Oprah's Oceanside Retreats

I love Oprah's show and what she does. She's a force of good, and all her wonderful oceanside retreats..., in my opinion, she earned them big time...

... in her Santa Monica ranch, she can be as close to the ocean as one can be...

... which is also true for her Bahama retreat on Paradise Island...

... and her Caribbean getaway on Antigua..., all of these homes allow her to mingle with her celebrity friends...

... then two privacy retreats..., 60 acres on Maui (Kula) in Hawaii with porches that offer sweeping views of the Pacific...

... and Oprah's 42-acre spot in Montecito, CA, a pricey enclave near Santa Barbara, which is home to many other celeb getaways...

... and then there was, well still is, Oprah's condo on Fisher Island, Miami's most exclusive offshore neighborhood..., put up for sale last year in June for 2.090 million...

... and according to Miami Beach Real Estate it's still available, now listed for $1.795m. Interested? And I can't but wonder..., is this list complete?

And what are others lovin' this week..., go see at Hooked on Fridyas

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Coral Pillow Talk

The Coral Design..., Domino declared it over and now it's everywhere..., William Sonoma has it, Pottery Barn, it's featured in Metropolitan Home..., and I know this from Life in a Venti Cup and Belle Maison..., but all I am going to do with this theme is have a coral pillow talk...

... because I believe in the power of pillows (in general)..., they can give your lounging area and sleeping oasis a hole new look and feel..., and when it comes to coral pillows you've got color choices and some pretty bold patterns too (click images for more information and/or purchase). My favorite: the green throw pillow from Bellacor (price includes shipping) and the above bedding set from Horchow.

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The Dead Sea

Posters and prints of the very fascinating Dead Sea.


The Dead Sea is the world's richest source of natural salts that continually builds by water evaporation.


It is a landlocked sea that borders Jordan and Israel.


How do the mineral salts build up? They're carried into the sea with the water from rivers and streams coming down off the mountains, but don't leave the sea because no rivers flow from it, and as the water evaporates at high rate (because of high temperatures) salts build up.


No life forms exist due to the high salinity, however the many different minerals found in the Dead Sea have given its waters the renowned therapeutic and healing qualities and its buoyancy.


You can float without even trying. "Surrounded by desert mountains, the sea is magically beautiful - like a mirage. The bottom is very rocky, so wear slippers and make sure all jewelry is real gold or silver, or it will corrode even if you are in the water for less than thirty minutes", source: A swim in the Dead Sea.


There are over 90 Seas in the world, and the Dead Sea is one of them.


Header pic from flickr (click image).

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A Beach Bungalow on Long Island

A charming Beach Bungalow on Long Island via Martha Stewart. A part of me is definitely the beach bungalow/cottage type. I wondered, what actually is a beach bungalow as compared to a Beach Cottage?


In a beach bungalow you're allowed to paint the wood floors! On Marthas site both terms are used. It's a beach bungalow in the title, then a Beach Cottage in the article.


Here's what I found out in short: A bungalow is sort of a cottage, but a small single story one, originally designed to provide housing for the working class.


The name originates from British colonial rule in India during which time this style was popularised.


Today I suppose many beach bungalows are used as second homes, as summer getaways with interiors that reflect leisure and a slower pace of life...


... where things are kept simple.

Related Posts:
Beach Cottage Style Decorating
Flea Market Decorating with Heather Bullard
Remodel of a Beach Cottage on Tybee Island
An Island Cottage off the Grid
Coastal Cottage House Remodel -Before and After
Nantucket Decor Cottage Style
Nantucket Houses Dressed in Roses
A Sag Harbor Cottage
Sea Inspired Cottage Living

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Display Ideas for Model Yachts

I love my new model yacht (bought here), and all the great display ideas that I've found.


The unexpected! Phoebe Howard devoted the entire entry wall of this Sea Captain Home to model yachts.


And what a spectacular entry this makes.


A formal and protective way to display a ship.

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Here paired with other accessories.

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In front of a window.

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Casually sitting on an open shelf.

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On a large table.

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Found the perfect nook!

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And of course on a fire place mantel..., that's the place where I would display my model yacht if there was a fireplace in my living room. Instead there is a TV cabinet...


... and that's where it is.

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Beaches that Rock

Beaches with amazing rock formations..., all available as prints from art.com (just click images).

Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino, California

Arch at Durdle Door Beach near Lulworth in Dorset on the south coast of England



12 Apostles at the Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, southwest of Melbourne, Australia

Needles and Haystack at Cannon Beach, Oregon

Pfeiffer Beach Rock Formation at Big Sur State Park, California...

Hopewell Rocks of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada (added thanks to Mandy's comment).

Breathtaking beach rocks..., I'd love to see them all, but so far have only been to Cannon Beach... I did cruise along Highway 1 once and must have past right by Bowling Ball Beach and Big Sur State Park..., maybe I'll be back one day.

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