Jane and Bleecker pajama review

Remember the post I did about Jane and Bleecker nautical pajamas? Well someone from Jane and Bleecker saw the post and contacted me (!). I already had a pair of the pajama shorts that I bought but I said yes to reviewing other products in the line. You can find Jane and Bleecker online at their store or at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Lord and Taylor. See more photos on Jane and Bleecker's Instagram.

Jane and Bleecker is a mix and match line of fun, classic preppy styles. There are so many cute patterns. I just saw a photo of the winter designs- polar bears and penguins!

Long sleeve top, $40 (Nordstrom, multiple colors available) and bunny hop jersey shorts, $28 (Nordstrom has taxi cabs, giraffes, floral)

The top is more like a sweatshirt and described as the perfect pullover on the Jane and Bleecker site. So comfy!

Closeup of the bunny shorts

The star/anchor shorts I bought

Rib leggings, $38,Zappos

This is what I wear in my apartment most of the time: t shirt, lounge pants, and slippers. As soon as I get home from work I switch into comfy clothes (if I'm not going out)

The buttons, I love the buttons!

Long sleeve sleep shirt, $48, Nordstrom. I was sent the elephant one below. It is too hot to wear now (still sleeping with the AC on) but this is going to be cozy for winter!

Batiste shorts, $28, Nordstrom has elephants, floral, plaid, apples

Please note: I was sent the above mentioned Jane and Bleecker items to review. All opinions are my own.

Nautical sweaters for fall

We are officially in the second week of FALL! It is still warm here but I know that cooler temperatures are just around the corner for most of the country. I can't wait to break out my nautical sweaters! Here are my current favorites

1. Twiggy LONDON seahorse sweater, $18, HSN | Lightweight so you can wear it now and then as a layer under your vest or jacket as it gets cooler

2. Saltwater anchor cable knit sweater, $115, Sperry Top-Sider | This looks like the perfect cozy sweater for winter. Also available in navy

3. White anchor stripe 3/4 sleeve top, $43, Joules | How can you resist stripes + an anchor?

4. Grey lobster sweatshirt, $69, Joules | I just bought this and I hope it fits because the bigger size is sold out already.

5. Hobie anchor sweater, $68, humble chic | A classic navy and white anchor sweater is essential in every nautical wardrobe

6. Cotton sweater with elbow patches, $33, J.Crew Factory | I love the elbow patches and the one red stripe at the bottom

7. That's moor like it sweater, $45, Modcloth | Don't you love this shade of blue?




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Birthday Wishlist

My birthday really snuck up on me this year. Wasn't it just July? My birthday is in less than two weeks. The weekend before I am heading to San Francisco and the weekend after I start my GRE prep course. On my actual birthday I have a kickball game so maybe I will celebrate with friends before or after. I am going to go big for my 30th in two years and rent a movie theater (yes, you can do that. No, I don't know what movie I will show but doesn't it sound fun?). So for now I am saving money and not doing big parties. But I can still make a little dream list for the blog!

Kate coat, $288, Boden | There's no way I could justify a coat like this while living in Southern California. But isn't it pretty? And the name is perfect for me! (Note: I first saw this coat over on The Preppy Leopard)

Sweatshirt with logo, $125, Petit Bateau | A sweatshirt is a bit more appropriate for the weather here. And I love the bright colored sailboat!

Anchor classic tote, $95, Vineyard Vines | My current Vineyard Vines tote is looking very well loved these days. I think it is time for a replacement and tiny anchors are the perfect pattern for me

Elephant charm necklace, $115, Linanoel | Proceeds from this purchase go to the David Sheldrick foster an elephant program (Note: Found this via Day Old News). I tried on the J.Crew elephant sweatshirt but the fit is weird (IMO). Way too long. I might try to mens version instead.



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Coastal Living Showhouse: Second Floor balcony/outdoor dining area

We are coming to an end of my tour of the Coastal Living Magazine Showhouse on Coronado Island. See the rest of the house here: First floor introduction | First floor bedrooms | Backyard/porch/pool | Kitchen, Living room, Dining area | Family room | Second floor rooftop decks | Basement/bunk room

Closeup of the table setting

The second floor has outdoor spaces in the front and back of the house. The kitchen/living area opens up to a large balcony with two seating/lounging areas and a table/dining area. This spot has an ocean view.

For reference this is the back of the house. The umbrella is by the pool area, off the ground floor. The photos below are the upper balcony space.

Seating area one

Seating area two (the rug reminds me of a much nicer version of my Ikea rug on my balcony)

Dining area

SoCal Blogger Society Fall Brunch

Last weekend was the SoCal Blogger Society fall brunch. Unfortunately the weather didn't get the memo and it was insanely hot! But I still had a great time eating delicious food and catching up with friends. Brunch was at Primitivo in Venice.

