Freshly Squeezed's 2015 Holiday Gift Guide!

It's that time of year again! 

The holidays are upon us, which mean we're working on those naughty and nice lists (hopefully leaning more on the nice side)! Nothing beats shopping for those you love- but it's also important to treat yourself to something extra special. For this year's list, I've rounded up my 10 favorite things I'm hoping Santa can fit in his sack. 

Clos du Bois Fete In A Box- Who doesn't love a little wine and games during the holidays? This 'party in a box' gift set from Clos du Bois designed by wine ambassador and event planner, Jung Lee. Gift box includes everything from cocktail napkins to thank you cards! Order online $89 

Jo Malone London Cologne Gift Set- Jo Malone knows the way to a girl's heart! They've rounded up their five most popular scents in this one-of-a-kind holiday gift set. Mix and match the scents or wear them individually. But you'll be guaranteed to be smelling good through the holidays! Available at Bloomingdales. $115

Swarovski Callie Bag Charm- Purse charms are all the rage this season and Swarovski's got you covered with these stylish critter key chains! Made of leather and accessorized with Swarovski crystals, they take cute to another level! $89

  

Unicorn Book Ends- Here's an easy way to make reading even more magical! Guaranteed to make a great gift for any bookworm, these bookworms make a great addition to any home. Who doesn't love a mystical unicorn, anyways? Available at CB2. $24.95

Vince Camuto 'Aleni' Clutch- The mirror has many faces with this killer 3D geometric mirrored clutch from Vince Camuto. It's a showstopper and the only party favor you'll need for your next holiday shindig! $178

Fedora- Hat's Off to this season of giving! And at the top of my list is a new hat, like the Lady Roulette from Goorin Bros. This wide brim fedora is perfect with either a ladylike look (think blouses, bows, and full skirts) or a neo-nostalgic #OOTD (floral maxi dresses and rock n' roll tees). The cream-colored hue makes it a hat for all seasons. $160

MAC Cosmetics Holiday Collection- MAC's Holiday Gift sets are a fail-proof gift for all the makeup junkies in your life. From lip glosses to pigments, there's something for everyone. Their sleek packaging and versatile colors are a win-win in the stocking stuffer department. The Irresistibly Charming Lip Gloss Mini Kit in Nude is my ultimate obsession. $35

Pajama Onesies- It's time to cozy up by the tree, or under the covers, and take all those Instagram-worthy pajama pictures with cute coffee mugs, wearing a new set of yummy pajamas. And the best part? They're onesies! Hello, adult baby. Marshalls is your go-to store to keep you cool(and kid-like)  this winter. $24.99 

Woven bracelets from Albadora Jewelry- There's always room for one more bracelet on my arm candy! I am currently loving these dusty blue woven and jeweled ones from Albacore jewelry. You can easily take them from day to night with your outfit of choice! Sack them up or wear them as stand alone pieces. Email albadorajewelry@gmail.com for pricing. 

Adele's 25- Because everyone needs this album in their life. Period. $11.99

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: White After Labor day and Celebrating 'Citiversaries'

Squeezers! Are you happy to see me?! 

I'm back with my first fashion post after baby! And we're still talking maternity style, though this dress is perfect whether you're pregnant or not! When Miami based, Venezuelan- American designer, Lisu Vega (a fellow momma-to-be as well), reached out in hopes of collaborating, I was excited (www.lisuvega.com). Her designs are unique, contemporary, and what I like to call, 'achievable avant-garde.' When she delivered this white shift dress to my apartment, I was in love. I'm a big fan of shift dresses and this one was stunning- from the textured fabric to the peek-a-boo details on the sleeves. It was literally a blank canvas and open to so much styling potential! 

This dress was a departure from my usual urban-bohemian wardrobe and I'm always up for a style challenge and for tapping into new looks that still speak to me, especially when it comes to white. My go-to color has always been black, so to get to add some white in my closet is a sweet perk! Plus, I don't follow that 'no white after labor day' rule. Hello, I live in Miami! Even if I didn't, though, white is a color for all seasons. In New York, I used to take my white maxi dresses and lace dresses from season to season with the help of tights, booties, and leather jackets. There is no need for them to be stored away until that first summer breeze. White injects freshness and vibrancy to a look, no matter the weather du jour! 

