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 

FESTIVAL FASHION: RUSTIC AND FEMININE

It's that time of year! Music festival season- from Coachella to Hangout Fest to Governor's Ball and so many more in between, it can only mean one thing- Festival Fashion is coming. You'll start seeing it pop up in popular fast fashion stores, vintage boutiques will be swarmed with fashionistas, and those graphic rock n' roll tees that once belonged to mom or dad (or maybe you picked one up at Urban Outfitters), will be part of your wardrobe repertoire.

While I be live streaming some of the performances from my couch as I go 'Nowherella' (see what I did there), that doesn't mean I can't bring you some festival inspo to get you in the spirited mood. I teamed up with Danielle Margherite of Danielle Margherite Photography to capture some festival goodness for the gram and the blog. We took this pink floral number to Wynwood and just check out the amazingness she captured!

When I scroll through Instagram, sometimes I feel like a lot of the girls basically just pull a bunch of random items from their closets and wear it all together and voila, they have a festival look. Do any of you feel the same way?! And hey, sometimes it's magic and it's fabulous. Other times, it leaves me scratching my head. Most of the time, these outfits are meticulously planned out. While I'm all about taking fashion risks and trying new trends and having fun, I also don't want to leave people wondering, 'homeless or hipster?' 

You can keep it fairly simple and still standout with some key pieces. Just like we touched upon florals as a big trend for spring, floral fashion is blooming all over the music festival fields. I actually found this pink floral dress in the clearance section at H&M and I love it. I love easy dresses I  can slip on and wear for any occasion. I have a 'dress and go' mentality as of late and this dress fits the bill perfectly. I can wear it with sneakers, boots, a leather jacket for spring, even heels if I'm in the mood to dress it up. It's the perfect dress to lounge around on a grassy knoll somewhere and vibe the scene. 

I'll be taking this dress with me to NYC next week and because it's legit spring weather in the city, I'll be wearing it with a leather jacket and nothing makes me happier! Leather jacket weather is my favorite! Another reason I love this dress- it's not form fitting. It's a little looser, a little more towards the 'shift' look, and for me, that's key. Simple doesn't have to be boring, you see?! Did you catch the slit? Subtle sexiness is a nice touch!

How fantastic are these bubblegum pink iron gates? I mean, they were just calling for this dress to be part of the landscape. It coordinates perfectly and it's amazing! You can really get a feel for the whole vibe of the outfit and I have to tell you, I'm digging it even more with the blonde. I'm really missing the long extensions. What do you guys think? I'm a long haired girl at heart so I can't tell you how excited I am to put them back in next week. It makes the growing out process less excruciating for me (#firstworldproblems)!

Let's wrap up this look by talking about ACCESSORIES! Hats are always a good idea (so says me, the self-proclaimed hat queen). Not only is it a fashionable statement that adds loads of character, but they are also a great option as a supplemental sun protector. 

I was on the hunt for a great spring hat. I knew I wanted something light-colored and diverse. I'm always a little hesitant because light-colored hats tend to get a dirty a little faster, but they brighten up an outfit and are really playful. I found this one at Free People and I'm obsessed with it (I actually wore it last night). I can wear it with just about anything! 

I live in these black studded booties. They practically walk on their own. It doesn't matter the season, my black booties are for any weather climate- whether it's 90 degrees or 30 degrees. They too, will be going with me on my NYC adventures. And like I mention time and time again, I love dresses with boots. The End. 

Are you guys hitting up any festivals this summer? Any performances you're looking forward to? 

Also, in more important news, do you want to see my long-haired extensions mane another appearance? 

In Style, 

Kat 

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

The Writings on the Wall

 

One thing I'm really good at is disconnecting. My husband says it takes seconds for me to get into 'vacation mode' while it takes him a few days. He's rather envious, actually.  I know that comes off as a bit stand-offish, so let me explain. I've had practice in self-nurturing from a young age, and know really well when it's time to disconnect, to cut myself off from the world in order to put my needs and well-being first. It's important for me to shut down the engines so I can reconnect with myself, with my family, and with my sanity. And I make no apologies for it.  It's what keeps me healthy, happy, and sane.

This photo shoot marked one of those 'that's it for me' times. My photographer, Raquel and I, met at one of my favorite Wynwood walls after a whirlwind few weeks of Art Basel and deadlines. I was mentally exhausted. The thought of piling assignments and looming deadlines would give me mild anxiety. I was looking forward to some time off with my little girl and frankly, some time to myself idling with mindless trivia like bad TV and fashion magazines. And that's exactly what I did. 

Once I turned in my last assignment, I let out a big, obnoxious sigh (and maybe did a little dance too), and closed down shop. I disconnected. I put myself on vacation. It was 'me' time. No work. No deadlines. 

And then I did this photo shoot.

I call this urban modern.  It's a more streamlined look, a little different than what I usually gravitate to and I'm really digging it- starting with the booties. I love these Steve Madden booties. I love the almond-toe cut, which can easily be worn with a skinny jean, a dress, or in this case, my waffle-print ivory skirt.

 

The piece de resistance of this outfit is the Style Mafia Jacket. It's channeling old school letterman/bomber only way more fierce. Yes, that's part in thanks to the tigers because tigers just make everything magical, but I also love the cut and the fit. I styled it over a black long sleeved crop top, but you can throw this over any tee or tank, even a turtleneck (I did) for an effortless, retro look.

This photo shoot was the perfect way to disconnect and have a little fun! So now I turn the tables on you- how do you disconnect? 

 

On Me: 

Jacket- Style Mafia 

Skirt- H&M 

Handbag- H&M

Crop top- Forever 21 

Boots- Steve Madden 

In Style, 

Kat 

Style Spotlight- Art Basel Edition: Talking Shop with Emerging Artist, Jenny Perez.

Chances are you've walked or driven by one of Jenny Perez's murals on any given day in Wynwood. The bold colors and vibrant strokes of her artwork are prominently rich in technique and spunky in color. Jenny leads the pack in a new generation of visual artists making a name for themselves through artistic expressions and social reform through art. Her pieces are reminiscent of an abstract Picasso with a dash of Kandinsky. It's hard to take your eyes off her work. 

In the short time I got acquainted with Jenny, it was her easygoing and sweet personality that first shone through. Then it was her story- an art school drop out with undeniable talent- that got me curious. She recently returned from showcasing some of her pieces in Dubai and she's already hard at work on her next street art project. 

I had a chance to chat with Jenny in between her Basel rendezvous and we got down to what drives her, the first thing she ever painted, and her favorite thing about Art Basel in Miami. 

Watch out, world. Jenny Perez is coming for you and she's not looking back! 

FSF: I’m impressed with your work and technique. How long have you been painting? 

JP: I have been painting for about 7 years now with no formal training. I dropped out of university to pursue art and apprenticed under several respected artists to learn as much as I could along the way. When I made that decision it was also accompanied by a promise. I gave myself a chance, devoted a solid 6 months to create a body of work. I promised myself that I'd give myself a year to see where my work would take me and that Id return to school if it hadn't gotten me anywhere at all. Turns out it did, and so here we are. Haven't gone back since.

FSF: Do you remember the first thing you ever painted? 

JP: I do! The 1st thing I ever painted was actually a nude inspired by a photograph I had taken during a brief photography lesson. It was still very pop. I used bold colors as contrast and I still managed to use black outlines but also that piece was one of the most realistic I’ve ever painted. I hadn’t yet developed a style for myself, and so, it was a true reflection of the process of “finding yourself” 

FSF: You and I talked briefly at an art event last month and you told me you were actually an Art School drop out. Did you feel that hurt you or challenged you in the long run? 

