Goodbye from Christmas on the Water

We look at things differently...those of us who reside on or near the water.  Celebrating Christmas along sandy shores is still festive, however my heart is full of thankfulness everyday because I get to live the coastal lifestyle. My heart celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas every day of the year!  Since moving to the beach in 2008, my life is very much like the ocean, waves come and go endlessly, so I've learned to surf (figuratively) and enjoy the waves.

Time changes things and when 2014 arrives, I have new goals and ambitions (as I hope you continually have too).   That being said, this is the 768th post (and last one) on this blog, the blog which I originally started in January 2009. One of my goals is to "focus" so we'll have just ONE blog instead of five as it stands right now. I wholeheartedly thank you for all the years of beachy fun, friends!

I ask that you join me on Nautical Cottage Blog for beach house decorating inspiration from my wonderful contributing editors, Caron White & Dana Haddon!  Also, thank you to our Social Media Specialist, Liz Rhoades, who manages our Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter accounts and keeps them fun and interesting.

Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring you joy and gladness in everything you do!

~ Marie

Please join us for Beach House Decorating inspiration today!

WIN a Gorgeous Coastal Photo Ornament!

Congrats to the winner, Janet Senk! The Coastal Collection was created by, and for, a lover of the sea and all things coastal. Our latest coastal giveaway features adorable and unique holiday ornaments were created with the beach lover in mind. Measuring 3.5" x 2.75", each brushed gold frame holds a Coastal Collection holiday series sepia tone photograph. Each frame is adorned with an oval brushed gold "2013" charm and a red satin ribbon for easy hanging. 

These ornaments would make a great holiday gift, hostess gift, teacher's gift, as a stocking stuffer or atop a wrapped gift.  We hope you love them as much as we do!

One (1) winner be selected to win one (1) ornament of their choice from The Coastal Collection ~ Retail value of $18.00. Which ornament will you select when you win?

Seashell Tree Framed Photo Ornament -- This ornament features a Christmas tree made from scallop shells lying on the beach. The tree is topped with a sugar starfish.

Coastal Christmas Ornament 2013 by The Seashell Collection

Starfish Evergreen Wreath Framed Photo Ornament -- This ornament features a holiday front door evergreen wreath embellished with two white starfish and nautical white roping for a bow.

Coastal Christmas Ornament 2013 by The Seashell Collection

Scallop Shell Tree Framed Photo Ornament -- This ornament features a Christmas tree made from scallop shells lying on the beach sand at the water's edge. The tree is topped with a white starfish.

Coastal Christmas Ornament 2013 by The Seashell Collection

Starfish Evergreen Framed Photo Ornament -- This ornament features two starfish snuggled into holiday evergreens on a snowy winter day.

Coastal Christmas Ornament 2013 by The Seashell Collection

Be sure to visit The Coastal Collection's shop on Etsy for more beautiful sepia-tone Coastal Christmas Cards, iPhone cases, Luggage Tags, Calendars and more!

Coastal Christmas Cards by The Seashell Collection

How to WIN a Coastal Christmas Ornament...

How to Enter: There are 4 different ways to enter! Earn one (1) entry for every comment you leave on this blog post from now until 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on November 22nd.

Leave a separate comment for each item which you complete. 

1. Follow The Coastal Collection on their Facebook Page 
2. Favorite The Coastal Collection on their Etsy Page
3. Follow The Coastal Collection on their Pinterest Page
4. If you aren't on social media then simply leave a comment as to which ornament above is your favorite one!

Giveaway Rules (the legal stuff): Contest open to continental U.S. residents only; must be aged 18+; winner will be selected by random.org on November 22, 2013. The winner will receive 1 set of the featured ornaments described above.The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize ~ otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. **Please make sure there is a way to contact you on your post or profile.

Check out our other Coastal Christmas Giveaway HERE!!!

WIN $70 Porcelain Ornament Set for a Coastal Christmas

Congrats to the winner Susan V.!!  Ho, ho, ho from Sally Lee by the Sea! We're offering one lucky reader the opportunity to win five (5) Coastal Christmas Ornaments for your holiday tree or use as gifts and/or stocking stuffers. Each porcelain ornament measures 4" in circumference and hangs 4.33" high including the bead-adorned hanger.

These are brand new, leftover stock from our now defunct online store. We'll be beautifying our holiday tree with these same ornaments, but wanted to share them with you too. Each ornament holds a retail price of $14.00 so this giveaway is valued at $70.00 plus shipping to anywhere in the continental US. Check each ornament out and follow the directions at the bottom of the post to enter ~ Good luck!

You will feel like you are in the Caribbean as you enjoy this beach-style porcelain ball Christmas ornament.

Feel the wind in your sails as you enjoy this cute, sailboat porcelain ball Coastal Christmas ornament. The bright red and blue colors make this ornament a classic.

The charming palm tree on this porcelain ball Christmas ornament will bring back vacation memories of the beach.

The big-eyed, red crab on this porcelain ball Christmas ornament from Glory Haus is simply adorable.

What a great way to remember your special beach vacation! This charming fish is the perfect porcelain ball Christmas ornament.

Sunshine, surf, sand and shells...the Glory Haus Beach Ornament Collection is filled with the fun-in-the-sun spirit of life at the beach.

How to WIN this Set of 5 Coastal Christmas Ornaments...

How to Enter: There are 4 different ways to enter! Earn one (1) entry for every comment you leave on this blog post from now until 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on November 22nd.

Leave a separate comment for each item which you complete. 

1. Follow Sally Lee by the Sea on their Facebook Page 
2. Follow Sally Lee by the Sea on their Twitter Page
3. Follow Sally Lee by the Sea on their Pinterest Page
4. If you aren't on social media then simply leave a comment as to which ornament above is your favorite one!

Giveaway Rules (the legal stuff): Contest open to continental U.S. residents only; must be aged 18+; winner will be selected by random.org on November 22, 2013. The winner will receive 1 set of the featured ornaments described above.The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize ~ otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. **Please make sure there is a way to contact you on your post or profile.

Contest Closed: WIN a Set of Blown Glass Beach Ornaments!

CONTEST NOW CLOSED!! Congratulations to the winner Beth Martin with comment #14. Winner was s selected by random.org.

November 1st means it's time to start the Coastal Christmas shopping, articles and giveaways! The fine folks at Seaside Glass Gallery are offering one very lucky reader the chance to win a full set of Coastal Christmas Ornaments, valued at $75.00! Contest closes on Friday, Nov. 8, 2013.

This gorgeous assortment of six (6) nautical handblown glass ornaments will make your holidays brighter! Each ornament hangs from a white satin ribbon with a white adjuster bead to allow for different hanging heights on your tree. Makes a beautiful present for Christmas and other holidays!

They look fantastic in groupings, and make great house warming gifts. The ornaments are 5 inches - 7 inches long and each is packed in a red ornament box.

Make your Christmas tree sparkle this year! When the holiday is over you can use them as a home decor accessory, a window decoration, wall art decoration, or a sun catcher.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Please Read rules fully so that you enter correctly...

How to Enter: There are 4 different ways to enter! Earn one (1) entry for every comment you leave on this blog post from now until 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on November 8th.

Leave a separate comment for each item which you complete. 

1. Follow Seaside Glass Gallery on their Facebook Page 
2. Follow Seaside Glass Gallery on their Twitter Page
3. Follow Seaside Glass Gallery on their Pinterest Page
4. If you aren't on social media....Visit Seaside Glass Gallery and come back here to leave a comment of an item you love! 

Giveaway Rules (the legal stuff): Contest open to continental U.S. residents only; must be aged 18+; winner will be selected by random.org on November 8, 2013. The winner will receive 1 set of the featured blown glass ornaments described above.The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize ~ otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. **Please make sure there is a way to contact you on your post or profile.

5 Amazing Cliffside Coastal Towns

1. Acapulco, Mexico is a city in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, 190 miles southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico's history. The city is best known as one of Mexico's oldest and most well-known beach resorts, which came into prominence in the 1950's as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Acapulco is still famous for its nightlife and still attracts many tourists, although most are now from Mexico itself.

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2. Bonifacio, France is a commune at the southern tip of the island of Corsica. Bonifacio is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea, separated from Sardinia by the Strait of Bonifacio. The town's charm and proximity to idyllic beaches makes it a popular tourist destination in the summer, predominantly for residents of mainland France. Bonifacio is also the setting of Guy de Maupassant's short story, Vendetta.

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3. Manarola, Italy is a small town in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It is the second smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists. Manarola may be the oldest of the towns in the Cinque Terre, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338. Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been fishing and wine-making.

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4. Positano, Italy - Positano is a village on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, mainly in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast. Positano has been featured in several films, including Only You and Under the Tuscan Sun, as well as being mentioned in the 2009 musical film Nine in the song "Cinema Italiano". Today tourism is by far the major industry. Positano is also very popular for Limoncello and "L'Albertissimo", an alcoholic tipple that can only be found at a small stall at the main harbour.

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5. Santorini, Greece is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 120 miles southeast from Greece's mainland.  The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Santorini was ranked world's top island for 2011 in Travel+Leisure Magazine. Santorini was also named "the world's best island" by the BBC in 2011.Due to its unique ecology and climate, and especially its volcanic ash soil, Santorini is home to unique and prized produce. Santorini tomatoes are renowned; they are cherry tomatoes that are extremely tasty and sweet, and with an intensely red, staining color.

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