Thinking Pink (in 3 ways)

I was browsing J.Crew a week or two ago for no good reason--what's new. And in the sale section, I found probably the cheapest thing in store: a striped sweater/top for $10, which turned out to be $8.50 with a student discount. It was bright, colorful and in a size XXS in women's, so you bet I took it home with me. (I bet you're surprised I didn't purchase anything from Crewcuts).

Since I've been really feeling this punchy top, here are three ways I found myself wearing it. If you have a bright top you've lost inspiration to wear, or wanna try somethin' new with it, you've come to the right place. And even if you don't have such a top, I think you've still come to the right place. 

1. Over a shift dress + tights

 2. Over a button down + rolled up khakis + oxfords/wingtips (coif not included but suggested for additional sass)

This was probably my favorite way I wore it. Wearing pants is so comfortable, esp. these chinos (is that what they're called? I feel unnecessarily racist when I say it?) also from J.Crew. Menswear inspired looks are my deal, and add a little kids flair and you've won me over. (the top is from Banana Republic. I've worn it for years. It has been the shirt that has helped me realize my penchant for collars, and it all started with a good sale, just like with today's story!)

3. With a long skirt + fun brooch

I wore this look on Valentine's Day! I felt like a walking strawberry short cake with my pastel pink knit socks from Anthrologie, and the overall pink/cream mix happening. The skirt is also from Anthro.

Heart pins, esp with an arrow through it, are very wearable. Really glad I got this gem long ago during a brooch rummage at the Brooklyn Flea. You really can't go wrong with heart-themed pins. 

I have blogged three days in row. This is too good to be true. Or maybe the beginning of a very good truth. We'll see. Signing out.

song of the moment
senorita - justin timberlake

an erin state of mind

30% extra off the sale price of things doesn't sound like a bad idea. somehow i ended up on madewell's website clicking through the sale menu as if i'm about to order something. i never end up ordering. madewell is one of those. but then i remember, crewcuts (i.e. jcrew's kids clothes to clarify for the people who are so out of touch of the erin state of mind that is always scoping kids clothes) is a point of no return for me. and because i have no reason to take advantage of their current sale, i thought i'd share it with you, although you probably also have no reason to take advantage of their current sale at least with my picks from the kid's section--mostly because you prob aren't the size of a 10 year old boy like I am, but WHATEVER.

here's a glimpse into what i'd buy if i really needed some clothes from head to toe (in this case, ankle, if you want to get really particular). mind you, these pieces are all on sale and at very reasonable prices with the additional sale happening. so i'm serious about if i would actually buy these. henceforth, you should buy these so i can feel like i bought them.

(isn't this jacket so lady like?! mad props for the 6 year old that wears this, or props to the parent i guess.)

if you wear it right, all this stuff is totally passable as "womens"wear! so like i said, since i'm not buying these goods, get em while they're hot--and share if you do. or actually, my birthday may or may not be around the corner. whether or not that's the truth? you'll never know. 

song of the moment 

She is Love - Blaqstarr

smile cuz it's JCREW

Each model was wearing some ensemble of surprise. Whether it was a loosely tucked in shirt or jacquard-ed out pants or a baseball cap or quizzical prints of an exotic land, J. Crew's Fall/Winter 2013 collection covered the essentials for styling and tailoring your wardrobe. 

It was almost too much for me. Each piece seemed seemed wearable and exciting. But the collection as a whole, I was confused. I was longing for a sense of coherency but the only theme that stringed everything together was kind of a chaos. I guess J.Crew is a very wide-market brand--or so it seems, I know nothing about how to judge markets--so they covered lots of interests and captured the eye, that's for sure. However, it captures my eye in so many places that I'm almost lost. I don't know where we are, but maybe that is actually where modern America is. Maybe we are actually at the center of this hodgepodge of culture, Maybe this is the contemporary definition of America envisioned a la Jenna Lyons: USA as an eclectic crossroads of exotic inspirations.  

I loved that this model smiled at me. I love when any of em smile. I think they are all more radiant with a smile. 

When I said there was a lot happening, I wasn't kidding right? I do appreciate the coif and bright lip motifs. They were kind of my hand rail throughout the collection; I knew I could expect at least that consistency. 

Varsity jackets are an instant win for me. And funny, I was wearing a varsity jacket that day. 

fun fact totally irrelevant to the fashion part of this. the model of this photo thought she recognized me and started to wave at me and speak to me in chinese and i SO wanted to go with it and actually have been her friend but obviously at some point she realized i wasn't the best friend she had in mind but oh well. it was cool for a second. i thought someone knew me or something. 

another fun fact totally irrelevant, actually 100% relevant in it's own way: i totally was not planning on going to this show. like, i wasn't even supposed to. but somehow i walked in. and i am not complaining. HO HO

This chick was one of my favorite models from the show. It's interesting, once you get a feel for a few shows, you kind of learn to build quick chemistry with the models when you take their photos. It's actually my favorite part. Yup, leave it to me for my favorite part to be about human interaction and smiling people. Anyway, this gal had a lot of energy and was sweetly playful through her smile. I find myself picking out fav models from shows unconsciously. It happens, and it's cool.

I told you! Isn't she lovely? 

Once I turned around, I realized there was a whole line of gorgeous men behind me. That was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Key words: casual, collegiate, creative.

Oh and, sartorialist surprise! I spot Scott Shuman of The Sartorialist looking quite bundled up in some fun, genteel prints. 

song of the moment
The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding