Nautical alphabet blocks from Uncommon Goods

When I was in Portland earlier this year I saw the cutest set of nautical alphabet blocks in one of the stores. I didn't have room for them in my suitcase so I added them to my wishlist. Fast forward to earlier this month: I got an email from Uncommon Goods about doing a product review of the blocks! Happy birthday to me! Technically the nautical alphabet blocks are in the Uncommon Goods gifts for kids section but I am going to display them in my apartment (can you see my name in there?). And maybe I will share with my nephews sometimes ;)

Uncommon Goods is based in New York in the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal. Their mission is to support and provide a platform for artists and designers. At least half of what is sold is made by hand with most of the products created right here in the USA. About one-third of the collection incorporates recycled and/or upcycled materials. Uncommon Goods has something for everyone including the women in your life, the guys, housewares, and you can find a huge selection of personalized/monogrammed gifts here. There is also pages and pages of fun gifts for kids- both H and Baby Nautical have the construction plate and utensils.

The nautical alphabet blocks are handmade in the USA. They are non-toxic and made with child safe inks. The set contains the 26 letters of the alphabet with their accompanying maritime signal flag, Morse code, semaphore, the NATO phonetic alphabet words plus a classic knot illustration.

The set includes this bag to hold the blocks

Please note: I was sent the nautical alphabet blocks to review. All opinions are my own.

Preppy chic activewear from Devon Maryn

I am anxiously awaiting my bow pants from Devon Maryn. I cannot wait to wear them to kickball! I instantly fell in love with Devon's line. The designs are fun and colorful. Plus Devon is maybe more of a TVaholic than I am (I really really wish we had Comcast in LA. Four recordings at once would be a dream!).

The pants in action at a barre class

Back to Devon Maryn... I could tell from my emails with Devon that she is passionate about her product and that shows- the capris have every detail you would want in work out pants. They are made in the USA from moisture-wicking, quick-dry, breathable 4-way stretch fabric. Mid-rise front and back waistband stays put (no muffin top), contouring side panels flatter and minimize waist, and a reinforced, triple banded waistband flattens stomach.

Bows to toes capris

Butter me up lobster capris (Sydney from Summer Wind did a review of these)

Hound around capris

Gold confetti capris

Chevron capris

Stripe down capris

Devon Maryn also offers shorts!

Drop anchor shorts

Seahorse shorts

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Slowing down

Etsy print from Trinkets by Dana

You may have noticed I haven't been posting as frequently this month. I am getting ready to take the GRE and right now work and studying are just about all I have time for. It's important for me to be 100% at work so any (ok most) free time I have is spent studying (and going to my prep classes). I have a few posts lined up over the next few weeks including a holiday giveaway and guest posts from other bloggers. If you have an idea for a nautical post please email me!

I will still be posting on the Facebook page, Instagram, and Pinterest.

DIY Driftwood Jewelry Hanger from My Life as a Plate

Hi! I am Lauren, from My Life As A Plate. I feel honored to be guest posting for Kate while she is preparing for her GRE. Although I currently live seven hours from the ocean, I am a huge fan of all things nautical which is one of the many reasons I love this blog.

I wanted to share my DIY driftwood jewelry hanger my husband and I recently made.

My parents have a house at the beach and they regularly find driftwood that has washed ashore. In the past we have used the driftwood to make all different types of items. We even used a piece of driftwood to make a sign directing our guests to the cocktail hour for our wedding last year.

I am a huge fan of the way driftwood looks after the water has taken its course and the wood transforms itself and new colors and textures form. Anyways, my parents had given us this piece of driftwood in the summer and I thought it would be the perfect base for a jewelry hanger.

First we cut the driftwood with a saw (I have no idea what kind of saw this is haha) to the size I wanted for a jewelry hanger. I wanted to be able to fit three hooks across on the wood. It is about two feet long.

I then went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few rustic looking hooks to match our bedroom that would hold a lot of my statement necklaces. Make sure the hooks are deep enough that several necklaces will fit.

Purchase here

Purchase here

Don't forget to use a coupon for Hobby Lobby!

Center the hooks and screw the hooks into the wood. The screws are sold separately, we went to our local hardware store and purchased wood screws. We also used a power drill to screw them into the wood.

To hang the jewelry hanger purchase two picture hangers ( the ones with the jagged teeth). Make sure that the hangers are level.

Hang the jewelry holder on the wall and TA-DA!

I love how this came together and it holds so many of statement necklaces. Even though we are so far away from the coast, I love adding nautical touches to our home.

Tiny Tulip Giveaway WINNER!

The winner of the monogrammed lobster sweatshirt from Tiny Tulip is...

Wendy Sue from Connecticut Cupcake!

Tiny Tulip has every monogrammed item you could want! Baby clothes, clothes featuring Lilly Pulitzer fabric, tech accessories, bags, housewares, workout clothes/accessories, and much more! Check out the Tiny Tulip website to see more.

Here are some of my favorites:

Monogrammed Lilly Pulitzer elephant applique t shirt | Seersucker anchor keychain

Monogrammed lobster sweatshirt | Monogrammed baseball hat

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Nautical pumpkins that you don't have to carve!

Last year I shared how to carve a nautical pumpkin. I thought I would share a few non-carve pumpkin ideas this year.

Mod Podge coastal pumpkins from Crafts by Courtney (here's the how to)

Courtney also did this anchor pumpkin (how to here)

Coastal pumpkins from Sand and Sisal (how to here)

Beach ball pumpkins from Paint the Gown Red (how to here)

Make sure to email me photos of your nautical pumpkins to share!

Nautical Halloween Costume Ideas

My readers have sent me some very creative nautical Halloween costume ideas over the years and I have loved featuring them as part of Nautical Outfit of the Week. Don't forget to send me a photo of your nautical costume and you can be featured too!

Here are some ideas for Halloween:

Caroline and her boyfriend. She was a lobster in a pot and he was a game of battleship!

Charlotte and her boyfriend. Charlotte was a sailor and her boyfriend was a macho sailor/Popeye with huge fake muscles that had an anchor and mermaid tattoo!

Sydney (from Sunshine in the City), Anthony, and Blair (the lobster) at the Park Slope Halloween Parade:

Michele as a navy girl:

Whitney dressed her dog Oscar as a sailor:

Catch of the Day

Amy Ruth Designs nautical school/office supplies

I discovered Amy Ruth Designs via Kate of a lonestar state of southern. I've been looking for new notebooks now that I am studying for the GRE/as I start thinking about going back to school. These notebooks could not be more perfect for me! I bought the sailboat and anchor sets (one notebook and two folders in each design). Sign up for the newsletter and you receive 25% off!

Anchor journals (set of 2), $15

Anchors away pocket journal, $8

Boats mini journals (set of 2), $6

Sailboats folder, $2.50 (discount if you buy multiple)

Anchors away notebook, $10 (discount if you buy multiple)

Critter page flags, $5

Nautical page flags, $5

Anchors away personalized notepad, $20

Anchors travel pad, $8

Inside

Cover

Sailboats personalized notepad, $20

Seahorses travel pad, $8

Cover

Inside

Sailboats agenda, $12

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