Nautical Baby Showers

My sister's baby shower is this weekend. She's not having a nautical theme but that didn't stop me from browsing nautical baby shower ideas on Pinterest. I know quite a few of my readers have had nautical baby showers (see Fried Pink Tomato's shower here) or are planning nautical showers.

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: littlesooti.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: lifeinprintphotography.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: socialcouture.typepad.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: lifeinprintphotography.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

I had a hard time finding photos from actual nautical GIRL showers but I did find some cute printables/paper products you could use (or you could use the above as inspiration and change the colors):

Tiny Prints invitations:


Cupcake toppers:


Banner:


Favor boxes:



Cupcake toppers:


Did you have a nautical baby shower? Have you been to one? Let's see your photos! Email me at nauticalbynature@gmail.com

Nautical Outfit of the Week: Barefoot and Preppy

Here is Rachel of Barefoot and Preppy in a classic nautical outfit: striped top, jeans, and Rainbows. The perfect nautical look for spring and summer!



Top: JCrew
Jeans: Old Navy
Watch: Michael Kors
Shoes: Rainbows

Mini Boden

Mini Boden has done it once again! Adorable nautical choices for your little ones. I just wish they were all available in bigger sizes!

Anchor sweater (why can't they make this for women?!):


Striped top with mini anchors in a big anchor-umm again, why isn't this in bigger sizes?


Anchor baby boarders:


Girls swimsuit:


Girls shorts (culotte style):

I just love the polkadots too!


Pyjamas:



Boys swim trunks:



Pull on trousers (I think these are PJ pants? The girl shown in the photo is sitting outside so wear them wherever!):


Towelling throw on (I want this for post-swim/beach!):

Music!

Months ago Amy at Forever29 posted her top 20 songs and asked her readers to share their favorites too. There is no way I can narrow mine down to just 20 or rank them in order (that's even more difficult). Instead I went into my Itunes and found the 20 most recently played. These are definitely favorites that I can listen to over and over.
Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun
Heartbeats by Jose Gonzales
Ten-Twenty-Ten by Generationals
Bright Lights Bigger City by Cee Lo Green
If You Were Here by Cary Brothers
Fire in Your New Shoes by Kaskade
Beat the Devil's Tattoo by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Chillin by Wale
Addicted to Love by Florence + the Machine
Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield
Young Blood by The Naked and Famous
Give In to Me by Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester
Embrace by Chase & Status
On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Wonderwall by Oasis
Cities in Dust by Junkie XL
E.S.T by White Lies
Time After Time by Quietdrive
Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO

Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites is doing a link up and asking readers to answer these questions:

What is the song you play when you want to get pumped up?
Bright Lights Bigger City by Cee Lo Green

What is the song you play when you want/need to cry?
Anything by Jose Gonzalez

What is the song you play when you’re cleaning?
Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun

What is the song you play when you’re exercising?
Anything Britney Spears!

What are your current favorite songs? What do you play on repeat?

Anchors Away at Topshop

Anchor circle ring:


Anchor stud earrings:


Heart and anchor underwear:


Anchor star underwear:


Anchor sweatshirt:


Anchor shirt:


Anchor change purse (also available in red and navy):


Stripe zip purse:

Polyvore Sets for Spring Inspiration

1 navy and pink anchor bag: 4 possible outfits

Anchor bag by nauticalbynature

Anchor/nautical tops with colored pants

Nautical Spring by nauticalbynature

Striped dresses

Striped Dresses for Spring by nauticalbynature

Accessories

Nautical Accessories by nauticalbynature

Decorating: Bookends

Every book case should have at least one set of fun bookends. These are my favorites:

For a clean, modern look in your office or den: The End


For a pop of color in your bedroom or on your desk: Love


Perfect for the playroom: Elephants (I have one of these in pink)


Had to include something nautical! Regatta

Turn any room into your happy reading place: Whale

Nautical Outfit of the Week: FeinbergFestivus and Friends

Katy of FeinbergFestivus sent in this photo of her (in the yellow) with her best friends last summer on Fire Island. I love that the girls are in their nautical best! Summer is just 152 days away friends ;)

Favorite baby products?

