orangebeach.

Went on a much needed vacation last week to the beach. It was everything a beach trip is supposed to be.....seafood, sunshine, shopping. I came back rejuvenated and relaxed. It really was exactly what I needed, no matter how cliche that sounds.

This was the view from our balcony.

lazy river = most brilliant invention ever.

We went out to a fancy dinner one night so I decided to clean myself up a bit.

Dress: Anthropologie (as seen here)

Shoes: Moda via Stein Mart

Scarf: Banana Republic Outlet

Earrings: gift via Etsy

Sunglasses: Chanel

I did work on my tan quite a bit, and by that I mean sit in a beach chair with my face buried in The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest, in a giant hat, and plenty of sunscreen. I walked along the beach too...picking up shells and squeamishly running from crabs and sting rays close to the shore. I'm not so good around ocean animals with claws and such who are easily agitated. You can call me a baby, I call it smart. I mean haven't you seen that commercial..."We know more about the moon than the ocean". Enough said.

Dress: Forever 21

Swimsuit: Sand N Sun via my aunt

Flip Flops: Target

Hat: Scala

Sunglasses: RayBan

Bag: I bought this from a street vendor in Venice.

I love this reusable shopping bag and it packs down to the size of a tiny ball. It was an impulse purchase but I've used it a ton. It was quite useful at the end of my 3 week trip to Europe when the wine bottles procured would just no longer fit into my giant overpacked bag. Since then I've used it as a purse, an over night bag, for the groceries...and now a beach bag.

I bet you were wondering what's in it.

Beach Towel

Water Bottle

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm

Apple

Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunscreen SPF 70+

Amazon Kindle w/ case

Shells

Shortly after my beachbumness was captured for all of Meep to see...I was meet with this. I had just gotten settled in the sun when in rushed in and ruined it all. It was the last day and such a bummer.

I still had an awesome time. I'm pretty easy to please though. Any trip that takes me to a town with an outlet mall is okay by me. Here's a sneak peak of some of the finds I scored. Bargain shopping. What a rush.

(Calvin Klein panties are where it's at ladies. Get some.)

update.

so i haven't posted anything lately because i was away on vacation. i had a wonderful, relaxing time but the real world comes crashing back pretty fast once it comes to an end. but i'm not thinking about that now because the pretty things are so much more interesting. first things first, i'd like to introduce you to the newest member of my shoe family. i got these at the outlet mall for, wait for it, $19.99. such a great price i gave myself a little imaginary pat on the back as i walked out the door.

aren't the precious? it was love at first sight.

in other news i got these cute wedges during tax free weekend from Banana Republic right before we left. on sale from $120.00 to $18.97, one pair left---IN MY SIZE, and tax free! obviously not an opportunity i could pass up.

this is my kinda-new brown leather, gold studded, Joe's clutch that i carried for the majority of the time i was away. it has all sorts of nifty pockets inside and i just love it! it came with a strap too but i've been mostly using it as a clutch.

for most of the vacation i was dressed only in a large hat, swimsuit, and a lot of SPF but i did manage to get myself dressed a few times. here's what wore (like you really care...).

pink deep-v jersey dress from tjmaxx

gold wedges from nine west outlet

beaded necklace from express

razorback maxi dress from burlington coat factory

white necklace from the thrift store

sliver gladiator sandals from ross (not pictured, but trust me you don't want to see them...they're falling apart)

black tie-dyed dress from forever21

black patent peep toe heels by jessica simpson

(sporting my new glasses!)

'80s black purse from the thrift store

my new pink ruffled monokini from target

blue cotton skirt from american apparel

seen here wearing pretty much my only pair of flip flops. I HATE FLIP FLOPS!

vintage levi jean vest from the thrift store

run dmc tee from tjmaxx

red cotton pencil skirt from american apparel

black studded gladiators from tjmaxx

white wayfarers by rayban

after taking this picture my boyfriend says to me, "ok we need to take another one and this time try not to mean-mug the camera." i do look ridiculous but in my defense i don't think i was ready...but his honesty is always appreciated and he's usually right.