Vacation Edisto Beach

Well hello there long time no talk I know.... I have been so busy creating pretty little cuffs! I have to say I have finally found my thing, creating cuffs and it feels so right! It all started when I went looking for a cute boho cuff to wear to the Sheryl Crow concert... Well I had a vision but just couldn't find the cuff I had in mind so I decided I would make my own and from that moment on 1 cuff became 2 and from that I started my own little etsy shop! So now back to my vaca.... sorry sometimes I get so excited that I veer of course sometimes but that's ok. I may get a little of course but I have ALWAYS stayed true to myself! that is one thing I can say for sure. So please enjoy the pics from my recent trip to Edisto Beach my favorite place on the planet!!!

How adorable is this little guy??? Our amazing friend who lives on Edisto Island works with the naturalist on the turtle project and we got invited to ride along on quads down the beach one morning and check nests for little hatchlings that didn't make it out, and to our surprise we came across a nest that still had little babies in it. Due to blow over sand from the hurricane that went up the coast this august there were some nests that just had too much sand on top for the little guys to be able to dig themselves out, so that's were the naturalist and my friend come in they get to offer a helping hand and dig them out. I have to say this was one of the most amazing things I have ever got to be a part of. I got to help this little guy out to the ocean to start his new life! truly a gift to get to see nature at it's finest.

Beautiful Carolina sunset, one of my favorite things along with my happy little turquoise beach cruiser,what more could a girl ask for, thanks honey you did an amazing job painting it ! I am obsessed with all things TURQUOISE if you haven't noticed haha! my poor husband I am always talking about how I want everything painted turquoise, I can't help it turquoise just makes me happy and makes me think of the sea.

How can you not be happy while riding around the beach on this little cruiser? I just L*O*V*E it. I love to collect shells and fossils and put them in my basket. This girl is simple just give me sunshine and wine doesn't take much to make me happy! oh yeah and my amazing husband too, thanks honey for all the amazing things you do for me and thanks for another amazing vaca at Edisto!

Just be happy it's that simple!

 Dare to dream, the possibilities are endless... I hope you have a fabulous weekend get out and try something new the world is waiting! xoxo S~

      

 

Simple Beachy Garden Crafts

Happy Sunday! So I was just tinkering around and I love using things I already have laying around or giving new life to something old. So my husband re sided our garage last summer and I was just poking around the garage looking for something and I came across some of the old cedar shakes that were extras and I thought how cute would these be if I made little signs with them. Can't get much simpler than that. I just used some wood letters spray painted them turquoise and glued them on. And seeing my etsy shop is called beach house bliss I thought Bliss was cute! Simply Bliss that is how I feel when I am inspired by the beach and nature. So I was on a roll and thought that butterfly house I had hanging in my garden had seen better days so I gave it a little make over. The roof used to be yellow and with time and the elements it just lost its life. So I got out the turquoise paint and gave it new life, I also added the little starfish and shell. Now my once dilapidated little butterfly house now has new life!

Now for a simple classic summer salad...Caprese salad with pine nuts. Always a fav of mine in the summer. Fresh basil from my garden good vine ripe tomatoes a drizzle of evoo and balsamic buffalo mozz which I love and some pine nuts. Always a classic I never get tired of it all summer long. And aren't my new little plates cute! gotta love Target.

So speaking of summer ... I just got back from a wonderful trip visiting my sister in South Carolina so I thought I would share of few pics of one of my days at the beach.... How cute are these little beach chairs !!! The bright blue really pops on the beach especially on a sunny day! I can picture myself on one now reading a book or browsing threw Coastal Living :-)

And who doesn't love a tiki hut on the beach! This adorable little place is right on the beach in Hilton Head, they also have a sand volleyball court right in front of the tiki hut. Love sipping a cocktail there while watching some sand volleyball. And this lovely little hotel is right next door. So many cute beachy places and pretty things to look at, how can you not be Happy! Well those were just a few pics of my trip I will be posting more ... It's sunday and I am in relax mode so I will be heading over to the hammock with a book . What will you be doing on this sunday afternoon??? 

 Much love xoxo S~

Dark Chocolate Chili Truffles & Saugatuck Weekend

Hello and happy Wednesday to you! I am so happy, guess what I came home from work and saw my tulips just peeking out a bit to say HELLO! Spring is finally on the way... The birds have been very active this week and I have even noticed some of the trees buds are just starting to swell. I think everyone who lives in the midwest is ready for spring. This winter has been brutal and very challenging on my soul I must say. So every year we take a little weekend get away to Saugatuck with our good friends, and believe me it was much needed for the soul! We had so much fun it should have been illegal! I don't think you can ever have a bad time in Saugatuck no matter what time of year you go. We had lots of yummy food and vino and then some more vino...

