Nautical Valentines from Minted

I have such fond memories of picking out classroom valentines and celebrating in elementary school. My boss and I have been showing H some options and he's narrowed it down to the football, animal, and truck ones from Minted. This year Minted has a ton of nautical options for classroom valentines!

There are two different promotions right now that you can choose from:
1.  24 custom stickers free with $20+ classroom Valentines order. Code: CLASSROOM (exp 1/30)
2. 15% off Valentine photo card and postcard orders $150+, 10% off no minimum. Code: HEART16 (exp 1/30)

* This post is not sponsored by Minted in any way but the links are affiliate *

You're a blast

Set sail

Mermaid

School of fish

Float my boat

Jaw-some

Fin-tastic

Canoe be my

You are swell

Octopus admiration

Las Vegas NYE recap

Like last year, I spent this New Year's Eve in Las Vegas with my family. My sister and I saw Britney Spears (she still has it!) and then the whole group attended a New Year's Eve party at our hotel. Michael Buble performed and we basically had a private cirque du soleil show. It was a blast! And we didn't have to brave the cold or crowds outside on the strip.

View from our balcony 

The fountain all lit up in the atrium

Britney Spears! (video on my instagram here)

Ready to head out (I needed a fancier dress and I found this one on clearance at my local Macy's that is going out of business- $26!)

Party time! 

Michael Buble performed (video on my instagram here) 

Light up glasses, glow sticks, hats- a very Vegas New Year's Eve  

Some of the performers at the party

Entrance to party | Crazy chairs
Menu | AMAZING dessert

I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve and here's to a wonderful 2016!

Hanna Andersson nautical new arrivals

I am loving these long sleeve shirts from Hanna Andersson. Fun to add a little nautical into the winter wardrobe!
* this post contains affiliate links *

Seafarer Slub Jersey Tee, $32

Hi-Lo Art Tees, $32

Atlantic Ink Crew

Today I am featuring Atlantic Ink Crew. Started by Trey, a graphic design artist based in Florida, Atlantic Ink Crew uses eco-friendly waterbased inks to create super soft shirts for men, women, and children.

Trey, his wife, and son all in Atlantic Ink Crew shirts

Anchored in love, $10 (also available in pink)

Anchor compass tank, $10

Inktopus tee, $22 (also available in navy and royal blue)

Made in voyage pocket tee, $24

The nauti-kids collection is too cute!

Mermaid shirt, $8

Sea dog shirt, $8

Dream big whale shirt, $8

You, me, and the sea shirt, $8

And for next holiday season: Santa Claws, $22

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2015 in review

Another year flew by! This was a big year for me. I transitioned from full time nanny to part time nanny and started graduate school to get my master's degree. It wasn't easy, but I hope I made the right decision! Spring semester I will be able to work three days instead of two, and I am thrilled about that! I will also begin working on my thesis. Here's to balancing it all in 2016!

January: Las Vegas for New Year's Eve and Justin Timberlake concert | Cruise to Mexico with friends

February: Went to my first Fake Prom on Valentine's Day | Visit to the Forevermark Oscar suite | Hosted my annual Oscar party

March: First grad school acceptance and gave notice at my job | Work trip to Legoland | Friend's wedding in Fullerton, California

April: Canada trip with my sister (Toronto recap, Quebec City recap, Montreal recap)

May: 10 year high school reunion | OCRF Super Saturday | Attended French Kiss movie premiere | Work trip to Kauai | Culver City Car Show

June: Made the decision to attend Cal State Long Beach and stay at my job part time | Saw Matilda at the Ahmanson Theater

July: Supper Club Social dinner | 4th of July in Culver City | Bought my first MacBook

August: ALT 98.7 Summer Camp at Santa Monica Pier | Attended Kevin from Work screening | Summer Staycation in LA | First day of graduate school

September: Rooftop film club, Back to the Future | Ferris Bueller's Day Off at Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Friend's wedding in Annapolis, Maryland | OAR concert

October: Night Dive at Aquarium of the Pacific | My 29th birthday | Neighborhood block party

November: Thanksgiving in LA

December: Refresh with Minted | Took my nephew to Frozen on Ice| Santa Monica pub crawl | Christmas in LA

I am headed out of town on Wednesday for a quick trip.
Happy New Year everyone!

Kate Spade nautical new arrivals

The whale crossbody bag is so fun! A bit pricey for such a small bag but this may go on my Christmas list. I can dream!

* this post contains affiliate links *

Caution to the wind origami whale crossbody, $298

Whale keychain, $48

Whale of a time idiom bangle, $78

Refresh with Minted

Recently I worked with Minted to do a refresh in my apartment. Originally I was going to hang these pieces in my bedroom, but I loved them so much that I wanted them somewhere more prominent! I was ready for a change in my dining area and these fit perfectly. I prefer having the prints come already framed and ready to go! I didn't have to attach the wire on the back-just hang these on nails and you are set! Minted has multiple frames to choose from or you can just order the print and frame it yourself.

Minted recently expanded to include art from independent artists. The recently launched collection from independent artists has over 4,000 pieces to choose from! I was immediately drawn to Katie Craig's prints. I picked out two of Katie's prints ("Up" and "Blousy") and then I added something nautical, "Sea Fever."

Up | Sea Fever | Blousy

I hate having the lamp on my table, but I need the extra lighting when I'm doing school work

I think the Minted pieces go well with the anchor I already have above my bar 

Other nautical prints from Minted's art collection:

You me sea | Oh buoy

On the docks | Whale series

The three framed prints in this post were provided by Minted for my review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links

NautiNarwhal etsy store

Today I am featuring the Etsy store of a fellow nautical enthusiast, NautiNarwhal. Michelle left her teaching job to focus on her art.

Here's a little more from Michelle: "Fascinated with the beauty of nautical knots, I decided to teach myself how to make gorgeous mats.  I do them with a twist though---I take old sailing and climbing rope and clean it up and recycle it to make them.  They make the most delightful pieces of art that may be used as hotpads/trivets or floor mats. It is so much fun to use my hands to create such fun 'whimseas' as I call them that always remind me of the salt air and keep the tradition of sailor's knotting alive"

Keyrings, $10 each

Recycled rope mats, rugs, centerpieces, and art, $25+ depending on size

NautiNarwhal etsy store | Facebook

Nautical Gift Guide: Babies and Kids

Can't forget the kids! If I had room for the ride on whale in my apartment, I would probably get it!
* this post contains affiliate links *

Row 1: Welcome home baby set, Anthropologie, $69 | BabyLit Moby Dick, Daytrip Society, $10 | Placemat doodle pad, Anthropologie, $14 (these are great for restaurants or travel)

Row 2: Animal habitat floor puzzle, Anthropologie, $22 | Rocking dory, Daytrip Society, $285 (this is handmade!) | Knit seahorse rattle, Daytrip Society, $16

Row 3: Mermaid plush, Pottery Barn Kids, $49 | Hazel Village Lewis Toad, Daytrip Society, $42 | Sea creature rattle and swaddle set, Pottery Barn Kids, $29 (there's also a grey whale version)

From Land of Nod:

Row 1: Be on the sea activity mat, $119 (pricey but the reviews are great) | Get reel fishing game, $39 | Nautical differences game, $10

Row 2: Pirate ship set, $69 | Giant Simon sit on whale, $100 (on sale!) | Wooden ship puzzle, $15 (love the bag it comes with too)

Row 3: Octo rattle (yellow) or (grey), $29 | Day trip plush canoe, $249

Nautical Gift Guide: Under $25

I can't believe today is the first day of December! I have exactly two weeks of school and then I am DONE with my first semester of grad school. I think it can be tough to find something for coworkers, friends, extended family, holiday parties, etc. You want to get them something but not break the bank. I like the idea of doing something small from a store and add a personal touch. A mug with a hot chocolate mix/kit, something for the bar with your favorite bottle of wine, nothing too fancy.
* this post contains affiliate links * 

Tie maintenance mug, Modcloth, $15 | Narwhal mug, Anthropologie, $14 | Anchor ceramic travel mug, J.Crew, $13

Bottoms up, red oars cocktail stirrers, J.Crew, $13 | Under sea trinket dish, Anthropologie, $24 | Shark my words corkscrew and bottle opener, Modcloth, $10

Whale butter dish, Modcloth, $20 | Whale trivet, Modcloth, $18 | Shipwright bar collection, Anthropologie, $4-25

Tie maintenance mug, Modcloth, $15 | This is a fun gift for someone in the navy (or retired), who likes sailing or fishing, or just wants to practice their knots!
Narwhal mug, Anthropologie, $14 | Also available with an anchor
Anchor ceramic travel mug, J.Crew, $13 | For the nautical lover who is on the go!
Bottoms up, red oars cocktail stirrers, J.Crew, $13 | I think these would be great as a hostess/host gift along with a bottle of your favorite liquor
Under sea trinket dish, Anthropologie, $24 | I ordered the whale for myself. I didn't want to wait to see if someone bought it for me. The octopus is super cute too!
Shark my words corkscrew and bottle opener, Modcloth, $10 | Stocking stuffer or add this to the cocktail stirrers above-I think they go together well
Whale butter dish, Modcloth, $20 | This is so cute and I love the color
Whale trivet, Modcloth, $18 | I think you can never go wrong with something for the kitchen!
Shipwright bar collection, Anthropologie, $4-25 |  This collection is the perfect start to a nautical bar