Great Barrington

A few weeks ago, Erol and I took a quick trip to The Berkshires. Neither of us had been before, but we wanted to a few days to trade our cell phones and computers for board games and nature.

We booked a room at a cozy bed and breakfast in Great Barrington which was walking distance to the downtown area. One morning we bundled up and ventured to Monument Mountain. The hike was perfect for us… it was more of an uphill walk than a full fledged hike and the views from the top were amazing! The view from the summit was my highlight of the trip. It would be worth going back in the fall to take in the foliage.

Beautiful view from the summit

 

Great Barrington had some really great shops and restaurants! Our favorite places to eat were Baba Louie’s Pizza and the Gypsy Joynt. Both spots had unique menus and extremely fresh and delicious ingredients. I wanted to stay longer so we could go back to both places!

Pizza at Baba Louie’s — YUM!

Ceiling inside Gypsy Joynt

Even though Great Barrington is not on The Coast, it’s a destination that gives me “The Coast” feeling. A trip to The Berkshires is a trip into nature, a trip away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. It provides an opportunity to slow down, reset, enjoy quality, natural food and relax. It is now on my list of places to visit in the fall!

Sunrises, Sunsets & The Coast

Hi, I’m Janelle and I am obsessed with sunsets. Sunrises now as well – thanks real world.

When I was in fifth grade, I traveled to Maui, Hawaii and fell in love with coastal sunsets. Each night, I would drag my family to the beach so I could watch the sun set. I was mesmerized by the beautiful colors painted in the sky, paired with palm tree silhouettes swaying in the ocean breeze. Ever since that vacation, I find myself drawn to sunsets on The Coast. Yes, I am that girl who is suddenly ten steps behind the people I am with as I spot the sun setting in the distance. I have to stop and try to snap a photo. There is just something magical about sunsets; each one is so unique and ephemeral. Sunsets are like a painting in the sky – I have to stop whatever I am doing and admire the beauty. It will come as no surprise to you that sunsets and coastal scenes are my go-to painting subjects. But enough about #sunsets, let’s go back to The Coast.

Maui, Hawaii — looking good, I know.

Since I can remember, trips to Maine have been the highlight of my summer. Amazing memories fill my mind when I think about Maine… laying in the soft, warm sand, paddle-boarding with my brother, laughing with friends that have become family, falling asleep to the waves crashing on the beach. Each memory is so vivid and relaxing; even thinking about The Coast brings a smile to my face and eases my mind.

Even though I’m a city girl, I still love to walk down to the Boston harbor to soak in the salty air. Harbor walks and runs have become my coastal connections. I have to admit, my Friday morning runs get shorter and shorter due to the fact that I always have to stop and take pictures as the sun comes up (#pitstopforpics has become a real thing in my life). To me, there is no better way to start the day than soaking in the sea and the sunrise.

I am so excited to be the creative director of The Coast, and hope you find some relaxation and fun in our images. Stay tuned for more coastal sunset pictures! Let us know what you’d like to see!

Enjoy.

#peaceloveandthecoast

Meet Janelle | Creative Director

You know those people who just feel like family? They fit into your life in all the right ways and you feel like you’ve always known them. From the moment I met Janelle, I felt like we were related. Sisters, cousins, long-lost relatives… it’s irrelevant, as I know somehow, someway, we are related.

A & J + Brothers | Goose Rocks Beach circa 2000s

Janelle’s parents and my parents are from the same city and they are the four musketeers. Sometimes I think they hang out more than Janelle and I are able to get together. But, Janelle and I really are two of a kind, and have been since our days cornrowing each other’s hair on Goose Rocks Beach. Since then, she has been

A & J | Christmas 2015

my go-to creative resource. Her artistic ability is out of this world, and I can’t even begin to tell you all of the hard work she put into my wedding. Hopefully one day we can share everything she did with you, because it was truly amazing and I am obsessed with all of it! I can never thank her enough.

Now we are venturing into a new chapter of our lives by creating The Coast together and I could not be happier. Janelle loves The Coast as much as I do, and together our goal is to create an online escape. Whether you have a house on the ocean or live in the middle of the country, we want The Coast to be your destination to reflect, unwind, find motivation and have a little fun!

Peace, Love and The Coast
Ashleigh & Janelle

 

From The Lake to The Sea

When I was younger, I loved spending time with my family at my grandparents’ house on Lake Winnipesauke in New Hampshire. In just a short drive, I was transported to a new lifestyle – the “lake life,” a life where school and homework were a distant memory and my only responsibility was to remember to apply sunscreen. My lake life consisted of family and friends, swimming and boating, cook outs and star-gazing. I didn’t think life could get better — that is until my family took our first trip to Maine.

Maine was a whole new paradise. My beach chair and sand replaced the grass and dock. Sand castles, clamming, chasing sea gulls, bocce, volleyball and riding the waves were endless sources of entertainment. I could spend hours gazing out at sea, pondering the mysteries of the horizon. The salt of the ocean and the sun were my energy source. The changing of tides created a natural playground for us to enjoy and explore. Every year we would venture to Maine, and every year my love grew stronger.

photo credit @janelledimartino

I am lucky enough that my parents made Maine their second home. In just an hour and a half, I am a world away – I am at The Coast. One deep breath of ocean air, and any anxiety or stress in my life seems to subside. The Coast is my happy place, which is where the name of this site originated. I often find myself saying “Peace, Love and The Coast.”

I love traveling and visiting The Coast wherever and whenever I can. I am partial to the beauty and charm of the New England coast, but I would love to see and hear what The Coast means for you! Leave a comment below or tag @peaceloveandthecoast in all of your coast photos and we may feature you on our site!

My husband, brothers and I at The Coast

Welcome to The Coast

The Coast is where I go to recharge. The Coast is where I reflect, unwind, find motivation and have a little fun.

Yes of course, I know The Coast is technically where the land meets the sea, but it can also be a beautiful sunset, or a scent that brings you back to a certain place or time. It can be finding the perfect Instagram filter, or indulging in your favorite food, cuddling up with a glass of wine and a really good book or playing a video game.

The Coast is more than just a location on a map, it’s an internal destination.

I’ve created this blog as a way to curate a daily dose of The Coast. In the words of Ferris Bueller,

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.

More than just a blog, my hope is The Coast becomes your destination to reflect, unwind, find motivation and have a little fun!

Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine