Home | Coastal Christmas | At Home with Aleah: A Coastal Christmas

At Home with Aleah: A Coastal Christmas

Dec
17
2010
18 Comments

The countdown to Christmas is on! I just love the Christmas season and everything it entails. We both grew up in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest and for years my family has decorated our island home with a bounty of coastal nods. Nick and I also live on the beach on the Pacific and this year decked out our house with our standard, traditional European decor and childhood ornaments but peppered in seashells ornaments, sand dollars, our glittering gold painted seashell wreath, and other nods.
This year we wish you a cozy + warm coastal holiday from our home to yours with some of my favorite Christmas must-haves.
Images from Coastal Living
 Bite sized crab cakes and wreaths adorned with shells are a coastal holiday must.
Images from Coastal Living
You all have heard about our love of stocking ornaments in vases or crystal by the door so guests can take one on their way out. How beautiful is this display?

 No coastal holiday is complete without a frothy glass of frozen hot chocolate. We originally discovered this tasty concoction at Serendipity 3 in New York City on a cold winter evening and fell in love. Check out the recipe at the end of this post.
Image from Southern Living and I Really Like Food

 Shell garlands are so easy to make and bring a touch of coastal to any home. Painted silver, gold, or copper starfish atop each place setting at your holiday dinner are a must!
Images from Coastal Living

Images from Coastal Living and Design Fabulous

Happy, Happy Holidays to you!
Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe from Serendipity 3 via Epicurious
6 half-ounce pieces of a variety of your favorite chocolates

2 teaspoons store bought hot chocolate mix {or the mix from Serendipity}
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

3 cups ice

Whipped cream

Chocolate shavings


Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted. Add the cocoa and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.


In a blender place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture, and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Enjoy with a spoon or a straw. . . .or both!


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Filed Under: Coastal Christmas, frozen hot chocolate

18 comments on “At Home with Aleah: A Coastal Christmas”

  1. postcards and pretties on said:

    yay! you found the recipe for Frozen Hot Chocolate! i haven't had that in years.

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  2. Kim @BrideGoggles on said:

    I love these seaside ideas! My fiance is from miami originally and we always celebrate Xmas in his neck of the woods. These are great sunny celebration ideas!

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  3. tenthings. on said:

    Absolutely LOVE this coastal Christmas!

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  4. jacin on said:

    note to self: must attend nick & aleah's next holiday party :) – love all the images!!

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  5. Alicia@CharityWedding on said:

    I love the starfish in the wreath! I love when people combine coastal themed items with other decor in a classy way! Lovely round up!

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  6. Aleah + Nick Valley on said:

    Thank you, lovelies!

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  7. Brenda's Wedding Blog on said:

    What great finds – I can't even pick a favorite – I love them all. The perfect coastal Christmas decor and food.

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  8. la petite coquine on said:

    I love the idea of a coastal Christmas! My parents' Princeton, NJ certainly can't pull off seashells, but maybe our little place by Ocean Beach could!

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  9. Steph {bubblerock} on said:

    OH. Guys. You are awesome. I looooev this!!! This is SO cool… Will steal again a few ideas for our Christmas lunch from here! x

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  10. Kate/MagnoliaRouge on said:

    Funny I guess as I'm about a minute from the coast we're coastal too but then everyone in NZ is only 20mins or so from a beach so it's just a given I guess. That frozen hot chocolate sounds amazing and might just have to make an appearance on Cmas night in my house. Thanks for the recipe!!

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  11. Mary J. on said:

    Frozen hot chocolate will be part of my Christmas Eve Dinner menu this year!

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  12. Naomi on said:

    Aleah how blessed are we to live on or near the water…pretty blessed! There is nothing like seeing a palm tree decorated in lights!!

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  13. bigFATcook on said:

    YUMMY!! The chocolate looks really good!! Greetings from another chocoholic – Big fat cook. :) )

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  14. Anonymous on said:

    Classy of you to acknowledge those responsible for the recipe & photos. Thanks for the recipe & for being you. Have a safe & happy holiday season.

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  15. Jenn on said:

    I have been dying to try this ever since I saw it on Oprah a few years ago. I can't wait to finally try your recipe.

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  16. Mom on said:

    Oh my good lord…this looks absolutely decadent! I can't wait to try it :) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓

  17. Pingback: Frozen Hot Chocolate | JE SUIS ALIMENTAGEUSE

  18. Pingback: Frozen Hot Chocolate | Je suis alimentageuseJe suis alimentageuse

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