Our Beautiful Earth

A week of beautiful sunsets from our trip last week.  Happy Tuesday everyone!

Tiny Treasures

You know that weird, creepy guy on the beach with the metal detector?  I get him.  I really get him.  There's something so peaceful about being caught up in the moment, searching the beach for unknown treasure.

Growing up, my family vacationed at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  One of my fondest memories as a little girl was combing the beach with my mom and sisters, searching for seashells.  When I was about ten years old, I found a huge conch shell perfectly in tact and I have been hooked on seashells ever since.  Now I vacation primarily on the Gulf Coast for it's white beaches and turquoise waters but finding shells can be hit or miss.  Until this last trip. 

I was so inspired by the beautiful color palette of blues, peaches, tans and whites.  Most of the shells were so tiny in size but that didn't keep us from hand picking them from the sugar white sand.  On the last day, just before the storms rolled in, we got lucky and found some beautiful larger shells that I plan to put here.

This trip was extra special because my mom went with us.  Being on the beach with her really brought back some great childhood memories.  I hope I can foster these same type of memories for my kids because that's a treasure that lasts a lifetime.

Sunday Best

Breeze by yoursouthernpeach featuring a print skirt

Dark yellow slub top, 38 GBP
Silk-blend print skirt, $59
Womens - View All - Flats - Payless Shoes, $5
Rafe New York - Erin Flap Clutch (Grey) - Bags and Luggage, $193
Monica Vinader Leo Wire Labradorite earrings, $175
Hermes silk twill scarves | Hermes.com, $375
Prada 03MS Ivory > Prada Sunglasses > 03MS 7S36S1 > UK, 190 GBP
Crazy Flora Catwalk Alice Band, 12 GBP
Pierre Balmain - Jolie Madame Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.4oz, $62
Amazon.com: Nexxus VitaTress Cystine Treatment 5 oz: Beauty, $7.95

Dinner on the Beach

At home, I do the cooking.  I like it that way, most of the time.  Quite frankly, I panic when other people cook in my kitchen, my husband included.  It's odd.  I know.  I'll write more about that later....

For now, I'm enjoying my last few days on the Gulf Coast.  My husband likes to hone his cooking skills while we're at the beach, which is fine with me.  It's not MY kitchen.  I usually walk out to the pier with the kids and watch the sun begin to set while he works his magic.  Last night, he fried up some fabulous fish and paired it with homemade grits, fresh corn on the cob and a beautiful sunset.  He's a good man.  I know.  But I'm still queen of the kitchen.

Sunset Cruise on the Gulf Coast

We're celebrating the end of summer at our beach condo in Florida.  Last night, we took a sunset cruise and enjoyed a beautiful evening!  

I'm savoring these last few days of summer.  So often, I find myself rushing the seasons along just anxious to see what the future will bring.  Before I know it, fall will be in full swing with the holidays lurking around the corner, followed by a long cold winter.  Here's to staying present and fully appreciating each season to it's fullest!  I hope you enjoy the photos.

Feeding the Seagulls

September 21.  It's officially the last day of summer.

While I am looking forward to cooler temperatures and fun fall activities, I will miss summer's simple pleasures. 

Farewell Summer!  Until next year....

Coconut Shrimp with Orange Dipping Sauce

We're preparing for our next family beach trip!  On vacation, we prefer cooking for ourselves versus dining out because we get to prepare the meals exactly to our liking and the kids get to rest, relax and play rather than being drug out to a restaurant and suffering from a major meltdown.  In anticipation of our upcoming trip, I tried this recipe for Coconut Shrimp last week and it was phenomenal!  Can you imagine this dish paired with some yellow saffron rice, a pina colada and an ocean view?

I do recommend using larger size shrimp because the batter does get sticky and difficult to work with after a while.  I used Newcastle Pale Ale, which is a darker beer, and it was delicious.  For the Orange Dipping Sauce I created the following recipe:

Orange Dipping Sauce

-1/2 cup Orange Marmalade
- 1/2 tsp. Fresh Horseradish
- 2 Tbsp. Honey Mustard Dressing


Mix all ingredients and chill.

Here's the recipe for Coconut Shrimp from All Recipes

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.

Sunday Best

Natural by yoursouthernpeach featuring a.j. morgan sunglasses

Ruffle Front Tie Shoulder Tunic
$44 - ardenb.com
Arden B tunics »

Cotton sailor pants
$80 - theoutnet.com
Wide leg pants »

Tory Burch Reva leopard-print ballerina flats
$225 - net-a-porter.com
Slip on shoes »

Tory Burch Dayton Messenger - Dark Cocoa
$550 - toryburch.com
Messenger bag »

Via Nativa + Reclaimed Wood Bangle
$36 - econsciousmarket.com
Wood bracelets »

Tarina Tarantino Carved Lucite Disc Earrings (Colors Available):...
$45 - amazon.com
Tarina tarantino earrings »

Marie-Hélène de Taillac 22-karat gold peridot clover ring
$2,580 - net-a-porter.com
Gold jewelry »

AJ Morgan Women's Metradon Sunglasses
$20 - endless.com
A.j. morgan sunglasses »

Elizabeth Taylor - Luxury Lip Gloss - # 03 Peach Satin 7ml/0.24oz
$12 - yesstyle.com

daisy in bloom eau de toilette 50ml
43 GBP - harveynichols.com

Clarins - Self Tanning Milk SPF 6 125ml/4.2oz
$32 - yesstyle.com

Product: Twist & Pout Hollywood Glamourpuss California Gleamin´
$7 - dillards.com

How to eat a Donut

This is strategy.  This is how my three year old eats a donut.  When he's finished with the icing, he asks me, "Mommy, do you want this part?"  Then, I smile and say, "Yes!  Thank you sweetie."  What made you smile today?

Tomato and Bacon Sandwich

Lunch.  Pure Heaven.  Garden fresh tomato, bacon and dill spread on toasted white bread.  So simple and so delicious!  To top it off, I ate it on the front porch under the newly repaired ceiling fan.

(A special thank you to my sweet husband for taking time to fix it this past weekend! xoxo)

The Big Picture

Santorini, Greece 2005

Do you ever feel so caught up in your own daily challenges that you lose sight of the "big picture?"   

Imagine all the obstacles these fisherman are facing today.  Imagine the chaos, noise, hustle and bustle of this small port down below.  Imagine their long, steep walk up this cliff after a hard day's work.

Regardless, the fishermen will endure and at the end of their work day, they will stand atop this cliff and realize they work in an island paradise.  .

Today, I'm trying to stay focused on the big picture and not let the little things get the best of me.  Happy Monday!

Sunday Best

Wave by yoursouthernpeach featuring kate spade handbags

Precis Petite Block Stripe Belted Tunic, Black/ivory, M, 29 GBP
Phase Eight Blythe Linen Silk Mix Wide Leg Trousers, Cream, 18, 38 GBP
Tory Burch Avra Wedge - Royal Tan Gold Tory Navy, $228
copenhagen weekend coal, $90
Shani's Large Yelllow Beaded Gold Hoop Earrings, $40
Plastic logo cuff, 125 GBP
A Crinkle in Time Scarf in Navy, $16
lip gloss, 17 GBP
Urban Decay Cosmetics - 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Amazon.com: OPI Alice in Wonderland Collection Nail Polish, Off With..., $3.18
Amazon.com: Sara Monica Flower Hair Clip and Pin Daisy: Beauty, $7.99