SEEING RED

I'm the type of woman that takes her hair seriously, very seriously... It all goes back to my preteen years, when I had to fight several boys because their lunch time games usually involved pulling my ponytail and stealing my hair bands.  A bit later at the age of 11,  I got 'piojos' and when no lice treatment could rid my hair of those terrible fiends, I began experimenting with hair dye. First a dark brown, not unlike my natural color but a bit warmer, and later blonde- all shades of blond: Ash, golden, copper, strawberry... The list goes on.
The truth is I love experimenting with new haircuts and colors, always have, always will.
In high school, I was the girl that had a new hair color every other week; I recall buying a pair of orange feather earrings to match my orange (on blonde) highlights.  When I was eighteen I had the Skunk look: Raven black hair with two white streaks- one on each side... I loved it!
I really enjoy changing my hair when my mood changes or when my goals shift... Hair color is a way in which I have often expressed myself & I view hair as being a big part of fashion- of fashion in general and it complements a person's wardrobe choice at all times... So, it's important.
Now that I am an adult (sigh), I do play it safer than before... I am currently a brunette and I enjoy rocking my natural color on a daily basis. But, for the past few weeks I can't help but notice how beautiful, celebs like Florence Welch, Emma Stone and Rihanna look in bright red hair.
These images make me want to step out of my comfort zone and into flaming red hair.  Not so fast... I've entered a new phase in my life- so before jumping into the slavery of being a red head for 3 weeks and then fading back to brown, I have to stop and truly reconsider: Is red for me???
For the time being, my conclusion is to incorporate more red in my wardrobe... and maybe, just maybe get some red highlights.  As for the clothes, being a Winter (personal coloring) I will definitely stick with bright reds, and reds with a bit of blue in them... In essence cool reds. I already own a red pair of jeans and I am currently looking for the perfect red jacket, and an elegant pair of red pants that can be dressed up or down depending the occasion. Red lipsticks is also a favorite of mine, though I admit I seldom wear it. I really should vow to wear it more often...


With Love,
Katrina

Source: for-redheads.tumblr.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: makeup.allwomenstalk.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: fashiolista.com via Katrina on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katrina on Pinterest

EVENING DRESSING

EVENING DRESSING by kookiestyle featuring kate spade necklace

Olivia's Stripes

Olivia's Stripes by kookiestyle featuring long sleeve shirts

Valentine's Day Colors

Valentine's Day is famous for pushing most women, both single and married to flock to the store and purchase a new dress; usually a red one. But, BEWARE!  Have you ever seen a group of women hanging out together all wearing red? If the outfit is ill fitting, or simply wrong for the woman's body it can get ugly fast. Red is a color that commands attention, so if you decide to go that route make sure whatever you are commanding attention to is impeccable.
Red is associated with desire, fire, love, and has been medically proven to affect blood pressure. Red is also the color Toreros use in bull fighting...

Red is just one of those colors that will get you noticed, but in the sea of dresses and choices on what to wear for this Valentine's Day, I propose something unexpected-say a turquoise blue or a playful pink.
Softness and femininity are the two adjectives that come to mind when choosing the images for the dresses below... I say dare to be different and stand out.

If you still feel you can't live without some VDAY symbols and red touches in your outfit, look for statement making accessories.

The cool thing about buying accessories for Valentine's Day is that you can pair them with a simple black or white dress & even wear them again next year with another outfit... There is no such thing as too many bracelets, necklaces or rings. Hint: Yes, I accept all of the above as Valentine's Day gifts ;)

XOXO

Katrina

FRINGE BINGE

Call it a Holiday fashion frenzy, but I am seeing Fringe dresses everywhere! The great Puerto Rican designer David Antonio has not one, but TWO amazingly beautiful dresses in his boutique window on Loiza Street- http://www.davidantoniopr.com/- I saw them as recently as today... and retail stores such as Free People also included a gorgeous blue fringe dress in their latest collection.

Fringe dresses first became popular in the 1920s, with Flapper style and the famous Charleston dance- notice how it elongates the body, hides belly bumps and looks awesome on the dance floor?  I wonder if fringe is another dress element originally adopted from the Ballet Russes in Paris. Feel free to comment readers... I found a wonderful historical timeline on the use of fringe in womenswear, from Vogue Italy: http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/editor-s-blog/2010/12/december-28th

XOXO

Katrina

Fringe | Fashiolista

Houndstooth- A True Story

It was 2004 and I was a Senior in High School... It was career day. I was still very unsure about what I would study at the University of Puerto Rico,  all I knew is that I wanted a College degree more than anything in the world. 
I had always loved my Science classes and I was thrilled to learn that as part of Career Day, a Pharmacist would come talk to the class about her field; At the time I was very inclined to become a Pharmacist myself.
What changed my mind about how awesome her job was? 
Believe it or not, it was her overwhelming Houndstooth suit, which made me dizzy and unable to concentrate on what she was saying! Mind you, this dizziness happened after about an hour of looking and listening to her speech; her outfit just made it hard to look at her. I was later enthralled by the image of yet another speaker, this time in a good way- a handsome lawyer Dad that came to talk about his career  & was impeccably dressed and did public speaking like a Pro.  


Looking back, now at the age of 25 and after concluding a degree in Social Sciences and a Certificate in Image Consulting, it kind of makes sense that a houndstooth suit would make such an impression on me.  I am passionate about clothes and I'm sensitive enough to be physically affected by a bad outfit. 
I do not hate Houndstooth, I actually recall wearing a dress in that print for my ring ceremony that same year, 2004... A dress I absolutely loved and hold fond memories of. I like houndstooth, but it is a very distinctive print and must be combined accordingly, used like a strong perfume- in small doses. 

It seems that Houndstooth will be part of the 2012 trends, which is OK with me... Here are a few images of cool items in this print... Enjoy! Houndstooth | Fashiolista  /> 


Love,

Katrina

PINK LIPS

I recently traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina and it was an absolutely wonderful experience.  I particularly loved the shopping and the great prices everywhere, from food to jewelry to leather jackets.  I also realized, this far away from home, that certain colors can make a lasting impression on me.

Believe it or not, I coincided with a girl I had previously seen at the airport in Buenos Aires a few days later at an Antiques flea market... I knew it was her because of the distinct color of lipstick she was wearing, a totally in your face pink!

This internet picture is the closest I could find regarding the PINK lipstick the aforementioned girl was wearing:

I also found information on a Pantone swatch called Honeysuckle Pink, which was chosen as the color of 2011! This swatch is quite similar to the lipstick the girl was wearing...Coincidence?  Pantone definitely knows consumer trends...  

I'm still amazed at how I was able to recognize her among a crowd of people and just know it was the same person I had seen a few days before... Besides that, I am truly intrigued by how well she wore that strange pink. After two months, I've decided I'll go lipstick hunting for the hue. I just HAVE to try it on! 

The following are pictures I took during my trip and items I purchased at the flea market! Enjoy!