Nautical by Nature

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Gina Made It

As soon as I heard the story behind Gina Made It I knew I had to feature this store on my blog! Gina Made It has handcrafted (made in North Carolina) KNOTical headbands and bun bows.

Designer Gina is inspired by her New England school days at Bowdoin College, her travels abroad, and her love of the sea.

Here's the story behind Gina Made It:

Gina's younger sister, who at the time was a senior at Marymount School of NY, started wearing the headbands to class and girlfriends began asking her where she got her headband. Her response: “Gina Made It!”

Not only are the headbands very KNOTical BUT I went to sister school Marymount LA (both schools are part of an international network of schools)!

Headbands are available in grosgrain, velvet, and novelty (sparkle, chambray, leopard, etc). I was given a gold headband and a blue headband. I love that they are skinny-layer multiple together (don't you love the 3 navy ones layered above?) or go for a simple look with just one. I will be posting photos of me in my headbands later this week

Navy and white stripes

Gold sparkle with pink trim

Wear it as a bracelet when you don't have your hair up!

Navy

Pink plaid

**Please note: I was given two headbands to review. All opinions and words are my own**

Monday, February 11, 2013

Organizing: Linen Closet and Under Sink Storage

I reorganized my linen closet and under sink storage again. I think this system is going to stick though: pretty and practical! The top two pink bins hold towels. The bottom two pink bins hold sheets and pillow cases. The patterned pink bin is from Macbeth Collection for Target. The other pink bins are my absolute favorites from Target (ClosetMaid Cubeicals Fabric Drawers). I use them in the playroom at work too (separate post on that room later this week).

You can see what my under sink storage looked like before here. I decided to use these floral bins for under the sink storage. They are Room Essentials from Target (red here, blue here). I bought them in store separately but it looks like you can only buy a set of four online.

1: Eyecare, 2: teeth/mouth (mouthwash, toothpaste, tooth brushes, etc), 3: face (makeup remover wipes, face wash, etc)

Closeup of the eyecare bin (contacts and solution)

Pink bin for hair brushes and hair dryers

Linking up with the Clean It: Dog Days {of Winter} Project Challenge from I Love You More than Carrots

**This post contains affiliate links**

Saturday, February 9, 2013

On sponsors, affiliate links, & all that blog business no one discusses

In my last weekend recap I shared that I want to do more personal posts. It's Saturday afternoon and this is what is on my mind. This post has been a long time coming. I have always struggled with the whole idea of making this blog more of a business. In the end I decided that wasn't for me. I still host giveaways and do some product reviews (I try to limit these kinds of posts to 2 a month). I have 1 sponsor that is in my left sidebar and labeled "Sponsor." The rest of the buttons in my left sidebar are just stores I love to support. I don't receive monetary compensation for posting. I enjoy highlighting small businesses and nautical finds. I am happy to do that for free. I have affiliate ads in the right sidebar for stores I like shopping at (J.Crew, Kate Spade, etc). But I am most definitely NOT making anything more than a little spending money (I average about $25 a month in affiliate ad revenue). Last year I was putting a disclaimer on every post: "this is not a sponsored post" because I was so nervous that readers would think posts about new companies/businesses were sponsored (when they weren't)!

I want to be transparent in how I run this blog. If there is an affiliate link included in the post it will now say so at the end of the post. I didn't do this before because I thought it was fairly obvious that affiliate links were being used. But now it will be even more clear. I will continue to post whether I was given a product for free to review. If there is no disclaimer at the end of the post then you will know that I was not given anything for free or compensated in any way.

Friday, February 8, 2013

My Valentine Decorations part 2

I probably go a bit overboard with the pink and red but I can't resist!

Felt garland from Target dollar bins

Pretty flowers with a bow

Yes, I framed the photo of me, Leeann, and Rachel Bilson

Finally found a container for my glitter hearts

Framed photo of the whole family and some Tag heart candles that are too pretty to light

I put red lights below my counter (they even twinkle!). And yes, that's my elephant chalkboard (by the chair) that I still haven't hung up!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Happy Birthday, H!

Today H is 3 years old! Happy Birthday to sweet H. Even though you remind me daily that you are a "big boy" now, you'll always be Baby H! Every day with you is an adventure. I can't believe it has been 3 years!

There is nothing you love more than trucks. You would sit and watch trucks all day, every day!

This is the outfit you picked out for soccer. I think you like blue a little bit ;)

Most of the photos I take of you now are action shots. You don't want to stop and pose!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Nautical Photo of the Week: Nautical Wedding

This week I am featuring the nautical wedding of Lea of Windy City Wilderness

Their wedding took place in Cohasset, Massashusetts (on Boston's South Shore). All photos are by Heather Parker Photography.

The bride and groom

I love the pops of navy on the table

Navy napkin with light house

Nautical menu

I love that this was a nautical WINTER wedding!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Poshlocket

I feel that I can never (ever) have too many pieces of nautical jewelry so I was excited when I got an email from Poshlocket. Poshlocket has a new nautical collection of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Everything is cute and affordable. The majority of the pieces are under $30 (all of them are under $50). And if you are looking for non-nautical jewelry, Poshlocket has other collections featuring hearts, bows, animals, crosses, and more.

Anchor earrings (these come in multiple colors)

I love the mint for spring

I was sent the anchor necklace to review

I wore my Poshlocket anchor necklace to Brooke's birthday dinner. I didn't have anything similar (can you believe it?). The anchor is a bit bigger so it really stands out!