Nautical Outfit of the Week: Submarine Birthday Ball

Today I am featuring Kelly from Honor, Courage, Commitment and her navy boyfriend at the Submarine Birthday Ball last spring.

Outfit Post: Bridal Shower at the Huntington Library

Last weekend one of my oldest friends (went to school together from kindergarten-12th grade!) had her bridal shower at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. Her shower was held in the tea room but I couldn't resist doing a mini photo shoot in the beautiful gardens. The weather was perfect!

With the bride to be!

closeup of my Oh Buoy bracelet (more on them next week!)

Outfit details
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (it's the Delia dress in a the whales tails pattern)
Bag: Juicy Couture
Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Sandals: Old Navy (mine are from last year but they have the same ones again this year in multiple colors)
Bracelet: Oh Buoy


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One Fun Summer Giveaway WINNER

And the winner of the Cady top from One Fun Summer is...

Kiersten!

The Spring 2013 line from One Fun Summer is now available!

Lisa ruffle dress

Heidi dress

Lillian reversible tunic

Kathleen tunic

Jenny B skirt

Heather ankle pant

Madelleine Grace: Coastal Linen Pillow Covers

Madelleine Grace is an etsy store that features handmade (hand painted) coastal, linen pillow covers. Each pillow case can be customized by size, color, and design (if you have a specific design, word, letter or number you would like then let designer Ruth know and she will personalize for you!).

Whale or anchor

Seahorse

Starfish

Coral

Critter Clothing for the Whole Family

I wore my new Old Navy anchor pants (the blue ones below) on Friday and can't wait to break out my critter shorts when the weather gets warmer! Looking for cute critter clothing for the whole family? I've searched around and here are my favorites picks for women, men, and children.

Click photos to enlarge

1. Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny Khakis (also available in lobsters), 2. Vineyard Vines whale skirt, 3. J.Crew Factory sailboat shorts, 4. J.Crew Factory seersucker lobster shorts, 5. Old Navy seahorse 3" shorts, 6. Old Navy sailboat 5" shorts (also available in anchors), 7. Vineyard Vines bermuda bag (reversible-pink and blue), 8.Lilly Pulitzer rainbow fish hoodie

1. J.Crew Factory critter pique polo, 2. Vineyard Vines anchor shorts, 3. Boden seahorse shorts, 4. J.Crew Factory whale shorts (also available in marlins and anchors)

1. Vineyard Vines whale skirt, 2. Vineyard Vines seersucker whale dress, 3. Gap lobster romper, 4. J.Crew whale pants, 5. Old Navy anchor shorts, 6. J.Crew lobster shorts (also available in fishbone), 7. J.Crew Factory seersucker anchor shorts, 8. J.Crew Factory marlin shorts

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Mini Blog Construction: Labels/Categories

Did you notice the (very small) change I made on the blog? I finally figured out how to do a drop down box for labels thanks to this tutorial so they don't take up my whole sidebar! You can now find labels/categories just below the search box on the right side of the blog. Click "Choose a Label" and you'll be able to see all of the labels I use, listed alphabetically, and how many posts are within that category. I hope this makes my blog a bit easier to navigate!

Organizing: Paperwork

I was inspired by this photo I saw on Instagram from LA organizer, John Trosko (his Instagram):

Previously I was putting all paperwork (receipts, bills, tickets, mail, etc) into this container and then sorting through it once a month or so. But it was tough if I needed to find anything quickly, for example, a Target receipt or a confirmation letter.

After seeing John's photo I got to work! If you are local you can get the velcro envelopes at Cash n Carry in Culver City (hidden gem, thanks for the tip, John!). The velcro envelopes aren't as easy to find but I saw tie and snap ones at Staples and Office Depot. I still need to get a bigger envelope for to go menus but I am happy to have started this project! I went with a bunch of different colors but they are also available clear (like John's). I have the program from Anything Goes still out but otherwise everything else was sorted!

Unfortunately I do not have a label maker (yet) so I am temporarily using mailing labels (that are already falling off). Do you have a (not super expensive) label maker you recommend?

Coupons and Gift Cards, Bills and Statements, Tickets, Receipts

Closeup of the coupon/gift card envelope

How do you organize your paperwork and mail?

Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Nautical!

Can you believe it has been a YEAR?! Happy birthday to my handsome nephew! 

Looking back at the last year:

One Fun Summer GIVEAWAY

When self-taught seamstress Karen Weaver sewed her first tunic, she didn’t intend to launch a boutique clothing line. Living a few minutes from Savannah’s Atlantic coast, Karen merely wanted to create a few tops that would look and feel as good running errands all day with her three kids as they would later for dinner out with her husband. But when friends—and then strangers—started asking about her tunics, she realized she could share her personal passion for vivid fabrics and flattering, timeless, and fun designs with other women. One Fun Summer was born, and today Karen’s well-edited line of tops, pants, skirts and dresses embodies her keen eye for effortless, shore-to-city style.

The winner of this giveaway will receive the Cady top in the navy ropes pattern

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Style a Nautical Bar

I am not a big drinker but I love the nautical bar I set up in my apartment. I found the actual bar at a garage sale for $10! I have quite a collection of nautical coasters and bottle openers now! I have included photos of my bar set up and then tips on setting up your own.

Excuse the glare on my anchor print

Red tray is from Marshalls, I added a navy monogram decal

Basket under holds placemats, napkins, napkin rings, more coasters

1. Coasters: I like to have a paper set for parties and then a nicer reusable set. Set of four sea creature coasters from Modcloth ($28) and paper set Lilly Pulitzer from the Preppy Princess ($12). I have a nautical set from Michael's, the Thomas Paul anchor set, and then paper ones from Lilly Pulitzer.
2. Something fun for drinks: I have the Lilly Pulitzer drink umbrellas but how fun are these cocktail anchors? The cocktail anchor was created and designed by a flooded-out Hoboken resident determined to help rebuild the coastal community. For every Anchor Shaker Set sold, 10% of profits will go to Rebuild Hoboken ($19 for 40 plus shaker, $9 for 20)
3. Flask: I don't have a flask on my bar but I think one of these Smathers and Branson needlepoint flasks ($65) would be the perfect addition
4. Decanter set from Furbish ($68, includes 4 glasses). My sister got me this set for Christmas.
5. Fish corkscrew from Furbish ($12.50)
6. Napkin holder from Modcloth ($14): Why buy expensive patterned napkins when you can display regular white ones in this little boat?

My favorite bar accessory is the bottle opener. I have 3!

white anchor ($18), seahorse ($12), lobster ($19), pink anchor ($19), whale ($20), crab ($19)

Here are my bottle openers

MW Coastal Goods anchor (handpainted!), whale, anchor

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Favorite Vacation Spot: Sun Valley, ID

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner Show us Your Life: Favorite Vacation Spot

Sun Valley, Idaho is a very special place for my family. My maternal grandfather loved to fish and Sun Valley was his favorite spot. Once my parents got married they started going yearly with my oldest sister and they bought a house there. 30+ years later we still have that house and go as often as possible.

My mom and oldest sister back in the early 80s

My sister and brother in law even got married in Sun Valley (during the winter).

Sleigh ride to wedding ceremony

You can find the recap of last summer's trip (Baby Nautical's first) here

The lodge with gorgeous flowers in front!

Sun Valley is the perfect place for family vacations! When we were little we built forts in the trees, raced sticks in the streams, and rode our bikes for hours!

Stream outside our house

Now that I am older I love to just sit outside and people watch! Baby Nautical loved watching the ducks in the pond and kids ice skating (there is an outdoor ice skating rink year round).

In August they have a free symphony on the grass. We set up chairs, enjoyed the music, and watched tons and tons of kids run around. There are adorable kids and the cutest dogs EVERYWHERE in Sun Valley!

A few years ago my dad and stepmom decided to get a place in Sun Valley too. This was especially helpful when my sister got married-room for all of our family AND many of the wedding guests!

View from their house

view on my run

The back of the lodge:

Flowers, streams, and ponds!

The ice show is so fun! Skating under the stars!