Bring the Stars Inside

In our travels we've been fortunate to see a wide variety of starfish "in the wild," from the Bahama stars on the floor of shallow waters in Biscayne Bay to this beauty we just found on the edge of the Atlantic in St. Augustine, Florida.

Starfish are said to symbolize guidance, vigilance, brilliance and inspiration - qualities I could always use more of in my life and our home. So, I was delighted to see Coastal Living promoting a number of affordable starfish-themed decor items this holiday season. From Pottery Barn Wine Chokers to a golden starfish shaped paper weight from Jamali Garden.

Starfish symbols on writing paper are also trendy in the stationary world. In fact, I think I'll just head over to Papyrus at the mall and get some today!

Lather up with Nature

There's no reason to be satisfied with a boring old square of white soap when there are so many wonderful smelling options on the market, many of which gather their essense from nature.

I naturally gravitate towards mildly-scented selections like a Lavendar Confetti bar from Country Girl Gardens or Citrus Blossom from Old Mill Handmade.

Special soaps in a guest bath are a nice touch. Set out a couple options so your guest can select their favorite scent. (Check out the Zum Bundle pictured here from Indigo Wild.) You may need to put out a small, hand-lettered "Please Select Your Favorite!" sign to encourage them to to unwrap something new.

You may choose a bar shaped to minic nature, like a leaf or shells. Just make sure the quality of the soap itself is not comprimised for the cutesy design.

It is getting cool enough in the morning to take a walk in the urban parks around my Arlington, VA apartment before work. This past week as I strolled through the park named for Grace Murray Hopper, I noticed a wide variety of berries, blooms, acorns and other natural adornments to the landscape

A naturetaiment idea arose from this little seasonal surprise. Next time I have guests, I'm going to create a little guide of the natural wonders just a few steps from our home. No need to rush first thing on the metro with a zillion other tourists when we've got some pretty cool stuff to see at hand.

If there are kids visiting, it could be like a scavenger hunt. For the adults, I'll point them to some of the interestingly landscaped homes in the adjacent neighborhood as well as the more natural attributes of the area parks. And I'll leave it up to them to find the three Starbucks within 1/2 square mile.

Bubbling with inspiration

A few days in California Wine Country and I'm once again ready to naturetain. Vineyards are a perfect inspiration for the concept of combining nature with entertaining.

Several ideas are "bubbling" in my head, especially after visiting the Chandon Winery in Napa. But the easiest for any to execute is the simple act of sharing some stories, insights, or history with your guests as you serve a particular food item.

What meaning does this dish hold for you? Where did you first learn to prepare it? Did you pick the fruit fresh from the farm yourself? Delight your guests by serving personal favorites, and let them know why they mean so much to you.

Next time I serve a Napa Valley Sparkling Wine...I've got a story!

Bringing Nature Home

When traveling, Jim and I like to pocket any little treasures of nature that might help us bring the outdoors in when we return home without violating some Park Service rule. Interestingly, he usually picks up big things while I seek out the small, but that's perhaps chalked up to gender differences.

This little vase of natural treasures includes rocks from South Beach - not in Florida but the San Juan Islands, WA. Yes, Jim picked up the big ones and the smaller pebbles were my souvenir. On top are pine cones we found at the top of Skyline Drive in Virginia. Next time we are in the Florida Keys, I will pick up a little sand for the bottom.

It may not be an arrangement worthy of Southern Living, but we enjoy looking at it and remembering two very beautiful spots.