Elements of Style Author and Designer Erin Gates Shares Her Favorite Things

This month, the impossibly chic designer and writer Erin Gates releases Elements of Style, a book based on her popular blog of the same name. Ahead, the Newton resident, 35, dishes about the items she can’t live without.

9/30/2014, 4:05 a.m.

Photo by Bob O’Connor

My Favorite Things

Child Perfume

I love that so few people actually wear this hard-to-find handmade fragrance. I’ve been wearing it for more than 15 years, and now it just smells like “me.” Apparently it’s Madonna’s favorite scent.Courtesy of Child Perfume Studio

Courtesy of Child Perfume Studio

Clé de Peau concealer

If I were only allowed to own one beauty product, this would be it. It hides everything and has a creamy texture. It’s stupidly expensive, but it lasts forever.Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Frog’s Leap Petite Sirah

Wine time in the evening is my favorite time of day—work is done, and I can relax and catch up with my husband. When we were in Napa, we visited Frog’s Leap and enjoyed touring the vineyard. And my nickname is Frog, so we have one more reason to love it.Courtesy of Frog's Leap Winery

Courtesy of Frog's Leap Winery

My well-worn copy of Eat, Pray, Love

It’s the book that made me want to be a writer, because reading it made me laugh, cry, and feel understood. I’ve reread it many times in different stages of life and found unique meaning from each journey through the pages.

Leopard print

It’s my favorite color—and a neutral, as far as I’m concerned. On a chair or a pair of shoes, it always kicks things up a notch.Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Striped t-shirts

I’m totally addicted to buying striped tees with three-quarter-length sleeves. I’ll probably be buried in jeans and a striped shirt.Courtesy of LL Bean

Courtesy of LL Bean

My heirloom jewelry

I had the diamond from my mom’s engagement ring, which I received as a 30th-birthday present, made into a solitaire necklace. I also have a charm from my husband’s grandmother’s charm bracelet with his name and birth date on it.

Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses

No item of clothing fits and flatters better than a DVF wrap dress. I have four and refuse to retire any of them.Diane von Furstenberg Gallery at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Dave Cobb / Flickr

Diane von Furstenberg Gallery at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Dave Cobb / Flickr

My dogs

Few things in life bring me more joy than my two pups: Baxter, a Havanese, and Oliver, a Havanese-bichon mix (we think—he was a rescue). They are hilarious and wonderful. I would have 16 dogs if it were legal in Newton.Via Elements of Style / Instagram

Via Elements of Style / Instagram

Vintage chairs

If let loose in a flea market or antiques store, there is a 99 percent chance I’ll end up with a chair or two that I want to make over. Chairs are such an easy way to make a statement—and they speak volumes about the time period in which they were made.Via Elements of Style / Instagram

Via Elements of Style / Instagram

Elements of Style Author and Designer Erin Gates Shares Her Favorite Things

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My Favorite Things

Child Perfume

Clé de Peau concealer

Frog’s Leap Petite Sirah

My well-worn copy of Eat, Pray, Love

Leopard print

Striped t-shirts

My heirloom jewelry

Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses

My dogs

Vintage chairs

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