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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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 with 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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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 orsheet 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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
***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!
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.
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
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:
4cupsconfectioner’s sugar
1cupunsalted butterroom temperature
3-4tablespoonsheavy cream
1teaspoonvanilla 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.
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.
It’s no secret that I absolutely love coastal home decor. I’m currently renovating my own kitchen coastal style, so I thought I would share some of my favorite beach house kitchen designs. The beach always gives you the feeling of being calm and relaxed. The tranquil colors of the beach such as the light aqua sky, beautiful sunsets and deep blues of the ocean evoke the feeling of the beach throughout your home. Below are my top 10 favorite beachy kitchen designs, check out the links to their sites for more coastal inspiration.
This post contains affiliate links, see my full disclosure here.
10 Beautiful Beach Inspired Kitchen Ideas
You can never go wrong with a classic white kitchen. I love the clear crystal pendant lights, and touch of green and aqua added to the backsplash that also matches the island chairs.
Image credit: mommythrives.com
2. I love the clean look of this kitchen, the pendant lights and navy striped counter chairs.
Image credit: curatedinterior.com
3. Teal, turquoise and light aqua bring the colors of the ocean into this home creating a light and breezy feel to this kitchen.
Image credit: beachblisslife.com
4. The light beachy sand painted walls, dark navy island, and pendant lights remind you of deep ocean blues.
Image credit: seapoint.com
5. Painted teal cabinets and natural wood uppers give this kitchen a beachy feel, note the rattan pendant lights.
Image credit: decorilla.com
6. I love everything about this deep blue coastal design from Pottery Barn.
Image credit: Pottery Barn via completelycoastal.com
7. Love the crisp white, natural wood and light greenish-gray backsplash in this subtle coastal kitchen design.
Image credit: seabringdesignbuild.com
8. This modern coastal style kitchen features beautiful aqua, crisp white and beachy grey hues.
Image credit: theplumednest.com
9. I love the light and dark blues in this nautical inspired kitchen design.
Image credit:bestonlinecabinets.com
10. Love the look of this coastal chic modern kitchen design featuring white cabinets, black countertops and dark backsplash.
Image credit: Houzz.com
I hope these looks inspired you. You don’t have to live at the beach to bring seaside style into your home. For more coastal decor inspiration see my blog post 25 Beachy Knobs & Pulls On Amazon.
Do you love blueberry scones? You don’t need to run to your grocery store or local bakery to enjoy delicious scones fresh from the oven. These light and fluffy blueberry buttermilk scones are simple to make, and the best part is you don’t need to get out of your pajamas to enjoy them. All you need are a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, and you can enjoy mouthwatering scones in about 30 minutes.
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It’s winter here in New England and one of my favorite things to do is bake! I love to wake up first thing in the morning and turn on the oven to warm up the kitchen, especially on those extra chilly mornings. This weekend I decided to try these delicious blueberry scones. Their wonderful smell fills the air as I wait patiently to take take them out of the oven to enjoy with my morning coffee.
Blueberry Buttermilk Scones
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
5 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons dry buttermilk powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons coarse brown sugar
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, dry buttermilk powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, then add the blueberries.
Whisk together the melted butter, vanilla extract, and 1 cup heavy cream in a small bowl.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Turn the dough out on a floured surface and lightly knead until smooth for about 1 minute.
Divide the dough into two balls. Roll out each ball into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick disks. Brush the tops of the disks with the remaining 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, then sprinkle with the coarse brown sugar.
Cut each disk into six wedges. Transfer to the lined baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 12 to 16 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool, Enjoy!
Attention Chocolate Lovers! Are you looking for Valentine’s Day baking inspiration? Make these easy Sweetheart Valentine’s Day Cup Cakes for your sweetie to show how much you love them! It’s also a fun treat to decorate with the kids. It’s made from a box mix which means you can make so many different variations of this recipe. The frosting is made from and easy two ingredient chocolate ganache recipe.
You can also use any flavored frosting, the cupcakes will still taste decadent and delicious! Also see my latest Valentine’s Day post 10 Delicious Sugar Cookie Decorating Ideas for more inspiration.
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.
Looking for beachy knobs and pulls for your kitchen & bath renovation or furniture upgrade? Look no further, I have created this list of my top favorites that I found on Amazon. I love the look of coastal style, and adding these tiny elements of beachy hardware will elevate your home decor.
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.
I’m currently in the middle of my own kitchen renovation and thanks to the pandemic, I find my local home improvement stores have been low on supplies due to supply chain issues or out of stock. If you plan on renovating, see my blog post The Ultimate Kitchen Renovation Guide.
I decided to turn to Amazon to find most of my home decor supplies because I no longer have to drive and go searching only to find out it’s out of stock. I love Amazon Primebecause you can still get 2-3 day shipping, plus their prices are competitively low compared to the big box stores! Just click on the images below to find the items.
25 Beachy Knobs & Pulls On Amazon
1. Franklin Brass Seaside Cottage Starfish Kitchen Cabinet or Drawer Knobs comes in 2 colors, brushed satin pewter & antique white.
