nest stop: erika martin

I met Erika Martin at a fashion show recently and she was so sweet and adorable that I asked her to stop by Trust Your Style for an interview. Erika is the new resident style expert and co-host on Thom Filica's new Style Network show, "Dress My Nest".




mj: What is your favorite part of being on "Dress My Nest"?

erika: Everything. I am very lucky to do what I do. I really enjoy combining my love for fashion and hosting into the perfect job for me. I also enjoy helping our "Inspiration girls" and viewers at home learn how to create their ideal home using their own style. Style is so personal, so being able to reflect that in one's home to share with everyone who visits is really important. And of course, I love learning about interior design from Thom. He is so talented and just so sweet. He makes it so easy for me to do what I do!

mj: Do you have a favorite show that you've taped? Can you tell us about it?

erika: Oh that's easy..."Hello Kitty"! Teresa was so fun and sweet, and yes she really did adore Hello Kitty. I loved the way we were able to give her the perfect home for her very unique sense of style. Thom made that pink sofa work, and yet it didn't seem too immature or inappropriate. It was perfect.

mj: How would you describe your own style?

erika: Pretty, warm, and tasteful--by warm I mean approachable.

mj: What designers inspire you and influence your own style?

erika: Well I'm not really into any particular designer as much as I am into clothes that fit me well and have character. I'm on the petite side, so it can be difficult to find pieces that work for me. However, these days I've been wearing Norma Kamali, Betsey Johnson, Rachel Roy, and my current local favorites Lotta and Kelly Nishimoto.

mj: If you could say what your key is to great style, what would it be?

erika: Charm and joie de vivre



mj: You looked great the night we met, what is a typical outfit you would wear during the day would be and then what you might wear any any given night out on the town?

erika: Thank you Mary Jo. I happened to be wearing Kelly Nishimoto the night we met. And I have to say, these days I am loving my new accessory (my bangs), so every outfit MUST compliment my bangs. Now I know that may sound easy, but bangs have a personality of their own that must be appreciated and cultivated! So during the day I generally wear empire waist dresses with a fabulous corset belt I got in Barcelona, my new Prada sandals that I have been wearing religiously (I do that often with my favorite pieces) a great bag and of course my old school gold Seiko watch. As for the evening, I like color and decolletage!

btw every girl should have her own gold seiko watch. It has that cool Rolex vibe without the Rolex price tag.

mj: Living in Los Angeles is so different from living in New York, how are you adjusting? What do you do for fun here in Los Angeles?

erika: The fact that part of my answer above included the word "color" in regards to an evening look, should say a lot! I think the color black is a way of life for New Yorkers. So I guess I am adjusting quite well!

I am so in Love with LA! I live in Los Feliz and it really reminds me of the city. I feel like I get that New York energy (until 1:15 am-lol) with the LA sun!

mj: Do you have any new projects you're working on?

erika: I'm a red carpet correspondent for Complex Magazine and just got a part in the local play Eavesdropper, as Marsha. I'm really working on kicking my acting and hosting career into high gear, so wish me luck!

mj: I know that you originally wanted to be a singer/dancer/actor. Are you still pursuing that part of your creative life?

erika: Singing has always been my biggest love, but alas it didn't manifest. However, I know that I wouldn't be as good of a stylist, actor, host or even person if it hadn't been for my music. Music really makes you show your cards (the real you). You can't mask anything in music, especially live. Whether in the music itself, lyrics, or vocals the listener always knows where you're coming from. So since I pretty much let it all out and wore my heart on my sleeve in my music, I felt as if I had nothing to lose by moving to LA to pursue my acting and hosting career. And when you have nothing to lose, you always win, it's physics.