10 Most Beautiful California Beaches

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 Are you planning a vacation to California? If so here are 10 beautiful beaches you must see. California has some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. With over 420 public beaches and 840 miles of scenic coastline, no wonder it’s a top destination for nature lovers. Along the California Coast, you will find the tallest palm trees and Sherbert sunset skies that create the most dreamy ocean views.

 

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

1. Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach is home to McWay Falls located in Big Sur California. McWay Falls pictured below, is an 80-foot waterfall that flows year around. Unfortunately, there is no longer any access to the beach because of dangerous conditions due to trail erosion. You can still see McWay Falls from the west side of California Highway 1.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Art Urbo

 

2. Newport Beach

Newport Beach is a coastal city in Southern California known for its stunning coastline and beautiful sandy beaches.  Located in Orange County, it’s also known for its two piers, Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier. The most popular attractions are Newport Pier, Balboa Fun Zone, and The Ferry to Balboa Islands which takes you to local shops and restaurants.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Trace Rouda

 

3. Glass Beach

Glass Beach in Mendocino County is located in Fort Bragg California. Glass Beach is one of the most unique beaches in California because it was once abundant in layers of colorful sea glass.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Moni Hogue

 

4. Santa Monica

Located just west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica Beach is famous for the Santa Monica State Beach Pier. Santa Monica is known for its soft sandy beaches and has a variety of activities and attractions such as scenic bike trails, hotels, shops, and restaurants.

 

Image Credit: Getty Images-Ziga Plahutar

 

5. Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is located in Orange County and is known as one of Southern California’s premier coastal destinations. Laguna Beach is known for its picturesque beaches, hiking trails and is nestled between seven miles of hidden coves and majestic canyons.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Mauinow1

 

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The California coastline is about 840 miles long and has about 420 public beaches.

10 Most Beautiful California Beaches

6. Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach is a city southeast of Los Angeles known as Surf City. Its famous attractions include the Huntington Beach Pier, International Surf Museum, and Huntington Central Park.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Mdesigner125

 

7. Malibu Coastline

Malibu is located west of Los Angeles known for its celebrity homes, beautiful beaches, and surfing. The Malibu Coastline stretches over 21 miles along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. Some of the most beautiful beaches located in Malibu are Zuma, Matador, Leo Carillo State Beach, and the Malibu Pier.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Rachel Lodin

 

8. Carmel Beach

Carmel Beach located in Monterey County is known for its white sandy beach, cypress trees, and surfing. Known as Carmel By The Sea, it’s rated as one of America’s top iconic beach towns.

Image Credit: Getty Images-William Reagan

 

9. Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is famous for the beautiful Manhattan Beach Pier which stretches 928 feet. The pier is the perfect place to view spectacular colorful sunsets or enjoy drinking your morning coffee while viewing the most gorgeous sunrise.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Cody Spence

 

10. Butterfly Beach

Butterfly Beach is located in Montecito and is a favorite among the Santa Barbara locals. Known for its great views, small calm waves, and nice breezes it’s the perfect place to spend a nice lazy day seaside.

Image Credit: Getty Images-Joseph Tointon

I hope you found this post helpful in planning your trip to California! Be sure to add at least one of these beaches to your bucket list. Thanks for reading!

Visit the blogs shop to see the new Califonia Dreamin Tee Collection!

Also See: I Moved To Los Angeles for tips about moving to California!

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10 Bright & Beachy Coastal Fall Ideas

Welcome Fall! Get inspired with these ten coastal fall-themed decor ideas. If you are searching for the perfect coastal fall decor items, look no further. This season’s fall home decorating trends consist of using earth tones such as honey, natural wood, and woven elements such as soft textured throws and textiles.

Also mixing modern and vintage, and coastal grandmother styles.

 Fall is my favorite time of year! I am completely obsessed with aqua pumpkins! I have chosen items that have beautiful soft aqua and neutral hues that blend perfectly with your coastal-themed home. These fall finds are not only beautiful but affordable.

10 Bright & Beachy Coastal Fall Ideas

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

 

1. Start with this Blue Painted Pumpkin with Starfish & Seashells

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2. Welcome friends and guests with this fall Aqua Pumpkin Wooden Sign

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3. Add Starfish or Seashells to this beautiful Boho Beachy Grass Wreath

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4. Use this Glass Candle Lantern with Rope Handle for your favorite fall candles

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5. Beach Mason Jars are a perfect Coastal Fall Centerpiece

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6. Add your favorite fall decor to this Farmhouse Wooden Tiered Tray in Coastal Aqua

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For More Ideas See: 15 of The Best Coastal Halloween & Fall Decor Ideas Trending on Pinterest

 

7. Add a New Pumpkin Throw Pillow To Your Fall Decor Collection

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8. Add a cozy Coastal Knit Thow Blanket to stay warm on those chilly nights

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9. Enjoy the glow of these cute Nautical Pumpkin Flameless Pillar Candles

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10. These Real Decorative Seashells with Blue & Green Starfish & Aqua & Blue Sea Glass can be added to your existing fall decor & be used all year around.

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I hope you have enjoyed this post! For more fun ideas and inspiration see Simple Coastal Fall Decorating Ideas or Visit my Etsy Shop for fun coastal fall prints!

Happy Fall!!

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15 Coastal Aqua Blue & Green Paint Colors You’ll Love

All About Aqua

Aqua is a serene color reminiscent of the beautiful blue-green waves of the sea. Aqua, Latin for water inspires a feeling of peace, and tranquility, and calms the senses. This breezy color is a great choice for decorating your home because it’s bright and cheery, and brings feelings of happiness and well-being.

Shades of aqua blues and greens are known to have a relaxing effect conjuring up tranquil ocean vibes that make any space feel instantly calm. No wonder this paint color is used in so many coastal-style homes.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

Light and airy blues and greens are natural colors that are easy on the eyes. They remind us of the colors in nature such as sitting and looking up at the trees or looking out over the ocean on a beautiful day. There are many shades of aqua from light to deep that pair well with neutral tones such as whites, creams, greys, wheat, and yellow which make it a great choice for interior design.

15 Coastal Aqua Blue & Green Paint Colors You’ll Love

Aqua Blue

 

 

How To Use Aqua Throughout Your Home

Drawing inspiration from the sand, sea, and sky, coastal paint colors help you bring the serenity of the beach into your home. I have picked fifteen of my favorite timeless aqua blue and green paint colors from Sherwin Williams. It’s my favorite paint because I used it to transform my entire home.

See the Before & After Home Transformation here.

Did you know that choosing the right paint colors for your walls can have a positive effect on your mood and reduce stress and anxiety? Studies have shown that watery blues can slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. Subtle shades of green are soothing and comforting. These shades are mostly used in bathrooms to create a spa-like feel and in bedrooms to create a cozy feeling of zen.

You want to choose interior paint colors that give your home a rich personality. Remember to create a color scheme that matches your home’s furniture. Use these bold, bright blues and soothing green colors to refresh your home.

Aqua Blue/Green

The key to using coastal aqua paint colors is that they should blend seamlessly from the outdoors to the interior. You can use aqua to paint the entire room. kitchen cabinets, or paint a feature wall to add a fresh pop of color to any room in your home. Remember to choose a color based on how the room will be used and the mood you want to establish.

For example, choose dreamy coastal colors for the bedroom to help you sleep and brighter aqua colors for accent walls, smaller rooms, or children’s play spaces. If you are going to use any of these colors to paint the entire room, I recommend using Sherwin Williams Extra White or Highly Reflective white on the ceiling, trim, and molding.

 

Aqua Green

Aqua has always been my favorite color ever since I was a child because it reminds me of the beach. It’s what inspired me to create this blog and it just makes me so happy! I hope you enjoyed this post and these colors do the same for you! For more coastal decor ideas see: How To Decorate With Aqua

Also see: Stylish Coastal Furniture Pieces You Must Own

 

 

 

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Stylish Coastal Furniture Pieces You Must Own

Coastal

Breezy, natural, light-colored furniture inspired by the sea.

Imagine an airy home inspired by the coastal lifestyle. A home filled with natural light, soft tones, and natural elements meant to evoke the breeziness of the beach. We travel to the coastline to relax, take in the breathtaking ocean views, and sink our toes into the warm sand. Even if you don’t live on the coast you may be wondering what are some of the most popular furniture pieces found in most beach homes.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

 

One of the most critical aspects of creating a coastal-style home is selecting the right coastal furniture for the space. In this post, you will find traditional pieces like white slip-covered sofas, rattan bistro chairs, and modern coastal furniture. I have also added stylish accessories and beach decor that basically make it feel like summer all year round inside your house. There is no need to browse furniture stores because these items are all on Amazon.

White Slipcovered & Linen Sofas

People that live along the coast love white slipcovered sofas because they are bright, clean, and give the appearance of a relaxed coastal look. If you have children or animals, don’t worry because the covers are easy to care for.  They can be removed and tossed into the wash and then they are good as new.

  Buy on Amazon                                      Buy on Amazon

A Cozy Plush White Sectional

A plush white sectional is the perfect look for a modern coastal-style living room. It provides spacious seating and high-end details that deliver fashion and function.

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A Colorful Linen Loveseat

Add a fresh pop of color and additional seating to your favorite room with a colorful loveseat in beachy aqua hues.

Buy on Amazon

 

 Rattan Chairs, Seagrass & Linen Chairs

Rattan, seagrass and wicker chairs are timeless coastal pieces that naturally blend in with any furniture. They also work well in any room in the home from the living room to the bedroom.

