New Year's/Justin Timberlake in Las Vegas

Almost a month later I am finally doing my trip recap. The week between Christmas and New Year's was very busy. My sister and brother in law went out of town for their anniversary. I stayed over at their house to watch the boys.

I get the best smiles when they can see themselves on the screen

The whale sweater! This guy is ONE now!

Then I headed up to Las Vegas for two days with my other sister, dad, and stepmom. Justin Timberlake ended his tour with two nights in Las Vegas. I've seen him live multiple times and each show is better than the last. The best meal of the trip was lunch at Javier's at Aria. Really delicious margaritas and guacamole.

We stayed at the MGM again. I wish I could live there. Really. The theater/library room is awesome. We watched Gone Girl and I took a nap on the couch before the concert.

All of the Christmas/holiday decorations were still up.

The huge tree in the atrium

I love this Lands' End jacket! It was COLD in Las Vegas and I stayed warm and cozy.

Blurry photo my dad took of me and my sister before the concert

Festive gold glitter tipped matches (may have snuck these guys home-they are too pretty to waste!)

I only brought my iphone so my photos from the concert aren't great. I don't know how people get such amazing iphone photos from concerts! We had floor seats and I was in heaven! This was the best way to start 2015.

Nautical Outfit Ideas for the Whole Family

These sets have varying degrees of "nautical" (simple sailor stripes to overboard with anchors ;)


From L to R: Gap dress, Le Top sailboat set, Le Top romper, J.Crew shirt


From L to R: Maison Scotch tank, Gap shorts, Mini Boden tee, Old Navy shorts, Mini Boden long sleeve tee, Old Navy shorts, J.Crew tee, Vineyard Vines shorts


From L to R: Asos swim shorts, Old Navy sea horse tankini, Vineyard Vines whale bikini

Nautical Valentine's Day Gift Round Up from Daytrip Society

Daytrip Society is your one stop shop for all things nautical. I just wish I could shop in person! Road trip to Maine in the spring maybe? The store displays are too cute:

Valentine's Day gifts for everyone on your list!

Alaina Marie Bait Bag Clutch Made in Maine, $60

Whale Love Kids Basball T designed by Daytrip Society, $22

Ombre Pink Whale Puzzle, $23

Recycled Lobster Trap Rope Heart Made in Kennebunkport, Maine, $12

Maine Lobster Buoy Pillow in Red/2 White Stripes, $38

Solid Cotton Knit Hat, $19

Girls Maine lobster shift dress, $49

Destination Nautical: Santa Barbara

I've been to Santa Barbara many times as a child with my family and then in college to visit a high school friend. I haven't been back in several years-I am definitely ready for my next trip! Here's what I have on my itinerary for 36 hours in Santa Barbara. 

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

To do
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum | This is where reader Tiffany had her wedding reception! See photos of her nautical wedding here
Urban Wine Trail | Over 20 wineries, most within walking distance of downtown. Deep Sea Tasting Room sounds pretty nautical to me!
Santa Barbara Courthouse
Lil' Toot, water taxi | "Running from noon until sunset every half hour, Santa Barbara’s original waterfront taxi shuttles both visitors and locals continuously between the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf"

Lil' Toot

Eat
c'est cheese | My next trip I will be checking this place out. I would eat cheese and crackers, cheese and bread, or just straight up cheese for every meal if I could!
Freebirds | Before there was Chipotle there was Freebirds. You will not be disappointed!
Brophy Brothers
Beachbreak Cafe | chocolate chip pancakes. Enough said.

Stay
Splurge: Beach cottage (as seen in Coastal Living) | Harbor View Inn
Save: Blue Sands Motel | Castillo Inn at the Beach

Beach cottage

Charming Charlie Nautical Spring Wardrobe for $130

Charming Charlie has so many nautical new arrivals! You can see the new nautical here and the sea life collection here. These are my favorite picks to mix and match to create the perfect nautical spring wardrobe for under $130. I ordered the leggings and sandals and hope they both fit!

Nautical trapeze shift, $35 | Ahoy, style leggings, $18

$25 High tide charm bracelet, $10 | Elegant anchor blouse, $29

Knot-ical infinity scarf, $10 | Lillian thong sandals, $25

Total: $127

GIVEAWAY Nautical Needlepoint Pillow from Huger Embroidery

Huger Embroidery, a design company based in Richmond, Virginia, creates custom pieces of artwork using embroidery. Using colorful fabric and thread, designs can be embroidered onto linens, pillows, and other entertaining and keepsake pieces. The owner, Sarah Gibson Wiley, owned an interior design firm for 28 years and now creates preppy, original pieces of embroidered art.

These pillows were designed in a collaboration with Peter Blair prints. Peter Blair is another Richmond-based company that makes fashionable men’s ties.

Sarah sells her items through her online shop. She also does custom work, you can email (sarah@hugerembroidery.com) or call (804.304.8808).

The winner can choose between two different color pillows, each with a sailboat design. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Some of  Sarah's custom work:

Sarah in her studio

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lately + What do you want to see on the blog? Reader survey!

You may have noticed things have been quiet on the blog last week and this week. Last week was LONG and tough. The week between Christmas and New Year's is a blur-I watched my nephews while my sister and brother in law took a trip and then I went to Las Vegas (recap still to come) for under 48 hours (I think?). Then it was back to work last week. H had been back east for a week and it is always an adjustment getting back into the Nanny Kate routine after a vacation or holiday (or this time both!). It's only Tuesday but I can already tell this week is going to be much easier. BUT I have one more graduate school application to finish. When I get home from work I turn on my computer and do as much as I can on my applications (two down!). I will be back to my regular posting schedule by the end of this week/beginning of next week.

Until then I would love to hear from you-I do this quick survey every year. I really do try to incorporate your suggestions and include a mix of (nautical) topics on here. Just a few questions on the posts you like, what you want to see on the blog, what you don't want to see as often! The survey isn't very long and it is anonymous. You can also just comment on this post. Thanks!

You can access the form here

Boden Nautical New Arrivals

Last week the spring Boden catalog arrived in the mail. I think H and I looked through it at least twice. He really wants this excavator shirt while I am trying to justify a new (anchor) jacket. Here are some nautical new arrivals for everyone in the family!
* this post contains affiliate links *

Women uplifting tee, $58

Boys breton t shirt, $28

Womens Spring parka, $168

Girls stripy ruffle dress, $44

Girls applique hoody, $44

Girls embellished baseball tee, $44

Womens fun skirt, $138

Girls elfie hoody, $52

Womens shirt, $58

Boys graphic t shirt, $28

Girls hotchpotch applique dress, $46

Baby applique shirt, $26

Boys vehicle applique, $30

Boys board shorts, $38

Mens graphic t shirt, $38

West Elm nautical sheets and towels

West Elm just added anchor and whale sheets and whale towels (they already had anchor towels). I immediately ordered the anchor sheets in ink, whale washcloths, and whale bathmat. There is currently a 20% off bedding and bath sale going on so order ASAP!
* this post contains affiliate links

Whale jacquard towels, $6-19

Anchor sheet set, $11-63 (available in two colors)

Whale sheet set, $11-63

Whale bath mat, $23

Anchor shower curtain, $31

Whale shower curtain, $31

2014 in Review

Another year over! Time is really flying by! My baby nephew will be 1 in just over two weeks. I feel like I was just writing the 2013 year in review blog post waiting for his arrival! I love going through the blog and seeing the highlights.

Here's to a wonderful 2015! Happy New Year!

January: Spent New Year's Eve in Palm Springs with my family | Nephew #2 born | Warner Brothers Night of Comedy
February: Reagan Museum spy exhibit | Visit to the Forevermark Diamonds Oscar Suite
March: Hosted my annual Oscar party | Ale by Alessandra launch party at Planet Blue | Lost 10 year reunion PaleyFest |  Speed tasting at FIGat7th | The Vampire Diaries/The Originals PaleyFest | SoCal Blogger Society brunch | International Nanny Association conference (met Dr. Harvey Karp!)
April: Pacific Northwest trip with my sister (Vancouver, Seattle, Portland) | Made a DIY nautical lampshade
May: SoCal Blogger Society brunch | Eat See Hear outdoor movie blogger meetup | Attended Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Super Saturday | Went to The One by Cotton On launch party | Work trip to San Diego/Legoland/Safari Park
June: Rizzoli and Isles set visit | Bring It On movie in the park | The Country House at the Geffen Theater
July: Celebrated 4th of July with friends and fireworks | White Light White Night event | Toured the Coastal Living Showhouse on Coronado Island
August: Saw Once at the Pantages | Saw Hair at the Hollywood Bowl |  Went to Las Vegas and saw Justin Timberlake in concert | Saw We Will Rock You at the Ahmanson Theater | Saw reasons to be pretty at the Geffen Theater | Spent Labor Day weekend watching my nephew
September: Finally finished my balcony | Went to Dinner Detective for a friend's birthday | SoCal Blogger Society brunch
October: Turned 28 | Went to San Francisco with Leeann 
November: Took the GRE (!) | Thanksgiving in Venice
December: Saw Into the Woods at the Wallis Theater | Celebrated Christmas with my family