It's so nice to get out of town and just forget about all your worries and just breathe and have Fun , and that is exactly what we all did. I can't tell you how much that lifted my spirits. This winter has been so brutal and it has been a challenge to try and keep a positive attitude when they days are grey and the temps are frigid. I am so looking forward to the spring thaw.

So for now I will just await springs arrival and just BREATHE! sometimes you really just need to slow down, relax and just breathe...

I really love this picture of the stairs it seems to be inviting your soul somewhere.... For me it is saying dare to dream and dream BIG and to always follow your own path in life.

Speaking of breathing on our way home from our weekend in Saugatuck we popped on over to the beach to take some photos and take in the beautiful blue skies! it truly was a beautiful day.I just took in the beauty and truly appreciated the day and the good things in my life. That is one reason I love the beach and ocean so much I love to sit quietly and take in all the beauty that surrounds me. The ocean has a way of speaking to your soul, it is so powerful.

So now to the decadent stuff... Dark Chocolate Chili Truffles!
So I thought I would surprise my husband for Valentine's day and make him dark chocolate truffles but with a twist. I buy dark chocolate bars infused with chili and cinnamon and thought I wonder if I could do that with my truffles, of course you can!


So to make these little yummies you will need...


6 oz of semi sweet chocolate or 1 large bar of your favorite chocolate I use Ghirardelli


6 oz dark chocoloate
6 tbs of butter ... never said these were low fat Hee Hee, but I do use smart balance butter, hey you gotta lighten it up where ever you can :-)


1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 to 2 tsp of chili powder, I like a little more heat so add desired amount depending on how much kick you want.
1-2 tsp of cinnamon


Bring cream to a boil then add in the butter, chili powder  cinnamon and chocolate.
Whisk all ingredients until til velvety smooth.
Pour mixture into a baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 -3 hours 


Use a ice a small ice scream scoop to semi form round balls then roll each piece in your hands to desired ball shape.


Roll truffles in cocoa powder 
Roll truffles in hazlnuts 
roll truffles in pistachios.


Serve truffles with your favorite red wine!


Enjoy~


It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

Finding Winter Happiness

So I would much rather be here.... But I am here..... getting through a midwest winter and staying focused on doing things that make me HAPPY!
So I promised myself this winter I would find happiness and be HAPPY this winter no matter what. You all who know me have heard me say a thousand times how much I hate WINTER!!!!

So call me crazy but I put on a happy face along with what seemed like 10 layers of clothing and headed outside to have a fire. I poured some vino and turned on all the twinkle lights, lit some candles and even turned on this adorable palm tree( a gift from my sister) and got HAPPY!!! I have to say it is a lot of work to get all bundled up and it also takes a lot of determination to make yourself sit outside when it is only 22 degrees but you know what? We had a fabulous time.
I even painted this wine glass with chalk board paint so I could write happy little sayings to myself, this makes me happy.
I even talked my husband into sitting outside with me, he is such a good sport... I am always dragging him into some crazy idea including going to Lake Michigan to take pictures of the beach during a snow storm.
When we left the house to head up to the Beach it was snowing so hard we could not see anyone in front of us... probably not my best idea ever, I even said should we turn around? and you know what my husband said??? Nonsense we have 4 wheel drive we will be fine! Sometimes in life you just have to go for it and not look back.
As you can see lake Michigan was angry this day, check out the waves!!! they were huge,(this picture does not do justice for how big the waves were. I don't think I have ever seen the waves so big on the lake before. As we were walking down the trail to the beach you could here the lake roaring, you could just feel the raw power of the lake that day. The waves sounded like a freight train coming.Even though it was brutal out there it was invigorating, it really made me feel alive. The sound of the waves roaring and the wind beating on my skin reminded me that mother nature is always in charge! You just have to get out and breathe and enjoy what you are given each day.Mother nature did not give us sunshine this day but you know what? we still found beauty at the beach even in the depths of winter.
Molly had a blast on the beach, she was one happy dog playing on the beach, she likes to bite at the waves,so cute. I am so glad we didn't turn around and go back that day, we ALL had a wonderful day scouting around the beach. I found some nice big pieces of drift wood and even some sea glass, which mind you is hard to come by on Lake Michigan. So what are you doing to stay happy this winter? I know getting out and staying active is on my list this winter. I think camping is next on my agenda!I know call me crazy but yes we are going camping and we are going to hike some trails and be HAPPY doing it. I hope you find things to do this winter that make you happy. So get out there and embrace winter and find HAPPINESS while doing it.

