Each month, Coast Monthly visits with some of the most charming people on the Texas Coast to chat about their style.

Amber Bayles’ first job out of high school was working at the Kemah Boardwalk. That’s when she knew she wanted to be around water and anything having to do with art, which inspired her to get her first tattoo, she said.

“I connect body art with art in general, and love everything colorful and bright,” she said.

After living in California for a while, she returned to Kemah, bought a book on candle-making and opened a shop she named Earth Meets Water.

“I wanted to be a marine biologist or underwater photographer when I was growing up, but secretly desired to be a mermaid,” said Bayles, who settled for a mermaid tattoo on her forearm.

Bayles likes to search for seashells on Jamaica Beach. She also likes to shop at The Naked Mermaid in downtown Galveston, she said. This summer, Bayles will be wearing beachy dresses and sandals, she said. She describes her style as “tropical-boho” and wears things that match her hair color, which lately is purple.

Here are a few of her favorite things:

Earth Meets Water sign: This is the logo for my store. An artist friend designed it for me after I told him I wanted something combining earth, water and mermaids, so he came up with this, which is perfect.

Purple mermaid: I take this mermaid to all my markets. Everyone always wants to buy her when they see her, and I tell them she’s not for sale.

Sea turtle: We were paddleboarding in Hawaii when a group of sea turtles floated by and started swimming with us. It was amazing, so I bought this at a vendor’s stand. I donate a percentage of my sales to the Turtle Island Restoration Network.

Flamingo pillow: This was a gift from my mom. She brings me things that represent my love of tropical islands and the ocean. Plus, this is another element of earth meeting water.

Necklace: This is a favorite necklace of mine custom-made by an artist. The abalone, larimar beach chips and shells represent what I like the most. It’s something that a mermaid might wear.

Sarong: This is my vacation sarong that I got in Belize. I like the fringe and the tie-dye pattern that reminds me of a jellyfish. I travel to beach destinations at least twice a year.

Photo: This is my grandma, brother and me. It’s special because my grandma, who was my best friend, passed away a while back. I blame all my inappropriate comments, jokes and silliness on her.

Plant: I love succulents and build my own planters. My mom and I are always shopping for plants, especially succulents.