Giving Back During the Holidays

I was really looking forward to participating in Operation Santa this year. Operation Santa is a program that the USPS runs throughout the country. To see participating postal offices go here. How the program works: Local postal workers, individuals, and organizations or companies “adopt” the Dear Santa letters from needy children. They then shop for as many of the items requested in the letters and return to the Post Office with packages ready to mail.

Unfortunately my closest post office that offers the program is downtown and you could only stop by during certain weekday business hours (just not possible for me to get down there during the day).

So I decided to look into a different way to donate. I had heard about the Salvation Army Angel Tree before but was worried I'd run into the same problem (because of my hours I would need somewhere open on the weekends). I was thrilled to see that the Angel Tree program is now online!!! You can order your gifts online through JCPenney (and have them ship directly to the Salvation Army for free!) OR just adopt a child online and then shop wherever you want (I did my shopping at Target and Marshalls). I chose 4 children and I loved being able to pick out things for them (toys, clothing, and books). I could just picture them opening their gifts on Christmas morning and that's the best part! The Angel Tree program is now closed but you can still donate money online here

Other ways to give back:
Westside Food Bank (for my local readers)
St. Joseph's Center (for my local readers)
Toys for Tots
Feed the Children
Save the Children

How are you giving back this holiday season?

All I Want for Christmas is...

Granted Clothing Anchor Sweater



There's also a whale sweater and mermaid sweater

My Christmas Decorations

I am really really behind on my decorating this year! There were a bunch of crafts I wanted to do but I haven't had time. My work break is the 23rd-27th so I'm hoping I can make at least one thing during that free time. I tried to find something to hang on my door but I didn't see anything I liked. I definitely want to make something (anything!). At least I got my nautical tree up!

Two cookie jars and another (light up) mini pink tree in my bay window (this is the view from outside)


Penguin cookie jar from Target


Santa cookie jar from West Elm (sold out online but might be in stores still)


Santa salt and pepper shakers from West Elm (sold out online now) sit on my stove with my other salt and peppers shakers (whale and alligator are Tag, lobsters are a housewarming gift from my friend H)


closeup:


Last year my sister got me these adorable penguin plates from West Elm


101 Dalmatians blanket. I love this movie! I was obsessed when I was little. Of course I still use the blanket when I'm sitting watching TV


Penguin mugs from Target. I love these and wish I had bought everything in the collection (I have the mugs and cookie jar but there was more)!


Let it snow tray. This sits on one of my TV trays (whatever you want to call the little table) next to my couch


I had to buy the matching Santa napkins from West Elm (I think these are in store only)


Not pictured: my polar bear doormat. I forgot to take a photo. I'll have to post one later.

I want to make a display for holiday cards, make an ornament wreath, and frame some fun holiday prints. Hope I can do it all before Christmas!

My (mostly) Nautical Christmas Tree

My mini tree is way too small for my growing collection of nautical ornaments! Next year I will be switching to something bigger (and probably a green tree). Most of the ornaments are nautical but I had to throw in a few elephants (and a Lilly shift and some adorable wellies I saw on Belle on Heels). The sailboats are from Crate & Barrel (sold as a set last year). I tried to include links to ornaments that are currently available (many are no longer available).



Silver whale (Anthropologie), blue knit whale (Anthropologie), anchor picture frame (the Dahl House):


Mermaid (Red Barn Mercantile), seahorse (Jonathan Adler):


Shift dress (Lilly Pulitzer), nautical nutcracker (Target), blue glass whale (Crate & Barrel), anchor sweater (Lands' End):


Closeup of nutcracker:


Wellies (Target):


Jeweled elephant (can't remember where it's from), the other two elephants are both Jonathan Adler (this year's here):


Did you decorate a tree? Do you like having a theme or just choose your favorite ornaments? If you have a nautical tree please send me photos and I'll post it on the blog!

Miss Janice did a wonderful Parade of Christmas trees post (you'll see my little pink tree). I just love looking at all of the beautiful trees. I definitely have inspiration for next year already!

Nautical Ornament of the Week: Crate & Barrel

Whale:

It's a...

via etsy

via a Dozen Eggs

via etsy

It's a BOY!
My sister is having a baby boy!!!

gybe-ho boatwear custom shirt GIVEAWAY!

The winner will receive a custom t-shirt plus a hat from Gybe-Ho Boatwear! Choose a design that represents your state, favorite lake, nautical flags or create something new! Here are some of my favorites:

California:


Gybe love:


Annapolis:


Deck the Hulls:


Coordinates:

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Sailing Through Holiday Shopping with StyleSays: Guest Post

Today Jess of StyleSays is doing a guest post on Sailing Through Holiday Shopping

One of the happiest (and most stressful) times of the year is in full force. Hopefully Kate is like me and got through most of her holiday shopping already. If you’re still trying to finish, or just getting started, I’m here to help.

My name is Jess and I’m a recent college grad who grew up in the midwest. I’ve always been neurotic when it comes to Holiday gift giving. This has opened my eyes to a few different hints to skip the crowded malls, save a little money and time. I’m here to help you navigate the treacherous seas of holiday shopping.