 

   Buy on Amazon           Buy on Amazon            Buy on Amazon

 

Natural Wicker & Rattan Coffee Tables

Add these versatile pieces to your room to serve as additional storage and add character to the room giving it the perfect coastal vibe.

Buy on Amazon   Buy on Amazon   Buy on Amazon   Buy on Amazon

Modern Side Tables

These tables pair well next to any piece of furniture from slipcovered sofas to modern sectionals or wicker and rattan chairs.

Buy on Amazon          Buy on Amazon          Buy on Amazon

Coastal Lamps With Silver & Aqua Hues

Bring the beach home with these stylish lamps, they pair well with any of the side tables shown and provide timeless coastal elegance.

Buy on Amazon    Buy on Amazon    Buy on Amazon   Buy on Amazon

 

Beautiful Coastal Wall Art

Relaxing seascape prints and ocean wall art create a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere in the home.

Buy on Amazon             Buy on Amazon             Buy on Amazon

 

A Bamboo Wall Mirror

This rattan natural wood finish mirror adds boho-beachy-inspired style to the room and looks great in an entryway or above a console table.

Buy on Amazon

A Large Natural Wood Console Table

A large console table not only provides additional storage but is perfect for displaying your seashell collection, large coral pieces, and nautical decor such as starfish and seahorse statues.

Buy on Amazon

 

Fun Coastal Decor

Use these fun decor pieces such as a seagrass planter, mini succulent plants, and nautical table displays to complete your beach-themed aesthetic.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon

Wicker & Rattan Bistro Chairs

French bistro chairs provide elegant indoor/outdoor seating. They add a fresh look to any space and are a perfect addition to your coastal furniture collection.

 

Buy on Amazon               Buy on Amazon

 

I hope you enjoyed this post! Don’t forget to share, save, or pin it to use for your future room designs! For the best coastal home color scheme, also see: Sherwin Williams Serenely Paint Color

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I Moved To Los Angeles!

I Moved To Southern California!

Hello and welcome back!  I’m so excited to share about my move to Los Angeles! It all happened so fast that I honestly can’t believe that I live here now! It’s been about two months and I’m all settled into my new place. As you know from the last post I sold my dream house, but I kept my plans to move across the country a secret. Only my realtor and my neighbors knew.

The reason is I have always dreamed of moving to the West Coast. This was the biggest and boldest move I have ever made, so I wanted to be sure that I was making the right decision. I didn’t want the opinions of others to affect my decision. I had never been to California, not even for vacation! I know it sounds crazy to up and move to a place you have never been, but I needed to be brave and believe that I could do it.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

The main reason I moved here is the weather. I love it! I was tired of shoveling snow and winter storms altogether. Connecticut (famous for its Nor’easter storms) is beautiful but it’s generally cold and gloomy for most of the year. As a beach lover, the weather situation was no longer working for me. I could only enjoy the beach for about three to four months out of the year.

On many nights while I was snowed in, I watched countless YouTube videos about California and began planning my move. There is a lot of helpful information on there about how to find a place to live, how to choose the best neighborhood, the best beaches, and things to do.

 

My Journey Across The Country

Flying was not an option for me because of my anxiety and the possibility of being stuck in an airport forever. I wanted to go on an adventure and do some soul-searching. I considered driving, but after watching many videos about taking the Amtrak Scenic Trip Cross Country, I booked a ticket! My first train was from New London CT To New York’s Moynihan Train Station.

 

The next train was from New York to Chicago’s Union Station, but the best trip view was the scenic Amtrak Southwest Chief from Chicago to LAX’s Union Station. The sheer size of this train is breathtaking! The entire trip took three days, but I wanted to see the most beautiful parts of the Midwest such as the deserts, canyons, and stunning mountain views that you won’t see on interstate highways.

 

The ride was very peaceful because you could just sit back and take in the views. I was lucky that my train attendant spoiled me the whole time by bringing their amazing lunch and dinner to my room instead of having to go up to the crowded dining car. I really just wanted to enjoy my trip in solitude. Here are some pics that I snapped along the way from my Amtrak Roomette.

 

Finally Arriving In Los Angeles

The minute we arrived and I saw California’s stunning palm trees, I knew I had made the right decision! It was a long journey to make solo, but it was also really fun. I met so many nice people during our station stops along the way!

California Is Still Absolutely Beautiful

Despite the negative media attention, Southern California is absolutely beautiful. There is so much to do here and you will never get bored. There are so many natural sights, beaches, scenic destinations, and weekend getaways that will make you feel like you’re on a permanent vacation. I chose to live in the San Fernando Valley. “The Valley” has great weather and gorgeous mountain views.

Night View Of The Valley

I love waking up here! There are nice cool breezes in the mornings which is great for exercising but by the afternoon it gets pretty hot.

 

I Love The Beaches!

Weekends are for exploring different parts of California and I absolutely love the beaches. I’m slightly obsessed with Santa Monica because it’s the closest to me being only thirty minutes away. The PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) has some of the most stunning coastline views I have ever seen.

Santa Monica

 

8 Things You Should Know Before Moving To California

 

If you have never been to California, here are some things that may surprise you.

  1. The culture is different. People here are very relaxed and laid back. You don’t see many people rushing or walking fast like on the east coast. Most stores and restaurants open up around nine or ten am.
  2. The food is different. California is very strict when it comes to food regulations. Most of the food here is clean and minimally processed, even in fast-food restaurants. Everything even tastes better!
  3. You will naturally lose weight. The first month that I lived here, I magically lost twenty-one pounds. I’m not sure if it was the heat, the change in environment, or the fact that California’s food has fewer chemical additives. I swear I wasn’t dieting at all!
  4. People mostly eat outside. The weather and views are so amazing that you’ll want to eat outside! If it’s too hot there’s also plenty of air conditioning inside. On a chilly night, there are heaters outside to warm you up.
  5. People bring their dogs to restaurants. I was really surprised to find a dog sitting under the table at the restaurant but lots of places here allow this.
  6. The cost of living is high. You can expect to pay around $2000 for a very small but decent one-bedroom apartment. Also, most landlords are really strict and want you to make 3-4 times the rent and have a 700 credit score! Which probably explains why there is a housing problem.
  7. There is a huge homeless crisis. It’s hard to see people living on the streets in any state, but it’s more common here. There are dangerous areas that we are told to avoid by the news media. I rarely see any homeless people in my city, however when I do, I always try to help. This is frowned upon by Californians because of the safety risk, plus many have mental health issues. As someone who has been temporarily homeless before, I can’t just walk by and ignore someone asking for food or help. I always help, keeping my safety in mind. Besides, homelessness can happen to anyone! See: How The Beach Saved My Life
  8. The traffic is insane. I have never seen so many cars and lanes on one highway! It can become very overwhelming and the roads are sometimes confusing. Eventually, you will get used to it but be very careful driving here.

Follow Your Dreams!

If you are thinking of making a life-changing decision or moving to your favorite place, make a plan and do it! Life is too short to have any regrets!

There are so many adventures on my bucket list. I’m so happy that I moved here because I’m having the time of my life seeing, exploring, and discovering new things. My chronic illness has taught me to live a fearless life and try new things.

I know God lead me here because I have a mission to complete. I’m pretty sure that it’s to help the homeless. Even if it’s one person at a time. That’s how we change the world! Visit my shop if would like to help, all proceeds go towards helping those in need.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that I have inspired you to follow your dreams! Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

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I Sold My Dream House

Hello! It’s been a while since I have posted. That’s because I have been swamped. My last post shows the completed renovation of my home, but in May of this year, I sold it!

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

Buying my first home was a dream come true. I always wanted to buy a fixer-upper and turn it into something of my very own.  I bought my home at a low-interest rate in April 2020 just before the pandemic home prices skyrocketed.

See the Before & After Renovation.

The first month I started working on the home immediately doing most of the painting and some demolition myself. Then I hired several contractors and left the hard work to the professionals. It took almost three years to completely transform my house into the dream I always wanted. I remember back then I was sure it would be my forever home.

The pandemic definitely affected my decision to buy and with a low-interest rate you must be wondering ‘Why would I ever sell?” The truth is that houses require lots of time, energy, maintenance, and money. Although money wasn’t an issue, the truth is it’s not easy to live through a renovation. If you are planning on buying a fixer-upper, just know that it takes lots of planning and patience. It’s much easier to dream of renovating a house than to actually live thru the stress, noise, and chaos of contractors.

Everyone has different experiences, and I don’t mean to be negative, my house was one of the best investments I have ever made! But I just want to share the reality of living in a home while renovating. Home improvement projects can be fun, and a little sweat equity goes a long way. There is no greater feeling of pride and achievement than seeing that special DIY project completed with great results! Plus the added value to your home.

The Cost Of Home Maintenance Skyrocketed

Although I had a low mortgage, the costs of maintaining my home skyrocketed due to climate change, frequent snow storms, and landscaping. Owning a home in the woods surrounded by hundreds of trees meant the constant worry of one falling down on your house.

I’m a city girl and although I loved the peace and quiet that comes with living in the woods, the location was just wrong. Many rain and wind storms would cause the trees to fall blocking the main roads and causing power outages for up to eight days. Having no power meant no heat or water, but also no access until the roads are cleared of fallen trees.

I Almost Froze To Death

In December of 2022, we had a deep freeze and the temperature dropped from sixty degrees to negative twenty-five degrees in one day. Dangerously cold weather caused the power to go out for two days. Everything literally froze including my house, car, and trees. My neighbors, whom I miss dearly saved my life.

