Nautical Luxuries Blog

Just a few of the places you'll find Nautical Luxuries popping up recently: Chesapeake Home Magazine, July, 2008: These embroidered coral pillows have been some of our most popular ever. Most of these styles have sold out, but we're introducing several new coral design pillows this fall. Coastal Living Magazine, September, 2007: What a great feature this "Sand Trap" was of our Coral Coir Doormat! We sold out within two weeks of this Coastal Living issue hitting the stands and have since added several new styles to our line. North Carolina Boating Lifestyle, November, 2007: Another terrific regional publication, NC Boating Lifestyle has featured a variety of Nautical Luxuries' products from pet accessories to bar accessories. Last November, they showcased our over-the-top SeaTree tabletop Christmas tree. We'll be introducing something even more extraordinary this holiday season! Today's Chicago Woman, June, 2008: TCW featured several great Nautical Luxuries items this summer, including our best-selling Aluminum Nautilus Ice Bucket, the classic Silver Lighthouse Salt & Peppermill, and our 3-Pc. Coastal Bottle Stopper Set. All make wonderful hostess and thank-you gifts! Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Summer, 2008: More and more coastal brides are discovering Nautical Luxuries as a great resource for coastal-themed wedding decor, bridal accessories and wedding party gifts. This summer's favorite is the classic Silver Lighthouse Salt & Peppermill. Orange County Home, December, 2007: Glam was the theme of OC Home Magazine last December, and Nautical Luxuries made the cover! Our Swarovski Crystal Seahorse Ornament and starfish were a big hit last year. Inside, OC Home featured a unique orange-themed holiday layout with an entire page of Nautical Luxuries, from beaded seahorse ornaments and coral silk pillows and Christmas stockings, to beautiful cloisonne ornaments. SeaTow Lifelines, Winter, 2007: SeaTow's publication, Lifelines, published a great Holiday Gift Guide including several Nautical Luxuries items including cocktail shakers, books and tote bags.

Unfortunately for our Web Crew, I’m always looking to raise the bar on elegance at NauticalLuxuries.com. I’ve never once heard them grumble, and they’ve always risen to the challenge. This time, they’ve done an outstanding job translating vague input for a more sophisticated look into what you now see on our home page, and throughout the entire site. The new look is terrific, but that’s not all... They’ve also set up a new Living By The Water section that will allow us to keep you posted on a wide variety of coastal/nautical lifestyle topics. The new blog, for example, is one of my favorite additions. I started writing posts a couple of months ago, to set the stage with a little background on who and where we are, and why I love the nautical lifestyle. Now that we’re live, I’ll be able to focus more on our products and the experiences and input we’ve received from our customers. I look forward to your comments and I raise my glass in toast to Bud and Alane, our Website crew for a job well done! DJ

How can something be so grueling, yet so fun?

Going to the markets twice each year is as exhilarating to my creative senses as it is excruciating to my feet! I'm happy to report, though, that not only did I survive the endless trek through showroom after showroom, in city after city, I am very excited about the new luxuries we'll be introducing this fall and next spring. (Stay tuned for some sneak peaks.)

I'd been warned during previous buying trips, though, that coastal - especially coral - was slipping in popularity. Not so, according to what I saw in more showrooms than ever, (and in many cases, featured right up front). Clearly, the coastal/nautical theme is not only alive and well, but is benefiting from the attention of wonderful designers with new and exciting interpretations of traditional shell, coral, and marine life motifs.

Can't wait to introduce the new line!

After a challenging week of traveling, it's always nice to head back to SNA and re-immerse in the island life. A glass of wine and a relaxing sunset walk around the island with Mr Jones, and I'm now completely rejuvenated and ready to start work on bringing the new collection to life online and in our showroom. DJ

What a day for being on the water!

Mr. Jones, (handsome lad in yellow jacket), and I started the day early, with a jog around the island, accompanied by solitary rowers skimming silently past us on the water. It wasn’t long, though, before our tranquil little island was transformed by the summer onslaught of beachgoers and partying harbor-cruisers.

By noon, Mr. Jones and I were right in the thick of things on the harbor in our little kayak. Everywhere we paddled, there was music, and people were having the time of their lives! Despite the price of fuel, boating continues to be one of the best values going for family fun.

We made our way through the harbor "traffic" and on down the channel to meet up with friends aboard Cha Cha Cha. A ration or two of rum later, we were on our way back - Mr. Jones clinging tenaciously to his square of carpet on the tiny bow and barking like a lunatic at anything and everything that motored, sailed or floated our way.

As the sun edged lower, turning the water a glorious silver, the waterside grills started sending the most wonderful aromas out over the water, and the sound of fireworks announced the beginning of a night of national celebration. We glided back towards the island and up onto the beach.

Time to hose off the salt water, head inside, and thank my lucky stars for being an American and for living by the water.

DJ

Living on an island is one of my favorite luxuries. Being surrounded by water, there’s only one way on or off this particular island - without something that floats, anyway, and that's the narrow, 2-lane Lido Island bridge. The bridge also offers one of the best views of Newport Harbor – right up there, in my book, with the view from the bar at Balboa Yacht Club. There’s a lot to see from the bridge: the white-hulled yachts filling every possible inch of dock space; the towering carbon fiber racing spars that circle the island; the endless parade of surrey-like electric Duffy boats, cruising ever-so-slowly under the bridge and past the waterfront island homes. Welcome to my little corner of nautical luxury, where nautical is ubiquitous and yet as individual and unique as each of the residents on this tiny little island. It is a special place and a continual inspiration for Nautical Luxuries. DJ