Nautical Luxuries Blog

After about four years of searching, we've finally found another terrific, nautically styled coir doormat. Like our previous, incredibly popular coir mats, this woven rope design mat really traps the sand, keeping it outside where it belongs.  The new "Admiral's Cabin" mats begin arriving this month. DJ

Who doesn't love a sale, especially when it's for everything you've been wishing for, for the past six months! Here are just a few of our favorite coastal/nautical luxuries on sale now through January 31st. Quantities are limited on many items, so shop soon! Create a classic New England bedroom with our Vintage Nautical Duvet Covers and Shams, or the crisp look of bristol white Matelasse in a delightful coastal seashell and starfish pattern:   Treat your seaside guests like royalty with Embroidered Bath Towels (bath, hand, face and tip towel sets):          Set an amazing coastal table with Swarovski Crystal bling napkin rings:   Create your own nautical identity with custom code flag jewelry:   Ease back into a cozy feather down pillow, or wrap up in a warm, wool nautical blanket:   Keep the holiday spirit alive all year long:        Enjoy the exceptional prices and, if you miss this sale, never fear. We'll have another big sale in about six months! DJ

Wight Vodka's annual voting competition for the world's best yachting bar is one of our favorite events! This year, while The Dog Watch in Stonington, CT, the Clubhouse Yacht Club in Breskens, Holland, Nippers of Great Guana Cay in the Abacos, the Bitter End Yacht Club in the BVI, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, Thailand, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Salty Mike's in  Charleston, S.C., the King & Queen in Hamble, England, and the Pier View in Cowes on the Isle of Wight were all top vote-getters, it was the International Yacht and Athletic Club (IYAC) in Newport, RI, that took top honors by readers of Scuttlebutt Europe. Scuttlebut readers were asked to vote and to comment about their favorite bar, which elicited some pretty interesting replies: • This place is known as the drinking bar with a yachting problem. • The bar supports the club…and vice versa! • You never know if you’re going to see someone in a wedding dress or a swimsuit. • The commitment of the owners and patrons to several major charity events, including being founders of ‘Sail for Pride.’ • The only pub where you find the rock stars, pro sailors and keen weekenders mixing it up together. • Major respect to the great Jan! Pubs like this are definitely what Sundays are made of. • $2.00 Bourbon Nights…Ooooh to be young again!! • It’s a short walk for drinks after sailing. • It’s walking distance back home! Previous winners include Peter Cafe Sport in the Azores - 2009, and Soggy Dollar in the BVI - 2010.  This year's winner, IYAC, will receive a trophy and a bottle of Wight vodka to celebrate.  So if you're in Newport for the upcoming America's Cup World Series, put IYAC on your must-see list! DJ    

...Know what their passions are in life!  Simple really, and if one of those passions happens to be sailing or boating, then you might want to consider a few of these: FOR THE DAPPER DAN                          Sterling Silver Sailboat Cufflinks with                        Code Flag Two-Tone Sports Watch $90 Lapis Lazuli, Mother of Pearl, and Onyx $120 SHOP THE MENS ACCESSORIES SECTION FOR THE BUSINESS BARON                                  Solid Brass Siren Of The Seas Bookend Set $129          Brass Finish Desk Ship's Anchor $30                                           Deck Cleat Bookend Set $60                                        Brass Gimbaled Desk Compass $120                                       Aluminum 3-Link Anchor Chain Sculpture$165          Compass & Clock Chartweights $56-$64 Wood/Brass Porthole Desk/Shelf Clock $128              Porthole Desk Clock & Barometer $140 SHOP DESK & OFFICE ACCESSORIES FOR THE ENTERTAINING YACHTSMAN                          Marine Rope Wine Caddy from Italy $88                    Marine 4-Pc. Rope Coaster Set from Italy $155                                 Knot Accent Stainless Wine Chiller from Italy $185      Marine Rope Bar Trays from Italy $245-$415          Etched Sailboat 4-Pc. Rocks Glasses Set $59    Fish Stemless White or Red Wine Tumbler 4-Pc.Set $51             Nautical Code Flags 4-Pc. Rocks Glasses Set $38     Cleat Handle Compass Rose Wood Tray $125 SHOP NAUTICAL BAR Women, on the other hand, might be a little more difficult to shop for but... that's the next post, and besides, what man is buying gifts THIS early? DJ    