This Lisu Vega dress was simply glorious to wear while pregnant! It took 'maternity chic' to a whole new level. Besides winning some extra points in the comfort department, I love that it's effortless and it stands out. I kept everything else- from the hair to the accessories- simple, because I wanted the the dress to be the focal point. In addition, photographing the dress in the iconic aqua and white New Yorker Hotel in MiMo (www.hotelnewyorker.com) with Chris from the Ra-Haus team (www.ra-haus.com), really made it pop in this real-life postcard setting. I love how the modern aqua hues of the building blend so ceremoniously with the outfit. That's the thing with MiMo's architecture and pastel-hues- you don't mean them to be storytelling elements in your fashion story, but they definitely become part of the conversation! 

I styled my hair in a sleek low ponytail and added a vivid shade of bright coral on my lips to compliment the dress. The rose-gold platform wedges only emphasized the prominent 'streamlined contemporary' style of the look, and the coral envelope clutch was a bonus pop of color. How fantastic is this clear plastic snake-like statement necklace from H&M?! It's definitely an out-of-the-box piece! 

It's appropriate that the backdrop of our shoot is at the Hotel New Yorker, since I want to chat a little about openly celebrating my two-year Miami 'citiversary.' I hesitated to make mention of my two years back in the MIA, because it didn't compare to the level of excitement and pride I used to experience when I would post about my NY 'citiversaries' for almost 13 years. September 3rd quietly marked the second anniversary of being back in Miami, a move that came with lots of resistance and tears on my end (I thought marrying a born and bred NYer would keep me happily grounded in the city). Instead of shying away from acknowledging these two life-enhancing years, I've decided to be proud of them (maybe not with the same level of excitement), because two years in the Magic City have been defined by a momentous amount of growth and resilience as an individual, wife, and mother. It has come with a new set of wonderful opportunities and life goals (for myself and my family). It has made our family unit stronger and happier and most importantly, it has allowed us to cultivate new and old friendships alike. We never expected to come across such a unifying support system in Miami, and our hearts have been full of gratitude for those special people who welcomed us with open arms. 

I'm a big believer in the 'everything happens for a reason' philosophy- and our 'refueling pit stop' in Miami, as we like to call it, has slowly been revealing itself. Rediscovering and reconnecting with my hometown, and getting to share so many childhood memories with Maya, Rocco, and Coco, without losing our core happiness has been cathartic and refreshing. We've learned to love the city in a whole new way, through a different set of eyes, maturity, and appreciation. Will New York ever leave my mind and my heart? Never. Will we ever move back? Possibly. That city is a big part of who I was and who I became.  As my best friend (also a Miami transplant living in the city) says, 'I was born and raised in Miami, but I was made in NY.'  

But Miami, despite its highs and lows and absurdly hot weather, has been good to us; a life's refresher that was more needed than wanted. New York will always be my home and my family's home too; but, so will Miami. We've taken advantage of what she has to offer and we've found a new kind of happiness and ease that has allowed us to enjoy each other in another capacity. For me, it has been further proof that no matter the unexpected, I will work hard to find the beauty and the positive and use it to push myself to another level of success and perseverance. And for that, I thank you and love you, Miami. 

So for whatever time we decide to stay in this tropical paradise (enjoying its beautiful beaches and vibrant neighborhoods) before jetting off to our next adventure, we are excited and hopeful of what life in Miami has in store for the Buccios!  

On Me: 

Dress- Lisu Vega

Necklace- H&M

Shoes- Steve Madden

Clutch- Love Shopping Miami

Sunnies- Forever 21 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Into the (Miami Beach) Woods!

One of my favorite things about getting to work on this blog, is discovering and exploring city attractions that might be common knowledge to many, but still very new to me. One of these spots is the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, tucked away behind the Convention Center and blocks from the highly-trafficked Lincoln Road. 

These lush and tranquil grounds are a zen reprieve from the busy and on-the-go city life. The gardens were built in early 1957 along the historic Collins Canal, which were used to transport avocado and mango directly to the Port of Miami. And through the years, after economic recessions, hurricanes, and World Wars, the gardens deterioriated due to lack of funds and attention. But leave it to the people to bring the gardens back to life, and in 1996 that's what happened. The garden has been restored and is often enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. And the best part? It's free. (Learn more about the MBBG www.mbgarden.org) 

This was my first visit and it was absolutely lovely! (Raquel, my photographer, got some pretty amazing shots! www.raquelzaldivarphotography.com) And the perfect location to take this 'For Love and Lemons' dress (via Trend Rush boutique) and my Worth and Worth hat out for a spin! Fits in seamlessly with all the ferns and trees! The floral details on the black and dress number are minimal yet standout without being ostentatious and I absolutely love the low neckline! I added one of my chokers and kept the rest of the jewelry on the simple side. 

