Shell Display

Don't know about you, but I'm always looking for new places to display my many seashells, stones and pieces of coral I've collected over the years.  Just yesterday my son and I brought back several pieces of coral from our stroll along Pipeline beach on North Shore.  When we arrived back home, I just plunked our new treasures into a milk glass urn....looks casual and pretty, but not as interesting and beautiful as this display I just discovered!....


{photo via Red online/photo by Narratives/Jan Baldwin}

This is also some great home office inspiration!

Spring 2011 Style

Lately, I've been wanting to wear cropped shirts....O.K. not super cropped (not in my teens or 20's), but showing a slight bit of tummy above my shorts, or even zero tummy with higher waisted shorts.   This is one of the reasons I'm trying to get in really great shape.  It's great shape or no cropped tops for me!  I'm loving a really cute pair of flowy grey shorts.  Love grey and coral for spring!  Is there a must have look you're craving for spring?  It's perpetual spring here in Hawaii, but psychologically it still feels like one should start preparing for all the spring things, like spring cleaning....go figure!

Spring 2011 Style by amandalenore featuring short cotton shorts

Womens Soul Cal Palm Print Cropped Top
20 GBP - republic.co.uk
Crew neck tops »

3.1 Phillip Lim Bow-embellished cotton shorts
$150 - net-a-porter.com
Short cotton shorts »

Ecote Leather Macram? Gladiator Sandal
$38 - urbanoutfitters.com
Leather shoes »

Oryany Handbags Jessica Italian Coated Canvas Hobo
$148 - endless.com
Slouch handbags »

Coral and Turquoise Cocktail Ring
99 EUR - pret-a-beaute.com
Oval rings »

Tambra's Antique Gold Bamboo Design Double Bangle Set
$39 - fantasyjewelrybox.com
Antique gold jewelry »

Essie The Art of Spring Collection Reviews, Photos, Swatches
temptalia.com

A Recipe From Key Lime Cookin'

Sorry for the lack of posts over here on Key Limes and Coral! I thought I would kick-off a new dedication to posting on this blog with a great recipe from the cookbook Key Lime Cookin' by Joyce LaFray. My husband picked-up this cookbook for me at a great book sale last year here in Honolulu. Being a Floridian, my husband knew that I would enjoy these recipes. Since many of you have been hit by a huge winter storm, perhaps this will help to remind you of the warm tropics....

{get your copy here at amazon.com}

Since I grew up very close to Captiva, I thought I would start with the Captiva Key Lime Pie recipe!

Captiva Key Lime Pie

"This is one of the most famous Key Lime pies in Florida, and certainly on the mystical island of Captiva."

3 egg yolks
3 1/2 ounces Key Lime juice
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
3 egg whites
1 9" graham cracker pie shell
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Key Lime slices for garnish

"In a large bowl, stir the egg yolks with the Key Lime juice and the sweetened condensed milk.  Beat the egg whites until stiff, then gently fold them into the Key Lime mixture, being careful not to deflate it.  Pour the mix into the pie shell and freeze until solid.  When ready to serve pie, garnish with the whipped cream and slice of lime."

Can't you just smell the Key Limes and salt air, feel the warm sun on your skin and the tropical breeze and hear the waves rolling in?

Tropical Interior Inspiration

Found this room on Decor Pad and just had to share it. This room reminds me of rooms I've seen many times here in Hawaii and it always feels right. If you're in the tropics it only seems right to be surrounded by perfectly tropical decor. Not "themed" tropical decor (embroidered palm trees on your towels, a monkey soap dispenser) but beautifully constructed furniture made using tropical materials such as bamboo, teak, mahogany, etc. and light and airy fabrics such as beautiful cotton linens. This room reflects this tropical dream without being cliche!

VS Cover-Up

So sorry, I know it's been forever, but I'm going to try my best to keep up with this blog too. With all the fall fashion and fall decor floating around blog world lately (and goodness know I'm guilty of getting caught-up in a change of season that I don't even see or feel) it's been hard to remain in a tropical state of mind.



Fortunately, today I found this awesome shirt in my Victoria's Secret catalog, which is totally impractical seeing that it's a sweater (I blogged all about it on One Girls Style), but it caused me to look at the VS online site where I stumbled upon this little treasure.




It's striped, it's linen, it's everything tropical and fab that one could ask for in a cover-up!

Enjoy!

Etsy Find: Sea Glass

A little sea glass inspiration!

Hawaiian Sea Foam and Aqua Delight




Sea Glass Ring




Kelly Green Boulder Sea Glass Ring



Aqua Sea Glass Stud Earrings



Golden Leaf - Sea Glass Accent Necklace

Bringing the Look and Feel Home

Even if you don't live in the tropics you can still incorporate the look and feel into your home. Here are a few "beach inspired" rooms I found.

Classic Casual Elements



"Beach Chic"



Tropical Decor in a Traditional Pool House




Green Grasscloth and Palm Fronds


(I know I just used this same image on my other blog One Girls Style, but it worked for both!)