Savvy Style Chat {Erika Sorocco of Cafe Fashionista}
In November, we missed our style chat--the monthly series featuring ridiculously stylish, savvy women with great stories to tell--but I am so happy to bring it back for December with a blogger who is stylish, sweet and a wonderful writer. For our December chat, I present...
Erika Sorocco / Cafe Fashionista / CafeFashionista.com
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| Those shoes! I hunted down those Jean-Michel Cazabat Zulaka shoes in the Foxtrot color for months in my size. I literally stalked Shopbop’s website. Finally, one pair popped up on the Barney’s website, and I clicked ‘Purchase Now’ without hesitation. I’m also wearing a Candie’s Top from Kohl’s {that has the prettiest lace detailing on the back}; and white shorts from Kohl’s. |
Grad Student. Since August of 2011 I have been in a full-time Grad Program leading towards a Master’s in Business Administration. As I write this, I am officially 2 ½ weeks away from graduating {!!!!!}. December 15th is my official last day.
How does your occupation affect your personal style?
As a Grad Student, my occupation has affected my personal style in that anything goes. I don’t have a particular uniform to adhere to on a daily basis; and can pretty much choose who I want to be {style-wise} based on my mood. The one trap I refuse to fall into is that of sloppiness. I may spend hours on homework, but I still want to look my best (even when I have class in the wee hours of the morning). I have found that layers, boots, and resilience are a Grad Student’s chic best friend; therefore, I favor heeled boots, skinny jeans with at least 2% spandex in them, colorful printed scarves, and slouchy sweaters – occupational style essentials that have crossed over into my personal-time wardrobe {especially for midweek brunch/coffee dates, and weekend shopping sprees}.
As a Grad Student, my occupation has affected my personal style in that anything goes. I don’t have a particular uniform to adhere to on a daily basis; and can pretty much choose who I want to be {style-wise} based on my mood. The one trap I refuse to fall into is that of sloppiness. I may spend hours on homework, but I still want to look my best (even when I have class in the wee hours of the morning). I have found that layers, boots, and resilience are a Grad Student’s chic best friend; therefore, I favor heeled boots, skinny jeans with at least 2% spandex in them, colorful printed scarves, and slouchy sweaters – occupational style essentials that have crossed over into my personal-time wardrobe {especially for midweek brunch/coffee dates, and weekend shopping sprees}.
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| I love this picture because it was the first time of Fall 2012 that I was wearing my absolute favorite boots – Ivanka Trump Kamila! Also…it was the first time that I wore a scarf {see the pink} in years; so I consider it my style milestone day! |
What other endeavors do you participate in and how do you transition your wardrobe throughout the day to meet the needs of these various roles?
Aside from being a full-time Grad Student, I am a freelance writer. Currently I write weekly articles about local bands for U-T San Diego newspaper / The Californian newspaper. Additionally, I write animal care articles for Cat Fancy magazine fairly frequently; and, a few years back, I served as Features Editor for the now-defunct Six78th magazine {one of my favorite gigs yet – I got to interview The Jonas Brothers!!}. I also work freelance in the field of editorial / social media content. I suppose you could say I wear many hats; and I’m constantly on a deadline.
Each of my roles seems to differ for me style-wise – sometimes I’m meeting with ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ types for band interviews; other times I’m chatting with Veterinarians in a more professional setting. Over the years, I have found that certain wardrobe pieces tend to work for all situations {or can modify my current look just enough to fit the role that I’m dressing for at the moment}. For me, these pieces include cropped blazers, dark wash skinny jeans, almond-toe pumps, chunky-heeled ankle boots, slouchy sweaters, heeled boots, and the occasional touch of fringe.
An example of my wardrobe transition in action: A few months back I had two interviews in one day – with a Veterinarian in the morning and a band in the afternoon. For the Veterinarian interview I wore a cropped blazer over my slouchy sweater, cuffed my skinny jeans, and slipped on almond-toe pumps {professional yet fun}. For the band interview I took off the cropped blazer, adjusted my slouchy sweater to give it an off-the-shoulder fit, un-cuffed my skinny jeans, and swapped my almond-toe pumps for knee-high heeled boots {playful, youthful…totally cute}. Voila! Two looks in one – give or take a few pieces.
What is your most favorite piece in your wardrobe and how often do you wear it?
Believe it or not, right now it’s an accessory – a Sterling Silver Infinity Knot Ring by the Etsy seller IndulgentDesigns. If you Follow me on Instagram, it’s likely you see this ring in a lot of my nail of the day pictures. I am literally obsessed with it – I wear it every single day. I find the simplicity of it to be charming. Plus, I love what the infinity symbol stands for; therefore, this ring is my favorite right now.
Believe it or not, right now it’s an accessory – a Sterling Silver Infinity Knot Ring by the Etsy seller IndulgentDesigns. If you Follow me on Instagram, it’s likely you see this ring in a lot of my nail of the day pictures. I am literally obsessed with it – I wear it every single day. I find the simplicity of it to be charming. Plus, I love what the infinity symbol stands for; therefore, this ring is my favorite right now.
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| Honestly, I just like the way my eyes and shoulders look in this picture – which is why I’m including it. I will admit that I do adore that top {from Forever 21}. It’s this really flowy material that is just stunning; though I’m only 5’1, so it semi-fits me like a dress. |
How often do you go shopping—either in-person or online?
My credit card would love for me to say not that often; however, it’s me speaking, so I’ll be honest…every day. Please keep in mind that, as a fashion blogger, shopping is a form of research; therefore, I oftentimes write retail therapy off as such. But honestly, I do indulge in a bit of browsing at least once per day. I have a really hectic courseload for school, so I find that a little shopping relaxes me quite a bit. I do most of my shopping online {my favorite sites are Shopbop, Zappos, Nordstrom, and Forever 21} because I don’t always have time to go shopping in-person; but that’s not to say that I don’t love to when I do have the chance.
What is your most favorite place of the moment to score new items?
Zappos. I find that they have a ridiculously amazing selection of shoes, and I’m slightly addicted to the Free Overnight Shipping.
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| My new favorite nail color {Essie Penny Talk} coupled with my favorite accessory {the Infinity Ring} that I mentioned above. I take a lot of pictures of my hands / nails. |
The new season signaled new colors for beauty items: what are your favorite fall nail colors? Are you a fan of nail art?
This year I have found so many amazing new nail colors for fall that have completely taken me away from my standard fall beauty fare {oxblood}. My top five favorites are Essie’s Penny Talk {I have swatches that went up on Café Fashionista on 12/3/12} – which is an incredible rose gold/new copper penny chrome metallic that will actually look awesome year-round; OPI’s Ski Teal We Drop – which is actually from a few years back, but new to me; Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Lava – everyone needs this shade, it is an awesome color-shifting duochrome/multichrome; JULEP’s Toni – a grayish purple that I love; and OPI’s Candlelight – gorgeous, gorgeous egg yolk yellow that is very fall yellow {as opposed to summer yellow}.
While I love nail polish, I can’t say that I’m the biggest fan of nail art (aside from an accent nail). I just prefer the look and uniformity of a solid (utterly amazing) color.
Where do you go to get inspired?
I’m very inspired by the street style of certain supermodels {Rosie Huntington-Whiteley especially}; and am literally obsessed with Isabel Marant. On days when my style leans towards the bohemian side, it’s all inspired by Ms. Marant. I actually run a Tumblr site {Pretty Little Luxuries} that, essentially, serves as the Inspiration Board for Café Fashionista, and features pictures of some of my favorite looks.
I’m very inspired by the street style of certain supermodels {Rosie Huntington-Whiteley especially}; and am literally obsessed with Isabel Marant. On days when my style leans towards the bohemian side, it’s all inspired by Ms. Marant. I actually run a Tumblr site {Pretty Little Luxuries} that, essentially, serves as the Inspiration Board for Café Fashionista, and features pictures of some of my favorite looks.
Aside from supermodel street style and the runway, I love, love gaining inspiration when I’m at cafes – especially if they’re located in big cities that are full of so many different walks of life. There’s something about the charming ambience of a café juxtaposed against the stylish hustle and bustle of random people coming and going that I find irresistible.
Also {I know, my inspiration list is long – sorry!}…the novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote never fails to inspire me. I am utterly captivated by that story, and feel as if I absorb a bit of Holly Golightly into my own personality with every re-read. Oddly enough, I have never seen the film – I’m worried that it will take away some of the magic of the book!
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| Why I love this picture? My makeup looked incredible that day {though you can’t see it very well in these shots}; and it was my first time wearing those boots {Halogen Brianna in Rust from Nordstrom}, that Owl Sweater/Sweatshirt from Target {which everyone I have encountered is obsessed with}; and those Forever 21 Jeans {which I actually found in my closet that morning – having owned them for two years without ever wearing them}. |
If a stranger walking past you on the street was asked to describe your signature look in one word, what word would that be?
You have no clue how long I spent trying to come up with an answer for this question, but I have finally settled on one…Low-Key Luxe. I love my denim {low-key}, but I never leave the house without heels, and sparkly jewelry {luxe}.
{Just for fun} UGGS: Yay or nay?
I wear them around the house as slippers; therefore, nay. For me, they’re just a bit too bulky to be chic/stylish/cute. I think there are too many comfortable alternatives that give off a stylish vibe {i.e. Hunter Boots} without, for lack of a better word, being sloppy. That said; have you checked out the new super-stylish UGG pieces – shearling booties and such? Totally cute!
**Since this feature was published, Erika has rebranded and is now blogging at Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans.
I wear them around the house as slippers; therefore, nay. For me, they’re just a bit too bulky to be chic/stylish/cute. I think there are too many comfortable alternatives that give off a stylish vibe {i.e. Hunter Boots} without, for lack of a better word, being sloppy. That said; have you checked out the new super-stylish UGG pieces – shearling booties and such? Totally cute!
**Since this feature was published, Erika has rebranded and is now blogging at Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans.
Want more Savvy Style Chat? You can view the previous features here: