Nautical by Nature: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Blog Business

Today is the day that many blogs will lose the Google Friend Connect feature. This is how I follow most blogs (and then read in Google Reader). What a pain!

I thought I would write a post about ways that you can stay up to date with Nautical by Nature. I am losing track of all the different social media available right now. Yikes! Here's where you can find blog updates:

Subscribe or follow by email (left sidebar)
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Like Nautical by Nature on facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

I also wanted to talk about photo editing software. I want to be able to make custom graphics for giveaways and special/weekly features like I see on other blogs but I don't want to pay for something expensive like Photoshop. I don't need anything fancy-I just want to be able to put some text over a photo and have it look more professional than Paint. What do you use?
ETA: I already use Picasa for editing photos I take on my camera. I think I need something with a few more options though (like a MUCH easier alternative to Adobe Illustrator)

Nautical Playrooms and Children's Bedrooms

My sister sent me a link to this amazing nautical bedroom (the article is about outrageous playrooms). The beds are shaped like dinghies! What kids (and adults) wouldn't love this room? This nautical room is part of the Hilltop estate in Lake Arrowhead, just outside of Los Angeles.

NNautical by Nature blog: Nautical Playrooms and Children's Bedrooms

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I think this nautical room (two levels) is actually the most outrageous (and I am totally jealous!). It was designed by Kuhl Design Build of Minneapolis. For more photos see this blog post

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

My Oscar Party

I am definitely making this an annual thing. I loved having a bigger group to watch with. Fun to hear what everyone thought of the nominees and red carpet fashion! I forgot to take a photo of my favorite decoration: party tape across my bathroom door that said "No Paparazzi"

Cardboard Oscar (can you see the director's cut clapboard on the top shelf?):

Statues my mom found at some touristy store on Hollywood Blvd.

Penguin stood at the end of the red carpet (he is wearing his bowtie of course)

The red carpet (from front door)!

I love these hanging decorations from Party City

I put director signs and star balloons on the backs of my bar stools

Hollywood glasses:

I wanted to do a photo booth type thing when people arrived. I put the glasses from above on a table by this sign on the door (see below)

Being silly in my hollywood glasses

Candy table!

More decorations

Plates, (gold) silverware, napkins (I also had popcorn in those popcorn boxes)

Statue cookies! (I was running out of time so my friend M made the cookies. She used a cookie cutter I bought-found through this Bakerella post)

Somehow I fit 10 people in my living room! Thankfully three people didn't end up coming so everyone had a spot.

Details:
Most of the decorations are from Party City
Statue cookie cutter
Red Carpet Report Card and Drinking Game
More printables (I put these on candles, drink holders, etc)
Oscar bingo printable

Monday, February 27, 2012

Vineyard Vines Spring

I am SO excited that Vineyard Vines has brought back critters this spring! I posted before about the lack of critter corduroy for fall/winter this year. Thankfully critter shorts are back for spring!

The shorts are available in navy with pink whales or pink with navy whales:

I am pretty sure this dress is already on everyone's spring wish list:

I want this under the sea sweater in both colors (blue with pink sea horse and gray with star fish). Perfect for summer nights by the beach:

I have more Vineyard Vines hoodies than I could ever need BUT I think this lightweight pink striped freeport hoodie is perfect for spring and summer:

The seafarer sweater has my name all over it!

What Vineyard Vines spring arrivals are you most excited about? Have you bought any of the above?

Saturday, February 25, 2012

The Yuppie Files: The Ten

This week I am the featured blogger over at The Yuppie Files (don't you just love that name?). Kellie came up with ten fun questions and I am hoping my answers aren't totally boring! Click the preview photo below to see the full blog post. AND it's Kellie's birthday so go wish her a happy birthday too! Thank you for featuring me, Kellie!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Oscar Party and Friday's Fancies on the Red Carpet

I am going to be having an Oscar party on Sunday. I was planning on having friends over anyway but then decided to make it an official party when I found out (1) I am going to move (last hurrah!) and (2) my mom and her friends had an Oscar themed birthday party last night (so I will just reuse her amazing decorations). I have seen some cute party ideas online. Lots of fun printables and delicious (themed) recipes. I'm not going crazy with the menu because I don't cook (ha) and just don't have the space for everyone to sit down for a 5 course meal. As long as there is popcorn and candy people will be happy ;) I'll have a full recap of my party next week.

Here's a favorite decoration from my mom's party: our Kate Spade penguins! We were given these from our local store last winter (pretty sure we were their best customers at the time since we were all crazy shopping for my sister's wedding) and they are dressed up for every occasion!

This week I am linking up again for Friday's Fancies on Long Distance Loving. I had a REALLY tough time picking out a look for the red carpet. I was thinking Vera Wang, Valentino, or Marchesa but then I saw this gold Jenny Packham dress. It's not my usual style at all (I do prefer shorter dresses but that's purely because I like to accentuate my long legs ;) but it caught my eye. I know most of the red carpet dresses are gowns and not short things like this but I think it perfect for (literally) rocking the red carpet!

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Then I was reading All Things Fabulous and discovered Katie Ermilio. LOVE! Seriously want every single piece from the spring collection. I think this blue dress is a little too casual for the red carpet but it's so pretty.

I think the pink dress is more red carpet appropriate. Isn't it gorgeous? Hard to tell in the photo above but part of the back is open. Just the right amount of skin for the red carpet (have to keep it classy!).

Will you be watching on Sunday? What would you rock on the red carpet?

Tory Burch Gives a Nod to Nautical

Did you get this email from Nordstrom? My sister forwarded it to me and I am loving the nautical looks for this spring! For my local readers: they are opening a Tory Burch store at Century City. Can't wait to see these looks in person.

Nautical shirtdress (definitely my favorite!):

Contrast Trim Sleeveless A-line Dress:

V neck sweater:

Rope print sandals:

These shoes are way too high for me but definitely nautical!
Mid Wedge Espadrille:

Wedge Pump:

Will you be trying any of these looks this spring?

Guest post at Join the Gossip

Today I am guest posting over at Join the Gossip while my friend Leeann is on vacation. I wrote about decorating on a budget: how to make your living space a HOME!

Here's a preview of the post. You can see where I shop on Etsy and how I incorporate decals and garage sale finds into my apartment. Click the photo to read more

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Baby Nautical's Nursery

Baby Nautical will be making his debut in just a couple of weeks (!!!) I think my sister did a great job on the nursery. I love the colors she used-very warm and welcoming. It doesn't look too babyish and is gender neutral (important if they have another baby, it's a girl and they share a room). All three of the Nautical sisters incorporate decals into their living spaces. Decals are perfect for apartments (for me and Sister 2) and kid spaces (unlike paint/murals, decals are easy to move around or completely remove).

View from the doorway (closet is on the left):