Guest Blogger at Not Intent on Arriving

This week I am the featured guest blogger over at Not Intent on Arriving. Each week Kristin highlights a different blogger in her Writer Wednesday feature. Kristin has been all over the world (Iceland and Senegal and everywhere in between!) and started her blog as a travelogue of her adventures. Now her blog has expanded and topics include cooking/food, running, and her daily life in New York City.

Here's a preview of my interview:

In keeping with the admittedly loose travel theme of Not Intent On Arriving, if you could have an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to do an African safari. Seeing elephants in the wild would be a dream come true!

What is your favorite place on earth? Australia! From snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef to hiking in Tasmania my time in Australia was unforgettable. I would go back in a heartbeat!

To read more head on over to Kristin's blog

InStyle Swimwear: Nautical

I think it is safe to say that most of the country is dreaming of warmer weather (it actually rained here in LA last night)! A tropical vacation? Day at the beach? Sign me up! InStyle Swimwear offers same-day shipping and an easy 90 day return policy. Have you started swim suit shopping yet? I am in desperate need of a new suit that I can wear on work trips and when I take H to the pool. For work I look at tankinis or one pieces because they look a bit more professional (if you can look professional in a swim suit. HA!). And then I definitely want something more fun for off the clock pool/beach time! Here are the nautical suits I like from Instyle Swimwear:

Coastline suit

Seaview suit

Maillot suit

Deep sea

Arabesque

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My Apartment: Bathroom Update/Reveal

I decided to switch things up in my bathroom. Nothing major but I wanted a new rug and artwork. I wrote a post on the artwork I was thinking about getting here. I ended up getting a second print but it will be going in my bedroom instead.

To see what my bathroom looked like before go to this post

I had to have this adorable anchor bin as soon as I saw it in this baby nursery I featured here

This is closer to the actual color of the clock

I was previously using a floral Liberty of London for Target box but it was bigger than I needed and the colors didn't go with all of the blues I have now. This is where I store extra toilet paper, lotion, matches, etc. Easy for guests to access whatever they need!

I have my two favorite candles out (Amanda brought me a cinnamon one from Australia that smells so good-and I am not really a "light candles every day" type of person) and I always have fun tissue boxes (Target brand has had some adorable seasonal designs!)

Extra washcloths/hand towels in the pink bin (and soap on an anchor coaster ;)

I'm not sure these rugs really go together but I've had the one on the left since my last place and I like to think the light blues sort of go?

Anchor storage bin: Etsy shop BaffinBags
Love awaits you print: Etsy shop Pretty Chic SF
Clock: Target
Seahorse and name decals: Etsy shop Decal Monograms
Pink bin: Homegoods
Ribbon square bath rug: The Company Store
Sea life rug: Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill
Monogrammed towels: c/o The Company Store
Sailboat prints: Ikea
Set of 4 blue frames: Ikea

Charming Charlie nautical Spring 2014

Reader Ann emailed me about some nautical finds at Charming Charlie. I had never heard of Charming Charlie but when I looked at the website I saw it's a chain with more than 200 stores around the US! There is an online store but a lot of the anchor things are currently sold out. But definitely check your local store to see if they have any of the following (that Ann saw at her store)

I want this keep calm and stay anchored case!

Couldn't find this on the website but there is an anchor scarf

And I just saw these starfish sandals on the website!

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Match My Monogram

Match My Monogram is a new online marketplace for monogrammed/personalized items. You can consign your items or search online (by name, monogram , letter, or Greek) and find something to buy.

To sell: fill out the consignment form, package and send your items. Items should be in new or like new condition. You will receive 50% of what your item(s) sells for. Receive payment for your item(s) as soon as it sells via check or PayPal. You can read more about what Match My Monograms accepts here

Match My Monogram is also a custom clearinghouse for businesses that have a supply of unique personalized items. All businesses utilize display and sample merchandise, and unfortunately, everyone makes mistakes: using the wrong color thread, misspelling a name, or using the wrong font. These items can be sold on Match My Monogram.

Here are some of the nautical pieces available right now:

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The Balmain Boat Company

The Balmain Boat Company is a small family business based in Australia. They launched in the US this past summer. The Balmain Boat Company creates flat-packed, DIY rowboats and sailboats, because they believe that anyone can build a boat!

Each kit includes all of the essentials (detailed plans and informative construction notes, precision-cut plywood, nails, screws, etc) plus the Balmain product pages tell you what paints, oars, life jackets, covers, etc they recommend (specific to whether you are in the US or Australia. 

They currently offer three kits: classic rowboat kit, sailboat kit, and the pilot

Go from this

 to...

DIY rowboat

 or this...

DIY sailboat

DIY sailboat

Leapin Frog, the first Balmain boat built in the US

The Pilot

The Pilot holds up to 6 passengers!

Earlier this month The Balmain Boat Company did a shoot using "The Pilot," their newest boat kit. In the video you meet Eve and Mick, who built the first Pilot in Sydney, Australia. Here is the video of the boat in action:

Nic, one of the co-founders, actually grew up in Ohio but has been living in Australia for the past 10 years. I had to include this nautical photo of Nicole with one of the boats:

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WBTV's Night of Comedy

Why yes, I do find something nautical every where I go! See the ships on the left?

Wednesday night Leeann and I went to iPic Theaters in Pasadena for a comedy night put on by Warner Brothers. The event was specifically for the TCA Press Tour (side note: I really really wanted to intern for Kristin of E! in college but you had to have a relevant major and psychology wasn't on the list). Warner Brothers put on a comedy night for critics to view some of the newer shows they have. Just in case you couldn't tell from my TV posts (I just talked about Reign yesterday!) I LOVE TV so I am always thrilled to attend these events.

My fancy pass

Due to lovely LA traffic I missed the beginning of the event which was a screening of episode 3 of Undateable and a Q&A with the cast and producers/writers. I did see a screening of the pilot episode later in the night though. Undateable is about a self-proclaimed player (Whitney's Chris D'Elia) teaching his dating tips to a group of friends that includes his new roommate. He calls them "The Undateables." The producers of the show scouted local comedy clubs during the casting. Most of the cast members already knew each other through the standup world prior to the series. I thought it was very funny. Leeann and I were both laughing. Undateable will be premiering on NBC soon!

With the flash I looked possessed so I'm going with this darker (more flattering) photo

I arrived just in time for a screening of Mom and then a Q&A with stars Anna Faris and Allison Janney. I have to admit I am a huge Anna Faris fan (The Hot Chick is one of my favorite movies-totally underrated!). I thought they had great chemistry in person and everyone had a good laugh about Allison Janney being a great grandmother on the show! Mom airs Monday nights on CBS at 9:30 ET/PT.

The tater tots were delicious!

Allison and Anna

After the Mom Q&A there was a short break and then the guys of Undateable did some stand up comedy. I was laughing so hard the whole time, especially during Ron Funches'. Very very funny guys. I was nervous to sit in the front (they always call out people in the audience!) but I am glad we did. I think Leeann and I both had crushes on Brent Morin by the end of the night. He's really cute and charming in person.

The guys of Undateable

After the stand up comedy we had dessert. A bunch of fancy popsicles (which Leeann tried) and a make your own ice cream sundae (which I had). They aired a second episode, the pilot, of Undateable after so I was glad I got to see it after missing the previous one they showed.

At iPic Theaters your seat reclines, each chair has a pillow and blanket, and there's waiter service!

What a fun night doing what I love to do! As soon as they announce the air date for Undateable I will be adding it to my DVR. Thank you Warner Brothers for letting me sneak in with the TV critics!