My neighbors helped me get my car started and I went to check into a hotel. I spent two nights there and was able to return to my home on Christmas Eve when the power was restored. This was not how I planned to spend the holidays! The temperature in my home dropped to thirty-five degrees. I imagined myself in the future as a little old lady being trapped in my home and possibly freezing to death. That was my wake-up call!!

Without my neighbor’s help, I would have frozen to death in my home. I had no idea how to use a generator so I never bought one. (I know that’s not smart) but the truth is that I wasn’t willing to spend thousands of dollars on one either. Lesson Learned! The whole experience caused me to re-evaluate my home and my future. On Christmas morning, I woke up and decided that this would be my last winter in Connecticut and started packing!

Things To Consider Before Buying Your First Home

  • Location-Your home’s location is everything! Do you love the city, beach, desert, or the woods? Is the area prone to floods, frequent storms, or natural disasters? Are there frequent power outages?
  • Size- A bigger home means higher heating and cooling costs. Think about the size of the home you will buy and consider how much living space you will actually need. Will you and your family be comfortable in a larger or smaller home?
  • Money- Always be prepared for emergencies. Keep a huge cash reserve just for those types of expenses. It may prevent you from becoming house poor.
  • Health- If you suffer from any type of health challenges or disability, you may need to hire out for maintenance such as landscaping, housekeeping, and snow shoveling. I have RA, so my disability sometimes prevented me from being able to take care of such simple tasks that could easily be done by a healthy person. But this also makes owning more expensive.
  • Status- Are you a single man or woman, or a couple? I can tell you from experience that it’s much harder to hire contractors as a single woman. I don’t want to deter you, but the reality is that some contractors will think that you don’t know anything because you’re a woman. Those types will often try to overcharge, so be sure to get at least three estimates for your projects. In my experience, I was often asked if my husband was home because they would rather speak to him. (haha) It gets to be annoying pretty fast!
  • Resale- Should you decide that you may have chosen the wrong house, are you able to sell it in a year? If this is the case try to improve the home as much as possible and then sell it and make a profit!

See: 9 Reasons to Consider Selling Your Home

In March of 2023, I put the house on the market, and within three days I had twelve offers. I was stunned and very emotional. I thought that I had more time or that it would sell by the end of summer. Before I know it I was packing my Pod Rental and preparing to close.

I have no regrets, I absolutely loved my house and am proud of the hard work that went into it. I know that I was meant to transform that house, but not meant to stay forever. It was my starter home and In just three years I doubled the value after completing the renovation.

I’m very grateful for the experience of home ownership. Will I buy another home? Yes! This time I will put more time and thought into the next house and it will be in the right location. Somewhere warm and sunny. It will also be low maintenance and move-in ready.

Housing Needs May Change Over Time

As you age, your lifestyle and housing needs may change. I realized that I was only using three rooms in the home and that I didn’t need that much space. At times I felt as if the house owned me with all of the care that was required. Sure I could have invested in a generator, but that’s just one more thing I would need to maintain.

I also thought about my future and how I wanted to retire, and that’s when I realized I wanted my freedom.  The first night I moved out I was nervous and wondered if I had made the right decision. That night I checked into a hotel and got the best sleep ever! When I woke up the next morning I felt as if a heavy weight was lifted.

Do I miss my house? Absolutely! But I’m ready for the next big exciting chapter because I moved to California!

 

Helpful Tips To Consider When Selling Your Home

  1. Plan Ahead.
  2. Hire a trusted realtor.
  3. Make sure the market and timing are right.
  4. Prepare your home and start packing.
  5. Prepare for the home inspection by making necessary improvements beforehand.
  6. Set a realistic price.
  7. Consider the closing costs and taxes.

See: 21 Essential Things To Do Before Selling Your Home

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post and that you found something helpful. In my next post, I will share with you my experience of moving across the county three thousand miles away! I wish you the best!

 

 

 

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Before & After Home Renovation

Welcome to The Aqua Cottage where we dream in colors borrowed from the sea!

Purchasing My First Fixer Upper

I purchased my first home in April 2020, a 1947 ranch that needed a huge renovation. I always knew I wanted a fixer-upper. After years of dreaming and watching my favorite HGTV home improvement shows, I was ready for the challenge. Fixer-uppers are not for everyone, but I loved the idea that I could transform my ugly house into something that I would love and be proud of. Keep in mind this was a three-year renovation project, so there will be lots of pictures.

As a single woman who battles chronic illness daily, (Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis) I am used to facing life’s challenges. My realtor showed me several move-in ready homes, but when I chose this one my realtor was shocked. I believe she was afraid, in fact, my neighbors admitted that they were also afraid for me! (HaHa)

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

The Beach Inspires Me

I absolutely love coastal colors and anything that reminds me of the beach! It is my happy place and my favorite color is Aqua. Aqua is Latin for water, which reminds me of the water in the Caribbean sea. The color Aqua soothes your soul and creates an instant sense of home and belonging, so I knew I wanted to use several shades of Aqua throughout my home.

The biggest challenge of them all was staying on budget. I’m a dreamer who constantly compared myself to the gorgeous home renovations that you see on Instagram. I also wanted to prove that with the right paint colors, a little DIY, and a budget you can achieve creating the home of your dreams.

The Best Paint

I always recommend Sherwin Williams paint because My home has some older plaster walls and new drywall. Their paint and primer smooth the walls and hide tiny imperfections making the walls look cohesive so that you can’t see the difference between the two. It is a little more expensive, but totally worth it when you see the transformation of your walls, plus you won’t have to paint for another fifteen-twenty years.

Here Are The Colors I Chose For My Home

My Before & After Realistic Home Renovation With Photos

My First Project

The first thing I replaced was the front entry door. It was the original door from 1947 and had lead paint, so it absolutely had to be removed. Once the new door was installed I painted it in Sherwin Williams Festoon Aqua. See the full door renovation post here: New Front Door Makeover

The Kitchen

The kitchen is the first room you see when you walk through the front door, so I knew it had to be filled with bright & welcoming colors.

 

The hideous pink and brown colors made the kitchen feel dark, dirty, and cramped. As you can see in the before photos there was mold, so all of the walls and cabinets were ripped out down to the studs to create a fresh clean canvas. Then new mold-resistant drywall was installed along with new plumbing to prevent any leaks.

The ceiling fan was also too large and heavy for the beam to support it and it wobbled.  I replaced it with a compact white ceiling fan.

The upper kitchen cabinets are Pottery Barn beadboard cottage-style cabinets and the lower cabinets are from Home Depot. There were no upper white kitchen cabinets in stock within a one-hundred-mile radius in any home improvement store in my area so I needed to improvise. I also ordered nickel cabinet pulls from Amazon.

 

I purchased all new appliances and only used the refrigerator. The rest of the appliances remained in their boxes for one year because I could not get a decent contractor in my area thanks to the pandemic. I relied on my local Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Amazon for home improvement supplies. There were many shipping delays and many items were completely out of stock for months.

I hired a handyman, contractor, plumber, and electrician to do the scary work.  Then took my time and installed the kitchen cabinets myself to save money. Once the cabinets were in place I had granite countertops installed, and then new flooring. Unfortunately, I did not save those pictures.

The kitchen is painted Sherwin Willams Topsail, and then I built these cute wall shelves to display my favorite aqua coffee mug collection. I purchased the corbels online, then bought the shelves from Home Depot and had them cut to the right size.

My Dream Kitchen Completed

 

Living Room

The living room was dark, painted with a Pepto Bismol Pink color and brown trim. Even the baseboards were painted the same color!

I had lots of fun decorating the living room once painted. I added this decorative wrought iron metal wall plaque above the tv, then hung the lanterns on the side. The white table, lantern wall hooks,  beachy aqua lamp, and wicker storage trunk were all ordered on Amazon.

The first thing I did was prime the walls white and then paint them Sherwin William Watery. Next, I applied paintable Beadboard Wallpaper to the bottom half of the wall. Then I primed and painted the baseboard heaters with Rustoleum Enamel Paint in Gloss White.

The next project was to build the TV mantle. I purchased the same corbels online that I used in the kitchen but bigger. I wanted them to match. I had the shelf cut to 60 inches from wood purchased at Home Depot. Then I painted the shelf white and hung the TV by myself almost dropping it a couple of times!

I had new carpet installed recently in a sandy dark color to match the kitchen floor pattern.

 

My Before & After Realistic Home Renovation

Main Bedroom

The main bedroom almost made me run away from the house when I came to see it with my realtor! (HaHa)

Once the new walls and closet were built it wasn’t so scary, it was just a blank white canvas. I painted the bedroom Sherwin Williams Serenely and added carpet to make it feel warm and cozy. Then I removed the closet doors and added curtains instead for a dreamy feel. Read more on the amazing color here: Sherwin Williams Serenely Paint Color

Completed Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

This was the biggest challenge of them all because it took me more than three months to complete this room. It was lots of work because the baseboard heater was also painted the same purple-ish blue! You can see the full post here: Before & After Guest Bedroom Makeover

 

Bathroom

The bathroom color is painted also painted in Sherwin Williams Topsail same as the kitchen. I removed the hideous brown sink and luckily found the exact same one at Home Depot!

I added a new toilet, and all new plumbing. The old bathroom floors were ripped out and color flooring was added to match the kitchen. I bought this cute Cottage Style Bathroom Cabinet and hung it myself. I hot-glued starfish to the baskets for a beachy look.

I also replaced the original bathroom door with a new one that I hung myself.

