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Monday, March 31, 2014

Seattle + Portland + Vancouver Recommendations Wanted!

Next month I am heading to Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver with my sister. We will be spending 2-3 days in each spot. So far I have Voodoo Doughnut on my Portland list and hopefully a visit with Christina in Seattle. I think I have my priorities straight: doughnuts and blog friends ;)

I am sure we will be doing the typical touristy things (Space Needle, Pike Place Market, etc) but I would love to hear your recommendations!

Here are some restaurants we are looking at. YAY or NAY if you have been!
Seattle- Zoe, Delancey, Skillet Dinner, Brave Horse Tavern, Lola, Crumble and Flake, Ballard Pizza Company, Hunger
Portland- Ned Ludd, Imperial, The Country Cat, Little Bird, Olympic Provisions
Vancouver- Hawksworth, Tableau, Nicli, The Red Wagon, Pourhouse, La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop

Let me know your favorite restaurants, things to do, neighborhoods to explore!

Friday, March 28, 2014

The Vampire Diaries/The Originals PaleyFest + Divergent

Last Saturday night Leeann and I went to our THIRD Vampire Diaries PaleyFest together! It is actually how we first met. I had an extra ticket way back in 2010. Another blog friend, Angela, told me that Leeann was also a fan of the show so I emailed Leeann and the rest is history! Leeann and I celebrated our 4 year blog friendship anniversary with The Vampire Diaries PaleyFest, seeing Divergent, and then a blogger brunch Sunday morning (recap here). I decided just to bring my iphone and skip the fancy camera but I think next year I'll go back to the real camera.

If you are a TV fan you should definitely come out to LA for PaleyFest put on yearly by The Paley Center for Media. Each year over two weeks in spring a bunch of different shows, old and new, have panels with the actors and creative teams. There is a Q&A and if you are lucky you may get to see an episode of the show too! In the past I have been to: Castle (2012), Vampire Diaries (2010, 2012, and 2014), Revenge (2012), Glee (2010), NCIS (2010), and Lost (2010 and 2014)



We also met Brianna and her friend for dinner before the panel. It turns out their seats were in the row behind us!

LOVE these two! They were holding hands in the beginning and goofing around the whole time
Joseph Morgan/Klaus is my favorite. From the moment I saw him on TVD I was hooked. I miss him in Mystic Falls but I am happy he has his own show now!

It was small group for TVD (the three below plus creator Julie Plec and writer/producer Caroline Dries)

After the panel we went to the 10 PM showing of Divergent. Leeann let me borrow her books and I am obsessed! I highly recommend the books and the movie. I am already counting down the days until the next movie! Theo James/Four: SWOON. Did anyone else read the books or see the movie?

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Nautical bedding from Pottery Barn Kids

H and I always browse the catalogs that arrive in the mail. I think Pottery Barn Kids is our favorite. He loves finding elephants and I look for anything nautical. I saw the seahorse sheets below and made a note to check the website for other patterns when I got home. Mermaids, turtles, and sharks oh my!

All of the following sheet sets are available in twin, full, and queen

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

Pottery Barn Kids nautical sheet sets Spring 2014

This post contains affiliate links

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

SoCal Blogger Society Brunch

Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch

Last Sunday SoCal Blogger Society had its first blogger brunch! Over 30 bloggers attended the brunch at Areal in Santa Monica. The food was SO GOOD! I had way too many mini cinnamon rolls, the Belgian Waffle, and then a piece of chocolate cake. PLUS bottomless mimosas (a Sunday brunch essential I think). Areal has a great outdoor patio that is perfect for dining al fresco and then you can walk down to the beach after!

Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
I am trying to shop my closet more so I wore this Mink Pink bow top that I hadn't worn in years

Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch

Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
I love my bow back cardigan a little too much
Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
My table had a mix of old friends and new (clockwise): Shirley, Lauren, Kristin, Chelsea, Megan, Leeann, and me
Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
the menu
Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
with Leeann and Lauren

Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch

Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
These disappeared VERY quickly
Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
Trying on sunglasses with Leeann
Nautical by Nature: SoCal Blogger Society Spring Fling Brunch
The event photographer, Ryan Brennan, was kind enough to take outfit photos for all of us

If you are in Southern California then I highly recommend joining SoCal Blogger Society. There will definitely be more events in the future!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

MW Coastal Goods

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
New coasters and buckets!

