Nautical Keds

I was looking up the Keds from Chelsea's outfit yesterday and found these nautical designs: sailboats and sea toile. I ordered both the navy and red sailboats. I am not sure if I will keep both but I couldn't decide between those two colors! 

Champion sailboats available in three colors (red, navy, teal), $45

red

navy

teal

Champion sea toile available in three colors (black, red, blue), $45

black

blue

red

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Nautical Outfit of the Week: Organized Mess

This week I am featuring Chelsea of Organized Mess. I can't believe I missed this Jack Wills dress. The tiny anchors are just the cutest! Perfect summer outfit!

Outfit details:
Jacket: Old Navy
Dress: Jack Wills
Shoes: Keds Champion knot (also available in red)

Country Club Prep: Lilly Pulitzer GIVEAWAY!

Today I am partnering with Country Club Prep to give away two nautical items that I think are perfect for this time of year-whether you are going back to school, starting a new job, or just doing your usual day to day. These two will bring a smile to your face every time you use them! Enter using the Rafflecopter below

1. Lilly Pulitzer travel umbrella in booze cruise

2. Lilly Pulitzer anchor keychain with USB flash drive

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who is Your Dream (A) Team?

The Pretty Little Liars finale is tonight on ABC Family! I thought it would be fun to share our dream A team. Dead or alive, minor character or major: who would be on your dream A team? I am still pulling for Ali to have an evil twin. I swear that girl has multiple personalities!

Photos from tonight's finale (Mona and Spencer working together. Interesting!): 

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Here is my teAm:
Wren: hot doctor that I have always thought was hiding something. He cozied up to the Hastings family pretty quickly. 

Mike Montgomery: We don't know much about Mike really. I could see him wanting to get back at Ali for something she did years ago. And now he's dating Mona

Evil step sister Kate: I really want Kate to be on the A team. Maybe she had a run in with Ali or Melissa (I think they were both into riding) in the past. Now she can terrorize Ali AND her step sister, Hanna. Two birds with one stone there.

Aria: I've always thought one of the girls was on the A team/working with A. Spencer is way too emotionally invested. But Aria, well A seems to go a little easier on her.

Leave a comment with your guesses on who A is and who you would want on the A team!

Nautical Home Decor: Guest Post by preppylove

Hey there, nautical fans! My name is Kasey and I run the blog preppylove, a daily blog focused on preppy and designer fashion (though I also love to write about travel, beauty, lifestyle, decor, etc.). Kate is over on my blog today writing about nautical fall style!

I just moved into a new apartment in Dallas, and I am having so much fun decorating it! I love the nautical look as much as the next prep, so I wanted to share my favorite nautical decor items:

1. Seagrass Wall Mirror // 2. Surya Rugs Frontier Trellis Nautical Circle Area Rug // 3. WH Smith Outrageous Yachts by Jill Bobrow // 4. L.L. Bean Nautical Rope Bracelet // 5. Magnussen Beaufort Round End Table // 6. Nine Space Anchor Beach Towel // 7. Kate Spade Wickford Felix Stripe Mug by Lenox // 8. Navigator's Laptop Writing Desk

Nautical Essentials for Fall

Today I am doing a blog switch with Kasey of preppylove. She's posting on my blog and I am posting on hers. Head on over to her blog to see how to get the nautical look this fall!

Sneak peek of my post...

Nautical sweater: Just like the button down you can wear a sweater with shorts during early fall. A nautical sweater + jeans + boots = my fall uniform. During winter layer the sweater under a vest or your jacket.

Striped anchor intarsia sweater, Nautica, $60 (available in 2 colors) | Two Bees cashmere lobster sweater, Tuckernuck, $240 (available in 2 colors and also available in anchor) | Anchor intarsia raglan sweater, Nautica, $100 | Casual hoodie, Boden, $78



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Local Readers: BEACH DAY Tomorrow Saturday August 23 in Santa Monica!