Each year, we look forward to the start of our fresh wreath shipping season, and the opportunity to help protect our oceans.  While most of our coastal-themed wreaths ship year-round, our fresh Noble Fir wreaths ship Nov. 8 - Dec. 20 only. What a beautiful coastal accent, and wonderful fragrance these wreaths add to your home, and what a great way to support ocean restoration!

[caption id="attachment_870" align="alignnone" width="295" caption="SeaKeepers Fresh Coastal Wreath"][/caption] Your purchase of any Nautical Luxuries wreath from October through December, helps support ocean monitoring and research through our donation to the International SeaKeepers Society. Each wreath ships with a note to the recipient that the purchase of their wreath has contributed to the SeaKeepers' efforts to protect and restore the oceans. [caption id="attachment_871" align="alignnone" width="293" caption="Nantucket Island Fresh Coastal Wreath"][/caption] The International SeaKeepers Society is a non-profit organization comprised of entrepreneurs, yachtsmen, corporations, divers, scientists and concerned citizens, all dedicated to protecting and restoring the health of the world's ocean.  The SeaKeepers' mission is to gather and distribute the most useful oceanographic and atmospheric data from which to draw rational conclusions concerning the health of the world's ocean's and climate. These data are provided to governments, scientists, educational institutions and private citizens worldwide. To learn more about the International SeaKeepers Society, visit their website at www.SeaKeepers.org. [caption id="attachment_872" align="alignnone" width="289" caption="Winter Harbor Preserved Coastal Wreath"][/caption] We can't think of a more appropriate corporate or personal gift for nautical enthusiasts to give or receive this holiday season, than a welcoming wreath adorned with the sea's bounty; a beautiful statement of your passion and commitment to the sea! DJ

If you look hard enough, you may find one or two glasses in your cabinet that have been with you since college. Ahh, the days when you couldn't find two glasses that matched, and you seldom had enough wine glasses, much less champagne glasses, for a dinner party.  At some point, we graduated from futons and milk crate shelves, to more sophisticated home furnishings. If your glassware cabinet hasn't quite caught up, and you're still mixing and matching, you might want to consider a beautiful coastal makeover.  We have five different coastal/nautical themed collections that will look terrific on your holiday table and will match the rest of your post-college sophisticated home! Etched Shell Collection Etched Fish Collection Etched Compass Rose Collection Etched Sailboat Collection Etched Starfish Collection Cheers! DJ

The fall season is even more special when it's enjoyed by the water!  Coastal communities around the country, add their unique seaside touch and ocean-themed fun to seasonal decor - and Halloween is no exception!  With Halloween just around the corner, we found a few great examples of coastal inspiration!

Featured in the October issue of Coastal Living Magazine, a couple of fabulously carved sea creatures.

  The Quiksilver Blog and the Completely Coastal Blog recently featured two rather chic un-carved pumpkin ideas: Tres Chic Pumpkin Under Glass

 A line of Halloween pumpkins watching the tide come in on a Maryland dock.

                                

You may have missed the Underwater Pumpkin Carving, co-hosted this past weekend by the Shark Bait Dive Club and the Underwater Phantaseas Dive Club, (no photos posted yet), but here's a truly spectacular Hermit Crab Pumpkin, created by a hotel's staff at a corporate pumpkin carving event.

 A few nautical/coastal inspired carved pumpkins from Quaint Living.

