Nautical Luxuries Blog

The Sand Trap Returns

DJC — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:26:19 +0000

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.

The Semi-Annual Sale Is On

DJC — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:09:52 +0000

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!

Best Yachting Bar Competition

DJC — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 04:15:05 +0000

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!

The Simple Secret To Shopping For Men’s Gifts

DJC — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:02:48 +0000

…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?

Saving The Ocean One Wreath At A Time

DJC — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:38:28 +0000

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!

SeaKeepers Fresh Coastal Wreath

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.

Nantucket Island Fresh Coastal Wreath

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.

Winter Harbor Preserved Coastal Wreath

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!

A Coastal Barware Makeover

DJC — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:35:48 +0000

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

Coastal Carving Trends

DJC — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:30:24 +0000

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!

Our Favorite Coastal & Yachting Events

DJC — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:07:59 +0000

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 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

Urban Coastal

DJC — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 02:35:27 +0000

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!

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

Calling All Pirates

DJC — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:46:39 +0000

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.