Introducting Dean Miller Surf Bedding At OceanStyles.com

We have just introduced a new line of tropical bedding at OceanStyles.com. Dean Miller is one of the premier names in surf and Hawaiian theme bedding. You'll find wonderfully inspired patterns featuring surfboards, Hawaiian flowers, woody cars and more. Our Dean Miller Surf Bedding patterns are available as duvet covers, comforters, pillow shams, throw pillows and window valances.

Soul Ride Duvet Cover

Surf Infringement Comforter or Duvet Cover

 Woodies and Boards Comforter or Duvet Cover

 Heavenly Aloha Comforter or Duvet Cover

 Tradewind Trolly Comforter or Duvet Cover

 Reversible Red Navy Hibiscus Comforter or Duvet Cover

Raffia Bed Skirt

Visit OceanStyles.com to see more surf bedding, including the new Dean Miller line.

Classy Nautical Bathroom Decor

When people hear the words, nautical bathroom decor, they probably think about a ship's wheel made into a mirror and a large lighthouse used as a toilet paper holder. These images are from a long time ago for today a bathroom that is decorated with scenes from the waters edge and more sandy beaches, seashells, palm trees and seagulls. Everything has a matching shower curtain, toilet seat, hand towel and soap dish in matching colors and styles, all more modern than the traditional boat wheel and lighthouse.

Most people, when they enter into a restroom, will see the shower curtain first and this is where someone who wants to redecorate their room should begin. A muted tan or beige would work well with light yellows and sandy beach browns and a design of a seashore and perhaps a beach house on the shower curtain so that it is not too 'beachy'. A light colored fish or seagull liquid soap dispenser and a brown or light yellow toilet seat cover would complete the look.

Fish, not the ugly real trout, but the whimsical, hand-drawn style are in style and would look nice floating along a pale yellow or light pink shower curtain in a child's powder room. What would finish off this type of room for a child would be a fish tank style toilet seat. It's made of acrylic and resembles a real fish tank with fish floating along inside the seat and lid as well as foliage, but nothing is real and one could see if the toilet needs cleaning or not without lifting the lid.

A restroom with a beach or seaside theme is popular with the seashells right now. These seashells are not overdone, just here and there, gently falling down a cream colored shower curtain or in different shapes as the curtain rod hooks to hold up the shower curtain. Decorations in the shape of seashells are also popular such as a mirror with seashells covering the rim or a tissue box in the shape of a seashell. A family could collect seashells on their next beach vacation and scatter them around the back of the toilet and as a centerpiece us a very large seashell or the tissue box. Another craft idea is to tie seashells together with a thin rope and tieback the shower curtain drapes.

Along with seashells, palm trees are now very popular and considered part of the seascape. A large palm tree could be a towel holder or robe rack and a small palm tree could be a toothbrush holder. Either one large palm tree or several small trees could decorate a tan shower curtain and some could be beaded for something extra. Various shades of greens and browns for a truer to life palm tree would be more 'real' however some people like their beach scenes to be more cartoon so the palm trees would be various colors.

A rug is another item that catches a person eye the first thing when they come into a room and there are a lot of bathmats that match the shower curtains and other items to help bring the decorations full circle. The bathmats are water absorbent and will help when someone steps out of the shower full of water. They come in shapes such as a seashell, a fish or seagull and many others. The colors are endless to match the rest of the room.

Colors in a restroom for a beach theme are typically sandy browns and tans, light yellows, sunny yellows, sea foam greens, sky blues and white which represent the white caps in the blue waters. Matching colors or mixing them can be fun in addition to having a big impact on whatever decorations an individual chooses for their main focal point. For example, if someone chooses a colorful fish and then goes with sunny yellow and sandy tan for towels and carpeting, this would tie everything together nicely.

Not always fishy, nautical decor could mean a variety of things and not necessarily the old skipper's boat wheel or the lighthouse either. There are hundreds of different ways to dress up a restroom that represents the beach or seashore to make a room look natural, modern and welcoming to guests and those who live there and use it everyday. With most of the items, they can be rearranged and placed in a different order and make it look as if the room has been made new again in many instances without spending a lot of money.

Proper Care Of Your Bed Linens

It is advisable to clean all of your bed linens regularly. Sweat, dust, dirt and even stains are some of the common features found on the fabric. Washing them when they are dirty and changing them from time to time allows you to be comfortable when sleeping or resting. It also prevents them from wearing out too soon.

One of the best things you can do is to go through the description of every fabric you intend to buy. This allows you to know how it is supposed to be cared for. If you are not able to handle some of the cleaning or maintenance requirements for a given fabric, consider getting different types of bed linens.

Make it a practice to change your sheets and linens from time to time. It is recommended you do it at least every month. Sweat, dirt and dust can compromise the hygiene of your bed sheets over time. It is healthy and hygienic to sleep on a clean pair of bed linens. Be sure to invest in a number of such material too. This allows you to have something different to exchange with every time.

To help you to keep your bedding in top condition, be sure to follow the care label outlined by the manufacturers. You can use cool water and a quality soap to get rid of dirt and sweat. Consider soaking the sheets in water for a while if they are heavily stained or soiled. Add some detergent to help you get rid of the marks, dirt or stains.