                         How about a lighthouse pumpkin? You can download the template and carve your own, at Midwest Living. If you're now sufficiently inspired, you may want to grab a carving knife and head to www.pumpkinlady.com to get some more great pumpkin carving ideas and purchase your own coastal-themed carving template. Happy Coastal Halloween! DJ

The latest updates on our favorite, regattas, boat shows and coastal events. A Few of Our Favorite Regattas & Ocean Races October 29 - July, 2012  Volvo Ocean Race October 30-Nov. 5, 2011 Pro-Am Regatta, Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI November 12-20, 2011  America's Cup World Series, San Diego, CA December 26-Jan, 2012  Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, Sydney, Australia January 15-20, 2012       Quantum Key West Race Week, Key West, FL March 22-25, 2012         St. Barth's Bucket Regatta April 19-24, 2012           Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta May 12-20, 2012            America's Cup World Series, Venice, Italy June 20-23, 2012           Superyacht Cup, Palma de Mallorca, Spain June 23- July 1, 2012      America's Cup World Series, Newport, RI July 22-25, 2012            Superyacht Cup, Special Olympics Edition, Cowes, UK July 28- Aug. 11, 2012   Olympics Sailing, Weymouth and Portland, UK August 24-26, 2012       Newport Bucket Regatta - 25th Anniversary September, 2012            Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Yacht Shows & Rendezvous October 6-10                 Annapolis Boat Show, Annapolis, MD October 27-31               Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, Ft. Lauderdale, FL December 4-10              50th Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show March 13-17, 2012        Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai, UAE March 13-17, 2012        Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous, Virgin Gorda, BVI April 12-15, 2012          Antibes Yacht Show, Antibes, France Coastal Events - It's Almost 2011 Boat Parade Season!! November 26   28th Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach, NC Jacksonville Light Parade, Jacksonville, FL Lighted Holiday Boat Parade, Mystic, CT 24th Annual Boat Parade of Lights, Panama City Beach, FL                        11th Annual Savannah Harbour Boat Parade of Lights, Savannah, GA Wicomico Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade, Allen, MD Christmas Lights Boat Parade, Mooloolaba Marina Canals, Australia (tentative) December 2    4th Annual Lighted Boat Parade, Augusta, GA (tentative) Green Cove Springs Lighted Boat Parade, Green Cove Springs, FL (tentatibe) Dec. 2-3         29th Annual Lake Havasu City Boat Parade of Lights December 3    23rd Annual Downtown Hampton Holly Days Lighted Boat Parade, Hampton, VA Baltimore's Parade of Lighted Boats,  Baltimore, MD Island Of Lights Festival Holiday Flotilla, Carolina Beach, NC South Carolina Parade Of Boats, Charleston, SC Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Palm Beach, FL  Daytona Beach Annual Christmas Parade, Daytona Beach, FL Flagler County.Palm Coast Christmas Boat Parade, Palm Coast Yacht Club, FL                        Jupiter Boat Parade and Celebration, Jupiter, FL                        23rd Annual Boat Parade, New Smyrna Beach, Fl                        Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Palm Beach, FL 30th Annual Marin County Christmas Boat Parade, Stuart, FL                        Venice Christmas Boat Parde, Venice, FL Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade, Yorktown, VA Santa Cruz Harbor Lighted Boat Parade, Santa Cruz, CA Ormond Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Ormond Beach, FL (tentative) Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla, Beaufort & Morehead City, NC December 4   Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade, Dunedin, FL 6th Annual Lighted Boat Parade, Ilwaco, WA                      Annual Holiday Parade of Lights, Alexandria, VA December 5   22nd Annual Christmas Boat Parade, Ft. Myers, FL December 9   Boynton/Delray Holiday Boat Parade, Delray Beach, FL St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, St. Petersburg, FL December 10 Bradenton Boat Parade, Bradenton, FL Carabelle Boat Parade of Lights and Holiday on the Harbor, Carabelle, FL                       Fort Lauderdale Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Ft. Lauderdale, FL                       Key Largo Boat Parade, Key Largo, FL                       Marine Industries Christmas Boat Parade, Naples, FL                       Schooner Wharf Bar Cruzan Rums LightedBoat Parade, Key West, FL Pensacola Lighted Boat Parade, Pensacola, FL                       St. Augustine Holiday Regatta of Lights, St. Augustine, FL                       St. Petersburg Illuminated Boat Parade, St. Petersburg, FL                       Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade, Treasure Island, FL                       Twinkle Light Boat Parade, Grapevine, TX (tentative) King Harbor Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade Marco Island Christmas Island Style Boat Parade, Marco Island, FL December 11 Bonita Springs Boat Parade, Bonita Springs, FL Cedar Key Boat Parade, Cedar Key, FL Destin 23rd Annual Holiday on the Water Lighted Boat Parade, Destin, FL Fanning Springs Festival of Lights, Fanning, FL Ft. Pierce Holiday Boat Parade, Ft. Pierce, FL 22nd Annual Peace River Lighted Boat Parade, Punta Gorda, FL 40th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights, Mission Bay, CA (tentative) Venice Canals Christmas Boat Parade, Venice, CA December 12 Pompano Boat Parade, Pompano, FL 47th Annual Marina del Rey Boat Parade, Marina del Rey, CA  Bermuda Christmas Boat Parade   50th Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade, Clear Lake, TX                     25th Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, Sarasota, FL                     Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade, Treasure Island, FL Dec. 12-13    Huntington Harbor Christmas Boat Parade, Huntington Harbor, CA Dec. 14-18    Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Newport Harbor, CA December 17 35th Annual Boca Raton Boat Parade, Boca Raton, FL Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade, Long Beach, CA December 18  Cape Coral Boat-A-Long Christmas Lights Parade, Cape Coral, FL Lower Keys Lighted Boat Parade, Little Torch Key, FL                       Miami Outboard Club Holiday Boat Parade, Miami, FL 40th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights December 20 San Diego Bay Parade of Lights December 23 Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Tampa, FL