~ Do one thing every day that makes you happy ~

Photo Friday

So recently my friend and I headed up to the beach to soak up the last bits of the summer sunshine... It was an absolutely picture perfect day, not a cloud in the sky, which mind you is kind of a rare thing here in the midwest. We hit a few of our favorite places for some appetizers, lunch, vino and then some more vino hee hee.We then headed down to the beach to take some photos. You wouldn't know that it is the start of fall by the photos, too bad summer is coming to an end.
I am not quite ready to put away my flip flops... Summer just makes me so happy I hate when it has to go... I absolutely love the feeling of sand between my toes. but for now I will appreciate every last nice day of summer we still have.
So now for a few little recent projects.... Who doesn't love taking something old and giving it new life! I love re working old pieces.
I found this dresser at an amazing antique shop not too far from home called Green Oaks Antiques now I love anything shabby chic and scuffed up. As you can see it was quite the transformation. I absolutely L*O*V*E the way it turned out ! My husband painted it , thanks honey! ,and I just took some sandpaper to it and scuffed up all the edges. So simple and so beachy cottagey.
So for this next little project I just used some chalkboard paint on these wine glasses. How fun are these. You can never have too much chalkboard paint in your life! I just love little craft projects ... just wish there was enough time in the day for all the ideas swirling around in my head! well I am off to enjoy my vino, and a little dark chocolate by the wonderful fire . Oh by the way the crickets and cicadas are still singing, ahhh a little bit of summer still hanging on ! I hope you have a great weekend. I am going to soak up all the sunshine I can!!!


"Summer is coming to an end but it is forever alive in my soul "
S. Spain ~

Summer Always On My Mind

So if you live in the midwest then you know summer is starting to wind down. Now I have to say we had a pretty awesome summer! The last few summers have been a bummer but not this year ! We have done all sorts of fun summer things... days on the beach... Antiqueing...vaca on the ocean... Several trips up at New Buffalo on the lake michigan shore... bike rides , Saugatuck , dinner at Tabor Hill Winery , wine tastings... I could go on and on.... I wish summer never had to end, but it is sadly coming to an end. I am a summer ocean girl through and through and one day I will be moving there.... My heart longs for the ocean and the salty sea air. The smell of fresh shrimp on the grill that was just caught fresh that day, sandy toes and dinner on the beach ,beach crusier rides on the beach and naps in the hammock. That is what I am talking about! That to me is LIVING!!!! that is where my heart is most HAPPY! I was born a midwest girl but a Southern Girl is who I AM!
So here a a few pics from our last weekend trip up to the beach.... the hubby and I at one of our favorite beachy bars The Stray Dog Bar and Grill.... I just love the roof top you get a great view of the lake and the passers by on their way to the beach. I love to people watch, Hee Hee
The bartender was so nice to take our picture.... Oh and there was a duet playing live music , they even played Jimmy Buffet .That really made my heart happy as can be , they even played my favorite Jimmy Buffet song by request Margaritaville! I L*O*V*E that song it always makes me feel like I am on vaca at a warm beachy place. I was so happy this night I didn't want it to end...

My girlies who love the beach as much as me..... isn't my friend in the middle adorable? she is expecting a baby girl this November, that is actaully why we went up to the beach that day. My friend sara asked me my other friend in the picture to take their family photos on the beach, I was so flattered that she asked me. I Love photography. It is so nice to have friends who encourage you no matter what it is you do. I have some amazingly talented friends who are so inspiring to be around, we are always bouncing ideas off of each other.
So here is a little sneak peak of some of the photos I took of the Nunley family.... I had a lot of fun taking their photos I have to say it was a really HOT day so as you can imagine for someone expecting a baby the photo shoot was a little tiring for her but she was a trooper !

This picture of them holding hands is one of my favorites... I had a lot of other photo ideas I wanted to do but everyone had enough picture taking in the heat, guess we will just have to do another photo shoot. Oooh maybe this fall on the beach while the sky is really blue . I hope you had a great summer, I sure have !

Photo Friday

Happy Friday everyone!!! yippee I am so ready for the weekend, looks like it is going to be a gorgeous night tonight. Looking forward to date night with the hubby... It's been a long week and I am ready for some yummy vino! So I have been wanting to make stuffed portabella mushrooms and finally got around to it the other night. This is so easy it is ridiculous!



portabella mushroom with pesto & goat cheese

clean the gills from one large mushroom drizzle a little e.v.o.o on the bottom of the mushroom , fill the inside with pesto, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes,goat cheese, pine nuts and top with fresh chopped basil. this was AWESOME!!!! bake the mushroom at 375 for about 30 min or until goat cheese starts to melt.

Pour yourself a little summer white wine and enjoy~

Doesn't Mr. Seagull look happy as can be ???? I know I have said it a million times but I L.O.V.E the ocean I wish I was there now...

I hope you have a super weekend I am off for cocktails on the Urban Patio with my hubby !!!

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces- just good food from fresh ingredients" Julia Child