Reign

Anyone else hooked on Reign? I recorded it on my DVR but didn't watch any episodes until the week of Christmas when I was couch bound with bronchitis. I watched 7 episodes one after the other. I had one more to go and decided to take a break. I waited until after Palm Springs and then watched the 8th episode. Still loved it. Nothing will ever fill the void of Gossip Girl (the clothes! the music! the beloved characters!) BUT Reign is coming pretty close. TV.com does hilarious recaps of each episode (I love that they call Mary "Mary, Queen of Hotties").

The show is back from hiatus tonight on the CW at 9/8c. 

the show centers on Mary, Queen of Scots
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Prince Francis and Mary celebrate the Harvest Festival. The tradition is to write your deepest regret on a tiny ship and then send it sailing off onto the lake
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One of the photos from a TV.com review

All good CW shows have a juicy love triangle! In Reign you have half brothers (one is the future king, Prince Francis, the other is the illegitimate son, Bash) fighting for Mary

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The ladies in waiting are Mary's BFFs and thanks to them I have now added a new name to my future baby list, Greer
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Nautical Valentine's Day Outfits for the Kids

I have said it before and I will say it again: Valentine's Day is definitely my favorite holiday! I especially love all of the cute outfit possibilities. I will be honest and say that I encourage H to wear his red shirts and pants as often as I can before the big day. He even has a shirt that says "I dig you" with an excavator/backhoe picking up and dumping hearts (Etsy has EVERYTHING!). This year I got him dinosaur Valentine pajamas from Carter's .

My local store only had 3T (which barely fit) but they appear to be sold out online in bigger sizes. I am going to keep looking because the 3T won't be lasting long!

I wore a uniform from kindergarten through high school so you had to get creative incorporating pink, red, and hearts (I always wore fun socks, themed hair accessories, etc).

* I added sizes in addition to prices because I am always confused by the different classifications stores use (I don't consider 5 year olds to be toddlers but Gap and Old Navy do when it comes to sizing!) *

This year I am seeing a LOT of nautical outfits that work for Valentine's day!

Girls:

Row 1: Dotty applique shirt (Mini Boden, $24, 1.5Y-12Y), Whale tee (Carter's, $11, 3M-6X)
Row 2: Long sleeve stripe floral anchor tee (J.Crew, $35, 2Y-14Y), Stripe sequin anchor shirt (J.Crew Factory, $30, 2Y-14Y)
Row 3:Whale tee with heart (Carter's, $16,3M-6X), Crab applique tee (Carter's, $16, 3M-6X), Seahorse sparkle tee (Carter's, $16, 3M-6X)

Baby/toddler:

Row 1: Whale ahoy cutie onesie (Gap, $13, NB-24M), Applique whale onesie (Carter's, $9, NB-24M), Applique seahorse onesie (Carter's, $9, NB-24M)
Row 2: Striped whale intarsia dress (Gap, $40, NB-24M), Anchor sweater dress (Gap, $40, NB-24M), Heart sweater dress (Gap, $40, NB-24M)
Row 3: Sunny applique shirt (Mini Boden, $26, NB-3Y), Sailor graphic t (Gap, $17, NB-24M), You Float My Boat (Gymboree, $13, 6M-5T)

Boys:

Anchor pocket sweatshirt (J.Crew Factory, $40, 2Y-14Y), Wide stripe contrast collar tee (J.Crew Factory, $22.50, 2Y-14Y), Anchor intarsia sweater (Mini Boden, $54, 2Y-12Y)

Here's what Old Navy added after I had already set up this post:

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Destination Nautical: Phuket, Thailand

The Sugar Marina Nautical Resort in Phuket, Thailand is a sea lover's dream come true!

Nautical decorations in each room

Cafe

Reception

From the website:
"As the resort's name suggests, staying at Sugar Marina makes you feel like living in a luxury marina. It is a one-of-a-kind contemporary celebration of Phuket's natural beauty and the international sailing culture of the island, where anyone who loves the sea or has the sense of adventure will feel right at home.

Just like the rolling waves of the sea, the smooth lines throughout are easy on the eyes and the entire resort has been designed around the natural lay of the land to fit snugly with the natural surroundings. To give our guests a truly nautical experience, we sought after seafaring artifacts from around the world to adorn each of the four room types and immerse our guests in a world of maritime wonder. With just 66 guest rooms, our guests enjoy the tranquility of an uncrowded resort and seek inspiration in this totally unique tropical destination."

I always check Trip Advisor when looking at hotels (here's the page for Sugar Marina). It gets an 82% thumbs up and is ranked #11 of 48 hotels in the Kata Beach area. Here are some photos from guests:

Reception
This photo of Sugar Marina Resort - Nautical - Kata Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Reception and another view of the cafe
This photo of Sugar Marina Resort - Nautical - Kata Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor

One of the rooms
This photo of Sugar Marina Resort - Nautical - Kata Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor

the pool at night!
This photo of Sugar Marina Resort - Nautical - Kata Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Have you been to Thailand? 

