TREND ALERT: PASTEL PERFECTION

Good Evening squeezers! I hope you had an eventful, restful, and awesome weekend! I spent mine doing some writing, getting ready for a segment tomorrow, and spending time with my kiddos and husband (which means schlepping from birthday parties and playdates and some unwinding with wine in between). 

It's been a little bit since I've shared a trend alert so I thought it was about time I put one out there in the blogoverse! This go around, we're going to be talking...PASTELS! 

There are so many ways to wear pastels. Pastels aren't colors you just bring out during Easter in the form of a Sunday's best dress. There are plenty of options- from classic suits, co-ord sets, tops, even heels! The best part is you can mix and match with so much! 

I found this pastel lilac vintage tee at Topshop and I thought it was an easy way to try out the pastel trend without going overboard. The print was felt very retro and I was thinking of other ways to wear it other than with denim. I had recently gotten this Alice & Olivia ruffled skirt and thought, "hmm, wouldn't that be a fun pairing?" The skirt is high-waisted and the t-shirt was slightly cropped so for me, it worked out perfectly because it wasn't a full-on crop. 

Next came the accessorizing and I had so much fun doing that! I added a small leopard bag and these great jeweled platform wedges from Zara that dress up any outfit. Of course, can't forget my glasses, which my friends still hate and it only makes me love them even more!

I've gone on to wear my pastel top with high-waisted jean shorts, mom jeans, and even sweatpants (gasp!) I have plans to wear them this week with a pair of white culottes I just picked up at Ann Taylor. I'm looking forward to that look!

Oh! I almost forgot the earrings! I also picked these up at Topshop on sale and I can't stop wearing them! They are so festive and fun and such a vibrant pop of color now for the summer. You'll be seeing a lot more of these babies =)

There was no better place to photograph this outfit than in Wynwood. Don't you think it captures it's funkiness perfectly?! 

How do you wear your pastels! I really want to know! Make sure to DM me or tag me so I can see your style. 

In Style, 

Kat Buccio 

How a One Week Detox from Social Media was the Best Medicine

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take a little voluntary break from social media. This wasn't my first time shutting down the social media shop. Two years ago when my anxiety was at a very heightened point, I went dark for about seven months. I had no interest in being on social media, in posting, in following anyone. I wasn't in the right place, mentally, and I had just no desire. It was also quite liberating.  

When I went back on, I made it a point (though there were times I was not successful), to keep the posting and the scrolling to a minimum. It is SO easy to become consumed with likes, with followers, to see what other people are wearing, where they are going, what they're doing. It can become exhausting when there's no moderation. It doesn't even matter if you have bullet-proof self-esteem. At some point, even the most confident people can crack under the social media pressure. It happens. We're human. 

Then there was the time my phone stopped working earlier this year, and while I waited for a new phone, I was off social media again for like three days, and there's always a pattern of withdrawal, call it 'digital heroin.' The term (I can't take credit for it), perfectly describes today's addiction with staying connected and living/sharing our lives on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. The moment we aren't able to connect, is the minute we go through those withdrawal symptoms, which begs me to constantly ask myself, 'is too much social media bad for our (my) health?'

Part of taking care of me, is becoming aware of what's causing me stress. Being a writer/influencer, social media is par for the course. They're symbiotic so I have to have some sort of presence in the realm. Two years ago, I also deleted Facebook. One social media platform was enough for me. Did it cost me potential followers? Probably, but I didn't care. My sanity was more important. How many times do you catch yourself reaching for your phone? Checking your Instagram? Putting the phone down, and then picking it up 10 seconds later, like if something so monumental and life changing happened in those 10 seconds you locked your phone? You've become addicted and dependent. How many times do you intend to 'stop and smell the roses,' but instead 'stop and film the roses,' opting to capture 'the moment' as opposed to 'living the moment?' I know this happens to me, and I have to remind myself to put the phone down. It's even worse when your six year old reminds you. 

The next step is finding a balance. How do you find the balance of staying connected without being consumed? That's what I've been trying to figure out. I want to be able to be present, but also disconnect so I don't miss out on what's going on around me. It's all about taming that major FOMO thats creeps up on all of us. 

And that's when I decided to detox. 

I made the decision to take a week of from social media. To make sure I wouldn't be tempted to go on Instagram, I deleted the app from my phone. Bye, Felicia! One week of no posting, no stories, no distractions, and not checking to see what other people were doing. As expected, the first couple of days, I would pick up the phone and would instinctively tap on where the Instagram app would be, which was now replaced by my NBC 6 app. It was crazy to see how many times I would pick up the phone to get on Instagram out of habit. 

There are a million other things I could be doing instead of checking my phone every minute, and once the withdrawals subsided, I felt like a weight had been lifted. So what did I do? Well, for starters, I did a lot more of 'Netflix and chill.' Literally. I watched like three different shows I've been wanting to watch, I started reading a new book, and even watched the Royal Wedding without posting on Instagram! I live streamed it and the only memes I saw, were the ones my friends texted me. More importantly, I lived in the moment. It made me realize that sometimes I post too many stories. I love sharing my stories with you because it makes me happy, and I know that you guys love them because you tell me, but maybe it's too many, I thought. It's not letting me fully immerse myself in whatever it is that I'm doing on my own, with my kids, my husband, etc. Even the expression 'everything in moderation,' applies to social media too. 

Oh, I also went back to the gym. I was on a roll, and last month I put it on the back burner, but no more. I got up, got dressed, and went downstairs and got on that treadmill, and I can't believe I'm saying this, it felt GOOD. Another upside. Maybe some of you will read this and say, "well, you can still do all this stuff without having to detox from social media." Yes, you're right. Social Media detoxing is not for everyone, but I know it's good for me, and guess what? I didn't miss anything and the world didn't end because I decided to take a week off. On the contrary, I felt recharged, refreshed, and balanced. 

Maybe all you need is a few days, maybe you want to test the waters and detox for longer than a week, it's all a personal choice. For me, that one week was cathartic and healthy. So much so, that I plan to do it monthly. Once a month, I plan to detox from social media, recalibrate, find my center, and keep reminding myself that there's nothing more 'Instagrammable' than living your best life in the moment. 

Have you ever detoxed from social media? I would love to hear your experience! 

*** These photos were taken at the beautiful Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village. I stayed here one night on my last NYC trip and it was charming, relaxing, and the service was exceptional. It's the perfect place to simultaneously find some good ol' New York energy in a vibrant and soothing environment. Can't you just see how relaxed and carefree I am?! It's not just for show. Definitely check this boutique hotel out next time you're in the Big Apple and really want to get an authentic NYC experience.  Lauren, from @laurelcreative, took these amazing pictures during a beautiful afternoon at the hotel. ***

In Style, 

Kat 

TREND ALERT: FLOWER BOMB

April showers brings May flowers, isn't that right?! And what a a significant way to kick off the first day of May than with a bright floral number that is sure to make you feel peppy, free, and light on your feet! 

This brings me to our next spring trend alert- florals, florals, and more florals. Yes, we see them every season and they're back again for spring. The thing with florals is that you can expect them to be brighter and bolder for spring and summer, and a little moodier in fall and winter. 

One of my favorite color combinations is orange and pink. It's also aqua and red, and here we are with those four colors in one amazing spring dress from Zara and it's a true flower bomb explosion! 

Now here comes the fun part- accessorizing! With a floral canvas like this, we just needed to find the greenery. We found it in the least expected of locations- Wynwood! Have you seen these palm leaves? They're gorgeous and massive and I just want to wrap myself in a palm leaf burrito! I'm obsessed with these stunning red fringe earrings  from TopShop, which are actually now on sale! They really bring out the red hues in the dress. 

Next up, shoes! I've been living in these gold wedge sandals from Zara for the past month and I have no plans to stop. Metallic goes with just about anything, and I love how easy they coordinate with everything from dresses to shorts. Part foam, part espadrille- they're funky, cool, and extremely versatile. 

I've been having a lot of fun lately with my sunglasses! I always have my go-to signature Ray-Bans close by, but I've been switching it up and playing with these different styles, colors, and up to the minute trends. I wanted some new red shades and loved these cat eyes ones I found on Amazon.  They're such a statement piece and easily wow! 

I threw on my de facto straw bag for spring/summer and voila! My floral look is complete and I'm ready to show it off to the world, or on my blog at least! Big shout out to Danielle, who saw this aqua stool lying around and incorporated into our shoot as a prop. Amazing how the simplest of tools can bring a photo and all it's vivid colors to life! 

Have you stocked up on your spring/summer florals? How do you wear yours? As usual, I want to know! DM me! 

In Style, 

Kathy

TREND ALERT: CHECKERED SPRING

Good Morning, Squeezers! Sending lots of love and gratitude your way, because if it weren't for your support and comments, I wouldn't be able to do this blog! So, a big THANK YOU!

Like I promised, I have a new spring trend alert for you and I'm sure you saw this one for fall/winter, and now it's making an appearance for spring. It's the only time having a 'checkered past' is acceptable! Yes, I'm talking checkered for spring and it's fantastic, versatile, and believe it or not, a great neutral for pairing!

Checkered is such an ode to 80's fashion and I can't get enough of it. Not sure if you remember the checkered pant suit I wore (the blazer was vintage and belonged to my mom), and I couldn't get enough of it. For spring, we're changing things up. The suit is too heavy for spring and it would be criminal and also deliriously hot for me to wear right now, so time to adjust!

I found this gorgeous skirt at H&M and we can't ignore the big bow detail that allows for a cinched waist and hip hugging curves! Normally I wouldn't wear a skirt like this because I would feel restricted, but it's actually so comfortable and I love how it hugs at all the right places and also masks a little bit of that leftover pregnancy belly that's been a challenge to lose.

I love that I could wear this skirt with everything from a graphic tee to a buttoned up blouse. In this case, I wanted a playful look. I paired it with this 'Merci' graphic tee from Forever 21 (only available in plus sizes at the moment. I linked it for you) and I love how the colors coordinate with the skirt. By the way, this tee is SO ultra soft. I may or may not have fallen asleep in it a few times. The great thing about this black and white checkered look is that you don't have to limit yourself to primary colors. Think outside the box! Pair it with a neon top, a tropical print blouse, floral off the shoulder. Your options are really endless! 

As always, don't forget to have fun with your look! Fashion isn't meant to be serious. It's meant to be fun, expressive, and ever-evolving, so if you want to wear those kiddie heart shaped glasses or pom pom earrings like I did, just go for it! It's a really festive way to show off your personality.

I threw on my fisherman's cap because you know I love me a good hat, as well as my pointy white boots also from Forever 21, which are still available! You might remember I wore these all through fall and winter and guess what? I will still be wearing them through summer and spring! A good tip to remember- with a fitted skirt like this, you want to avoid flats. Think tall and wear heels, not just to show off those long legs, but to also give you some height!

Merci and Au Revoir!

In Style,

Kathy

TREND ALERT: GO WIDE

Hi Squeezers! I'm back from our family vacation and ready to throw some more trend alerts your way. I've taken my own advice and stepped a bit out of of my comfort zone for this look. Can you guess what I wore that you've rarely ever seen me wear? It also happens to be tonight's trending topic. 

Wide Leg Pants. Yes ladies, I went wide. It's a bit of a stretch for me, believe it or not. The moment I had a taste of my first pair of skinny jeans, I never went back. Ever. It's been yeaaaaaaaars since I've worn anything bootleg or wide leg and I haven't missed it, really. The trend comes and goes each season and each season I say, "maybe I'll give it a whirl again," but then I don't. I think it's mostly because I don't wear a lot of high heels or high wedges and in order to really pull off length and dimension with a wide leg pant, you need height. You really can't sport these with flats or sneakers. It'll make you look dumpy, no matter your body type or weight. 

This season, however, I took a chance on the wide leg again. On a recent adventure to Forever 21 (because it's always an adventure when you go to F21), I unintentionally found these high-waisted jeans in their denim section. I initially grabbed them because they said 'high-waisted,' not realizing they were wide leg jeans until I got to the fitting room. I almost tossed them to the side, but a little perky voice inside me (or maybe it was the F21 fumes) said, "girl, try them on!" I'm so glad I did. I was feeling them! I loved the fit, they made my butt look good, and they sat perfectly on my waist.

I paired it with a few other things I had grabbed, because I like to make sure I have plenty of options when I buy an item, and I knew I could pull it off. I stepped outside the box! Wide Leg pants also happen to be a BIG trend for spring, and such a great alternative for dressing up any outfit, especially a denim one.

You know who also makes my wide leg outfit look all sorts of amazing?! My photographer, Lauren (@laurelcreative). She caught every angle of these jeans, showing how they hang, how they hug my curves, and how they look front, back and center. Also, she manages to always catch me while my hair is blowing in the wind, ala JLo (thank you, Lauren!).

I've actually combined two spring trends with this look- the wide leg jean and tropical prints. This tropical bomber also from Forever 21, is giving me Versace in the 90's vibe (at budget-friendly prices). It's the ideal jacket for spring's easy breezy weather. We have to talk about my 'Extra' t-shirt I also scored at Forever! It's what all the kids are saying these days and you know what, it's not such a bad thing to be a little bit 'extra' in your life! Give yourself a little extra oomph. 

Early in the post, I mentioned how I rarely wear high heels or wedges anymore, but I've actually been sporting some more wedges and booties with heels in the last year, so that gave me the extra push I needed to get the pants. For this look, I wore my white booties, which I've basically lived in since I got them and I'll continue to wear them through spring until I find a white wedge or slip on that takes my breath away. 

Let's not forget accessories! It's all about the straw purse for spring and summer, especially this round straw crossbody. I love that I can wear it as a cross body or remove the straps and hold it by the short handle, which is what I did with this look! I'm pretty obsessed with the bag because you can wear it with just about anything in a spring or summer wardrobe, and for $17.90, it can't be beat. It's just as cute as my heart shaped sunnies, which by the way, get me TONS of compliment. 

What's not to love?! 

How do you feel about the wide leg trend for spring? Is it a do or a don't for you? I always want to know!

In Style,

Kat

Finding Those Little Moments in a Creative Rut

Hola Squeezers! I hope you guys are living your best life and enjoying the little moments. It's so easy to get consumed and affected by the negative vortex of our surroundings. Turning on the TV, unless you're watching your favorite show, is no longer a means of relaxation. Another mass shooting, another dead child, a heartbroken family left to pick up the shattered pieces- how is that comforting? How does that make us feel safe or how does that let us find joy when things can seem so depressing? 

That's why I say, enjoy the little moments. Easier said than done, I know. We owe it to ourselves, to those around us, to our little ones, our loved ones, and to humanity in general, because amidst the negativity and grief, there is always something that can make us smile. It's up to us to take that approach and make the effort. I, myself, am trying to do that. 

Those are my honest two cents this morning. I want to focus on the little moments, on what is right in front of me, because sometimes, I forget. Right now, I am home alone, sitting in bed, catching up on this blog post, writing assignments, and a laundry list of things to do, and I'm savoring it. I am thankful for the few hours I get to do this without distraction, to cross something off my list, which makes me feel and be productive, catching up on all sorts of emails, and more importantly, having a minute to gather my thoughts, regroup, and breathe. Those are little moments. When I  pick up my kids from school and get greeted by the best hugs, those are the moments worth enjoying and living for. 

