TREND ALERT: SPOTTED IN 2018

Hello Squeezers! It's Sunday night, and all my people are tucked away in their beds and it's just me, my computer, and the last few chapters of Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri (if you haven't seen this Oscar nominated flick, you MUST). I'm taking advantage of this rare quiet time to catch up on my blog posts! So, yay for that! 

For the next few posts, I'll be sharing some trend forecasts for the spring! Just straight up fashion and pictures. I've got some "deep thoughts" posts brewing, but for right now, I want to keep it light and fun! 

Let's kick it off with the first one-

POLKA DOTS! 

There's a reason this mighty trend keeps taking on different lifeforms each season! Polka dots have the ability to be both elegant and fun. We saw it all over the runway this season- from Dior to Carolina Herrera- from bold to playful. There are so many different way to bring this trend to life and it's versatility is probably one of the reasons why it has been at the forefront time and time again. 

I own several polka dot pieces from midi skirts to sweatshirts, but I have to say this polka dot blouse from Zara is one of my favorites! You know when you walk into a store and your eyes immediately dart from side to side in a room until they immediately fixate on that one item you have to have? For me, it was this blouse. I saw it on the mannequin and knew it belonged in my closet. Only I wasn't going to pay full price for it. It just wasn't in my budget, so I had to let it be. Fast forward a few weeks later at Zara's famous 'rebajas (sales),' and there it was! Not only did I find it in my size, but it was discounted to 19 bucks! 

WIN. 

I also love mixing my polka dots with different patterns and print. While I do LOVE me a head to toe polka dot outfit, it's fun to break it up and mix it up with something unexpected. I paired my blouse, wait, did I mention that my blouse has a big, fat fabulous bow on it?! It makes it even more spectacular! Anywho, I paired it with my checkered trousers, which also happen to be high-waisted and I love the combination! 

I added chunky gold heels, and my black hat from Goorin Bros to give it an extra 'Kathy touch.' I'm already thinking of other ways to wear this blouse. It's long enough that I can wear as a tunic with a pair of leggings, with my denim skirt, or my mom jeans, oh yeah. 

So I'm here to tell you, you need polka dots in your life! Big ones, little ones, colorful ones. It doesn't matter what size or color, we don't discriminate! You just need them. Your spring wardrobe will thank you. 

*** All Photos by Elizabeth of Ra-Haus.

In Style, 

Kat

Miami Style Map: Mixed Media and a Fresh Pair of Blood-Red booties

Now that my bubblegum teen pop whirlwind with One Direction has come to an end and my feet are firmly back on planet Earth (well, not completely. I'm still hitting the replay button on my teenage dream), I'm ready to dive right back into the blog with a fresh post you are sure to love. I'm taking a ride on the polka dot and plaid train and hightailing it straight to Wynwood to show you how to style these two adored classic prints. 

Oh the places you'll go with a plaid flannel! Just ask me. I have ten. It's an accessible basic that can take on many style personalities and flavors. It can fluctuate from lumberjack oh-so-chic to permissibly avant garde with the right counterpart and accessories. Usually there's a grunge affinity to my plaid- not very dressed up and more inclined to comfort and coziness. With this look, I didn't eliminate the coziness, but I did add some girlish innocence with the polka dot skirt. I gave the flannel some ladylike legs and dressed it up with a midi skirt and the right bling. 

Instead of letting it hang or wrapping it around my waist, I opted to tuck in the flannel by giving it a more polished finish. I love the combination of polka and plaid. Most people probably wouldn't pair the two, but their pairing is more cohesive than you think. Neither print outshines the other and instead claim double spotlight for their individualized dash of panache. The combination is eye-grabbing and it makes a statement. 

These Aldo blood-red booties are my EVERYTHING right now. I have three go-to shoes at the moment and these blood-red booties are on the list. Everything from the gold hardware, to the pointy-toe scream boho-luxe to me. I have been on the hunt for the right pair of red booties for quite some time. A few years ago while vacationing in Europe, I scored the most insane pair from Zara, and in a moment of impulse and frustration because I had temporarily fallen out of love with them, I gave them away (almost like a boyfriend or girlfriend you regret breaking up with). It was a dumb move and one I regret and I promised myself I wouldn't do it again. Cue to a few weeks ago when I was on Aldo's Instagram and saw these babies giving me that "buy me" face I couldn't resist. And now, these Chloe knock off 'zapaticos de rosa' are on my feet and dancing the day away thanks to my better half (Happy early Christmas to moi)! PS. How cute is this petite Coach saddle bag? 

Take a few moments to admire my shoes while I cross the street in Wynwood. I was a having a Beatles moment in the pic above but you can actually get a great view of these sole stunners!

Hey, the boys of One Direction loved my booties so that takes their cool factor up a notch. 

Spruce up an everyday plaid shirt by adding some fancy flair to the mix. It's such a simple way to dress up any look. I added this crazy fabulous Aldo necklace that never fails at being a conversation starter. People are blown away when I tell them just how affordable this swanky gem is! 

I was very excited to share this look with all of you, not just because I love the outfit or because I always love capturing the dynamicity of Wynwood, but because I got to team up with a really cool photographer from the Simply Captivating family, Ricky Iglesias. Ricky is a Miamian-turned-Madrileno and speaks my city language fluently. He was such a pleasure (and easy) to work with and he was very open to challenging himself when it came to exploring different ways to photograph the outfit in Wynwood's urban landscape. He's got an eye (get it?) for style and I look forward to working with him again. 

Now I challenge you to go where no other fashionista has gone before! How do you pair your polka dot and plaid?

On Me: 

Plaid button-down- Forever 21

Polk dot skirt- Forever 21

Saddle bag- Coach

Booties- Aldo Shoes

Necklace- Aldo Shoes 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Flying High in H&M

Hello Summer and hello fun! 

I get the thrills looking at these photos because not only are they whimsical and very happy-go-lucky, but the color and pattern combination on this easy breezy H&M outfit,  are EVERYTHING. 

The great Natalie from Suna Photography was the mastermind behind capturing these shots and it's pretty clear we had some fun. And side note, only of these balloons survived the shoot!

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending a blogger breakfast for the opening of a massive H&M at Miami's International Mall. We were treated like fashion queens- fed, clothed, and pampered- and even given the chance to scoop up an outfit of choice to wear and feature on our blogs. This is every fashionista's dream to be feted like modern day Marie Antionettes! 

 It didn't take long (and by long I mean a few too many loops around the store ) for me to fall in love with this polka dot blouse, which is something I didn't have in my closet.  The short sleeved find is very versatile and perfect for any season (add a fitted sweater over it and voila spring or fall)!

These shorts are a summer awakening on any even given day. Can you look at these babies - the sunny yellow, the rich greens - and honestly not feel instantly uplifted?! I love the way they pair with the black and white dots. Add a fantastic straw hat, like this H&M gem, and I'm ready to fly away! 

There are so many fabulous options to consider with these shorts. You can pair them with a sweater and some boots, or a graphic tee and some cool kicks, or ever a tailored blouse with some vicious pumps for a night on the town. I opted to wear my look with these sandal wedges with gold accents and they do the job quite stylishly! 

Are you inspired? Well, get on up from that desk (eh, use that lunchtime wisely) and make your way to H&M and get your hands on some show stopping summer staples before they disappear! 

On Me: 

Polka dot blouse- H&M

Graphic shorts- H&M

Boater Hat - H&M

Wedges- Payless 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Lush in Print on Miami Beach

The secret garden knows no limits when faced with fierce fashion. I'm a sucker for a tropical print, especially ones that look dated, like wallpaper in a musky seawater-stenched Florida time share somewhere in Central Florida. I can appreciate it's liveliness, it's instant perkability (I just totally made that word up) and let's call it what it is, it's just FUN. And paired with a classic print like polka dots, well, it's a party and everyone is invited! 

I have to give big, and I mean, BIG, props to photographer, Justin Namon, the other equally talented half of Rahaus Fotografie who saw my look and said, "I know exactly where we're going with this." I've been sworn to secrecy in regards to location (I'll let you savvy fashion detectives figure it out) but as soon as we reached the spot, my first reaction was, "Of course! Bingo." 

I love the way my tropical blouse (courtesy of Pixie Market) successfully photobombs the lush landscape. It's like the trees are all bowing down to the amazingness of this mixed print look. Notice how every button on my blouse is buttoned all the way up to the collar. I call it uptight fashion, but really it's clean and very ladylike.  This look called for open toe sandals. I wore my Sam Edelman black and nude wedges that deliver modernity in their simplicity. 

I've been embracing the hot Miami weather when it comes to letting my hair breathe and take on a form of it's own. Usually it takes the form of Kelly Kapowski hair, which I'm perfectly okay with since Kelly was such a babe (just ask Zach and Slater). Not to sound completely narcissistic, which I'm not (only a little) but Justin really outlined all the details impeccably in this last image- the buttoned up collar, the cat-eye sunnies that really compliment a round face, and my very vivid red-orange smackers. It feels very Old Hollywood vacationing in Palm Beach. The greens and corals of these Stella and Dot earrings compliment both the blouse and polka dots of the outfit. 

And last not least, this pretty shot! The versatility of this geometric clutch by Big Buddha is what makes it so fantastic. For this look, I chose to hold the clutch since it's compact yet roomy (keys, iphone, credit cards and a lipstick joyfully coexist). But it also has a chain strap tucked inside if you wish to wear it as a crossbody or on your shoulder. I love the metal detail over the white faux leather background. It's easily convenient if you want to wear it during the day or at night! 

What do you think about this look?

On Me: 

Tropical blouse- Pixie Market  http://www.pixiemarket.com/tropic-print-blouse.html

Polka dot skirt- Forever 21

Shoes- Sam Edelman 

Clutch- Big Buddha http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/big-buddha-orlando-minaudiere/3743023?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=big_buddha_'orlando'_minaudiere:717504&cm_pla=bags:women:handbag&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:referralID=7801cfa1-db7d-11e3-bd2c-001b2166becc&origin=pla

Sunnies- Pixie Market http://www.pixiemarket.com/lorde-sunglasses.html

Earrings- Stella and Dot http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/jewelry/earrings/earrings-all/naomi-cluster-earrings

In Style,

Kat

In Your Polka Dot Midi, Girl!

The versatility of this black and white polka dot midi skirt continues to channel it's many en vogue personalities. And special thanks to the amazing Melissa, from Simply Captivating, for not only a most divertido shoot, but for capturing some fun and flirty shots of my All-Americana/Western-chic/Uptown girl fashion trifecta. 

For this look, I paired the midi skirt with a classic sleeveless denim shirt and a cream colored blazer. I love how the blazer pops against the denim and the dots. It gives the look a bit of a modern feel. 

Let's get to the nitty gritty of this outfit- the deets! Sometimes the best way to jazz up a look is through accessories. From my patterned nails, to my rainbow of bracelets, the proof is in the details. I especially love the bright yellow of this Stella and Dot Norah necklace. It's such a unique statement necklace and does a swell job of upgrading the classic denim shirt.

And these peep toe prettys, are one of my golden oldies. I remember buying these shoe babies at the Marc Jacobs store on Bleeker Street and being so giddy with excitement, I literally had a frozen smile on the train ride home.

And special thanks to my beauty entourage- Jessie, from Makeup Artistry by Jessie for the fabulous makeup application, Emilano from Warren Tricomi for my killer blowout, and Lucy Rodriguez for my brows.

On me:

Skirt- Forever 21
Denim top- Forever 21
Blazer- Urban Outfitters
Shoes- Marc Jacobs 
Necklace- Stella and Dot 

In Style,

Kat