My Current Paradise Party Invitation Favorites & 15+ Summer Occasions to Celebrate

Planning A Summer Soirée in the bay? THis post is for you!

I couldn’t help myself and wanted to pull together some of my current favorite Paradise Party-inspired, easy digital invites (both digital card invitations and digital flyer event pages)…and hopefully help inspire you to gather the people you love this spring and/or summer to celebrate life’s special moments.

A Few FAvorite Digital Tropical Invites from Paperless Post

Palmier III (Invitation) by Paperless Post

Cerulean Shell by Ten Story Stationary for Paperless Post

Hot Pinky by Paperless Post

Mermaid Twins by Paperless Post

Tiki Bar by Paperless Post

The Big Pineapple by Paperless Post

And I love the quickie and carefree digital Flyer Event Page options now available from Paperless Post and have included a few Flyer Event Page favorites below as well. These are a great way to keep party goers informed of any festivity updates, especially perfect for last minute events…

Sun Flare Flyer by Paperless Post

Seashells Flyer by Paperless Post

Summer Water Flyer by Paperless Post

Poolside Coladas Flyer by Paperless Post

Everything worth celebrating…My favorite Reason is The LAST!!

• Tropical Team Building Event

• Anniversary Party

• Goodbye/Moving Away Party

• Celebration of Life

• New Business Launch Party

• Promotion

• Career Change

• Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Party

• Love Island Watch Party

• School Fundraiser + Gala

• Just Because! (my favorite reason)

• Engagement/Elopement Party

• Backyard/Garden Wedding

• Divorce Party

• Retirement Party

• Graduation Party

• House Warming Party

• Milestone Birthday Party

• Summer Pool Party

• Baby Shower

• Bridal Shower

• Summer Fridays

Let us bring paradise to you!! Peruse our most popular Paradise Party rental items…

RENTAL: TIKI BAR WITH PALAPA ROOF

$695.00

2 bar stools included with rental.

Let's Party!

Only 1 available

RENTAL: ASSORTED TIKI GLASSWARE - 30 GUESTS

$195.00

Tiki glassware rental set for up to 30 guests.

Tiki glassware set includes 4 fun design variants in clear glass to show off your vibrant beverages.

100 cocktail umbrellas included to help transport your guests to paradise with each sip.

Raise the Glass!

Only 1 available

RENTAL: Tropical Pink Flamingos - Set of 10

$30.00

The cutest addition for adding Flamingo Flair to your gathering. Trust us, it’s not too much!! Multiple sets can be reserved to create a flock effect!!

Party with us...obviously!

Only 1 available

My Favorite FREE Summer Soirée Invites from Paperless Post

Planning A Spring/Summer Soirée in the bay or beyond? On a Budget? THis post is for you!

My husband and I happily eloped to San Francisco City Hall last December and now we’re planning a little moment in our garden to bring our friends together to finally celebrate later this summer!

We’re trying to keep it casual and on budget…and we’re also bundling this celebration with our belated housewarming as we also just purchased our first home a couple months before our elopement! So needless to say, it’s been a beautiful blur the last few months. We finally feel moved-in enough to plan our elopement and home warming soirée.

As I’ve been searching for digital Save the Dates and feeling a little overwhelmed with the 800+ complimentary options from Paperless Post, I decided to pull together some of my current favorite FREE elopement-housewarming-summer-inspired, easy digital invites (both digital card invitations and digital flyer event pages)…and hopefully help inspire you to gather the people you love this summer to celebrate life’s special moments, and stay on budget!

A Few FAvorite & FREE Digital Elopement-House warming-Summer-Inspired Invites from Paperless Post

Tequila Sunrise by Paperless Post

Botanic Garden for Paperless Post

Full Page Photo by Paperless Post

Chalcedony by Paperless Post

Inscription by Paperless Post

New House on the Block by Paperless Post

And I love these clean and simple digital Flyer Event Page options now available from Paperless Post and have included a few Flyer Event Page favorites below as well…also FREE to send to your first 50 guests and so easy to edit and customize to your events palette and theme. A great way to track RSVPs and keep friends informed of any festivity updates, especially perfect for last minute events…

Underlined Spring Entertaining by Paperless Post

Got Hitched by Paperless Post

Are you also planning a garden + Elopement party this spring/Summer in The Bay Area? Let us bring paradise to you!!

Peruse our most popular Paradise Party rental items…

RENTAL: TIKI BAR WITH PALAPA ROOF

$695.00

2 bar stools included with rental.

Let's Party!

Only 1 available

RENTAL: ASSORTED TIKI GLASSWARE - 30 GUESTS

$195.00

Tiki glassware rental set for up to 30 guests.

Tiki glassware set includes 4 fun design variants in clear glass to show off your vibrant beverages.

100 cocktail umbrellas included to help transport your guests to paradise with each sip.

Raise the Glass!

Only 1 available

RENTAL: Tropical Pink Flamingos - Set of 10

$30.00

The cutest addition for adding Flamingo Flair to your gathering. Trust us, it’s not too much!! Multiple sets can be reserved to create a flock effect!!

Party with us...obviously!

Only 1 available

A Sweet Layer to Your Everything Shower

Say hello to our new shower steamers!

A sweet yet luxurious layer to your everything shower. Tiny but mighty tablets infused with essential oils designed to turn your everyday rinse into a restorative moment. Thoughtfully formulated for efficacy and enjoyment, they dissolve in the steam and release essential oils that elevate the tone of your shower and the start of your day: calming, clarifying, or bright and energizing. Choose lavender for grounding and/or before bed, eucalyptus for focus and breath, or grapefruit & bergamot for a fresh, uplifting and heart-opening beginning to your day.

Lavender Shower Steamers

from $9.95

Finally they’re here!! You’ve been asking us for goods to enjoy in the shower…and our NEW Lavender Shower Steamers are the perfect alternate to our Bath Fizzies when you don’t have time for a bath. Transform your morning/evening shower ritual into the most luxurious spa moment at home with our NEW shower steamers!

Refreshing lavender essential oil is released with your warm shower to give you a steamy + spa-y shower experience. Our shower steamers include pure menthol crystals to help open your airways to the scent of essential oils providing a serene shower moment…even if you are not a morning person ;)

Size:

Select Size Duo Pouch - 5 Steamers

Let's Get Steamy!

Eucalyptus Shower Steamers

from $9.95

Finally they’re here!! You’ve been asking us for goods to enjoy in the shower…and our NEW Eucalyptus Shower Steamers are the perfect alternate to our Minty Bath Fizzy when you don’t have time for a bath. Transform your morning shower ritual into the most luxurious spa moment at home with our NEW shower steamers!

Refreshing eucalyptus essential oil is released with your warm shower to give you a steamy + spa-y shower experience. Our shower steamers include pure menthol crystals to help open your airways to the scent of essential oils providing an invigorating + awakening experience…even if you are not a morning person ;)

Size:

Select Size Duo Pouch - 5 Steamers

Let's Get Steamy!

Grapefruit + Bergamot Shower Steamers

from $9.95

You’ve been asking us for goods to enjoy in the shower…and our NEW NEW Grapefruit + Bergamot Shower Steamers are the perfect alternate to our Bath Fizzies and Seasonal Soaking Salts when you don’t have time for a bath. Transform your morning/evening shower ritual into the most luxurious spa moment at home with our NEW shower steamers!

An uplifting and heart opening blend of Grapefruit and Bergamot essential oils is released with your warm shower to give you a steamy + spa-y shower experience. Our shower steamers include pure menthol crystals to help open your airways to the scent of essential oils providing a serene shower moment…even if you are not a morning person ;)

Size:

Select Size Duo Pouch - 5 Steamers

Let's Get Steamy!

What our steamers do for you

Shower steamers add a convenient aromatherapy element to your everyday routine, and an invitation to be more present in the current moment. Place one on the floor of the shower (away from direct stream for slower release) or on a ledge where the steam will reach it. As it dissolves, the essential oils vaporize with the steam so you inhale the scent as you shower — like having a portable spa treatment.

Go-To Essential Oils for our formulations

• LAVENDER — Calm and unwind
  Lavender brings a classic floral herbal note that quiets the mind and grounds your body. Use it in the evening or whenever you need to downshift. Beneficial for stress relief and promoting a more restful state, lavender steamers help create a gentle transition to sleep.
  

• EUCALYPTUS — Clear and breathe
  Eucalyptus offers an invigorating, menthol-like clarity. It pairs well with morning routines or anytime you need better focus or a breath of fresh air. This scent supports a sense of respiratory ease and sharpens mental alertness without being overpowering.
  

• GRAPEFRUIT & BERGAMOT — Bright and energize
  Grapefruit delivers a crisp, citrusy jolt that lifts the mood and resets your energy. Ideal for mornings, pre-workout, or whenever a boost of optimism is needed. The clean, refreshing profile helps you feel motivated and open to the offerings of your day.
  

How to Enjoy

1. Remove the steamer from its packaging.

2. Place it on the shower floor or a ledge where it will be touched by a few drops of water and the surrounding steam — not directly under the full stream to avoid immediate dissolution.

3. Close the bathroom door to create a steamy environment. Breathe deeply and enjoy 5–15 minutes of aromatic steam.

4. The more steam the better!

Safety notes: Avoid direct contact with sensitive areas. If you have allergies, are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition, check with a healthcare provider before use.

creating a moment Of Intention…A Moment for you

• Evening wind-down: Lavender Shower Steamer + dim lights + a warm towel.

• Midday reset: Eucalyptus Shower Steamer + five minutes of focused breathing.

• Morning lift: Grapefruit & Bergamot Shower Steamer + cold-water splash to finish.

Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea + ICE CUBES

Photo by Filipe Natanael

Oh hibiscus, yet another flower that I've fallen in love with! A star ingredient in our Botanical Bath Tea and our *LIMITED* Summer Flora Bath Fizzy, it's also a star ingredient in my summertime pantry. Grown in tropical and semi-tropical climates, I always feel like I'm on vacation at the first sip of any hibiscus infused beverage. Even when it's in the middle of winter in NYC. Sigh. As we thaw out and I've started to pack away my winter coats, I wanted to share with you a duo of my favorite hibiscus tea recipes.
 

Photo by Dirty Mermaid

Cold Brew Hibiscus Iced Tea

Makes 1 quart

• 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers

• 4 cups cold water

• 2 tablespoons of honey (optional, for sweetening)

• Lime wedge (optional, for serving and looking extra pretty)

DIRECTIONS: Place whole hibiscus flowers in a pitcher and add water. Refrigerate covered overnight (8 to 12 hours). Add honey for your desired sweetness level. I prefer to leave unsweetened and allow guests to customize. Strain out the solids (if desired) and serve over ice with a lime or mint to garnish.

Store cold brew hibiscus tea in the refrigerator for up to one week.

---

Photo by Tijmen Van Dobbenburgh

Cold Brew Hibiscus Ice

Can make 1 tray of ice cubes, depending on tray size.

• 1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers

• 2 cups cold water

DIRECTIONS: Place whole hibiscus flowers in a pitcher and add water. Refrigerate covered overnight (8 to 12 hours). Add crushed hibiscus flowers to ice tray for extra prettiness and pour in cold brewed hibiscus tea. Place in freezer to solidify for a few hours.

Store in freezer until ready to enjoy.

Summer Solstice at cityWell Brooklyn

Summer magic is in the air 😍  Thank you so much Mariyam & Liz for organizing + creating this wonderful gathering at cityWell Brooklyn! Catch all the masking beauties via our short vid story 😜  Just imagine the sweet sounds of @djsweetv in the background...

Dirty Mermaid + Keenobby Relaxation Workshops

Over the summer, Mylene of Keenobby inspired me to launch Relaxation + Wellness Workshops with Keenobby! It has been a wonderful way to share relaxing and self-care rituals with the Keenobby community, under their Health + Wellness collection of workshops. Our workshops are very much about sharing your own relaxation rituals with other attendees while creating your own customized bath blends...I happily learn from our guests at every workshop too. Please enjoy scenes of some of our creations from our previous workshops:

Photography by Antonio De Lucci

Before our next class, if you'd like to have a mini-spa sesh in your home, I'd love to share with you how to quickly blend your own single use mineral bath soak and make it unique to your own desires! Mineral salt soaks are great for after a gym session, seeing the election results (ha ha!), preparing for sleep and helping to alleviate stress.

For a single-use mineral salt soak, here's what you'll need:

1. 3 tablespoons of desired salt (Dead Sea Salt, Himalayan Salt or Epsom Salts)

2. 2 teaspoons of dried rose petals or seaweed (a Dirty Mermaid fave!)

3. 1 teaspoon of a coconut oil, olive oil or other desired carrier oil

4. 6-8 drops of desired essential oil (relaxing lavender for support with sleep or refreshing peppermint for sore muscles/respiratory support)

Instructions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. In a smaller mixing dish add your carrier oil and drops of essential oil and mix together. Once oils are blended, add your essential oil blend with the dry ingredients and continue to stir until all salt crystals are coated and glossy. Then draw your hot water for a relaxing and restorative bath ritual. Soak for up to 40 minutes and repeat weekly!

And enjoy more scenes from our previous workshops, where we made a mineral salt soak, a coconut milk bath, and a facial steam/bath tea combo:

Melody Cosme Demo: Sea Kissed Mask + NEW Bath Bomb

Our AMAZING stockist Melody Cosme did a lovely Insta Story demo using our Sea Kissed Mask and the NEW Citrus Bath Bomb. I grabbed some screen shots and she was kind enough to let me use them on our Mermaid Tales blog, sooooo take a peek at her feature below...

“So gentle that I can put it around my waterline. Maybe even in my eye...”

— Melody Cosme, regarding the Sea Kissed Mask :)

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner + Bug Repellant (all-in-one)

It's still summer loves! No matter how many Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations you already see popping up. :) I'm still trying to seize the last bit of it, and my favorite part is getting to do all the things you love OUTSIDE, including yoga! With the amazing outdoor yoga pop-ups in the final month-ish of summer, I've been schlepping my mat around from place to place...so who knows what's growing on it! Not to mention, various buggies like to join in on the outdoor yoga fun...you are a perfect target while in downward dog...but who wants to smell like bug spray?!! Here's a quick little tutorial I wanted to share on a DIY yoga mat cleaner and bug repellant all-in-one...
 

DIY NATURE-MADE YOGA MAT CLEANER + BUG REPELLANT
(TIME: 5 MINS / COST: LESS THAN $15)

INGREDIENTS/WHAT YOU NEED:

1. Glass spray bottle

2. 3/4 cup distilled water

3. 1/4 cup alcohol-free witch hazel

4. 7 drops Lavender essential oil

5. 5 drops of Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil

6. 5 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil

DIRECTIONS/TO USE:

1. Add all ingredients to glass spray bottle

2. Stir until all ingredients are mixed together

3. To use, after each yoga sesh, spray front + back of mat and wipe with a towel

4. To use, for bug repellant purposes, spray on body/clothing generously
    

Please do a test spot on mat and skin to make sure you don't have any skin sensitivities.

Enjoy!

My HERO! Soak #Goals in 182 sq. ft!

“My favorite luxury feature...nothing’s better when you’re sick than to take a bath.”

— Steve Sauer via Faircompanies.com Interview

If you can't watch the whole Faircompanies.com vid, skip to the 6 min mark to see why this guy is my HERO! Within a micro-living space of 182 square feet, Steve Sauer has found a way to put a full size soaking bath into his home. YES and seriously. His priorities are on point...and like he said, the deep soaker can double as storage space. So now you have no excuses. ;)

As I'm running Dirty Mermaid Beauty from my studio (the one where I also live/sleep..sometimes), I've recently become addicted to these YouTube vids (perhaps unhealthily so) on making small spaces work. And hopefully still feel like home! Stay tuned to see my *personal transformation* and what I geek out on when not blending Mermaid soaks and face masks for you!

And I feel I'm not alone, as a New York Times report commented that telecommuting is fast on the rise, so please feel free to share your home/studio/workspace hacks in the comments below. I appreciate the help!!