Amanda, me, LaMesha

Photo via Leeann

Cinnamon roll waffles were AMAZING!

Photo via Leeann

Below Deck!

I wish I had known about this show during the first season! My friend Brooke got me hooked and I am so glad I recorded this season. Below Deck follows the crew aboard the Ohana, a 10 million dollar private luxury yacht, during charter season.

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You can see a video tour of the Ohana here.

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I'm not sure what's more entertaining: the drama between the crew or the demands of the guests! I am still laughing at the "mojitos" that Kate made one of the high maintenance guests. Spoiler alert: definitely NOT mojitos!

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Below Deck airs on Bravo Tuesday nights at 9 P.M. It has quickly become a guilty pleasure and I look forward to it every week. Who else watches??

September/What I've been up to

September has just flown by! The last couple of weeks have been busy busy! Dinner with Elisabeth, visiting my nephews, going to the movies, and working on grad school applications (!). I was supposed to start kickball on the 10th but it was moved to this coming week and that's ok with me. I am excited but was relieved to go home after work and go straight to bed! This past weekend I went to Dinner Detective for my friend A's birthday and then an improv show at IO West.

I've always wanted to go to a murder mystery party. Dinner detective did not disappoint!

The next morning was the SoCal Blogger Society fall brunch at Primitivo in Venice. I will be doing a separate post on that brunch.

I have also been working late multiple nights a week so I am ready for a weekend of relaxing! I am taking a diagnostic GRE for my prep course (not fun) but otherwise I will be catching up on TV and movies on my couch.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

San Francisco Recommendations

In a few weeks Leeann and I are headed to San Francisco! Leeann won (!) a free stay at a fancy hotel and invited me along for a mini getaway! We will be sightseeing and relaxing too (in our swanky room I hope). My last trip to San Francisco was during the summer of 2011 (post here). That was a pretty special trip because just after arriving at my friend's apartment my sister called to say she was pregnant (with Baby Nautical). Talk about starting a trip on a high note!

I've done a lot of the touristy things on previous trips so I think this trip Leeann and I are looking at more unique adventures and hidden gems. If we had more time I would do another tour of Alcatraz! That was one of my favorite tours.

What do you love to do in San Francisco? I would love your recommendations!

So far on our itinerary we have:
Meals at Mama's, Tartine, and Ragazza
A visit to Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 (I always love seeing the sea lions)
A ghost tour of the city. Leeann does these when she travels and it always sounds like so much fun. I told her that I am in as long as I can hold her hand if I get scared ;)
Baker Beach (depending on the weather)
Exploring different neighborhoods: the Castro, Pacific Heights, and Nob Hill are on my list
Drinks at Top of the Mark

My Balcony Reveal!

My balcony is definitely still a work in progress. You'll see below that some of my plants are still in their temporary homes while I figure out what will grow best. Plus I ended up putting my strawberries in a planter that I am going to have to move because they are almost too tall for their current spot!

Here's what I used for inspiration:

Bridgette Nicole | DIY Enthusiasts | A Mile in Mom's Manolos

And then I saw this photo on the Ikea website and proceeded to make trips to three different Ikeas!

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I really wanted to hang nautical things on the back wall but it's too thick for nails

I put that crab paper lantern up when I first moved in. It used to be RED stripes!

I have two plants hanging over the rail. The weather this summer has been all over the place but they are hanging in there (ha)

The lights are solar powered and definitely my favorite part!

You can see that I also use my balcony for storage ;)

A tiny visitor

Table and chairs: local flash sale site that Tiffany emailed me about
Rug: Ikea
Buoy lights: Ikea
Lantern: Ikea
Hanging planters: Ikea
Crab paper lantern: Target (years old)
Shelf storage: Target
White painted buoy: Marshalls
Adirondack  chair: Target

Coastal Living Showhouse: Basement Bunk Room/Family Room

The basement could be a separate apartment/living space for guests, college kids home for break, nanny/housekeeper suite, etc. It has a small kitchen, a desk area, two bathrooms (one is a powder room and the other is a full bathroom), and bedroom. The bedroom currently has TWO sets of bunk beds!

See the rest of the Coastal Living Showhouse Coronado Island here: First floor introduction | First floor bedrooms | Backyard/porch/pool | Kitchen, Living room, Dining area | Family room | Second floor rooftop decks

The open door in top left corner leads to the garage

I love that every room had space for pets to relax

Powder room

Bags in the hallway

Full bathroom

The bottom beds are queens and the top beds are double beds so you have sleeping for up to 8 people in this room!

These are the stairs that lead up to the first floor of the house