Miami Style Map: It's Fashion Flashback with Maya's Maternity Shoot!

It's so hard to believe that these photos were taken almost four years ago! How the time has flown. Back in 2011, Coco and I flew down to Miami for the holidays and to spend a few days in Grand Cayman for our baby moon. We were so excited and nervous to meet our baby girl! And the only thing we kept telling one another, like we were in on this one big secret, was, "There's going to be a baby here in a couple of weeks!" 

It was important to me to document my first pregnancy and my growing baby bump, so I reached out to Natalie, of Suna Photography (www.sunaphotography.com), and asked her to capture all that excitement, happiness, and anxiety in a series of simple and whimsical photos. 

We shot at Margaret Pace Park, located across the street from our condo. Funny, since now that park is a part of our everyday routine. That's where Maya plays, rides her scooters, takes the dogs for walks, and goes for outings with her dad. There were no props for this shoot, no gimmicks- just a momma-to-be wrapped up in all the emotions of anticipation that come with being a first time parent! 

I wanted the shoot to reflect me in my everyday life- besides the gorgeous makeup (done by Jessie of Makeup Artistry by Jessie (www.makeupartistrybyjessie.com) this is pretty much me in my everyday (only without the extra layers brought to you by a NYC winter)! I had two looks. The first look was a pale blush dress from Forever 21. Even back then, before I started my fashion blog, I was all about non-maternity clothes during pregnancy- always keeping in mind fit and fabric! 

My second look was from Pea in a Pod Maternity, which I've been wearing on the regular during Rocco's pregnancy! I never got rid of my pregnancy clothes. I kept them in a bag and shared them with pregnant friends and family! It's the gift that keeps on giving. This maxi dress is budget-friendly alternative to a Missoni and I love how it looks with these turquoise drop earrings. 

I love looking back at these pictures and showing Maya how she was in mommy's belly and how we couldn't wait to meet her! She gets a kick out of that. She loves these photos of Coco and I. 'Daddyhood' looks good on Coco. And even though he sometimes drives me bananas, there's no limit to how much I adore this man! BTW, we're so pale! That's what NY winters do to you, but honestly, I kind of like the 'really white, no tan' look.

Little did we know at that point in time, how much our lives would change the moment Maya entered our world. And now here we are getting into the ring for the second time- clueless as to what life will be like with two kids. And you know what?! We can't hardly wait. 

Pass the wine! 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: A Work of Art on the Bay

Everything about this post is an architectural delight. Though simple in it's clean lines and contemporary design, it is the perfect backdrop to go against the dominant patterns of my outfit du jour. 

I have been giddy with excitement waiting to share this post with my fellow fashionistas! I was so stoked when Lizzie from Ra-haus http://ra-haus.com/  found our location and literally made me walk on a ledge to capture some of our kick ass shots. I'm in love with her vision, especially the images in front of the commanding wood panels.

I have gotten so much use out of this Peter Pilotto skirt from Target. I've even worn it with sneakers. It's extremely easy to pair and I love the originality of the classic Pilotto pattern. I decided to wear it with this black and white striped crop top, which also boasts some studded hardware at the shoulders. A striped top should be a 'must have' in every woman's closet. It is cherished staple that runs the gamut of outfit possibilities. 

Jessie, from Makeup Artistry by Jessie, highlighted my cheeks and smoked up my eyes with a charcoal grey. We added a pop of orange to add some fierce playfulness to the look. 

It's either go big or go home for me and that's evident by this H&M clutch with unique metallic hardware! It's like a big stylish stew of contemporary fashion! Let's just throw it all together and see what we get! I'm in love with the sleekness of this easy to carry day-to-night bag. 

And the icing on the cake are these faboosh faux snakeskin pumps. They're sexy, seductive, and can do some major damage if you dare get in my way! 

On Me: 

Top- Bongos for Kmart

Skirt- Peter Pilotto for Target

Clutch- H&M

Shoes- InStyle for Nine West 

Earrings- Vintage 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Talk is Cheap and I have Places to Go

I'm a girl on the move. 

In the words of 50 Cent, I got places to go, I got people to see. And I'm going to look good doing it, dammit. So when I finally found the most perfect pair of white jeans from Mango to add to my wardrobe, I knew that I needed to take them out for a test drive. They're just the right amount of skinny, a durable denim fabric, and a few appropriately placed rips (butt cheek rips ala Britney Spears are never a "do")  to give them a touch of tough girl attitude. 