I'm so obsessed with my wine-colored Worth and Worth hat. It's such a classic touch and it works so well with any kind of outfit, particularly in this rustic landscape. 

It wouldn't be a freshly squeezed outfit without the a) hat and b) socks and booties! These Steve Madden booties haven't failed me or any outfit in my closet. They've become my go-to-shoe! They go well with everything from skinny jeans to flirty silhouette dresses! 

And say hello to my kitty kat! How cute is this Betsey Johnson clutch!? Especially the gold nose/clasp detail! 

On Me: 

Dress- For Love and Lemons Dress (Via Trend-Rush)

Hat- Worth and Worth Hat 

Booties- Steve Madden 

Clutch- Betsey Johnson 

In Style, 

Kat 

Welcome to the Dollhouse

 Some time in 2014, at the suggestion of my BFF and occasional inside voice, I steered clear of floral prints because according to him, I was single-handedly keeping the trend alive based on the ridiculous amounts of floral pieces I owned. I tried to deny it, "me?! obsessed with florals? You got the wrong girl." But after a routine closet cleaning with said best friend, I came face to face with my floral demons and moved on to the acceptance phase. 

Hi my is Kathy, and I'm a recovering floral-holic. Yes, my closet was in full bloom and I needed a cleanse. I purged my wardrobe of floral pieces that basically looked exactly the same in print and color. Now I have a healthy dose of florals and all in different palettes. 

Recovery is slow. I still walk into a store and I automatically gravitate towards anything that has flowers splashed on it; therefore, I have to make a conscious effort to stop and listen to that inside voice that tells me, "Step away from the florals." Truth be told, sometimes I can't stand that inside voice. That's not to say I won't be wearing florals again. Au contraire. It just means I'll be more selective and may need a BFF approval whenever I'm obsessing over a floral piece- like this floral number from Romwe! 

My photographer and friend extraordinaire, Liz from Ra-haus Fotografie (www.ra-haus.com) and I took to the streets of Lincoln Road to capture the floral magic of this dress because it organically blends with the lush surroundings. The green is the one color that stands out most about this number and when photographed against the tropical vegetation and grey colored stone sidewalks, it pops even more. 

The dress's details like the peter pan collar, the slightly flared skirt, and the dress's black floral print background, gives this look a darkly feminine twist- an almost doll-like vibe. 

I played up the mood a little more with the dark lip (MAC Cyber- my current obsession) and my two-toned Sam Edelman loafers (a menswear touch) via Zappos.com (www.zappos.com). 

It's amazing how much character a pair of sunnies can add to a look! These Pixie Market ones, with its tinted brownish lenses, go perfectly with the dress's color scheme. 

So what did we learn today, squeezers? It's okay to love a trend just as long as there is variety to that trend. Try to purchase/invest in pieces that are far from similar. The floral selections are seasonally endless so no need for five red floral tops or three floral pink dresses. Don't let yourself drown in a sea of bland continuity.

 Branch out! 

On Me:

Dress- Romwe

Loafers- Sam Edelman from Zappos.com

Glasses- Pixie Market 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: In A Culottes State of Mind

If there is one thing that you can't beat when it comes to Miami, it's her breathtaking beaches (sorry, NY). Where else can you find turquoise dipped waters without actually having to go to the Carribbean?! So many of Miami's prized 'places to see' come with a water view that almost look photoshopped- ahem, see above.  (I can vouch for their authenticity). 

You don't need a million dollar home on Star Island to enjoy waterfront luxury (though that would be nice). In Miami, you don't need to look further than your nearest park. I'm fortunate I get to live right across from a nice little park on the water, which offers some pretty awesome morning reflections when I walk the dogs. There's just something really uplifting about a good view! But one of my favorite parks in the city, happens to be a 10 minute ride away in Coconut Grove. It's called Alice Wainwright park and it sits right on the bay.

Whether you're enjoying a picnic by the bay or a walk along the tree-heavy grounds, Alice Wainwright is a picturesque retreat in the heart of Miami- a hidden gem, some would say. I love bringing Maya to the playground and watching her run and up and down the grassy knolls. And you can't help but be distracted by the view- open waters, city skyline, and Viscaya Gardens from a distance. 

What a perfect backdrop to showcase these killer culottes and tailored blue blazer. My photographer, Raquel was on the money with this location. These culottes are my latest obsession. They are easy to dress up or dress down. I love the way the blue it reflects against the water and the gold details on the buttons and accessories are simply striking. This look is structurally post-modern with its clean designs and color scheme.  And I love the menswear touch with the crisp white blouse under the jacket. 

