Kicking Off Memorial Day Weekend With Some Retro Bathing Suit!

It's the long weekend and time to pack up the swimsuits, sunscreens, and coolers and head to your nearest beach! I, for one, can't wait to sit out and catch some rays with some refreshing drinks and the latest gossip rags to keep me company! 

And in the spirit of the festive long weekend, I wanted to share with you my retro pin up shoot I did a few months back with Erika Nelly, of Erika Nelly Photography (http://erikanelly.com). I love the process of transforming from modern gal to sexy vintage bombshell! Everything from the wardrobe to the hair is curated to capture that really special 'wan-bam-wow' pinup look! Erika has a penchant for vintage, as does her wardrobe and make-up stylist so teaming up with them for this throwback photo shoot was lots of fun and full of energy! 

I've had this Target suit for years and it's one of my personal favorites! Though I do wear a lot of bikinis, the few one pieces I do own, are all retro-inspired. Plus, the strapless neckline makes it easy for tanline-free sunning! Polka dots are a classic vintage pattern and such a feminine and timeless look that can still be worn today. They add a hint of that vintage vibe when styled accordingly. I love the cut of this one piece because it really accentuates the curves! If it's something we can learn from the pin-up models of the 50's and 60's, is that embracing your womanly curves was a winning recipe- as it should be! As women and for some of us, as mothers, our bodies are a wonderland of empowerment and amazement. We owe it to love every inch of our curves because they tell us so much about who we are, where we come from, and what we are capable of doing! That's not to say there are moments that sometimes we try to minimize our curves and we have those instances of self-doubt- but we need to keep telling ourselves how much sexier, more confident, and  more beautiful we are because we have them! Time to flaunt! 

And with a suit like this, I'm able to show off my tiny waist and generous hips because even skinny girls (especially skinny Cuban girls) have hips too! And I love them! 

We went for a tiki look and accessorized appropriately with the bamboo snack shack, pineapples, and flamingo props! I absolutely love flamingos! They're so fun and they're the perfect shade of summer pink. I'm sure they're the envy of the bird community. 

We did these really cool retro rolls at the base of my hair and left the rest of it loose with some big beachy curls. A red lip is almost mandatory when you're channeling your inner pin-up girl and the glossier the better! We added a pair of red Fendi heels (these I don't recommend for the beach. Ha!) and a complimenting red rose for the updo! 

And voila! Just call me Kathy Page! 

Want to take a trip back in time and tap into that vintage you?! Treat yourself to vintage bombshell photo shoot with Erika (booking info on www.erikanelly.com)! These will be priceless photos you'll be happy you took! 

In Style, 

Kat 

Miami Style Map: Altuzarra Gets The Vintage Treatment

Cool as a cat and feeling very 70's je ne sais quoi in this rich navy and ivory Altuzarra for Target blouse. I'm always impressed with Target's collaborations and this one was no exception. The Parisian-born Altuzarra, and winner of the CFDA/vogue award back in 2011, is known for his modern sophistication but also his chic femininity. There is always something I love from each of these designer collabs and I'm usually successful at snagging at least one piece to add to my wardrobe. Long gone are the days of staying up at all hours just to feed into the machine (yeah, I'm talking to you Limsanity). Granted, I was lucky enough to attend the Altuzarra preview during Fashion Week so I didn't necessarily have to sleep outside Target or barter with anyone in the fitting room. There was plenty of designer love to go around. 

I love the vintage feel of this snapshot captured by the team at Ra-Haus Fotografie. And I love how this photo looks like it was taken at some Hollywood-money Palm Springs backyard. The washed out yellow tint and slightly out of focus filter in the rest of the images adds an interesting storyline to this modernized look. 

I love the combination of navy and grey and I played off the high-contrast prints of the blouse to compliment the muted shades and the print of the pants. I wanted the look to remain clean and simple so I opted for these white patent loafers from Zara. I can't tell you how much I love white shoes but dirt phobia kept me at bay from ever having the courage to buy a pair. Until I saw these and thought, "F#$%k it!" I'll be as careful as possible to keep them pristine. So far so good. 