Full disclosure: this strange behavior eventually turned into a fashion site that I run with a couple friends. More to come on that in a sec.

5. Start Now

Alright so we can be real, some people started weeks ago and there are others that won’t start until Christmas Eve. With only a few weeks until the big day you should start now if you haven’t, especially if you plan on buying any presents online. Many sites will tell you the last day you can order a present for it to arrive by the 25th.

If you don’t know where to start and are overwhelmed by the thought of navigating tons of confusing online stores, try out StyleSays. Hand-picked items from the top online stores are organized in an easy to use one-stop- shop.



4. Think Different

Even if you didn’t start early you can still come away with some spectacular finds. With so many options you should be bold, be unique and really make your friends+fam feel special. There are 100s of amazing online stores with endless gift ideas so you’re sure to find the perfect gift for your close ones. And if you really want to be unique look for a handmade item from one of the many online marketplaces like Etsy.

Oh yes there are lots of unique nautical items too! Check out the Nautical by Nature collection on StyleSays for ideas.



3. Wish Lists

Wish hard enough and it may come true. Almost every site has a wishlist that makes organizing gift ideas a lot easier. But you need to have all of your wishlists in one place to really compare. StyleSays makes it easy to save your favorite items from all of your favorite sites so you can compare gifts and prices side-by-side. Shopping should be easy, right?



2. Free Returns

When you’re doing all your holiday shopping at the mall this isn’t a problem but if you’re buying online it’s mega important to find stores with friendly return policies.

Here are a few stores that have friendly return policies: ASOS, ModCloth, Free People, Zappos and ShopBop.

1. Treat Yourself!

Don’t end up with another picture frame or candle. Let people know you want that pair of glittery new Sperry’s or funky sailor’s knot bracelet. We’ve talked about finding the perfect gifts for everyone else but what about the perfect gift for you? Make a collection of all the things you want to see under the tree and then send that link around to all the Santas in your life.

Bonus

StyleSays is playing Santa this year! Enter our Christmas List giveaway and you could win an item from your list. It’s super easy to enter. 1) Make a Christmas List and 2) Share it with a few friends.

Thank you to Kate and her lovely readers! Take our style quiz to make an account!

Happy Holidays!

Jess

All I Want for Christmas is...

Jonathan Adler Anchor Blanket

Nautical Polyvore Sets

Ideas for nautical inspired holiday/winter looks:

Nautical Holiday Outfit Ideas by nauticalbynature featuring long sleeve sweaters

My favorite sailor stripes:

Sail Away with Sailor Stripes by nauticalbynature featuring a cotton crew neck sweater

Uncommon Goods Nautical Gift Guide

While browsing Uncommon Goods I realized that they have a nautical gift for every person (and dog) on your list! Many of the items are handmade and all of them make the perfect unique nautical present!

Uncommon Goods Gift Guide by nauticalbynature featuring anchor jewelry

For Baby: Fish rattle
For the Pup: Coco elephant chew toy (dolphin and octopus also available here)
For the Boyfriend (husband, manfriend, etc): Shark socks
For the Best Friend: Wooden whale box
For the Sibling: Beach chess/checker set (the pieces are nautical seahorses, ships, anchors, etc!)
For the One that has everything: Shower squids
For Mom: You are my anchor necklace
For Dad: Recycled Trophy Fish

The Dahl House: 20% off and Nautical Ornament of the Week

I love the Dahl House! I have an anchor picture frame in my apartment and I got my sister and brother in law the Martha's Vineyard frame for their wedding gift (his family has a house there and my lucky sister has been to Martha's Vineyard before I have!). I will definitely be getting Baby Nautical a frame for the nursery.

Whitney at the Dahl House sent me an anchor photo ornament to my match my frame. I thought this photo of me and my mom at the Vineyard Vines store opening would be perfect!


Up on my little pink Christmas tree (the ornament hangs from gingham ribbon and the same ribbon is around the ornament):


Nautical by Nature readers can get 20% off all orders with code: NAUTICAL20 (exp 12/14)

Here are some of my favorite products:

Ornaments:




Pink sailboat frame:


Whale frame:


Step stool:


Pink sailboat hooded towel:


*Please note I was sent the ornament to review. This post is 100% my own honest opinion*

My Sister's Apartment

I love everything in my sister's apartment. I don't even know where she finds half the things but they are always cute! Here are my favorites:

Bow pillow (my sister had the keep calm poster years ago-before they showed up everywhere!):


Cupcake containers and animal office supplies: snail tape dispenser, panda pencil sharpener, hippo stapler, cat (?) stapleless stapler


cupcake tray thing holds her keys, sunglasses, etc. Polkadot thing holds iphone, ipod, camera, etc when charging


The two glass containers are from West Elm. They are the perfect storage solution for a small bathroom! I love the Liberty of London for Target jars too.


Heart baskets for scarves, gloves, and hats


I copied my sister. She put a set of very cute French greeting cards up in her bedroom (you can see my version here)

Nautical Gift Guide: Kids and Baby

Nautical Gift Guide: Kids by nauticalbynature on polyvore.com

I couldn't import these into Polyvore but also on the list:

Mini Boden t shirt:



Mini Boden fleece: