Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve will find me, Where the Lovelight Gleams -- Merry Christmas from By the Sea Decor!


From my first holiday with my husband's family over 30 years ago, our holiday tradition is all about Christmas Eve. We gather family and very close friends and celebrate the season, along with my husband's birthday which just happens to be Christmas Eve. This day has become so much entwined into our lives, that when my college-age son was invited to a pre-Christmas vacation in St. Thomas, he declined . . . just in case his flight was delayed and he missed our dinner together. It is a time for celebrating our strength and happiness as a whole unit of family and extended family. I have to admit that some of the Cuban traditions introduced to me on that first Christmas Eve so many years ago were different than what I had been exposed to . . . I have now become used to the whole roast pork, apple and all (and sunglasses one year)! I still leave that tradition to our Cuban aunt with her secret mojo sauce! I do love when dinner is over and we roll up the carpet to dance. Over the years, our daughter would even invite friends over for some salsa lessons! I love to see my 79 year old father and mother in law strutting their merengue stuff! "Dancing with the Stars" has nothing over these two! Okay, so we all cannot fit sitting down for dinner in the dining room, but for a couple of hours we are all in the same place.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Gift Certificates Now Available!


By customer request, we have added gift certificates to our store. Sometimes it is hard to figure out what the perfect gift for someone else might be. Now it is easy . . . simply click on "Gift Certificates" from our top navigation bar and follow the steps. Your gift can be immediately emailed to your gift recipient, or mailed by the postal service from our store. Now, you have no excuse to be late with a gift!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Fa la la la la -Day 24 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Guest Towels










We love our collection of linen embroidered guest towels. Designed by talented artist, DL Rhein, each guest towel is beautifully embroidered with gifts from the sea. Choose a collection of six linen guest towels embroidered in calming pastel shades, or neutral white on an off-white background. Pop some color with the blue linen set embroidered with a stunning red piece of coral. Perfect for your beach house guests. In stock and available for immediate shipment!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Tidings of Comfort & Joy - Day 23 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Fabulous Coastal Pillows






Luxurious down-filled comfortable and beautifully embellished coastal decor pillows. These accent pillows are well, fabulous. Done in all natural linen fabric and highlighted with natural shells for an elegant seaside statement. The workmanship is simply evident in this pillow collection. A classic well worth the investment. All in stock and ready for that special person on your gift list. Or, better yet, treat yourself! The Sanibel rope tassel accent pillow was my inspiration piece for our new beach house addition colors!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

All is Calm, All is Bright - Day 22 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Coastal Candleholers















A set of unique coastal candleholders is a great gift idea. Choose from a simple set of three iron candleholders available as a starfish or a classic scallop shell. Our pillar coral candleholders also come in a set of three and are available in two sizes. The large coral pillar candle set will make quite a coastal statement on a dining table. The coral taper candle centerpiece adds a subtle seaside touch. Add your favorite seaside candles. All are in stock and ready to ship. Our 10% coupon code SLEIGH will expire on 12/22 so shop early!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Have the Martinis Ready - Day 21 of our Gift Guide -- Martinis!







Have the martinis ready for the Holidays! By the Sea Decor has a collection of coastal inspired martini glasses for someone on your list. Our nautical set of four martini glasses are frosted glass with a blue stem and rim . . . each glass is adorned with different sealife. The Tropical Palm collection has beautiful palm trees etched across its surface. The Ocean Blue martini glass is colorfully decorated with icons from the sea and lots of beads on the stem! All in stock and ready to ship. Remember to use our 10% coupon code SLEIGH through 12/22 upon checkout.

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Stockings were Hung by the Chimney with Care -- Day 20 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Stocking Stuffers!





















Okay, those stockings are hanging . . . what to put in them to bring a touch of the sea??? How about a few brass mermaid or seahorse wall hooks to hang towels or keys?? Or, personal size salt and pepper shakers for the table . . . available in pewter as a starfish, or as natural shells. Isola Bella cocktail napkins fold nicely into a stocking and are available in so many different colors and styles. Our natural shell tidbit plates are well, just adorable and useful too! All in stock and ready for immediate shipment (check our website to see which Isola Bella cocktail patterns are in stock) just in time to fill those stockings! Remember, our 10% coupon code SLEIGH expires on 12/22.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

There's a Happy Feeling Nothing in the World Can Buy - Day 19 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Coastal Decor Entertaining!






We love this collection of seaside chip and dip serving platters . . . perfect for entertaining at the beach. Choose from a classic white on white shell relief pattern or go for some color! Our colorful chip and dip platters are available in either tranquil blue or calming coral . . . just enough color to add a splash to a dining table.
All are in stock and ready to ship to your gift-recipient! Keep using our coupon code SLEIGH through 12/22 for your 10% discount. Happy Holidays!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas - Day 18 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Coastal Decor Lighting













Surprise someone on your list with a unique, yet classic coastal decor lamp. Our stacked sea urchin lamp is available in natural with a beautiful coral shade or a silver urchin base with a neutral shade. Coral on a lucite base is always a classic element in your seaside setting. Mother of Pearl column lamps available with a round or square base will give your coastal setting an elegant look. Our new barnacle lamp will bring a little bit of the sea to your space. In stock and ready to ship! Sorry, gift-wrapping is not available on lamps. Remember to take advantage of your 10% SLEIGH coupon -- it expires 12/22!!! Happy Holidays!!!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire - Day 17 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Nautilus Wine Cooler




One of our favorite coastal gifts of all time. A silver nautilus wine cooler ($74.99) to hold your favorite holiday beverage, all year long! Add a set of our beautiful hand-printed linen cocktail napkins from Isola Bella in perfect seaside styles, then cross this person off your list! Choose from these patterns in stock and ready to ship: red coral, blue anchor, orange pineapple, blue waves, aqua scales. In natural linen: white urchin or white sand dollar. Use our 10% SLEIGH coupon code through 12/22. Leave the gift-wrapping to us!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful - Day 16 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Hand Painted Linen Coastal Pillows!
















Looking for a splash of fresh summer air for the beach lover on your list? The Isola Bella linen pillow collection is perfect. There is nothing like linen at the beach! All are hand-printed on luxurious linen with earth-friendly inks. Oh, the color and pattern choices! Bold orange fish stand out on a white linen background. Bright lime green pineapples say "welcome" to guests. Aqua shades are available in stony coral and the new waves pattern. Brown conch shells make a traditional statement. Red branch coral is a surprising color punch on a pure white linen pillow surface. Adorable blue seastars floating across the fabric! If taupe is what you are looking for . . . stony coral on a white background, or taupe backgrounds hosting white seastars or sea urchins. Something for everyone! All priced at $67.99, hand-printed in beautiful St. Thomas (you can almost feel the breeze) and sewn here. Take advantage of our 10% coupon code SLEIGH upon checkout.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

There Will be Parties for Hosting - Day 15 of our Holiday Guide - Coastal Table Linens!






Roll up a set of placemats and fold some napkins into a holiday gift that can be used everyday. Our Sandy Beach coastal placemat and napkin set is so neutral, it can compliment any decor. Tendrils of coral on a taupe background. We love the coordinating napkins finished off with adorable buttons. ($28.99 for a set of two placemats and two napkins.) Try a set of our natural seashell napkin rings ($23.99) or our Sanibel shell ($9.99) napkin rings. The coordinating table runner will complete the set ($24.99). Don't forget to use our 10% coupon code SLEIGH upon checkout.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Find Out Who's Naughty or Nice - Day 14 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Beverage Tubs!








Choose from our selection of useful beverage tubs instead of a gift basket to fill with your favorite coastal gifts. Add a bottle of wine, or a set of beach decor glassware, wrap with clear cellophane and add a raffia bow (yes, we can take care of all of this)! The best part is that your gift recipient can use the beverage tub again and again. Perfectly sized to sit gracefully on a table. Available in classic seashell design, blue and white seersucker stripe with a fabric anchor bow or blue shell with a raffia ribbon ($34.99-$39.99). Remember to use your 10% coupon code SLEIGH upon checkout for your discount. Happy Shopping!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Hang a Shining Star Upon the Highest Bough - Day 13 of our Gift Guide - Coastal Picture Frames




















Coastal decor picture frames . . . a great place to capture a favorite seaside memory. Choose from whimsical blue and white striped frames ($29.99) for a light, airy touch. Natural seagrass frames are always welcome in coastal decor. Available in natural or chocolate brown embellished with a seahorse or starfish ($19.99). Also available as a shadowbox type frame for a more substantial presence ($29.99). If you would like to add some beach sentiments with your frame, choose from our collection of coastal picture frames embellished with your favorite beach verses ($38.99-$64.99). Use our SLEIGH coupon code upon checkout for your 10% discount.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Dashing Through the Snow - Day 12 of our Holiday Gift Guide - EcoArt Coastal Pillows











Modern, EcoArt coastal decor throw pillows done in all your favorite shades! Soft, organic cotton twill fabric is handprinted with environmentally safe water-based inks. The ecofiber inserts are 100% hypoallergenic fill in an unbleached cotton shell. Can you believe the ecofiber inserts are made from recycled plastic bottles? They are incredibly soft and comfortable . . . I know they are . . . peek into our family room at the beach and someone is resting on one! The designs are fresh and original and stand up to life at the beach. Saturated colors on sturdy cotton backgrounds. All priced at $67.99. Totally GREEN coastal decor throw pillows. Keep shopping with our SLEIGH coupon code for your 10% discount. Pillows cannot be gift-wrapped, but we would be happy to tie up your gift with a fabric bow and our signature window to the sea gift-tag.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Deck The Halls - Day 11 of our Holiday Gift Guide - Beach Decor Signs!















Ahhh, beach sentiments . . . in moderation, of course. We love our coastal decor signs that remind us how wonderful life can be at the beach. From the whimsical "Run your Toes through the Sand" sign to the romantic "Together on the Beach with You" signs, there's something for every taste. Take our "Welcome to the Beach" sign we have displayed on our home on top of a piece of found driftwood. Make a rather large statement with our "Beach Live a Good Life" sign. Simple faux wood signs for the BEACH and OCEAN are done in shades of beachy aqua. And there is always the favorite "Shell in Your Pocket" sign. Ready, set . . . SHOP! Your 10% coupon code SLEIGH is still available upon checkout . . . along with free gift-wrapping! Happy Holidays!