This Gal Friday

I'm a big believer in dreams coming true, even if they take a little while. Since childhood, it's been my dream to write for a living. And since graduating college (a few years ago now), I've been trying to break into the newspaper business. But a big and nasty villain called the economic recession decided to gut that business in particular and make it nigh-on impossible to find work in the field. Nowadays, full-time writing jobs are so elusive that I'm beginning to equate them to unicorns... as in, it would be cool if they actually existed, but at some point we have to grow up and face the fact that they're nothing but a myth.

If only there existed a job where one can wear pink, and type on a pink laptop and, ooh... unicorns!

Well, not anymore.

Call it a comeback! More and more publications seem to be opening their doors to new writers once more. As I've spent the past few years freelancing, working odd jobs, just trying to "make it" as a writer, I'm more than ready to brush up the ol' resume and take the paper business by storm.

Yes, I'm a dreamer, but I really feel that this is the year "my dreams will match up with my pay," to quote Feist. Not that journalists get paid a lot... but at this point, any salary would easily fit into my dreams scale; all I require is a roof over my head, some Ikea furniture, a few whimsical odds and ends from Anthropologie, and some Trader Joe's groceries in the fridge.

Do I sound like a hipster-writer-blogger, or what? ;)


Of course, as a fashion blogger, I just had to create a journalist's dream wardrobe. Thank goodness Polyvore allows me to indulge my love for Kate Spade and Anthropologie without actually spending my whole paycheck on their lovely wares...

Gal Friday by erincathleen featuring slingback pumps

I would love to sprint around in an outfit like this, whether I become a big city professional or remain a small-town typist. But no matter where I end up, I know one thing for sure...

I need an iPad so I can rock this sweet case by Kate Spade!Kidding. Mostly. :) But I do love the newspaper print, and black, white and red happens to be a favorite color combo. Perfect for the aspiring writer, no?

So. I plan to be dashing off to interviews here and there over the next few months. Of course, I will continue to post updates here... and get back to blogging as usual. And you'll be happy to know that I have a few goodies up my sleeve before the month is out... more exciting giveaways! Stay tuned!

I hope wherever you are, you're enjoying the middle of February, inching ever closer to spring!

Let it snow!

The phrase is used to death, but when the earth turns winter white and the winds won't cease to blow, there's nothing left to say but... let it snow!



Taking these pictures proved to be quite the challenge yesterday. I (optimistically) set my camera on my tripod, and scampered to my "posing areas" as quickly as possible... quite a few times, the camera was knocked over. So. Not the best idea to use a tripod during a nor'easter.



The blizzard-like conditions also required a change in footwear. I started out (again, optimistically) wearing a pair of brown lace-up sweater-lined booties (all faux leather and acrylic "wool," FYI, fellow vegan fashionistas!), which have treads on the bottom but also stiletto heels. So. NOT the best idea to wear stilettos in a nor'easter! The things you learn... ;) I switched to my waterproof rubber duck boots, which also have heels, but chunkier ones. Yes, my "snow boots" have heels. My co-workers at the Environmental Police like to tease me over this.



These boots complement what I consider to be a practical winter weather ensemble! My Anthropologie Southward Stop dress is corduroy, and therefore quite warm (side note: I wanted this dress for months; eBay score!). I added a draped, cranberry-colored cardigan for a little extra warmth, along with eggplant-hued sweater tights. When that still proved a tad too chilly, I added a faux leather jacket. No puffer coat required! Really! Ok, truth: I was frozen solid after mere minutes, as my entire outfit was covered in snowflakes. But for a winter wonderland photo shoot? Worth ever freezing second!

And because today was sunny and slightly above freezing, I celebrated with an iced coffee. Yup. Guess I'm more of a New Englander than I thought!

What about you? Did you get buried in snow?

Things to Love: October

It's fall! Let's give a cheer! I simply will not stop gushing that my favorite season is here. So if you grow weary of it... sorry! I am proud to be a fall baby (though I am not looking forward to my next birthday! Ugh! This is officially the year that I start lying about my age...).

So. I'll keep this brief, so I can dash off to StyleFixx's Girls Night Out! Tomorrow I'll probably have a few pictures to share. Today... I'm sharing a few things I'm loving this month:

The best book. I freaked when I realized this was out! I hope the Shopaholic series never ever ends. Ever!Look who else has a fashionista book coming out! Lauren Conrad's style tome (appropriately titled Lauren Conrad Style) actually looks like fun. I'm sure her ghostwriter LC has lots of trendy tips to share!

These awesome Aldo boots. Sorry the picture is so big, but these boots are epic! And they're vegan-friendly, made of canvas and rubber! No leather! I'll bet you couldn't even tell. ^_^ Perfect for thrashing through autumn leaves, don't you think?

Wish I could make this dress picture bigger, for it, too, is epic. I've drooled over this bird print corduroy shirt dress every time I've gone to Anthropologie. It's so sweet, I long to spirit it away! Emily's adorable H&M version is another viable option, and a much more affordable one!

Annnd... Finally...


Ok, so this isn't news. The PSL has been back since September. But who cares? I'm still celebrating.

Happy fall, everyone! Now go have some fun.

A perfect fall

It's a gorgeous sunshiny day, but like many of you, I'm already daydreaming about fall. Naturally, I took to Polyvore to design my dream cool-weather ensembles. Today's set includes the perfect dark floral dress (from Rebecca Taylor, no less), an Anthropologie cardigan (practically a fall staple in its own right), Miu Miu Mary Janes for a hint of Italian chic and, while we're at it, a Valentino bag... because, hey, if you're gonna dream, might as well dream big!

Who's that lady? by erincathleen featuring beret hat

I hope this fall's throwback to seventies, ladylike-chic is here to stay. I'm loving the return of some Victorian, romantic favorites, too: lace, ruffles, riding boots and structured handbags. A dark floral-patterned dress could easily go from summer to winter (with the right opaque tights), while a slouchy cardigan in a deep crimson is perfect for the crisp Autumn air. The same cardigan could easily pair with a leopard-print mini to create a fun play on proportion. And for the topper? The season's quintessential add-ons: ruffles and lace. Pair with Miu Miu's prim Oxford-Mary Jane pumps, and the look could go from apple picking to apple martinis in no time flat. An animal print scarf ties in all the colors, and would perk up any neutral ensemble, like a few brightly-colored leaves against a gray sky. This scarf, from Mulberry, is only vaguely leopard; I like the subtlety and warm tones. Layering a lace shrug or adding a cute crocheted cap? Totally cute options. To toughen up the look (but only slightly), swap the sweet pumps for studded or lace-up riding boots. And don't forget your must-have autumnal accessory: a sumptuous tote, in a fall-colored pattern or neutral hue, ideal for the lady who lunches and the one who runs the office.

So, it's still a little early, but... What excites you the most about fall?

Rainy days and nights

The rain has finally stopped, though the day is still a bit cold and drizzly. I'm sick with chronic sinusitis (ew) and am about to start a second round of antibiotics. The sunshine and warm weather we're supposedly due to experience Easter weekend can't arrive soon enough! I'm hoping the solar charge will renew my strength, Superman-style. We shall see.

No new outfit posts till I'm healthy! Pale and red-nosed (though frequent) is not a good look for me. :P Instead... Polyvore! I'm afraid I too often let my little collages fill in all the blanks... when I've got nothing relevant to say... uhh... Polyvore!

This post does, however, reflect my mood. A little quirky, a little bluesy, with a dash of Lewis Carroll-esque whimsy stirred in for good measure. Drink me:

Teatime by erincathleen featuring Fendi shoes

Items in this set:
Quotation: Yumi Kim Love Blossom Silk Dress, $205
Field Game Cardigan, $120
Molded & Melded Tee - Anthropologie.com, $48
Raffia and suede pumps, $695
Paraty medium python bag, $3,825

I never wrote my "Favorite Things: March." So I'll be lazy and combine months for a "Favorite Things: Spring." Then it's back to Green Cotton blogging, and hopefully some good news to share at the end of the week.

Everyone stay warm and dry! The sun is coming!

Anthropologie, Naut

As promised, here is my little Anthropologie-inspired photo shoot. These pictures were snapped on a rainy night last week; the next day, the sun finally came out of hiding. Too bad I just couldn't wait one more day to shoot these outfits; the sunshine would have been a welcome addition (No need to adjust the brightness/contrast or hue/saturation)! Ah, well. I think the rain and indoor lighting add a certain moodiness to the... eh, who are we kidding? Anyway, I put these outfits together because I'm in love with the nautical looks featured in Anthro's January 2010 catalog, but cannot personally afford to buy anything from it. Maybe someday, when I am a wealthy lady who lunches (ha), I will waste oodles of cash at Anthro so I can buy just one more frill-adorned cardigan. Until then, I will continue to happily waste all my cash on Starbucks and shoe sales!

Wet Seal polka dot tee (from 4-5 years ago)
Borrowed pearl necklace (Thanks, Mama!)
Loft pencil skirt (last spring)
Target (?) tights
Jessica Simpson Mary-Janes

Loft ruffled floral cardigan & floral-patterned shorts
Old Navy striped tee & ballet flats
Charlotte Russe viscose scarf

Lately I've been experimenting with photo locales (hehe, mostly indoor due to less-than-favorable weather), but I'm not sure I'm crazy about this room with the dressing screen. I really like it as a vintage-y background, but I hate how posing against it makes my proportions look awkward! Photographing outdoors is always the preferred method, so I think I will just wait for sunny days before my next sartorial post.

Most of the looks seen here are comprised of a few newer Loft pieces mixed with some old favorites. But the last photo contains an H&M dress I snagged last week because I simply couldn't leave it at the store...

H&M striped tshirt dress
Gap ruffled scarf
Apt. 9 boots

There you have it: my interpretation of the spring nautical look, my official guilty pleasure for this month. Which items are you having a hard time resisting for spring?

P.S. Just read that Anthropologie plans to launch a bridal collection. New York Magazine's The Cut blog reported the story as "Urban Outfitters to Make Wedding Gowns," calling the would-be clients a whole new subculture of shoppers: "bridesters." But keep in the mind that the dresses will be Anthropologie, not Urban, and that the prices will run from $1,000 - 5,000. That's more than the cost of many dress styles at David's Bridal! My thought is that if the gowns are at Anthro, they will have to be pretty, not hipster-y. I can see it now: tufts of tulle, layers of lace, bunches of beads.... and I say, if they happen to be covered in ruffles, vintage-y buttons and nautical stripes, sign me the eff up! But what do you think of this development?

Favorite things: February

It's that time again, already... new month, new fun stuff! Here, my second in a series of soon-to-be-monthly favorites... a few sights and sounds to delight in right now:

Frou-frou tulle, everywhere:The sweet sounds of chanteuse Charlotte Gainsbourg:

Rom-com movie infiltration:

No offense, Na'vi... girls' night out is back!

Lovey-dovey organic beauty products, just in time for V-day:

Caffeination, simplified. The Starbucks Double Shot:Sparkly taupe/latte-colored nails (a choice made, perhaps, under the influence of said caffeine):

Leighton Meester's enviable Louis Vuitton look at Paris Fashion Week:

I am so busting out the boot socks, sandals and sweater vest and snagging this look!

Lauren Conrad's sweet little dress:

Boston bloggers, FYI: LC's next book tour stop is at the B&N in the Prudential Center tomorrow night. I'd be curious to go, just to style-stalk her. This print is great, but maybe next time she should make a conscious effort to not clash with the bookstore. :P

Lastly, Anthropologie's divine bedding:

Ahhh. My dream set.

Perhaps I picked that last one as a hint to myself... time to wrap it up! Beddy-bye is calling. But do leave me a little note to read when I wake. What are you dreaming of this month?

Topaz and trinkets

Tomorrow is my 25th birthday, and I'm spending it with my grandparents in my home town... something I haven't done since I was probably three or four years old. I'm excited! I'm actually blogging "on the road," sitting in my old favorite neighborhood coffee shop. I just downed a cuppa "chocolate decadence" coffee. Mmm...

So, in honor of my upcoming birthday, here's a Polyvore featuring a few of my favorite things... and a decidedly November color pallette.

November Champagne by erincathleen featuring Jessica McClintock clutches

Items in this set:
Anthropologie dress, $158
Minoubebe.centerblog.net top
Rupert Sanderson shoes, 495 GBP
Ciao Bella flats, $79
Jessica McClintock clutch, $58