Cake Mix Peanut Butter Blossoms

By Kendra

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.

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Peanut Butter Cookies

Blog Good Advice Home Decor Lifestyle

2022 Holiday Gift Guide

By Kendra

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!

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Gift, Holiday, ideas

Blog Home Decor Lifestyle

Simple Coastal Fall Decorating Ideas

By Kendra

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Fall, Home Decor

Lifestyle Recipes Yummy

Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp

By Kendra

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Desserts, Fall, Recipes

Blog Home Decor

Shop Your Favorite Beach Cottage Quotes On Etsy!

By Kendra

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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Art, beach, Prints

Blog Home Decor Lifestyle

Beautiful Beachy Bathroom Decor

By Kendra

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

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Coastal Style, Home Decor

Blog Lifestyle Recipes

Buttery Soft Halloween Sugar Cookies

By Kendra

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Fall, Halloween, Sugar Cookies

Blog Home Decor Lifestyle

Coastal Fall Ideas & Inspiration 2022

By Kendra

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.

Use cream, white, and aqua muted color pumpkins.
Fill spaces with coastal style candles in neutral colors.
Use white, blue or driftwood lanterns filled with pumpkins.
Fill seagrass or woven baskets with cozy blankets and pillows.
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.

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.

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Fall, Home Decor

Blog Good Advice Home Decor Lifestyle

Sherwin Williams Serenely Paint Color

By Kendra

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.

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

Topsail–Kitchen & 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 Room–The 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.

Start by picking your favorite color.
Choose a clean white trim.
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.
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.
Consider your furniture and fixtures.
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,
Test the color during the daylight and compare the difference shades in the evening.

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Coastal Style, Home Improvement

Blog Good Advice Lifestyle Travel

10 Best Beach Bags Summer 2022

By Kendra

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!

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.

Save PDF Print

Posted in: summer, travel

Blog Recipes Yummy

Easy July 4th Flag Cake

By Kendra

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:

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Desserts, Recipes

Blog Good Advice Health Lifestyle

10 Summer Beach Beauty Essentials 2022

By Kendra

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: beach day beauty, summer

Blog Home Decor Lifestyle

15 Coastal Grandmother Style Ideas

By Kendra

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!

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!

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

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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Coastal Style, Home

Blog Lifestyle Recipes

Easy Air Fryer Steak & Potatoes

By Kendra

Save PDF Print

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:

Start with 2-4 clean and dry potatoes russet potatoes.
Rub with olive oil for crispy skin, then sprinkle with sea salt.
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.
Slice in the center, and add seasonings of your choice.

Instructions for Steak:

Remove steaks from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.
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.
Arrange the steaks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook at 400°F for a total time of 15 minutes, flip the steaks once halfway through or about 7 min after.
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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Recipes

Blog Home Decor Lifestyle

Spring Decor Must Haves For Your Coastal Home

By Kendra

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

SANDALS® All-Inclusive Destination Wedding Packages

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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: decor, Home, Spring

Blog Recipes Yummy

The Best Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

By Kendra

Classic Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

***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.***

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

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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Peanut Butter Cookies

Blog Home Decor Lifestyle

11 Beachy Aqua Kitchen Finds From Amazon

By Kendra

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.

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

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Aqua, decor, Home

Blog Recipes Yummy

Hello Bunny Easter Cupcakes

By Kendra

“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!

Save PDF Print

Posted in: Desserts, Easter, Spring

Blog Lifestyle Recipes Yummy

25 Beachy Sugar Cookie Ideas

By Kendra

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!