Deal Of The Day - Starfish Trinket Box

Starfish Trinket Box

• Regular Price $17.95
• Today Only $13.95

This small Wooden Starfish Trinket Box measures 4.5"W x 6.5"L x 4.75"H, and its lid is topped with a decorative starfish. The box features a distressed white finish accented by blues and pinks. It would be a nice gift to a seashore-dwelling friend, or a perfect place to store the seashells and beach glass you collect during a beach vacation. Also see our larger, coordinating Seaside Sundries Box.

Tropical Decorating Ideas - Tropical Treats At Home

Tropical Bench w/ Basket Storage

Are you dreaming of piña colada's in the middle of the day? Do you wish you never got back from your totally relaxing tour of the tropics? Here's some great news. You don't have to wait for your next holiday to experience the sunny ambience of South American summers. All you need to do is create a tropical retreat that will make you relive those days in the sand over and over again.

Contrary to what many people believe there is no one single way to execute a tropical theme. So before heading out in the sun for some shopping, figure out if you want a spunky beach shack, a tranquil white beach house escape or the look of a tropical yet polished living space. If the beach house got the most number of votes, then the first big step is to color your walls in ultimate white. The same goes for those wooden floors, so get busy with that brush!

If you feel like leaving the floors alone for a while, then that's absolutely fine. Wooden floors in a warm vibrant brown color provide an interesting contrast against those stark white walls. Tropical chic style demands an array of colors ranging from soothing greens, and pale yellows to rich tans for the walls. If you are looking for a more exciting burst of color, select golden yellows, bright greens and energetic blues! The floor should be done in a neutral shade so it doesn't compete with the walls for attention. If you have a woven rug that fits the room, then this will be an instant problem-solver.

The type of furniture needed in tropical decor is virtually identical in all the three types we've discussed. Instead of small delicate pieces, large and comfortable furnishings are the musts. Rattan is a best-seller in this theme. You can purchase chairs and a chaise lounge in this material and complement them with plus-size pillows for an added comfort. If rattan is a rare find in your home, then you can substitute it with bamboo and wicker pieces. These materials also lend the same tropical air to a room. Another option includes using dark mahogany furnishings such as a mahogany desk or a dresser to add that sense of tropical richness.

As for the accessories, it will depend on the kind of tropical theme you desire. For instance, if you choose to adapt the beach house style then you can place exquisite shells in a large glass bowl or some candles in a setting of white sand. Tiger prints may be too much for this kind of theme, so ditch it altogether. If you want to pursue a tropical chic atmosphere, draw inspiration from jungle scenes and rainforests. How about palm prints on bed covers or window drapes? Add actual plants in the room for a more convincing effect; they're also great for creating a healthy atmosphere in any home. Throw pillows and cushions are also nice to have lying around for a lazy, laidback mood. Do you prefer the colorful beach hut style? Place interesting driftwood sculptures, table ornaments or lamps. Hawaiian-inspired items will also look right at home in your space!

Before you start playing some Bob Marley tunes, you might want to check the condition of your windows first. Tropical retreats often take advantage of the extra sunshine to light up a room. Place sheer light-colored curtains or drapes to give the fantastic illusion of a warm tropical breeze just outside your window. If you want to control the amount of sunlight, you might still have to mount wooden shutters just in case the sun gets too playful.

Now how about another round of piña coladas? A toast to the tropics every day and not just during your holidays.

Article Source: Goarticles.com
Article Author: Jacob Ginsbrook

Deal Of The Day - Bali Beach Pack

Bali Beach Pack

• Regular Price $44.95
• Today Only $34.95

The Bali 4-in-1 Beach Pack has it all! This Big Basket includes a matching Beach Mat, Beach Pillow and a Small Basket. The Big Basket also features an outside zipper pocket for easy access to hotel key card, cell phone, etc.

Deal Of The Day - Colorful Flip Flops Area Rug

Colorful Flip Flops Area Rug

• Regular Price $39.99
• Today Only $29.99

A colorful collage of beach flip flops are lined up in this great accent rug. Use it as an entryway rug, bath mat or great kitchen highlight. Measures 22" x 34" and is made from a blend of polypropylene & acrylic fibers, hand hooked with a twisted loop construction.

