have an interesting story about “Why the beach makes us happy”.  You may be thinking, “well duh, of course . . . you’re on vacation, you’re off work, you’re with your family, etc.” and all that is true.  But the article also goes into some research about why the beach brings happiness, which is fairly interesting.  For instance, the color blue is shown to produce feelings of security and relaxation.  Research on acoustics finds that humans find most pleasant those sounds that have predictable wave patterns, soft volumes and harmonic frequencies at regular intervals – all characteristics of the ocean’s rhythms.  The article also looks at the importance of tactile senses (sand, salt air) and also the human ability to store memories of happy times, which also brings a sense of satisfaction. 

 It’s pretty fascinating “stuff” from one of my favorite magazines.