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Fashion / Shopping Guides

WHAT I WORE: Drinks & Dinner in Laguna Beach

A “new” outfit for $70 does the trick

So I had all kinds of plans to splurge on a birthday outfit for Saturday night, but when it came down to it, I decided I’d rather buy a piece of furniture! Sad, after all that build up, right?

I did end up finding these super cute shorts on clearance at Urban Outfitters, so had no guilt about buying shorts at the tail end of summer for $20. Paired with a silk Joie top from last year, a JCrew chunky gold chain necklace from a friend, some (really) old fave KORS wedges and Tom Ford sunglasses, I was able to pull something together that was somewhat fitting for the night’s festivities. Since I had been wanting one of those blog-ified American Apparel leather pouches forever, I got one of those too in taupe so that I’ll get plenty of use out of it for the Fall. The end result…

And just in case you wanted to do a little shopping too:

[ sunglasses | shorts | top | pouch | necklace | wedges]

The night ended up being a blast despite some major service issues at the restaurant — but a party of 16 can be a tad chaotic. Luckily, I have fantastic and adaptable friends!

And thank you all again for hanging with my guest bloggers last week in my absence. It was a nice break, but funny, I did feel kinda bad that I wasn’t contributing to all the fabulousness going around in blog-land last week. (I have problems, I know.)

Erika Brechtel

Erika's passion for guiding women to "Style Your Biz, Your Home, Your Self, Your Life" led her create 'The E List' (formerly the Small Shop blog) in 2010. Since, she's expanded globally into speaking, mentoring, course offerings, angel investing, and social entrepreneurship through the Élanoura Collective for women founders.

Reader Interactions

The Comments

  1. Chelsea says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:35 am

    Super chic! Happy birthday! And most importantly, tell us more about the furniture! xoxo

  2. Things That Sparkle says

    August 30, 2011 at 6:30 am

    Love this outfit! So impressed with the $20 purchase

  3. Jen says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:06 am

    Very cute outfit! I love that it was done on a budget. Hope you had a lovely birthday!

  4. Naomi says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:06 am

    You are too adorable. Love the shorts.

    Happy Belated birthday!!

  5. tobe | because it's awesome says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:34 am

    too cute! love this look on you!! and – girl, i would sub furniture for clothes any day. can’t wait to see it!

  6. Rebecca - A Daily Something says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:56 am

    Love what you put together…. And I know just how you feel being away from the blog world! :)

  7. Lily says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:05 am

    SO cute !! Love the whole outfit ! Glad to hear you had a fun bday :)

    xxLily
    goldandgray.com

  8. designstiles says

    August 30, 2011 at 9:01 am

    Lovely! That’s so something I would wear. I feel you, when it comes to Christmas and my birthday I’m like, I want a handbag or shoes but I also want a sofa, drapes and some expensive fabric. I think I would’ve gone your route too. Glad to have you back. : )

  9. jonalynn @ turn up the rad says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Your outfit is soooooooooo adorable. And pretty sure it’s perfectly acceptable to substitute decor for clothes. I’d totally wear my chevron rug around if I could. :))))))

    Again, thanks for including me in last week’s festivities! Glad you had a fun Birthday!

  10. Leslie says

    August 30, 2011 at 10:43 am

    You are GORGEOUS darling….love the outfit, pretty sure it would not look the same on me, but you did it right and wore it! You are beautiful Erika and so glad that your bday went well. Take care, hope to see you at Liz’s this weekend?

  11. victoria | vmac+cheese says

    August 30, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Flippin’ adorable! Gorgeous top…and so versatile with fall’s bright bottoms!

  12. elizabeth says

    August 30, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    E – you looked adorbs! I could never be that chic in the casualness of La-La land! Glad you had a blast; although we missed you tons!
    -e (modern24seven.blogspot.com)

  13. Lonely Wife Project says

    August 30, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    You are the cutest thing ever! And so glad to have you back <3

  14. Mary says

    August 31, 2011 at 6:18 am

    Oh my gosh you are just gorgeous! (as usual) : ) Love you!

  15. The Zhush says

    August 31, 2011 at 10:03 am

    Could you be any more cuter/fashionable! Happy Belated Birthday!!!

  16. bentley says

    September 2, 2011 at 9:51 am

    you look fab!! happy birthday. hope all your wishes come true.

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