Across the Pond

And...I'm off to Ireland! I'll be back on the blog in a few days once I am settled in my new apartment with Andrew :) In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram, as I'll be updating as much as I can when I have wifi on my phone.

See you across the pond!

A Little Mint

{What I'm Wearing: Mint Top—Ruche (shop), Skirt—Anthropologie "Circle the Globe Skirt" (similar), Cameo Necklace—vintage, Mint Watch—Anthropologie "Viscid Watch" (shop), Flats—Steve Madden (similar)}

This mint striped top has been one of my favorites this summer. Loose and breezy, it has been the perfect piece to throw over a pair of denim shorts and run out the door. But today, I felt like dressing it up a little more, so I paired it with one of my favorite old skirts that I rediscovered while packing for Ireland. And I tossed my Anthro watch into the whole ensemble for good measure, since you can't really go wrong with a little (more) mint.

If you're interested (I don't blame you if you're not), I wore this outfit yesterday to run a few little last minute errands for my trip. And by little errands I mean doing some important bank paperwork that I conveniently avoided until 3 days before I leave the country. The whole ordeal took about three hours, so I got really bored and took this picture. Then I came home, began packing, got really overwhelmed by the fact that nothing is going to fit in my suitcase, and then went to Target and bought knee-high boot socks to make myself feel better.

How was your Tuesday?

Big Debut

{What I'm Wearing: Dress—H&M (similar), Necklace—Forever 21 (similar),

Watch—Michael Kors (similar) Handbag—vintage, Boots—Target (shop)}

And...here is my first official post with pictures from my new DSLR!  I'm so happy with how they turned out and was excited that I knew enough about my camera to instruct Andrew on how to use it. All those hours locked up in my room reading that manual seemed to have paid off!

Anyway, these pictures were taken before Andrew took me out for a (very early) birthday dinner at a new Italian restaurant that I have been wanting to try all summer. Even though we will be together for my birthday in Ireland, it's sort of a tradition for us to go out for my birthday when we are both back home. Plus, it was a great excuse for me to wear my lace shift dress that I recently snagged at H&M for $15! I was instantly drawn to this dress because it has a very retro feel to it and I loved the cut. While I am always tempted to belt shift dresses (proof) and I actually did earlier in the day when I wore it to my internship, I'm glad I wore it unbelted because it felt a little dressier and I didn't have to awkwardly loosen my belt buckle after our meal. Always a good thing.

Rocket Science

{Top—Anthropologie "Stripes of Citrus Boatneck" (shop), Necklace—vintage (similar), Shorts—Joe's Jeans}

So...I sold both my kidneys and bought a DSLR camera. However, having only ever used a cheap point-and-shoot, my transition into DSLR-land has been a bit more difficult than expected. Above is the only picture that sort of came out from my first attempt at doing self timer on my new SLR.

Seriously people. I stayed up until 2am last night reading my new camera manual and doing test shots in my room and I'm still clueless. And I have come to the extremely educated conclusion that photography is like rocket science—just without the complicated physics and large aerodynamic aircrafts...

Trendy

{Lace Top—Anthropologie "Devin Henley" (shop), Cargo Pants—Nordstrom BP (similar),

Necklace—Dogeared (shop), Watch—DKNY (similar), Flats—Anthropologie}

Whenever I wear these pants, I like to pair them with a more feminine top and accessories to contrast the slightly masculine cargo seaming. As strange of a combination as this is, I'd like to think that the two opposing elements complement each other rather than clash. Plus, I'm always happy with an outfit when I get to wear something that I thought had gone out of style (*cough cargo pants cough*) only to find that they are actually coming back with a vengeance! I may have bought these pants in the juniors' section of Nordstrom like three years ago but, if you ask me, they look identical to this pair from Anthro...

And now for the burning question: at what point will spandex gaucho pants and velour tracksuits come back in style? Because once they make a comeback, I'll pretty much have the trendiest wardrobe ever...

A Very Early Birthday

{What I'm Wearing: Top—Forever 21, Jacket—Anthropologie "Openwork Army Jacket" (shop // remixed),

Skirt—Anthropologie "Sunblaze Lace Skirt" (shop // remixed), Necklace—vintage, Wedges—Cathy Jean (similar)}

I wore this ensemble out to dinner with Andrew and my family for a very early birthday celebration since I'm leaving for Ireland in two weeks, and my actual birthday isn't until later in September. To play down the color of this fancy (but surprisingly comfortable!) lace skirt, I decided to throw my favorite army jacket over my outfit. I'm not sure what it is about this jacket, but there is something surprisingly versatile about it that makes it great for day or night. Plus, its a nice alternative to my infamous chambray...

P.S. If you are interested in what I have been up to at my internship, you can check out the most recent segment of Breakfast at Ruche where we show you how to style two day-to-night looks with a few key Ruche pieces and interview our stylist, Mara :)

I Workout?

{What I'm Wearing: Baseball Tee—Madewell, Boyfriend Jeans—AG "Cuffed Tomboy" (shop),

Watch—Michael Kors (similar), Flats—Anthropologie, Handbag—Anthropologie (similar)}

Maybe if I wear a baseball tee people will think I'm sporty...

Hollywood Forever

{Blouse—Anthropologie "Tulip Lace Shell" (remixed), Maxi Skirt: Kaitlyn Clothing (remixed), Straw Fedora—university store (remixed), Earrings—Nordstrom, Belt—Nordstrom, Satchel—Anthropologie}

Before you stop following my blog because you realize my photos are taken in a cemetery...READ ON! Last Sunday, Andrew and I were fortunate enough to go to the Sigur Rós concert at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Sigur Rós is one of Andrew's all-time favorite bands, so I bought tickets for us to go for his birthday a few months back. The venue was really cool, and it was so weird to see the gravestones of so many classic Hollywood stars. Mr. Alfred Hitchcock is behind me in all my photos...

P.S. Other than the amazing music and the fun picnic we set up before the show, the highlight of my night was making eye contact with Joseph Gordon-Levitt on my way to the port-a-potties. He saw me staring at him and smiled back. It. Was. Awesome. 

The most important part of this photo is that it was taken by the actor who plays Kurt's dad on Glee.

And that is my claim to fame...The End!

Off the Shoulder

{What I'm Wearing: Top—Urban Outfitters (remixed), Jeans—It! Jeans (remixed),

Earrings—Anthropologie (shop), Satchel—Anthropologie (similar), Sandals—Target (shop)}

I'm usually not one for showing much skin when I dress (well...ignore this post) but when I do, I love to wear off the shoulder tops—there is something about them that is so effortlessly chic. To show off the dramatic neckline of this breezy top, I decided to throw my hair up in a top knot and add some dangly earrings. I absolutely love its unique print, and I think I like it a lot better with white jeans rather than the blue denim I wore with it last time.

Anyway, I wore this casual summer outfit to brunch with Andrew at Eat Chow, before we headed out for a day of shopping. Believe it or not, this shopping day was for Andrew, not me. So naturally, Andrew had been looking forward to our outing for weeks!!! (kidding...) However, I certainly had some fun giving styling advice and helping him choose some nice warm clothes for Ireland. Who would have thought shopping for someone else could be so fun!? Perhaps I'll take up personal shopping as one of my many side jobs when I graduate...

20 Days of Summer

{What I'm Wearing: Dress—Anthropologie "Silken Pathways Dress", Chambray—Urban Outfitters (shop), Earrings—Anthropologie (shop), Satchel—Anthropologie (similar), Booties—Target (shop)}

Last week, Andrew and I had plans to go see Red at the Mark Taper Forum in LA (which by the way...was amazing and I'm so glad Andrew insisted on getting tickets or I would have never gone!). Since we haven't been to LA since school ended, we decided to make a little day trip out of it and spent some time in Downtown before the play. Luckily, the Mark Taper Forum just so happens to be right around the corner from our favorite eatery, The Pie Hole, so we had an early dinner there and ate our weight in key lime and apple pie. We then had a couple of hours to kill, so we ventured over to Angels Knoll park (somewhere I have been bugging Andrew to visit with me for the past two years!) to ride the trolley and visit the 500 Days of Summer bench. 

The story behind this photo as told in four parts: 1. Wait for random tourists to get off the bench (they were there for 45 minutes) 2. See the tourists leave and run downhill in heeled boots to claim the bench 3. Wait 15 minutes to find people that didn't look like they would steal our camera to walk by (just as we were about to give up, a young couple about our age walked by and we asked them and then offered to take their picture) 4. A very happy Melina (and an indifferent Andrew).

P.S. Please excuse the punny blog post title, but the countdown begins. I officially have 20 days left of summer in America. Eek!

Feeling Sentimental: One Year Blogiversary

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Today marks the one year anniversary of The Caffeinated Closet! On one hand, it's hard to believe I have been documenting my outfits and little bits of my life and love for a whole year now. However, on the other hand, I almost can't remember what it was like before I started this little blog. When I began blogging last summer, I wanted a place to document my personal style and share my love for fashion (and coffee) with others. But, it has become so much more. It may seem silly, but this blog has become a huge part of my life and is definitely very important to me. When I started college and left my "involved" high school life behind, I struggled to find my place. Writing this blog has allowed me something to claim as my own and has given me a little sense of purpose. Not only has blogging helped build my own confidence in both fashion and writing, it has also helped me develop and discover my future career goals. Had you asked me last summer where I saw myself after graduation I would have begrudgingly mumbled "law school." But today, thanks to the new world of media that blogging has opened me up to, I can confidently say I hope to be doing something fashion-related in social media/marketing after college.

While I'm not sure what direction this blog will take in the next year, I am definitely excited to see where it goes. I plan to keep documenting my life through my outfits, and also hope to add more elements of cooking and travel while I study abroad in Ireland this fall. Finally, I want to thank everyone who has followed me on my blogging adventure—you have all encouraged and supported me in more ways than you know.

So...here's to another year of blogging!

xo,
Melina

Cookbook: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Ever since I came across this pin on Pinterest, I had been dreaming about making (and eating) these healthy and delicious oatmeal chocolate chip pancakes—two very good things in one place! So last Saturday, Andrew and I decided to make some breakfast together and adapt our own (and slightly less vegan) version of this pancake recipe from the Minimalist Baker. 

Ingredients

1 ripe medium banana

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

a pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon almond butter

1 Tablespoon canola oil

3 Tablespoons almond milk

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup flour

3 Tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

(I tried to use less...but Andrew added in the third tablespoon!)

Instructions

Preheat a skillet to medium heat or about 300-325 degrees.

Mash your very ripe banana with baking powder.

Add egg, oil, salt, vanilla, almond butter, almond milk and stir.

Stir in oats and flour until just combined.

Sprinkle in chocolate chips and fold gently.

Scoop scant 1/4 cup measurements onto lightly greased griddle.

Cook for 2-4 minutes on each side – until golden brown.

Serve with syrup (organic maple for Andrew, Aunt Jemima's sugary goodness for me)

And...voilà! The recipe made eight small pancakes that we split, and they tasted great with and without the syrup. The banana also gave them a yummy and moist texture, and next time I might even add another half since I love bananas so much ♥

P.S. Since Andrew and I will be living in an apartment together this fall, you might see more cookbook posts as we start (attempting) to learn how to cook together!

Have a great weekend :)