11.21.2009

Smitten Saturday

Girl Talk Kitty cats, I’m well aware of the fact that one is supposed to write about their secret loves within the pages of a diary; but I am taking the opposite approach. It is not what is inside my diary which I am most concerned about at the moment, but what is printed on the outside. And that mes chéris are the Erdem Girls. For quite some time now I have been in complete and utter awe of the whimsically romantic line drawings put forth by designer Erdem, and now I have the chance to take the Erdem Girls home courtesy of Smythson’s Erdem Girl Diaries. Each illustration is engraved and printed upon pristine goatskin leather which opens up to reveal printed silk lining; while two pages full of fashion illustrations by the designer himself add a fabulous bonus to the receiver. I already plan on sticking the Panama Diary within the folds of my handbag and toting it along with me everywhere I go; the Soho Diary, on the other hand, will be reserved for the makeshift office residing in my bedroom. The only thing to contemplate now? How on earth to scrounge up enough money to afford these lovelies. Santa, can you hear me?

Clutch-22 Dolls please do me a very important favor…don’t ever allow me to forget how torturous it is to find the ideal black clutch to tote along with me on those occasions when I decide to paint the town red. I have spent the past week tearing my hair out for a clutch that fits the bill, and come up completely empty-handed. Now, you know me for my love of big bags; but even I must admit that it’s difficult to dance the night away, or flirt with a cute boy, when you’re attempting to keep your eye on an oversized bag, or prevent it from hitting your prospective suitor in the gut while getting groovy on the dance floor. Therefore, a black clutch is essential – but a royal pain to uncover. Do you go for a piece that transforms into a small handbag complete with cutout handles like Nine West’s Fold Em Small Clutch? Search for a petite pouch like Felix Rey’s Love Letter Clutch? Go oversized with Alexander Wang’s Tina Zip Clutch? Or, is it as I suspected, a complete Catch-22 – utterly impossible to find a bit that is both beneficial and beautiful?

The Nose No matter the situation at hand, I find that Coco Chanel is always brimming with a quote or observation that is spot on, and applicable to whatever predicament you find yourself plagued with. Case in point, her thoughts on perfume – A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future and “Where should one use perfume?’ a young woman asked. ‘Wherever one wants to be kissed,’ I said. It is impossible not to agree with her musings, and realize that perfume, while invisible to the naked eye, is just as necessary and important as the clothes one accouters oneself with. The trouble is, finding one that suits you and your personality to a T. You want something that is unique, and tantalizing enough to intrigue cute boys once you have vacated a room; while being slightly subdued so as not to overwhelm one’s senses. It’s quite the difficult task, to be completely truthful – one that I have fallen victim to time and time again. Thus, I thought it only fair to share my secret weapon for selecting sublimity…How to Pick a Perfume Just Right For You. Darlings, cast aside all semblance of confusion and simply soak up Nasreen Rehmat’s advice on all things related to smelling yummy. Your perfume problems? Solved. Coco would be so proud!

Legging Love I’ve tried to keep the urges at bay for quite some time now, but I’ve finally become one of them. The girls with the confidence to don leggings as their sole piece of legwear; who embrace stretchy fibers as their pants-style of choice and wear them with complete and total disregard to the shocked looks upon the faces of strangers. And why shouldn’t I? I remember in the fourth grade that I virtually lived in leggings. Denim was not a part of my fashion vocabulary at that time – I was enticed only by elastic, and in a constant state of euphoria whenever accoutered in such a look. Thus, I see it only fair to relive those glory days once more, and incorporate the design into my everyday way of living. Only Hearts’ Poor Boy Rib Leggings would look heavenly tucked into a pair of faux leather over the knee boots and topped with a newly acquired red v-neck sweater and motorcycle jacket. A night of enchantment is guaranteed with M by Missoni’s sparkling Metallic Leggings, played up with an understated flowy tank that hits at the hip. And Splendid’s Modal Leggings would work all sorts of magic coupled with an asymmetrical top from Blue Life. Tell me darlings…how do you wear your leggings? Do you allow yourself to don short tops when outfitted in them, or do you prefer topping them with a tunic?

