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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Nautical Camping?

How cute are these sleeping bags?! Thanks for the tip, ACH!

Anchor:



Sailboat:

Friday, August 27, 2010

Nautical Photo of the Week: Jackson's "Whale of a Time" party!

I am so jealous of Jackson's first birthday party!

The cake!


Decorations:








I love the idea of putting a monogram in the middle:




glittered monogrammed flag pennants for the straws!


Favors:

Thursday, August 26, 2010

My Apartment: Decals part 1

Monogram decals may be one of the greatest inventions EVER!


(lamp shade)


(table)


(cookie jar)


(tray)

Etsy sellers I order from:
Decal Monograms
ACJInspirations
Word Candy Vinyl

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Vineyard Vines: Free Shipping! ENDS TODAY

Nautical by Nature readers can receive free shipping on all orders with code: VVNBN (expires 8/25)

Here are some of my favorite new arrivals:

Knotical Shift Dress:


Whale Skirt (pink and brown!):


Long-Sleeve Shoreline Polo (I love the pink collar):


Long-Sleeve Pocket Tee


Knot About You bag:

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tips for bloggers

I often get emails from new bloggers looking for advice on how to gain readers, what to write about, etc. Here are my top tops for ALL bloggers (new and old):

1. HAVE AN EMAIL ON YOUR PROFILE! It is so easy to create a gmail or yahoo email address for your blog. Add your email to your profile by going to your Dashboard (when you sign in to your blog). Then hit Edit Profile. Click Show my email address. Your username (the email you used to create the blog) DOES NOT need to be the same as the email shown on your profile! Why this is important: if you comment on someone's blog with a question, they can reply to you DIRECTLY if you have an email associated with your profile! If you don't then it says reply to no-reply@blogger.com (or something like that). If you don't want to show your address on your profile then list it on your actual blog!!! I get frustrated when someone asks me a question and they have no email listed!

2. Schedule posts IN ADVANCE that post AUTOMATICALLY! When I first started reading blogs (and writing my own posts) I just couldn't see how people were writing these super creative posts at 6 AM. EVERY MORNING! Then I found out you can schedule posts in advance! I often don't have time during the week to blog. But there might be a Sunday afternoon when I can write 2-3 posts. So I just schedule them to post AUTOMATICALLY the following week (when I won't have time to write something the day of).
To do this: When you are writing a blog post go to Post Options (bottom left, just above Publish Post). Change the date to whatever date you want this post to be published. Then hit Publish Post. You can find the scheduled post under Edit Posts (Posting Tab)

3. Use something like Statcounter or Google Analytics to see how many readers you have, how they are finding your blog, what posts are most popular etc.

4. Under Settings, Allow Blog Feeds: choose FULL. This way readers see your WHOLE post if they are reading through google reader, etc. I do not like when people only have part of the post (Short). Full is best!

5. For new bloggers: Comment, comment, comment! Comment about what the post is about! DO NOT comment with something like "I am a new blogger. Come read my blog." It is fine to write that but connect it back to the blog you are reading: "I just started blogging and would love your opinion on the nautical dress I found." At least attempt to sound interested in the blog you are reading! We are all guilty of doing this when trying to advertise a giveaway or promotion-make sure you aren't spamming and actually commenting on the blog post too.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Wedding update!

Some of you have asked about my sister's upcoming wedding. I was dreaming of a summer Martha's Vineyard wedding (the fiance's family has a house there) but alas this isn't my wedding ;) They are going to have a winter destination wedding! The wedding will be very small (under 30 people). I won't be revealing the exact location until we are on our way but I am excited already! Then about a month after the wedding, there will a larger reception here in LA. I am helping my sister pick out things to have in a favor bag for each guest. I would love ideas from others who did winter weddings. So far I have handwarmers, hot chocolate, chapstick and maps/activity guides.

I love the save the date magnets they chose! I have mine on my fridge.

(this is the example)

Friday, August 20, 2010

Las Vegas recap

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me so no personal photos from this trip (though I did include photos thanks to google ;). I also couldn't get my Blackberry camera to zoom so I didn't get any photos at the concert :(

I stayed at Mandalay Bay (I stole this photo from my cousin):


Friday:
We had lunch at Verandah at the Four Seasons. The Parmesan fries are amazing!


Dinner was at Lupo by Wolfgang Puck.


After that was Lady Gaga! She put on quite the show! Her costumes were so creative and just so out there!



(images from google/various blogs)

Saturday:
Lounged in our bungalow by the pool. Floated around in the lazy river (my favorite!)


Dinner was at Mix which is at the very top of THEhotel. Don't eat here if you are afraid of heights (over 60 floors up!). Yes, that is an outside deck high above the strip!




I had to work Sunday so it was a quick trip!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

gybe-ho boatwear giveaway! EXTENDED!

One lucky reader will be able to pick out ANY item from their online store! Pick out something for your baby or find something to give as a gift!

I am loving their motto: "sail before you crawl!"

Onesie:


T-shirt:


Hats:


T-shirt:



GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Kiel James Patrick belts

Mable B:


Gigi Tripler:


Brigg's Capeside Docks:


Enjoy complimentary shipping on every order (US and Canada)

Monday, August 16, 2010

Truly Madly Deeply Nautical Pullover

I just picked up this anchor pullover at Urban Outfitters. It is so soft!


I am tempted to buy the sailboat one too!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Concerts!

I am off to Las Vegas today to see Lady Gaga in concert! I think it will be quite the show. Her costumes alone are entertaining!

I thought it would be fun to post about some of my favorite concerts. I am so lucky that I have been able to attend so many concerts from Britney Spears and the Black Eyed Peas to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and the Rolling Stones.

First concert
: Spice Girls!
Best concert: Stevie Wonder and Elton John are pretty hard to beat! Dancing on stage with Elton=one of the best moments EVER!





Performer I have seen the most
: Justin Timberlake!


A lot of my photos are on my old laptop but I did find these ones:

Sting!


Britney!


Rihanna!


What was your first concert? Favorite concert? I can't be the only JT stalker ;)