Gap Leggings and Jeggings

This past weekend I went into Gap because I had a 40% off coupon (I found the cutest reversible navy cardigan for my sister's baby). Yes, I am already a crazy aunt and the baby isn't even here yet! Anyway I haven't been loving the womens collection recently but I decided to do some browsing. I've tried some other jeggings in the past but they were really just leggings and were not flattering at all!

I tried the black knit jeggings (1969 ponte five-pocket leggings-at my local store they were labeled "knit jeggings") and am hooked! I bought 2 pairs in black (2 different sizes though I wish I had bought 2 of the size that fit slightly better. Oh well!). Later in the day I was at another mall (wearing the pair I bought earlier!) and decided to buy the other color too (this store didn't have the black in the size I wanted). I don't usually wear green but I just love the way these fit! They seem to stretch out slightly/I needed to pull them up after walking around so definitely go for the smaller size if you aren't sure. I always say that if you find something you love then buy multiple!!!



I also bought the lightweight corduroy leggings. I wouldn't call these leggings. They are very thin and super comfy but I would just say lightweight corduroy. If you are tall: these run short. I will only wear these with boots (otherwise I look like my pants shrunk/don't fit).


I'm curious: yay or nay on jeggings? Have you tried these? Did you shop the Gap sale last weekend?

My DC!

I am going to Washington, DC for Thanksgiving (visiting my sister) and I thought it would be fun to post my recommendations for DC.

Restaurants:
Matchbox: I used to go to the Chinatown location but now they have multiple restaurants in DC (there is also one in Palm Springs, CA). Amazing pizza. So good! I hear the sliders are delicious too.

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Lauriol Plaza: The best Mexican food in DC. Try the swirl margaritas (get a pitcher ;)

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Vace: Italian deli that sells pizza, pasta, sauces, and more (it is carry out). I love their pizza, pesto sauce, and garlic bread. I lived just down the street so it was easy to stop in and get something to take home for dinner.
Pumpernickel's: Delicious bagels. Around the corner is the cutest boutique called Periwinkle (home decor, stationery, baby gifts, etc)
Open City: Very good grilled cheese. Also perfect for brunch (get the waffle with Nutella).
Founding Farmers: The corn on the cob is to die for! YUM! Everything is farm fresh and delicious.

Shopping:
If you don't mind crowds head to Georgetown. So many great stores! Stick to the main shopping streets (Wisconsin and M) and you'll find: Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, Fornash, Rugby, and Sherman Pickey (to name a few!)

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Bethesda: Not as crowded as Georgetown, metro accessible. Not as many stores but still has quite a few cute shops. I like Pink Palm (Lilly Pulitzer), Sassanova, Urban Chic, Urban Country Designs

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Attractions (these are my personal favorites. If you don't have much time then definitely check out the more well known/bigger museums first. Find a list of the Smithsonian museums here):
Phillips Collection: Much smaller than some of the other DC museums. I often get overwhelmed at some of the bigger museums so this is the perfect size for me! It is not part of the Smithsonian so you will need to pay to see the special exhibitions (during the week admission to the permanent collection is by donation, there is a fee on weekends). I'm hoping to see the Degas exhibition when I visit.
ZOO! I used to live walking distance to the zoo and I really miss having a zoo just down the street. The zoo is free (since it's part of the Smithsonian).
Spy Museum: not free but I love this place! If you like mysteries or crime dramas then definitely check it out.

I would love to hear your favorite DC restaurants, shops, and activities!

4 Year Blogversary!

4 years ago I started Nautical by Nature. My first post was actually on November 12, 2007.

I can't believe it has been 4 years! I started this blog as an online wishlist. I just wanted to post about my shopping finds. Nautical by Nature is so much more now! This blog is my baby. I love blogging. I don't want to get too sappy but this blog means so much to me! I love the emails, comments, cards, and packages. My favorite emails are the ones that start out like this "I was at ____ (insert store name) and saw the cutest nautical ____ and thought of you!" I am so beyond flattered that I have hundreds of personal shoppers out there! Oh and shoutout to the Delta Gamma girls and other nautical obsessed readers that send me tons of photos and ideas! Keep them coming!

I have made so many blog and real life friends through Nautical by Nature. During the past four years you have gone all over the world with me: semester in Australia, Mediterranean cruise, trips to Kauai and Mexico and beyond! You've been there for the not so fun too (cross country move, my dog's death, post-college unemployment). My readers are the BEST!

If you have time, please take my reader survey so I can make this blog even better!

Anchors aweigh!

Nautical Halloween Costumes

I have the BEST readers! I think this year's costumes are so fun. Thank you girls for sending me your photos!

Here is Caroline and her boyfriend. She was a lobster in a pot and he was a game of battleship!


Suzi, a Delta Gamma at the University of Texas at Austin, as a sailor:


Charlotte and her boyfriend. Charlotte was a sailor and her boyfriend was a macho sailor/Popeye with huge fake muscles that had an anchor and mermaid tattoo!


Whitney dressed her dog Oscar as a sailor:


It's never too late to send me your nautical outfits, costumes and photos! Just email me with a photo and description: nauticalbynature@gmail.com

Nautical Baby Names

My sister is a little more than half way through her pregnancy (crazy!). I have been thinking a lot about baby names. I thought it would be fun to post a list of nautical baby names. I'm not sure if people would actually use some of these but if you can have Apple, Pilot Inspektor and Buddy Bear you can have Nautica! ;)

Marine/Marina
River
Sailor/Saylor/Sayler
Careen
Gale
Coral
Brooks
Kai
Murray
Bay
Fisher
Isla
Pearl
Skipper

What nautical names do you like?

SailorBags

SailorBags are made from genuine sailcloth and even better: all bags can be embroidered! Christmas is less than two months away so it is time to start thinking about a very NAUTICAL Christmas!

I am in love with these stockings:


Duffels:


Totes:


iPad sleeves:


Wristlet:

*Please note this is NOT a sponsored post. I was not given any products or compensation for writing this post*

Recent Oufits (weekend OOTD)

During the week I basically wear my unofficial nanny uniform. I used to just throw on jeans and a polo shirt on the weekends (during the day) and then put a little bit more effort into night time outfits (but stick to the same 2 tops and black cardigan). I've really been trying to dress up more because 1. I don't get to wear anything fun to work 2. I have a closet that was being wasted 3. It's nice to dress up! Dressing up for me does not include heels (ever!) or anything super fancy-just trying to look a bit more put together. I'm experimenting with different pieces and trying out new outfits. I am the worst outfit photographer. I also don't have the best mirror to use and my webcam just doesn't cut it (second photo was my attempt with the webcam)


Polo shirt: Lilly Pulitzer
Shorts: Lilly Pulitzer
Shoes: Old Navy


Anchor shirt: Tommy Hilfiger Prep World
Shorts: Vineyard Vines


Top: Vineyard Vines
Jeans: Gap Always Skinny
Boots: J.crew


Top: H&M
Pants: Lululemon
Boots: J.Crew

Closeup of top (those are little white hearts)



Dress: J.Crew (yikes-didn't realize how wrinkled it was!)
Sandals: J.Crew


Sweater: Vineyard Vines
Jeans: Uniqlo
Boots: J.Crew

Gossip Girl by Romeo & Juliet Couture Event

Last week I went to the launch party for the Gossip Girl collection by Romeo & Juliet. The party was at the Writer's Room in Hollywood and I was sent a couple of pieces from the collection to wear (more on that below). The collection is being sold at several stores including Kitson (here too).

Fellow bloggers Leann and Annemarie were there too. Unfortunately they sent us all the same clothes and didn't pay attention to sizing. I barely got my size small top on! I wore it under a black cardigan because it was way too small to wear by itself! Leeann and Annemarie were sent the same striped top (not sure why I didn't get that one!) so yes, they do match!

(Annemarie, me, Leeann)

I have yet to see the entire collection but there were a couple of dresses that I liked (slightly more Blair than Serena). The event was originally supposed to be held at Kitson, where we could have seen the collection, but it was moved at the last minute. The Writer's Room seems to be a hot spot and there was some great people watching.

Overall I had a great time and you know I am obsessed with all things Gossip Girl!

With Sarah Hyland from Modern Family (LOVE that show!)



(the awesome Phyllis from Warner Brothers, Annemarie, me, Leeann)

Gossip Girl is on tonight at 8 on the CW! Here is a sneak peak at one of Blair's outfits from tonight's episode:


*Please note this is NOT a sponsored post. I was given clothing to wear to the event but the sizing was wrong. This post is my personal opinion only*

Vineyard Vines Fashion Island part 2 (what I bought)

I had so much fun at the Vineyard Vines store opening party (see full post here). I didn't shop as much as I wanted to because I was so busy chatting and didn't want to take time to try things on. I did try on a couple of things I had on my list though.

What I bought: jeans (I think these are the same) and a Shep Shirt (in pink) for myself (see below for photos). Then a shirt for H

and lazy pants for his mom (H's parents love VV and let me leave work early that day so this was my thank you). Vineyard Vines also sent me this adorable nautical striped sweater with the giftcard that I gave away

Vineyard Vines by nauticalbynature

My mom was SO excited about the gift with purchase: sailboat wine tote! She already has two of the wine totes so now we have three (the sailboat one is my favorite for sure!). I actually gave my brother in law one of the Vineyard Vines St. Francis wine totes for Christmas last year.



(these were inside the wine tote)

Nautical Photo of the Week: Beckett's First Birthday Party

By now it should be fairly obvious that I LOVE a nautical party! A few months ago I received an email from reader Kelly about her son Beckett's first birthday. Kelly was looking for some recommendations on nautical party ideas and decorations. It just so happened that I had just been to Target that day and Target had a TON of nautical party supplies/decorations. Kelly's Target had an even better selection than mine! She also incorporated some decorations from Etsy

The invitation:


The adorable birthday boy in his nautical outfit (yes, that's a little red anchor):


Sailboat cookies and sailboat cupcakes:


Nautical paper lanterns:


Nautical napkins and plates:


Love this nautical sign on Beckett's wagon:

Pomegranate

How cute is this online boutique, Pomegranate? You can shop by pattern or item. Here are my favorites:

I dream of a blue and white kitchen so these Sea shell oven mitts are perfect:


Of course I would have to have these Crab placemats too:


I already have Lilly turtle decals in my bathroom so I think these turtle tea towels would complement my sea creature decor:


For the blue and white kitchen I need a cute blue palm tree tablecloth:


Pink and green monkey tote just for fun:


Embroidered lifesaver cocktail napkins would look even cuter with a monogram:


*Please note this is NOT a sponsored post. I was not given any products or compensation for writing this post*

Vineyard Vines Store Opening Party & Giveaway winner!

Last week I went to the store opening party at Vineyard Vines in Newport (at Fashion Island). Founders Shep and Ian were there (I got to talk to Ian!) along with employees Andy and Lizzie, who I have been emailing since I first started my blog! I was so busy chatting that I didn't end up taking many photos of the small (nautical) details and decorations inside the store. I will definitely be making another trip to the store very soon! For more photos see the official Vineyard Vines blog recap of the event here


I had a tough time picking out the right outfit but finally settled on my Vineyard Vines corduroy skirt (with little whales), white Vineyard Vines polo shirt and J.Crew boots (and Vineyard Vines tote of course).

With Wade from the West Prep. Don't you love his outfit? Wade was using his fancy camera so his photos are even better! I'm hoping we can plan some fun preppy events on the west coast!


With my mom:

(photo taken by Andy from VV)









And now onto the winner...

THE PREPPY PITBULL!

Thank you so much Vineyard Vines for letting me host such a fun giveaway!