I will be at this beach event TOMORROW Saturday August 23 from 10 AM-12:30 PM in Santa Monica (see below for location). I would love to see you there! There will be a yoga class taught by lululemon, juices from Nekter Juice Bar, and beach clean up with Ocean Minded

Nautical School/Office Supplies

Hoist the anchor petite journal set (3 notebooks), Chronicle Books, $14: I originally saw these on Modcloth but they sold out. The other patterns are ship wheels and skull and cross bones. The anchor one is definitely my favorite.
Mr. Pinchy journal, Night Owl Paper Goods, $19: Everything from Night Owl Paper Goods is adorable. They have a whole nautical collection.
Jonathan Adler die cut whale notepad, Preppy Princess, $9: I have this on my desk. Perfect for writing down quick notes. Much cuter than traditional post-it notes!
Lilly Pulitzer keychain with USB flash drive, Country Club Prep, $32 (also available in seahorse): I have this too. Again, cuter than the traditional USB flash drive. Plus it is a keychain so you can easily attach it to your keys and bring it with you to the library, office, or on trips.
Lilly Pulitzer travel umbrella, Country Club Prep, $3: An umbrella isn't traditionally included in this category I don't think. BUT everyone needs a cute umbrella. This one has anchors on it! 

SoYoung Nautical lunch boxes and cooler bags

Still haven't found the perfect lunch box for your little one? How cute are these?! I really want the seahorse one for myself. If I go back to school (getting closer and closer!) I will have to treat myself I think. I just discovered this brand, SoYoung, this week so I couldn't include these in my previous nautical lunch box post.

Aqua seahorse | Neon orange starfish | Lime green turtle

And I love these non-nautical designs too. I am hoping they re-stock the elephant.

Blue dinosaur | Pink giraffe | Green rocket

The lunch boxes are $32 each. They come with a leak proof insulated insert for easy cleaning and to help avoid staining from spills. Each lunch box features: detachable long strap for wearing as messenger bag or backpack and removable insert. They are PVC, Phthalate, and BPA free.
H alternates between two lunch boxes and both of them have white interior that is NOT removable. I would LOVE to have a removable insert. His have stains from strawberries/fruit leaking and I feel like I just can't get all of the corners completely clean. I am going to get him the dinosaur one and phase out one of the older lunch boxes.

Small starfish cooler bag | Large seahorse cooler bag

Castaway Clothing Critter/Embroidered Shorts FLASH SALE!

Castaway Clothing Nantucket is having a flash sale for 72 hours on embroidered/critter shorts-just in time for back to school and Labor Day weekend! Mens shorts are down to $68, womens are as low as $61, and boys are as low as $40. For women there are two different styles: bermuda and sailing. For men there is the cisco style. Boys have the jetties style.

There are a TON of critter options available: anchors, boats, flags, crabs, bows, mermaids, lobsters, and more!

Nautical Outfit of the Week: A Sequin Love Affair

Today I am featuring Shira from A Sequin Love Affair. How adorable is this sailboat print dress? Shira found the dress on sale at Nordstrom Rack (lucky!)

Photos by Brittanny Taylor

Dress: Equipment
Shoes: French Connection
Bag: Kensie
Rings: House of Harlow and Judith Jack
Bracelets: Kate Spade and Kate Spade
Sunglasses: Ozeal Glasses

Coastal Living Showhouse: Backyard, Porch, Pool

Continuing on the tour of the Coastal Living Magazing Showhouse in Coronado

Previous posts: First floor introduction | First floor bedrooms

The master bedroom opens onto the back porch and pool area (which is down the stairs)

Pool (bigger than it appears) and hot tub

That's the master bedroom doors up above

 One other bedroom also opens onto the porch

The view from the main hallway (master bedroom to the right, other bedrooms to the left)

Nautical Dorm Decor: Anchors Aweigh

I miss back to school shopping. It just isn't the same when you are not in school anymore. I can remember getting my list and then heading to Target. I still love browsing the back to school section. I wish I had taken more photos of my dorm rooms in college. I still have the panda trash can from the Container Store and my fold up lounge chair from Target. I shoved them into my car when I drove across the country after graduation. I'll probably keep them forever!

I think all of these items would work in an apartment or house too (I have the anchor towels from West Elm in my apartment). 

Snooze anchor duvet cover, Modcloth, $80 | Ahoy there matey rug, Modcloth, $25 | Anchor laundry bag, West Elm, $27

Nautical garland kit, Shop Sweet Lulu, $12.50

Anchor jacquard towels, West Elm, $8-24 | Tommy Hilfiger mainsail sheets, Macy's, $30 for twin, $40 for twin XL, $50 for full, and $60 for queen | Bungalow/Scout Collapsible storage, See Jane Work, $53 for medium ($59 for large, $50 for small)

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GIVEAWAY! Nautical Dorm/College/Back to School Package

I am really excited about this giveaway! The winner of this giveaway will receive a set of anchor Tommy Hilfiger sheets* (the ones I featured in this post here) plus some (nautical) surprises for your dorm or apartment. I will be including some back to school essentials plus a few just for fun items!

Enter using the Rafflecopter below

* the sheet set is size twin XL but I think they would work on a twin just fine. I think it's easier to tuck in sheets that are slightly bigger anyway since they are always shrinking in the dryer!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Las Vegas trip recap

My summers almost always include a trip to Las Vegas. It's HOT HOT HOT but so fun. I love relaxing by the pool, eating delicious food, and going to shows. This trip I was with my parents and my friends Brooke and A. Brooke had only been to Vegas once before and A hadn't been in years (since we went for her sister's 21st exactly ten years ago-to the week!). I thought this trip was going to overlap with the week I had off from work but unfortunately I got the dates wrong. Thankfully H could just stay at school extended care on Friday (phew!). I of course worried all day how he would do but everything went smoothly (he even fell asleep during naptime).

I have to say, we got pretty lucky on this trip! Friday night after the concert we actually saw Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel coming back to their room. We were standing just a few feet away! It was after midnight so the reception area was empty (just us and them). I almost passed out. I kept it together until after they walked by and then did a little happy dance. I am a HUGE Justin fan so this made my night.

Now onto the trip!

We stayed at MGM Grand

The villas share this atrium. The atrium is kept at a perfect 72 degrees 24/7

View from our balcony. The building/courtyard is supposed to look like an 18th century Tuscan Villa

Off to dinner at Crush and then JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE concert! My anchor dress is from Old Navy

Concert time!

Before the concert Friday we had lunch with my dad at Wolfgang Puck. Once we got to our area of the hotel we explored/walked around/took pictures. 

Awesome foosball table in the bar (fancy name: Great Hall)-lions and monkeys oh my!

If you don't want to sit in the climate controlled atrium you can sit outside in the Vegas heat (at least there are misters)

We had cheese and crackers, fruit, and wine as our mid afternoon snack. I have no problem being lazy on vacation!

Photo credit: Brooke
This was our bedroom. Gorgeous! I think the closet alone was bigger than my bedroom

I'm not a big juice drinker but they had the best juice I have ever had! Some kind of tropical blend. I wish I could recreate it!

In the photo below we were running (with our drinks of course) into the hall to photo bomb Brooke's pretty picture. 

Photo credit: Brooke

We spent Saturday morning at this quiet pool...

and then headed over to the crazy busy main pool at lunch time. I have never seen so many people in the lazy river. EVER. I love that thing but yikes you could barely float without hitting people. I thought it was kind of funny to bump into people in our giant inner tubes but not everyone agreed. I think we went around 2 or 3 times and then got out.

After spending all day at the pool we relaxed in our room and then headed out to a show and dinner.

A Degas (!) in our room. The hotel has an extensive private art collection (over 800 pieces). 

On our way to see The Beatles Love Cirque du Soleil:

After the show we walked over to The Bellagio for dinner. Cafe Bellagio is one of my favorite Vegas restaurants. Nothing fancy but it has good view and a nice view of the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The current theme is Summer Garden Party (tree house, giant watering can, green house, etc). After dinner we went outside to watch the fountains.

Fountain show at The Bellagio

It was really hard to say goodbye to Las Vegas on Sunday morning. But time to get back to the real world!

The atrium/Mansion at night
Photo credit: Brooke