Real Style: Erika Marie, Miami
By Jenna Fain • Sep 5th, 2008 • Category: Style
Erika Marie has what you can consider a cult-like following on her blog, fashionchalet.blogspot.com. And for good reason! Her style is constantly evolving and is never predictable. We check out Fashion Chalet for Erika’s creativity – she is never afraid to pair together unexpected items and put her own spin on trends. Let’s put it this way: if paparazzi took photos of regular folks looking fierce, Erika would be followed everywhere!
Your look?
Feminine/classic/minimalist meets a touch of street urban, just to shake things up a little bit. I don’t prefer one specific look or style of dressing. I love playing “dress up” so I tend to revamp myself with a different idea daily. I do notice that a signature of mine plays to the more feminine side, as I adore anything with a flowy skirt or fun floral print.
Inspiration?
Old Hollywood glamour always grabs my attention. High-waisted skirts, flapper dresses, and romantic pearls. I can also spend hours scouring through street style candids online, from blogs to celebrity paparazzi pictures. Model street style and Parisian chic also call my name.
Currently coveting?
The perfect over-the-knee boot; something suede and flat with a bit of slouch to it would be the ultimate. Since I live in Florida and “cold weather” only comes out a few sporadic weeks during the year, I can still play with summery pieces, such as light cotton. So my vintage dresses will definitely get a revival with boots, tights, and cabby knit caps.
Grooving to?
Getting dressed while listening to a mix really does inspire some of my best looks. I am a fan of anything from eclectic to classic: Cat Power, Au Revoir Simone, Death Cab for Cutie, Muse, 30 Seconds to Mars, Nouvelle Vague, Giovanca, Natasha Bedingfield, One Republic, September, Cut Copy, and anything composed by John Williams, Danny Elfman, Camile Saint-Saëns, and James Newton Howard.
Most beloved finds?
Some come from my mother’s closet, she saved me some of the coolest handmade dresses, off-beat jewelry, and some very fun leather handbags. As well as my grandmother’s, whose previously collected items have added funky blazers, classic designers, and fitted Audrey Hepburn-like dresses to my wardrobe.
Favorite haunts?
I shop at American Apparel, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Newport News, and vintage boutiques. I’m usually at the beach, bookstores, street side cafés, and underneath shady trees, reading books and magazines.
You may not know…
One of my favorite pastimes is creating “Inspiration Board” collages.
Follow Erika’s style at fashionchalet.blogspot.com.
Editor’s Note: If you, or people you know, have great personal style, we’d love to feature you on Real Style! Send your thoughts and photos to info@thesupermelon.com. Please write “Real Style” in the subject line. Thanks!
Jenna Fain is
Email this author | All posts by Jenna Fain
such a lovely heart + style.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:40 am
So proud of you for to get this!!!!! Your blog is my first place to stop each day Erika.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am
wow. you’re definitely a star. =]
September 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am
AWESOME, ERIKA! <3
Just read it, we love the same music.
btw– great covet, I want some too.. formerly a Miami-an.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:25 am
lovely, great style and sweet!
congrats again!
xoxo
September 5th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Congratulations! Love your style!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 11:48 am
very cute, chic, you shine!
September 5th, 2008 at 11:50 am
This girl has an amazing style because of her incredibly inventive and wonderfully creative ideas. From her blog’s layout, to her outfits, her inspiration boards (best I have seen!) and of course, her writing. Love it all. Great answers, fashion chalet. love, Lila.
——————You know I love your blog page!!
September 5th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Hi there-Erika is such a lovely talented girl-a great interview!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Totally wonderful
September 5th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I always check FashionChalet whenever I can’t think what to wear to some particular outing.
The photos and write-ups inspire me to wear something other than the usual t-shirt and jeans with flip flops. Keep it up, Fashion Chalet!!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
She’s very smart and beautiful. She has mile long legs. Wish I could style like her.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
¡Bravo, Erika!
I like your style.
You look “Pretty in Pink” (and blue!)
-Michelle.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
You know I love this.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Beautiful girl! Great style, looks and love the colorful clothes and backgrounds.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
So glad to see recognition for the lovely Erika of Fashion Chalet. She has such unique and inspirational style and a fabulous and well written blog!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
You always look so stunning in all of your photographs. Totally deserving of this attention!!
September 6th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Hey Lady! Great feature on your style and personality! You’ve got great style, you know precisely what fits you and it definitely translates into a great blog! Glad to see your time and efforts being rewarded with all this very well-deserved recognition!!!
September 6th, 2008 at 8:06 am
erika, you are soo adorable! You have the ability to take anything and make it so chic, I’m quite jealous!
September 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Here comes my comment eheh!
I’ve been addicted to your blog, your collages,your outfits, .. since I visited Fashion Chalet for the first time. I think you really deserve this recognition, you’re really a great inspiration to me!
September 6th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I love your style it is great! I have been a fan of your blog for some time now and I’m SO happy to see that you are getting really well known! I wish the best to you, I REALLY do! Hope you succeed and follow your dreams!
September 6th, 2008 at 11:56 am
You remind me of audrey hepburn. your demeanor is reserved and classic.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
It’s so nice to read about you here!
I didn’t know that you’ve got many clothes from your mother and grandma… wow
By the way, I remember all these outfits from your blog ^^
xoxo
September 6th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
She’s got a very cute look and I like her ideas. Will check the blog out now.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Que belle. I like it.
September 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Perfect Miami fall look!
I wish I had as many fringed booties as you do in your blog. 
September 9th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Great look all around.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:35 am
love it.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Thanks to everyone who left a comment here for me.
:)
Thanks to The Supermelon (especially Jenna!) for interviewing me. This experience was a privilege indeed! <3
September 12th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
i love this girl blog
October 1st, 2008 at 8:34 am
NO! I can’t believe I didn’t leave a comment on here! Well, you must have had a hard time picking out photos of yourself because all of them are so gorgeous… If I had to pick out the best photo of you it would take me ages to decide!
December 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Yayyyy, I love Erika! She has great style and shes so lovely! xx
December 6th, 2008 at 5:52 am