The Search for the Perfect Beach Retreat

Oh I've got decorating and fashion ideas galore for my ocean oasis  The question is, where exactly do I plant my beach umbrella? Will she sell seashells in the Seychelles? Build a boho beach shack in Baja? Go modern and minimalist in Maui?  Where in the world will that perfect beach--and town--emerge from the mist, satisfying all my requirements?

Such as:  charming shops, good restaurants, a dab of art, a dollop of culture, a good library and bookstore, a well-stocked grocery and well-edited wine shop, no chain restaurants or stores, no high rises.  The beach would be clean and bright, the ocean clear and warm.  And the housing would be affordable.

Yeah, that last part is where my practical list of destinations pretty much disappears.  But maybe you know of a place?  If so, please share it with us, in the Comments section.  Looking forward to your suggestions!

Photo courtesy Elle Moss

She Sells Seashells

Photo by Claire Brocato / Images by Claire on Flickr. Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

In a charming cottage by the sea

I'll dine on vintage china 

Sourced from roadside sales,

Mix sunset-hued cocktails

And dive into suitcases of books.

Source: mrsamberapple.tumblr.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

Source: thecityofhope.tumblr.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

Source: bookshelfporn.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

In an antique armoire 

I'll stash filmy sundresses, soft coverups 

And sweetly sexy retro swimsuits, 

Like Marilyn might wear.

Source: loveyourchaos.tumblr.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

On rainy days I'll paint the walls 
In abstract pastels

And arrange pretty vignettes 
Of turquoise and persimmon.

Source: oncewed.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

Source: pinterest.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

And every morning I'll awake to this:

Source: cptnrin.smugmug.com via Style Maniac on Pinterest

This Style Story is part of 
THE SANDCASTLE PROJECT: Dreaming Of Creating An Escape By The Sea
For continuing updates follow She Sells Seashells on my Pinterest. (Need an invite to join Pinterest? Email me.)  For more on what you might read, cook, eat and enjoy in such a coastal cottage join the conversation all week on the Style Maniac Facebook Page and @thestylemaniac on Twitter.

The Sandcastle Project

"Build me a castle,
a magic sandcastle,

in the sand, 
on the shore, 
by the sea."

As a little girl I would often lull myself to sleep by decorating homes in my head.  Now that I own a decorating business, when I'm not plotting work for a client, my own fantasy projects have become much more specific: decorating an escape by the sea.  And thanks to the magic of Blogger and Pinterest, I can now create whole worlds of wonderful destinations in which to live, laugh, learn, listen, read, decorate, dress, eat and entertain--and share them with you. I've got the ideas, plenty of them, ranging from sweet cottages to boho beach shacks, to sleek modern retreats. And I've got a a definite idea of the kind of town I'd like to live in, although I wonder if it actually exists?  Well, perhaps you can help me with that part.  Off we go, ideas and images flying through the salty air, The Sandcastle Project has begun.


Image from an archive copy of Coastal Living Magazine.  As for the quote, I'm honestly not sure if I heard this somewhere, or made it up myself, but it popped into my head one day intact.

THE GIFT I'D GIVE EVERY GRADUATE: How To Steal Like An Artist

This does not exist as a book yet.  But it should.  Even if it's the slimmest, smallest book ever made.  The advice is so spot on, so smart, and presented with such clarity that I'd give it to every graduate that comes my way. Including some in mid-life.  I'd like to steal all the text and images from Austin Kleon's post, but instead I'll send you to his site to read "How to Steal Like An Artist and 9 Other Things Nobody Told Me."  Please come back after you read it and share what advice resonated with you most.

p.s. Here's a real steal: an original work of art by Denise Fike.  The winner of our Sponsor Giveaway,  chooses her own piece from a selection of 10.  Enter by Tuesday 5/24/11.

I LONG FOR SALT AIR IN MY HAIR

Oh yes I do, yes I do.
How 'bout you?

Art & Words by Katie Daisy.  

For more of her charming work visit The Wheatfield on Etsy.

Discovered on Lovely As A Dream

LEAVE YOUR MARK: Introducing The Blogstress Network

Last February something happened that changed my entire online blogging experience:  I met another blogger "in real life."  Turns out Lee Romano Sequeira, author of Madness Mom & Me,  lived just a few blocks away from me but we'd never even passed on the street until that night at a mutual friend's party (city living can be crazy that way).  I told Lee I'd been wanting to start a group for women bloggers, similar to one I'd organized with entrepreneur friends when I started my decorating business.  Lee invited another neighbor, Barbara Hammond of Zero to 60 and Beyond, to join us.  We met for cocktails and instantly "The Blogstresses" formed a friendship and invaluable source of support.  What a relief to talk face to face with someone who understood SEO, subscriptions, stats, the importance of blog comments, the hopes and dreams you have for this medium that allows you, out of thin air, to channel your experiences, creativity and viewpoint.  Plus share a lot of laughter.

Last month, over coffee one cold morning at Barbara's house, we decided to extend that source of support and inspiration to women bloggers everywhere.  And so was born The Blogstress Network.  Through our website, Facebook Page and Twitter we offer a way for women around the world to connect and support each other in our blogging efforts.  And through local Blogstress Coffee & Cocktail meet-ups we turn those online relationships into real life, face-to-face conversation, idea exchange and fun.

I hope you'll join us and "leave your mark on the world."

Find out more at TheBlogstressNetwork.com
 @blogstress on Twitter and  
The Blogstress Network Facebook Page.



Since choosing the Lipstick Mark as our TBN logo, we've seen it pop up everywhere.  Above, Juicy Couture "Sugar Kiss" laptop sleeve.

OH SO PRETTY

Last year I faced winter head on, with a series called Surviving Winter With Style.  This January, though, I'm escaping into the soft and lovely, seduced by dreamy photoscapes and alluring art, smitten by balloons and beaches, seeking cozy spots for brunch and perhaps peeking behind the curtain of the ballet.  And then there's a certain blog birthday at month's end, for which we'll need streamers and sparkly wrap and some presents, of course.  And perhaps along the way a virtual visit to Paris and other magical stops, courtesy the whirling and wonderful blog carousel.  It's going to be oh so pretty.

Feathers & Sequins image discovered on The Paris Apartment.  Adapted by Doreen Creede for this month's masthead.

A GLORIOUS MESS

"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the
mess created in the living room on Christmas day.
Don't clean it up too quickly."
- Andy Rooney 

After all the planning ... buying ... wrapping ... rushing ... it all comes down to spending time with those you love and enjoying every small moment.  I'm off to do just that and I hope you are as well.  First, just want to thank all the bloggers and photographers who have brightened my month--and year--with beautiful inspiration, images and words. And thanks to each of you, dear Style Maniac readers, for visiting, commenting and sharing here.  It's a wonderful gift you give me every day.  

See you just before New Year's Eve.  Merry Christmas.

Quote discovered on Belle Maison. Gold Glitter image by Shandi-Lee via Flickr.

OPERATION BEAUTIFUL

When Domino Magazine unexpectedly closed, Conde Nast mystified design-crazy subscribers even more by fulfilling the remainder of our subscriptions with Glamour magazine. Huh?  Though an avid Glamour reader in my teens and twenties, I've long since passed the point of needing boyfriend advice.  Still, I'll give any magazine a try, and I do find at least a few features a month that make it worth reading.  The best of those finds: Operation Beautiful.  No, not beautiful homes, but beautiful you.

Founded by Caitlin Boyle to end negative self-talk, Operation Beautiful has grown from one "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL" message on a public restroom mirror to a website, book and nationwide movement of utter simplicity: a pen, a post-it and a random act of encouragement.  To find out more visit OperationBeautiful.com  Then, go ahead, tell a stranger she's gorgeous.

Brooke McCallion's New York City message via Glamour Magazine, September 2010

THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT FALL

After a week of soaking rain and gloomy thoughts, I awake to a day that reminds me why I love Fall.  Brilliant sunshine, gleaming sky and air filled with the enticing mix of coolness and promise.  I head out into the city, perusing flea markets and partaking of festivals and think of all there is to come:  jack-o'-lanterns and crackling fires; goblins, ghosts and fashion shows; tailgates and road trips; barn sales and BLT cocktails; paisley wool shawls, suede leopard boots and chocolate leather totes; and perhaps a ramble down a country path, a halo of crimson, gold and orange dancing overhead.


"Autumn Drive" (Tammouth New Hampshire) courtesy AJ Messier

WHO's THE BOSS?

Addison Graves, age 4, is a genius.

Kate Harper Designs Kid Quotes card from Style Maniac's archives.  Discovered at Target.

LOVE. PASSION. WORK. PLAY. LIFE.

When I saw this last month on The Pink and Blue Blog, I actually screeched out loud: "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" Pretty much sums up my philosophy on life.

With thanks to Ms. Pink, original source {updated} Holstee

FOR ALL WHO SERVED

Giving thanks this Memorial Day to my father-in-law, grandfathers, uncles (who thank god all made it home from the wars they fought) and to all the other men and women who served our country so that we can live this American life of backyard barbecues and feisty conversations; girls who run free in short-shorts, hair uncovered; libraries filled with books, that nobody can tell me I cannot read; and a democracy that though complicated and contentious is still the best one there's ever been.

FRENCH KISS

Above, one of the most romantic photographs ever, Robert Doisneau's Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville, Paris. Below, the tale of a very different kiss, written soon after my junior semester abroad in Nice, France

We had been at the nightclub several hours when X. sat down close beside me. Around us violet lights glowed eerily on stuffed white couches, the dance floor swarmed with writhing bodies. Though it was a student soiree, drinks, even Cokes, cost 100 francs—fifteen dollars—so I'd been sipping my one complimentary screwdriver all night. After awhile a slow song hummed and the lights dimmed to a softer blue. X. moved closer and whispered, "You must experience a French kiss."

I laughed and twirled my swizzle stick slowly through my drink. "You know, we have French kisses in America."

"You do?" He looked doubtful.

"Yes. And I have experienced them."

"Ah, but never from a French man."

"So they're different from American French kisses?"

He sneered. "Beh, oui! It comes from a French man."

I laughed again. "Okay, go ahead. Show me what a real French kiss is like." He leaned over and kissed me and it was the worst kiss I'd ever had. It was a long kiss and I started to feel like I was being strangled. By the time he let go of my tongue, my only thought was that I'd rather suck on my swizzle stick all night.

X. felt he'd had an altogether different affect. He leaned back, his dark eyes shining. "So you like, non?"

"Well," I said in all honesty, "it definitely was different."

Still, I let him kiss me again, in Cannes, at the top of a high hill just after we watched the pink and purple sky melt into the inky darkness of the Mediterranean. Earlier he had pulled me barefoot across the wintry beach in front of the Hôtel Carlton, filled my arms with peach roses and fed me tortellini and red wine at a sidewalk café where the waiter winked at us knowingly. ("Ah, there goes X. again," I imagined him thinking as he offered us fresh raspberries and more wine.) As for X. , all he said at the top of the hill was, "T'aime les vues, non?" Yes. Yes, I did love views. I had told him several weeks ago, and this particular view was spectacular, with a string of glowing lights now illuminating the meandering curves of the Côte d'Azur.

The kiss, though, was still bad.

Photo via www.robertdoisneau.com

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT

Sometimes a makeover can be about changing the little things.  That's what I like about Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project.  Unlike the escapist form of self-help literature, Gretchen didn't sell everything and run away for a year.  She found ways to be happy within her existing life.  To do so she read every happiness theory she could get her hands on, from Aristotle to Oprah, and gave an amazing number of theories a workout.  In the end, she found some universal truths (having friends makes you happier), individual revelations (what makes me happy might not be what makes you happy) and debunked some happiness myths.  My favorite: "money doesn't make you happy."  Well it does if it allows you to do things you love (travel) and avoid things you hate (cleaning!).

Gretchen suggests a structured approach to creating your own Happiness Project, but that didn't interest me.  Instead my inspiration came more from a New Year's guest post on her blog suggesting  "only make resolutions that will make you happier"-- because you won't keep any other kind.  My resolutions:  See friends more, build blog readership and reach, find at least one class at the gym  I truly enjoy.  And, like Gretchen, get over my aversion to asking for help (more on that in another post).  Hokey as it may sound, doing those things has made me happier.

READ:  The Happiness Project book and blog.  The book takes a more studied approach, while the blog brims with easy tips and items that just make you ... happy. Like the video below. (If it does not appear click here.)

FRESH

In the mood for something fresh and clean today.  This masterful example of sustainable luxury architecture fit the bill.  Turns out the architect, Rob Mills, and the house both hail from guess where? Yes, apparently my Aussie enthrallment continues.

Image via Brocade Design Etc.

GUEST POST: Valentine Family Dinner by Denise Schwemmer

guest set by kaitlin & kelly | we love ...

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you'll know I'm no fan of prix fixe holiday restaurant meals. My sister feels the same way. Despite having the typical crazy schedule of any modern family, Denise makes family meals a priority and she, her husband Ray, and their two daughters, Kelly & Kaitlin, eat a home-cooked meal together pretty much every night. For holidays and birthdays she adds some easy yet lovely touches to make the evening extra special. Her kids love it.  (They created the image above to illustrate the best things about this sweet family tradition.)

Valentine Family Dinner at Home

We started staying home for special events due to the cost of going out to eat and getting a babysitter. It is now something the whole family looks forward to. I feel it's very important to establish traditions and family bonding time.

First, you have to make sure this is truly a family event and not just Mom in the kitchen doing all the work. Include your children in the menu planning. Encourage the kids to help cook by giving them simple tasks, for example make dessert or peel the potatoes. Dad helps cook, too.

Then create a nice mood before dinner. Put some music on the stereo. Have everyone dress up a bit--no PJ's or sweats. No TV, talking on home phone or cell phone, no texting.

Gather everyone together for appetizers (cut up fruit is a great option). Serve special kid drinks such as sparkling cider or virgin daiquiris. Open presents (nothing too expensive, just some little goodies).

Have the kids help set a nice table in the dining room. Use the good china, silver and crystal. For toddlers have a child-friendly china set and special plastic glass. Use cloth napkins. Light candles and keep music playing.

Do not serve the kids chicken nuggets and French fries; everyone eats the same.

Parents drink a great bottle of wine.

Everyone helps clean up.

Enjoy!
--Denise

MENU

• Mustard Coated Grilled Lamb Chops
• Sautéed Fingerling Potatoes
• Roasted Zucchini

This menu is so easy and my family loves it. The lamb chops have a simple mustard marinade that you can put on right before or hours earlier. For the fingerling potatoes, first microwave them, then sauté in olive oil. Slice the zucchini in rounds, wrap in aluminum foil and cook with the chops. (lamb chop recipe after the jump)

Mustard Coated Grilled Lamb Chops
Serves 4
8 thick loin lamp chops
Marinade (see below)
Coat lamb chops with mustard marinade. Let sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to all day in the fridge.  Grill over medium-high fire (375 degrees) until the internal temperature reaches125 for rare, 130 medium rare (about 15 to 20 minutes).

Mustard Marinade
Whisk together in a small bowl:

2 large cloves of crushed garlic
½ tsp salt
2 TBL Dijon mustard
1 TBL soy sauce
1 tsp dried rosemary
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried oregano
2 TBL fresh squeezed lemon
¼ cup olive oil

From The Way to Cook by Julia Child, page 213. I love this cookbook. Has many color pictures and is easier to follow than Mastering the Art of French Cooking. --Denise

STYLE MANIAC TURNS ONE

One year ago I began Style Maniac as a way to get back to writing, combat the dour economy and finally realize, in online form, the magazine dreams that had been rattling around in my head for so long.  What I never imagined is that it would be so satisfying and oh so much fun.  Or that I would learn so many things about technology ... social media ... using lemon yellow as a neutral.  Most of all--best of all--I had no idea that this blog would strengthen, revive and bring new friendships to my life.

As a writer, you sit alone facing a blank screen, often wondering if you are the only person in the world to have a particular thought.  Through a blog, you discover that an entire community shares not just a thought, but a similar interest and passion in books, movies, music, fashion, humor, decorating, entertaining, living ... with style.  Even more amazing, that community encompasses ages 13 to 76, and includes women around the globe whom you've never met and probably never will. And yet you are all connected through this amazing, crazy medium.

So thanks to each one of you--readers, subscribers, followers, fans, family, friends, contributors, guest posters, photographers, artists, fellow bloggers and, especially, husband--for opening my eyes, brightening my world and letting me share my mania with you.

Photo courtesy Stefan Janeschitz, discovered through the magic of Flickr.  Many thanks to Stefan for the perfect image (a single yellow&white candle--exactly what I wanted!). Check out his photo website,stefan-janeschitz.de.

ALL THINGS BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL

Just a glimpse of these brooch bouquets brightened my dreary January day.  They touch on so many things I love: beauty, originality, my treasured collection of vintage costume jewelry inherited from my grandmothers and great-grandmothers; and wrap it all up in a timeless design filled with history, sentiment and joy.
 
Each piece is one of a kind, created by floral designer (I'd call her an artist) Amanda Heer from jewelry provided by a bride's family.  In addition to brooches, Amanda often includes an antique watch set at the hour of the ceremony.  Though intended as a wedding bouquet, these would be just as amazing as an anniversary gift or an accessory in your home.

Brooch bouquets first discovered on this is glamorous.  Photos courtesy Amanda Heer, Fantasy Floral Designs.  Photo credits:  Alice Hu Photography (top); Hanssie Trainor Photography (middle); and Barnet Photography (bottom).

RED RED WINE

Definitely one of my favorite things ... especially when shared with people I love, gathered 'round a roaring fire, snow falling outside (like tonight!).  Happy New Year.

FAVORITE: Rich, velvety luscious red wines and lots of love