Pencil Skirt Chic

With the temps still soaring up into the hundreds lately I've been reaching for anything to help keep me cool. Skirts and crop tops seem like an obvious choice especially when the crop top in question has a huge heart cutout detail on the back. The occasional breeze paired with this open back design is quite pleasant and welcomed on such scorching hot days.

I wore my hot pink crop top with a lace printed high-waisted pencil skirt from Le Tote. I chose this combo to keep things classy and chic since I had to pop into the office. I absolutely adore this skirt. It is super stretchy which means it is super comfy. Making it even more perfect for this heat wave is the light and airy fabric.

I took the pop of pink a step further, literally, with my matching gold and pink single sole heels. The gold ankle detail plays up my gold jewelry and the gold studs on my crossbody bag. You may have seen this purse featured in previous posts because I carry it a lot. It is lightweight, easy to carry and can also be used as a clutch by removing the strap. I got it at Foreign Exchange about a year ago but I still see similar styles around the mall. I should probably pick one up next time I see one because I'll be sad if this bag ever gets ruined.

What I'm Wearing

Pink Heart Back Crop Top- I'm Haute

Black Lace Bralette- Wet Seal

Gold Bracelet- Michael Kors

Gold Earrings- The Icing

Lace Print Pencil Skirt- Le Tote

Black Crossbody Bag- Foreign Exchange

Pink Heels- Pink Basis

Thank you all so much for checking out my latest blog post. 

I want to take this time to apologize for not posting in awhile. 

Along with running my online fashion boutique, I'm Haute, I have taken the position as Director of Photography for a new auction company, Longfellow Auctions. Between juggling these two very important opportunities and moving into a new house I haven't had much free time. I will try to plan my schedule better so that I can make time to still do the things that I love to do. Such as creating new content and blog posts as well as making new videos for my YouTube channel. Lately I have been getting comments on my instagram asking when I will make videos again... Soon, very soon.

I love you all and cherish the love and support you guys have always given me throughout the years. Thank you for being patient during this time of change and for pushing me to keep going. 

See you soon.

Blue Chiffon Maxi Dress OOTD

Maxi dresses are my favorite. I could happily wear a maxi dress every single day, they are comfy and chic- two characteristics I hold dear in my personal everyday style. This blue chiffon maxi dress is absolutely drool worthy. The black faux leather trim makes this the perfect summer to fall dress and adds a touch of attitude. I  chose matching faux leather accessories to emphasize the sexy trim of the dress. My favorite detail is obviously the intricate open back, great with up-do's or side swept locks. Everything I'm wearing is available from I'm Haute.com.

What I'm Wearing:

Blue Chiffon Maxi Dress- Available Here

Black Handbag- Available Here

Black Single-Sole Heels- Available Here

Photography by the ever so talented: Josie Tan

Baby I'm a Star: Leather Pencil Skirt Outfit

I shot these outfit pics when I was on vacation in New York. I have a major city crush on New York City. I love watching TV shows or movies that are shot in NYC because the city is just so full of life; bursting with things to do, gorgeous views and amazing culture... and tons of amazing locations to shoot pictures!

Leather fashion is in full effect for Fall & Winter 2013. You'll be seeing the typical must-haves like leather moto jackets, leather boots and purses but the real fashionistas will have unique leather options in their wardrobe repertoire. Designers have really taken leather to a whole new level this season. You will see many more feminine silhouette options to choose from this year like leather A-line dresses, leather peplum tops, leather pants and skirts. Many designers are even using animal friendly vegan leather and faux leather.

My orange leather pencil skirt is not even leather at all. It is a man-made vegan leather and comes with a much lower price tag than real leather. It is available from I'm Haute for $27.99, which I think is a steal for such a statement piece. The look, feel & fit to this vegan leather pencil skirt is top notch. There is a bit of stretch to the skirt which I love because stretch allows items to fit like they were tailored for you. This is not the type of pencil skirt that you wear to the office. This is a pencil skirt that you wear to make a fashion statement and turn heads. The color is the most perfect shade of rust orange, it reminds me of the falling leaves outside. 

I wanted to really let the pencil skirt be the focal point of this outfit so I kept my additional pieces, for the most part, solid white.This skirt was practically made for a crop top so I chose this timeless white chiffon and lace number. These items are both made of a luxe fabric in a solid color which helps them compliment each other. I like that just the slightest amount of midriff shows which really highlights the scalloped lace edge of the crop top and the tailored waist finish of the pencil skirt.

For accessories I am wearing my white Betsy Johnson watch that a good friend gave me for my birthday last year. It is my favorite watch that I own. I am carrying my White Multi-Color Monogram Louis Vuitton Courtney Clutch. Classic white pumps finish off my look. I actually need a new pair of white pumps, I've had these ones for three to four years and they've seen better day. They are just so comfortable that I'm reluctant to part with them.

