Reader Request: Anthropologie Alternatives

Saying that Anthropologie is a cool store is as obvious as saying the sky is blue and water is wet.  I love wandering around longingly touching dresses I can't afford, and therein lies the problem.  This week I got an email from Kristi, who asked that I look for places that sell dresses of similar style to Anthropologie, but with lower prices.  As she pointed out, $298 for a dress is out of reach for many.  But what a cool looking dress it is...

Anthropologies has a pretty unique aesthetic, which is why they're so successful.  However, I think the most obvious source for similar style is Modcloth.  Here are some options that offer the same playful, graphic look.
Any Which Way Dress
Aftershock Dress
Unexpected Twist Dress

If Modcloth doesn't offer what you're looking for, you should check out Ruche, a similar site with a slightly girlier feel.  

Tropical Getaway Halter

European Escapade Dress

If an almost endless selection doesn't scare you away, you should check out British retailer Asos, who just started shipping to the states.  There is a huge array of prices points, from $50 to $500 among hundreds of dresses.
Forever Unique One Shoulder Dress (ok, not much cheaper than Anthro, but I liked it)

Asos Premium Chiffon Dress w/ Velvet Trim

Next, you can head over to Shabby Apple for some vintage inspired options that sometimes have an Anthro-style quirk
Baja Dress
Champs Elysees Dress (Looks nothing like the inspiration, but I love it)

For more Anthro style dresses, check out Tulle, Topshop, and (sometimes) French Connection. Hopefully this was helpful!

What to Wear - Rehearsal Dinner, Part 2

After I posted about rehearsal dinner outfit options last week, I got an email asking that I continue the post and show some options for brides who want to wear white.  I think it's a great choice and there are lots of options to choose from this year.  However, I learned an important lesson last year and want everyone to learn from my mistake - buy the dress now.  Don't wait.  The selection will only get smaller from here. 

My wedding was in September and I didn't even think about rehearsal outfits until about a month before when all the floaty spring dresses had gone on clearance and only size 2's were left.  In the end I had to go with emerald green and pretend I never wanted white at all.  So, even if your wedding is not for many months, or you just think you'd want to have a white dress in your closet, you should consider these dresses before they are gone.


Lands End Canvas Empire Waist Dress

Ralph Lauren Apple Sleeveless Dress (via Macys, on sale)

Modcloth Eyelet It Be Dress
Modcloth Art Collector Dress

Ruche Purely Pretty Dress

Now, I'm off to be matron of honor in my sister's wedding.  Everyone have a great weekend!  Happy Shopping!

Like Cardigan Junkie?

If you haven't heard, I'm on a major mission to increase readership on this blog.  I've focused so much on creating quality posts this past year that I haven't made time for promoting the site until now (I should know better, I work in Marketing).  That said, I've reached out to some bloggers who are newer at this and have three times the readership, and they recommend that I simply ask you all to help get the word out.

So, this is me asking that if you're a CJ reader, please look to your right and follow the blog via Google Friend Connect or like Cardigan Junkie on Facebook.  If you're so inclined, I'd also appreciate it if you share the posts you enjoy.

And as always, if you have any requests or suggestions, send me a note!  I love hearing from you and writing what you want to read!

Cheers,
Haley

Store You'll Love - Burke Decor

As you know, I love me a new source for home decor.  I recently discovered a great company called Burke Decor (yesterday) and I am hooked.  The selection skews modern, but there are tons of name brand items in a huge array of price points.   It's odd to scroll through and see a $980 end table next to a $9 tray, but I don't mind. 

Here are some of my favorite things that I clipped in about 10 minutes of browsing around.  Can you tell I'm wanting more global chic items in my life?

I think my favorites are the Jill Rosenwald rug, the Plum Pretty Sugar robes, and the square Ashton mirror.

And also there is wallpaper.  Tons and tons of wallpaper.  Over 1,000 options in the modern geometric range alone.  Happy shopping!

Spring line I'm Loving: Elle at Kohl's

As I mentioned earlier this month, I'm on a quest to grow my wardrobe to include more than knitwear.  I want blouses and pattern and skirts.  Easy, right?  The hitch in my grand plan is that I'm a cheapskate.  Enter Kohl's.

I was in the store lately to pick up a wedding gift and passed through the Women's department to see what Lauren Conrad is up to.  It was there I spotted a line that I hadn't noticed before: Elle.  Yes, like the magazine.  The clothes are girly but not in a juvenile way, and they're actually pretty nicely made.  I got the blouse below and it's my new favorite to wear under cardigans and will get a lot of action this summer as well.  And it's only $16.99!  (That's totally how I stand when I wear it...)

I'm heading back to check out some of the other items and put my store credit to good use!  I'm planning to try out the yellow ruffled blouse, aviator glasses, and black ruffled jacket.  What pieces do you like?

I'm Haley, and I'm addicted to spray paint. (DIY Mirror and Frame Makeover)

Ok, so I'm not addicted to spray paint in that I huff it in my backyard or anything.  Rather, I've recently discovered the wonders that a $4 can of paint can bring to my old things... or new things for that matter.

Not long ago I posted about my new clover mirrors from Target.  They came black with red marks on the edges, and I decided that they'd fit better in my house if they were silver.  Emboldened by my recent lamp painting project, I decided to go for it.  It took almost an entire can of paint, but I daresay they look a lot better now in my guest room. (Now I wish I'd bought three... oh well)

With the remainder of my can of paint, I decided to transform two picture frames I've had for years so they can join the silver frame grouping that's underway in my bedroom.

Before:

After:

Now I'm itching for something else to paint.  Jenn at Peas and Crayons just transformed some $1 Michael's frames with her can of paint and I may start on those next!

48 Lovely things.... via Beso.com

In the event that you're a fan of the mid-centry modern style, you should head over to Beso.com and check out this group of 48 items that just made me smile

Modern Vintage at Beso

P.S. I am not being paid for this post... I just like the site. 

Etsy Roundup!

Not gonna lie... I couldn't think of anything great to write about today.  After twenty minutes of aimless internet surfing, I decided to go with an old standby.  It's been a while since I've posted an Etsy round-up and since then, my list of Favorites has grown to include the shops below.  Check them out and share your favorite shops in the comments!

The Wallaroo
I just bought the teal print below to integrate into a collage of frames I'm making in my bedroom.  My husband is a software developer and my job is pretty techie as well, so it took me all of five seconds to click buy. 

 

Leah Duncan

I found this shop through another blog and Etsy seller, Tilly Maison.  I love the series of bird prints in this shop right now, and that the artist is a fellow Texan.  She also has textiles and scarves.

 

Tilly Maison

Speaking of Tilly Maison, her painted lucite trays have been featured all over the interweb and I would love to own one.  My current favorite is the cobalt blue striped version.

Valentina Design
I bought a set of the "She believed she could so she did" notecards for the girls in my life, and am also digging the intricate prints in this shop.

Feruto Bags
My husband and I share an iPad, so that means the case can't be too girly.  I'm loving the simple felt and leather designs in this shop.

I suggest...

Not living without these three things.  This post is part of a contest over at veryloveleigh and I thought it was fun and something I'd write anyway.

 

1. Macbook:  I made the switch about a year ago and haven't looked back.  I still have to use a PC as work and it makes me love my little white Macbook more and more each day.  

2. A big, chic purse:  I think every woman needs a great big bag that looks luxurious and can be carried to work and on trips and everywhere in between.  I couldn't find a picture of my bag, a large black Cole Haan tote (from the outlet, of course) but I am dying to get one of the Madison satchels from Coach since they last forever.

3. Weiner dogs:  My dachshund, Charlie, is a black and tan but I liked this picture since it shows how athletic these little guys can be.  I've had a dachshund since I was 6 and probably always will.  They are little cuddle bugs and completely devoted to their person of choice.

Head over to Leigh's blog and check out her suggestions and add some of your own.  What can't you live without?

Store You'll Love - Nadeau: Furniture With a Soul

I always get really excited when I find a new store with unique offerings that aren't overpriced (no lamp is worth $2400 if all it does it light up).  I recently found a great source for furniture called Nadeau Furniture With a Soul, which imports furniture from India and Asia and then sells it out of warehouses and stores throughout the country.  The quality is great and many of the pieces are made to resemble what's popular in the US that year.  Overall, the aesthetic is definitely more funky than modern but a lot of the pieces could be integrated into a variety of rooms.

So far there are locations in the following cities, and you can visit each site to view photos of the items for sale:

• Birmingham
• Buckhead
• Charleston
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Houston
• Huntsville
• Jacksonville
• Marietta
• Miami
• Minneapolis
• Nashville
• New Orleans
• New York
• Savannah
• West Hollywood

To give you an idea of what you can find, here are some of the offerings I liked best in the Dallas store.  And just for fun, nothing shown is over $400:

Happy shopping!