Update Your Beach House Look

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DIY Artwork




Make your own artwork with cut out pages from your favourite magazines. I have even cut up old books as a cheap way of collating some of my favourite images. Frame your own photos or things you have collected on your beach walks. Framed, these collections will be far more interesting than any print you can purchase in a shop.

Recycle Frames




Purchase vintage frames at flea markets for as little as $5. Paint them or leave them natural - hang them on their own, or use them to draw attention to "floating" art. It's a great way to quickly create interest on a plain wall.

Freshen Up Cabinets




If you already like the arrangement and style of your kitchen cabinets, opt for the simplest of all budget updates: a fresh coat of paint.

Bright Idea




Improve the natural light and look of your beach house by updating old fashioned curtains by making up some simple sheer curtains in white or a light neutral. If you aren't handy with a  sewing machine then have some roller blinds made up to update your look. These are not only a fashionable way to dress up your windows but it's also the least expensive way!

Distinctive Cushions




Vintage tea towels, unwanted napkins, vintage flags or fabric remnants can be recycled into distinctive accent cushions for a window seat, a sofa or a bed. Make them up yourself or look for a local upholster to help you out.




This coastal palette of seafoam and ocean blues makes for an
inviting, colourful and cosy nook.

Cabinet Hardware




New cabinet hardware can give your kitchen an instant makeover. There's an unlimited number of options available - look for something stylish that's good value for money. Just measure your existing hardware to ensure that replacements will fit in the same space.

Her's a quirky touch!


Beautify Bookshelves




Improve the look of your bookshelves by given them a lick of paint and updating your display. Use natural objects found on the beach like shells, coral and driftwood, add some hurricane lamps, a few nautical treasures and a collection of coastal lifestyle books for a fresh new look. Keep it simple, ordered and tidy in shades of beachy hues for maximum impact.

Install a New Tap




Replace rusty, unattractive tapware and out-dated bathroom accessories with something that makes a statement. Update faded, shabby looking towels with a fresh batch and splash out on some handmade soaps and luxury bath products for an indulgent spa look.

Uodate a Lamp Shade





Give tired lamps a lift with a new shade. A simple drum shade in white or a light neutral is your best bet for bringing new life to an old base. Often a coat of paint can also help liven up an old timber base.

Paint the Ceiling




Don't ignore the ceiling! Though most people default to white paint overhead, color gives you something interesting to look at and adds depth to a space. Choose a soothing, calm colour that's not too loud for a stylish, coastal feel.

New Shower Curtain




The cheapest and easiest bathroom makeover ever? A new shower curtain and a brightly painted occasional table does wonders to freshen up this bathroom! 


Melissah xox


Check out Coastal Style on tumblr and Pinterest

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Friday Favorites

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Holy cow has it been raining in Jersey today. It's been grey and stormy since early this morning. Weather like this makes it harder to do your normal everyday stuff...both spiritually and practically speaking...I can't take photos in this dark as night lighting. But to be honest, we need a bit of a rest, maybe we'll swap out Friday and Sunday...all the things we couldn't do today we'll do on Sunday...and the break taking of Sunday will transfer to today. I'm so very excited about the enthusiastic response about our book! We are knee deep in stuff but I will make sure to get back to everyone asap. The encouragement has filled us with a lot of positive energy. And in working on this book I can't tell you how many times a certain project or idea spawned the idea for a completely different book. We know there will be more after this...but first things first I guess.

Ok, Friday Favorites.... 

This photo! Which happened to be shot by our super talented friend Tiffany Kirchner Dixon aka The Fancy Farmgirl. What I love most is how well it captures the subject in her living space, with her art and her design aesthetic surrounding her. The subject is Anahata Katkin, the Oregon-based artist and co founder of PAPAYA! Inc, PAPAYA! Living Boutique, and LEELAH clothing. You must must pop over to her blog and site! Discover her amazingly textured and eclectic world of pattern and color. I adore her and her world!


Earlier this week Urban Outfitters debuted a collection of comforters and rugs by one of my fave artists Ashley G! What a fantastic collection rendered in abstract strokes of color that lend an artful layer to any decor! Hooray for Ashley! Can't wait to see what she does next! 


I love this! It happens to be a flatware caddy for your tabletop, but I think it would make a fabulous desktop container for paintbrushes, favorite markers, and watercolor pencils in the studio! Love the rustic yet fancy feel of it! 




I'm going to assume that you already know about, love, and use the creative community/website Cut  Out + Keep. I was honored to be chosen as one of their Crafty Superstars a little while back. With over 140,000 active users, non stop craft tutorials, and inspiration, it truly is a must-stop on your internets! Really loved seeing this video. Good for Google AdSense for choosing Cat & Tom to tell their story. They are so inspiring and they've got adorable accents!  



I am really crazy for scents. I feel like they play a very strong role in dictating a mood and I like to always have the right scent for the right season. Right now I am in LOVE with the Geranium collection of Mrs. Meyer's Cleaning Day products. I've tried some of the other fragrances and loved them but the geranium is just really speaking to me right now. We had a few warm Springlike days...like 2 actually...and I had the windows open in the kitchen while washing dishes and the experience...yes the dish washing experience...was so much more pleasant. Such a fresh, earthy, and clean scent. I adore it! I really can't say enough good things about the entire line of environmentally-friendly kitchen products.


And this beyond adorable little project is on my to-do list once I have some free time. I just think it is so whimsical and fun! And I'm a big fan of paper mache projects! I have memories of pre-school, and making pinatas with balloons and newspapers! Loving the idea of using all of my paper scraps for something so cute. And I have a ton of paper scraps, so I think I'll end up making too many of these!  And I can't wait!

Okie Doke kids...Let's get that weekend started!!
Make it a GREAT one!
xo Jenny...and Aaron says hi!

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The FIRST ingredient should start with “Whole” when it comes to grains!

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Food manufacturers are really good at tricking the public into thinking that the food they are eating is healthy, especially when it comes to grains. In particular, snack manufactures trick those people trying to make health conscious decisions by calling products “multigrain” or even “whole grain” crackers or chips, when they are not even close! For example, Stacy’s Multigrain Pita Chips, “Whole Grain” Ritz Crackers, and Lance Whole Grain Peanut Butter crackers all have “Enriched Wheat Flour” (i.e: white, refined flour) as their FIRST ingredient. Rye is technically a whole grain, but good luck finding a whole grain rye bread at the supermarket. Every sliced rye bread I have found on store shelves has “enriched wheat flour” as the first ingredient. The only true rye bread I have found at a grocery store is the Mestemacher brick of a bread loaf. 


Whole grains are incredibly important to health because of their antioxidant, phytonutrient, fiber, and vitamin and mineral makeup. Whole grains are essential to expedite weight loss and for people looking to maintain weight loss. Eating refined grains won’t do you any good, so do your best to make it a habit to look at the ingredients when purchasing products. Don’t fall into the marketing tricks!

My recommendation: Try new grains! Get more adventurous than just whole wheat flour, whole grain corn, brown rice, and wild rice- though they are all very nutritious. Try quinoa, farro, oats, barley, bulgur, spelt, teff, amaranth, millet, etc- many of which are found in the bulk bins at Whole Foods! I also recommend making your own bread. It really isn't that difficult to do. Try making your own homemade roti, which requires no yeast and can be made in a matter of minutes. Whole Wheat Beer Bread is also a crowd pleaser, and very easy to make (I recommend using ALL whole wheat flour, or whole wheat pastry flour). Becoming more domestic will make you a healthier, richer person!



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