Sugar Paper nautical stationery

Anchor note set:


Bon Voyage:


Little Whale:


Anchors Aweigh print:

Getting the Look for Less

While browsing online recently, I came across quite a few items that made me do a double take. Wait, hadn't I JUST seen the exact same thing for twice as much? I think that sometimes you do need to splurge on the real deal. Investing in certain pieces can be smart because often a high quality item will last for years. But sometimes you just need a quick fix. This is especially true with trends that will fade super fast. No need to spend the big bucks when you can go to Forever 21 or Old Navy and get the same thing! Below I found one high price item and a cheaper alternative (bow hat, dog bookends, bow ballet flats, blazer, boots, bow sweater, and bow ring). Can you tell which one cost more? Which items do you splurge on? Which do save on?

The Look for Less by nauticalbynature

All About Me: Tags and Awards

KHM of Queen Bee Swain decided to start a blog tag and she tagged Peachy Keen who then tagged me! The idea is to list 5 goals for this fall and then pass the tag along to 5 more bloggers

My fall goals:
1. Shop my closet. I have so many pieces that I don't wear. I am going to set aside some time to go through my closet and put together some new combinations for fall
2. Start running again. Oy. I really need to do this. I just have such a hard time going before work and I don't like running after work/at night. So I'll just have to get up early and get my run over with.
3. Cook more. I need to cook more for me AND for Baby H
4. Go to bed earlier. Lights out by 1130 at the LATEST
5. Look into psychology classes/possible grad school programs. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back full time BUT I would like to take one class

I am tagging 5 bloggers that are always great about commenting on my blog and I really appreciate that!
1. Smile Couture
2. Forever 29
3. Girl with the Curlz
4. My Life as a Plate
5. Designs by Kara Kihm

Awards:

From My Friends with Benefits

Name your favorite color: pink
Name your favorite song: I can't choose just one! My most played song on Itunes is Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun
Name your favorite dessert: Pizookie from BJs Brewery
When you're upset you: shop online
Your favorite pet: My white lab (now in dog heaven :(
Your biggest fear: I HATE spiders
Best feature: I'm tall?
Everyday attitude: if I've slept OK I am happy and patient. If I didn't get enough sleep stay away!
What is perfection: a big glass of chocolate milk
Guilty pleasure: young adult/teen books

Seven Random Things About ME:
1. I am a backseat driver. It drives most of my family nuts
2. I love the pure chocolate from Coffee Bean
3. I like to vacuum
4. I try to save ticket stubs from all events/concerts I go to
5. I've never dyed/colored my hair (not even highlights)
6. I think I am addicted to buying stationery
7. I could eat pasta with just parmesan and butter/olive oil every day

From Southern Bliss

Seven things about ME:
1. I don't own any orange clothing
2. I get nervous around birds (like seagulls at the beach or pigeons at the park)
3. Cottage cheese totally grosses me out
4. I've seen Cirque du Soleil "O" show at least 15 times and I still love it
5. I think all movie theaters should have reserved seats
6. I was once on a soccer team called the Killer Barbies
7. I still splurge and buy Cosmo when I'm at the grocery store

Thank you for the tag and awards!

When Bows Attack

I cannot resist bows. Bow headbands, bow tops, bows on a dress, bows on shoes. If there's a bow, I probably own it. But sometimes BOWS ATTACK. Sometimes you must just SAY NO TO THE BOW! For every cute bow item, you'll find at least one awful bow (too flashy, too big, weirdly positioned, etc). Here are some examples of when you need to say no to the bow:

When Bows Attack by nauticalbynature

1. Big bow headbands like this are for the runway or Gossip Girl.
2. This reminds me of something you would see at prom. 20 years ago. If you can pull it off power to you!
3. Weird number of bows. Not all over, not just a couple.
4. Animal print bows. Hmmm could be cute. Could be too much
5. Yikes.
6. Not a fan of this cropped style shrug
7. I have a cardigan with cut out bows on the back. Down one arm? Not a fan

Gossip Girl: Blair's fashion in season 5

I still love Gossip Girl. Yes, Serena annoys me and I want to scream at the TV during certain dumb plots (basically anything involving Juliet and Charlie-I hope they are gone). But Blair makes the show. Her wardrobe, her dialog, her chemistry with Chuck (I even liked her with Dan) she is the best part of Gossip Girl!

Previews of Blair's outfits from this coming season:

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Do you still watch Gossip Girl? Will you watch Hart of Dixie after?

Both shows premiere tonight starting at 8 PM on the CW

Nautical Photo of the Week: Anchors in North Carolina

These photos are from Linda at Girl with the Curlz.

This anchor is from Harkers Island/Cape Lookout, North Carolina:


This anchor is outside of Sanitary Restaurant and Fish Market in Morehead City, North Carolina:

Hart of Dixie event: a night with Rachel Bilson & Meredith Pollack!

I was invited to a special blogger event at the Warner Brothers studio for the new show Hart of Dixie. The show is high on my list of fall shows so I was THRILLED to be invited.

(Join the Gossip, Rachel Bilson, me)

We were driven by golf cart to the set (studios are like their own little cities!). The event took place in a bar that will be a main part of the show (sort of like the Peach Pit for 90210). Once inside you wouldn't even know you were on a set (unless you looked up and then saw tons of lights, cameras, and other film equipment!). The decor was very nautical and I really felt like I was in a small town in Alabama.


On one side of the room: racks of clothing, shoes and accessories for New Yorker Zoe Hart (played by Rachel Bilson).

I spy polkadots!

Lots of nautical stripes!




On the other side: clothing, shoes, and accessories for southern belle Lemon Breeland (played by Jaime King).



More polkadots!

