TREND ALERT: RED WHITE AND BLUE WITH A TWIST

Happy Weekend, squeezers! It's about that time to start gearing up for America's BIG birthday, as families and friends pack up the car, get on a plane, or even maybe a train, to head to beaches, BBQs, and celebrations all over the country to celebrate the old red, white and blue. 

The grocery stores are brimming with firework packages, family size bags of potato chips, wine, beer, and lots of charcoal for that grill! I can't wait for the burgers and hot dogs I'm going to chow down beach side, washed down with a good ol' classic Coke or some rose wine spritzers! 

In department stores and fashion boutiques, it's hard to miss all the Fourth of July inspired apparel, like American flags or tees with cheeky sayings like 'Red, white and booze.' There will be tank tops, and board shorts, bathing suits, and even America-loving speedos. From women to kiddos, red, white and blue is being targeted to the whole family. 

Once Fourth of July has come and gone, what happens to all this holiday clothing? It either gets packed up until the following year, or worn around the house as your newest pajama, and this is my point. Why not dress festive and celebrate the 4th, but with looks you can keep wearing all year round? 

There are ways to wear red, white and blue without looking like an American flag. You can still show off those spirit fingers by putting together looks that are not just America-friendly, but can also pass as nautical. Look at that, two trends in one! 

One of my favorite spots (that I rarely frequent, btw), is Espanola Way. The architecture and colors are so vibrant, friendly, and they visually transport you to some quaint Spanish city without leaving Miami. I've shot in this same location in the past and I wanted to come back here and show Lauren, my NY photographer (@laurelcreative), this hidden gem. Of course, she fell in love. These mamey walls, with the distressed blue and white tiles are so vivid and eye-catching, and with the outfit, I thought it would work perfectly. 

I love me a loose-fitting blouse- one that I could dress up or down, wear with shorts, pants, and simultaneously over a bathing suit if I wanted to as well. I found this one at (you guessed it), Zara and it's currently on repeat in my closet. I love the bird print and the colors. I could easily pair this with a pair of jeans, denim shorts, or white my white culottes, but you know me, I wanted to mix it up! 

I found the most amazing blue and white striped pants, also at Zara. I'm very particular on pants and how they fit. These are ideal for summer because they are lightweight and can pretty much go with everything, and they're great for mixing patterns. So you see why I had to pair the blouse with these pants! It goes so well together. Who would have thought? Maybe this is something you probably wouldn't have thought to wear together, but sometimes you got to play with what you got in your closet! Move away from the 'basic' or expected outfit, and take a fashion leap! 

We took this look on a stroll on Espanola Way, and got so many compliments, one from a known model who was also on the street shooting for a magazine. That definitely felt good! We can't wrap it up without mentioning accessories. You'll definitely see me sporting hats more and more during the hot summer months, and we paired this look with a straw fedora and a casual bone-colored clutch and gold espadrilles. 

My blue blocker sunnies compliment the colors of the outfit, and the earrings, (oh the earrings!) are still one of my favorite purchases from Top Shop. They're such a beautiful, bold red and make a loud statement. 

Have I inspired you to embrace the colors of America with a twist?! I hope I did, and now it's time to go on vacation mode, at least it is for me! We'll be heading out tomorrow to Siesta Key and I am giddy with excitement! 

Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday, and remember to light up those sparklers and celebrate the great US of A! 

In Style, 

Kat 

TREND ALERT: ROLLING OUT OF BED

'I woke up like this.' We've heard the popular expression time and time again and what brings it to life in its truest form, is the oddly-popular-yet-hard-to-accept, pajama trend. Sleepwear has gotten the street style treatment and more and more people (myself included) are jumping on the bandwagon. 

I'll admit- I was VERY hesitant about this trend- it could appear borderline sloppy or simply lazy- like you literally rolled out of bed and out the door, looking like a madwoman. Maybe it was part envy as well. Let's face it. We all want to be comfortable. Do you guys remember those Chinese pajama sets as kids?! I was OBSESSED. I must have had them in every color. Then Marc Jacobs came out with a collection sometime in 2001-2002 and I spent like $150 on a red Chinese top just because it reminded me of those Chinese pajamas and I wore it religiously. I remember back then thinking, 'I'm wearing a pajama top out in the street!' A very expensive pajama. Ha! 

Fast forward 16 years later, and the pajama trend has blown up. From runway shows to magazine shoots, it's a trend that has gained traction and many loyal followers. There are endless prints and patterns, fabrics, and silhouettes. You can rock anything from a slip dress to a two piece coordinating pajama set. I had done the slip dress trend plenty. It's actually really versatile and I throw it on with a pair of boots and sometimes even a tee underneath. For me, it was the two piece pajama look that I was tempted to try but couldn't get myself to do. 

I few months ago on a trip to Marshalls, I found this dusty pink set in the store's trendy Cube section. I was immediately drawn to the color, the Asian-inspired print, and the fact that the pants were culottes! That just sold me. Okay, I was going for it and there was no turning back now. 

I fell in love. Why was I so late to this trend?! I didn't think it was for me, didn't think I could pull it off, and now I was a convert. Dress me up in sleepwear any day! 

The trick to this look is how to dress it up properly so that you don't look like you're really just sleepwalking and someone needs to wake you up from the hot mess of your outfit. I personally wouldn't wear this look with any slipper-like shoe, unless you're really taking the look literally. I opted for a pair of athleisure pom-pom sneakers in the same color palette, so I was still comfortable without looking like I was ready for bedtime. 

Depending on the print and fabric, accessorize with a statement clutch. I would even do a fanny! It would look SO cute! I actually wore this look with a fanny and I loved it. Also, play with some statement earrings. Tassel earrings would look adorable with the PJ's! My focal accessory are these exaggerated heart-shaped sunnies with pink lenses. Hey, if you're on the street wearing pajamas, you can't take yourself too seriously! 

One last thing- makeup! You can make a statement with a bold lip color or a bright lid. Get playful! I kept it neutral with pinks and creams, but just think (no with this particular set) what a bold red lip or a hot pink hue would do to a look! 

When Danielle Margherite (Instagram @dmargherite)  and I got together to shoot this look, the newly renovated lobby of the Biltmore Hotel was just calling our name with this pale pink pajama set. The hotel lobby is vibrant and oozing of a marriage of Mediterranean architecture, mixed with elegant Old World features and some touches of new romantic modernism. One thing is for sure, the historic beauty, romanticism, and European grandiose is what continues to makes the hotel a popular landmark and travel destination amongst local and international travelers. 

The lighting and the mood literally set the tone for our photos. I may or may not have laid on one of the plush furniture pieces! I mean, I was technically dressed for it. Some of my favorite photographs from this batch were the ones alongside the Gothic-like standing chandelier. It gave me Haunted Mansion vibes! The staircase and fireplace added character and the lush curtain drapes were very extra- in a gorgeous and rich kind of way. 

So there you have it, folks. I am now a card-carrying member of the pajama trend and I'm already on the hunt for my next set. I've added dusters and pajama button down tops, but; what this gal needs is a new set. If you see one you think I would love, send your girl a DM! 

How do you feel about the pajama trend? 

In Style, 

Kat 

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