What I'm Wearing:

I'm A Star Vegan Leather Pencil Skirt- I'm Haute- available here

White Chiffon & Lace Crop Top- I'm Haute- available here

White and Gold Watch- Betsy Johnson

White Multi-Color Monogram Courtney Clutch- Louis Vuitton

White Peep Toe Pumps- Quipid

Photography by: Mark Wiggin

Fall in Love with Color

Mixing textures and hues for a fun California Fall Outfit 

I can't believe that it is October already. I keep seeing pictures of scarves and boots and I'm longing to get bundled up in some true fall fashions. However, the California weather has a different plan. I can't complain too much, summer is my favorite season so who am I to hurry up the mild west coast seasons? Fall weather will eventually be in full swing and I'll have plenty of time to bundle up.

Some of my favorite things about fall fashion are the rich colors and fabrics. Knits are my favorite to wear because I'm almost always cold and love to be comfy. I got this coral knitted tank top a couple weeks ago from TartCollections and have been dying to wear it! It is actually a rather transitional piece. It works great as a bikini cover-up in summertime and can help add warmth via layering in fall and winter. I layered it over my trusty lime green dress that I have had for seven years. Which just goes to prove that certain items never really go out of style.

This classic dress has a bit of a retro vibe. It is a blend of soft and light sweater fabric, pleated silk chiffon and hand-sewn bead trim. Green is projected to be the "it color" this season so I figured that I better ease myself into this trend. My closet doesn't have very many green options, which could be one of the reasons I've held onto this muted lime green dress for so long. Certain greens can be rather hard to pull off but the muted almost pastel shade of this dress is easy on the eyes and easily paired with other colors.

The open knitted tank looks great over this lime green dress because it is a muted shade as well. They complement each other because they both feature solid dusty hues. For added bonus perfect for fall, this combination is super rich in texture.

I added even more color to this ensemble through my accessories and shoes. I've always loved lime green and turquoise together. You could just as easily finish this look off with nude shoes and a long gold necklace. As it happens, I just threw my nude shoes away and haven’t yet found a replacement. They were faux suede and scuffed to the nines! I’m super OK with all the color going on here anyways. Fall fashion can have the tendency to get bland and monochromatic which definitely can’t be said about this colorful outfit!

What I'm Wearing:

Coral Knit High-Low Top- Tart Collections

Lime Green Dress- mine since 2006

Turquoise Jewelry- I'm Haute

Turquoise Heels- Quipid

Blue Pants Outfit

Life is too short to wear boring clothes.

These lovely royal blue wide leg pants have been hanging in my closet for quite some time now. They don't get regular wear but they are just too awesome to part with. I bring them out on special days when I'm feeling bold and craving something super chic. Luckily for these bright blue pants I was feeling fashion frisky this morning! My package had come in from Nasty Gal yesterday and this black criss-cross back bodysuit was among the goodies. It seemed like the perfect match for my trusty high-waisted blue pants. 

 Normally these royal blue pants steal the show but they've never been paired with such a sexy top before. I love how well these pieces mesh together and create a chic but sexy outfit that can be worn just about anywhere. This is a great Friday outfit because you can wear the black blazer all day at work and then ditch it at 5pm for drinks with the girls. Guys love open back styles so hopefully you won't be paying for too many of those cocktails yourself, not that you couldn't but those new Jimmy Choo's aren't gonna buy themselves!

What I'm Wearing

Black Criss-Cross Back Bodysuit- Nasty Gal

Black Blazer- Papaya

Gold Statement Necklace- Mine

Wideleg Blue Pants- Mine

Gold Spiked Cuff Bracelet- I'm Haute

Black Belt with Gold Crosses- Wet Seal

Black Single Sole Heels with Gold Plate- I'm Haute 

Black and White Colorblock Purse- I'm Haute

 To see my post from last year featuring these same blue pants click here.

Cupcake Cutie: Sweet Black & White Outfit of the Day

Yesterday I met some of my favorite girlfriends for lunch in Orange County. The weather here in Southern California has been perfect lately. Not too hot, not too cold. It really doesn't feel like Fall at all. So I really wanted to take advantage of this beautiful weather and get some more use out of my outfits that I will soon be swapping out for jackets and sweaters.

I thought this cute little black and white outfit was perfect. I've really been crushing on the classic combo of black and white lately and apparently so have my friends! We all showed up in black and white outfits and died laughing. I had texted everyone that morning with, "So what are you wearing", and no one responded but by our outfits you could have sworn that we coordinated. 

Great Minds Think Alike

After lunch we treated ourselves to Starbucks and Casey's Cupcakes. I'm so addicted to Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte! I've been drinking it blended instead of hot because it just does not taste right hot when it is 80 degrees out. Starbucks and cupcakes together was bit overkill in the sugar department but we walked off plenty of calories shopping!

Shopping is my Cardio

What I'm Wearing:

Black Sweetheart Neckline Tube Top- Wet Seal 

White Skater Skirt- have had for years

Bow Belt- I'm Haute

Black & White Single Sole Heels- Nine West

Black Farida Bowler Bag- Christian Louboutin

Black & White Cuff Bracelet- Chanel

Black & White Polka Dot Earrings- have had for years

I feel like my friends and I accidentally match a lot! Does this happen to you?

xoxox,

Kassandra