Call Me My BlackBerry is my BFF. I feel completely naked if she isn’t by my side 24/7, constantly available to assist me in sending text messages, or keeping up on the latest idle chatter involving my girlenas; but my beloved CC has sparked a new infatuation within. Last week she posed a question to her readers involving land lines in CC Phone Home, and instantly I was brought back to the technology of yesteryear. Non, I am not in possession of a land line – why should I be, I’m hardly home? But that doesn’t stop me from adoring the vintage flair of old-fashioned telephones. Not to use, mind you – simply for decorative purposes. I can’t help but feel like a cast member on the set of Valley of the Dolls with Crosley’s Kettle Classic Desk Phone sitting pretty by my bedside. The Princess Phone, in a perky bubblegum pink hue, possesses just enough retro, Old Hollywood glamour to make one feel like a buxom starlet sashaying down the Red Carpet on her way to a swanky film premiere when so much as glanced upon. And really, who in their right mind could resist the elegance put forth via The Sultan Desk Phone? Call me, kittens!

What were you smitten with this week?


Thanks to Couture Carrie and Shopbop for the pictures.
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32 comments

Sophia said...

I too have joined the legging bandwagon, but only when they're long. I hate hate hate when people wear leggings that hit them mid-calf. They make people look stumpy!

Couture Carrie said...

Thanks for the shout-out, darling!
What a fantastic SS post!
Especially loving that Alexander Wang zip clutch!

xoxox,
CC

English Rose ♥ said...

i tried to resist leggings too and used to frown at girls who in my opinion had forgotten to wear shorts or a skirt but somewhere the force was too strong - if you've got the legs - why not?! after all, you're only young once...

http://iamanenglishrose.blogspot.com

www.janetteria.com said...

I love Alexander Wang clutch! Great post, Erika!

Have a great weekend, my dear!

X♥X♥

la petite fashionista said...

love the valley of the dolls reference :) my blackberry is always attached to me! & i really want one of those boot harnesses!!

All Women Stalker said...

I have recently joined the forces of leggings lovers, too! Haha. They are oh so comfy.

-meream

Elizabeth Marie said...

OMG ERIKA! I freaking love you. You are such a fabulous writer. Ok..soo in order...
"Kitty Cats"?? Love it. And I want one of these diaries...I have always wanted to be the girl who has to stop in her tracks to write down her latest most ehem blogworthy thought. Instead they just float around upstairs and I'm left thinking "what the heck was I meaning to blog about"-grrr.

I love big bags too! I have like 20 clutches and I JUST realized the art of holding it between the body and the upper arm. I know, I'm..special. NOW I want that Wang one! OMG.

Smelling good-ALWAYS.
I'm a BlackBerry Addict too! Can't live without her, it's obscene. But so handy!

And leggings are my favorite. Just absolute favorite.

Ok longest comment ever. Sorry. LOVE THIS POST and YOU and I hope you have a great weekend!! XO

Julia said...

I am desperatly in need of an erdem diary! They are fabulous and especially enticing because I tend to collect journals. Too bad they are so expensive. I've been wearing leggings as pants for awhile now...I don't think you have to wear them with tunics but I think it looks best if your shirt hits around the middle on your butt.

xoxo
FashionEye

FASHION SNAG said...

Love leggings so much =) I am smitten with my dogs this Saturday. They love to cuddle! xoxo

www.FashionSnag.com

Toothfairy said...

huuuh, I wear leggings all the time, and Boyfriend hates it when I hear them with heels. He only like it when I wear them with boots, so that he can't see it hahahaha


loves

Leia said...

Loving the list this week!

I'm definitely going to check out that perfume article as I've been on the hunt for a new scent lately...

I love leggings! I usually wear them with longer tops, a long cardigan, a mini-dress or skirt, or a big, chunky sweater. If it's a particularly cold day and my leggings are plain black, I sometimes wear tights underneath them!

The Bandits idea is brilliant. I am experimenting with accroutements to add to my quite plain over the knee boots. I've just bought some lace collars that I'd like to attach, adn I was thinking of bedazzling them with some removable crystals, as well...! :)

Sherin said...

Black clutches really are perfection. I love them too much.

And those boot accessories are remarkable. Pure and utter genius!

Jennifer Fabulous said...

