NY Style Map: NY Is The City That Made Me

Every couple of months or so, I come around the blog and drop some mad love to my favorite city in the world (Don't worry, Miami. I still love you). Some of you love reading about my city love story, some of you may roll your eyes- probably because you can't relate to my incessant NY obsession that never dies. Nonetheless, these 'once upon a time' odes I often feel the need to express about the city I once called home, is simply a way to feel and stay connected. It's a part of me, a part of who I am, that I love to acknowledge and thank- because I give the city (and some other special people) a huge amount of credit for making me the person that I am today on every level. I'm reminded everyday through my character, my determination, my no bullshit attitude, and my bullet-proof self-esteem, that I was and still am part of that magical landscape. New York builds you up, tears you down, and builds you right back up stronger than ever. And it has served me wonders here in the Magic City. 

How many people can echo Frank's 'If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere' sentiment with assurance and say "I made it?" I can. I came. I saw. I conquered. And then some. Maybe I wasn't ready to leave, but I walked away from the experience with more life lessons and memories than My Space, Facebook, and my IPhone Photo Library could hold. And I'm so thankful! Now I get to share that obsession and that love with my little ones. I love showing Maya all the wonders of the city each time we go back. I show her where mommy went to school. I show her where mommy took the bus or the train to go to work in the big, awesome buildings that reach the sky. We have tea at our favorite neighborhood tea shop and walk to Central Park and pick from an assortment of playgrounds to spend our afternoon. I tell her how mommy met daddy in the greatest city in the world and we fell in love. And I tell her that there's no such thing as an impossible dream and that there's nothing she can't do. Because I did it. And for that, I'm proud and eager to boast. 

NY is the city that made me. 

On our last visit to the city, I met up with one of my favorite ladies and photographers, Kim Mancuso (http://www.kimmancusophotography.com/index2.php), for a quintessential photo shoot where else- Times Square. Now understand this- Times Square is the place you avoid like the plague when you live in Manhattan. You make the obligatory trip to midtown when your friends and family visit, and you swear you'll never go back until the next forced family vacation. But there's just something about Times Square that gets under your skin. Because it is pretty cool, let's face it. It's even cooler on a bright and early Sunday when there's just a few people walking around taking photos or grabbing cabs. It stands in all it's glory without all the tourists, or without the bells and whistles that usually occupy it at all hours of the day. Almost 13 years in the city, and this was one of the few times I actually stopped to enjoy Times Square. How very NY with it's big city lights, vibrant energy, and air of endless possibilities. 

And it's a pretty epic place to shoot some amazing photos like these! 

After seeing these awesome photos, I almost feel like Times Square stole the show! I had to show it up with a fabulous outfit- and I brought my A-game for this one. I love a menswear look with a touch of lady-like accents. This black and white bow blouse from H&M is everything right now, and it has the versatility to be worn with just about any piece. I love wearing it with high-waisted jeans, my black trouser jumpsuit, and even leather culottes. However, for this particular post, I paired it with a black lace floral skirt for a more feminine approach. 

I added a pop of color with the mustard tights and my leopard print coat for contrast. All the mixed textures, prints, and styles work collectively to showcase my ultra contemporary 'woman on top' look. Add a faux fur vest to the equation, and you can't go wrong! 

I accessorized with my favorite hat of the moment from Goorin Bros (hello, London Sparkles), and patent leather oxfords. But my favorite accessory is by far the stack of woven jeweled bracelets from Albadora Jewelry out of New York (follow them on Instagram @albadorajewelry). I love how the pale blue and silver arm candy looks against the leopard coat and black skirt. Same goes for the unique chandelier earrings. 

I'm getting all sorts of happy feels as we near another season of Fashion Week! I'm looking forward to some good ol' production work, seeing friends, and reuniting with the city I love! 

On Me: 

Blouse- H&M

Skirt- H&M

Vest- Victoria's Secret

Tights- Hue 

Oxfords- Ivanka Trump

Hat- Goorin Bros 

Coat- Guess 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Starting off the New Year on the Right Foot!

Hello, you and hello, 2016! Wishing all my fashionably fresh squeezers a very happy new year! Here's to health, happiness and good style! Hope you all rung in the new year surrounded by loved ones and good champagne. Personally, I'm looking forward to kicking off another fabulous year with the blog, starting with this post right here. I'm excited to bring you a little bit of everything in 2016- from fun fashion mash-ups to tales of parenting- I promise to keep you entertained! 

We're feeling some crispness in the air here in la ciudad de Mee-ah-mi and I'm taking full advantage of anything remotely cool, weather wise, to wear more fall-like pieces and looks. I think by now I've expressed my obsession with the color mustard, and in this particular case, I'm digging how it pairs with deep plum lips for a cool, rustic vibe. We (and by we I mean the killer photo team of Ra-Haus www.a-haus.com) took this pretty little number to the Freehand in Miami Beach (www.thefreehand.com) and shot it amidst the tropical greens and eclectic backdrop. I'm kind of getting some Taylor Swift feels with this look. Anyone else?! 

I photographed this look a few weeks after having Rocco and as I look back at the photos, physically, I look so different. For starters, this was 'phase one' as I like to call it, of my new year hair transformation. I chopped off a good chunk of my hair, which felt very liberating and cathartic. It's not usually how I feel after getting a cut. I have a hard time letting go of length; but, as I've gotten older, I've become slightly more easygoing in that regard. We are currently at 'phase three' of hair, which is the lightening process and you'll see that very soon! 

Beyond the physical, I see change in my approach to fashion. While the core of my style remains, I'm definitely stepping outside the box and trying out new trends and looks. One thing I've learned through my style evolution (because nothing is funnier than looking back on some of those questionable fashion phases), is that fashion is a reflection of who you are at a specific point in your life, who you're becoming, and who you want to be. Our experiences not only shape us mentally and emotionally, but they are also reflected in what we wear and how we present ourselves to the world. My wardrobe gives a glimpse into the life of a woman who is youthful with a joie de vivre, but also of someone who enjoys (although sometimes exhaustingly) a happy chaotic stream of activities, to-do lists, and adventures. Simply put, my clothes are an extension of how I feel, and my looks run the gamut from happy-go-lucky (happy face emoji to the tenth power) to emo-rollercoaster. 

So just when you think that what you wear doesn't matter or you prefer to play the 'I don't care about clothes' charade (but really you do), remember that you're sending a message about yourself to others that needs no words (note to late teenage self: thong hanging out of crotch hugging Brazilian jeans was never ever a good look and never a good message to send. Ewww. Abuela was right). 

I'm at a real content stage in my life; and, even with the day to day challenges of trying to 'balance it all' and figuring out the next steps and goals I want to achieve, the growing pains are fulfilling. I can't exactly tell you in what ways I've grown in maturity (and not just with the new haircut), but it's there and the essence of me is ever-changing and I love it. 

This Forever 21 look gives me an extra pep in my step- from the colors to the silhouette of the dress. It's fun- easy as that. Paired with a kick ass kimono, some menswear oxfords, and a hat (always a hat), I'm ready to sashay my way into the bright lights of 2016! 

On Me: 

Dress- Forever 21

Kimono- Forever 21

Hat- Forever 21

Oxfords- Ivanka Trump 

In style, 

Kat