My sister is 32 weeks pregnant now! The nursery is almost ready and her registry is pretty much complete. When it comes to baby gear there are certain products that I love, ones that I can't believe anyone would buy (thankfully my sister hasn't registered for any of these ;), and ones that I don't have an opinion on. I definitely wouldn't call myself an expert but as a nanny I like to think I know what's out there-the best products and newest trends! But every baby is different and I know I haven't tried every single swing, stroller or swaddle blanket! That's where my readers come in. I'm hoping you will recommend your favorite baby products. What do you wish you had received at your shower? What did you never use?

Here are my top 10 baby products:
Sleep sheep on the go: no need to get the bigger one. This can be used in nursery or attach to carseat or stroller on the go (I’ve seen people put them in stroller at restaurants and other noisy places-great idea)
Summer Infant Swaddleme: I prefer the swaddle blankets that have velcro like these
Halo sleepsacks: You can also get ones that are both a swaddle and sleepsack. I love sleepsacks for when you can't swaddle anymore-available in fleece or cotton. I also like the muslin Aden + Anais sleepsacks for summer/when you need something very lightweight
Bumkins bibs: these are so durable and easy to clean. I actually put H's into the washing machine at least once a week and they are still in great condition
Aden + Anais burpy bibs: use these as burp cloths and then later as bibs (they snap closed)
Whoozit: I've yet to meet a baby that didn't love this toy
Sophie the Giraffe teething toy: Another toy that almost every baby loves (3 Men and a Baby anyone?)
California Baby Shampoo & Bodywash
The Going To Bed Book: Animals that live together on a boat. Enough said.

Let's hear your favorite products!

Nautical Stripes at Loft

Sweater jacket:


Long sleeve sweater jacket:


Rugby stripe sweater dress:


Nautical stripe belt:

Nothing better than...

getting into clean sheets after a long day

favorite song coming on the radio

good previews at the movies

finding a parking meter with time left

getting a card in the mail

Last week was rough. I had an awful stomach bug (actually it hit me right after I wrote this post in the notebook I keep by my bed). I barely had time to recover before construction started on H's house (two of the days I actually had him sleeping in the pack n play at my apartment) then they were filming across the street (so the construction had to be delayed an additional day) and icing on the cake: the water went out on Friday after a pipe exploded down the block. After a long day it's important to focus on the little things that make you smile! What are the small things that make your day?

Looking for Submissions!

Do you want to be featured on the blog? I'm looking for new submissions for Nautical Outfit of the Week (can be you, your kids, your pet, any nautical outfit!) and Nautical Photo of the Week (nautical parties, nautical rooms, an anchor you spotted in your town or on vacation)!

Email me photos and a description: nauticalbynature@gmail.com

Nautical Outfit of the Week: Two Preps in a Pod

Natalie of Two Preps in a Pod shares her cute, affordable outfits in her daily posts. Natalie is having her first baby in July and I just know that baby will be the most stylish baby on the block!



Sweater: H&M
Leggings: Target
Boots: Roaman's

Decorating: Fun Chalkboards

I now have three (yes, 3!) chalkboards in my apartment! Chalkboards can be used in pretty much any room. Perfect in the kitchen for displaying the weekly menu, to do list or grocery list.

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Mallory on Pinterest

In the entryway or bedroom write inspirational quotes and holiday greetings on your chalkboard.

Source: mapleandmagnolia.com via Sans on Pinterest

I especially love chalkboards in playrooms and kids' bedrooms.

Source: wallcandyarts.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: vinylreflections.com via Chalice on Pinterest

Below are my three chalkboards
Elephant from Restoration Hardware Baby and Child (no longer available):


Cupcake above my desk (with my to do list) from here (my sister has this on her fridge-I just had to have it in my apartment too). I need to get a new wall calendar to hang on the hook next to the cupcake


Another elephant (from Tuesday Morning). I haven't used this one as a chalkboard yet, just decoration right now:


Get the look for your house! Here are some other ones that I've seen:
Elephant chalkboard decal:


I think this lobster would look so cute in the kitchen:



Heart chalkboard decal:


Whale: