On the road

I had planned on posting something about my trip when I left on Thursday but I ran out of time. I am traveling for work now until next weekend. I have some really fun guest posts ready to go while I am out of town. I hope you enjoy them!

I am updating twitter and facebook during my trip

Sea Bags

Today's guest blog post is from Kellie of The Yuppie Files

Hi all! I'm so thrilled to be filling in for Kate today & sharing my latest nautical find.

I recently visited Portland, Maine which is a mecca for all things nautical. In between eating lobster rolls (there were a few) I got in a little shopping & one of my favorites were these Sea Bags.

Made from recycled sails, these bags are not only super cute but I'm not sure you can get more nautical! They're made locally in Portland & come in a number of styles but of course my favorites are the anchors & lobsters.

Since they are made from sails they are very durable & would make perfect beach bags. I also love the different products they have that would make for some unique gifts.

A shave kit for your favorite boy, a diaper bag for a new mom, or a wine bag for the first summer picnic.

{Or you know, a gift for your favorite nautical blogger *hint hint*}

I'm a big fan of small business & love that Portland is so supportive of their own. I immediately thought of Nautical by Nature when I saw these, so tell yourself you need to support small businesses & use that as an excuse to start shopping!

{I'm all about giving myself an excuse to spend money, ha!}

Thanks for having me on today Kate!

Darien Sport Shop: One Stop Prep Shop

When I hear about stores like Darien Sport Shop I think I might be on the wrong coast. Of course the west coast coast is the BEST coast BUT style/shopping wise I definitely need to be back on the east coast! There are just no stores like the Darien Sport Shop in Los Angeles. No one stop prep shops out here. Thankfully Darien Sport Shop has an online store! So no matter where you are you can shop this preppy store! You can find all of your favorite preppy brands on their website.

Darien Sport Shop is located in Darien, Connecticut. The store brings old fashioned customer service to the internet-they call every individual who orders online and hand write them a thank you note! It's pretty rare to get a hand written thank you these days!

Lilly Pulitzer


Vineyard Vines


Jack Rogers


On my summer wishlist:
Lilly Pulitzer Kiera Dress (with nautical accessories):


Vineyard Vines Wood Handle Satchel (how cute would this look monogrammed?)


And these cute crab shoes for Baby Nautical:


**Please note: this is NOT a sponsored post. I didn't receive anything for posting about this website. I just want to help promote it!**

Spring/Summer Totes for Every Budget

I started this post the first week of spring but didn't finish it until yesterday. I can't believe we are already in the second week of MAY! The bags below are perfect for the beach or pool, an afternoon shopping, a Sunday morning brunch, a weekend getaway.

Do you have a go to bag for summer?

Under $25:
Forever21 anchor bag:


Forever21 Sailor stripe bag


Under $60:
Lands' End Medium open top tote:


Gap striped straw tote (also available in red stripes):


Under $100:
Lilly Pulitzer Shoreline tote:


Nine West one stop shopper tote:


Under $200:
OndadeMar Carry on anchor bag:


Over $200:
Jonathan Adler White rope tote:

The One That Got Away: Retail Edition

I am pretty sure Katy Perry is not talking about the same thing in her song "The One That Got Away" but listening to those words makes me think of those things that got away. You know the top you saw but was sold out in your size? The tote that you just would not pay full price for (and then it sold out)?

Here is my list:
Jessica Simpson anchor luggage: I saw it in a Marshalls or TJ Maxx in New York City. I went back twice to look. I debated buying it. Would I pay to check an extra bag? Would I somehow fit my old suitcase into the new one? Too much work! I figured my local store would have the suitcase. The anchor luggage never made it to west coast stores :(


Anthropologie octopus ornament (there was also a sailboat): I assumed my local store would have this ornament. I didn't want to pay to ship something so small (I think shipping was more than the ornament). Sold out super fast and my local store(s) never stocked it


Anya Hindmarch boat bag: Two years in a row I made the same mistake. I waited for the bag to go on sale ($98 for a tote? I wasn't going to pay that!). Bag never went on sale and sold out. When it returned again I told myself I would buy it right away. Went to buy and it was sold out!


Lilly Pulitzer Stuffed Shells shorts:


I would love to hear what you regret not buying when you had the chance! Maybe someone out there has an extra or has seen what you are looking for in a store!