Hallway Transformation

My amazing neighbors were also updating their home and gave me their old (real wood) closet doors.  I painted them Sherwin Williams Watery to match the living room and family room custom-painted table. Then added the same carpet from the bedroom to match. I am obsessed with everything matching because I wanted all of the colors in my home to flow well together.

Then I had this amazing Caged Lighting installed to brighten up the space replacing the old-fashioned boob-style lighting.

Family Room

The family room was a huge challenge because it was covered in old 70’s brown paneling. The walls took two days to clean, then I applied the paintable beadboard wallpaper over the panels which instantly brightened the space making it appear larger.

There were so many ideas on what to do with the fireplace and wood stove. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to paint the brick surface white and remove the wood stove, or have built-in shelves attached to the stand-alone Ikea shelves. My wonderful neighbor advised me not to remove it because it was a very valuable part of the home, and the next homeowner may want to use it.

The truth is I was afraid of it and never used it at all!

I took a total of three years to renovate my home and there are many more projects that I would love to complete. Much of my home is DIY from painting to installing the shelves. I left the scary things like plumbing, flooring, and electricity to the hired professionals. My home is also a labor of love because it taught me so much about myself and my capabilities.

I wanted to keep some of the home’s original features and flooring in neutral colors because I wanted to be able to sell it. There are lots of people who don’t like the beach theme, but this post isn’t for them!

I knew in my heart that this wasn’t my forever home, but more of an investment. I totally gave up on the fireplace as you can see! (lol)

Don’t Be Afraid To Make Mistakes

There were many mistakes made along the way as this is my first home. For example, when I first purchased the new front door, I didn’t realize that the old door was two inches shorter despite measuring it several times. The good thing is that I had it installed in the garage and it fit perfectly so I didn’t completely waste the money spent on the door.

The garage only had one dull light fixture so I bought this industrial pendant light to brighten up the space. I added also matching semi-flush pendant lights all throughout the home.

Pin Me!

Ten Home Renovation Tips To Save Money

  • Create a vision board and make a list of items you will need.
  • Create a budget and stick to it. If you come in under budget, apply those finances to the next project.
  • Shop sales and clearance for big purchases.
  • Shop Habitat-Restore for materials if you have one in your area.
  • DIY as many simple projects as you can. There is tons of information on Youtube.
  • Hire experts for plumbing, electrical, and appliance installations.
  • Be smart about hiring help and always get at least three estimates. Also, make sure they are licensed.
  • Reuse some of the material of the home that can be cleaned, painted, and restored.
  • Pay cash when you can.
  • Take your time.

Also see: How To Save On Renovation Costs

 Would I buy another fixer-upper and do it all again? No way! Once is enough and my achy joints probably won’t allow it. (HaHa) I learned lots of information about home ownership and maintenance. My next home will be move-in ready.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Thank you for reading, you can find any of the items mentioned by clicking on the highlighted words & links. Have fun during your home improvement projects and remember that if you make mistakes, everything is fixable!

 

 

 

 

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Introducing The New California Dreamin Tee Collection!

Shop the new collection of Men’s Women’s and Kids California Dreamin Tee Shirts!

Are you planning a beach vacation to California? These tee-shirt designs are inspired by California’s colorful sunsets and picture-perfect palm trees. Whether surfing in Malibu or relaxing on the white sandy beaches, these cool tees are perfect for those who love the beach, sand, and surf!

There are many styles, colors, and sizes available for purchase via the blog Shop on Amazon! Pick any of your favorite cities from Los Angeles to San Francisco!

 

These tees aren’t just for travelers! Take pride in your city or get one as a gift for friends and loved ones! Just click on the Buy on Amazon icon under the images in the Shop. It will take you straight to Amazon where you can choose your Tee style, size, Popsockets, iPhone covers, Raglan Tees, Long-sleeve Tees, Tank Tops, Sweatshirts & Hoodies.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

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25 Beachy Christmas Ornaments

Happy Holidays! Create the most gorgeous coastal Christmas tree ever with this list of 25 Beachy Christmas Ornaments!

Not only are they the cutest, but they also make great gifts! There is something for everyone on this list, from mermaids to seahorses or starfish and sand dollars.

There are actually 26 items on this list! I kept finding so many gorgeous ornaments it was hard to choose, but I hope you love them all! Just click the link or image to find the item on Amazon.

Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament , A Day at The Beach Sea Shell Wreath

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

I just can’t believe how fast the Holidays are approaching. I created this handy list because I’m all about saving time and money by shopping online. Every year, I get new ornaments for my Christmas trees to add to my coastal collection.

You can find the perfect last minute gift for your favorite beach lover that will remind them of their best beach day or summer vacation!

25 Beachy Christmas Ornaments

 

  1. C&F Home Coastal Blue Seahorse

     

2. Have A Very Beachy Christmas Tree Ornament

3. December Diamonds Blue Mermaid Holding a Pearl

4. Old World Christmas Sand Dollar Glass Blown Ornament

5. Beacon Design Coastal Lantern Ornament with Starfish Shell

6. Delton Beach Set of 3 Starfish, Clam Shell, Seahorse Ornaments

7. Old World Christmas House Ornament

8. Kurt Adler Mermaid with Blue Glitter Tail Christmas Ornament

 

9. Santa Sea Life Coastal Tropical Beach Glass Holiday Christmas Ornament

10. Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament 2022 Sunshiny Smiles Beach Vacation Picture Frame

11. Country Marketplaces Starfish On Disc Ornament

25 Beachy Christmas Ornaments

 

12. Midwest Sand Beach Christmas Tree Hanging Resin Christmas Ornament

13. Kurt Adler Starfish Couple Decorative Holiday Christmas Tree Ornament Set

14. Jellyfish Seashell Set of 4 Coastal Ornaments for Christmas Tree

15. Rengöra Blue Sea Turtle, Hand-Painted Ceramic Sea Turtle Christmas Ornament

16. Kurt Adler Set of 2 Blue Starfish and Sand Dollar Shells Christmas Holiday Ornaments

 


17. Kurt Adler Beach Snowman Ornament Pair

18. Old World Christmas Scallop Shell Glass Blown Ornament

19. Old World Christmas Golden Seashell Glass Blown Ornament

20. Midwest Beach Pail with Shells and Shovel Christmas Ornament

21. Cape Shore Tropical Beach Lifeguard Santa Claus Ornament

22. I Love The Beach Sandals Sunglasses Shells Christmas Ornament

23. Mermaid Christmas Ornament, Silver Tone Glitter Holiday Decoration

24. Old World Christmas Beach Bag Glass Blown Ornament

25. Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament 2022, Beach Bliss Adirondack Chair 

These are just some of my favorites but you can see all coastal style ornaments and decorations from Amazon here.

I hope you enjoyed this list! Happy Holidays & Have a very Beachy Christmas!

Also see: The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Beach Lovers

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Cake Mix Peanut Butter Blossoms

Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Everyone loves chocolate and peanut butter together! So here is another deliciously easy cookie recipe using a box of yellow cake mix. The cake mix is used for the cookie dough base, so you don’t have to make them from scratch!

What I love about this recipe is that it’s quick and easy, and there is hardly no measuring which means anyone can make them. Best of all these cookies will be ready to eat in 20 minutes.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

Peanut Butter Blossoms are a holiday cookie staple. I can remember having these along with Sugar Cookies every year at Christmastime. Why not whip up a batch and give them as a gift?

If you prefer to make these from scratch instead you can use this Classic Peanut Butter Cookie recipe instead.

Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/4 cup softened Butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated Sugar
  • 1 cup creamy Peanut butter
  • 1 bag of Hershey kisses

 

Directions:

  • Add 1 box yellow cake mix to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add eggs, peanut butter and the softened butter.
  • Beat the ingredients together until completely mixed.
  • Scoop and shape the cookie dough into 1 inch balls.
  • Roll each dough ball into the granulated sugar.
  • Place the dough balls onto a an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until slightly golden.
  • Remove from the oven and immediately insert Hershey’s Kiss into the center.
  • Let them cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then place on a cooling rack to finish.
  • Enjoy!

 

This recipe yields about 30 cookies. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about one week to remain fresh. You can also freeze cookies for up to 3 months and they will taste delicious once thawed.

I love to play around in the kitchen with boxed cake mix recipes. I’m not a professional baker, but every recipe in this blog is something that I have learned to perfect over the years so they will always taste amazing!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, thanks for stopping by! Peanut butter lovers also see: Classic Peanut Butter Cookies & Peanut Butter Brownies.

 

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2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Image credit: Pottery Barn

 

Season’s Greetings! Are you looking for the perfect gift for beach lovers? Finding the perfect present is never easy no matter who you are shopping for. Year after year, you’re shopping for the same people and it get’s harder but it doesn’t have to be. Use this hand gift guide before you start your holiday shopping.

While making this list, I only chose the best items from Amazon. Everything is either a best seller, a five star item, or some of my personal favorites. There are thoughtful, yet affordable and unique gifts for everyone on this list. Just click on the image to find the item.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Find unique gifts for beach lovers that will impress everyone on your list!

  1. This beautiful handmade sea glass earrings and necklace set is the perfect gift for jewelry lovers! Check out the Sea Stamped Store to see all beach glass designs. You can also create your own gift set.

 

2. These set of 2 stemless wine glasses are hand painted and the perfect unique gift for both wine and mermaid lovers!

 

3. This hand blown glass conch sea shell figurine is the perfect gift for your loved ones that collect seashells.

 

4. Here is a great gift for those that love sea turtles! This cute collectible statue has a beautiful crushed glass mosaic shell.