This is such an easy and comfortable outfit but it still manages to make a statement. I love the cat eye shape of the glasses and it just fits with the mood of the outfit. 

Now, where can I get a pool like this?! I'm a perfect addition to the mid-century backdrop. It was just meant to be. 

On Me:

Blouse- Altuzarra for Target

Pants- TopShop 

Loafers- Zara 

Sunglasses- Pixie Market 

Earrings- Steve Madden 

In Style, 

Kat 

Style Spotlight: A Garden Party Fit for a Zac Posen Dress

Before we admire the playful richness of this designer dress, let's take a moment to fawn over the tropical paradise that exceeds every lush and bountiful expectation. Welcome to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. This was actually my first visit to the historic grounds. I wasn't lying when I said I was rediscovering Miami again! One of the advantages of waiting this long to visit the tropical gardens is that I probably have more of an appreciation for its beauty and culture as an adult than I would have at let's say, 17. 

I wouldn't call myself a 'nature' person, but some doses of greenery does everybody a little good. You can easily spend hours exploring Fairchild with all its fairy-like forestry, storybook waterfalls, and magical garden paths. How many times did I envision a long rustic communal table, with mismatched porcelain place settings, lovely worn banquet chairs, cafe lights hanging low from trees, and a cluster of good friends dressed in floral garden dresses singing, dancing, and throwing back some delicious cocktails under the moonlight (my sweet girl vision involves zero mosquitoes)? Too many to count. So imagine my excitement when Liz (http://ra-haus.com/blog/) suggested the gardens as our next shooting location. 

Fairchild Tropical Gardens is named after David Fairchild, one of the most well-known plant explorers of the 19th and 20th century who dedicated his life to finding tropical plants that could be of use to the American people. In 1935, along with other notable plant enthusiasts and collectors, David opened the doors to the 83 acres of breathtaking botanical beauty that is now Fairchild's. The gardens are dedicated to preserving and conserving tropical plants as well as educating plant lovers from all walks of life through enrichment programs, tours, and festivals. 

Now let's get to the meat and potatoes of this post- the dress. And not just any dress, a Zac Posen for Target dress, proving yet again, that you don't need to plunk down thousands to get that designer look for less. And taking it one step further, I scored this gorgeous multicolored dress from my best friend's closet- new with tags. After a deep closet cleaning where we seriously purged her from the claws of outdated atrocities (nine bags total), she had forgotten all about the dress and had meant to give it to me a year later. Better late than never perfectly applies to this fashion scenario and now it's happily sitting in my closet! 

I love the combination of fuchsia and red. It's a such a euphoric pop of color that wears well with any skin tone. And sprinkle in emerald green, yellow, electric blue, and orange and it really takes the dress to new color heights and it screams fun! The print on the dress is a mash up of different colored safety pins. And just look at that back! Who doesn't love a train? It's an extra dose of fancy. I love the way it gathers and knots in the back allowing for the dress to have a slight peek-a-boo component. 

Since the dress is such a staple and pretty much speaks for itself, accessories were kept to a bare minimum. I layered a collection of necklaces from Helen Ficalora, Chip and Chisel, and this stunning emerald green horn from Jaimie Nicole Jewelry. The handmade stone earrings are extra special because I got them from a road vendor in Istanbul when Coco and I visited a few years ago. 

This dress feels like it belongs at Fairchild's and it might just be the perfect dress to wear to that dreamy garden party under the stars! 

For more information and to visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, click here. http://www.fairchildgarden.org/

On Me: 

Dress- Zac Posen for Target
Earrings- Istanbul 
Necklaces- Helen Ficalora, Chip and Chisel, Jaimie Nicole Jewelry


In Style, 

Kat