I wanted to go for a symmetrical and modern look- an outfit focused on clean lines and muted colors like this light taupe boyfriend blazer and 'Talk is Cheap' muscle tee. Together, it all flows. And the shoes (oh the shoes!)- an opportunity to get playful with animal print. These pointy toe faux snakeskin pumps from the InStyle x Nine West collection are EVERYTHING. They have garnered a spot on my list of classic staples every woman should own. 

I have to give it to Lizzie and Justin from Rahaus Fotografie http://ra-haus.com/ for always finding the most incredible and unique shoot locations for my looks. The backdrop always tells a story- taking readers to unprecedented heights of imagination and wonder and making me, and the clothes, main characters in a scene.  Like for instance, this city skyline etched on metal frames that's a no brainer not only for the outfit, but for the city girl that defines me.  

I love the accessories for this look because they fuse brilliantly with the feel and modernity of the outfit. My orange/red lip courtesy of MAC and applied by makeup guru, Jessie of Makeup Artistry by Jessie, are the main focus - colorwise - of the look. While the outfit is subtle and basking in neutrals, the lips add an instant pop of glamour and color to not completely wash it out. It says, "Hey, check me out. You can't miss me." 

I love this oversized gold spiked statement necklace from Zara. I'm channeling my inner white girl rapper neck armor with pride! The bone colored and wood clutch is a classic addition as is my chunky Michael Kors gold watch. 

I'm on the move! 

On Me: 

Boyfriend Blazer- Forever 21 http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=outerwear_coats-and-jackets&ProductID=2000062270&VariantID=
Talk is Cheap tee- Forever 21
White Jeans- MNG for JCPenney http://www.jcpenney.com/month-long-values/mng-by-mango-deconstructed-jeans/prod.jump?ppId=pp5003611182&catId=cat100250124&N=100420068&extDim=true&topDim=Categories&topDimvalue=jeans&dimCombo=Categories%7C&dimComboVal=jeans%7C&currentDim=Categories&currentDimVal=jeans&colorizedImg=DP0107201417334335M.tif
Heels-  InStyle x Nine West http://www.ninewest.com/Gamin-d%27Orsay-High-Heels/12311592,default,pd.html?variantSizeClass=&variantColor=JJ3YEA1_1&cgid=12877356&prefn1=catalog-id&prefv1=ninewest-catalog
Clutch- Aldo 
Sunnies- Forever 21 

In Style, 

Kat 

Black Tie Optional

 

I've been very fortunate to get to work with a talented cluster of photographers on some of my blog posts and one of those photographers is Melissa Perez, from Simply Captivating. Introduced through a mutual friend, Melissa photographed my family for our first holiday session as South Floridians. She's sweet, smart, and has an eye for capturing those unforgettable moments. 

So it was a no-brainer for me to ask her to snap some head shots for my Freshly Squeezed Fashionista blog. What started off as a straight forward shoot, turned into a couple of hours of silliness, girl talk, and fashion fun! 

I am so excited to finally share this look with my fashionistas because nothing says "Let's have a good time" like a band of bow ties! And the Eva Franco Ora dress is nothing but fun. This sassy little number is one of my favorite dresses from Rent the Runway. I loved it so much, I wore it twice in one week! Yep, I double dipped. 

I've never been shy about my love for Rent the Runway. Never has such a brilliant idea come around that has taken the fashion industry and millions of women's checkbooks by storm. Gone are the days of splurging big bucks on a designer gown for a festive occasion. Times are tough and spending has been curbed. 

Rent the Runway will be your new best friend. Trust me, it's mine. I cannot tell you the last time I actually purchased a dress at a store that I would only wear once and then it would spend the rest of it's existence collecting dust on a plastic hanger in my closet. 

And the options are limitless! 

 I paired my bow tie dress with my signature hat and a pair of two- toned Marc Jacobs peep toe heels. And I love that they're the same hue as the cream and black dress. Another way to pair this dress is with a cool pair of motorcycle boots or with a boyfriend blazer, tights, and Mary Janes on a crisp fall day. The possibilities are endless! 

I couldnt' complete this look without the help of my glam squad. Thank you to Jessie from Makeup Artistry by Jessie for my fresh face and to my Mane Man, Emiliano (at the W Hotel) for my bouncy blowout and for always making me look oh so good! 

On Me: 

Dress- Eva Franco from Rent the Runway

Shoes- Marc Jacobs

Hat- Urban Outfitters 

In Style,

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Finding My Architectural Style in Downtown Miami

Go ahead. Get wowed. That's exactly what I did when Elizabeth, one half of Rahaus Fotografie, sent me the images from our recent photo shoot in Downtown Miami. To say I was blown away is the understatement of the century. Anyone that could make me look like I belong in a Neiman Marcus ad, is a visionary genius. 