I recently wore this look to the Refinery 29 x Simon Malls Shopping Block event at Dadeland Mall. Because when you're dealing with Refinery 29, you just automatically take it up a notch. 

The accessories are a big part of this look. In keeping with the sleek cut and finish of the outfit, I added this layered statement necklace and leopard clutch. I'm obsessed with braids (duh), and really wanted to do 'braids and bangs' updo and I just love how complimentary it is (thank you Ana, from Makeup Artistry by Jessie). You really notice the vintage earrings, the necklace, and the red lips because the hair is off the face. 

And how fantastic are these gold sneaker slip-ons with the culottes? It's fashion synergy. With faux sneakers like these, you can sign me up for the sportswear trend any day! 

On Me:

White blouse- Forever 21

Blazer- Forever 21

Culottes- Zara

Slip-ons- Steve Madden

Clutch- Nine West

Necklace- Aldo Shoes 

In Style, 

Kat

New York Style Map: Rufflin' On The High Line

Guess who's bizzack in La Gran Manzana?! This city gal! And happy to report it was a sick-free weekend of celebrating (and day drinking) the latest rounds of weddings, engagements, and baby showers. It was a jam-packed three days of reuniting with old friends and jumping right back into our city routine and I couldn't have been happier. And of course, I got to squeeze in a a very special photo shoot while I was in town with the fabulous Kim Mancuso of Kim Mancuso Photography. 

Kim and I go way back, and it's all thanks to my husband, Coco. Now, if you haven't met my husband, Coco, then well, you don't know what you're missing. Coco is straight up sunshine. He loves people, has an infectious personality, and he's your typical Italian New Yorker- loud, funny, and out of this world kind (yes, kind. NYers are one of the kindest folk out there). So it's pretty easy to figure why people love him- and why I married him. It was Coco who first met Kim in the halls of Rockefeller Center and he just knew that Kim and I would click. "You gotta meet my wife!" he would say. And he was right. Kim was also a loud, funny, and vibrant Italiana, who worked at SNL while I was a producer at Access Hollywood.  We quickly bonded over our love of fashion, food, and wine. We were a match made in friend heaven, plus I have a thing for Italians! She had also recently traveled to Cuba where she had taken some breathtaking photographs of the island and its people. Her talent blew me away. 

When I started my blog, we talked about the possibility of teaming up for a photo shoot during one of my trips back and we were finally able to line this one up! We had several locations in mind (which we will put into play in the next visit) but for this look, we went to one of my favorite spots in the city- The High Line. 

The High Line is an elevated urban park that runs along on old railroad tracks on the west side of Manhattan (from 14th street to 34th street) and sits over the bustling city streets. It's a modern day oasis amidst the hustle of the concrete jungle and boasts some of the best views of the Hudson River. The High Line was originally used in the early 1930's to transport goods by avoiding street traffic and delivering directly into buildings. The growth of interstate trucking led to a decrease in rail traffic, thus shutting down the rail track service in 1980.  

Thanks to a community of activists and the non-profit, Friends of the High line, the tracks were preserved and repurposed and in 1999, the first section of the High Line opened it's fresh concept to eager locals and tourists alike. Two years later, a second section was opened. The park is now a popular attraction that includes not only an open landscape of greenery and art installations, but also pop-up bars, restaurants, and local street vendors for all visitors to enjoy. 

One of my favorite memories of the High Line is walking along the park with Maya and Coco after celebrating my second Mother's Day at the Hotel Americano. The day was gorgeous and we stopped at Terroir Wine Bar for a drink and then we let Maya run up and down the walk while she played with the flowers and we took pictures. It was one of my most memorable afternoons in the city (and thankfully, I have many)!

Now that I've dropped some knowledge and history on you squeezers, it's time to get to the nitty gritty of this post- the outfit. Thank you H&M for this UH-mazing ruffled wonder of a dress. I'm beyond obsessed. I felt like a bad ass edgy flamenco-dancer in this mint green  stunner. The ruffles were my favorite part of this look. It was such a simple pattern that packed quite the punch. I love long sleeved dresses and I especially like when they are form-fitting on the top and then open up below the waist. The high neck was also a plus. It allowed for me to showcase this spectacular jeweled necklace. 

The weather was absolutely perfect on this fall Saturday so I always have my leather jacket handy. I took this look from day to night (from a baby shower in the West Village to drinks at Cafe Select then a sleepy train ride on the LIRR) with the jacket and my black fedora. These suede booties feel like I'm not wearing any shoes at all and because blisters were not on the agenda this trip (or on any for that matter), they were the best candidates for all day walking around the city. Like the dress sock touch? I'm going through a phase. 

