Summer Sequins

{Cardigan—Anthropologie "Alpheratz Sweater", Striped Tank—Forever 21 (similar), Boyfriend Jeans—

AG "Cuffed Tomboy" (shop // remixed), Belt—H&M, Satchel—Anthropologie, Wedges—Cathy Jean}

Brace yourself...I'm about to go on one of my rants where I brag about what a good deal I got at Anthropologie and do an imaginary little sale dance. So, if you're not okay with this, then stop reading here. Okay here goes...

I found this lovely little sequin number in the return bin at work for $9.95 and it was love at first sparkle! Yes, I'll admit, I definitely would not have paid the steep $178 for this bold statement piece. But, for 10 dollars, I managed to convince myself it was okay to wear bright sequins in the middle of summer with jeans and wedges. Perhaps the people that gave me funny looks at my local Starbucks while I was on my way to my internship might say otherwise. But, for now, I'm standing by my bold wardrobe choice and now broadcasting it on my blog so the whole world (aka my 300 readers) can see how sparkly I am.

New motto: If my outfit manages to reflect enough sunlight to blind someone or make them look away...then it's been a good day.

P.S. These photos were taken by my bff Hayley (we did a little double blog photoshoot), who has recently started her own blog Old, New, & Something Blue! Hop on over and say hello :)

Almost Native

{What I'm Wearing: Maxi Dress—Target (similar), Scarf—Anthropologie "Arno Scarf" (shop // remixed),

Lace Bandeau—Urban Outfitters (shop), Earrings—Nordstrom BP, Satchel—Anthropologie, Sandals—Target}

Andrew and I finally made it to the beach this weekend. Unfortunately, I was slightly unprepared and didn't bring a bathing suit or sunscreen. So, it was just me...sitting on a beach towel in a black maxi dress...using my scarf as a shawl to prevent my shoulders from being burned.

Needless to say, I probably brought dishonor to my native So-Cal roots. Oh well, perhaps the sun just isn't for me ... but my white legs might tell you otherwise.

Shop The Caffeinated Closet!

I have finally started a major closet clean-up as I am gearing up for my trip to Ireland! I have many items that are in great condition, but I don't wear anymore either because they are too small or my style and preferences have changed. On my Shop My Closet page I have posted eighteen items for sale and all of them are either $5, $10, $15, or $20 and are from great stores like Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, and Target!

All the information is available on the page, but just in case you don't want to read...simply email me at thecaffeinatedcloset(at)gmail(dot)com if you are interested in purchasing any of the items and I will tell you what to do!

Click the image below to start shopping!

Polka Dot Blues

{Dress—Ruche (shop), Cardigan—Nordstrom BP, Belt—Nordstrom, Boots—Anthropologie}

In case you haven't already noticed...I've kind of got a thing for polka dots ♥  

Have a great weekend :)

The Races

{What I'm Wearing: Dress—Anthropologie (similar), Chambray—Forever 21 (similar), Flower Broach—DIY

(similar), Belt—Nordstrom, Watch—Anthropologie (shop), Satchel—Anthropologie, Wedges—Jessica Simpson}

Minus a big floppy hat, the whole day I felt like I looked ready to go to the horse races. There is just something about a white summer dress that feels very feminine and Southern. Another part of my horse race look may have had to do with my big floral broach that I made last week with scrap fabric, a button, and a safety pin (along with some simple sewing). In case you follow me on Instagram...I have been getting crafty all week as you can see here and here :)

Happy Thursday!

Like New

{What I'm Wearing: Top—Anthropologie, Cardigan—Nordstrom BP (shop),

Jeans—It! Jeans (similar), Bag—vintage, Sandals—Target (shop)}

This top is one of those pieces that I absolutely love, but it somehow found its way to the bottom of my dresser...and stayed there...for two years. The last documented photo I have of me wearing this top was on Move-In day my freshman year of college. Yep...I've got all the awkwardly posed pictures in front of my car to prove it.

However, if you follow me on Instagram you know that I recently posted this picture in which I organized and folded pretty much everything that has been hiding in my drawers for the past two years. And that, my friends, is when I re-discovered this gem (along with other wonderfully forgotten pieces).

So starting now, you should be seeing a lot of older pieces in my outfits as I (attempt) to shop my own closet and save for Ireland! I'm not saying it's going to be easy...but I'm really really trying.

Mint or Seafoam?

{What I'm Wearing: Dress—Ruche (similar // remixed), Cardigan—Nordstrom BP (shop),

Earrings—Anthropologie (similar) Handbag—vintage, Heels—Seychelles}

The morning I was wearing this ensemble, I went to the Apple store to get my laptop fixed (for the fourth time in a week...it was an ordeal but it is finally up and running again!) and I was approached by a guy working at the store. He asked me with a straight face "So I have an important question for you...would you consider your cardigan to be mint or seafoam?" Awkward me obviously didn't know what to say, so I just congratulated him on his extensive color knowledge.

Either that is the weirdest way I have ever been hit on, or I just found my newest tech-savvy shopping buddy...

Free Spirit

{What I'm Wearing: Blouse—Brandy Melville (shop // remixed),

Maxi Skirt—Nordstrom BP (similar), Earrings—Anthropologie (shop)}

Even though I'm an Anthropologie/Ruche girl at heart...a part of me wishes my style was a bit more laid-back a la Free People. So every once in a while, I swap my structured cardigan and high-waisted skirt for an off the shoulder blouse and maxi skirt, and I feel all free and bohemian for those 12 hours. And then, like clockwork, I wake up the next morning and immediately reach for my favorite cardigan, falling back into my classic and familiar style.

So, here's to those exceptions—those days where you wake up and just feel like playing dress-up :)

Pastel Stripes

{Cardigan—Nordstrom (shop), Camisole—LOFT (similar), Boyfriend Jeans—Anthropologie (shop // remixed),

Handbag—vintage, Mint Watch—Anthropologie "Viscid Watch" (shop), Heels—Steven Madden}

A light summer cardigan + slouchy jeans + heels = the perfect outfit for a relaxing date involving chow mein, fortune cookies, and Redbox :)

P.S. for those of you who love mint...Anthropologie just restocked this gem.

Have a great weekend!

Limbo

{What I'm Wearing: Polo—H&M, Cardigan—Anthropologie (remixed),

Skirt—Anthropologie (shop similar) Pearls—vintage, Flats—Anthropologie}

About halfway through summer every year, I start dreaming about fall styles and clothing. So, naturally, I begin to create autumn-inspired outfits in the middle of July without even realizing it. This outfit perfectly exemplifies the weird seasonal style limbo I have been in these past few weeks.

Let's call it my "back-to-(summer)-school" look...

Our Spot

{Maxi Dress—Ruche (shop), Jacket—Anthropologie "Openwork Army Jacket" (shop // remixed),

Scarf—H&M (shop similar), Belt—H&M, Bracelet—vintage, Handbag—vintage, Sandals—Target (shop similar)}

I got this dress from Ruche about a month or so ago, and had been waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it out (as I've mentioned before...I tend to do that a lot). Finally, last weekend, Andrew and I both had some time off and we were able to go to our favorite little Italian restaurant for the first time this summer. So, being the fashion nerd that I am, I got really excited that I finally had something to get dressed up for! As always, we had fun walking around and looking at all the cute family-owned shops before dinner. And together, we demolished two full bread baskets, a pizza, and a big pasta dish...it was a dream come true.

I think it's funny we have been going to the same restaurant in that part of town (we refuse to try anything else) since the very beginning of our relationship. What can I say....we are creatures of habit and we love our spot.

 And if you were wondering, that's Andrew...looking all classy and nautical and stuff.