Sweet & Sour

Darlings, it's that time of year again. Valentine's Day, one of the few holidays that is pretty girl-centric.
I'm in the interesting situation that I actually do have a valentine this year.
Usually me and the girls make chocolate fondue and watch a movie with a smoking hot guy and steamy plot with an award winning actor and well-developed story.

Do you think Blondie would object to chocolate fondue and Leonardo Dicaprio in Romeo and Juliet? 

In the case that he (probably) would, we'll be going out to dinner. I'm deciding between these two outfits. I guess we'll just see if I feel naughty or nice that day. 

valentines day by erind90 featuring Norma Kamali dresses

However, for all the people out there who don't have a valentine (aka me every other year) please don't sweat it, there is simply nothing as unattractive as desperation. It's a holiday about love and affection, so why not share that affection with your friends/parents/roommate/cat/yourself?

Being the self-centered indulgent Leo that I am, I tend to prefer the last one.

Erin's Indulgences for Valentine's Day

Schedule a spa appointment, nothing makes me feel better than a facial/massage/mani and pedi.

Go get a box of Godiva chocolates and a romance novel/expensive fashion magazine, then spend the night curled up next to the fire.

Open up a bottle of rose-champagne. Why? Why not?

Put on your freakem dress and go out clubbing with your girls. Go flirt with all the cute boys.

Make chocolate fondue (or other fun, unhealthy, sinfully delicious snack) and watch a steamy movie/romantic comedy with your friends

Put on some red lipstick and go out to that super fancy restaurant with a few friends (or in my case last year, my roommate. It was a bonding experience.)


Of course, I feel that these should be prescribed as often as needed, not just on Valentine's Day, but these are a few things that I have done in past years.
We've all been there, so if you have any crazy-fabulous things for the single ladies to do on Valentine's Day, shout it out in the comments.

Weekend!

As you've probably noticed posting has been a tad sporadic the past few days. Hopefully I'll be picking up on that.
But this weekend is going to involve a lot of resting, tea, and going to see Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera. I've heard it's fabulous so I'm super stoked.

Anyway, enjoy the song that's been stuck in my head all week.



Kids by MGMT

ANIMAL

I found another piece of jewelery I would very much like to add to my zoo.

Manymal necklaces

The one all the way on the right, which by the way is a sloth. I can tell you right now I would be the coolest girl on the block if I had a real sloth necklace.
Of course I would be.
If you want, you can be cool too and get one of the other ones (from left to right): bat, gorilla, bulldog.
Unfortunately for some bizarre reason there is no price or list of where I can get these necklaces on the website. But you can e-mail Markus Deibel, the artist behind these cuties. Perhaps I will email him and see what I have to do to get a sloth.

Want

Man oh man.... look at that hotness. It also comes in purple and black (my other favorite colors). I stumbled on it while browsing for my need list.
Does this count as a need?
Hell no.
Do I want it anyway?
Hell yes.

Michael Antonio Toki Pump

and guess what? It's only $66.95 with free shipping and returns from Endless.

I'm Working On It

The closet cleaning is slow going. I have a pile of clothes in the corner that I'm "sleeping" on, because I'm deciding whether I really want to part with them or not (aka if they're fitting into the new aesthetic that I'm creating). I also have a few bags that are going to Buffalo Exchange this weekend, hopefully they'll buy it and I'll be able to pick up something pretty there.

After ruthlessly editing I played around on polyvore for a while, coming up with new combinations for what's already in my closet. A few new things snuck into my polyvore's though, and I'm considering them for my wishlist.

idea 4 by erind90 featuring Forever21 tops

idea 3 by erind90 featuring Report Signature boots

idea 2 by erind90 featuring Wet Seal tops

idea 2 by erind90 featuring Three Dots dresses

idea by erind90 featuring Sam Edelman shoes

For example, I'm seriously considering those tromp l'oeil tights and the gold cuff. For some reason I'm going tromp l'oeil crazy, and bangles and bracelets just seem fresh to me right now.

I'm so over statement necklaces.

But anyway, I'll be back with my shopping list soon. (yeah, I know I just made one. But now I really must make a necessary one)

I can already tell you two things that will be on it: jeggings and a black full slip.
I'm so tired of bunches in my boots, and I have a couple dresses that I haven't worn, simply because they are indecent without a slip.
Did you know no one carries slips anymore? It's kind of ridiculous. Trust me, I looked. Maybe I'll get a pretty lacey vintage one....

What's In is Out

Thought this was a fascinating article. Apparently, the idea of what's in is finally on it's way out.
I'm not sure if this is completely accurate, since everyone can see that there is a certainly a look that is considered "in" every season.
But I do think that the idea of in style has relaxed.
I'm kind of ambivalent about this one, since while I do like observing trends I tend not to participate.
But what do you think? Has the idea of trends officially died? Are you sad to see it go?

read the full article here.

Inspire Me II

After looking to individual women, I figured I'd go trolling through my inspiration folder and see what I came up with.










Photos thanks to The Sartorialist, Street peeper, Face hunter, Style scout, and unknown.

Inspire Me

Best place for some inspiration for now is to look at then. In no particular order here are some women who's style I'm really liking, Marlene Dietrich, random stylish lady, Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel, Rachael from Blade Runner.

Its always nice to take a look at them all together and see some of the common themes. So here's what I've learned from my little exercise:

1. I don't really do color. This is not exactly a surprise, but in the past couple years a few have snuck into my closet because I felt I "needed" some color. Perhaps I'm just better suited for neutrals such as black, grey, french navy and a little white. I should focus on the texture instead of adding lots of color that I don't know what to do with.

2. I love, love a tomboyish look. Is there anything sexier than a woman in man-inspired clothes? Or you know, their boyfriend/brother/father/ guy friend's clothes? I think not.
I also like them to be a little tough. I'm not a chains, studs and shredding kind of dresser (although some girls are and they look fabulous. I just don't have the personality to go with it) but I like a stronger shoulder, a great leather jacket, a more severe cut, and some killer heels, which to me reads as a little gritty but still lady-like.

3. I like simplicity. Something simple, in rich materials, tailored perfectly is my idea of fabulousness. If it's rich, cashmere, silk, linen, even a thick jersey that makes me want to rub my face on it, it's a winner. As much as I appreciate the boho-chic aesthetic, it's just not me. I think putting on earrings AND a cocktail ring as "too much". I'm secretly a minimalist at heart.

Photos thanks to Google

Release

It's friday, let's PARTY!!





Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland

Hit the Wall

Guys, it's always hard to be on the other side of the lens. I've found that out after I switched from directing to a (brief. very brief) stint of acting, after working in my town's local television studio, and now as a writer.

I'm currently working on an article about cleaning out your closet, starting fresh, just starting over already.
And even now, as I'm sitting here looking at my wardrobe I just wish I could toss it all into a pile, douse it in gasoline, light the match, and go on the shopping spree of a lifetime.

and I just feel like I can't preach to the masses unless I'm willing to put it into practice myself.

So we're starting over people. Looking for inspiration. Drawing up a list. And perhaps making a great big trip to the Goodwill/Brooklyn Exchange.
Anyway, I thought this editorial would be a great place to start, and perhaps this song by Keyshia Cole:



Actually, these images kind of evoked this. After staring at them for a while I was wondering "why don't I look like that? I want to look like that."
Clean, crisp, but nonchalantly tossed together.
Pristine without being perfect.
Classic, minimalist.
Maybe more black and less white. I can't be trusted within ten feet of a white article of clothing.

But overall, loves.

Photos thanks to Marie Claire Italy, Mathilde Francon by David Bellemere

Jeggings

Ignoring the fact that I just love saying the word (come on, you know that's a hilarious sounding word. Jeggings, one who jegs. Let's do a bit of jegging today!) I'm thinking about investing in a pair of jeggings.*

Why?

Because I love boots, but I hate when my jeans scrunch up inside and over the top and I wind up with an awkward jean muffin top. The solution (of course) is to just wear leggings, but it would be nice to be able to wear jeans with them too.

Therefore, I am about to commence jegging.

I like these two pairs from ASOS:

Kate Indigo Knitted Jeggings

Kate Indigo Knitted Jegging (Lauren Conrad style)

They're sufficiently jean-like for me, the first one even has the metal studs that jeans have. They also come in a variety of lengths, up to 34 inch inseams (WOOO!).

However, it would be nice though to be able to try them before I buy, so if anyone has a pair of jeggings and loves them, let me know where you got them! And I've never bought from ASOS before, how's the quality of clothing?

And I figure if I'm paying flat rate shipping anyway, I might as well get this jumpsuit.

Halter Tailored Wide Leg Jumpsuit

Confession:

Best part of living in NYC? I can totally wear stuff like this out to breakfast and class and no one even looks twice. They're too busy complimenting the kid who sits next to me on his red leather pants and electric blue guy-liner.

Okay, the guy-liner does look kind of awesome.

The Perks

Disheartening news ladies. I was so excited to be able to use my employee discount at The Loft, especially since they're having a buy one get one 50% off right now. So mentally I was already stacking things in my cart, such as this dress:

and this one:

and this jacket:

and these boyfriend jeans:

But unfortunately, they just don't seem to fit my build.

Farewell, dreams of buying $100 dresses for $20. I guess I'll be sticking with the shoes and accessories.

Good news is that means I'm starting a fund to buy a new bag (and to fund my endless search for the perfect leather jacket). I figure the fact that the stock does not fit me certainly cuts down on the temptation factor (trust me, this is a good thing). So I've been looking for a medium sized, colorful, cross body bag.

Liz Clairborne Jackie bag at Zappos

I've been eyeing this one lately, and it's only $102.24! Gotta love sale items at Zappos. Not to mention that Zappos, and my other favorite store: Need Supply co., have the best customer service around.

This is Why...

I need to start wearing hats. So I can look mysterious, sexy and cool like this:

Instead of, you know, all these combined into my usual geektastic, adorable, "squishy" self.

Hey, it would be nice to change it up every once in a while don't you think?

photos thanks to Garance Dore and google.

Almost Famous

Hey guys!

Just wanted to give you a heads up that my first two posts for College Fashion are out.

You can read them here and here.

Toppers

So I'll try just about any trend once.
Neon? Did it.
Thigh high boots? Check (and yes, I do wear them to math class).
Cropped tops? Please don't remind me.
Fake lashes? Did that last weekend.

But for some reason I can't seem to wear a hat.

Of course it gets so cold here that I have a few knit caps that I wear to keep my head from freezing, and a sun hat during the summer to ward off skin cancer, but I haven't been able to really incorporate them if you know what I'm saying.

However, I promise that my hat phobia will be no more! After seeing so many cute bloggers rocking hats, I want to get in on this. So here's a few that I'm dying to try:

Albertus Swanepoel straw hat


Arden B asymmetrical cloche


Spiegel striped floppy sun hat


See by Chloe faux fur cap


Echo Design quilted trapper hat


BDG linen fedora


Helene Berman bowler hat

Maybe not all at once, but I think I'd try the cloche and trapper hats first to ease myself into this hat thing.

Are you like me and don't have the first clue about hats? Check out this super helpful guest post over at Already Pretty.

And while you're over there check out the rest of the blog, Sal is absolutely hilarious and incredibly insightful.