I'll tell you my second favorite thing about this look- my vampy lips. I'm big on lip color. For years I owned the smokey eye and nude lip trend and while I still do it from time to time, I've been embracing the colored lip for a while now. Red is my usual go-to hue, but now for fall, I'm loving this deep purple matte shade from MAC called Cyber. How vibrant does it look with this whole outfit? Add some killer ear cuffs (and I mean killer literally- I almost lost blood flow to my ears), and this look is a slam dunk. 

I'm so thankful for my NYC adventures- to get to go back home and bring you some of my favorite stories and places! If you find yourself in the city soon, stop by the High Line. Go for a night time stroll after dinner or meet friends for drinks at the wine bar, or if you just need to get away from the madness of it all, take a seat and breathe in the awesomeness this town has to offer. 

On Me: 

Dress- H&M

Necklace- H&M

Earrings- H&M

Hat- Forever 21

Purse- Forever 21

Shoes- Aldo Shoes 

Read more about my photo shoot adventures on Kim Mancuso's blog and give her a ring next time you're in New York! And follow her on Instagram at @kimmancusophotography

http://kimmancusophotography.blogspot.com/2014/10/freshly-squeezed-with-twist-of_20.html

Learn more about the High Line http://www.thehighline.org/

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: A Spanish Style Mash Up of Fierce Florals

Good Morning, good afternoon, and good evening my fabulous fashionistas! I'm back from New York and ready to share my next Miami adventures with you all!

After months of busy schedules (that's what happens when you're mom), supermom and photographer, Natalie from Suna Photography, and I were able to team up again for a fun sequence of shoots in Miami's oldest neighborhood- Coconut Grove. I have so many wonderful memories of rollerblading with my mom at Kennedy Park, or field trips to the Science Museum. And as I got older (and I got my hands on a really good fake ID) lots of blurry nights spent gallivanting and dancing the night away at hotspots like Bar 609, Valentino's, and Sandbar! I remember coming down from Manhattan to celebrate my 21st birthday in the Grove with my friends and I wore this Marc Jacobs Chinese top that was very reminiscent of these China girl pajamas I had as a child but only more expensive (The events of that evening are still a mystery but based on the pictures, I had a great time!)

The charming bayside neighborhood has an untouched bohemian quality about it that makes it one of the most picturesque spots in the city. Part tropical oasis, part waterfront gem, 'The Grove' as it's affectionately called, has been charming locals and tourists alike with its quaint streets, unique shopping, and tasty dining. Its lush surroundings and Spanish-style architecture, are evident at every turn. 

While I was doing some research on the neighborhood, I found out some interesting tidbits like: Did you know that playwright (and one-time Grove resident) Tennessee Williams, staged his production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' at the now-defunct Coconut Grove Playhouse in the 1950's? Impressive. 

And because the Spanish elements are so beautifully pronounced and hard to ignore, we found them a fitting backdrop to photograph this gorgeously detailed leopard floral skirt by Fancyfox. One of the perks of being a producer and blogger is getting to meet all these interesting and cool people from all different walks of life. One of those people is the Austin-based designer of Fancyfox, Sara Largent, who's ladylike feminine frocks caught my eye on Instagram. I love the richness of her patterns and designs- they're colorful, bold, and just really fun dress- up pieces. And they're made in the great USA with an attention to quality and detail. Funny enough, my blog caught her eye and we were a match made in insta-heaven! I fell in love with this midi skirt (hello, pattern overload) and I knew I wanted the chance to style it and Sara was more than happy to oblige! 

I know this may seem hard to believe, but this skirt is actually a great neutral piece that can easily take on several style personalities. For this look, I paired the skirt with a graphic muscle tee and my ivory tuxedo blazer. The cream and black of the blazer and tee offset the vibrant leopard and floral patterns. The skirt is such a statement piece that you don't want to drown it with a busy top. 

I accessorized the outfit with these gladiator platform heels from Steve Madden and a playful black and gold necklace from H&M. The small white and gold clutch also adds a bit of modern pizazz to the girlish look.

This skirt is taking me places! And I hope it inspires you to check out all of Fancyfox's one of a kind designs. and who knows- maybe take one of their pieces for a spin in Coconut Grove!

On Me: 

Midi skirt- Fancyfox 

Muscle Tee- Forever 21

Ivory blazer- Urban Outfitters 

Heels- Steve Madden 

Clutch- Big Buddha Bags

Necklace- H&M 

In Style, 

Kat 

** Visit Fancyfox at www.shopfancyfox.com and follow them on Instagram at @fancyfoxclothing **