Hello, Mavens of 1920's Indie Lingerie

If you've also fallen in love with the Blackbird Underpinnings Coco Romper, meet the ladies behind the San Francisco Bay Area-based indie lingerie line: Marin Hood & Julia Zolinsky! I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon the lovely, vintage-inspired line and immediately brought on the Coco Romper (in Champagne) to be featured in the Dirty Mermaid boutique. And of course I couldn't resist getting one for myself, because it's 100% silk. Sigh. 

See the complete Maven collection at www.blackbirdunderpinnings.com. And without further adieu, here's a little Q&A with the founders: 

1. What was the spark that lighted a fire for the launch of Blackbird Underpinnings?

Blackbird Underpinnings was founded on a longtime dream of creating a vintage-inspired lingerie line with an inclusive and empowering message. It sparked from a vision of Paris in the 1920's and creative women of the era who defied convention in the name of self-expression. The company itself was born when the two of us met at our museum day job where we shared a cubicle wall. We became fast friends and started having lunch together every day, sharing our hopes and aspirations for the future. Marin shared her creative vision with Julia who was inspired in turn by the potential for starting a small business together. The conversation evolved over many enthusiastic lunch breaks, we attended business and manufacturing workshops, read books on how to start a fashion business, embarked on a Kickstarter campaign, and the rest is history!

2. You had a very successful Kickstarter campaign, congratulations! What was this process like and when did you decide to reach out?

Thank you! Soon after we founded Blackbird Underpinnings, we realized that we would need to seek funding to get our line off the ground. As a brand new business we didn’t qualify for a traditional bank loan, so we did a small funding round with loans from friends and family, which then allowed us to launch our Kickstarter. The Kickstarter was an amazing process – both one of the most challenging and most rewarding experiences of our entire lives. We did about 3-4 months of preparations before the campaign, building our contact list and social media presence, doing photography and videography shoots, and reaching out to bloggers. That helped poise us for the launch of the campaign, so that during the 30 days of the campaign we could focus on communication with our backers, social media promotion, and hosting an event to build buzz.

3. Since founding your company in 2012, what have been some of the challenges/turning points you have been met with?

One challenge has been learning how to calibrate our inventory production to ensure we don’t overproduce. We're actually in a phase now where we're shifting to smaller, more frequent production runs to test new styles and be able to pivot quickly based on market feedback. By creating a more limited but responsive production model, we will be able to more sustainably grow our business. We’re also learning what our customers want, and what design elements are most successful, while working within the means of our budget. It’s a constant balancing act to deliver high quality, locally-made products while ensuring healthy profit margins.

4. The Maven collection has a very classic 1920's vibe and a rich story celebrating women. Will future collections also capture this romantic era and continue to pay homage to women of this time period? Which also leads into...what is next on the horizon for Blackbird Underpinnings?

The "Paris in the twenties" soul of Blackbird will be ever-present going forward, and the brand will always be a celebration of strong and diverse women, but we hope to expand and refresh the way we tell that story in coming collections. We have a new collection in the works for next year, and hope to take Blackbird to new heights with it.

5. For women just launching their own indie lines what gems of advice can you leave with us?

Take your time. Really build the brand, the product, and a following before you take any major risks. There are so many possibilities and directions you can take a small business—it's a constant balancing act between keeping your eye on the big picture strategy and being able to focus down on a project plan and execute it. Be flexible and forgiving with yourself—starting a business is never what you think it is going to be, but if you can be okay with that and work with the process, it will definitely exceed your expectations. Remember to have fun!

“With a fresh take on classic intimate apparel, Blackbird Underpinnings brings you timeless and comfortable designs that inspire confidence and delight. In luxury silk and velvet, our indie lingerie is made locally and ethically, every stitch infused with a positive message of inclusivity and self-expression.”

— Marin & Julia, Founders of Blackbird Underpinnings

All photos courtesy of Blackbird Underpinnings via Instagram and www.blackbirdunderpinnings.com

Coco Romper

$165.00

Dirty Mermaid Beauty has found her kindred spirit in Blackbird Underpinnings of Oakland. Also inspired by the daring flappers of the roaring twenties and the fierce, able ladies of the tumultuous thirties, Blackbird Underpinnings brings you locally crafted intimates in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a touch of the renegade feminine. From lounging, dancing, reading, or play, this sensuous silk charmeuse romper is the essence of comfort and luxury. The COCO ROMPER (featured in champagne) is named for the French designer and self-made business woman. Forever changing the face of style, she built an empire, popularized comfort and autonomy, and truly defined timeless elegance. 100% Silk.

Size:

Select Size S M L XL

Sleep with Me

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The 34th annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade, as usual very mesMERizing and just the right amount of wild! I'm sharing here a costume quickie tutorial which upcylcled my parasol from the Jazz Age Lawn Party from the weekend before. Thank goodness these events are on different weekends, because it would be difficult to choose! I'm also sharing my fave highlights from this year's parade...and if you missed it, don't worry because the second annual Poseidon's Parade will be happening later this summer on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk.

MERMAID PARADE/JELLYFISH COSTUME
(Time: 30 mins / Cost: Less than $10)

WHAT YOU NEED:

1. Scissors

2. Tape

3. Vintage-styled parasol or umbrella

4. Ribbons (various colors)

5. Streamers (various colors)

MY FAVE'S FROM INSTA: 34th ANNUAL CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE

Hope to see you there next year!!

Jazz Age Lawn Party Looks

This weekend, the 11th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party will glamorously take you back to the Roaring Twenties via the ferry (aka time machine) to Govenor's Island. A summertime highlight, it is one of my favorite events in NYC...a lovely reward for what felt like 6 months of winter. Need a little help figuring out what to wear, see gallery below highlighting some of my favorite looks from parties past:

Feathered Follies

Photo by Racked photographer Driely S.

Suited Up

Photo by Hannah Zisman

Bathing Beauty

Photo by Vogue photographer Lili Holzer-Glier

Classic Flapper

Photo by Elle photographer Tyler Joe

Lacy Lady

Photo by Jamie Beck of Ann Street Studio

POLISH YOUR LOOK:  1920s ACCESSORIES

Delicate Hats + Hand Fans

Photo by Racked photographer Driely S.

Lovely Gloves + Picnic Baskets

Photo by Racked photographer Driely S.

Suspenders + Straw Boater Hat

Silk Painted Parasols

Photo by Vogue photographer Lili Holzer-Glier

Beaded Headpiece + Dark Lips + Wavy Tresses

Photo by Racked photographer Driely S.

All that Feathers

Photo by bfa.com

More Hats + Sun Shades

Photo by Caroline Voagen Nelson

Head to Toe

Photo by Jennifer Sosa

VINTAGE-STYLE LINGERIE FOR BRAZEN BEAUTIES

Coco Romper

$165.00

Dirty Mermaid Beauty has found her kindred spirit in Blackbird Underpinnings of Oakland. Also inspired by the daring flappers of the roaring twenties and the fierce, able ladies of the tumultuous thirties, Blackbird Underpinnings brings you locally crafted intimates in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a touch of the renegade feminine. From lounging, dancing, reading, or play, this sensuous silk charmeuse romper is the essence of comfort and luxury. The COCO ROMPER (featured in champagne) is named for the French designer and self-made business woman. Forever changing the face of style, she built an empire, popularized comfort and autonomy, and truly defined timeless elegance. 100% Silk.

Size:

Select Size S M L XL

Sleep with Me

And, if you happen to be there this weekend with VIP tickets, you will find Dirty Mermaid swag in your tote: the Siren Spring Soak. So draw a bath with your Bonnie or Clyde...or Gatsby...whomever your type!!!

The Swellife: A Fashion Truck Diary

One of my NYC summer loves are outdoor markets/bazaars...especially when they come to me! :) So today, I'm sharing a little fashion truck diary featuring The Swellife. Katie Long is the founder and creator of The Swellife, and with her fabulous style and taste she brings you delightful beach fashion, beauty and lifestyle accessories to adorn you body and home. The Swellife fashion and lifestyle truck will have it's GRAND OPENING this Memorial Day weekend at the Playland Motel. I really can't wait to see the finished truck, and if you'd like to see more of the process check out Katie's blog. See her other upcoming markets and locations for the summer here. And if you can't find her at the beach, you can shop Katie's favorite boho vibes also online at theswellife.com.

“I am heavily influenced by packaging, the store’s atmosphere, smell, etc. So naturally I am putting just as much thought if not more to the look and feel of my truck than in the products going on the shelves. I want The Swellife to be a bright, airy space, smelling of peonies and sandal wood. A space that will be enjoyable to come visit as well as shop around in. I’m thinking of a basic palate of white with gold touches and possibly this amazing flamingo wall paper from Cole&Son.”

— Katie, via The Swellife blog

Highlighted in the gallery is Part 1 of her story:

Step 1: Inspiration/Interior Moods
Step 2: Chasing the Dream Truck
Step 3: Truck Renovation
Step 4: Putting the Hub to Work
Step 5: Fab Branding
Step 6: Curate Great Merch

GRAND OPENING: MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
May 28, 2016   11am - 5pm
Playland Motel
97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd @ corner of 98th Street
Get off the shuttle train at 98th Street
///DRINK SPECIALS///

Xx,

Leslie

Seattle's Floating Sauna

wa_sauna

Located on Seattle's Lake Union

wa_sauna

Designed to be used year round by goCstudio

wa_sauna

Heated with wood burning stove

wa_sauna

Diving platform

wa_sauna

A deck to sunbathe

A follow-up to our first blog post 5 Beautiful Saunas + Benefits. All of the gorgeous saunas featured were not necessarily in our backyard (if you're stateside), so something a little closer to home and just as lovely: the wa_sauna designed by the talented architecture and design firm goCstudio, founded by Jon Gentry and Aimée O'Carroll in 2012.

The wa_sauna is a contemporary floating sauna on Seattle's beautiful and crisp Lake Union. Designed to be enjoyed year round by Seattlites and visitors alike, the sauna it is heated by a wood burning stove and can comfortably seat up to 6 people.

And you're in luck, this is only the FIRST wa_sauna! This first model is for user experience testing (I'm free to test out!!) and additional floating saunas will be built to provide further accessibility for the Seattle community. See where the founders story began and further plans via their Kickstarter campaign and watch the quick campaign video below >>

And stay tuned as goCstudio will be launching the 2016 wa_sauna Program soon! They are graciously accepting program ideas or events via info@goCstudio.com. The 2016 wa_sauna Program is tentatively set to run April through September. I think this calls for a trip to the Pacific Northwest!

All photography by Kevin Scott   /   Original wa_sauna feature from the Contemporist. ;)

WIN A Night Under the Sea...in Paris

I love the Contemporist blog, and just a few days ago they shared this great contest hosted by Airbnb. Since it's very fitting for mermaid life, I wanted to share it here too on our Mermaid Tales blog. 

Right now you can enter to win a two nights stay at this very unique underwater room, with 360 degree views of the L'Aquarium de Paris, specifically the Shark Aquarium. And that's not all, according to the Contemporist: "Fred Buyle, a world record-breaking freediver, underwater photographer, and shark enthusiast is the host, and he along with a marine biologist, will take you on a tour of the aquarium and give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of sharks."

You can enter the contest via Airbnb here until April 3rd, 2016 at 11:59pm Central European Time, if you're not too afraid of sharks. The stay is for two merbabes and will take place next month, April 11 - April 13, 2016 in Paris, France. Yes folks, it's already April! 

Some rules during your stay from your gracious contest hosts:

• No selfies after dark. Remember, sharks are sensitive to light.

• Avoid seeing Jaws before your sleepover.

• No sleepwalking or night swimming.

• No diving.

• Keep your heads and feet in the bedroom at all times.

• Sheep can't swim, so count sharks instead.

• Don't take the bait.

And don't worry, if you happen not to win the contest, I will be posting a follow-up blog post on other unique under the sea lodging experiences. And who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of a mermaid! ;)

6 Tips to Care for Natural Sea Sponges

Natural Sea Sponge for Bathing

Sustainably harvested. Organic. Natural sea sponges, unbleached.

Facial Sea Sponges

Sustainably harvested. Natural sea sponges, unbleached.

Facial Sea Sponge

Natural sea sponge (smaller for face) for removing facial masks. Gently exfoliates while cleansing skin.

Natural Sea Sponge Farming

Photo from the Marine & Environmental Institute of Pohnpei. MERIP promotes community-based conservation through sustainable development and promotes fair trade.

You love your natural sea sponges..right?! Help take care of them so they can keep taking care of your gorgeous skin. Natural sea sponges are mildew resistant, with their antimicrobial properties, however, once a month it's nice to give them a little cleansing care. Here are 6 quick tips on caring for your natural sea facial and bath sponges:

1. Once a month, soak your bathing sponge in a cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. This will help clean the sponge and maintain it's structure.

2. Rinse sponge after each use and allow to dry completely. A mesh bag works perfectly if available.

3. To prevent bacteria growth, disinfect your sponge by soaking in a cup a warm water with several drops of tea tree essential oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

4. Avoid twisting and "ringing" your natural sea sponge. Squeezing is OK. :)

5. Other Things to Avoid: boiling water, dryers, microwaves or bleach. This will drastically change the structure of your sponge.

6. Eventually, the edges of your sponges may fray with use. It's ok to trim these little frayed edges with scissors to freshen and help them last longer.

Facial Sea Sponge

from $6.95

Sustainably grown and harvested by local fisher families in the Philippines, our natural facial silk sea sponges will gently exfoliate when removing daily cleansers or facial masks. Our sponges are biodegradable, resistant to mildew, and each it's own beautifully unique shape, ranging between 2-2.5” in diameter.

For ease of storage and drying, add on the sisal cord option.

Cord:

Select Cord No Cord With Sisal Cord

Add to cart

Bath Sea Sponge

from $15.95

Sustainably grown and harvested by local fishermen in the Bahamas, our natural bath sponges will enhance your bathing ritual. Our sponges are biodegradable, resistant to mildew, and each it's own beautifully unique shape, ranging between 4-5” to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand.

For easy storage and drying, add on the sisal cord option.

Cord:

Select Cord No Cord With Sisal Cord

Add to cart

5 Beautiful Sauna Escapes + Benefits

Grotto Sauna in Toronto, Canada

Location on Sans Souci Island off Toronto. Image courtesy of Partisans Projects.

Bota Bota in Québec, Canada

A must when visiting Montréal. A historic ferry boat renovated to create this beautiful floating spa. This one I have had the pleasure of testing out myself. Photo courtesy of Bota Bota Spa.

River Sauna in Western Norway

The subterranean river sauna at the Juvet Landscape Hotel.

Cabin Sauna in Pyhajarvi, Finland

Photographed by Sean Smith.

Floating Sauna in Rosendahl, Norway

Designed by Casagrande & Rintala.

1. CALMING
My favorite benefit of a sauna room is the ease of calm and relaxation. The heat of the sauna causes me to just focus on the heat and relaxing...rather than letting my mind run. If you happen to have the luxury of having the sauna to yourself, it is a great place for meditation.

2. CLEANSING
You will sweat a lot...and DETOX. Sweating cleanses your skin and most importantly the toxins from your body.

3. BLOOD CIRCULATION
The heat of the sauna room can cause your heart rate to increase with the dilation of the blood vessels. Blood flow is increased, bringing blood to areas where it is often minimal, like the uppermost layers of your gorgeous skin.

4. PAIN RELIEF
A session in a sauna can help temporarily provide pain relief for aching muscles and mild arthritis. The heat of the sauna soothes sore and tense muscles and increases blood and oxygen to these areas. With that, mobility is often temporarily improved.

5. SKIN CONDITIONING
With blood circulation increased, the upper most layers of your skin will receive blood flow and oxygen and this in turn can help with skin cell regeneration. The heat will aide in the opening of the pores, providing similar benefits of a facial steam.

Notes: The heat of a sauna room raises your temperature to about 100.4 degrees F. It is recommended to only sit for short sessions of 10-20 minutes. It is also best to speak with your doctor before your sauna visit if you have any health conditions or medications that may be affected by the heat.