Another tip that can help you to maintain your linens in top condition is to make sure that they do not over dry. It helps to preserve the good quality of the fabric. You can fold the bedding right away and avoid ironing. Using too many procedures on the sheets easily causes them to wear out.

Be sure to rotate bed sheets and pillows so that you have them wearing out evenly. You can exchange your sheets so that you have different pieces at the bottom at different times. This prevents you from having one piece of bed linen that is too worn out than the others.

Other tips that can help you to care for your bed linens properly include using gentle wash cycles. Do not pour in too much detergent as almost half of the recommended amount can do the job. Using bleach can cause your bed linen to wear out too soon.

Visit OceanStyles.com to find wonderful tropical bedding and beach decor items for your home.

Sea Glass Jello

What a delicious and beautiful snack!

Ingredients:

• Three (3-ounce) boxes of Jell-O or generic store brand gelatin (any colors you’d like)
• One (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (substitutions will not work)
• Two envelopes unflavored gelatin (Knox brand, in the Jell-O aisle)

Directions:

1. In three separate containers (use rectangular tupperware or pyrex loaf pans), mix jello package with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir each until dissolved and then refrigerate until firm (at least 4 hours, or overnight).
2. Once the jello flavors are firm, use a sharp knife to cut the jello into small squares (1/2-inch or so).
3. Spray a 9×13-inch pyrex pan lightly with nonstick spray. Use a metal spatula to scoop out the jello squares and place them into the prepared pan. Mix the colors up so they’re not bunched all together.
4. In a separate bowl, add 1/2 cup of cold water. Sprinkle in 2 envelopes of gelatin and stir. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water to the bowl and stir until dissolved. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and let cool.
5. Pour the white gelatin mixture over the cubes of jello and let it fill up the pan. Refrigerate overnight. Slice the jello into squares and serve. These are firm enough to serve on a platter as a hand-held dessert.

Yield: About 24 squares

Source: RecipeGirl

Tips:
*To copy the look of what is usually found in sea glass, orange, lime and blueberry jello is recommended. The blueberry jello only comes in a 6-ounce package, so you’ll need to divide it in half. You can certainly use whatever flavors you’d like.

Ocean Styles Facebook Giveaway

Hi everybody! Just in time for holiday shopping, I am giving away 3 $50 gift certificates to OceanStyles.com! I am trying to build up my Ocean Styles Facebook Page. In an effort to do this, everyone who "Likes" my Facebook page by October 31, 2010 will be entered to win.  Don't worry... if you're already a fan, you are already entered. In addition, for every comment on the wall, reviews or photos, you will get an additional entry into the giveaway!

Winners will be chosen on November 1st and contacted via Facebook to receive their gift certificate. So please, tell your friends, spread the word and Like us here!

Tropical Bathroom Decor From Top To Bottom

Bathroom makeovers need not be difficult or expensive. A stylish and easy choice that will turn your bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary is tropical bathroom decor.

The following articles covers redecorating an entire bathroom. It is not necessary to do the entire thing. If you would just like to take one or two of the ideas, it is up to you and will look fine.

The color scheme is the most important first step involved in creating the tropical feel. It is a good idea to collect some pictures of tropical scenes and settle on a color scheme from one of the photos. Painting the walls and ceiling should be done with a light tone like a sky blue or a textured pale coral. The first will create a light and open feel while the second will create the feel of being in a beach resort.

This is a good theme to choose if you have always wanted a mural. If it is properly placed and well done, it can add to the appeal of the room. Do not attempt to do this if you are not comfortable with painting however as it can become messy and a bad job will ruin the wall forcing you to have to start again.

Have no fear of old mismatching tile. They can be painted. Start with a very clean and dry surface, apply a primer, let dry, and apply a waterproof paint. Your local hardware store should be able to help you choose one that will stand up in the moisture in your bathroom.

And so the fun part begins, accessorizing! This is really what will bring out the tropical feeling in the room. If you are on a budget, do not be afraid to scour yard sales, thrift stores, dollar stores, and discount stores. All these places have great items for cheap and no one will be the wiser.

It is also important to note that accessories do not need to match in pattern. In fact, they probably shouldn't for fear of boredom. As long as they fit the theme and the color scheme, they will be fine.

In this case, the shower curtain should be either clear, sheer, or similar to the overall color of the room. You may be tempted by the variety of brightly colored curtains covered in birds or fish, but try to pass. These will make the room more tacky than relaxing. The room should contain color, yes, but keep it reserved for the smaller accessories instead.

Look for wicker baskets for holding items, laundry, and waste. Weathered wooden furniture will also do and bring some authenticity to the bathroom. Towels and cloths can be kept white for this theme or can bring in bursts of color if desired.

Another important feature to the coastal decor is artwork. For this theme, the art should contain brightly colored tropical objects like birds or fish. They will give the bathroom a bit of pop.

Finally, the most important feature for this theme, palm fronds. They will put a brilliant final touch to the theme whether artificial or real. Either will do as long as they are lush and large.

Surfing In Their Halloween Costumes - Too Cute!