Friday Fancies: Nautical by Nature

Today's Friday Fancies challenge from {av} of {long distance loving} is perfect for my Friday plans - I actually had already planned out this outfit (that's what I do when I lie awake at night, lol) for happy hour today at Shem Creek Bar & Grill... So it's a great coincidence that today's Friday Fancies is nautical inspired...

I own everything in this outfit but the shirt - but I'm wearing something very similar - and the necklace - I have a fabric blue and white striped one instead, but it's close enough. Oh...and the koozie I don't own, but I ALWAYS carry a koozie with me...so I had to stick one in there. :)

This has been a pretty stressful week full of highs and lows -- so I'm anxious to get to happy hour and raise my glass..er...beer.. to the end of the week and the beginning of another beautiful weather weekend in Charleston.

Happy Hour at Shem Creek Bar & Grill by CharlestonGirlBlog featuring clear shades

I've got a fever...and the only prescription is more Nautical..

So, I've always been a big fan of nautical fashion... how could I not be living in Charleston?

But lately, nautical is really becoming a growing trend on a lot of my fave shopping websites -- and I.can't.stop.buying...

Some of my recent purchases - all very reasonably priced and bargain finds, mind you... Loving anything navy striped or 'anchored' these days...

And then of course...to make matters worse, RueLaLa had a sale today from Sperry Top Sider, and I just couldn't pass up these adorable wedges...they are just too cute! And oh, so very nautical...sigh.

I may have a 'nautical' problem... :-/

My very beachy condo decor...

Last July when I moved into my 'very close to the beach' condo, I decided I wanted to decorate the condo with nautical and beachy decor to celebrate my new location.

I had so much fun shopping for beach-themed decor online and at local Charleston stores. I'm very fortunate that the local Marshalls and T.J. Maxx are filled to the gills (no pun intended) with beachy items.

I had every intention of taking photos of my finished spaces, but Halloween arrived and much of this decor was replaced with Halloween decorations. Then it was Christmas...

And then finally things were back to normal and I could take some photos and share them on the blog... here are pictures from the main living space of the condo where my favorite decor is located. The bathrooms carry on the beach theme, but aren't nearly as interesting as the main rooms.

I love walls with different frames scattered across it and tried to create a mini version of this on one of my walls - I bought a pack of Charleston notecards from a local shop that were on clearance and framed them in clearance frames from T.J. Maxx. And yes, that would be my thermostat framed, lol. The table runner over the dresser is made from straw placemats (also on clearance) from Target that I connected together with twine I bought at Lowes.

I've collected a few Ernest Lee palm tree paintings over the years, and they worked perfectly with my decor. Ernest Lee is an eclectic artist that roams Columbia, SC - nicknamed the 'chicken man'.

Remember this post where I had a decor dilemma with some tricky wall space?

Decided upon wooden, blue oars and a DIY wreath... purchased wreath from Michaels and decorated with glued on bag of sea glass, also from Michaels.

And yes..that would be my Electra beach cruiser parked in the den. I paid entirely too much for that thing to let it sit outside and rust away with the salty sea air. While not ideal squeezed into an already tiny condo, the bike hasn't been in the way too terribly much... and I kind of love how it's right below a painting of a beach cruiser on the beach.

Hope you're having a fabulous Monday... even if 'fabulous Monday' might just be an oxymoron... :)

Is it Friday Yet?

Working Girl by CharlestonGirlBlog featuring brooches

Nautical on the Brain

Ahoy Mateys!

So I've been obsessed this week with all things nautical...ever since I had the epiphany to decorate my condo in a beachy theme, I've been spending hours reading coastal decor blogs and browsing beach decor retail sites. I've also made several rounds to TJ Maxx, Michaels, and Marshalls (P.S. I found two blue wooden oars at Marshalls - the last two there and I snagged them! Hooray!).

My boyfriend told me last night (while hanging my new Anthro curtains - yay), "Only you would be planning and buying your condo decorations before you've even unpacked." My response? "I have an overactive creative mind that cannot be squelched. I can't help it!" :)

With all things nautical on my mind, I've been itching to wear this cute, navy-striped top I bought a few weeks ago from Forever21.com - but I haven't really figured out what to wear with it...until today! I saw this gorgeous turquoise skirt on Forever21 and from that I was inspired to snag a few other accent pieces (hat, aviators, bag) to complete the look, complete with shoes I already own from Old Navy.


The only thing I don't have is the rope bracelet - which I found on Etsy and was sold already. :*( But... it looks simple enough to make, and I think with the help of my jewelry making savvy friend, I can put together one of my own.

I'm also thinking of tying some knotted rope around the hat...

What do you think? I hope it looks as good on me as I think it looks in this picture. I'll take pictures and post to the blog to get the real verdict from you when I actually wear it...