Smitten Saturday

♥Suddenly Susan My mother named me Erika after Susan Lucci’s character Erica (same name, different spelling) Kane on All My Children; a show she watched voraciously in the eighth grade. So I suppose it was inevitable that somehow, someway I would become a fan of hers. Due to my discovery of her jewelry line, that time is now. Affordable and completely chic, her pieces are gorgeous, jaw-dropping, available in many sizes (including a size 5 ring!), and perfect for the girl who wants big baubles on a budget. I am already the proud owner of not one, not two, but four (3 goldtone and 1 hematite) of the “Prim and Proper” Round Stone and Simulated Pearl Cluster Ring, which receives compliments during each wearing; thus, I believe it is time to pick up a few more of her creations. I currently have my eye on the “Floral Frosting” 2.77 ct CZ and Aqua-Color Stone Ring; the “Tonal Tryst” 3-Piece Tricolor 8” Bangle Bracelet Set; and the “Dynamic Dangles” 2-Strand 39” Necklace/Belt. To put it bluntly, Susan’s designs are magically delicious!

♥The Ottoman Empire I’m sure you all remember This Seat Is Taken, my post from a few weeks ago that paid tribute to finding a seat for our beloved handbags. Since then, I have discovered that a special spot to seat our purse is not the most unusual request, for many restaurants actually offer ottomans for this very reason. According to Brooke from Check Your Spelling, New York City’s Daniel offers a foot-tall ottoman specifically made for your purse “So you do not have to lean over for your bag should you need to.” And ONE Restaurant in Toronto , Canada offers up the same specialty. So you see girls...our simple inquiry about a special chair for our handbag? Obviously not as far-fetched as we originally thought.

♥Chic Girl in the City I visit Savvy Mode on a daily basis for my dose of new luxuries to add to my lust list. So when I learned that I was the winner of Nina Willdorf’s City Chic, courtesy of Savvy herself, you can only imagine my excitement. One, I was a winner! Two, the punchy pink cover was the perfect complement to many of the fashions lurking in my closet (after all, what girl doesn’t want to color coordinate with her reading material?). Three, from beginning to end each tip was more perfect than the last. Culinary tips that are ideal for the amateur chef on a budget. Fabulous websites that help me to save money, while still reaping the benefit of amazing merchandise. Even a little something called Dumpster Diving, which is a lot more glamorous than it sounds. I may not be in the city at the moment, but yes, I can live like a chic girl in the city; partake in indulging in “the luxe life for less” thanks to this trusty little handbook that I simply cannot get enough of!


♥Read All About It While the heirs, heiresses, and royals may have been born with silver spoons in their mouths; I, a budding writer from the day I came into this world, have been surrounded by newspapers. Reading material that would leave black smudges of newsprint on your hands; make crinkling sounds when you turned the pages; and was delivered on a daily basis. Thus, I have always, and will always be infatuated with anything donning a newspaper print. Forever 21’s Newspaper Print Bandeau Bra fits the bill to a T. It may be made to be worn underneath your clothes, but I can’t help but to feel the urge to wear this as a top while lounging about the house on warm summer days. Anna Sui’s Newspaper Print Dress, featuring a ruffled collar, ruffled sleeves, and a drop-waist silhouette has an air of medieval flavor to it; yet somehow looks chic, clever, and completely modern. The Galliano Purse Borsa Collection Bone Newspaper Print Leather which sports headlines about Galliano himself? A divine way to pay tribute to the designer, and the many write-ups he has received over the years. And for the girl who wants to add a bit of 80s newsprint flavor to her wardrobe? Well, this Mohawk Parrot Tee may be just the thing. Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

♥Bird Neck Extra-long necklaces. Jingly jangly jewelry. Those are usually the traits that my neckwear possesses. Yet for some inexplicable reason, I am fully enamored with feathered necklaces. Pieces that are silent yet violent – in the fashion sense, that is. Jewelry that packs a punch. That makes people stare in wonderment. Offerings like this Miss KK Peacock Feather Necklace. Or this Mali Sabatasso Smokey Quartz Hackle Feather Large Necklace. The colors in this Forever 21 Peacock Feather Necklace are quite breathtaking. And for a less obtrusive splash of feathers, this Fanned Feather Necklace from Urban Outfitters is simply perfect. I suppose that it is time for me to simply declare defeat, and admit that my neck now belongs to the birds!

♥Eye of the Tiger Bronzer is a completely foreign cosmetic to me. But, alas, as a pale girl whose actual legs have been mistaken for white tights in the very recent past (two weeks ago), I have begun to look into options for giving my otherwise pasty pallor a more golden glow. My first thought was a self-tanner. My second thought was bronzer. I believe that my reason for being more taken with the latter, however, has to do with my discovery of Chantecaille’s Bengali Bronzer. As if the heavenly designed bronze compact wasn’t incentive enough; the mix of gold, platinum, bronze, and copper tones, in addition to the Bengal tiger imprint makes me want to shell over the well-over-my-cosmetic-budget amount. Don’t worry, I will restrain myself, but I have most certainly been struck with the eye of the tiger.

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Luphia Loves... and Forever 21 for the pictures.