Erickson Beamon | WhyDid.com

Setting the Mood: The Hunt for Halloween

By admin|October 28th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

As I sit here sorting out the sordid details for this upcoming Friday with friends amidst racking my brain for costume ideas that will prevent me from running around the city like a true life Halloween nightmare come Friday afternoon, it occurs to me that I have a real love/hate relationship with this so called “holiday.” While I love any excuse to dress up, craft a costume, and execute a theme, I loathe the overall emphasis placed on one sole evening. The sheer amount of pressure put upon crafting a costume that’s sexy but not slutty, creative but not crass, timeless but not trite can be downright daunting. Not to mention that the past several years for me have been the equivalent to not having a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve (something I’m also all too familiar with). Last year, instead of spending the morning doing squats in anticipation of squeezing myself into spandex, I had a rather disruptive row with my then beau, but I probably did burn a few calories dodging inanimate objects and the crying left me looking like the walking dead. The year before that I had gotten dressed and even made it out the door before deciding to ditch after having spent twenty minutes in the unseasonable cold trying to catch a cab. And the year prior, I doused myself in fake blood to freak out the four trick or treaters who actually bothered to show up at our Silicon Valley doorstep. That’s why this year, rather than gunning for the blue ribbon for best in show, I’ll relegate the heavy lifting to creative accessories because heaven knows I own enough leotards, legwear, and lofty ideas to do just that. So, if you, too, are looking to avoid dropping dough on costumery crafted from potentially flammable fabric, try accenting something simple with bold accessories in the form of headbands, hats, or handbags. You could always make your very own lace bunny/cat/mouse ears (DIY tutorial here).

Erickson Beamon Stratosphere Ruthenium Plated Swarovski Crystal and Faux Pearl Hair Slides, $595, House of Holland The Bag of Tricks, $320, Piers Atkinson Bitten Cherries Crystal Embellished Headband $590, Jennifer Behr Floral Silk Lace Mask, $675

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Cocktail Hour

By Kirsten|December 31st, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

The one garnish certain to undoubtedly make a drink that much more chic with each clink of the glass is one that you bring to the party yourself. No, you aren’t going to tote a jar of bleu cheese stuffed olives in your Prada to the next party. This garnish is right at your fingertips… well, really just your fingers. The fastest way to add extra bling is by slipping on a cocktail ring while sipping on a cocktail or two. Originally made popular during the prohibition era as a kind of flamboyant “eff you”, the cocktail ring later became popular with single ladies who wore giant jewels on their right ring fingers as a sign of independence. Being a woman looking forward to planting a kiss on no one other than her pooch this year, I like the idea of a cocktail ring in that context. But whether you’re single or attached, there’s nothing wrong with adding an extra rock for cocktail hour.

1. Bijoux Heart La Terr D’Or Gold Plated Swarovski Crystal Ring, 2. Elizabeth and James Northern Star Cabochon Ring, 3. IPPOLITA Mother of Pearl Clear Quartz and Sterling Ring, 4. Gemma Redux Mood Ring, 5. Vanessa Mooney The Purple Haze Ring, 6. Anita Ko 18 Karat Gold Diamond Ring, 7. Kelly Wearstler Myra Ring, 8. Scott Kay Recessed Cross Ring, 9. Maison Martin Margiela Double Faux Diamond Ring, 10. AERIN Erickson Beamon Gemstone Cocktail Ring, 11. Alexis Bittar Mirrored Citrine Ring, 12. Gurhan Pandora Hammered 24 Karat Gold Amethyst Ring, 13. Monserat De Lucca Drunk Sober Ring, 14. Jade Jagger Diamond Disco Ball Ring, 15. Jacquie Aiche Moonstone Diamond and 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring, 16. Lanvin Borneo Gunmetal Tone Swarovski Crystal Ring

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: The Haunting

By Kirsten|October 28th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about shimmying into synthetic fabric and trips to Ricky’s for costumes in a plastic bags. Rather than looking frightening or freaky, you could spend the night looking fashionable. An evening that’s meant to be about fantasy, this is your moment to beckon your inner seductress or that glamorous goth. While there is a (very) fine line between sexy and skanky, selecting streamlined pieces sans tulle, glitter, and excessive sequins will have you riding the high road instead of gallivanting in the gutter. Accessories with a bit of sparkle will add an extra bit of intrigue to any witchy woman.

Agent Provocateur Classic Satin Corset, Erickson Beamon Mistress Masquerade Gold Plated and Crystal Mask, Karl Lagerfeld Attens Crystal Embellished Leather Fingerless Gloves, Jennifer Behr Swarovski Crystal Spider Hair Slide

Happy haunting.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: The Witching Hour

By Kirsten|July 16th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

While one can essentially never go wrong in a little black dress, the same ol’ cocktail attire can become a bit tired. For a more modern take on basic black, try mixing separates in the same color- most notably in noir. Make the look your own by adding accessories like a hat for a more dressed down take, or twisting your hair into a top knot for a more polished presence. I once suggested another alternative to the LBD, which garnered a love/hate reaction. And to be honest, this is a look I’ve been perfecting since senior prom.

Yes, my parents let me out of the house (and actually escorted me) to my prom wearing these very same fly-away shorts and a beaded butterfly top (dare I mention my very first weave?). I never thought I’d see the day where these shorts would become a part of my wardrobe again, but during one of my 18,000 moves, I returned to my mom’s house in West Virginia and scoured the archives. Jackpot.

hat: borrowed (similar here), top: American Apparel (similar here), shorts: Caché, shoes: L.A.M.B. (similar), bag: Erickson Beamon

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Drab to Fab

By Kirsten|December 9th, 2011|Why Did You Wear That?|

Believe it or not some people don’t like to wear sequin covered disco ball-esque dresses. I know. I could hardly wrap my head around it either. I’m somewhat of a magpie and I will use any and all excuses to deck myself, my home, my dog out in anything shiny. Whether it be a shimmering chandelier or sparkly mini, I’m on it. However, in the off chance that you don’t love a sparkly get up as much as me (or the rest of the world), there are some other options to bring a little bling to your standard LBD. It can be as subtle as a glittery manicure or as bold as bejeweled headband. Adding just a hint of shine will take you from wet blanket to woohoo!

1. Eugenia Kim Serena Headband, $74.99, 2. Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow, $22, 3. Black Halo Donna Halter Mini Dress, $330, 4. Fragments for Neiman Marcus Multi Crystal Bracelet, $275, 5. J. Crew Classic Pave Link Bracelet, $118, 6. Essie Nail Polish (Set in Stones), $8, 7. Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Polish (Boom Boom Pow), $20, 8. Jimmy Choo Glitter Cap Toe Ballerina Flats, $345, 9. J. Crew Darby Glitter Loafers, $175, 10. Loeffler Randall Zuri Pumps, $359.99, 11. B Brian Atwood Liese Metallic Peep Toe Ankle Boots, $350, 12. Kenneth Jay Lane Large Crystal Ring, $88, 13. Kate Spade All Wrapped Up Pave Ring, $148, 14. See by Chloe Cherry Feather Mini Cross Body Bag, $495, 15. Top Shop Gold Sequin Animal Cross Body Bag, $50, 16. Erickson Beamon Smoke and Mirrors Earrings, $315, 17. Oscar de la Renta Beaded Tassel Earrings, $440