Blog - Sand and Sisal

Newport Colony

Ballard Designs· decorating· framed mirror· Hostess gifts· Newport Colony· pillows· rope mirror· seaside decor· Sisal

While visiting my in-laws in California, we stopped by my favorite spot to shop in Newport Beach…FASHION ISLAND. Fashion Island is a glorious outdoor mecca of shops and restaurants, with paved corridors of brick and stone, palm trees and tropical foliage, and of course, beautiful people that the OC is notorious for. My jaw dropped open when we passed by the gorgeous windows displays of Newport Colony. Upon entering my heart started racing! Silly you might think, but this store embodied ... Read More about Newport Colony

First Day of School Sliders with Mac n’Cheese

Grilling· Heart speak· mac n'cheese· Recipes· sliders

I closed the door behind me, dropped the keys on the table, and sank into my recliner with coffee cup in hand. Closing my eyes I breathed in deep and exhaled slowly when I was suddenly startled. Did you hear that? Shhhh… don’t move… there it is again… Silence The sweet, yet deafening silence that occurs on the morning of the first day of school. My high-schooler, middle-schooler, grade-schooler, and pre-schooler, all bright eyed and bushy tailed (cough-cough), made it off to their ... Read More about First Day of School Sliders with Mac n’Cheese

River Rock Landscaping

curb appeal· DIY· gardening· landscaping· river rock· Tutorial

The addition of round, smooth river rock to landscaping is always appealing and often quite affordable. The rainbow of colors that magically appear when water meets stone is amazing. Below is the Sand & Sisal homestead. It’s a beautiful home that we’ve put a lot of work into to make beautiful inside and out, but it is lacking one important item… GUTTERS. The rooflines all seem to drain to one spot in the front, left of the front door. It’s a virtual 20 ft. double waterfall each time it ... Read More about River Rock Landscaping

Hatteras Island Beach Cottage

beach cottage· decorating· Hattaras Island· Heart speak

Welcome to my personal paradise, Hatteras Island, NC. A little village on the island called Avon is where my family loves to vacation. This modest 1960’s, 3 bedroom oceanfront beach cottage, called Aquarias, is a favorite rental home of ours. It is quaint and cozy and feels like home. Three doors down is this GORGEOUS cedar shake “cottage” with views of the Atlantic sunrises out front and the Sound sunsets out back. LOVE! Ok, back to reality now… Each year we visit Aquarias I ... Read More about Hatteras Island Beach Cottage

Grilled Focaccia

baking· Grilling· Recipes· summer

Summertime is grill time! The Grill Master is my designated title, and I wear it proudly! Whether it be steak, chicken, seafood, ham, or veggies, it has met it’s delicious demise on my stainless steel grill! But I’ve never attempted grilling bread. Yes, I said bread. I know it can be done but I’ve never attempted it, nor known anyone to try it. When it comes to truth or dare, I’ve always been a “dare” kind of girl. So I dared myself. Nibbling on a slice of focaccia bread with a great ... Read More about Grilled Focaccia

Newport Colony

First Day of School Sliders with Mac n’Cheese

River Rock Landscaping

Hatteras Island Beach Cottage

Grilled Focaccia

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