Happy Weekend from Baby Nautical

I haven't decided what I am going to wear to the graduation party today but Baby Nautical is in the cutest nautical outfit on this sunny Cinco de Mayo!

Dreaming of the Derby and Cinco de Mayo

Here is the outfit I would wear to the Kentucky Derby this weekend. Of course it's nautical ;)

Dreaming of Derby by nauticalbynature

Linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies

I am actually going to a graduation party with a Cinco de Mayo theme on Saturday. I haven't decided what I am going to wear yet. I will do another post on the outfit I decide to wear! Hopefully the weather will be a bit better this weekend. Way too humid and cloudy for me right now! This has been a busy week and I have an even crazier weekend. I have a lot to do before I leave for my work trip on Thursday!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, whether you are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby or BOTH!

New Sperry Top-Siders: Planet Shoes Review

I was so excited when I got an email from Mark at PlanetShoes.com asking me if I wanted to review a pair of Sperry Top-Siders. Of course my answer was yes! I do almost all of my shopping online so I am always looking for new websites to browse. Planet Shoes is an online shoe retailer with a focus on eco-friendly shoes. But you can also find many of the other big names in the footwear industry. I am definitely impressed with their Sperry selection! Planet Shoes offers selections for women, men and kids (hmm baby Sperry's for Baby Nautical?)

There is free shipping on all orders over $49! Even better: you can get cash back if you go through Mr. Rebates (3%) or Ebates (1%).

I was very impressed with the fast shipping and great customer service. The first pair was too big but I was quickly sent a smaller pair. They are comfortable and I love the look of the classic brown. When the weather gets warmer I will definitely be wearing these with (nautical) shorts! Now if I could just find a future husband who owns a boat... ;)

I chose the A/O 2-Eye in classic brown.


I wore them this past weekend with my favorite Uniqlo jeans, red Madewell v-neck pocket tee, and Tommy Hilfiger anchor cardigan.




I was just browsing during H's nap and found these cute shoes: Sperry Top-Sider Westport. Seersucker AND sea creatures? Sign me up!


Planet Shoes also carries fancier shoes (like pumps and heels)
Geox Marian:



I highly recommend you check out Planet Shoes when searching for your next pair of (hopefully nautical) shoes!


Please note: I was given the above pair of Sperry's to review. This post is 100% my own words and the review is my honest opinion

Ask Nautical by Nature: Nautical Storage

Two readers have emailed me about storage ideas for playrooms/kid rooms but these could be used in any room! I have actually had the best luck finding cute storage options at Homegoods/Marshalls/TJ Maxx (that is where I found the whale bins I have). Slightly lower prices and a lot of fun designs!

Here are my favorites from online:

Garnet Hill:


PB Kids (I like the rope handles):


Land of Nod:


PB Kids:



RH Baby and Child:

Brittany Lauren nautical stationery

I knew I had to feature this anchor design as soon as I saw it! Brittany Lauren is a blogger and designer. If she's not already on your blog roll then head over to her blog right away!

How cute are these invitations? The example below is for a bridal shower but I think these would work for a baby shower, birth announcement, birthday party or graduation party too! I love the rope border!

Please note: this is NOT a sponsored post. I just wanted to feature nautical stationery designed by a fellow blogger

Baby Nautical makes his blog debut!

I can't believe it took me six weeks to post photos of my sweet nephew, EGS!

Baby Nautical has many nautical outfits (of course!) but this one isn't actually from me!


One month photo shoot:


Happy guy!


Who is the cutest baby? Baby Nautical raises his hand! (this photo cracks me up)

Reader Submissions: Nautical Shopping Finds

I absolutely LOVE getting emails from readers with nautical shopping finds. I have my own team of personal shoppers around the world!

From Swapna:
Needlepoint iPad Case:


Cynthia alerted me that Brighton has some new nautical items for summer! See the full collection of nautical items here
Whale cosmetic bag (there's a cute anchor one too):


Cape large tote:


Cape Cod Metal Card Case:


Chatham Stripe tote:


From Marianne:
Kiel James Patrick bracelet


From Caitlin:
Sailboat tea cups


From Carol A.: anchor watch


Anchors Away Hooked Rug:



Admiral Pillow Set:


From Natalie:
Nautical pint glasses: