Ansley (left) and Gaby (right) accessorize their bohemian brunch style with sangria

My friend recently invited me to Sunday brunch at Quartyard, which was hosting a vinyl pop up shop. Her husband was DJing the event to promote their record store, Normal Records. I’m not one to pass up a good brunch, so I didn’t hesitate to RSVP yes.

While digging into my chicken and waffles, I started taking in the scene. My eyes wandered to the DJ stand, where a couple of girls browsing records were adorned in free flowing dresses. They were the absolute accessory to flowing mimosas, I thought, so I struck up a conversation about their dressy yet casual brunch-wear.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ansley, an email marketing coordinator from Encinitas, wore a crisp white cotton maxi dress from Abercrombie & Fitch (around $45). She expressed her own surprise at the shopping find, “They kind of upped their game, and they always have sales.”

To go with her day in downtown, she added a vintage long strap purse (a hand-me-down from a friend’s grandmother) and brown wide strap leather sandals she bought years ago from Kork-Ease (around $100). “They’re still holding up — they’ve been through water and dirt, and all kinds of things.”

Ansley’s fellow vinyl enthusiast and good friend, Gaby (also 27) was visiting from Orange County where she works as a social media consultant. Her multi-patterned bell sleeve tunic dress was a purchase from Billabong (around $30), while her sandals were thrifted from Buffalo Exchange (around $20-30).

Gaby styled her outfit with gold dangling sea shell earrings and pink oversized cat eye sunglasses from MVMT. “I got them since I’m a brand ambassador.”

I asked the ladies to share their style gurus with me. Gaby answered with ease, “Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Richie — kind of like that vibe. Boho chic, when I want to be chic.”

Ansley took a few moments, “I don’t really have a style icon I don’t think...” She pondered. Gaby interjected on her behalf, and offered “Stevie Nicks.” To which Ansley nodded in agreement, “I do love Stevie Nicks.”

As if reminded of a Fleetwood Mac song, Ansley recalled another favorite fashion muse. “I really love this company called Spell & The Gypsy Collective,” she gushed, “They’re in Australia but they’re so bohemian dreamy!”