"Mainer"

There is some validity to this {verb} "Mainer" and I'm beginning to understand it. Every time I've had a work related event in Maine, as that's the only reason I've visited Maine in the past years, I am so pleasantly surprised by the kindness.  

People are helpful, friendly, pretty down to earth, they seem organic, and like they have a different appreciation for life. I love all the Chevys and Fords I see, especially the ones hauling vintage campers like the 60's & 70's style teardrop made by Airstream. It seems people flock to Maine for their love of nature and the land. To slow down and take a fresh breath of green air. 

For those folks residing in Maine, the ones I've met hold true to my now definition of a "Mainer" . Kind, natural, polite, lovers of the land. Even though I live in Massachusetts, I feel like I'm PART "Mainer". 

And how would we define a "massachusettser"???? Hmmmmm that's a blog for a rainy day. 

Close up of our new southern Maine insured tote

Any day now

Finally today the birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and I even caught a glimpse of something green in the distance. Everyone was happy too which is a rarity in these parts.  

Any day now I'm ready to wake up to spring here to stay. And the bustle of summer to be back... Most people start planning a trip to the Cape...visiting friends in  Hyannis perhaps? If so, here's the perfect gift: a custom chart pillow.

Border free travels

Thank you border free travels for including Not For Navigation's nantucket chart purse!   

http://www.borderfreetravels.com/bag-plane/

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Turquoise seas

I'd like to be here floating in a turquoise sea!!! 🌴🏊☀️ put your favorite getaway on a #notfornavigation pillow and bring vacation into your home!! 

play time

One good thing about every day after dec 21 is it stays lighter a minute longer each day. And that's about the only good thing until summer is here.  

Luckily I get to look at cool maps and charts of warm and sometimes exotic areas of the world. This keeps me inspired and focused on why I work so hard: play time. Aka fun in the sun!!  

I have my heart set on a Bahamas trip this year, but hawaii doesn't sound too bad either! 

World traveler

If you've been to Europe, are planning a trip, or just love the idea of it...nfn collection pillows with the European map are a perfect addition to your home. 

These can be made with an individual country too!  

And can also decorate the entire nfn collection. 

How many bottles of beer...in the bag?!?

Boating and drinking go hand in hand. Thankfully our Not For Navigation chart and map bags are constructed so strong they can tote all your booze and then some! The clip close tote has earned a new title...booze bag ;)

Next time you're packing your cooler see how many beers you can fit in your chart tote! Or champagne, or wine, or rum... For a little punch!  

Take a pic and post it for us to see! How many bottles fit in your  { Not For Navigation } bag! 

holiday cheer

Cheers from the beaches of the Bahamas!

Save 15% on your custom map/chart pillow, tote, or set of placemats.

Discount code: NICE

Happy Shopping!! :)

Home sweet home

Home really is where the heart is. I know this because I stay living in Massachusetts even though the weather is enough to make me pack up and drive far west to the southern pacific coast! 

Pillows with a map of home is a great gift for anyone who loves their home, or has had to leave it. Mark an address with a heart and mark a special address.  

Enjoy 15%off with discount code: NAUTI  

hustle & bustle

Tis the season! The shopping...the parties...the food & drink. We love the hustle & bustle and the holiday buzz!

We also love the stories of the where and why our customers choose the chart or map they do. It's the gift we receive by making these custom pieces. The memories...the places...the stories. 

Celebrate this year with a custom gift that shows the story of a memory shared.   enjoy FREE standard shipping with discount code: freeship14

true north? or false...

"Man, you thought latitude and longitude was rough, just check out this declination stuff!

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that your compass doesn't work quite right. It doesn't really point to the north pole or the south pole.

Not only that, next year it will point someplace different than it does this year! And, someday it may be completely backwards!"

Maybe this is why I can't find my way!!

Read more on magnetic declination & true north: http://www.compassdude.com/compass-declination.shtml

a little help from our friends

As a growing business, we're asking for a little help from our friends! We'd love for more followers on our social media! 

Please join us...and ask your friends to also. We have fun promotions, give-aways and always updating our product list! Social media links can be found on our page www.notfornavigation.com

Or connect with us here:

yacht bottle carrier

What fun is yachting without some adult beverages?  If you're like my friends and I in Miami, you'll need a sturdy tote to carry all those bottles!

My friend in Miami, also one of NFN's largest fans, has a tote with her favorite area, the Exumas in the Bahamas. I thought she would use it as a beach bag...I should have known better. She used it as a "yacht bottle carrier"!!  I know you're thinking...how many bottles of wine can one carry in our clip close tote?

 10! She carried them "nicely gathered up and down the pier" ...and then stuffed it with jugs of Fireball!  

They know how to party in the little latitudes for sure!

coastal living

Whether you live on the coast, or miles from the sea, a nautical accent is always charming. Decorated with your favorite destination, the pillows are a conversation piece and a place to rest your head and dream on the memory it captures.

4 pillow styles to choose from and any area you want! Areas featured here:

Tortola, BVI, Dominican Republic, Seal Beach, CA and Nantucket

let me be free to travel the world

Anyone get the travel bug in the fall?? I do!

Sometimes travel isn't always an option. Nautical charts and maps of your favorite places as decoration on a pillow, accessory, or tote are a great way to keep the light at the end of the tunnel! At a glance the image of an area can quickly send you to your happy place :)

These make great gifts for anyone who wants to be free...traveling the world...but just can't get away.

miami heat

It's mid-August... rainy.. and raw on Cape Ann. Days like this I wish I lived in Miami.

But since I don't, I use my Miami tote bag so I can carry my things and dream of going to South Beach.  Or of sailing Biscayne Bay where my dear friend in the little latitudes pointed out to me that last night, she was where the "N" is in Biscayne Bay! Just one more awesome thing about the chart bags...the memories they hold!

So...on this dreary day...my Miami chart bag will turn up the heat while I day dream of warm ocean breeze, salt water hair, hot sand between my toes, and a super cold cocktail.

a map of a differnt color

We are constantly expanding our product line & the maps and chart designs we offer. Here is a sample of a request we received today for the Berry Islands in...guess where...the BAHAMAS!!!

bahamas is the word this week!

I think its a sign... we are meant to visit the Bahamas. We would love a new account in the Exumas! A very dear friend from Miami, who knows how to live more than anyone I've ever met in my life, says that when you fly into the Exumas, the view of the ocean, islands, and sand looks like god took his bare finger and painted swirls of heaven in the ocean. Whether you believe in god or not, if that doesn't make you want to fly into the Bahamas, then I don't know what will!

Here is a view on a yacht in the Exumas... sporting our nautical chart pillows, of course.

greatest place on earth?

Our latest Facebook Monday give-away - a St. John tote. Some of the initial comments:

"This is my favorite place on earth."

"Best island in the Caribbean!! Perfect choice for the best bag!!"

"My favorite vacation place ever! Whole family happy there!"

This is what makes Not For Navigation so special! You can design any of our products with a nautical chart or map of where ever you think is the greatest place on earth!

how much can you stuff?

sneak peek of ALL the stuff in this wristlet!

Every time I empty the smallest of my purses, I am always amazed at how much stuff I can squeeze in there! One of Not For Navigation's biggest fans, and the ultimate "bag lady" shared how much "stuff" she stuffed into her nautical chart writslet. Share with us how much you can fit into any of your Not For Navigation purses or totes!