Daily Catch

Find of the Week: Bobbi Brown's Beach Must-haves

2010-03-19T06:00:00-07:00

Bobbi Brown is as cool as the shades in her cosmetics line and the Rutgers baseball cap she wears to the beach. When we asked America’s favorite makeup guru “What’s In Your Beach Bag?” for the March issue of Coastal Living, I instantly fell in love with her down-to-earth beach style. Luckily, she divulged a few extra items with me. Enjoy!

Photographed by Karin Kohlberg

“The beach is my most favorite place in the world- it’s where I feel happiest and most relaxed. My favorite beach is on the Jersey Shore in Bayhead where my family has a house.”

Photographed by Ted Tucker

The CamelBak Better Bottle: “My new obsession; they’re convenient and designed to make you want to drink more water.” The Camelbak Better Bottle in Well, $23.99; www.dicksportinggoods.com

Image courtesy of Lisa Curran Swim

Lisa Curran Swimwear: “I love Lisa Curran swimwear. Her bathing suits are incredibly flattering. She really understands what looks good on a woman's body.” Granada one shoulder swimsuit in black, $180; www.lisacurranswim.com

Image courtesy of Bobbi Brown

The iPhone: “My iPhone is my everything-iPod, cell phone, camera and email. I can’t imagine a better way to take everything with me wherever I go.” Checkout snapshots (like the one above), taken from Bobbi's iPhone, on her Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/BobbiBrown

Image courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Lip Balm SPF 15: Protect your lips during long days in the sun with a tin of Bobbi's classic hydrating balm made with olive oil. Bobbi Brown lip balm SPF 15, $17; www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Iams 'Your Coast' Pet Photo Contest

2010-03-18T08:06:29-07:00

You've probably noticed that we like to feature reader photos both online and in the magazine, and we wanted to let you know about a special contest we're running for our June issue. Thanks to Iams, we're offering a chance to win a year's supply of pet food. Simply visit CoastalLiving.com for how to submit and enter the ‘Your Coast’ Iams Pet Photo Contest. We'll feature the winning photos in the June issue of Coastal Living and winners will receive a year’s supply of Iams pet food. Also, visit Iams.com for more about our sponsor.

Find of the Week: Modern, Rustic Decor

2010-03-12T05:00:00-08:00

"Here at the Coastal Living HQ, we were so taken with the spare but warm look of our March cover story that we pulled together some of our favorite products to get that same modern, rustic look anywhere." -Steele Marcoux, Design Editor

Iron four poster beds with little to no embellishments, like this one, offer a subtle colonial nod without any ornate fussiness.

Antonia Canopy Bed, $1,299 – $1,499; potterybarn.com

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

This stone-and-metal coffee table offers the same natural-meets-industrial look as the vintage tortilla cookers in the Delemeters’ Mexico retreat.

Sleek Marble-top Coffee Table, $499; wisteria.com

Photo courtesy of Wisteria

Weathered pieces like this distressed copper mirror frame lend a hand-crafted look to any modern space.

Hammered Copper Frame, $761; directfrommexico.com
Photo courtesy of Direct From Mexico

Find of the Week: Island Tribal Fashion

2010-03-05T05:00:00-08:00

FROM BRADLEY NESBITT, COASTAL LIVING INTERN:

My favorite look right now? Island tribal! Spring’s hottest designers have loaded the runways with inspiration from faraway places--everywhere from the Amazon to the Sahara. Get the look by pairing texture-rich accessories, like bamboo and python, with neutrals and metallics. Here are a few of my favorites:

Milly Bamboo Belted Twill Shirtdress; $329; saks.com

Image courtesy of saks.com

Faux Lizard Bangles from top, clockwise: $60 in Champagne; $70 in Sable; $80 in Camel, $68 in Chalk; tedrossi.com

Image courtesy of tedrossi.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors Large Clutch in Honey Python; $198; nordstrom.com

Image courtesy of nordstrom.com

Croco Print Scarf; $29.50; thelimited.com

Image courtesy of thelimited.com

Liz Flat in Graphic Haircalf with Bamboo Hardware; $195; elaineturner.com

Image courtesy of elaineturner.com

Guest Blog: Charlotte Leavitt from CHART metalworks

2010-03-01T11:49:17-08:00

For our March issue, I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Leavitt, an intriguing and amazingly talented jewelry maker from Portland, ME. After leaving her loan officer day job, she started a business handcrafting pendants, belt buckles, cuff links, etc. using nautical chart cutouts of customers' favorite coastal spots--all sealed with boaters resin. How cool is that!? Below, she describes her typical day (sounds like Nirvana to me!). Visit her website at chartmetalworks.com to learn more.

Courtesy of Reena Bammi

A Day in the Life of Artist Charlotte Leavitt

7:15am

"Alarm goes off. In my previous corporate life, I would already be driving to work. I would already have tried for one more minute of sleep, which would have turned into 10 more minutes. I would have dilly dallied on my hair so that I had no time to fix my lunch. But now I’m on my own schedule, so I hit the snooze for another 15 minutes."

7:55am

"Get dressed. No nylons or uncomfortable shoes (I wore Uggs all day yesterday). No tight fitting jackets (my fleece is more comfortable). No struggling to decide between pants or skirts (it’s jeans every day)."

8:50am

"Riley and I head to my studio on foot. It’s a 15-minute stroll from our condo, and it’s one of the favorite parts of my day. Riley knows the way by heart and once we cross over to the wharf he gets excited to greet the sea gulls and stray cats good morning. I take in my beautiful city of Portland with one deep breath, loving its brick lined sidewalks and lovely old storefronts."

Behind her studio, courtesy of Charlotte Leavitt.

9:05am

"We arrive at the studio. I check my email, collect phone messages, and review my “to do” list from yesterday. For much of the day, I work from my computer, sending proofs to customers, responding to questions, making calls, and updating my blog."

10:15am

"Meet my friend Jen, a talented local jeweler, for coffee. I try to get together with someone once a week. In my corporate life, this was called a ‘waste of time.’ Turns out it’s exactly what I need. We discuss business strategy and staying true to our creative passion."

11:30am

"Back at the studio. My fiancé and business partner, John, is sorting through jewelry pieces that were poured with resin from late yesterday. They do into two categories: ones ready for finishing (polishing and spiffing up) and pieces that need another coat of resin."

"A phone call comes in from a customer. She wants to know if it’s possible to make a necklace with a map of Higgins Beach, ME. I say yes, and we chat for a bit about this wonderful place."

1:15pm

"Time to make sales calls for potential wholesale accounts that would land my jewelry pieces in stores on the east coast. It’s what is going to carry my business forward!"

3:15pm

"I check in with John to see how his day is going. He is busy preparing orders and mailing them at the postbox at the end of our street."

4:00pm

"Now, it’s jewelry-making time. I wait until the end of the day when our polishing tools are no longer running and kicking up dust (and when I don’t have to answer phone calls. I can’t talk once the resin is mixed together because it starts curing right away!). I place the image in a pendant frame and pour the resin (a messy process!) overtop. I wait for sneaky air bubbles to surface so I can pop them with my needle."

5:00pm

"The pour is done. It looks beautiful. I grab my camera to snap a few pictures for a blog post tomorrow."

Belt Buckle, $155; chartmetalworks.com

Courtesy of David Hillegas

chartmetalworks.com

Courtesy of David Hillegas

6:10 pm

"I check the time and contemplate dinner. John and I wrap things up at the studio and head home with Riley for dinner and a relaxing night. As we make our way back through the streets of our fabulous town, John is on his iPhone checking emails that have come in since we left. I smile; Mr. Bluebird is singing happily on my shoulder."

Share Your Favorite Seafood Dives

2010-03-01T09:43:27-08:00

We'd love to get your feedback for an upcoming story. What are your favorite dives to order the following dishes? You can submit your picks via the comments section or e-mail us: coastallivingmag@gmail.com.

1. Clam chowder
2. Seafood gumbo
3. Fried calamari
4. Mussels
5. Oysters
6. Fried shrimp
7. Crab cake
8. Fried clams
9. Fish-and-chips
10. Lobster roll
11. Fish tacos
12. Cioppino
13. Fish sandwich

Find of the Week: Coral Galore!

2010-02-26T13:54:33-08:00

In our March issue (on newsstands today!) we put together a chic coral story with tons of home and fashion accessories with this classic beach color. (My favorite item from the feature is a trendy coral wall sconce...swoon!) Here are some more amazing buys--found by our style-savvy intern Bradley Nesbitt. Enjoy!

Coral Paper Towel Holder, $59; alessi.com

Coral Notebook, $6; carrotandstickpress.com

Nail Lacquer in ‘I’m His Coral Friend’ by OPI, $8.50; nailpolishdiva.com

For the more trendy coral items, check out page 28 and 31 of this month's issue!

Valentine's Cards for Beach Lovers!

2010-02-03T13:34:55-08:00

It's almost February 14th, which means I'll soon be sending friends and family little notes of love and appreciation. Here are a few cute cards that are just the thing for the beach lovers in my life. Snag a few for yourself!

Otter Love, $4.80 each; nightowlpapergoods.com

View for Two Note Card, $4.00; etsy.com

Love Spelled Out in Shells and Coral Postcard, $2.25; esty.com

Photos (from top to bottom) courtesy of nightowlpapergoods.com, etsy.com /Daydreamers, esty.com /eternalimages

Mad Hectic Oatmeal

2010-02-03T11:35:46-08:00

Look what's on my desk today: Mad Hectic Oatmeal. Describes my mornings, too. Kids sometimes wearing matching clothes, fed so their brain cells can absorb the lesson de jour. Does the dog have food and water or more importantly, did we let her out? Trouble is I can't dive into breakfast that early in the morning so I often land at my desk in the morning with nothing but a few vitamins in my belly. Hunger strikes and there's nothing easier and quicker than oatmeal. The national brands we all know are fine, but this Mad Hectic Oatmeal stands out. Loaded with protein, fiber, Omega-3's and most importantly really fine flavor. Almond Pecan is a traditional tasting instant oatmeal with nuts for crunch, flavor, and nutrition. The French Chocolate is a novelty--the bits of chocolate pieces melt so the whole mixture is brown and chocolatey. I like it late in the afternoon when I need something sweet. http://www.madhecticfoods.com/

Callies Shortcakes

2010-02-03T11:34:47-08:00

Look What's On My Desk Today: Callies Shortcakes. Yum, yum, yum. They are tall, light biscuits with the flavor of shortbread cookies. They taste wonderful straight out of the oven, but when fresh berry juices soak into the tender shortcake...wow. Buy them at calliesbiscuits.com.