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Dark Surf Nightly

Coastal Living for Vampires (& Humans)

BeachStyle – lifestyle

Dying for a tropical getaway but don’t have the time or money to actually get away? Here are 10 ways to turn your home into an island retreat.

  1. Begin your day with a tropical smoothie. Mix your favorite tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, whatever you like) with a little coconut water and ice. Pour into a decorative glass and garnish with a flower or little umbrella. Open your window, enjoy the breeze, sip & savor the island flavor.
  2. Brighten your wardrobe—even if you work in an office. Wear a brightly colored solid shirt or a floral print dress or tie under your blazer. Or break out your loudest cabana wear. Or wear your bathing suit under your clothes. Set your wardrobe aside for the whole week, ready to wear, just as if you had packed it.
  3. Hit the water. It doesn’t matter what kind of water, just hit it. The ocean, the lake, the river, the pool, the jacuzzi, the community pool, the kiddie pool in the backyard, the sprinkler, the fountain, the fire hydrant. Immerse yourself in water, head to toe. Refreshing!
  4. Create a spa. Turn off the phone and the lights. Fill your bathtub with water, add a few drops of your favorite aromatherapy or essential oil, toss in a couple flowers, light a scented candle or two, pour a glass of bubbly, and settle in. Or start with an exfoliating scrub with tropical scent (like coconut) first, and then climb into the bath. Bliss!
  5. Mix a drink. What’s your favorite vacation drink? Mojito? Blue Hawaiian? Margarita? Whatever it is, stock up on ingredients so you can mix your own. Weekend. Weeknight. Doesn’t matter. It’s vacation, right?
  6. Flick it. What’s your favorite beach or surf flick? Pop it in the Blu-ray, DVD player or VCR, stream it, or borrow it from a friend. Load up on snacks, soda and popcorn. Turn out the lights. Turn up the volume!
  7. Eat out. The great thing about being on vacation is it gives you an excuse to eat out every meal. If you can, eat out in your area. Try someplace you’ve never been before. Check out coupons on sites like Restaurant.com. Or, if you can’t afford to eat out, prepare a nice meal at home. Try a recipe you’ve never made before. Put some flowers in a vase in the center of your table & light candles. Or eat outdoors. And enjoy your meal with no distractions—no cellphone, no computer, no TV. And be sure to “order” dessert.
  8. Mix your music. Load up your iPod or make a CD with your favorite beachy tunes. Blast away!
  9. Go green. Add some tropical foliage to your home. Get a little palm or an orchid or arrange some flowers from your garden. Put it in the room where you spend the most time and look at it—often. And each time you look at it, recall the feeling you get when you’re on vacation.
  10. Breathe. During your stay-cation, take some time to sit under the stars, breathe deeply and think about all you’re grateful for. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.