Whether it's a quick coffee break, stepping outside for a breather, a dip in the pool, or maybe its sitting outside a fast food joint enjoying a value meal in your car, hey, those are all  little moments. What will you do to enjoy the little moments? 

One of the reasons I'm so focused on enjoying the little moments and focusing on the positive is because as of late, I've been in a bit of a creative rut. It's a first world problem, really, but lately, I'm feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated when it comes to the blog. I mentioned in my last post that I was going to be doing a revamp, and that is still happening, however, it's a sloooooooow process. When I think about all the things I want to do, need to do, without many resources to actually do it (I.e. money, time, etc), I get overwhelmed. I know I'll get there, but I guess it's not happening as fast as I like it. 

I'm not one to compare myself to others. It's never been my thing and we are all on our own individual journey or path, but sometimes I do look around and see that my counterparts are a little further along on this blog race. Granted, I haven't been doing this for very long, but still. The good news is I do snap myself out of the comparisons and go back to 'doing me,' but it can sometimes feel frustrating and exhausting. 

I haven't posted in over a month because I am visually not happy with how my actual blog looks. It's outdated, in my opinion, and needs to be spruced up. What I really need is a money tree so I can shake it and grab some dolla dolla bills to pay someone to help me! Right?! We all know that blogging is work and it costs money and is an investment. It's about the time and money you want to commit to it  in order to have it grow. 

You want to be original in a sea of so many talented and diverse influencers, in a social world that is constantly changing and evolving. I'm looking at these fashion photos now, with my hot pink sweater with the word 'ORIGINAL' spelled across and that got me thinking, "What makes you original?" "How can I be original in a saturated world of talent and 'who's who?" I can't be the only person that asks herself that. I mean, in order to grow those are questions we constantly have to ask ourselves. It's finding the balance of originality without comparing yourself to others, and remembering we are human, and not being so hard on ourselves. Little moments, Kathy. Little moments. 

Good thing is, I'm also a problem solver and in life, I've had to learn the art of patience. I'm not very good at it, to be honest, it's a work in progress. So what will I do? Well, for one thing, I'm not going to make excuses and stop writing just because I'm not happy with how the blog looks. Writing is self-expression and cathartic for me, and what's the difference between writing on a sheet of paper or on blogspot? I know with time, I'll have a snazzy and new updated blog to work with, but for now, I'm not going to let that be a deterrent hurdle. At the end of the day, it's about sharing with you guys, and I want to keep doing that. 

Secondly, how am I going to be original? By being me. I'm not changing who I am, what I wear, or what I share to conform with any trends or algorithms. I like who I am, and I hope that you like what I share. Sure, I need to work on a more 'cohesive' Instagram feed, but what can I say? I love sharing anything and everything and sometimes it's not cohesive, but I know it's entertaining. At least, I hope it is! 

That's all I can do.....for now. I'm going to cut myself some slack. I have to focus on all the work I HAVE accomplished with minimal resources and the help of friends, to get this platform up and running and I am PROUD. I'm going to take my own advice, I'm going to practice what I preach, and I'm going enjoy the little moments! 

Before we wrap this up, let's discuss the outfit! Did I mention that Maya picked out the H&M sweater? How could I say no! She said it was perfect for me because it's "fuzzy and pink," Do I need any more convincing? I think not! I paired with my favorite Forever 21 checkered pants, because these are a neutral patterned pant and go with any kind of top. I love that you can make them sophisticated and classic, but they can also be alternative and vintage-inspired. 

I think with this look, the accessories do the talking as well- a leopard clutch, some sleek white boots, my aviator glasses, and a fisherman cap to tie this street style look together. Oh, can't forget the pom pom earrings! Sign me up, for anything pom pom. 

Let's keep our fingers crossed for one more cold front so I can wear this outfit again! 

In Style, 

Kathy