WEEKEND PHOTOS - KAUAI TRAVEL LOG

View of Hanalei Bay from Princeville. (above)

This week, one "Weekend Photo" will not be enough.

I got back from Kaua'i late Tuesday night after a week long visit there with TE.  My first visit to Hawaii ever.  What a fantastic time!

So much to see, so many naturally beautiful scenes...unscripted, not manufactured, a tropical paradise island showing off its natural design!

White Plumeria flower on the very green grass. (above)

TE hanging on while sitting next to me as we took our ride over the green island of Kauai in a helicopter with "no doors"! (above)

The "cathedrals" rock formation on the Na'Pali coast of Kauai. (above)

Spotted some mysteriously beautiful caves along the coast during our 5 hour catamaran ride. (above)

Sunset at Poipu beach was mesmerizing! (above)

To read about our amazing helicopter ride, click here.

Thank you to TE for taking me to Hawaii! :-)  It was truly a spectacular holiday!

For those of you who can't get away this summer on vacation (I know how that is, not being able to take vacation, as this was my first real week long vacation in years), I hope these pictures transport you to this island paradise for a few minutes, you enjoy and can exhale a bit.

Happy Saturday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  I had quite a few of my own "I Love Lucy" moments on the trip...including me screaming my lungs out during a dip in the helicopter ride -- the other couple in the helicopter, TE and the pilot were all fine with a little drop in altitude...I on the other hand let out a scream as if I had actually been pushed out of the helicopter.  Also, there were all of the histrionics of me getting into the pool or the ocean - I need swimming waters to be about 85 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer (at least)...the waters in Hawaii were anywhere between 79 and 82 degrees...so each time I got into the water I first put a toe in, then rubbed water all over my body, then inched my way into the water while careful dripping water over my stomach and arms,  shivering the whole time and clacking "it's so cold, so cold, sooo cold" - meanwhile not one other person (the normal people) we saw was doing this routine but me, they all thought the water was warm enough...TE just patiently smiled each time.

P.P.S.  Hope you have a happy weekend.

P.P.P.S.  Follow me @COCOCOZY on Twitter! You can see additional photos from Hawaii on my twitter feed and also see the surprising dessert someone made for one of my work colleagues for her birthday!!!


Photos: Coco of COCOCOZY

FADE TO BLUE

One of my favorite documentaries is "Step Into Liquid" - it is a film about surfing.  I don't surf.  After watching this movie, I wanted to surf.  I saw this documentary late one night on television years and years ago...and was transfixed.  Something so cool about the surf culture and the majesty of the blue ocean.

Anyhooo...long story short...the painting in the bedroom above got me thinking about all of the colors in just one wave...the colors of the surf...it got me thinking about that documentary and seeing those surfers cut through all of the shades of the blue sea.

I took the photo below when TE and I were in Laguna earlier this year.  I was sourcing colors so to speak...looking for a color story and design inspiration in the waves.

Seems I am not the only one inspired by this natural progression of blue...whether dip dyed, ombre, or whatever you might call it...the fade to blue is all over the fashion world and making its way into home furnishings and decor too.

May have to dive in soon (literally and figuratively speaking)...will get back to you on that...

And...fade to blue...

I took this photo of the surf in Laguna on a cloudy day. (above)

Band of Outsiders - Summer 2013 (above)

Tibetan rug (above)

Ombre maxi dress in white to blue fade. (above)

Dip dye blue scarf (above)

Brushstroke table runner (above)

Long sleeved t-shirt (above)

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  I actually bought this maxi dress pictured here for my vacation...I'm waiting for it to arrive.  Will let you know how it works out!

Photos: Rawlins Calderone; Coco of COCOCOZY; Style.com

A SNOWY SWEDISH HOLIDAY!

TE's amazing photos of the Swedish coastline. (above)

It is Christmas Eve morning. A rainy cold Christmas Eve here in Los Angeles. A little weather finally! We are so accustomed to sun all of the time that a little rain feels like we are in a huge snow storm here!

I definitely equate snow with Christmas. I don't think I've ever had a white Christmas as I was born and raised here in Southern California.

TE sent me these gorgeous winter photos just a bit ago. TE is in Gothenberg, Sweden visiting his famiy for the week. A Christmas holiday in the EU!

I guess TE's been out on a walk there today in an area called Saro Vasterskoog...along the dramatic coastline. Snow, the ocean, ice and trees...something so peaceful and striking about these scenes.

I wonder what it would be like to spend a Christmas in a stunning snowy setting?

This is my favorite...love the dark trees and the footprints in the snow and the glassy water...something so mysterious and moody about this one. (above)

Thank you TE for sharing these beautiful photos.  Can't wait to see more of them when you get back!

Dear readers...are you spending your holiday in the snow?  Where will you be?  I'm running late.  Going to flower mart then have to rustle up Christmas Eve dinner for 8 people.

Happy Monday!  Happy Christmas Eve!

xo
Coco

Photos: TE

KEEPING ON THEME - A SEA INSPIRED APARTMENT!

Wooden sign with a swimmer from a 1930's motel hangs on a Benjamin Moore Sea Foam painted wall in a modern NYC apartment. (above)

I saw this apartment featured on the New York Times website. A city apartment with ocean front theme. Lots of vintage kitsch beach inspired pieces placed here and there. The seaside decor is not overwhelming...just subtle reminders throughout the house. The interior design theme is emphasized by the blues and the sea foam paint on the walls in this urban apartment.

Take a look.

A concrete sailor was probably made in the early 20th century as a garden ornament. (above)

A wooden tray of glass fisherman floats sits on the window sill above the breakfast nook banquette in the small kitchen. (above)

What do you think of this apartment. Do you like the idea of keeping with one theme throughout a home's decor...or do you prefer an eclectic mix of ideas?

Please do tell.

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Running off to an early morning meeting. Late! Help. Gotta run.

WEEKEND PHOTO!

Took this "No Cell Phones" sign photo at the Cliffside Beach Club in Nantucket last weekend.

Would be nice if we could all try abiding by this rule for a few hours everyday. Right?

Happy Saturday! Happy weekend!

xo
Coco

Photo by Coco of COCOCOZY