An extraordinarly talented interior designer friend, whom I've known for many years, joined me for a cruise around the harbor last weekend, and prompted a significant discovery. No, not the 'beneath-the-sea' type of discovery, but rather the realization that Nautical Luxuries has, in essence, become synonymous with an entirely new and distinctive decor style. After a bit more cruising and animated discussion, we officially coined the name "Urban Coastal".  Urban Coastal may well be the very essence of Nautical Luxuries. Throughout our entire collection, you will find a common thread of simply elegant design, and an undeniable appreciation for the natural beauty of all things coastal/nautical. We celebrate here, a few of our favorite and newly coined, "Urban Coastal" pieces. We look forward to continuing the trend. Enjoy! DJ   The Urban Coastal Bar: Bohemian Crystal Martini Glass The Urban Coastal Hostess: Imported French Cleat-Handled Deck Tray             Urban Coastal Lighting: Tortoise Shell Lamp

Urban Coastal Accents: Hand Blown Glass Rope Knots

Urban Coastal Wall Decor: Painted Metal Surf Break Wall Sculpture

 The Urban Coastal Coffee Table; Giant Clam  Centerpiece

   Urban Coastal Sculpture: Copper Sheen Nautilus Sculpture

Summer may be coming to a close, but it seems Pirates & Wenches know how to have a swashbuckling good time all year long!  Southern Boating's August issue had a short article about Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend, held in Rock Hall, Maryland, August 12-14. By the looks of things, ( see: rockhallpirates.com), it was just as Southern Boating predicted - a colorful mix of mayhem, music and good family fun!  With boat decorating contests, races, beach parties, giveaways, grog and grub, island music, rum tasting, sea shanty sing-a-longs, and contests (for a date with Captain Black, arrr!), it sounds like a great weekend for any sea-going scallywag.          A quick search online revealed that there are a veritable gaggle of Pirate Faires and Events, held coast-to-coast, and year-round. Here's a link to find an event near you: http://piratefestivals.com/ And a partial list of pirate events coming up in September: Marcus Hook Pirate Festival - Marcus Hook, PA BrethrenCon 2010: A Pirate's Life For Me - Denver, CO Lake Chelan Pirate Fest - Lake Chelan, WA Pirates of the St. Juans - Sanford, FL Pirate's Day - Barnegat, NJ Long Island Pirate Festival- Long Island, NY Happy Harbor Pirate Fest, Sun Harbor Marina - Orange Beach, AL Portland Pirate Festival - Portland, OR Eastport Pirate Festival - Eastport, ME Pyrate Fest - Memphis, TN Treasure Coast Pirate Fest - Stuart, FL Surfside Beach Pirate Fest - Surfside Beach, TX St. Louis Pirate Festival - Wentzville, MO-West of St. Louis Pirates Weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival - Harveysburg, OH Toshiba Tall Ships Festival - Dana Point Harbor, CA Gold Coast Pirate Faire - Ventura, CA area There's even a Pirates Magazine, with their own list of Festivals and Events! Last but, aaaaarrrrr-guably not least, mark your calendar for Talk Like A Pirate Day, September 19th. Summer may be nearing an end, and the warm weather cruising and racing season may be winding down, but we've still got Pirates! ... and football ...and hockey ...and a bottle of rum, yo ho. DJ

