Ocean

Sea-Inspired Accessories Help Turn Your Home Into A Beachside ...

Ida Hsiang on Nov 3, 2009 2:23 PM PST

Is there anything more relaxing than a tranquil stay at a beach-front home? While it may be hard to venture off to a seaside escape, bringing under-the-sea-inspired home decor and the soothing colors of the ocean into your own living space is easily doable and beneficial to everyone. While an under-the-sea theme usually conjures up the bright colors and cartoon-like sea creatures reminiscent of Disney movies and kids' birthday parties, putting a more tasteful spin on things is easy! Subtle home accessories, peaceful colors and rich, quality materials make you home into a mini-beach front getaway, even if you live in the middle of the city. Click on the slideshow to see some stylish sea-inspired home accents that will help turn your space into a calm and charming Octopus's Garden!

Tags : under the sea , seahorse , sea urchins , sea urchin , ocean

Gotta Getaway? Scuba Your Way Around The Maldives With The ...

Alex Gambardella on Oct 28, 2009 4:18 PM PDT

Hawaii may be your default tropical getaway, but if you thought that shallow-water snorkeling trip was cool, you ain't seen nothing yet! Think outside the box and consider the Maldives for your next island adventure and explore the mass of tiny tropical islands in the coolest way possible aboard the Four Seasons Explorer. Starting at the resort's headquarters, Kuda Huraa, the three-deck catamaran takes you on an exotic tour of the most remote diving and snorkeling sites that are bound to fascinate divers of all levels! The 22-passenger limit and high-end accommodations (including an onboard bar, of course!) give the cruise a relaxing privacy, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy for both luxury-loving sunbathers and adventurous divers alike! Prone to seasickness? Don't fret -- you can choose between a three, four or seven day cruise, then spend the rest of your vacay soaking up the sun back on shore (but don't take too long deciding -- it's best to go between December and April for maximum daily sunlight)! And make sure you bring an underwater camera in case you stumble upon a whale shark! Look at the slideshow for a peek at what you can look forward to onboard the Explorer!

Tags : vacations , vacation ideas , vacation idea , vacation , ocean

Hive 5: How to Bring the Beach Inside, While Leaving the Sand Out

Greta on Sep 5, 2008 7:51 AM PDT

If your beach season is coming to a close sooner than you hoped, consider investing in some seashore-inspired home accessories. These items bring the essence of the beach into the comforts and warmth of your home all year around - no sandy feet required. And better yet, there are a ton of items easily available in and around the Hive, from statement pieces like a coral chandelier to museum-worthy opalescent nautilus shells and sea urchin-shaped porcelain bowls that would be perfect for cradling knick knacks or tea candles alike. So ditch the seashells you picked up at your last trip to the shore, and upgrade to one of the fabulous nautical-themed home decor items. Check out my SLIDESHOW now to see my top five favorite beach-inspired homewares - straight from the Hive!

Tags : william sonoma , vase , urchins , shells , ocean

Hive 5: Earth-Inspired Cocktail Rings? Yup. Mm Hm. That's ...

Greta on Sep 3, 2008 7:28 PM PDT

Hey eco-fabulous ladies, (I know you're out there!) want a cool way to flaunt your earth loving style when out on the town? Nature-inspired cocktail rings! That's right, these Diddy-approved hand candies feature animal, plant, and other earth-inspired designs, and they're just in time for fall. The rings range from cute and chunky seashells, to blingin' geodes, to an outrageous diamond-encrusted octopus. I know that they don't exactly relate to "green" living, but whoever said jewelry had to serve any other purpose except to make you feel fabulous? These rings make a statement, and they would be a splendid addition to your favorite fall garments. Check out my SLIDESHOW for my five favorite nature-ific rings - straight from the Hive!

Tags : swallow , super bell , shells , rings , ocean

Vacay Style: Hit the Beach One More Time Before Fall Gets Here!

meg donohue on Aug 23, 2008 12:20 PM PDT

I don't know about you, but I'm not ready for summer to end. And, frankly, with September being the best beach month of the year, I see no reason to start feeling like Fall's just around the corner. (Fall, I'll welcome you with open arms when it's time to start my 30-Days-Till-Thanksgiving-Mashed-Potatoes Countdown - until then, back off.) So in the spirit of late Summer vacations and wringing every moment of sun and warmth out of my favorite season, I scoured the Web for the best beaches in the US. Turns out, some well-traveled folks have very strong opinions on the subject! Travel and Leisure, for example, loves Cape Cod, Massachusetts for its prime swimming and considers Pfeffer State Beach in Big Sur, California an excellent nature escape. The folks over at Daily Candy love Cape May, New Jersey and Santa Cruz, California for their old school beach town vibe. And Gorp says you'll see the best sunset at Polihale, Hawaii. My latest obsession? Taking the perilous, cliff-side road from San Francisco to gorgeous Stinson Beach...a 3.5-mile dog-friendly stretch of khaki sand with quintessential California coastline views. Summer's not over yet, baby!

Tags : water , vacation , travel , sun , ocean

Indie Designers Fish For Inspiration!

Lesley Taylor on May 10, 2008 12:16 PM PDT

I'm not sure if it was the new prints that I received from artist Dayna Gedney - or a recent trip to the beach, but I am feeling the motion of the ocean all right these days. Living in Northern California means that the beach on a hot sunny day carries with it a 90% chance that you'll develop hypothermia if you dare to put a toe in the water. Or is it just me? So, let's get back on track! Ocean life and sea creatures - with that in mind, here's some work from the best and brightest in the world of independent design.

Tags : water , seahorse , sea glass , sea , ocean