Bring The Scent Of The Shore Into Your Home With Ocean Scented Candles

What are the most important things when it comes to your own personal space at home? Certainly having peace and quiet, and having your own time to Zen out and relax and stretch, not a care in the world. And what is one of the most beautiful things to think about when you're relaxing? A calm blue ocean and a setting sun and the cool ocean breeze, maybe?

New coastal scented candles seem to be just the perfect way to bring that calmness to your senses. To be able to so easily close your eyes in the bathtub and imagine the waves lapping lightly around you, as you smell the ocean smells this candle creates. Or to snuggle up on a chair with a book, and imagine that you're in a hammock on some sandy shore, and feel that amazing relaxing feeling.

Multiple studies have shown that our most powerful sense is our sense of smell. That a single small smell can transport us to any memory, or any little beautiful event that we've had in our lives. And what better way to take advantage of that than ocean candles?

In the blink of an eye, be brought back to cool nights with your friends on a warm beach, the fire going. In one whiff, be brought back to walking hand in hand maybe, with the person you love, down a windswept shoreline, leaving two pairs of footprints trailing way back in the sand behind you. You can take all that with you. All the smells of the ocean.

To see more ocean and tropical scented candles, visit www.oceanstyles.com.

Surfboard Furniture... The "Wave" of the Future?

There are many ways to express yourself in home decor today, many television shows offering tips and tricks, many experts now that make a living off of it. But surfboard furniture? It may sound a bit offbeat but yes, utilizing surfboards as everything from coffee tables to shelves to benches to display artifacts goes back a long way, particularly as a means of identifying oneself with the California lifestyle on the west coast.

Using an old surfboard of your own, or having a decorative one that has been emblazoned with all kinds of personal insignias and images and characters are just a few of the ways people go about this. It's an easy way to show others a piece of yourself, the idea goes. It is also an easy way to get a conversation going about old surf stories or about any of the number of small decals and little personal things the surfboard owner has applied to it.

Now, the next question would be, is this sort of thing confined only to surfers and to people on the west coast? Not at all. Home decor has become such a mixed bag, and all the styles pertaining to it have become so intermingled (Victorian melding with new age, African being combined with cottage, anything and everything), that putting a surfboard anywhere is a fantastic way to impart stylish beach decor in your home. So what else is there to say but..."surf's up!"

Coconut Shrimp

I love me some Coconut Shrimp!

"These crispy shrimp are rolled in a coconut beer batter before frying. For dipping sauce, I use orange marmalade, mustard and horseradish mixed to taste."

 Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup beer
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 24 shrimp
• 3 cups oil for frying 

 Directions

1. In medium bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup flour, beer and baking powder. Place 1/4 cup flour and coconut in two separate bowls.
2. Hold shrimp by tail, and dredge in flour, shaking off excess flour. Dip in egg/beer batter; allow excess to drip off. Roll shrimp in coconut, and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a deep-fryer.
3. Fry shrimp in batches: cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using tongs, remove shrimp to paper towels to drain. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Seashell Shadowboxes Are A Quick And Inexpensive Way To Add A Little Bit Of Beach Life To Your Home.

Nearly everyone has a handful of sea shells collected from a special beach vacation, whether it was last summer or many years ago. Chances are they are in a shoe box full of souvenirs, where they are never seen or appreciated. Why not display them, and relive the experiences and memories of the beach every day?

A shadowbox is the ideal way to do this. With a trip to your local hobby store, you will find an incredible selection of shadowboxes in every possible size, material and finish. Simply choose the one that best suits your own decorating style.

If you are the handy type, you can make your own shadowbox with a minimal amount of time and trouble. A quick search on the internet will provide you will plans for building one.

Now that you have your shadowbox, what do you do now? Experiment with your shells and other beach souvenirs to come up with the most attractive arrangement. Make sure you try a number of layouts to be sure you have something you will be really happy with. Do this before you start gluing, or you may be stuck with something before you have made up your mind.