Code Flags, with their bold colors and sharp angles, are a terrific nautical accent any time of the year. Summer, though, seems like the best time of year to indulge in a little code flag fun! Out on the back patio in Newport Beach, these canvas code flag pillows represent the initials of the owner's four children. Each pillow is made to order, so you can spell out the name of your boat, or your own private message. They're available in standard canvas and Sunbrella canvas for your outside patio or aft deck.  You'll find them on the last page of the Pillows & Throws section.     These hand-hooked, 100% wool code flags pillows add a bright, cozy touch to any seaside home or yacht. Also available in hand-hooked 100% rugs and runners of various sizes to fit any room or hallway. You'll find these in the Curtains & Rugs section. Your guests will enjoy this fun set of code flag glasses; available in either acrylic or glass. Each of four glasses features a different code flag with the mariner's meaning, including U: "You are running into danger" and K: "I want to communicate with you."

  Set a casual, nautical table this summer with our versatile and virtually indestructible Waving Flags melamine dinnerware. They come in a complete service for four, which includes 16 pieces. Add a nautical touch to your year-round wardrobe with our silk Code Flag Scarf. Scarves are available in a variety of designs, and each is completely custom made, with your choice of up to 20 code flag letters. Get creative with a great fashion accessory and be a stand-out at the next yacht club event. For him, a beatiful, bespoke set of gold Code Flag Cufflinks with up to three enameled initials. A true Nautical luxury! Find them in the Trophies &  Jewelry section, under Men's Accessories Here's a treat for you both!  His and hers Code Flag Watches, in elegant gold and in a stainless steel sport design. You'll find them in the Trophies & Jewelry section, under Bracelets.          There are plenty of other great ways to accessorize your home, your boat, or yourself, with colorful, nautical code flags! See more great ideas by searching "code flags" on the home page. DJ

There's no shortage of smiles and laughter around here, each time we get a new Bobblehead order in from the sculptors. It's hard not to laugh at those little heads bobbling about!  Too bad we can't capture that in a still photo. Just received a thank you note from another happy helms-couple: "Caryn LOVED the Bobbleheads of us. We look at them and laugh often. Enclosed is a photo of our bobbleheads. Thanks again.    Best regards,  Bill" What yachtsman or yachtswoman wouldn't get a kick out of a miniature caricature of themselves at the helm! From their deck shoes to their sailing jackets, our bobblehead figures are truly a one-of-a-kind gift idea for any sailor. All we need to create your very own bobblehead figure is a front and side close-up photograph of the face and head. Can you imagine an entire AC team of Bobblehead Sailors? Larry Ellison? Russell Coutts? Spithill? Cayard? How about Dennis Connor? Lowell North? ... bobbling away on YouTube? The mind bobbles - boggles! DJ