Anchors Aweigh

by Heather

I love nautical-themed attire.
This isn't my first time with "nauti" style and probably won't be my last.
The disconnect is that we don't live near a lake or the ocean.
So, is it still okay to sport this look?

 Navy and white jacket - Macy's
Sequined navy and white anchor top - J Crew Factory

NYDJ denim crops - Nordstrom's
Michael Kors navy and white purse
Sperry navy and white polka dot wedges

I come by my love for water and all things nautical naturally.
My mother, who was born and raised in Whitley Bay, England, regaled us with stories of life along the coastline of the North Sea. When we visited family there, it became our favorite playground, too.
My dad spent his early years along the Massachusetts shore and joined the Coast Guard which is how he met my mother during WWII (the American Coast Guard was in England guarding their shores).

 Juicy Couture anchor necklace

When Tom and I started dating in high school,
we'd spend every waking moment of the summer on Lake Minnetonka
(in Minnesota -- Land of 10,000 Lakes)
water skiing and playing as only teens can do with his parents' speedboat.
With twin outboards -- two of the largest you could buy at that time -- and a cuddy cabin, we had a lot of freedom and speed. What were our parents thinking??

As newlyweds, Tom and I spent four years in the Navy. 

Well, he was in the Navy; I was a Navy wife on a very small base in northern California, and then at Alameda, the naval air station in the San Francisco bay. 

Again, our lives revolved around the water. 

My heart still beats a little faster when I hear "Anchors Aweigh" or see a sailor in his Navy uniform.

Juicy Couture ring, white and gold bracelet, gold bracelet with bling anchor; 
Coach navy and gold anchor bangle; Michael Kors gold watch

When we moved back to Minnesota, we kept a sailboat at the Shorewood Yacht Club on Lake Minnetonka. Our weekends were spent living aboard the boat throughout the summer and autumn months. It was only 20 minutes from our home but it felt as if we were hours away from high pressure jobs and the related stress. Remember, this was before cell phones kept people connected 24-7.  Although we had a ship-to-shore radio, it was only used for emergencies.
Even today, if I'm having trouble sleeping, I just imagine myself in the v-berth feeling the gentle rocking from the waves and it puts me right to sleep.

Bayfield 25

Also, during this time, I got into windsurfing. Great fun to do, and when my arms got weary, we'd attach the board to the sailboat with a length of rope and "surf" the very small wake of the sailboat's diesel engine. I think the fastest we could go was five knots!

 Macy's jacket complete with epaulets

Ann Taylor white and gold earrings

Our move to Arizona in the mid 80s brought a halt
to all water--related activities.
Our new hobby was flying (he flew; I navigated)
and then we switched to motorcycles.
But the love for water is still there and maybe when we both retire,
we'll get back into boating.
Meantime, I'll assuage the longing with nautical-inspired clothing.
And I think that's okay.

Love,

Heather