She executed each look using a very precise artistic approach and one that I was happy to follow without question. There's a method to Elizabeth's madness. And these photos prove that she's insanely creative. 

There's something very bohemian about the Miami born-and-bred photographer. Maybe it's her almost Brooklyn-like vibe that instantly draws you to her, or her quirky sense of humor, whatever it is, it's that sense of easy familiarity that makes shooting with her such an adventure. 

The architectural layout of all the lines in the shot- be it horizontal or vertical- elevates this monochromatic striped look to another level. The proof is in the detail. The building in the background is a complimentary co-star to the black and white lines of my two piece outfit. The slicked back ponytail also plays in to the symmetrical tone of the setting. It's such a pronounced shot, but the outfit still manages to steal the spotlight. 

I absolutely love this crop top because it's loose fitting and sits just right over the high waisted pencil skirt covering what needs to be covered without having to try too hard. I love the way the light beautifully shines through these mid-century staircases and reflects against the crop top and the side of my face. It feels very vulnerable, only I was just trying not to slide down the stairs like a three year old. 

Marry the beast and keep the library. This shot is quintessentially me, surrounded by books, words, and pretty things. When Lizzie picked this location (shhh! locations are top secret and can't be divulged) to photograph this monochromatic look, I felt completely in my element. I thought of Edward Hopper (yes, the painter) when I first saw this photo. Maybe it's the distressed colors of some of the books and the way they're  haphazardly organized, but it resonated with me as an abstract canvas. In plain English, it was F$%#NG cool! 

Oh hello, this is not a photoshopped butt. Somehow, this magical skirt gave me an instant butt lift, Ala Kim Kardashian, just not as vulgar. I love the floral motifs on the sides of the top and skirt. It's fun and that's what fashion is about. And because I'm a sucker for mixing prints, I paired the look with my peep toe leopard Louboutins. Voila! Now hand me a book. 

You wouldn't be able to tell from this shot, but I was containing fits of laughter. Yes, really. Lizzie kept quietly yelling, "Smile with your eyes!" This is the best I could do. I'm seriously smiling with my eyes. I love the never ending rows of books that give the illusion you're in some kind of literary tunnel. It's quite masterful if you ask me.

Isn't my makeup gorgeous? Jessie, of Makeup Artistry by Jessie, created this subtly smokey look with bright lips and darkened brows. And let's talk about my gold adornments. I brought the JLO hoops out of retirement because nothing screams Miami louder than gold hoops. I added a clean textured gold necklace as to not distract from the overall look. 

My latest obsession is my kelly green Marc by Marc Jacobs crossbody I scored for a steal. I'm not usually a fan of tassels but I love the simple detail. It's another element of color that makes the outfit pop. You just can't take your eyes off it. 

Here's one final look at my two-piece monochromatic outfit. It's deserving of a standing ovation. 

*** Check out more of Lizzie's incredible work on her official site 

www.ra-haus.com ****

On Me:

Crop top and skirt- Mustard Seed (from Macys)

Leopard heels- Christian Louboutin

Crossbody- Marc by Marc Jacobs 

In Style,

Kat 

Style Spotlight: Miami Makeup Guru Making Women Beautiful One Face at a Time.

You've heard the horror stories. Girl goes to get her makeup done. Girl asks for something fabulous. Girl walks out looking like a circus clown. Girl cries and off comes the mascara. 

In a saturated market where many "artists" claim makeup supremacy, only a handful can actually stand by their work. It takes a very skillful and gifted artist to know exactly what will work best on you without taking away from that very natural beauty you want to enhance. Not every makeup artist can do that. But when Jessie Diaz, Founder and CEO of Makeup Artistry By Jessie, takes a makeup brush to your face, you can rest assured that the final product will be a work of art. 

I call Jessie a makeup guru. She's someone who sees your face as a canvas and creates a beautiful masterpiece that can often seem unattainable. Let's face it. We can try and try to do that cat eye or that smokey look on our own, but the end result is usually hot mess of eyeshadow and eyeliner smeared across our face. When Jessie brings your makeup vision to life, she gets excited with you. And this excitement comes from a place of genuine passion because she truly loves what she does for a living. 

With a schedule that has booked through the summer, it was hard to tie down one of Miami's best to answer a few questions for this blog. But being a client and a friend has its advantages. Jessie's infectious and straight up funny personality is easily detected when she chatted all things makeup with me, the Freshly Squeezed Fashionista! 

Read on to get the scoop.

FSF: I am so glad this interview is finally happening! I have been dying to share you with the world! Not that you don't already have a crazy legion of fans, but you should  have more. You're like my very own Pat McGrath and the world needs to know about you! Do the compliments ever get old? 

MABJ: Haha, no they don’t.  It’s an honor to be your Pat McGrath.

FSF: Makeup has been a hobby of yours for such a long time. But when did it become the front and center in your career?

MABJ: I always worked a regular 9-5 job and did my bridal trials at night. On Fridays, I would leave the office early so that I could make it on time to make up my brides. Saturdays and Sundays were my time to shine! Makeup has always been front and center in my life. I basically worked 7 days a week for many many years. I built my business, made a name for myself, and loved every single minute of it! In 2010, when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I decided that it was time to refocus. Being a mom was going to be a tougher job than anything I had ever done before, so I left my office job and never looked back. Within a few months, I went from being a one-man show with an assistant to having a full staff of professional makeup artists and hair stylists working for me.

FSF: When did you know you were actually good at what you did? 

MABJ: I always knew. I was born with the talent…really!  Since middle school, I was painting all my friends' (and even some dolls' ) faces. In high school, everyone wanted me to do their makeup. I was the go-to girl. I remember when I was 17, I charged someone $20 to get their makeup done, and they paid it! I remember thinking, "WOW, this is nuts! I can actually get paid to do what I am most passionate about." It was beyond me!

FSF: Anyone that meets you knows you have a big personality. Why is that important in a job like this? 

MABJ: People like to feel comfortable around the people that surround them, especially on such a special and intimate day. My outgoing and candid personality allows me to provide that comfort for my brides. I love people, weddings, and makeup. It's the perfect combo for me! When you love what you do, it always shows and exudes a positive energy. My clients feel that energy and are attracted to it.

FSF: You're big in the Miami wedding scene. How did you get started?

MABJ: After I graduated from Florida State University in 2001 and moved back home to Miami, I began working for my family business because I needed a job that would pay my bills. That's when I started peeking my way in to the wedding industry. People started finding out that I was back in Miami, and in several months, I was getting booked for months out. Word of mouth is a pretty powerful thing.

FSF: What is your most favorite thing about working on brides?

MABJ: I am wedding obsessed! When I meet a future bride, I instantly become part of her life. I become immersed in her journey toward the biggest day of her life. I get phone calls, texts, and emails asking what photographer I like to work with or who is the best for floral arrangements. I've even been asked to be their wedding planner! But that's where I have to draw the line. Weddings are full of happiness, joy, and laughter, and I LOVE that! I don't usually see a bride's bridezilla side. I am the one that makes them look and feel beautiful, so it's always happy times with me. 

FSF: You have also done commercial, fashion, and television gigs. Which has been the most exciting for you?

MABJ: I don't have a favorite. For me, it's always exciting to see a face I've made up on TV or on a runway. It's like having my masterpiece on stage for the whole world to see! 

FSF: Let's talk beauty tips. What's one makeup trend that doesn't work on anyone? 

MABJ: I don't think there is one particular trend that doesn't work for everyone because every faces is unique. Everyone‘s face structure and skin tones are different. Something that might look terrible on one person might look absolutely fabulous on another. The key is to know what works well on each person individually and then execute it beautifully.

FSF: Have you ever had to tell a client that something isn't working for her?

MABJ: YES!!  I am really really honest with my clients. If something doesn't look good on you, I will tell you and then recommend something that does look good. I feel like I would be doing a disservice to you and to my myself as a makeup professional. I would hate for someone to let me walk out on the street looking like a clown and not tell me.

FSF: What makeup tools should every woman own to get her through the day? 

MABJ: A good blush applicator and blush. Please use blush. It brightens up your face and makes a world of difference.

FSF: What do most of your clients ask for? I'm going to guess it's the smokey eye. 

MABJ: Yes, everyone asks for a smokey eye. The funny thing is that the word  ”smokey” means something different to almost every single woman. Some girls end up with a black eye and some with a soft earth tone eye. My job as a makeup artist is to find out what it means to them and provide the best version of what they ask for.

FSF: What's your beauty routine when it comes to your face? 

MABJ: There's a Spanish saying which really doesn't translate into English well at all, but here it goes, “en casa de herrero, cuchillo de pala.”  I think the English saying is ”the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot”. It's a lot funnier in Spanish, though. Pretty much the saying says that a skilled or knowledgeable person fails to use their skills for their own benefit or the benefit of their family. In my case, I don't wear too much makeup in my day-to-day life, but when I do, I make sure I have a lot of blush on.

FSF: What makeup trends are we going to be seeing for spring? 

MABJ: Corals, corals and more corals!

** For more information on MABJ, visit her website at http://www.jessiesierradiaz.com/