I have several friends who have visited but I haven't had the chance yet

Introducing AJS! Name the Baby!

Look who arrived on Friday January 17!

Wearing the same anchor hat that Baby Nautical wore

Well you won't actually be naming the baby BUT you can vote for a blog nickname for nephew #2. Baby Nautical will always be Baby Nautical. Even when he's not a baby I'll always think of him as Baby Nautical! Now I need to come up with a nautical nickname for the new baby!

I added a poll to the right sidebar of the blog. Choose your favorite option or comment with a different idea!

Nautical Ergobaby Carrier: The Sea Skipper

One of my readers, Carolyn, designed a nautical Ergobaby Carrier! Last year Ergo had a design the next Ergobaby carrier contest and Carolyn's anchor design was one of the winners! You can read more about the contest winners over at the Ergobaby blog. The carrier is now available for purchase online at Ergobaby or anywhere else Ergo carriers are sold

Product note: The anchors in the product photo above are shown incorrectly oriented. Your Sea Skipper will look like the other photos (with the anchors right side up :) see above and below)

Carolyn is a mother of two boys and a Delta Gamma who is crazy about anchors!

Here is what Carolyn said inspired her design:
"In fashion, nautical is really in right now and I figured it might do well as a concept. Anchors are a popular motif in everything from shoes to stationary. I won’t lie though, the main inspiration for it is my sorority, Delta Gamma. Our symbol is the anchor and I thought it would be so cute if we had an Anchor Ergo in which to carry our little legacies and Anchorboys. I also tried to think of colors/themes that might fit some of the existing Ergo accessories (like the infant insert). I wear an anchor pendent every day around my neck…wouldn’t it be cute to have an Ergo to match?!"

Peter and the Starcatcher

Last weekend I saw Peter and the Starcatcher at The Ahmanson Theatre. It will be touring the country starting this week so check the website and see if it's coming to your city!
I LOVE LOVE LOVED it! Hilarious! Peter and the Starcatcher is the "grownup prequel to Peter Pan" and the play is based on the book Peter and the Starcatchers. A dozen actors play over 100 characters. The first half takes place on two different ships (how very nautical!) and the second half is on the island we all call Neverland now.

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The second half opens with the actors dressed as mermaids

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Have you read the book or scene the play? I heard Disney is making it into a movie!

Mini Boden Nautical Spring 2014

I was stalking the Boden website the first week of January waiting for the spring line. I checked on Friday January 10 and the new arrivals had arrived! During warmer weather H lives in the jersey baggies. He is tall but able to wear the same size for at least two summers (I put everything in the dryer and they still last) so they are a great investment. I've noticed that the shirts last a long time too. I recommend ordering the next size up (for example if you have a 2.5 year old get the size 3-4 shirt).

I just wish they made all of this in adult sizes!

Sailboat sweater (baby-3 years old)

I want to get this for Baby Nautical but I'm not sure how practical it is for a Southern California kid

Mariner sweater (2-12)

I love this as a layer during winter and then it's perfect to throw on those cooler summer nights

Anchor intarsia sweater (2-12)

Make this in adult sizes, Boden!

Whale pajamas (2-12)

I love the bright colors!

Twin pack of water sports pajamas (2-12)

Vehicle applique t shirt (1.5-12)

Applique zip up romper (baby-2)

At the very top of my list for a baby gift for my (unborn) new nephew

Anchor graphic t shirt (1.5-12)

Anchor board shorts (9-16+)

Wish they made these in smaller size for H

Fun printed skirt (1.5-12)

This reminds me of a sailboat print J.Crew did years ago

Hotchpotch swimsuit (1.5-12)

Adorable

Dotty applique t shirt (1.5-12)

I would totally wear this on Valentine's Day ;)

Girls board shorts (8-16+)

Printed tankini top (sailboat print also available in a bandeau top, bikini bottom, and boyshorts, all available 8-16+)

Baby bathers (baby-3)

Seaside t shirt (baby-3)

Sunny applique t shirt (baby-3)

Animal adventure t shirt (baby-3)

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Nautical Valentine's Day Cards

One month until Valentine's Day! 

It is definitely my favorite holiday to decorate for: the pink, the hearts, I love it all! In middle school and at least one year of high school I had Valentine parties with a few friends. My mom and I would go to Pic n Save (now called Big Lots) the week after Christmas to pick out party favors. Then the day of the party my friends would come over after school to decorate cards and eat candy. No parties anymore but I do love sending out (nautical) cards!

I whale love you forever, Night Owl Paper Goods

I'm a sucker for you, Paper Source

You float my boat, Etsy shop Paper Wren

You're a good catch, Egg Press

You rock my boat, Egg Press

Let's get knotty, Egg Press

Clams in love, Egg Press

You float my boat, Egg Press

You're a good catch, Egg Press

My love for you is huge, Egg Press

Love you a ton, Etsy shop Smock Paper

You float my boat personalized printables, Etsy shop For Your Little Monkey

Set of 4 nautical printables, Etsy shop Party Sparkle