Back in 2012 I shared some adorable nautical bottle openers from MW Coastal Goods. MW Coastal Goods was started by husband and wife team Mike and Wendy out of their home studio in Mystic, Connecticut. You must follow them on Instagram-their lab, Huck, is just the sweetest!
MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets

Wendy and Mike have added several new products to their website.

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
the 17 qt buckets holds approximately 15 bottles

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
the 5 qt bucket holds approximately 6 bottles

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets

Coasters (set of 12)
MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
All hands on deck coaster set

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
Anchors aweigh coaster set

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
Crab me a cold one coaster set

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
Race rock lobster coaster set

MW Coastal Goods nautical coasters and buckets
Birthday gift for one of Wendy's friends: Anchors Aweigh buoy opener, coasters, and bucket

Monday, March 24, 2014

Speed Tasting at FIGat7th

Last week I was invited to a Speed Tasting event at FIGat7th downtown. It was the perfect way to celebrate the first day of SPRING!

Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th

FIGat7th is a new shopping and dining destination in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Much of FIGat7th is open-air so you can take advantage of the beautiful Southern California weather and dine alfresco. FIGat7th has a City Target, Zara, H&M and more (with plans to open more stores throughout 2014). Taste is the "food court," if you could even call it that, inside FIGat7th. Taste is a collection of chef-driven, accessible, quick-service casual eateries including City Tavern, Mendocino Farms, The Melt, Juicy Lucy, Loteria Grill, Oleego by Park’s Barbecue, Indus by Saffron, George's Greek Grill, The Flying Pig Café, Sprinkles Cupcakes, The Pizza Studio, Pazzo Gelato, Twist & Grill, New Moon Café, and Gentaro Soba.

FIGat7th also offers seasonal events including a kids' club with arts and crafts, chef demonstrations, and a farmers market every Thursday. You can see the full calendar of events here

 Leeann and I were thrilled when we saw the menu for the event. Just look at all of these things we got to try!
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Click to enlarge
I attempted to take photos of some of the food but let me just say I am NOT a food blogger! Everything was delicious despite my less than stellar photography skills!
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Honey butter bacon burger and lemonade from Juicy Lucy
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Peanut butter banana smoothie (with strawberry on top) from Juicy Lucy
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
My FAVORITE of the night: The MacDaddy (a grilled cheese with macaroni and cheese inside!) and tomato basil soup from The Melt
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Jalapeño margarita from Loteria Grill
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Irish chocolate and red velvet mini cupcakes

Here are pictures of three of the food options at Taste:
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Juicy Lucy
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
The Pizza Studio
Speed Tasting at Taste FIGat7th
Twist and Grill

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Lost PaleyFest 2014

Last weekend I went to the Lost 10 year reunion PaleyFest. If you are a TV fan you should definitely come out to LA for PaleyFest put on yearly by The Paley Center for Media. Each year a bunch of different shows, old and new, have panels with the actors and creative teams. There is a Q&A and if you are lucky you may get to see an episode of the show too. In the past I have been to: Castle (2012), Vampire Diaries (2010, 2012, and I'm going again this weekend!), Revenge (2012), Glee (2010), NCIS (2010), and Lost (2010 and 2014)

Lost holds a very special place in my TV loving heart. I don't think I will ever love a show as much as I love Lost. I over thought everything. I would be awake for hours after an episode analyzing every little thing. It was so fun to share theories with friends. And nothing frustrated me more than Lost! That is what makes Lost so special. The fans were (ARE!) emotionally invested. If you are a fan of the show, I thought this piece from Zap2It was a good recap from the event.


I went with Brooke







Walt is all grown up!