 

5. This set of 3 nautical aromatherapy candle set is the perfect gift for candle and beach lovers alike. Once the candles are burned, the jars can be re-used and home decor.

 

6. This beautiful mother of pearl photo frame also comes in pink and natural white. Present this gift with your favorite beach photo memories.

 

7. Seahorse candle holders are a great gift for beach lovers! This set o 2 beautiful pillar candle holders also comes in gold.

 

8. Lanterns are the perfect gift for beach lovers! This gorgeous set of 2 silver lantern set can also be filled with candles or seashells for the perfect beachy look!

2022 Holiday Gift Guide

9. Yankee candles are always a great gift idea! Give this Christmas at The Beach scented candle as a reminder of your favorite beach vacation! See all scents from the Yankee Candle Store here.

 

10.  Another great gift idea for mermaid lovers! This warm and cozy mermaids tail crochet blanket comes in 4 colors, perfect for teens!

 

11. Nautical iron anchor candle holders are the perfect rustic decor gift. It comes as a set of 2 for pillar candles.

 

12. Here is another great nautical anchor gift idea. Give this warm cozy beach style throw to anyone who loves a nautical theme!

 

13. These set of 4 coastal mugs are the perfect beachy gift for coffee lovers!

 

14. Here is a gorgeous starfish serving platter for your favorite hostess who enjoys the finer things in life.

 

15. Everyone loves beach Gnomes! These set of 3 cuties are a perfect year around decoration for beach lovers!

 

16. Bella Wind Chimes are the Boho-Beachy gift! They are made of sea glass and come in several colors.

 

17. This beautiful resin starfish bowl comes in 2 beachy blue colors and is the perfect accent piece for any room in the home.

 

18. Remind your favorite beach lover to take a moment and just Breathe with this beautiful framed ocean art print!

 

I hope you found something you love on this list. Why not get a little something for yourself while you’re browsing. You can get any of these items shipped within 2 days if you have a Prime Membership!

Give this membership as a gift or try it free for 30 days, plus you can cancel at anytime. I have been a Prime Member for 3 years and I absolutely love the convenience!

Thank you for stopping by, Happy Holidays! Also see Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

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Simple Coastal Fall Decorating Ideas

 

Happy Fall beach lovers! Keep the relaxed beach feeling all year by incorporating neutral fall colors into your coastal themed home. Beachy colors such as blues, greens, creams and tan are timeless and will never go out of style.

When it comes to fall decorating, it doesn’t have to be all about traditional crimson, yellow, orange and brown. It’s easy to stick to a beachy color scheme by using natural colors such as pastel blues, light aquas, beige, turquoise, sage green and cream. These colors also work beautifully with orange and warm browns.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

I love the beach, but Fall is my favorite time of year, simply because it’s the start of the holiday season. This season, I decided to add keep it simple by adding some new pumpkins to my collection in aqua and white. What’s great about this color scheme, is that it also works for Thanksgiving decor as well. As for Halloween, I just fill the orange pumpkin pictured above with candy.

I also tried to DIY and paint pumpkins and I must admit…(it was a total disaster!) The colors did not match once the paint dried and I ended up with hideous bright teal instead of pale aqua. So naturally I threw them away and headed straight to TjMaxx!

Luckily they had just stocked a fresh collection of beautiful ceramic pumpkins! I grabbed five and happily headed to checkout knowing that my Fall decor would be saved from my DIY disaster.

I have noticed that some stores are not able to keep up with the demand for Fall and Halloween decor. People are starting to decorate earlier or months before the season begins.

I’m including some pics from my home and also some of my favorite DIY ideas from around the web for those who are good at this sort of thing. Then, there is me who is just better at shopping! Haha!

 

Simple Coastal Fall Decorating Ideas

 

Decorate With Beachy Colors

Keep the beach theme by adding Fall neutrals and pastels to your home decor.

 

Style Your Kitchen Island

The island is the center of your kitchen. Make it the focal point of your Fall decor too. Add a colorful table runner and a couple of decorative pumpkins and candleholders to the center of the island to keep if beautiful, yet functional.

 

Create A Cozy Display

Add fall candles, a cozy blanket and some cute pumpkins to you tray table decor.

 

Create A Unique Mantle

Here I added some Eucalyptus Garland that I purchased on Amazon. Then added the aqua and white ceramic pumpkins that I found at TjMaxx.

 

Use What You Have

I keep this display all year around and change out the candles and photo decor with each season.

 

Keep It Simple

 

Create a Festive DIY

I love this gorgeous Mermaid Corn idea From Breezy Designs!

DIY Painted Pumpkins

These chalk painted pumpkins are absolutely beautiful, from ANDERSON+GRANT.

 

I hope you enjoyed these Coastal Fall Ideas! Thanks for stopping by. Also see Coastal Fall Ideas & Inspiration 2022

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Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp

This easy apple crisp or apple crumble recipe (depending on what part of the country you live in) Is perfect for chilly fall mornings! It can be made sweet or tart depending on the type of apples used.

It’s near the end of a long hot summer here in New England, but I am yearning for an early fall. Lately I have been craving one of my favorite fall dishes: Apple Crisp!

I love the beach, but there is nothing like fall in Connecticut! We get the best of both worlds with endless views of beautiful fall foliage along the coastline.

One of my favorite breakfast recipes is apple crisp! The smell of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the morning while I have my morning coffee is heavenly. Fresh sliced apples are topped with a buttery cinnamon oat crumble topping that slightly crisps while baking.

 

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

  • 6 Golden Delicious Apples (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

Topping:

  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 stick salted butter cut in small pieces
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup Bisquick or all purpose baking flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

 *Use any apple variety that you like, just remember to adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness or tart of the apples. I like to use Bisquick because it gives the crumbled topping a richer flavor. You can make many variations by adding your favorite berries, raisins, or chopped nuts into the topping.

Directions:

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  • In a large bowl add apples, then pour lemon juice over and mix
  • Add butter, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, nutmeg and flour, then mix
  • Place sliced apple mixture into a 8×8 inch baking dish and set aside
  • In a smaller bowl add butter, oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking soda and Bisquick or flour
  • Mix together with a fork until all ingredients are combined or appears crumbled
  • Spread topping all over apples
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees

 

*This recipe serves 6 people and takes less than 1 hour to prepare. Apple crisp is best served warm and fresh out of the oven. Top with your favorite vanilla ice-cream for a delicious fall dessert.

For another great fall recipe see: Buttery Soft Halloween Sugar Cookies

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Shop Your Favorite Beach Cottage Quotes On Etsy!

Welcome to The Aqua Cottage where we dream in colors borrowed from the sea! I’m so excited to share my new Etsy Shop! Here you can find your favorite beach cottage quotes and printable wall art in all shades of aqua.

 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

These prints make a great gift for beach lovers. Just click the images or quotes link to find the items on Etsy!

Beach Quotes

For Baby Nursery

My Heart Will Always Be In A Little Cottage By The Sea

Sweet Dreams Little One

Make A Wish Upon A Starfish

My favorite beach quote has always been “My heart will always be in a little cottage by the sea! These cute beach quotes will surely brighten your day and remind you of your dreams of living by the sea.

Thanks for reading, Enjoy!

 

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Beautiful Beachy Bathroom Decor

Soothe your soul and create a spa like atmosphere with these beautiful beachy bathroom decor ideas! Browse these coastal style bathroom ideas.

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

It’s no secret that I love coastal decor. Growing up in New England surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches is probably why. When I started renovating my home, I knew that I wanted coastal themed decor. I want to feel as if I wake up at the beach everyday! The colors of the sky, sea and sand make me so happy.

Adding beach themed or coastal style decor to your home is a wonderful way to express your love for the ocean and nature itself. Bring a little beach into your home with this list of ten of my favorite bathroom decor items from Amazon. These classic styles, colors and natural elements never go out of style.

 10 Beautiful Beachy Bathroom Decor Ideas

  1. Haus and Hues Framed Ocean Wall Art
  2. Safavieh Quatrefoil Ceramic Decorative Garden Stool
  3. Costa Farms Cat Palm 3-Feet Tall, Live Indoor Plant
  4. Sand + Fog California Beach House Scented Candle
  5. Bekmore Large Apothecary Jar with Airtight Lid
  6. Household Essentials Large Wicker Floor Storage Basket
  7. Aqua Bath Towels Set
  8. Avanti Linens Farmhouse Shell Toothbrush Holder 
  9. Bamboo Shower Bath Mat for Spa Relaxation
  10. Premium Bamboo Cotton Bath Towels

Thank you for reading! I hope you are inspired by to create a cozy home you love. Just click on the links above to find the items in the photo. Also see: Coastal Fall Ideas & Inspiration 2022

 

 

 

 

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Buttery Soft Halloween Sugar Cookies

Have a spooky sweet Halloween with these fun and festive sugar cookies! They are my all time favorite holiday recipe for buttery soft and delicious cut out cookies.

I love to bake Sugar Cookies! The possibilities are endless especially for spooky season. These cookies are sure to be a hit at any Halloween party. This recipe yields about 4 dozen cookies.

Halloween Sugar Cookies

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Ingredients:

  • 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup softened butter (not melted)
  • 1 1/2 cups of granulated white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions: 

  • Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. You can find all kinds of cute and funny Halloween cookie cutters here.

Time To Bake!

  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Allow cookies to cool for on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes. Then move from cookie sheets onto wire racks to finish cooling. Once cooled decorate using your favorite royal icing colors and flavors. You can also use buttercream frosting for an fun and easy decorating idea for children.

These cookies will keep their shape nicely and remain soft and chewy long after being cooled. They will be a big hit at parties! They remain fresh for 2-3 weeks if kept in an airtight container.

Bake ahead and store in the freezer. They will remain fresh for 3-6 months as long as they are wrapped tightly in plastic and kept in an airtight container. I honestly don’t know who would wait that long to eat them.  Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy making this recipe, if so share it and also see my classic recipe for Easy Royal Icing!

Also see: 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

 

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Coastal Fall Ideas & Inspiration 2022

Prepare your home for autumn with fall decor from Amazon.

It’s never too early to get ready for fall, and if your are currently experiencing a heat wave you may be looking forward to it. You can start decorating as early as August all the way up until the holiday season. It’s no surprise that retail stores like Target And Walmart already have their fall decor and Halloween candy on display!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Coastal Fall Ideas & Inspiration On Amazon

Fall is all about using natural materials. When decorating for fall in a coastal themed home, the usage of pastel blues, neutral fabrics and light shades of turquoise and teal keep things coastal, while adding a nod to the coming holidays. Muted color pumpkins in cream and aqua blue blend perfectly into the coastal aesthetic.

Click to purchase Blue Pumpkin Fall Table Runner on Amazon

 

Here are five ways to add coastal fall to your home decor.

  1. Use cream, white, and aqua muted color pumpkins.
  2. Fill spaces with coastal style candles in neutral colors.
  3. Use white, blue or driftwood lanterns filled with pumpkins.
  4. Fill seagrass or woven baskets with cozy blankets and pillows.
  5. Decorate with seaglass, starfish, and seashells in glass jars.

Also see: 15 Ways To Display Your Seashell Collection

Below is a list of some of my favorite coastal fall finds from the image above. Click the link to find items on Amazon.

  1. Mason Canning Jars Wood Antique Tray Centerpiece
  2. “Give thanks with a grateful heart” rustic sign
  3. Welcome to Our Home Sign
  4. Mud Pie Halloween Ghost Salt & Pepper Set
  5. Boston International Decorative Glass Pumpkin Figurine
  6. Decorative Coastal Flameless Pillar Candles with Remote
  7. The Lakeside Collection Blue Ceramic Pumpkins
  8. Fall Autumn Thanksgiving Harvest Vintage Table Placemats 
  9. 8 Piece Happy Thanksgiving Yard Signs 
  10. Fall Halloween Thanksgiving Pumpkin Welcome Door Mat
  11. Grateful Pumpkin Floral Aqua Throw Pillow
  12. Thankful Pumpkin Floral Aqua Throw Pillow
  13. Blessed Pumpkin Floral Aqua Throw Pillow
  14. The Lakeside Collection 6-Pc. Thanks Pumpkin Set

Fall decorating does not have to be expensive. To keep costs down, I like to stick to staple pieces that transition from season to season using my same color palette.

Also see my favorite recipe for Buttery Soft Halloween Sugar Cookies

I hope you love this list! Happy Fall!

Click to see the Shop Page to find all throw pillows.

 

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Sherwin Williams Serenely Paint Color

Want to know how to choose the best paint colors for your home? Start with the colors you love, and then create a whole house color scheme that matches your furniture and makes your happy!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Sherwin Williams Serenely

I recently discovered the most beautiful beachy blue paint color! It is a perfect coastal blue-gray with a hint of green. It’s a calming paint color you will want to use in a bedroom to create a tranquil atmosphere, or use it in a bathroom for a soothing spa effect.

Image Credit: Sherwin Williams

 

I have always been obsessed with Sherwin Williams paint colors! My most favorite place in the world is the beach. It just naturally makes me happy, so I knew when I bought my home I wanted to surround myself with my favorite beachy colors. I wanted to keep that serene, calm coastal atmosphere and also make my home feel warm and inviting. I’m still renovating my home, so I will add more before and after pics later.

Aqua is my all-time favorite color, so I chose a breezy relaxing color scheme in several shades of Aqua that remind me of my favorite beaches. It’s really that simple. Below is The Aqua Cottage’s whole house color scheme. As you can see these colors work well together because they are different shades of aqua blues with green and gray undertones. I always recommend using a crisp clean white for the ceilings and trim. These colors also work well together in Coastal Farmhouse and Lake House interiors.

My Coastal Paint Color Palette

  • TopsailKitchen & Bathrooms- A pretty beachy light blue-green that has slight gray undertones.
  • Sea Salt-Guest Bedroom/Laundry Room- A cool green color with gray undertones that will brighten with daylight then appear soft and muted during the evening.
  • Greek Villa– Hallways- This warm white has deep beige undertones that remind you of a sandy beach.
  • Watery -Living RoomThe most beautiful, almost tropical cool watery aqua blue with green undertones.
  • Serenely-Main Bedroom- The perfect neutral blue gray that reminds you of a cloudy day at the beach.
  • Extra-White-Family Room- A bright, breezy cool coastal white perfect for painting beadboard or shiplap.
  • Pure White- Ceilings/Trim A warm white that ties all of the colors together, perfect for doors and trim.

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt Guest Bedroom

See this rooms transformation here: Before & After Guest Bedroom Makeover

How To Create A Coastal Whole House Paint Color Palette

These are the guides I use to create a matching color scheme. One of the best compliments I receive is how well the different colors flow and transition throughout the rooms into each other.

  1. Start by picking your favorite color.
  2. Choose a clean white trim.
  3. Pick 3 more colors in your favorite color family to create a cohesive look. Repeat these colors throughout your home to avoid getting overwhelmed with color.
  4. When picking several different colors the center of your home for example, the hallways should be neutral as I illustrated with SW Greek Villa in the center of the picture.
  5. Consider your furniture and fixtures.
  6. Get at least 2-3 paint chips in your favorite colors so you can play with the colors against your main color and the white trim color. That way you understand color theory and see how well the colors work together,
  7. Test the color during the daylight and compare the difference shades in the evening.
Image Credit: Sherwin Williams

 

Most important, remember to have fun! You can always use Pinterest, store paint guides, and the color wheel to find inspiration! There are tons of color palettes available to help you choose the best colors for your home! I want you to know I am not a Sherwin Williams affiliate, I have just been a huge fan of their paint for years!

Also I don’t recommend getting color mixes and taking them to get a cheaper product elsewhere. It’s not the same. Your home is your biggest investment. You want to choose a quality paint that will transform your home and last for years to come. See my blog post Before & After Guest Bedroom Makeover  to see what cheap paint does to your walls. You can also sign up for an account to get paint coupons and discounts at the sherwin-williams.com I just got an awesome $20 coupon in my email!

I hope you found this post helpful, thanks for reading!

Are you ready to paint? See Everything You Need To Know About Paint

 

 

 

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10 Best Beach Bags Summer 2022

10 Best Beach Bags Summer 2022

Who’s ready for the beach? I know I am! With the temperatures rising thoughts of beach getaways fill my mind. If you are heading to the beach this year, be sure you have all of the beach essentials for a fantastic trip! I can’t tell you how many beach tote’s I have collected over the years! I just love them!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Check out this list of cute and trendy beach bags and totes to help you get ready for vacation and stay organized at the beach or pool. Here you will find some of the best summer bags from Amazon rounded up for you!

  1. Marc Jacobs Women’s The Large Tote Bag– This cute designer tote bag come in 2 neutral colors which makes it perfect for all season use.

 

2. KUAK Extra Large Beach Bag– This waterproof beach tote comes in 6 tropical colors, has a top zipper, waterproof phone case, bottle opener, and key holder.

3. Jessie Women’s Summer Beach Bag– Make a statement with this gorgeous straw tote bag. This versatile bag can be used for the beach, as a travel purse, or evening tote bag.

4. TOP Design Canvas Tote Bag– Love the classy black beach lettering! This affordable canvas tote is perfect for a weekend getaway, short trips, or a day at the beach. 

5. SCOUT Joyride Large Sandproof Beach Bag– This lightweight durable mesh beach tote lets sand escape, and is the perfect go everywhere summer bag. 

 

6. NovForth Beach Bag Extra Large Tote- This fun, festive beach tote comes in 8 bright colors. Also comes in 2 sizes.

7. Ubestpak XXL Beach Tote Bag- This roomy XXL large tote is perfect for mom’s on the go and comes in 4 gorgeous colors!

8. Swig Life Loopi Waterproof Tote Bag– With 16 colors to choose from you can’t go wrong with this waterproof beach utility bag. I love the easy to carry cushioned handles!

9. Columbia Unisex Lightweight Packable Tote– This classic unisex nylon tote from Columbia comes in 5 fun and bright colors, has reflective zipper pulls and a water bottle holder. It also folds into a tiny packable square perfect for travel.

10. CAMTOP Beach Bag Sandproof Canvas Beach Tote- This versatile beach tote is lightweight and durable which is perfect for travel, gym, sport, carry-on, luggage and more. Plus it comes in 10 fun colors!

10 Best Beach Bags Summer 2022

I hope you found this list helpful! if so leave me a comment and let me know what you like! All of these gorgeous bags are available on Amazon. Just click the link or image to find the items. Also don’t forget that Prime Day is July 12th and 13th. If you don’t have a Prime Membership you can sign up here for the 30 day free trial!  Thanks for reading and have a great summer! Also see 10 Summer Beach Beauty Essentials 2022.

 

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Easy July 4th Flag Cake

Make your 4th of July celebration a hit with this easy, beautiful and delicious flag cake! There are 2 different variations, one for strawberry lovers or raspberry lovers. This cakes tastes home made and is best made with fresh ingredients!

What makes this cake easy is that it’s made from a box mix. What makes it taste home made is the altered ingredients. I never use water in any of my box cake recipes because water does not add any flavor. I also like to add butter to the recipe because butter just tastes better.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 boxes Pillsbury Moist Yellow cake mix
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 cup olive oil, canola, or corn oil
  • 2 sticks melted butter
  • 1 pint or 1 cup of fresh blueberries
  • 2 pints or 2 cups of fresh strawberries
  • 2 pints or 2 cups of fresh raspberries
  • 2 packages of cool whip
  • 1 can of whip cream

Directions:

  1. Prepare a large nonstick 13×9 baking dish or sheet pan by lightly coating bottom of pan with butter.
  2. Add  flour to dust the pan then place into the freezer.
  3. In a large bowl add cake mix, eggs, butter, milk, and oil.
  4. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Remove baking dish from freezer, then fill with mix.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 29 to 33 min.
  7. Insert toothpick in the center of the cake to check and see if it comes out clean, your cake is done.
  8. Cool 10-15 minutes before removing cakes from the pan or leave in pan to decorate.
  9. Once cooled, add cool whip topping and decorate with fresh blueberries, strawberries or raspberries in the shape of the American flag.
  10. Pipe cool whip or whip cream in the can on top of blueberries and in between the lines of the strawberries or raspberries.
  11. Keep cake refrigerated until served. Serves 15-20, enjoy!

Invited to a 4th of July barbecue? Bring this delicious home made tasting cake with you! I have been making this cake for years and it’s always a hit! Also see my recipe for Coconut Malibu Rum Cake. Happy Fourth!

 

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10 Summer Beach Beauty Essentials 2022

Smell good all day with this list of beauty must haves! Hello everyone, it’s officially summer 2022 and I have gathered all of my favorite essentials for summer time that I wanted to share with you!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Hitting the beach this summer? These are 10 beach bag beauty essentials you need to smell amazing all day! These products are available for purchase on Amazon, just click the image to shop.

  1. Shield yourself from the sun with this foldable straw sun hat. It comes in 5 gorgeous colors and has excellent UPF 50+ protection.
    Adrinfly Women Foldable Floppy Wide Brim Straw Sun Hat

     

  2. Stay stylish with these Coach Sunglasses, they also come with the case to keep them protected.
    Coach Sunglasses – Caroline / Frame: Silver Lens: Grey Gradient

     

  3. Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub-Moroccan Rose. Use this exfoliating scrub to prep your way to smoother skin before you hit the beach! It has moisturizing shea butter and smells amazing! It also comes in wonderful summer fragrances like Coconut Lime, Tropical Mango, Watermelon, and Island Mist.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub Moroccan Rose

 

4. After your shower, layer on Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Body Gel Cream. This amazing gel formula instantly absorbs into your skin without that greasy lotion feeling, and the smell lasts all day! I am in love with this product!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Body Gel Cream

 

5. Next layer on Native natural deodorant in Sea Salt. What I love about this product is that it goes on easy, it’s cruelty free, and aluminum free. I love the beachy scent, plus it also comes in Ocean, and Coconut Vanilla.

Native Deodorant Natural Deodorant for Women and Men

 

6. Escape to a tropical island while adding another layer of fragrance with Tommy Bahama Set Sail Martinique Body Spray for Women. 

Tommy Bahama Set Sail Martinique Women

 

7. Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer comes in 8 gorgeous shades, smells amazing, and gives a natural sun kissed glow! 

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer

 

8. Keep your lips soft and moisturized with Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm. This lip balm comes in over 6 yummy flavors such as Banana, Coconut, Key Lime, and Mango.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Care with Aloe and Vitamin E

 

9. Your hair will smell amazing with L’ANGE HAIR Sea Salt Spray Texture Hairspray for Bouncy Beachy Waves

L’ANGE HAIR Sea Salt Spray for Hair Salt and Séa Hair Texturizing Spray

 

10. Pack all of your beach essentials in this roomy Beach Please 100% Cotton Canvas Tote Bag! Great for a weekend getaway or day at the beach! 

Santa Barbara Design Studio Beach Please Tote Bag with Leather Handles

 

I hope you found this list helpful, don’t forget to save this list and shop Prime Day July 12-13th! If you don’t have an Amazon Prime Membership sign up for the free 30 day trial here. Have a wonderful Summer 2022!

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15 Coastal Grandmother Style Ideas

Coastal Grandmother Style is making waves everywhere and ironically you don’t need to live near the coast or be a grandmother. This new trend blends blue and white color palettes with linen and cozy cable knits. This decorating style is quite similar to the recent grand-millenial trend that favors florals, chintz and soft pastel palettes. Click on the image below to see this amazing beach house!

Image credit Home Bunch Magazine

 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Think Martha Stewart cozy interiors meets Ina Garten’s stylish Hampton’s beach house. The coastal grandmother  decor style embraces all the little things that make a house feel like home such as cozy throw pillows, oversized slip-covered furniture and lots of natural light. In a nutshell, the coastal grandmother look draws inspiration from the aesthetic seen in Nancy Meyers’ movies—specifically.  Think of the beach house in the movie Something’s Gotta Give which is one of my favorite movies. I loved Diane Keaton’s beach house!

Diane Keaton in Somethings Gotta Give

 

Coastal Grandmother Style is about utilizing what you have available to you in the form of heirlooms and mixing it with classic elements that evoke relaxation and calm. We could all use use a little more peace and calm after the last two years.

Are you wondering how to incorporate the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic into your space?  It’s all about using neutral color palettes, breezy white linen curtains, a mix of antiques and modern pieces,  overstuffed slip-covered sofas and handmade ceramics.

Below are 15 Coastal Grandmother home decor finds, you can click the link or the image to find the items. Click here to see all on Coastal Grandmother finds on Amazon.

15 Coastal Grandmother Finds From Amazon

  1. Hardy Gallery Abstract Beach Canvas Painting Picture 

2. SAFAVIEH Lighting Collection Maxton Set of 2 Table Lamps

3. Sliver Over Spa Blue Candle Holders for Pillar Candles (Set of 3)

4. Safavieh American Homes Collection Samantha Distressed/Cream 2-Drawer Console Table

5. Safavieh Home Antonia Coastal Grey White Wash Rattan Cushion Accent Chair

6. Set of 2 Aqua Square Pillow Covers 

7. Soft Knit Mesh Throw Blanket Teal

8. The Basket Lady Deep Wicker Storage Trunk

 

9. Calla Angel Sage Garden Luxury Pure Cotton Quilt Light Aqua

10. 2 Pack Round Rattan Serving Trays

11. Light Blue and White Flower Chinoiserie Jar

12. Blue Hydrangea Artificial Flowers Heads with Stems

13. Deco 79 18221 Glass Wide Bottle Vase

14. Sunset Trading Ariana Sofa, White

15. Set of 2 Jute Storage Baskets

I hope you enjoyed this post! Many of the items listed above come in several styles and colors so be sure to check them out. Thank you for reading and happy decorating!

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Easy Air Fryer Steak & Potatoes

Have you ever tried cooking steak and potatoes in the air fryer? Air fried steak will be your new favorite way to cook steak! This recipe gives you that crispy crust seared outside and a tender juicy inside, best of all they’re easy to make! Now steak can be the main dish any night of the week. I admit when I first bought my air fryer, it stayed in the box unopened because I was afraid to use it! lol now I’m almost a pro.

This post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

Ingredients:

  • 2 10-oz steaks ribeye, steaks
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Kosher salt
  • 1 Pepper, fresh ground
  • Italian seasoning optional
  • Steak seasoning optional

Air fryer baked potatoes have a crispy skin and fluffy middle.

  • 2-4 Russet potatoes
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp Sea salt, coarse

Instructions for Potatoes:

  1. Start with 2-4 clean and dry potatoes russet potatoes.
  2. Rub with olive oil for crispy skin, then sprinkle with sea salt.
  3. Place in the air fryer and cook the potatoes at 400°F for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for and additional 15 minutes totaling 30 minutes.
  4. Slice in the center, and add seasonings of your choice.

 

Instructions for Steak:

  1. Remove steaks from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.
  2. Pat steaks dry again, rub with a bit of olive oil, then season the steak on both sides with a generous pinch of sea salt and ground black pepper.
  3. Arrange the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  4. Cook at 400°F for a total time of 15 minutes, flip the steaks once halfway through or about 7 min after.
  5. Add a small pat of butter to each steak, then rest 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!

If you don’t have an air fryer or have never used one I recommend buying the Dash Tasty-Crisp Air Fryer below. It’s small, compact and won’t take up too much space on your kitchen counters. Plus it’s great for one or 2 people and comes in several colors!

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe, this will now be your favorite go to meal! enjoy!

 

 

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Spring Decor Must Haves For Your Coastal Home

Spring Decor Must Haves For Your Coastal Home

Are you ready for spring? If you love to decorate for every season, here are some beautiful coastal decor ideas to refresh your home for spring. Home is where the heart is, so if your heart is longing for the beach than is post is for you! Giving your home a spring refresh does not have to be expensive. Add simple touches like a fresh floral centerpiece, seashells and summer lanterns to brighten up your space.

This post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

I’m patiently counting the days until spring. It’s one of my favorite seasons, I live in New England where it seems winter never ends with our endless snow storms and cold grey days. Here comes the sun! The best time to start decorating is about 3-4 weeks before Easter. With the warm weather approaching, you’ll want to start get rid of clutter and start spring cleaning.