Great post! I'm going to have to check out all those leggings. The diaries sound fabulous as well. :)

Leah said...

Love those diaries... you know how I love to write and keep journals. And the designs are just so fab.

I was hoping you'll write about that shoes in the photo. Hahaha! Leggings? Yes, I have a ton in my closet but I never wear it with shot tops, always with tunics.

I'm smitten with a lot of things this week... sometimes I hate the internet for giving me access to a lot of things to drool for.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I would love to find those ribbed leggings on my doorstep...along with the weather to wear them in. Fabulous links as always friend!

little luxury list said...

You should see all the leggings in London!! Aahh I'd love to cuddle a kitty here!

Olive said...

Oh leggings! These days I continually tell everyone who will listen how darn comfortable they are. Having one pair is not too convenient however, so thanks for the good suggestions for new ones :) I think a lovely Sunday could be spent in the ribbed leggings chatting on one of those phones.

michelle_ said...

same here ! i've joined the legging clan . used to hate them so much when the cropped leggings were in trend . but that hate grew into love when the leggings started to go longer again. Now i have like 5 black leggings with like 4 others in variations of black (eg. latex, zipps, black denim look, etc..) hahaha . im addicted . leggings have become my uniform . i always get mine from Zara . the price are very reasonable and they last longgg !

Unknown said...

Those shoe wedgy boots are damn cool! I wish i had a pair but no, i am broke, so no shoes for me =( Oh, and i love the first picture. Circus's make me happy. Oh, and sorry its late, but thanks so much for you lovely comment on my blog, it made me smile a lot!

Panda xx

nicole said...

Of course it's not wrong to want the City Lights shirt for yourself, heck I want one of those t-shirts too! Love the all-black ensemble you created, it looks fabulous in my mind, make it happen woman! esp love the suede boots and big cocktail rings, sigh.

Great compilation of things that have you smitten this week! Wow, those Erdem diaries are beautiful! The link to them doesn't seem to work though, just as a heads up.

I don't live in leggings, but I would if I could. My current staple outfit consists of leggings and an over-sized t-shirt - so comfy!

Love The 2 Bandits and their shoe embellishments, esp the boot chains! I think I might have to get one for myself post-ban.

Hope you have a good weekend Erika!

nicole said...

thanks again for your comment and kind words (you're so sweet Erika!), glad that I'm not alone on having a closet full of clothes but feeling like you have nothing to wear. it's awful!

btw, I love the American Apparel lace unitard you posted about. Ugh, more things that I CAN'T BUY RIGHT NOW :(

meraldia said...

The Alexander Wang zip clutch is fantastic!!!
xxxxxxx

Winnie said...

I love leggings but have never dared worn them as trousers! A no no in my eyes, no one wants to see that haha.

glee said...

enjoyed this post so much. that first photo is so fierce, and the leggings is a fav. i'm smitten by some fendi boots.

Keith said...

Hey there. Great post. I love that top photo. I've been smitten with Sienna Miller this week. I just watched G.I. Joe. How are you doing today? I hope you've been having a fantastic weekend. Take care. Have a great week ahead. Cheers!

daisychain said...

I've sorta come around to leggings now, too. Within reason!

Julia said...

I've given into leggings as well, but only while shooting or if I'm wearing OTK boots that are simply too thin/tight to wear with jeans.

I'm really smitten by a few jewelry lines and need to keep reminding myself that I only have 10 fingers and I already have so many amazing pieces that never get enough wear.

alexkeller said...

leggings with short tops are for the gym. leggings worn outside of that should have a longer top!

Closet Cravings said...

Love the "Call Me" section. I do miss having a land line sometimes. I miss wrapping my finger around the cord as I'm chatting away. The princess phone is so "Sixteen Candles" - love it. =)

Mimi said...

Loving this list as always. I hope you had a great weekend. I sure can't live without my cell phone and love leggings as well. What girl doesn't like perfume and fragrances of all sorts?! :)

Emily said...

leggings as pants is such a convenience. They are so comfortable and so chic!

love the boot embellishments :)

michelle_ said...

thanks for the comment :)
waiting for a new post from you . since I've got your twitter . I"ll always be updated with you !

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