Tips On Starting A Lighthouse Collection

Many people have lighthouse collections, some buying a variety of items but others preferring to specialize in a certain type of lighthouse collectible. Lighthouses come in various forms for collectors, one of the most common being a model of a particular one, usually made from wood, glass or ceramic. These are usually the exact reproductions of the original and are highly prized to display. Others simply show a more general type of lighthouse and are inexpensive to purchase, depending on the artist and the quality of the piece.

Another popular area of lighthouse collections is to get photographs of the actual lighthouse on location. These images can show it working at night, with its beam breaking through a stormy sky or show it standing tall behind a bright blue afternoon sky. When framed, these pictures can make a gorgeous addition to any collection and are more valuable if part of a print series signed by the photographer.

Many artists enjoy drawing and painting lighthouses, creating unique works of art that many collectors enjoy adding to their group. Some artists will use pen and ink to do a black-and-white drawing, while others may use watercolor and create a gentle scene that is laid out in a wash of color. When purchasing these pieces, the beginner may want to start out with a print. Depending on the number in the series, these are more in the price range of a beginning collector than the actual original canvas would be. The most expensive part of this lighthouse collectible is the actual framing of the drawing or painting.

A unique aspect of this hobby is to purchase a lighthouse figure that is created out of hand blown glass. These pieces require great skill and control to create and are well worth the investment. The glass may have colored sand added to it in order to give it a unique appearance. They are especially breathtaking when light comes through them.

The best way to store and protect lighthouse collections is by using a wood and glass display case. When the pieces are inside, they can still be enjoyed but are kept free of dust. They are also protected against breakage that would be more likely to occur if they are sitting on an open shelf. Wood figures are more sturdy back can bring kind if not properly cared for. That is why whenever you purchase a piece you want to ask the clerk or the artist the best way to care for your new light house.

Beginning collectors may want to choose one particular type of lighthouse collectible to focus on. This will make it easier to start a collection and the individual will not be overwhelmed by the number of choices that are available. Lighthouse collections make a wonderful addition to any home and allow the individual to bring a piece of the coast and the scent of the ocean into his or her daily life to enjoy in the years to come.

Article Source: Articlesnatch.com
Author: Taylor Martinerin

Deal Of The Day -"Ride The Crest" Stretch Canvas

"Ride The Crest" Stretch Canvas

• Regular Price $49.95
• Today Only $34.95

This beautiful piece of art showcases a colorful beach scene with shorebirds flying over the crest of a breaking wave at daybreak. "Ride The Crest" is a canvas reproduction ready for immediate hanging.

World Water Day - March 22nd

March 22nd is World Water Day. Founded in 1993 by the United Nations, this global observance highlights the need for the care and management of the world’s water resources. This year’s theme, “Urban Water Usage” highlights the ongoing challenges we face as urban populations continue to grow.

Here are 15 ways you can take action you can do to reduce your water waste in and around your home courtesy of the wonderful Surfrider Foundation:

1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks – A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons per day.
2. Use a broom to sweep your driveway and sidewalks – Hosing down your driveway and sidewalks is wasteful and can contribute to declines in downstream water quality. Use a broom and dustpan instead.
3. Take shorter showers – One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.
4. Check your toilets for leaks – Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
5. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks – Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
6. Put a brick in your tank – If you are still using a traditional non-low flow toilet, you can put one or two bricks in your tank. This will help displace some of the volume and reduce the amount of water used during each flush.
7. Turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth – Turning off the water while you brush your teeth helps to save over 150 gallons of water a month.
8. Rinse your razor in the sink – Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste.
9. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads – Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation.
10. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge – Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. Instead keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. See a wide selection of pitchers from Brita.
11. Water plants and landscaping in the morning or evening – Watering in the morning or evening reduces loss to evaporation.
12.  Utilize climate adapted plants in your yard and landscaping – Climate adapted plants require less water. Find out more information on climate adapted plants.
13. Avoid using the Permanent Press cycle on your washer – With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 5 gallons for the extra rinse.
14. Find a car wash! – Using a commercial car wash that recycles their water will save over 150 gallons each time you wash your vehicle and help reduce runoff.
15. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily – Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet