Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

The past year has been filled with major events (found out I'm going to have a nephew!) and many smaller events (WB set visits, Vineyard Vines store opening, too many movies to list!). I usually write down the big things in my planner but I need to work on recording the smaller things too (adding it to the list of 2012 resolutions).

January 2011:
My sister got married (technically December 2010 but trip continued into 2011), celebrated New Year's in Idaho, hosted a Golden Globes party, fell and hurt my foot at the park, sister's LA wedding reception
February 2011:
H turned 1, Steelers went to the Super Bowl and lost :( hosted a Valentine's Party
March 2011:
Got really really sick and missed my trip to New York (yep this basically summed up the whole month!)
April 2011:
Kicked off grilled cheese month at Clementine, went on a (work) trip to Kauai , Easter brunch
May 2011:
Interviewed for a newspaper article (don't think it ever got published...), went to Santa Barbara
June 2011:
Went to Mexico with my sister, celebrated my 3 year sky diving anniversary (I will celebrate every year!)
July 2011:
Went to San Francisco, found out my sister is pregnant, went to the Hollywood Bowl
August 2011:
Had the perfect staycation, finally saw the last Harry Potter movie (and cried that's it's over), went to the Hollywood Bowl, saw Tangled on the big screen at the Grove
September 2011:
H started "school", met Rachel Bilson/Hart of Dixie event, saw Lion King in 3D
October 2011:
Celebrated my 25th birthday, went to the Vineyard Vines store opening party in Newport, went to the Gossip Girl by Romeo & Juliet launch party, neighborhood block party, featured on Project Gadabout
November 2011:
4 year blogversary, went to DC for Thanksgiving, took H to the zoo, went to Disneyland, saw Bring It On (the musical)
December 2011:
Saw Wicked, went to Sacramento for family Christmas party

Pan Am Fashion & petition to keep it on the air!

I recorded this show from the beginning but didn't start watching for a few weeks. I caught up on my DVR and was hooked after the first episode! There are some rumors that the show may be cancelled :( There will be 4 or 5 episodes airing in the beginning of 2012 (starting Sunday January 8 and continuing into February). After that the show's fate is unknown. If you watch the show and want it to continue please sign this online petition. It only takes a few seconds! And if you have never watched, catch up on past episodes from ABC, Hulu or Itunes! All nine episodes are available for FREE on Itunes right now!

Here are some of my favorite looks:






images via

And of course there are cute guys too ;)

Do you watch this show?

Pretty Little Liars event & DVD GIVEAWAY!

Earlier this month I went to the Pretty Little Liars set for a special night with costume designer Mandi Line. Like with the Hart of Dixie event, local bloggers were invited to tour the set, chat with the costume designer and best of all, go through the characters' wardrobes! Mandi Line was so friendly, hilarious and so passionate about the Pretty Little Liars! She even shops for them during her free time! Mandi used to work on Greek, another one of my favorite shows!

Photo of me with Mandi:


I absolutely love Pretty Little Liars so I was so excited to see the set in person! I used to have weekly viewing parties with Join the Gossip and Amanda (now we are too busy to get together in person every week but we still discuss online after each episode).



With Ian Harding, who plays Ezra on the show.


I was tempted to send this as my Christmas card ;) HA!

Hanna's outfits on the left, Spencer's on the right:


Loved this blazer of Spencer's


Cute striped dress from Aria's closet:


Typical Aria outfit:


Emily has the best jackets! I would love a leather jacket like the one in the photo:


We were able to see the bedrooms of the Pretty Little Liars (Aria, Spencer, and Hanna):
Aria's room:


Spencer's bed (love the toile pillows!):


Great mirror in Spencer's room:

I spy Join the Gossip, Brunch at Saks, and The Dope Girl in the mirror too

Hanna's room:




I always enjoy meeting other bloggers at these events. Brunch at Saks has a fancy camera so definitely check out her photos from the event here. Join the Gossip has a great recap here. New friends included: The Dope Girl, Blonde Episodes, Sweets & Hearts, and The Student Stylist

Now for the GIVEAWAY! One lucky reader will win a Pretty Little Liars Season 1 DVD! To enter: all you have to do is leave a comment on THIS POST!

The premiere of the new season of Pretty Little Liars is THIS Monday, January 2 at 8/7 c on ABC Family!

Reader Submissions: Nautical Shopping Finds

From Tiffany:
Nautical cozies:


Boat House Brunch Dress:


From Swapna:
Nautical knit skimmer slippers:


Men's anchor cardigan:


From Marianne (who got these as a funny stocking stuffer at work)
Nautical matches:


From Carol A.:
Sailboat ornament:

Christmas recap

I can't believe another Christmas is over! It's just crazy to think that next year we will have a BABY with us.

I had a great Christmas filled with my favorite traditions. On Christmas Eve my sister and I went to see Mission Impossible with my dad (we always see a movie on Christmas eve) and then had dinner with my other sister and brother in law at my dad and stepmom's. My stepmom made my favorite pasta (Barefoot Contessa Penne with 5 cheeses) and even chocolate souffles for dessert! Then we opened presents. I got this gorgeous hand blown vase and Alexis Bittar bracelet and earrings (can't wait to wear these on New Year's Eve!).






Christmas morning we had popover brunch at my mom's (with both my sisters and my brother in law). I opened presents from my mom and sisters including Serena & Lily "K" pillow, this laundry bag from Urban Outfitters (I do laundry at my mom's because it's free so this bag is perfect!), Jonathan Adler elephant bowl, Vineyard Vines Steelers tote, and a coffee table book on Martha's Vineyard. Best present: the Jonathan Adler anchor blanket I posted about!!!



Then I went back to my apartment and caught up on some TV. My sister came over for a bit to help me decorate/organize/move furniture.

The whole family (plus my grandma) and Amanda went over to my sister and brother in law's house for dinner. Delicious food plus I got to see the baby's nursery. It's just too cute! I can't wait to share photos when it is finished. I wore the Milly dress I bought on black Friday. My brother in law took photos on his camera but they are off on their babymoon today so I don't have those photos yet. Phone photo:

(my mom, sister, pregnant sister, me)


With Amanda (she took this photo using a cool app on her iphone)

Nautical Ornament of the Week: Jonathan Adler

Definitely adding this whale to my collection!

Pop Menagerie Whale:

Newport Christmas Boat Parade

I can't believe this is the first year that I have gone to this nautical holiday event! This year was the 103rd parade and I know that I will be making this an annual tradition from now on! The Newport Christmas Boat Parade lasts for 5 nights (with fireworks on the last night). I went this past Saturday with my friend M. I had planned to go with a bigger group on Sunday but forgot that I had my family holiday party in Sacramento the same day. The parade is free and there are many viewing options (standing or sitting on shore, dining at a restaurant overlooking the harbor or being on a boat). We decided to sit/stand. I think next year I might try viewing from a restaurant. I don't have a fancy camera so I couldn't get any photos (like with fireworks, the lights are just a blur). Here are some photos I found online:

Pirate ship (with anchor):

via

Crocodile:

via

Spongebob!

via

Look at these nautical outfits!

via

Merry Christmas America!

via

Santa

via

Nautical Photo of the Week: Christmas Trees

Reader Alison sent me a photo of her nautical tree.

Here's what she wrote about her tree: "When I was getting married, my friends threw a Christmas themed shower for me. My cousins gave me a box full of all of these ornaments for no rhyme or reason other than they thought they were funny. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and then moved to the city of Charlotte, NC, no where near an ocean. This silver tree was in my husband's house when we moved in together. I despised it and quickly put it in the closet to be forgotten. However, last Christmas, I had no place for these ornaments and decided to make a themed tree! The crazy part is my husband and I moved to the coast of NC in early June. I completely forgot about this tree and ornaments until I started decorating. How perfect it now fits with our new coastal lives! I'm excited to start collecting more nautical ornaments as the years come!"

For more nautical/beach inspired trees head over to this post at Completely Coastal. Maya posted 25 nautical trees and they are all great!

(this one is from Coastal Living)

Nautical Ornament of the Week: Lilly Pulitzer

Hotty Pink Touchy Feely (octopus):

gybe-ho boatwear WINNER

And the winner of the custom t shirt is... CT Cupcake!



Wouldn't this Deck the Hulls t shirt be perfect for your family's nautical holiday card?


For babies, toddlers, kids:
Gybe yo ho ho pirate shirt:


Dino in boat:


Onesies:


And more adult shirts:
Gybe love:


Washington State (men):


Michigan sweatshirt (men):


Louisville, KY coordinates:


The possibilities are endless! The custom shirt site is here and regular site is here