Once you are sure you’re ready, grab a hot glue gun and fasten everything into place. Give the glue a few minutes to dry, and it’s time to decorate! Select a location where you will see your seashell shadowbox regularly. How about a place near a chair where you can relax with a cold drink, and spend a few minutes daydreaming about the beach?

Visit us at OceanStyles.com for more great beach theme decorating ideas.

Bamboo Furniture - Exotic and Eco-Friendly

When most people think of bamboo furniture, they often think of the inexpensive furniture imported from China that was available in stores many years ago. It often didn’t wear well or fell apart. There’s been a revolution in bamboo furniture in the years since.

There are many beautiful, durable options for bamboo furniture today! For a tropical-inspired living room, consider bamboo. You can infuse your living room with the warm, earthy decor of the islands.


Have you ever thought about a bamboo entertainment center? The wood and construction are more than sturdy enough to support the heaviest models of high definition television. The beautiful wood frames the most modern electronic device with the subtle reminder of the exotic islands halfway in the middle of the ocean.


Want to make a statement with your dining room? You’ll have the most unique conversation piece in the neighborhood when your neighbors sit down to dinner at a bamboo dining room table. There are literally dozens of beautiful finishes to complement any décor. Don’t forget to select bamboo chairs to complete the look.

Bamboo furniture is available in a variety of price ranges. For any budget, there is just the right furniture available for you! If you watch home decorating shows, you know that bamboo is coming back in a big way. What better way to bring tropical decor into your home.

Making a Splash Furnishing a Beach House

The first lesson for furnishing a beach house or coastal home is to take an example from someone who has naturally wavy hair. When that hair gets too close to moisture – rain, humidity, perspiration – it wilts. The same goes for the wrong beach-themed furnishings. Items that look great in the city or country – like white carpeting and fabrics or wood furniture – do not withstand the ocean breezes very well. You don’t want coastal furniture that wilts or curls up at the wrong time.

Many beach houses are furnished with nautical-themed pieces, including antiques. If a piece survived many years on the sea in a boat or was manufactured for sailing, it’s a safe bet it will stay the way you wanted it to look at the beach house.

People also appreciate the irony of a waterbed at coastal properties. Business executives who wouldn’t consider such a “hippie” leftover at their city homes buy mattresses, heaters, pillows, and other accessories to bring the water into the house until they get outside to enjoy the water.

Much of the charm of beach houses has to do with the light that freely enters to assure a spectacular view. Special care needs to be taken when considering colors. All that light will fade bright colors (and artwork), so choose fabrics and even art that can withstand direct sunlight.

Although beach home decorating can cost much more than a comparable house a few miles inland, the furnishings do not have to match that formula. The beach house is for fun and relaxation, and the furnishings should be comfortable, low-maintenance and able to withstand traces or sand or mud that will somehow make their way into the house. Make a big splash with the unexpected in beach furniture and accessories. Put your toe in the avant-garde water.

Transforming Your Bathroom Into A Tropic Getaway!

Many household bathrooms are run of the mill. Typical white floor, white walls, and white sink just drown out all the energy from the room. Ever find yourself tired or unsure how to change the look of your restroom? Why not try a simple coastal theme?

Transforming your bathroom with tropic decor is not only easy but affordable. This process will not only add to the style of your home, but is a fun project to undertake that will certainly impress your guests.

So one might wonder where to even begin? Well, the easiest and most noticeable change to your bathroom is a new paint job. Any color that reminds you of the beach will do. Try anything from light or dark blues, to sand like yellows. Painting or adding trim to the bathroom is also way to make your bathroom “pop.”

Next, buy a new shower curtain with a nice tropic flower print or design on it. Try to choose a subtle but attractive option if available. Chances are you’re old shower curtain isn’t going to do your new design any good, plus it makes your bathroom feel new.

While you’re shopping for a new curtain keep any eye out for any beach theme bathroom accessories or artwork. New tropic themed wallpaper is a great way to top the entire thing off. Furthermore, decorating your bathroom with a fresh new beach decor look is simple and inexpensive. It’s a wonderful theme that makes for a fun home project. Make the change and you’ll be glad you did!