Nautical summer bags for every budget

I love doing this post every summer. I try to do my best to find options for every budget whether you are headed to the beach, lake, pool or just around town! 

$15 and under

Seaside striped tote, Forever21, $12

This bag is available in 3 colors but this blue is my favorite

Anchor kai tote, Payless, $15

Stripes + an anchor! This tote has two interior pockets too

$50 and under

Magid canvas tiny anchor tote, Walmart, $37

Zip top, interior zip pocket plus rope handles this would be perfect for the 4th of July-red, white, and blue!

Magid two tone nautical anchor canvas tote, Walmart, $47 (there's also a lobster tote by the same brand)

This tote looks like a less expensive version of the sailcloth totes that have become popular

Burgee flag tote, Vineyard Vines, $48

This bag would be perfect for running errands around town! There's an interior zip pocket which is essential

Sea stripe tote bag (available in 4 colors), L.L. Bean, $50

This bag is available in multiple colors, zips shut, and can be monogrammed

$50-$75

Herschel Supply Co Pier tote bag (tiny palm trees!), Nordstrom, $53

Carry this bag as a tote or use the strap to wear it as a crossbody

M. Carter wave tote, Madewell, $75

This bag looks very roomy and has an interior pocket

$100+

Stripes With Whale Icon Duchess Medium East/West Tote, Jonathan Adler, $100

How cute are the interior pockets?! There's also an interior zip pocket

Let's cha cha resort tote, Lilly Pulitzer, $138

This tote has multiple pockets and zips shut

Seabags for J.Crew anchor tote, J.Crew, $195

This handmade bag has an interior zip pocket and is water resistant

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Boden 25% off and free shipping LAST DAY!

Receive 25% off AND free shipping when you use code: N6W5 or this link  EXPIRES TONIGHT!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Boden! Here are my favorite items from Spring/Summer 2014

Nancy dress | Hoop detail swimsuit

Summer jersey blazer | Boho top

French knot sweater | Bistro short

Boho printed dress | Grosgrain espadrille

Here are some favorite nautical baby and kid items

Boys logo playset | Ava dress | Nautical twin pack t shirts
Ocean anchor stripe board shorts | Pretty swimsuit | Army anchor graphic t shirt
Embellished scoop neck top | Boys logo playset

And more from the spring/summer women's collection

Printed beach throw on | Twist front swimsuit |  Cashmere colourblock sweater
Flowershow dress | Notch neck shift | Modern pencil skirt

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TripAdvisor: Las Vegas + Justin Timberlake concert (again!)

This post was sponsored by TripAdvisor as part of their summer travel campaign, but all opinions are my own

In August I am heading back to Las Vegas to see Justin Timberlake again (!!!). This will be the perfect summer getaway. Las Vegas is a magical place. Amazing restaurants, dazzling shows, and the best people watching in the world! My most recent trip, to the Pacific Northwest, was all about sightseeing and we were on the go for most of the trip. Since my sister and I couldn't plan in person we would talk on the phone while we were both sitting at our computers. I would have multiple tabs open comparing hotels and restaurants on TripAdvisor. I found my favorite hotel of the trip, The Georgian Court in Vancouver, through TripAdvisor. We found all three of our hotels using TripAdvisor but The Georgian Court was hands down my favorite. I ALWAYS read pages of reviews of hotels. My sister had wanted to stay in a trendy hotel in Portland but the reviews made it clear it wasn't the right hotel for me (LOUD! people partying all night, etc). We ended up at a (quiet) place we really liked that was in a great, central location.

Anyway as soon as I heard Justin Timberlake was playing in Las Vegas again I knew I had to go! I asked two friends, one of which has only been once for one night (and mostly stayed in her hotel room) and the other hasn't been since we were in high school (and not 21). I consider myself to be pretty knowledgeable about all things Vegas but I don't go as frequently now so I don't know the trendiest spots or newest restaurants. Enter TripAdvisor for the win! I was asked to make a Pinterest board highlighting my favorite Las Vegas spots and a few places I want to try/heard good things about. You can find the board here.

Follow Kate's board TripAdvisor: Las Vegas on Pinterest.
Here are a few of the pins from my TripAdvisor: Las Vegas board

We will be staying at the MGM Grand Hotel. The concert is in the hotel. You can't beat that! All we have to do is take an elevator and two minute walk. No dealing with cabs or lines after the concert. Plus the MGM has a lazy river. August in Las Vegas you'll need to be in the water if you are outside!

Our second night we will be going to see The Beatles Cirque du Soleil show, Love. This is probably tied with O as my favorite Vegas show.

One of my friends really wants to try one of the famous Las Vegas buffets. I've been reading reviews and I am thinking The Wynn or The Bellagio. The desserts alone are mouthwatering!

I love seeing all of the Vegas lights at night. You can get a great view from the top of the Eiffel Tower or my favorite spot, Mix Lounge.

As part of the TripAdvisor #MyTripAdvice campaign bloggers will be sharing their favorite spots from around the world on Pinterest: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, Hawaii

Vineyard Vines sale additional 30% off!

Take an additional 30% off all sale items at Vineyard Vines with code: SUMMER3014 (exp 7/1). Prices below include the additional 30% off

Patchwork whale classic tote, $60 | Whalies , $56 | Whale embroidered dayboat shorts, $60 |

Sailor stripe classic polo, $42 | Shell tile strapless dress, $102 | Seersucker ruffle clutch, $42 |

Everyday beach towel, sold out now (as I was drafting this!) but there is another whale one for $65 | Painted stripe dayboat shorts, $60

Mens sale
Kids sale

Summer Parties and Outdoor Entertaining: Ikea and Pottery Barn

In my mind summer parties= time to bring out the nautical decorations! Ikea has the best collection of affordable nautical party supplies this summer. I stopped at Ikea on my drive home from San Diego and I stocked up! I might have gone a little overboard (pun intended)

Trays | Disposable cups | Apron | Disposable table runners (can also be used as placemats) | Placemats

Top to bottom: Trays | Napkins | Paper napkins | Paper plates | Paper plates | Napkins | Trays

Want to splurge on items you will use every summer? Pottery Barn has some fun essentials for outdoor entertaining. I especially love the three drink dispenser stands. I just wish I had a bigger outdoor space! Some of these items can also be used inside if you don't have an outdoor space or if the weather turns.

Row 1: Anchor drink dispenser stand, $30 | Boat cooler, $149 | Anchor with knot salt and pepper set, $30

Row 2: Galvanized metal boat drink dispenser cubby, $119 | Nautical emblem glasses, $38 | Sea critter outdoor salad plates, $26

Row 3: Seahorse drink dispenser stand, $30 | Playa sea life table runner, $50-55 | Sea life vases, $48-69

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Summer Parties and Outdoor Entertaining: Inspiration

Summer is officially here and 4th of July is just around the corner! Today I am hosting a link up over at SoCal Blogger Society on summer parties and outdoor entertaining. Summer parties are the perfect time to bring out all of your nautical decorations! I recently redid my balcony and although it is small I am looking forward to having friends over. I will be sharing photos of my balcony later this week. For now I am sharing my inspiration for summer parties (these ideas are great whether you have an outdoor space or not!). Tomorrow I will be posting inspiration from Ikea and Pottery Barn

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Bring the beach/sea inside!

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Not nautical (but it is by the water) these pink paper lanterns are an easy DIY

Nautical 4th of July Outfits for the Whole Family

Ready for the holiday weekend? I haven't planned my outfit yet but I will be going to a BBQ and then watching fireworks in the park. I will probably wear my Lilly Pulitzer firework print shorts this year. I love combining the patriotic red, white, and blue color scheme with something nautical. I may decide to wear my navy anchor dress with red sandals or a red cardigan. I have put together looks for the whole family below.

WOMEN: If you are going for a casual daytime outfit how about this Vineyard Vines whale t shirt and some cute shorts? If it gets cold add the red Shep shirt (anchor print on the shoulders!). The two anchor sweaters would look great with white jeans and your favorite sandals. The Lilly sailboat fireworks print? Summer perfection. Easily one of my new favorite prints. 

