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.



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

I especially love chalkboards in playrooms and kids' bedrooms.



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:

Kate Spade: Anchors Away!

I want it all!

Anchors Away Pendant:


Anchors Away Bracelet:



Bon Voyage Necklace:


All Aboard Earrings:


All Board Mini Boat Studs:


Sailor's Knot Ring (also available as a bangle):


Anchors Away Mini Ring:


Boat Key Fob:


All Aboard Ship Clutch:

Baby Gap: Sea Voyage (baby and kids)

Whale tee:


Intarsia boat cardigan:


Whale onesie:


Tiny whale swim trunks:


Puff-sleeve striped dress:


Whale swim trunks:


pom pom ship hat:


Hooded rashguard:

All Hail the Preppy Princess

Do you know who I am referring to? She's THE Preppy Princess. I think I am her #1 fan (though she has many loyal fans). Not only do I love the blog that Susan writes but I am a frequent customer of her online store (that she runs with her husband, Kevin, aka the Consort).

The Preppy Princess has the absolute BEST customer service! One Christmas my sister got me something from TPP but of course I already had it. Oops! I admit I was totally jealous that my sister got to talk to her royal highness, TPP, ON THE PHONE! TPP was actually the first non-family member to know my sister is having a boy because I ordered these nautical burp cloths.

Everything ships super fast and the packaging/wrapping is almost too pretty to open. An example:


Best of all: TPP donates 5% of each purchase to one of two non-profits: Dogs for the Deaf and Fisher House.

My apartment is filled with things from the Preppy Princess: placemats on my table, dish towels in my kitchen (I have hand towels in my bathroom too), napkin rings, and on and on!

I counted down the days until this year's Cyber Monday because TPP has a big sale and I just can't resist! Some of my most recent purchases:

Desktop calendar:



RuMe anchor tote:


RuMe Team Kate tote (there's also Team Pippa, Team Harry, and Team William):


Jonathan Adler whale notepad and elephant giant eraser:


The Preppy Princess carries all of my favorites: Jonathan Adler, Lilly Pulitzer, Boatman Geller and many more (there's a whole nautical collection!). There is something for everyone: from the new baby to the family dog! If you are looking for the perfect gift (for you or someone else) then definitely head over to the Preppy Princess!

Please note: this is NOT a sponsored post. I was not compensated in any way. I pay for the products I buy from the Preppy Princess!

Resolutions for 2012

1. Respond to emails within 24 hours. I often read emails on my Blackberry and then wait until I am on my computer to respond. But by the time I eat dinner and sit down I've totally forgotten to do that or deleted them by accident and don't respond for days (or weeks-yikes!).
2. Smile more. Sounds easy but it's not always! I think I am a pretty friendly person but when I'm not smiling I look unapproachable/not interested (I think a lot of people have this issue). I honestly don't know how models smile with their eyes (HA!) and look happy without smiling. I've had this conversation with several friends: we've been told we look angry or mean if we aren't smiling (a la the scene in Hitch where Will Smith hits on Eva Mendes). And this isn't just about smiling at a bar or meeting guys: I'm going to smile more when I am stuck in traffic, in line at the post office/grocery store/bank or giving my order at a restaurant.
3. Be more patient with H. This is a tough one. I am pretty patient. I really am (I'm also not perfect either!) But sometimes when he takes a short nap or starts playing with his food I get upset and forget that HE IS A TODDLER! I've really started to change my approach and I can see a difference in my mood and H's.
4. Write down everything in my planner BEFORE or right after: movie titles (and who I went with), playdates, restaurant names.
5. Put new outfits together and dress up more

I had a longer list written in a notebook but of course I left it in my car and now I can't find it. I think this is a good start though!

Row Your Boat: Pottery Barn Kids

Row Your Boat baby bedding (toddler bedding available too):


An elephant in a boat. Perfection.


Row Your Boat stroller blanket:


There's a matching Row Your Boat rug too

Boat shelf (I am definitely copying the jar with nautical flags idea for my bookshelf) There's also a matching lamp!


I MUST figure out how to craft similar ones. These are just too perfect for any nautical room! ABC art plaques:


Sailboat mobile:

Mr. and Mrs. High Cotton contest: calling all engaged couples!

I am so excited to share this fun contest from High Cotton Ties. I posted about High Cotton Ties (and headbands) last spring and in the past year they have added pocket t shirts, school colors and more!

Here's how the contest works: Engaged couples enter for a chance to be crowned "Mr. & Mrs. High Cotton" and receive complimentary wedding attire from High Cotton Ties (up to $1200)!

AND if the winning couple is one of my readers, High Cotton ties will do a $500 giveaway for my blog readers this spring! Make sure to put NBN under "How did you find out about the contest?"

Guidelines:
1. Competition begins January 1st and ends February 29th
2. Eligible participants must be engaged couples with wedding dates set between April 1st - November 30th
3. Couples must submit a 500 word essay and photo (ENTER HERE)
4. On March 1st, High Cotton Ties will select three finalists to compete on Facebook. The couple's posting receiving the most 'likes' will be crowned Mr. & Mrs. High Cotton

The fine print: Maximum prize winnings of up to $1200 retail value of High Cotton Ties products for your wedding. Prize winnings may be used on the groom, groomsmen, and ring bearers only. Example: $1200 retail value is roughly equivalent to 10 cummerbund sets + shipping. As Mr. & Mrs. High Cotton, we may request the use of certain wedding photos with your permission.

I would love to see a nautical High Cotton Ties wedding so make sure to enter if you are engaged!

Please note: this is NOT a sponsored post. I was not compensated in any way for promoting this contest

Nautical Aerie

Updated 8/26/2012: There is a new AE anchor sweater. It can be found HERE (same sweater but in navy)

I LIVE in the Aerie nautical holiday pajama pants and underwear from last year so you bet I'll be ordering some of the ones below!

Anchor sweater:


Anchor PJ pants (sailboat PJs, whale PJs):


Anchor:


Seahorse:


Anchor:


Whale:


Whale (more whales in dark blue here):


Sailboats (in blue here):


Anchor shirt:


Whale shirt: