Changing Things Up and Doing You.

I've always been somewhat of a fashion chameleon, always trying new things and changing up my look. For starters, my hair has been every shade under the sun (think orange, blonde, black, even a reddish plum). I spent a pretty penny growing up buying color in a box, and then when I could afford it, I started making trips to the salon. When I first moved to NY,  I was sporting some caramel and honey colored highlights; and I was so obsessed, I would literally fly down to Miami to get them done every 6-8 weeks. Anyways, I lost my train of thought. The point is, that I often change my look; not just when it comes to hair, but fashion as well. I think it's so fun to test the waters and try new things. Along the way, you unknowingly find your true style personality. I know I did.

My fashion evolution has been wild. I love looking back at old photos and seeing all the different phases I've gone through style wise. Some are quite memorable and almost questionable (too tight bright pants that often gave me camel toe), and others I would still rock today (from vintage tees and jeans from Goodwill to pointy toe Jimmy Choo heels). Here's what I've found to be consistent in those periods of change: I like long, dark brown hair. It's what I always go back to when it comes down to it, though right now, I'm really obsessed with my Kimmy K long blonde moment. I love bangs too. Fashion wise- skinny jeans, blouses, animal prints, booties, booties with dresses, florals. Lots and lots of florals. And stripes. Seems like I own a lot of striped tops. I rather dresses to any other type of clothing and I love anything high-waisted. I dislike cap sleeves, pencil skirts, super high heels, and anything extremely tight. I need room for food, plus I don't need anyone asking me if I'm pregnant. Though I do love to wear extremely tight things when I'm pregnant because I can get away with it AND I don't have to suck in my stomach.

Even today, at 37 years young, I still find it fun to try a new look while still keeping to what I like and  what works for me. My husband teases that I've changed my looks so many times in the 16 years we've been together, that it feels like he's with someone different every time! Jokes aside though, he loves it. He has no choice.

Here's the thing, though. I dress for me. I don't dress for anyone else or to be up on the latest trends. I definitely do not wear things I don't like or don't suit me, no matter what Vogue magazine says. You can't buy into trends just because. If something is 'trendy,' it doesn't mean you HAVE to wear it. It also doesn't mean it'll work for you. There are many trends I like but I also know that some are not for me, and I'm not buying into those just because everyone is doing it or wearing it. 

If I wear something, it's because I like it and it works for me. That's all that matters. If you don't like it, as I say in Spanish, Bueno. Which brings me to this post! 

First off, can I say how crazy that these photos were taken about a month or so ago and I already look different! Ha! That's what I am talking about. My real hair is slightly longer, I have extensions, and I'm growing out my bangs. I'm definitely trying out different color palettes with the blonde hair that I hadn't tried out before. Big difference! 

Back to this look. I am digging the 90's grunge vibe this outfit is giving off with the platinum blonde. From the black and yellow plaid pattern, to the white booties with fishnet socks, It screams 'Courtney Love Grunge Cool' minus the drug addiction (😳).  I paired it with a studded black belt and with a tiger embellished chain purse. You know I had to throw in the aviator specs in there, or as my friends jokingly refer to them as, my child molester glasses (or Jeffrey Dahmer glasses).  Knowing how much they dislike them, I make it a point to wear them even more! 

Guess who likes them, though? I do! 

I had such mixed feedback from this look when I first posted it on Instagram. Some people loved it and thought it was cool and funky, while others were perplexed as to why I would wear this. I found the variety in opinions hilarious and interesting because it all comes down to personal taste, really. I love hearing the feedback, though.

I love this Zara tunic dress. The belt is also Zara. It's so comfortable and easy to wear.  I actually wore it with a black turtleneck underneath and it looked fab and even cozier! That's another BIG style change for me. Back in the day, my motto was, the tighter the better- tight tops, tight dresses, tight skirts.  Lots of cleavage. Breast spillage everywhere! Now, it's the complete opposite. I love loose-fitting pieces, my lady bits are strapped in (not to say they don't come out once in a while to play), and not everything is 'matchy matchy.' Oh goodness. The days of matchy matchy.

I love the hook detailing on the side of the dress. I opted to leave it open so I had more of a slit. I also love that this is the kind of dress that you can dress up or dress down. You can wear it with sneakers or you can wear it with booties. For me, this versatility is KEY.

So whether you're a fan of this look or your not, I hope you take away one important thing. Dress for you. Dress to  Impress yourself. Don't worry about anyone else. You do you.

**** ALL PHOTOS BY Photos by Jenise. ****

In Style, 

Kathy 

I'm Back! 20 Things You Should Know About Freshly Squeezed Fashionista.

Happy Saturday, Squeezers! I hope that you are all enjoying your weekend to the max, doing what you do best- being fabulous and fashionable! I am very excited because the Buccios are hosting a little dinner party for friends tonight and it just takes us back to our famous NYC dinners that we would host several times a month with family and friends. We love having people over and what's even more out of this world, we would do it in a 700 square foot apartment! Imagine- 10-14 people getting together to feast, drink, and have a good time. It was never a dull moment at our awesome dinner and drunches! While we haven't done many in our Miami home, we do make sure the ones we have are just as memorable and fun- with great food and company! My BFF since 2000 and his partner are in town so its sure to be a lively affair! I'll share some photos and videos on my Instastories! Don't miss it! 

Well, back to the blog. It's been a little while (more like a long while) since I posted a fashion related post. I hope you all enjoyed my last travel-related write up; but, I thought this time around, I wanted to share some fun facts about me. Yes, one of those US Weekly inspired '10 Things you don't know about Me,' or something along those lines. I wanted to go a little outside the box and share things that were slightly more detailed and personal, maybe you can get a few chuckles out of some. 

Also for your viewing pleasure, this Eva Mendes summer dress for New York and Company (http://www.nyandcompany.com/eva-mendes-collection-allegria-dress-lily-print/A-prod10490053/?An=1767853277&prodNo=41), that happens to be on sale for $29.99! If you know me well, you know that I speak floral fluently, and this print is vibrant, colorful, but also so ladylike and effortless. The dress is so light weight, it literally blows in the wind (or no wind). I paired it with a summer hat and a pineapple purse because.....summer! 

So, enjoy the pics and the read, and get to know a more personal side of...ME! 

1- I'm obsessed with KFC biscuits. I once took a Downtown bus just so i could go to the only KFC on the upper east side to get them.

2- I love licking the butter off the inside of popcorn bags. It's disgusting but oh so good!

3- I have fly girl dreams! Ever since watching In Living Color as a kid, I thought I could totally dance like that and be a fly girl. Or so I thought. Jlo is my dance spirit animal.

4- I watched Legends of the Fall 23 times because I was so in love with Brad Pitt.   When my Dad told me I couldn’t watch it anymore, he said that I cried more than I did at my grandmother’s funeral.

5-  When I was in Pre-K, I told my teacher I didn't drink my juice because my mom was trying to poison me.  Really, I just didn't like the juice and that was the best excuse I could come up with.  My Mom was thrilled (not).    

6- I used the money I had set aside to buy a bed when I first moved to New York and bought my first pair of Jimmy Choos instead, because PRIORITIES.   

7- I had a breast reduction at age 23.  I was a 32 FF on my small frame and couldn’t haul the extra weight around anymore; and, I was tired of wearing corset bras like a Victorian dame.  Who knew boobs could weigh that much?!

8- My hair has been every color - from orange to black. One day I want to go full blonde but I haven't mustered the courage yet.

9- I don't sleep well when Coco's not home, which brings me to this fact....I suffer from anxiety.

10 - When I was 13 years old, I got second degree burns on my hands from squeezing lemon juice on my hair. The top of my hands literally peeled off and all this happened right before I was to start 8th grade. Needless to say, my self-esteem suffered slightly. Funny enough, this happened again when I was 21 and I fell asleep at the beach with baby oil on my face. I ended up in the hospital with second-degree burns. Lesson learned. 

11- One of my greatest accomplishments is being a mom. (I'll take it one step further and say, for me, giving birth vaginally ( I was so terrified I was set on having a C-section).  Sounds superficial, but no one, not even me, thought I would go through with it; yet, I did- not once, but twice! So yay to me and to all the mamas out there! Whether you pushed that baby out of your pikachu, had a C-Section, surrogate, adopted- becoming a mother is the most intensely wonderful and hardest thing in the world!   

12 - I got my first internship (and TV job) from a flyer posted at school. And because I didn't want anyone to have my dream job at Access Hollywood, I ripped the sign off and shoved it in my book bag so no one else could see it. Even then I was ruthless! Persistence and determination have served me well in life. 

13- Coco and I had our first unofficial date at a Spanish bar and spent hours dancing. The bar's name is Iguanas and it's still open in Times Square.

14- My favorite movie is Jaws. I basically love watching movies and shows.  Even as an adult, I used to fall asleep watching Peter Pan.  And I consider Liz Lemon from 30 Rock my spirit animal.

15- Believe it. I was a cheerleader and played softball growing up. A true sporty spice! 

16- I love alone time. Sometimes I like to go out to eat by myself, go to the movies, the beach and even shopping. I don't like shopping with other people. I consider myself selectively extroverted with introverted tendencies. 

17- I own like 15 shades of red lipstick.

18- One of my favorite things to do is cuddle in bed and watch movies with Maya, especially if it's Harry Potter.

19- I completely fan girled when I had to do a segment with NKOTB. You could probably still find it on you tube. 

20- I don't drink coffee. Only tea. I drink 2-4 cups depending on the day. I also like wine.

Miami 'Mom' Style Map: Gearing Up for Swimsuit Season and Putting Those 'Tummy Shamers' on Lockdown

Squeezers! It's been way too long! Three weeks, actually, since my last post. My daily life has become a professional juggling act of trying to balance kids, family, work, and blogging! I have to remind myself to come up for air, breathe, and take a minute or two to myself, because if not, I'll go mad. But in the words of Olaf, 'All good things, all good things,' so you'll hear very little complaining on my end. 

I'm so excited to bring you my first swimsuit post of the season via this sensational floral one piece from Red Carter Swim. A big thank you to fellow momma photographer, Jenise Subervi (www.photosbyjenise.com) for capturing these fantastic photos. This swimsuit was gifted to me while I was pregnant and I was boldly confident that I could squeeze my ginormous belly into it. I was obviously wrong. The suit didn't even go up my thigh, so off it went into the 'after baby' pile with a tear in my eye. A few months after giving birth, I said, 'let's give this swimsuit a whirl!' And voila! It finally fit.  Now, did I have that flat stomach and those washboard abs to go with it? Not really, and why should I?!  Hello, I had just popped out a baby. I'm entitled to this leftover tummy!

Which brings me to tonight's post....tummy shaming. Oh yeah, tummy shaming is a thing. A real, annoying thing. When I hear, "Omg, you are the CUTEST pregnant girl I've ever seen," or "I hope I look like you when I'm pregnant." Yeah, thanks. Only I'm not pregnant. I just had a baby. But thanks for tummy shaming me. Note to humans everywhere: Never assume a woman is pregnant. Even if you see a baby's head popping out of a vagina, just don't assume. Why are women expected to look like their pre-pregnancy selves a few short months after having a baby? Considering we all have different body types, metabolisms, and lifestyles to factor into our weight loss. Yeah, I'm skinny and I think I look pretty good even if my stomach isn't paper flat. Here's the thing people- I don't care. And you shouldn't either. 

No one is going to make me feel bad about having a kangaroo pouch seven months after giving birth to Rocco. It's just not on my to-do list- after laundry, taking care of a baby, doing pick up and drop offs, meeting writing deadlines, sending emails and catching up on my Netflix- I really don't know where that falls on my 'priority' column. Actually, it doesn't even land anywhere near it because I just DGAF. When the slightest ounce of self-doubt crawls inside my brain, I remind myself, 'I did the most insane thing in the world- I pushed a baby out of my vagina and created life. This belly was a vessel and it should be given a medal or at least a stake in lottery winnings.' Bam! Mic drop. If my parting gift after childbirth is a loose tummy, well then so be it. That's why they have elliptical machines and plastic surgeons. At some point, it'll go away (basically when I stop being lazy and exercise because prayer alone doesn't seem to be working). In the meantime, I wear it proud. To all the mommas out there- tell those tummy shakers to SUCK IT! 

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Getting into a swimsuit of any type after having a baby is a monumental task. Hide the harsh lighting and the fun house mirrors. It's a gradual process when it comes to finding a suit that compliments your new body- because let's be frank, your body changes after baby and hey, that's totally okay and normal! Be easy on yourself. 

I've been on a 'one piece' kick for some time now, and when I got this floral stunner, I was in love! For starters, the colors are a kaleidoscope of amazingness! They're so bright and vibrant and cheery; the suit is an instant mood perk. Next up, is the silhouette. I mean, who doesn't love a sweetheart cut? It's one of the most flattering styles for any body type. Add little bit of sexy 'oomph' with the low cut accent. It gives my post-baby-post-surgery boobs, a nice little lift. Momma likes! 

Fitting into the suit, tummy and all, felt absolutely fabulous! Yeah, I know what some of you are thinking, "She's skinny. It's easy for her to say that," but; here's the thing. Whether you're skinny, tall, short, or overweight, we all have our insecurities. It doesn't matter what shape or size we come in. Let's embrace that. Some days will be more difficult than others, I get that, but this is our body, its the only one we get, and it does amazing things, like make babies. It's one of the most gratifying and selfless gifts in the world. Be proud of your scars, of your tummies, your cellulite, and the wrinkles that come with it. You created life!  So the next time someone asks you if you're pregnant when you're out and about, or comments on your oh-so-adorable belly, give them a kick in the groin and salute your tummy pride! 

On Me: 

Swimsuit- Red Carter Swim 

Shades- Forever 21 

In Style, 

Kat