Top to bottom: Flag whale graphic pocket tee (back pictured), Vineyard Vines, $50 | McCallum fitted tie back dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $148 (print also available in Callahan shorts, $64 and Michele Printed V-Neck Top, $44) | Anchor print Shep shirt, Vineyard Vines, $125 | Anchor sweatshirt, J.Crew Factory, $55 | Intarsia stripe anchor crewneck sweater, J.Crew Factory, $40

GIRLS: If you want to match with your little one get her the little Lilly shift! The Vineyard Vines whale shorts are sold out in womens sizes online but your girl can still rock them with her favorite navy or red t shirt. Anchors aweigh? Both of the anchor dress have an adorable print that would look darling with red sandals!

Girls flag whale print boulevard shorts, Vineyard Vines, $45, 2T-14 | Bow back dress in anchor print, J.Crew Factory, $43, 2-14 | Racerback dress in anchor print, J.Crew, $70, 2-14 (also available in cabernet color) | Lilly Lilly classic shift dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $58, 2-10

BOYS: Lobsters, whales, or anchors: choose your favorite critter for the boys! Add a white polo shirt and this J.Crew anchor hat  and he's ready to go

Boys embroidered flag whale club shorts, Vineyard Vines, $55, 2T-7 (sizes 8-18 here, $60) | Anchor baseball hat, J.Crew, $25 | Pull on anchor shorts, J.Crew, $40, 8-14 | Embroidered drawstring shorts in lobster, J.Crew Factory, $43, 2-14 (also available in anchor print)

BABY: Is there anything cuter than a nautical baby? Nope! I would add red or navy striped shorts to wear with the onesies and maybe red or navy leggings under the dress if it starts to get cold.

Adventure onesie, Gap, $13, 0-24M | Jersey knit striped shirts, Gap, $8 | Dress in anchor print, J.Crew, $55, 0-24M | One piece in tiny anchor print, J.Crew, $25, NB-24M

MEN: Vineyard Vines definitely has the best options for men this summer. But I did find a pair of anchor shorts at Gap that would look great with some navy and white!

Uncle Whale tie, Vineyard Vines, $85 (available in 4 colors) | Embroidered shorts in anchor, Gap, $45 | Embroidered flag whale club shorts, Vineyard Vines, $99 | Wave flag whale graphic pocket tee, Vineyard Vines, $38 (also available in red)

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Ask Nautical by Nature: Wooden Rocking Boats

I have posted two wooden rocking boats on the blog and ever since I've had people email me to ask if I sell them, know someone that makes them or if I have seen any others. I really wish I knew someone that made them! If you know someone that makes them PLEASE email me or leave their information in a comment on this post!

The first one I featured was from Restoration Hardware Baby and Child back in 2010 (post here):

The second one I featured was part of a reader submitted nautical nursery back in 2012 (post here):

The baby's grandfather hand made this sailboat cradle! How sweet that he will be rocking to sleep in something so special.

Here are the options I have found. If you have seen others please comment with a link so I can update this post.

Etsy, $325

This one looks a lot like the RH Baby and Child one if you like that look

Vivedecor, $190

Overstock, $127

Not completely wooden but still cute

If you are interested in building your own I found a couple of websites that provide the plans. Purchase the plans and then buy your own materials

Jordan Wood Boats, jolly boat rocker plans, $34

Jordan Wood Boats, baby tender plans, $52

Jordan Wood Boats, baby tender II plans, $42

Jordan Wood Boats, papoose plans, $25

Jordan Wood Boats, wee pumpkin, $44

Wooden Boat Store, rocker plans, $30

Nautical totes from Ballard Designs

For my birthday in 2009 I gave away an anchor tote from Ballard Designs. I got one for myself too and use it for groceries, laundry, and running errands. This summer Ballard Designs has added new nautical totes! Each tote is handmade of natural jute and has sturdy leather handles and a zipper closure.

Anchor

Coral

Rope knot