Lots of bows and pearls for Lemon




We were able to browse and take tons of photos. I saw so many things I would love to add to my closet!
A Chanel jacket? Yes, please!


Rachel Bilson and the show's costume designer, Meredith Pollack, did a question and answer session (unfortunately Jaime King was sick and couldn't make it). Rachel talked about her own style (lots of layering-she's a big fan of chunky sweaters paired with skirts and dresses) and where she loves to shop (mostly online shopping at the Outnet and Net-A-Porter, and Piperlime). Meredith talked about how Zoe will stay true to her New Yorker roots for awhile, despite the move to Alabama. Lemon's wardrobe is filled with yellow (with a name like Lemon what do you expect?) and is mostly vintage. Meredith has found some great pieces from old Warner Brothers projects and local store Polkadots & Moonbeams. We might even catch Lemon's friends in Lilly Pulitzer and Brooks Brothers in upcoming episodes. Meredith used to work on Gossip Girl so I am not surprised that Hart of Dixie has such an amazing wardrobe!

After the Q&A everyone mingled while going through the racks of clothing (I could have browsed for hours!). Rachel chatted more about her style and the show.

Meredith made this dress for Lemon! Reminds me of my Kate Spade dress


I went with Join the Gossip


I spotted Annabel Manners (we had met before) and Brunch at Saks recognized me! Both girls wrote their own recaps here and here

Hart of Dixie premieres this Monday, September 26 at 9 right after Gossip Girl!

Birthday wish list

My birthday is just a few weeks away so it's time to post my wishlist! I'm not sure what I actually want this year. These five things are true wish list items (meaning I probably won't get them but if I had money to spend they would be mine)

I don't usually like skulls but there's something about this Rugby tote. I love the nautical flags and different striped tie patterns:


A monogrammed bracelet. Classic and perfect for every day or special occassions. Marley Lilly monogram bracelet:


These Jonathan Adler whale bookends would complete my nautical apartment. Ok, my apartment will never be complete (there's always something nautical to add!) but how cute are whale bookends?


Not sure I would get much use out of this Lacoste beanie but it has a bow! And it's pink!


These do not look comfortable. No pain no gain though! These are so nautical and I love the red rope bow. Anthropologie ballet flats:


What's on your wishlist? Any other libras out there? I heard that October 5 is the most common birthday so comment if that's your big day (mine is October 8)

Greeting cards on display

I hate throwing away cute cards. I have saved pretty much every birthday card, holiday card, and Valentine's day card from the last few years! They were all just sitting in a box. I wasn't sure what to do with the cards but my sister had a great idea. In my bedroom there's an area along the ceiling that sticks out (hard to describe but you can sorta see it in the photos). I decided to get some twine (pink and white stripes) and hang a few cards.









Closeup of some cards:

Fall Trend: Polkadots

Right after I made the polyvore set below, J.Crew updated their new arrivals with a bunch of polkadots!
Silk Polkadot Tee:


Natasha Top:

Fall Trend: Polkadots by nauticalbynature

Note: the Zara dress on the bottom left is little swans not polkadots but I'm including it in this set because it has a similar look

Will you be adding a polkadot dress or top to your fall wardrobe??

Organizing: My Car

I have to have my car organized a certain way: everything needs a special spot! I can't handle messy cars, especially with all of the stuff I have to have for Baby H. Here's a look into my car:
I put Lilly coasters in my cupholders. I got that idea from Ticked Pink and Green. I also keep my spare pair of sunglasses in one of the cup holders. These sunglasses stay in the car.


Side pocket of front door: Thomas Guide for Los Angeles and Bed Bath and Beyond coupons (I have turned into my mom!). The driver's side door pocket has napkins and straws (sometimes drive thrus forget!)


My console has two sections. In the smaller top part I keep: gum, a pen, my bluetooth and apparently a random magnet and paperclip (HA). I usually keep a travel pack of tissues in there too but forgot to restock. On the far left you can see the hand sanitizer that is right above the gear shift/emergency brake. I use that every single day!


In the larger section I keep: travel first aid kit, wipes, packing tape, notebook, tide pen, gum, lotion, tampons, change purse (I am adding a small thing of floss/wisps and travel thing of makeup remover wipes)


I keep this box (on sale at the Container Store) right behind my seat so I can reach back and give Baby H toys/books if we are stuck in traffic. This box has: 1 spare diaper, lysol wipes, toys, books, a spare pair of baby socks and other random baby items


The way back of the car/trunk:
This pink box has Nature Valley granola bars (LOVE these and I like to have emergency snacks in the car), a bag of pop chips, two balls (for park time with Baby H), umbrellas, a travel brush, a lint roller


Also in the way back: forever21 re-usable bags for shopping, a large picnic blanket (I use this at the park with H but it could also be good for an emergency)

What do you keep in your car? What am I forgetting?

Fashion rules/white after Labor Day?

There are so many fashion rules that I don't follow. Just look at this old photo of me!

But seriously: I wear white year round. I mix my blues and I most definitely mix brown and black. I think I prefer NOT to match my shoes and bag (sometimes they are the same color but usually not). I'm pretty sure I've worn leggings as pants. I don't think I will ever wear denim on denim though. I have to draw the line somewhere ;)

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I know there are several bloggers who still feel strongly about no white after Labor Day. I get it but I pretty much dress for the weather and it's warm almost year round here. I am pretty sure I'll be wearing white Lilly shorts in December. Living in Los Angeles I see every fashion do and don't on a daily basis. I have seen some CRAZY outfits! You get a mix of people dressing for the season and people dressing for the weather. For example, during winter I will see a girl in uggs, scarf, sweater (dressed for the season) right next to a girl in sandals and a sundress (dressed for the weather).

Will you wear white now? Are there any fashion rules that should be broken? Let's hear your thoughts on fashion rules!