Nautical Photo of the Week: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

Tiffany is getting married in just a few months and her wedding reception will be at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (you know I love a nautical wedding!). Here are some photos that Tiffany sent me of the museum. I am thinking a road trip up to Santa Barbara is in my future!

Jack Rogers Giveaway Winner!

The winner is...

Kate E! I have emailed the winner directly. Congratulations, Kate!

Thank you to everyone that entered and a very big thank you to Jack Rogers for letting me host this giveaway! Spring is just around the corner so make sure to head over to Jack Rogers to find the perfect pair of shoes!

An outtake from my Jack Rogers photo shoot-even my cat loves these shoes!

Preppy Pieces

Jill, the owner of Preppy Pieces, emailed me about her adorable Etsy store. I am ALWAYS looking for cute headbands and belts (who isn't?). The headbands and belts come in different sizes for toddlers, girls, and women.

All of these are perfect for Valentine's Day (it's not too early to stock up for next year)/Easter/Spring

Polkadots:


Polkadots:


How cute is the matching polkadot belt?


Flowers for spring:


Let's call this pattern nautical:

Friday's Fancies: Let's Fly Away

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is Let's Fly Away-create an outfit to wear in your dream destination. I originally wanted to go back to Santorini or Barcelona but it's too cold right now. I thought this outfit would be perfect for wandering around and having my own little nautical photo shoot.

Dream Destination by nauticalbynature

So change of plans...

It has been pretty cold here (well Los Angeles cold which is 40s and 50s) so I want to go somewhere warm. I started looking at tropical places and it's tough to find somewhere warm that doesn't have rain/thunderstorms forecasted for every.single.day! Then I remembered this is my dream destination, keyword DREAM so let's pretend it isn't rainy. Let's fly away to... the Regent Grand Resort in Providenciales (Turks and Caicos Islands)

I just want to sit by the pool with a girly drink and a good book!

via

A beach like this wouldn't be too bad either

via

If you could jet away today where would YOU go?

What a week!

I had planned on doing multiple Valentine's Day posts (decorations and nautical cards) but I just didn't have enough time. I usually write blog posts in advance and schedule them to post but I never got around to drafting these. I leave my Valentine decorations up for awhile so hopefully I can still write a post with photos before I move. Yes, you read that correctly! Unfortunately I came home on Valentine's Day to a notice on my door from the new management of my building. They want to move a manager in to my apartment (I am the newest tenant in a 1 bedroom so I guess I'm first to go). I had NO plans to move and had JUST put together a new Crate & Barrel media center/storage system. I'm super annoyed I have to move BUT I know it could be a lot worse (I was given notice and have people who can help me). I'm overwhelmed at the idea of searching through craigslist again and going to open houses for places that are awful OR I can't afford. Hoping I can find something nearby-I do not want to give up my 15 minute commute to work.

This has been a busy week with lots of fun playdates and outings but I feel like I've barely had time to sit down and relax! Toddlers just go go go!

My Valentine's date was my mom. We went to dinner and then watched our favorite shows together. I've been working longer hours this week so it was exactly what I needed. I didn't get pink pants yet but I am going to try to find some this weekend.

What did you do for Valentine's Day?

Nautical Photo of the Week: Provincetown

Reader Elizabeth C is nautical obsessed like many Nautical by Nature readers. Elizabeth grew up summering in Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA, where her family has a dune shack. The town of Provincetown is an interesting place, and one of her favorite things in town is this old anchor that is just lying around. Elizabeth would love to have a big anchor like this in her backyard (who wouldn't?)

Jack Rogers Giveaway!

We are just a little over a month away from SPRING officially arriving (can you believe it's mid- February already?) so what better time to announce a Jack Rogers giveaway?! Your spring wardrobe cannot be complete without a pair of Jack's. You are probably familiar with the Jack Rogers Navajo sandals made famous by Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s. Well Jack Rogers has added adorable ballet flats to the line and I am so excited! Since I am tall, I LIVE in ballet flats! The girls at Jack Rogers sent me a pair of the Rogers Slim Ballet Flat in navy and one of my lucky readers will receive a pair of her own!



I have worn the shoes several times in the past week. They are comfortable AND so cute! I LOVE the navy because I wear a lot of blue already (hello nautical!). I have been searching for the perfect pair of navy ballet flats and have finally found them! I styled my shoes with my favorite jeans and two different tops for going out with friends this past weekend.

(my cat likes them too)




Then on Monday my Jason Wu for Target navy poplin dress arrived in the mail. The shoes match perfectly!

One lucky winner will receive a pair of the Rogers Slim Ballet Flat in navy!

TO ENTER:
You MUST use the Rafflecopter widget below. If you are having trouble getting the widget to show up, try clicking on Read More at the very bottom of the post OR click the title of this blog post (Jack Rogers Giveaway).
There are multiple ways to enter (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.) and this widget makes it easy to keep track of entries.

The giveaway ends Monday February 20 at 12:01 EST

Emma Graham Designs

I am always looking for the perfect dress (you can never have too many!). One I can wear to brunch on a Sunday morning or out with friends on a Friday night. I got an email from the women at Emma Graham about their Spring 2012 line. These dresses are too cute! I love the colors in the spring line (Cape Cottage Blue, Nautical Navy, Flamingo Pink, Mint Julep Green)

I think my favorite dress is the Jordan (nautical navy with coral crochet trim):


How adorable are the ruffles on the Jenn dress?


And look at the back!


Aimee dress:


The color of the Ellie dress is described as King Crab Coral. Don't you love it?



Starting this week Emma Graham has introduced Design Your Own dresses. Pick the style and color combination and you are set!

Have you heard of Emma Graham? What color dresses will you be wearing this spring?

Man Candy Monday: Valentine's Day Edition

I am linking up with my good friend Leeann of Join the Gossip for Man Candy Monday! I've posted about Ryan Gosling before and he's at the top of my list again this week ;)

These would be my top 5 celebrity dates for Valentine's Day

Ryan Gosling

Joshua Jackson

Scott Speedman

Simon Baker (he's married so this would literally be a dream date. HA!)

Tied for #5/Honorable mentions go to:
Justin Timberlake
Nathan Fillion
Ed Westwick
Ian Harding
Any male on Vampire Diaries
James Lafferty
Michael Weatherly
Shane West
Zac Efron
and the list could go on and on. So tough to narrow it down!

Who would you choose as your celebrity date for Valentine's Day???

One Year: Ten Preppy Books

Head on over to the New Noblewoman to see the article I wrote about ten preppy books I read in 2011!

Started by Amanda Millay Lanier, "The New Noblewoman features articles about Arts & Culture, Beauty & Style, Home & Garden, Relationships & Etiquette, classic Poetry & Essays, and a section of things 'A Woman Should Know.'"

Here are two recent articles that I really enjoyed (and I think you will like too!)
The Simple Secrets to Audrey Hepburn Style
How to Dress Like a Woman from 'Man Men'

What books should I add to my list for 2012?

Ask Nautical by Nature: Sailboat Mobile for Nursery

Reader Julia S emailed me asking where she could find a cute sailboat mobile for her baby's nursery. Here are my favorites:

Pottery Barn Kids Sailboat Mobile:


Overstock My Baby Sam Ahoy Mate Mobile:


Amazon Trend Lab Nantucket Musical Mobile:


Amazon Nautical Nights Sailboat Musical Mobile:


Etsy:

Friday's Fancies: Red & Pink

After months of admiring all of the fabulous outfits I've seen featured in Long Distance Loving's Friday's Fancies link up, I am finally linking up! I just couldn't resist the RED AND PINK theme for Valentine's Day!



I have the heart sweater below (from J.Crew) and I would love to pair it with pink pants and a cute red heart bag!

Red and Pink by nauticalbynature

I also created a set inspired by this look from New York & Company. It's pink and red perfection! Don't you love the polkadot top and pink pumps?

red and pink by nauticalbynature

Will you be wearing red and pink next week?

Nautical Outfit of the Week: Tom the Cat

When Jana told me she dressed her cat, Tom, in a nautical "outfit" I knew I had to see it! And then share it on my blog of course. It's pretty much the cutest thing (and Jana's sister Kelli is just as cute in her nautical stripes :)

My Nautical Wardrobe: Tierney

On Monday Tierney of Ruby Woo Loves You did a guest blog post on how to build the perfect nautical wardrobe. Today Tierney lets us peek into her closet and see her favorite nautical looks.

Happy 2nd Birthday H!

Today H is 2 years old! Happy Birthday to sweet H. Even though you remind me every day that you are a "big boy" now, you'll always be Baby H!