Bright Ideas

If there's any doubt that summer has arrived, a trip to the Charleston Farmer's Market will confirm it. Yesterday it was almost too warm to enjoy a popsicle without it melting down your hand. Of course, I ended up with another mint plant. I consistently use mine at a rate that is not healthy for keeping plants alive. Check out the beautiful fresh flowers we spotted at the Thackeray Farms booth. I love the colors that pop out when summer days start heating up. 

I've been thinking of bright colors and listening to beach music all weekend. I pulled together an inspiration board with some of my favorite seasonal items. The doormat is hand-woven in Maine by mariners, and is made from reclaimed lobster trap rope. They come in so many different colors, it's hard to choose which one is best. Pillows are always an easy update for your outdoor area. This year I'm learning to buy good outdoor pillows. Using an indoor pillow on the porch is not a very good long-term solution. 

The ice cream scoop and latte bowls make me want to sit back with a big helping of sorbet and one of those seersucker napkins. Nothing says summer quite like seersucker. I'm in love with the beige and coral ones. 

1. Maine Rope Float Doormat 2. Mini Latte Bowls

3. Sonar Outdoor Pillow 4. Metal Ice Cream Scoop 5. Seersucker Napkins

I hope you're enjoying the warmer weather. Cheers to a happy summer!

Hurricane Lanterns

I have lived on the Carolina coast my whole life and our family only had to evacuated a couple times. With all the chatter about Irene I've been trying to think about the bright side of Hurricanes. Although these wouldn't stand a chance in the face of a category 3 storm, those storms aren't around that much anyway. Of course I love the lantern with the oyster shells, but I think the driftwood one is my favorite. Which one would you choose to have with you to weather the storm?

1. Driftwood Hurricane 2. Outdoor Lantern 3. Cement Paper Hurricane 

4. Mercado Square Metal Lantern 5. Oyster Shell Lantern 6. Hurricane in Basketware Cage

Coastal Kitchen

Just when a tropical system rolls around I get to thinking about the change from Summer to Fall. The months that end in "R" are almost here! The change in season brings a transition from low tide crabbing to shrimp baiting and oyster picking. I'm anxious for oysters, but I'm also trying to be fully present in every moment. No need to go wishing time away right? 

On the last weekend of August I want to make a lowcountry boil. I couldn't go crabbing on Sunday because I missed low tide and I'm almost certain the crabs won't be biting this weekend. Hopefully we can stop at a seafood store and pick up a mess of crabs to go with the shrimp we have. We'll be going whichever way the wind blows us this weekend. Literally.

Below are a couple items I have and love, as well as a couple I really want. I never thought I would love a coaster so much, until we were given the nautical map coasters for our wedding. I am totally ga ga for those fish measuring spoons. 

They are gorgeous and practical! What item is a must have in your kitchen when cooking seafood?

1. Nautical Wine Cork 2. The Best Gullah Cookbook Ever 3. Fishy Measuring Spoons 

4. Old Bay (and a recipe) 5. Nautical Chart Coasters 6. Le Cruset Pot 7. Fishing Knot Tea Towel