Spring Decor Ideas

Decorate With Flowers

Create a beautiful floral arrangement and use it as a centerpiece in your dining room or on your living room coffee table. Flowers add a bright, fresh pop of color to any room. If you don’t want to use fresh flowers try buying and affordable faux floral arrangement and use them in your favorite vase. Add them to a hanging wicker basket or mason jar for a beachy look. Also add floral accents to colorful vases of different sizes and scatter them throughout your home.

Another great idea is to add colorful seashell planters to any space in the home for a coastal feel. You can find this item buy clicking on the link or image below.

Blue Conch Ocean Series Ceramic Base Serial Set

Add A Gallery Wall

Make any room feel larger and brighter with a coastal gallery wall. Arrange your favorite beach vacation pictures or coastal wall art in beautiful neutral frames with a white border. Add fairy lights to display your favorite photos and add visual interest to the room.

Add A Large Piece Of Scenic Artwork

Freshen up your bedroom by adding a large piece of scenic artwork above your your bed or favorite wall. Artwork can bring together the elements of a room by being a focal point, adding color inspiration, and harmony and more. Use coastal scenes of ocean waves in pastel colors to create a peaceful and restful retreat.

Use Natural Elements

Natural elements such as seagrass baskets, coral, and light oak furniture brings the beach indoors creating a calming relaxing environment and a touch of serenity.  Using mirrors on your walls can not only reflect the natural light to create a brighter space, but can also make your space look and feel larger.

Create A Seashell Display

Upgrade the coastal feel by displaying your tiny treasures using large glass jars, baskets and bowls. They are great for all seasons and coordinate beautifully with fresh flowers for spring. The perfect look for a coffee table or side table.

 

Use Decorative Lanterns

Lanterns are great ways to store and display your favorite ocean themed decor. Add sand, seashells and flowers for a fresh look for spring. Fill with colorful starfish and attach a lantern swag to the top of the lantern or add a faux floral wreath to the base.

Decorate Your Porch

Display a seashell wreath, add a bright striped door mat and surround with planters filled with bright matching flowers for a nautical look.

Paint your porch ceiling haint blue and add lots of bright cheery flowers and coastal pillows.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed these spring ideas, all of the beautiful images in this post are credited to Pinterest. Visit the blogs shop or click the image below to see all coastal style throw pillows from my Amazon curated collection below. Have a very happy spring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Best Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Classic Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Warning: You won’t be able to stop eating these classic peanut butter cookies. This is one of my favorite cookie recipes! They are easy to make and only take about 10-12 minutes to bake. This recipe yields about 4 dozen and the prep time is only 15 minutes. You will need to chill the dough for about 1 hour. Total prep time is 1 hour and 25 minutes. The cookies will be soft and chewy once cooled but are most delicious when served warm with a glass of milk. Servings: 24

***This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Please, see my affiliate disclaimer for more details.***

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Cream butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar and white sugar together in a bowl, then beat in eggs.
  • In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt then stir into butter mixture.
  • Place dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.
  • Roll dough into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.
  • Serve while still slightly warm, Enjoy!

Love chocolate and peanut butter? Add another level of flavor by dipping half of this cookie in melted chocolate!

I hope you love this recipe, if you are a peanut butter lover like me, see my recipe for Peanut Butter Brownies! Don’t forget to Pin this recipe!

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11 Beachy Aqua Kitchen Finds From Amazon

11 Beachy Aqua Kitchen Finds From Amazon

Did you know that aqua is latin for water? The name is no coincidence with the color. The color aqua soothes your soul and creates an instant sense of home and belonging, but also has the calming effect of the beach. It’s the perfect greenish blue hue for coastal home decor.

This post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

It’s no secret that I am completely obsessed with the color aqua. Aqua is the color of the ocean. It’s the perfect calming beachy blue that reminds me of all of my favorite beach vacations. It’s also great for coastal kitchen decor. I love to create mood boards in my free time, plus I love Amazon so I am always on the lookout for the latest coastal home decor finds.

You can add subtle touches of aqua to your kitchen collection, or something like a large buffet or furniture piece for a pop of color to brighten up a beachy kitchen.

Click on the links below to find the items on the list.

  1. Aqua Nuance Accent Stem 10 oz Wine Glasses
  2. Watercolor Stripes Kitchen Dish Towels 
  3. Love Mason Jar Sconces Wall Decor
  4. Ceramic Kitchen Utensil Holder
  5. Mariposa Aqua Starfish Dip Dish
  6. Aqua Ruffled Wave Edge Pie Dish
  7. Retro Style Console Table Sideboard Cabinet Buffet Table Aqua
  8. Beachcomber 12 Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set
  9. 18 Ounce Large Coffee Mug 
  10. Renditions Gallery Biscayne Treasure III Nautilus Seashell Painting 
  11. Cosmopolitan Coastal Canvas Framed Wall Art 

I hope you enjoy this post, for more ideas see my blog post How To Decorate With Aqua.

 

 

 

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Hello Bunny Easter Cupcakes

“Hello Bunny” Easter Cupcakes

These delicious homemade vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting are perfect for an Easter celebration. They are best served the same day of baking, but will remain moist for up to 48 hours when covered in a sealed container. This recipe can be made with all-purpose flour instead of cake flour, but the texture will be coarser and cupcakes will be as tender. I highly recommend using cake flour. This recipe yields 15 cupcakes, prep time is 1 hour, and bake time is 18-20 minutes.

This post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

The bunnies are made of marshmallow fondant, but if you don’t want to make homemade fondant you can cheat by using peeps! (I recommend making the fondant a day ahead.) See this handy YouTube video below I found for the easiest fondant recipe.

You Will Need

The highlighted items are linked, you can click on the links to find the items on Amazon to make Marshmallow Fondant for 15 Bunnies

Easy Marshmallow Fondant

 

Homemade Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups cake flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup milk room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cupcake pan with liners, set aside.
  • In a bowl, sift or whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add butter and sugar. Beat until creamed and fluffy.
  • Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until incorporated and smooth.
  • Add half of your dry ingredients to butter mixture. Stir until just combined. Add half of milk, again stirring until just combined. Repeat once more, adding remaining dry ingredients, and remaining milk, stirring until just incorporated.
  • Portion batter between 15 cupcake liners, filling about halfway full.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Remove pan from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring cupcakes to a wire rack to finish cooling
  • Next, prepare the buttercream frosting while cupcakes are cooling.

Easy Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  • In a large bowl, add room temperature butter and beat until creamy, about 1 minute.
  • Add confectioner’s sugar and slowly mix until ingredients are fully combined. Then, whip at high speed for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
  • Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, then whip until fluffy, another 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Separate frosting into several bowls and add food coloring, then add to piping bags.
  • Pipe buttercream frosting with a onto cupcakes, then pipe a small circle of chocolate frosting in the center.
  • Place 3 small jelly beans into chocolate frosting.

Fondant Bunnies:

  • Roll out chilled fondant and cut shapes using mini cookie cutters.
  • Draw faces on and let dry.
  • Shape bunny hands by adding a tiny bit more fondant.
  • Place jellybean into bunnies hands, then place into the center of the frosting.
  • This will hold the bunny and jellybeans into place.
  • Place cupcakes on you favorite platter and surround with plastic Easter eggs or real decorated Easter eggs.
  • Enjoy!

 

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25 Beachy Sugar Cookie Ideas

Ready for summer and missing the beach? Get inspired with these 25 “beachy” sugar cookie ideas! They are perfect for any nautical themed party, kid’s birthday party, pool party, or beach wedding. Sugar cookies are my favorite! What I love is that they are not only delicious, but they can also be cut & decorated into any shape.

This post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.

The secret is to start with a great recipe. See my blog post Buttery Soft Sugar Cookies with Easy Royal Icing to get started! Not a fan of baking but you still love sugar cookies? You can purchase, find baking inspiration, tutorials, and fun creative ideas from these talented cookie bakers by clicking on the links to their sites below!

25 Beachy Sugar Cookie Ideas

Nautical Celebration

1. My first favorite nautical design is from sugardotcookies.com. You can order these custom made sugar cookies right from their website.

2. Love these beautifully decorated nautical cookies with floral accents from cookieconnection.com.

 

3. I Love the aqua colors in these beautiful seaside custom cookies from lesbiscuitsjosie.com.

 

4. These sugar cookies with lobster & anchor designs from getcreativejuice.com are great for a nautical themed birthday or seafood bake party!

 

5 These nautical anchor sugar cookies from angelicamademe.com are almost to pretty to eat.

 

Summer Beach Party

6. Celebrate Fourth of July with these navy starfish & seashell cookies from sunnydaysweets.com.

 

7. Aqua and purple are a great color combination for these starfish & flip flop beach themed cookies from sunnydaysweets.com

 

8. You can find these cute and cool sunglass cookie cutters on Etsy!

 

9. This baking kit perfect for a Teen’s beach themed birthday party from globalbelly.com.

 

10. Who’s ready for a summer party? These awesome cookies can be found on whoosbakery.com.

 

Summer Pool Party

11. Make a splash at your pool party with these amazing cookies from cookieconnection.juliausher.com

 

12. Love the beach balls and flip flops in this cookie batch from cloughd9cookies.com 

 

13. These cookies  are perfect for a surfer themed pool party from giveacrafteracookie.blogspot.com

 

14. Relax poolside with these hurricane glass & flamingo cookie cutters found on Etsy, perfect for a tropical themed pool party!

15. Have the best pool party with the cutest cookie treats from jennycookies.com.