Ten Beach Vacation Tips

It's summertime! Headed to a sandy beach or possibly a resort? We have rounded up ten tricks to add a special flair to your summertime vacation plans!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Shark Cupcakes

Look out for paper fins slicing through those icing waves! Simply cut blue triangles out of craft paper and sit in your icing dyed with blue food coloring. Prefer a predator free zone? Simply add a parasol umbrella straw to your finely ground graham cracker crust cupcake!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Pocketed Beach Towel

A creative way to keep your belongings from getting lost in the sand! Corner pockets are a simple stitch to add to any beach towel or blanket. Click here to get all the directions!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Tic-Tac Towel

By simply adding a few strips of ribbon with fabric glue to your beach towel, you have created a fun game to entertain your little ones for hours. In lieu of the traditional X's and O's and in keeping with your beach theme, spray paint shells collected at the beach opposite colors.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

The Beach Cover-Up

A beach coverup is essential and we found this no fuss creation you can make yourself! Simply stitch two cotton scarves together for a quick cover-up with Bohemian flair! View the steps here!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Shell Vase

A wide-mouthed shell can easily double as a small vase for bedroom bouquets. To create your own, place a piece of floral adhesive to a plate (just enough to hold the shell upright). Stick the shell to the adhesive and then place a weight (a fishing sinker for example) inside to help hold it in its place. Fill the shell half-way with water and then add flowers. The flowers featured in the photo are the purple scabiosa and the white phlox. Lastly, arrange pebbles around the shell. They will ass a finishing touch and further stabilize the display.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Picnic Plates

Lunch at the beach deserves the proper dishes! What could be more fitting than crab, seagull, and sun plates? You'll find these solid color paper plates at any party store. To get a shape template, click here!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Sea Shell Wreath

Take the beach home with you... literally! It's so simple... simply collect the shells at the beach. Don't worry if they are all different colors. Worry about finding shells with a common shape... a light mist of white spray paint will quickly even out the color! At a local craft store, purchase a styrofoam wreath. You will hot glue the shells to the wreath starting at one section and gradually moving around the wreath. String or rope can be added for hanging.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Simple Sarong

A simple sarong makes the perfect beach cover-up! Want to make your own?

To get a shape template, click here!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Beach Bag Key Ring

Losing a set of keys in the sand can really put a damper on your day. It's easy to keep them close at hand with a steel shower curtain ring. Simply clip the ring onto the handle of your bag and slip on your key ring. You'll always have your keys in sight! 

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Personalized Beach Tote

Whether you are taking towels to the beach, fruit from the farmers' market, or gardening tools from the shed, tote bags always live up to their name. However, they don't need to look humble. A bold initial or  vivid pattern can make a canvas bag newly stylish... and unique to its owner. Click here for full instructions!

As always, we would love to see your creations! Show them off to us on our Facebook page!

For more great summer beach tips, visit our article source.

Featured Properties!

We are so proud of our beautiful listings and our sales. Each week the blog will showcase featured properties in the area. If you are interested in more details on any of the listings, please call our office at (985) 892-1478. 

11760 Bennett Bridge Road   Folsom, LA

Surrounded by a canopy of treetops, this Elegant Greek Revival commands a 17+ acre country estate. Newly built, this architect’s home is of unparalleled quality and beauty offering the romance of the past with the conveniences of today. Warm and inviting, this home offers over 9000 sf of impeccable detail with every possible amenity. All overlooking an exquisite pool, pool house, and guest cottage.

Want more details? See the listing at: jenniferrice.net

74261 Birch Bend   Covington, LA

 Imagine yourself on permanent vacation in your riverfront retreat tucked away in the beautiful San Souci Forest.  Enjoy morning coffee on the balcony overlooking the tranquil Bogue Falaya River.  Home is immaculate and custom, with living areas upstairs and wonderful family room below.  Outdoor shower, storage, generator.  Must see to appreciate this little piece of paradise minutes from Covington.

Want more details? See the listing at: jenniferrice.net

18570 Hossmer Mill   Covington, LA

Lovely all brick Acadian home situated on beautiful 2.45 acres in River Heights off prestigious River Road.  Huge Great Room and Spacious Master open to lovely patio and refreshing pool with fountain.  Formal Dining Room, two fireplaces, efficient kitchen with breakfast room, all wood and tile flooring downstairs. Designer touches everywhere. Enormous workshop attached to garage offers a multitude of possibilities.

Want more details? See the listing at: jenniferrice.net

SOLD Properties!

We have been selling properties left and right! 
Take a look at our latest sales. We are so happy for these new homeowners and for all the clients we represent! Remember, yours could be next. Contact us today for a market analysis of your property!

Jennifer Rice and Team have SOLD this Acadian home!

Jennifer Rice and Team have SOLD this stunning Garden District home!

Jennifer Rice and Team have SOLD this charming cottage!

Jennifer Rice and Team have SOLD this beautiful property!

Jennifer Rice and Team have SOLD this beautiful cottage!

Featured Properties!

We are so proud of our beautiful listings and our sales. Each week the blog will showcase featured properties in the area. If you are interested in more details on any of the listings, please call our office at (985) 892-1478. 

1322 Jahncke  Covington, LA

 Spectacular French Quarter style custom home in demand Jahncke area of Old Covington situated around private walled flagstone courtyard with European fountains and lush landscaping.  Interior of quiet distinction with antique heart of pine floors, beamed ceilings, plastered walls, custom mantles and millwork, designer chandeliers.  Ideal floor plan.  Interiors professionally designed.  Office and exercise rooms not included in bedrooms.  Home features 2 fireplaces, 2 refrigerators, 2 dishwashers, and 2 disposals.  Two additional upstairs bathrooms need completion, for a total of 6 full and 1 half baths.

Want more details? See the listing at: jenniferrice.net

72392 Military Road   Covington, LA

 This perfectly renovated 1910 cottage sets on 2+ glorious acres. Renovated by architect Ken Tate with his wife Charme, an interior decorator, this home is unique blend of West Indies style cottage look outside and more of a contemporary feel inside. Southern architectural features remain including 11’ high ceilings, clapboard exterior, wide center hall and deep porches on the front and back. Windows line the east kitchen wall allowing views to the porch, swimming pool and beautifully landscape backyard. This home MUST be seen to appreciate.

Want more details? See the listing at: jenniferrice.net

75777 Old Military Road  Covington, LA

5 minutes to Downtown Covington.  Custom built builders home with New Orleans style features.  Park-like setting on 9+ acres of manicured land.  Stocked 1/2 acre pond.  Large barn and pool.  12ft ceilings throughout 1st floor.  15 minutes to Causeway bridge.

Want more details? See the listing at: jenniferrice.net

Vintage Fish Plates and Bottles

When researching a post on displaying collections of dishes and miscellaneous collectible antiques, I came across this article about vintage fish plates and bottles. I have often seen these collectible items, but never knew their history or origin. Hope you find this information to be interesting as well! Source: Martha Stewart.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

No one knows for certain when the first fish dishes surfaced, but one speculation is that the items were tamer takes on quirky Victorian majolica, richly shaded earthenware depicting scenes from nature, including underwater vignettes. From these colorful depths emerged simpler pieces that celebrated a single creature: the humble fish, long a symbol of life and fertility. These dishes, manufactured from the mid-nineteenth century through the twentieth century, were ceramic, porcelain, glass, silver, cast iron, or cast aluminum. Many were souvenirs from coastal cities. Others carried goods -- spirits from Portugal, wine from Italy -- produced by areas celebrating their maritime heritage. On the other side of the world, in Japan, fish-shaped china appeared on tables, a serving idea still in good use. And one of the most enduring designs, a bottle whose neck protrudes from a fish's gaping mouth, was manufactured on the Delaware River, in Philadelphia, in the late nineteenth century.


To start your own collection, cast a line at yard sales, flea markets, or online auctions. Although a devoted collector might spend thousands on a complete set of well-preserved plates, the casual buyer can procure a single dish for a few dollars. Seek out streamlined shapes, and group them by color. Then consider mounting the collection against a marine-inspired backdrop, such as blue-green wallpaper or cool-colored tiles. The pieces also will look right at home with all kinds of sea-associated specimens and delights. Surround them with beach shells, antique nautical knickknacks, or decorative coral in hefty lumps or spindly branches. And before you know it, you'll be hooked.

Wines and spirits from nations close to the sea, including Italy and Portugal, came in bottles shaped like fish (this page); the small, round vessel once held perfume, while the white one is a reproduction of an 1860s bitters bottle.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

An Art Deco platter from the 1930s coasts above fish-shaped dishes and molds gathered on an entryway shelf; the handled cup near the center is a creamer.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Three sizes of ceramic fish plates from the early to mid-twentieth century are the settings on a marine-green table; silver-plated, fish- shaped salt and pepper shakers, antique fishing floats reminiscent of giant bubbles, and decoupage seaweed-motif trays are all part of the theme.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Skimming an end table under a coral fern are a ceramic baking dish roomy enough for a whole fish and a reproduction bitters bottle.

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Multiple dishes, a bronze sculpture, a giant clam shell, and a nineteenth-century French table with legs cast as mythical dolphins capture a cat's attention; the two small fish floating in from the top right are Victorian milk glass, while the top round plate was part of a 1940s tuna company promotion.

Article Source: Martha Stewart

NEW PRICE EXPLOSION!

We have listings with new reduced prices we want to share with you!

80 Bluebird  - Covington, LA  NEWLY REDUCED $300,000

Charming Acadian tucked away on 1.8 acres with authentic stucco exterior, serene stocked pond, and lush landscaping. Inside you'll discover ingenious flowing floor plan with spacious rooms, high ceilings, wood floors, abundance of natural light, gourmet kitchen with brick enclosed oven, and private guest suite. Impeccably maintained.

Want more details? See the listing at: http://www.jenniferrice.net/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=1068862

47 Riverdale - Covington, LA  NEWLY REDUCED $320,000

Renovated brick Ranch in high demand Tchefuncta Estates.  Granite and stainless kitchen with Jenn-Air appliances, 6 burner gas range and wet bar, cathedral ceiling with exposed beams in great room, all new windows, post-K roof, beautiful private yard.  Neighborhood offers 24/7 security, park, marina, and optional Country Club with tennis, golf, swimming, and fabulous new clubhouse. 

Want more details? See the listing at: http://www.jenniferrice.net/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=1219120

14411 Bennett Bridge Road - Covington, LA  NEWLY REDUCED $429,000

FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES! (See the entire article here:http://nyti.ms/iBlKQk)

This property had a log cabin and an Acadian home when the current owners bought it. They tore down the house and remilled its wood to renovate the inside of cabin, using the old heart pine for trim, floors and ceiling in the living and dining room. The master bedroom opens to a porch. The renovation included updating the bathroom and kitchen, both of which were completed within the last four years. The house is set on 17.5 beautiful acres, partially wooded with live oaks and cypress trees. There is also a large pond located on the property.

Want more details? See the property at: http://www.jenniferrice.net/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=1168557

7 Mockingbird - Covington, LA   NEWLY REDUCED $475,000

Unique opportunity to enter the Tchefuncta market in a beautifully and completely renovated home, ready to move in! Walls have been removed to create spacious open living areas perfect for today's lifestyle.  Kitchen opens to great room and boasts high end appliances, slab granite counters, bar and breakfast nook.  Formal living and dining as well as 32x19 media room with $10,000 screen, and solarium with custom mahogany bar which opens to patio and private back yard.  Huge master, Chic updated baths, heart of pine flooring, designer light fixtures, two fireplaces, new windows throughout, custom cypress columns, must see to appreciate this wonderful renovation.  Tchefuncta offers 24/7 security, community marina, private club with golf, pool and tennis.

Want more details? See the listing at: http://www.jenniferrice.net/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=1194415

81005 Robinson - Folsom, LA   NEWLY REDUCED $650,000

Beautiful 20 acre farm/estate with two barns, riding arena and walker. Newly renovated custom home surrounded by majestic oaks features wood and tile throughout. Cathedral ceilings in downstairs master with luxurious master bath. Chef-designed gourmet kitchen with thick rough-cut granite, 6-burner Wolf Range with grill/griddle and double ovens, Sub Zero Fridge and Wine Cooler. Double-sided fireplace. Cooper topped wet bar. Upgraded lighting and in-ground pool.
An additional 6 acres with commercial building available.


Want more details? See the listing at: http://www.jenniferrice.net/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=863769

900 Main Street - Madisonville, LA   NEWLY REDUCED $744,900

Fabulous raised Acadian with huge front porch on oversized corner lot with pool one block from Tchefuncte River in the heart of Madisonville. Mother-in-law apartment with balcony overlooking the pool. Wood floors, old Chicago brick floors in kitchen, den and utility.

Want more details? See the listing at: http://www.jenniferrice.net/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=1036424

Call Jennifer Rice, Hyatt Hood, or Alice McNeely for even more details! 985.892.1478