JP: Being a college drop out had its pros and cons. I am definitely thrilled at the fact that I have zero college debt as oppose to most people my age who work so hard to pay off their loans, etc. Artistically, it gave me tons of room for error, but with that also came growth. I feel that is what makes the work so raw and unfiltered. I didn’t learn formal technique but I suppose I have developed one of my own- a unique style that works for me and allows me to express. I am constantly learning, developing, progressing and challenging myself - that’s what’s most important.  

FSF: You would actually sneak back in to the school to paint. Is that true? 

JP: I had to sneak into the school because it was the only place I knew where I could paint. Before that it was in my small bedroom where I learned to paint on the floor (which I still do). Every semester, the combination would change, and each semester I would sit in front of the lock and guess the combination, sometimes it took me hours! I did this for about 2 years after dropping out of school. One evening, my former art professor caught me in the studio, she recognized me and knew that I was trespassing. Instead of calling security she complimented the work and congratulated me for continuing to paint. It was one of the most unsuspecting moments of which I'll be eternally grateful for.

FSF: Tell me about being an artist in Miami and what it feels like to have your art plastered on the streets of Wynwood? 

JP: Being an artist in Miami is wonderful. The movement here is really starting to gain lots of momentum. I enjoy Art Basel more than anything and look forward to having my peers come visit, exchange ideas and work together. It’s enough fuel to inspire me constantly. Wynwood is a wonderful place to be. There's so much talent here that it creates such a high standard for quality of work. My artist friends are people I look up to and learn from. Seeing them work fuels my work ethic, and vice versa. The culture in Miami is also unique- because everyone here is from all over the world. I enjoy the high concentration of different cultures too- makes it easy to tap into my own for inspiration.

FSF: Where do you get your inspiration to create? Favorite thing to draw? 

JP: I gain inspiration from the experiences in my life; they are mostly connected to emotional connections, dreams, Living and loving this city and my Cuban roots. I enjoy drawing different versions of myself. This character I have created is a repeating theme in all of my work and didn’t realize until just recently that those women I paint are all me, connecting with different aspects of my personality or mood. So essentially, my work is a compilation of self-portraits much like Freda Kahlo, with an urban pop twist! 

FSF: Who are you most excited to see during Art Basel and where will we find you? 

 JP: I am most excited to see all of the artists that I don’t normally have access to. Living and working in Wynwood allows a year round connection to artists whom I respect and often times have the pleasure to work with, but only during Basel do I get to see the most inspiring of the bunch. They are the plastic surgeons of the street, transforming the walls and giving us something to enjoy until the year that follows. Much like Christmas, when you start to see those lights popping up on homes, I relate Basel to this feeling, somehow connecting it to the moment I begin to receive text messages from Anthony Lister and Rone alerting me that they are in town! 

Unfortunately, I have taken a back seat this Basel because I've just returned from Dubai where I exhibited all of my paintings at my 1st solo show titled "rich girl". Since all the work is still there, I had to decline offers to display here for Basel. I will however be painting a new mural at Wood Tavern this week which I am so excited about! 

You can read about my experience in Dubai alongside other things on my blog www.thewynwooder.com 

FSF: What's up next for you? 

JP: Next up, more painting! I look forward to collaborating with some local artists and revamping my studio space in little Havana by painting murals on the outside of the building, etc. I want to dedicate more time to that space because it is my home away from home :) it is a very old building and needs some serious TLC! 

Learn more about Jenny at: http://jennyperez.com/ and follow her on Instagram @jenn_aaa
*** ALL PHOTO BY: ALESSANDRO ABATE. INSTAGRAM: @SANDROBATE ***

In Style, 

Kat

Style Spotlight- Menswear Edition- Brought To You By the Eco-Friendly Guys at TV Head

Who says that women get to have all the fun when it comes to dressing up?! Well, that's just not true.  Dapper men of the world, rejoice! I'm going to introduce you to a Miami-based brand that's putting a twist on the classic male accessories and making menswear extras, dare I say, fun. 

TV Head, the brainchild of brothers, Alex and Fredy Lopez, is taking accessorizing to the next level with their line of eco-friendly products, focusing on three staples and revamping them into a more refined, youthful, and hip package for the urban man of the go. Whether it's a wooden bow tie or one of their statement watches, these post-modern pieces have the power to add a dash of 'wow' factor to any gentleman's wardrobe. 

Creating a socially conscious line was  a priority for the designer duo. Their pieces mix elements such as bamboo and natural wood to bring to life each one of a kind product. Give an everyday suit some 'uumph' by swapping out a traditional tie for one of their signature bow ties and you can even step up your sunglasses game by donning one of their standout shades that are sure to be a great conversation starter. Don't believe me, check out model, Carter, below (photographed by the creative team of Ra-Haus Fotografie http://www.ra-haus.com/)  and get inspired. 

Maybe I'm a little biased, but my husband and I first fell in love with this brand at the Wynwood Art Walk (I'm eagerly awaiting a line of women's accessories)! I had the opportunity to chat with the boys on how the line got started, their loyal customers, and Marshall Mcluhan. Yes, Marshall Mcluhan. 

Read the full interview after the jump! 

FSF: Tell me how the idea of TV head came to be?  

TV: The name TV Head Originated from an inside joke my Brother Alex and I frequently used. We would use the term to describe people who would be obsessed with television. We personally do not have anything against television but we do believe there is more to see out there than what the media shows. Our dream is to revolutionize the fashion industry, specifically men’s apparel. We love to create unique wearable pieces that combine great design with the elements. The name started as a call for social awareness and then it evolved into a socially conscious company that uses materials such as wood and bamboo in a responsible way to distributes eco-friendly products.   

FSF: the bow ties seem to be a big hit. I have friends in Cali and New York who own and love them. So why a bow tie?  

TV: We think Bow ties are elegant and classy; we wanted to make a statement and make a unique bow tie that would look and feel great when worn while staying true to our brand culture. The answer was wood.We came with the idea of re using existing woods to give the material a second chance and making our product eco-friendly. At first it was hard to design a wooden bow tie that was comfortable and functional but after many prototypes we were able to make it happen.  

 FSF: I first met you guys at the Wynwood Art Walk and each time I see your pop up, you have more and more people checking out the merchandise. What has been the response from the community?  

TV: Wynwood has a very special place in our hearts; Wynwood is where our journey as a clothing line started. Every Art Walk we get the chance to meet amazing people, make important contacts, sell our products, create awareness and have lots of fun doing so. We like to give each buyer more than a product, we give them the experience of being part of our brand movement. We love the fact that we are locals at Wynwood, it makes us feel at home. Seeing the great response from the community and how they support us by purchasing and believing in our brand and products is what motivates us to wake up every morning and keep on working on what we love to do.  

 FSF: What's your best seller? And where can people buy them?  

TV: Our Best seller has to be the wooden watches and the bow ties. Everywhere we go we get lots of compliments when wearing them. People love the fact that they look natural with a modern twist.  

These items can be purchased online at our website or at any of our retailers. Elemental at Wynwood carries most of our products as well. Their staff is very friendly and helpful.  

FSF: Describe the TV head customer?  

TV: The TV Head Customer is one that likes to look sharp. Enthusiastic about life, full of energy, old enough to have a global perspective but young enough to still have fun. They also love Craft beer, which is great because we do too. 

FSF: Any plans to extend to women?  

TV: We have been talking more and more about producing and selling women’s accessories such as wooden watches, bracelets etc.. We have gotten a lot of requests about expanding into the women’s market. There is a few ideas already in the works and we hope to have them ready soon. 

FSF: Who would be your dream customer in TV head?  

TV: If we could get one person to wear our products even if that person wasn’t in this earth anymore we would love to see our products on Marshall McLuhan. His ideology and philosophy are in line with most of our culture and beliefs.  We consider ourselves big fans of his work.  "If it works, it's obsolete" -Marshall McLuhan 

** To make a purchase, visit their site at http://tvheadco.com/ ** 

** And you can also find them at the Wynwood Art Walk on the second Saturday of every month. **

In Style, 

Kat