CasaSugar

Etsy Finds: Sea Creatures

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:00:59 PDT

I spent a good part of this past weekend hanging out near the ocean, and while there were no whale or walrus sightings, I was inspired to see how these cool creatures could dress up my home. Check out my Etsy favorites when it comes to sea creatures.

Casa Quickie: Endless Summer Decorating

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00:17 PDT

Just because we're reaching the end of the Summer season doesn't meant that your home decorating scheme has to bid the Summer adieu, too. While fresh-cut garden flowers will disappear after Indian Summer, there are other souvenirs of your beach season that can last all year round. Gather shells the next time you swing by the ocean, and then use them to decorate your home. Stack shells in a hurricane vase and position it on your mantel. Or, string them and hang them like a pennant across a bathroom window. That way, you can keep things beachy keen well into the Autumn.

Source: Photo by Elliston Lutz

Do You Have an Ocean View?

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:15:23 PDT

I just spent a lazy family weekend on Whidbey Island, off the coast of Washington State, and while the weather was a little overcast, the view was still fabulous. I definitely wouldn't mind indulging in these ocean views year-round.

Inspired: Ocean Waves

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:42 PDT

As the temperatures rise, so does my desire to hit the beach. While the water is usually chilly at Baker Beach here in San Francisco, a quick road trip down to Capitola ensures that I won't be shivering when I jump in the waves. This photo of a swimmer at Icebergs Ocean Pool at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia inspired me to start planning an upcoming weekend ocean trip. In the meanwhile, though, I'll have to make do by checking out some beautiful ocean-inspired home accents, such as this Angela Adams Sea Glass Rug ($314). There are a lot more finds, though, including some very cool sea glass plates. See them when you

Source

Midday Muse: Ocean Views

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:00:39 PDT

Clingstone, a 103-year-old mansion in Narragansett Bay, which was recently featured in the New York Times, sits on a rocky island that's barely bigger than the house. While this situation leaves very little room for a yard or garden, the ocean views make up for it, don't you think?

Eric Jacobs for The New York Times

Do You Have Water Access at Your Home?

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:30:05 PDT

While I'll reluctantly jump in a pool if need be, my favorite spot to be in the Summer is at a lake. Luckily, my mom's house has access to a secluded beach just a short walk away from her home, so I'm always kayaking or swimming on a Summer visit to her house. Do you have access to water at your home?

Source

Off to Market: Beach Kitchen

partysugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:00:11 PDT

I recently spent the weekend at my friend Laura's house on the strand in Hermosa Beach. It was wonderfully luxurious to be mere meters away from the ocean. To thank her for a fabulous time, I want to send her a useful kitchen item. Can you help me find the perfect gift? Her kitchen is decorated with seaside accents and beachy colors so look for items that fit the oceanside theme like this fun fish platter.

Search for everything from pretty glasses to colorful dish towels. Save your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Beach Kitchen. I appreciate your help!

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate. Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Sex in Water - Is It Safe?

DearSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:00:28 PDT

Having sex in water sounds so sensual, doesn't it? When you're swimming in a pool or lake, you're practically naked already, so why not slip off your bathing suit and get it on? But, wait: Is it safe to have sex in water?

Not exactly. Lake, river, ocean, and pond water contains bacteria. Having sex can introduce that bacteria into your vagina, which could put you at risk for infections that you don't want up there. Pool water, on the other hand, contains chemicals that could irritate your lady business.

Aside from health risks, the logistics just aren't with you on this one. Since lubrication is key when it comes to sex that feels good, you don't want to end up all washed out (literally). The water dissipates your natural moisture, so you're left with friction-filled sex that won't last long. What's worse is that if you're using a condom, the friction could cause a tear, and you won't be protected from pregnancy or STIs if the condom breaks.

What about sex while taking a bath or shower together? To find out

Moving from smooching to screwing in the bath seems like a lovely plan, but the same lubrication problem you have in other bodies of water will arise in a bath too. So what about doing it in the shower? Again, the water will wash away the wetness you make naturally, and we know that sex without enough lubrication feels awful. You could move to the end of the shower where the water isn't beating down, but you'll just end up chilly and with sore muscles from trying to have sex while standing.

My advice? Sex + water = no fun. So make love without the water.

Source

P.L.O.W. - Tunes about Water

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:00:00 PDT

I usually listen to my iPod to get pumped up for a run, but sometimes I don't feel like huffing and puffing and getting all sweaty. Plus it takes a lot of energy to fully exert my body like that, so when my energy is low, I like to take my time and go for a nice long walk along the water. Not only is it great exercise, but it gives me a chance to be alone with my thoughts and really appreciate the gorgeous surroundings.

Since I love to walk along the beach or lakeside, this playlist is a tribute to everything water - rivers, streams and even rain. After all, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for crisp, refreshing, glorious water.

Want to see it? Then

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Windsurfing: It's All About Balance

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:30:00 PDT

A great way to enjoy the summer weather is to take advantage of lakes and oceans. The air is usually much cooler near the water and there are so many fun things you can do to work your body besides swimming.

Windsurfing is fun and feels adventurous. You can rent a board, thats what you stand on, and a rig - the sail, a mast and the boom (the bar you hold onto). The board and the rig together are sometimes referred to as a "kit." There is the uphaul, a rope attached to the boom and the bottom of the mast that you use to pull the sail up.

I'd highly recommend getting a lesson from an experience instructor. They can give you pointers on how to position your board in regards to the wind, how to pull the sail up without getting knocked over, how to stand and stay balanced on the board, as well as the simple but important skill of how to steer.

If you want to know more about getting started, then

It's a good idea to first start out on land. You've got to learn how to control the sail first without worrying about staying balanced on your board. You can do this by sticking the base of the mast (it has the sail attached) into the sand or ground. Practice holding the mast (sometimes it has a little handle on it) with one hand, and pulling the boom closer to you with your backhand - this is how you catch the wind and start moving.

When you get a handle on that, venture into some shallow water with just the board. Practice standing on it to get a feel for its movements. Then you can stick the mast into the center of your board and let the mast and sail float in the water (it can swivel down). Learning to pull your sail up by pulling on the uphaul rope is a little tricky so don't get frustrated if you fall off a million times. Remember laughing is a workout too.

Once you get the hang of staying up and slowly pulling the boom towards you to catch the wind, you'll be cruising along in no time. It's a great upper and lower body workout because you use all your muscles to try and stay balanced. Since it's challenging, it's a lot of fun, and once you get the hang of it, you'll feel so proud of yourself.

Here's a video explaining how to get your board ready, how to get on it, and how to do some basic windsurfing moves.

Source

"Nightswimming," by REM, 4:18
"Rain," by Madonna, 5:24
"The Sea," Morcheeba, 5:48
"Water," by Lauryn Hill, 6:09
"River," by Joni Mitchell, 4:05
"Mary," by Sarah McLachlan, 3:55
"River of Freedom," by Deee-Lite, 4:06
"Beyond the Sea," Kevin Spacey, 3:32
"Red Rain," by Peter Gabriel, 5:38
"Walk to the Water," by U2, 4:47
"Two Sides of a River," by Dar Williams, 4:09
"Down to the River to Pray," by Alison Krauss, 2:56
"Islands in the Stream," By Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, 4:11
"I Think it's Going to Rain Today," by Norah Jones, 3:04
"Nothing but the Water," by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, 2:44
"Rivers of Babylon," by The Melodians, 4:18
"Many Rivers to Cross," by Jimmy Cliff, 2:42

Total PLOW Time: 1:15:46