Dawson in Parrot Stripe

I just got a new shirt and I love it in this stripe fabric! I had a hard time deciding on what color to get it in and I like it. I might need more. What color should I get next?

Dawson in Parrot Stripe (custom color) ~ $85
Bootcut Pocket Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $75

Dawson in Parrot Stripe (custom color) ~ $85
Bootcut Pocket Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $75

Dawson in Parrot Stripe (custom color) ~ $85
Bootcut Pocket Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $75
Emily in Black (signature color) ~ $185

Hem Your Own Kika Pants

Did you know that for many of our items you can just hem your own pants? I am petite and spend a fortune on alterations over the years. I have used hemming tape in the past but I knew that wouldn't be an option for my leggings that were just a tad too long for me. I got a tip from another kika gal to buy a rotary trimmer to make cutting a straight line easier. It was super easy! I just used an old cutting board that my daughter uses for coloring on and a ruler to make a straight edge.

I would use this method on most items except our Twill pants/capris. Other pants that other kika gals that have had success with cutting are ... Ponte Bootcut Pants ... Skinny Pants ... Bootcut with Pockets ... Yoga ... Leggings. The edge won't fray and only roll a tiny bit. 

Here are my Leggings before I cut them. I did cut them straight!

And here they are after. I will post a photo of me wearing them trimmed later.

This is a photo from another kika gal who trimmed her Yoga Pants

These are my "skinny" pants

Ok, sorry to be confusing because kika offers a pant called "Skinny Pants" and they are made from the same fabulous Ponte knit material. The Skinny Pants are what I like to call "fancy leggings" but my absolute favorite pant is what kika calls "Ponte Bootcut Pants". I am slowly adding more to my personal collection because they are dressy, comfortable and go with almost everything. Oh and they also come in two different lengths so if you have a hard time finding pants that are long enough, check out the LONG version which has a 34" inseam. The regular (which is what I am wearing) are still too long for me at 31" inseam but I just used some hemming tape to shorten it. You can also just cut it with a straight edge too. 

The color I am wearing is a bit tricky too. It is a custom Black which comes out in this dark brown/black heathered color. Very unique but it also comes in solid black and solid Ash too as well as many other custom colors too. 

Now, the reason why I call these my "skinny" pants? Every time I wear them someone asks if I have lost weight! I tell them nope. It's all about the pants. ;) I am not sure it comes through in the photos?

DeLisa in Orchid (custom color) ~ $99
Ponte Bootcut Pants Regular in Custom Black (custom color) ~ $110

DeLisa in Orchid (custom color) ~ $99
Ponte Bootcut Pants Regular in Custom Black (custom color) ~ $110

Business Doesn't Mean Black

I go to a lot of networking meetings and I have noticed that many of them the women wear black. I guess it is a classic business attire but it is also somewhat boring to see a room full of women all dressed in the same color. I notice the ladies who wear a pop of bright color or an unusual jacket or a pretty scarf. Those are the women I remember and often want to make a connection with.

I am guilty of the black = business attire mentality too. I am glad for this blog and for kika because it forces me out of my comfort zone and makes me try new things so I don't wear the same thing all the time. Sometimes, I can wear the basic black dress and change the look by wearing a different jacket. However, for this outfit I went out of my comfort zone and went for a bright and bold color. I struggled finding the right outfit for this business networking meeting but I finally settled on this outfit because I wanted something striking. I think it worked! What do you think of it?

Letty in Atlantis (custom color) ~ $125
Andrea in Atlantis (signature color) ~ $88

Letty in Atlantis (custom color) ~ $125
Andrea in Atlantis (signature color) ~ $88

I really like this dress! It has a different material on top that is more drapey and the skirt is thicker so there is no see through! It was really comfortable to wear and I love the flattering neckline. 

Andrea in Atlantis (signature color) ~ $88

Andrea in Atlantis (signature color) ~ $88

Thank you to Maxine Waterman Photography for this fabulous photo. This was taken at my eWomen Seattle Chapter meeting this month. 

Great getting to know these ladies!

kika blog - Kill Phil Vol. 2: Edie–the Chic Boyfriend Cardi

This is a wonderful cardigan that is just made for snuggling up in front of a fire or cozied up on your couch watching TV or running around town doing your errands. No matter what you are doing, Edie is a great piece to go with you. I am really loving it in our spring colors like Flamingo or Parrot (below). Do you have a favorite color or look? Check out more information on kika's blog. 

Edie in Parrot (custom color) ~ $120
Drew in Black (custom color) and White (signature color) ~ $42
Tamara in Black (custom color) and White (custom color) ~ $60
Read more on kika's blog!

kika Blog - Kill Phil Vol. 1: Warming Up to Spring with Emily

I love Emily and think it is a great jacket for keeping cozy and stylish. I haven't tried it on in Sunset yet but I kind of like it. Do you? I also am cracking up reading this new blog series from a fellow kika consultant and look forward the to the rest of her installments. Do you have a favorite color for Emily? Check out more information on kika's blog. 

Emily in Sunset (signature color) ~ $185
Capri Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $56
Read more on kika's blog!

Closet Spring Cleaning Tips

It is that time of year and I have tackled many other spots in my home but the closet should be my next project. I searched for some tips online and liked these the best. Do you have a favorite tip to share? 

Time to clean your closet!

I say first ... Turn on some upbeat music to get you in the mood!

Second ... Find a friend to help you. This isn't always possible but it sure helps to have someone who can be objective about the items in your closet. 

Third ... Decide on a charity (or several) to donate your clothing to. Having a destination in mind for your old clothes makes it easier to part with things. Find places that will take business items that are still in good shape. Find women's shelters. Find organizations that will take old holiday dresses or other formal wear. Find some consignment shops in your area and earn a little money. 

Fourth ... Sort everything into three piles. "Keep", "Maybe" and "Donate". Ask yourself ... Do I love it? Is it flattering? Is it the image I want to project? If not? Toss it! 

Fifth ... Use the same hangers for everything! I love those flocked hangers because they don't take up too much space and stuff doesn't slide off of them. I found mine really inexpensively at Costco.

Sixth ... Group things by sleeve length, jackets, dresses, pants, etc. Then sort them by color (it just looks nicer) or you can put the items you wear the most in the easiest to reach spot in your closet.  

Check out these links for more great tips!

• Eco Incognito - Closet Makeover – Spring Cleaning
• House Beautiful - Closet-Cleaning Secrets from a Pro
• Martha Stewart - Ten Tips for Organizing Your Closets
• Teen Vogue - Spring Cleaning Tips to Whip Your Closet Into Shape

Monica Sells Jewelry?

It isn't a secret but it also isn't something I promote very much. However, it is an option! 

Some of you know that I have a wholesale jewelry account that I use to accessorize my clothing inexpensively. Anyway, I have moved my online jewelry store to Square since it doesn't cost any money to put my items up for sale there ... only when people buy stuff which is nice. Prices are higher now because I am including FREE shipping and FREE tax but I can give you a special discount code if I am delivering to you or just because I like you. 

I am open to suggestions on what to add to the store online. Tell me if you are looking for something special. 

21" Multicolor Crystal Wrap Fashion Bracelet ~ $35 

21" Multicolor Crystal Wrap Fashion Bracelet ~ $35 

21" Multicolor Crystal Wrap Fashion Bracelet ~ $35 

Polished Silver Raindrop Earrings ~ $35.10

Polished Silver Raindrop Earrings ~ $35.10

Polished Silver Raindrop Earrings ~ $35.10

Yevi & Michele are back!

This was announced last month but I figured they are still available so why not blog about it. You cannot order these online so you must contact me directly to order them. I don't know about you but it is still chilly this spring so I am loving that they brought back these fall favorites. 

Now available in this seasons colors! 

Limited quantities and only while supplies last! 

I just got my Yevi in Ruby red ... what color should I get next?

Yevi on left shown in Imperial (last season's color) ~ $98
Michele on right shown in Cream ~ $95

Of course, you can shop online for these two styles but they are only offered in last season's colors. The good news? They are on sale!

Michele in Lichen (last season's color) ~ $71.25

Yevi in Imperial (last season's color) ~ $73.50

Brittney vs Kelly

I had mentioned in a previous blog post that Brittney was a similar cut to a previous season item ... Kelly. Well I looked through my old photos (man some of them were bad with that old camera!) and decided to do a side by side comparison. With the exception of the material and the inset Ponte knit in black on the Brittney, they are very similar! What do you think? 

~Click on the photo for a larger view~

Brittney in Cream/Black (signature color) ~ $150
Kelly in Steel (previous season item) 

Spring is here with Reese!

Ah, it is finally feeling like spring is here in the Pacific NW! It won't last long so I am going to enjoy it while I can. It is still a tad chilly so I am looking for a jacket/cardigan to wear with Reese. I do love this asymmetric tunic with the two-tone detail at the bottom! I almost feel like I should get some white leggings to wear with this shirt. Today I grabbed my black Daphne from a previous season but I am not sure that was the best choice. Next time I will try something else and see how it goes. What would you wear with Reese?

Daphne in Black (previous season item)
Reese in Orchid (custom color) ~ $78
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Daphne in Black (previous season item)
Reese in Orchid (custom color) ~ $78
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Reese in Orchid (custom color) ~ $78
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Reese in Orchid (custom color) ~ $78
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Date Night & Networking

I will tell you a little secret. I often wear the same outfit two days in a row! Sometimes it is because I don't have time to think of a new outfit idea and sometimes it is because I don't want to do too much laundry! Many times, I only wear an outfit for a few hours and why not recycle the outfit to wear again the next day right? 

Well, this outfit I wore for a date night with my husband which was actually a going away party for a friend of mine. It was hot so I eventually took off the jacket. I do love the versatility of Rhonda and how many different ways to wear it. It is definitely a "LBD" (Little Black Dress) item!

The next day I wore it to a networking luncheon and everyone commented on how slimming Brittney is. I also love all the different colors it comes in this season too! I wish I took a more flattering photo but hopefully you get the idea.  

Brittney in Cream/Black (signature color) ~ $150
Rhonda in Black (custom color) ~ $85

Brittney in Cream/Black (signature color) ~ $150
Rhonda in Black (custom color) ~ $85

My friend's going away party!

kika blog - All Buttoned Up & Everywhere to Go

This is one of my most favorite shirts that kika has ever made. I have never been able to wear the classic white button down shirt until now. I love seeing it styled different ways and all the different colors too! I have ordered it in Orchid and I think it will be a fabulous addition to my closet. Do you have a favorite look? Check out more information on kika's blog. 

Also, make sure to read my comparison post between this shirt and another name brand and see how it is great value for what you get. It just goes to show that the comparison post that I did is SPOT ON. Check out this comment from the kika blog!

Debra Hoff 
March 13, 2014 at 4:23 pm

I love this top. I bought one from Nordstrom’s and it isn't as nice and was more expensive! I also love that you have it available in so many colors.

DeLisa in White (signature color) ~ $99
Read more on kika's blog!

Mara wins my Facebook Giveaway!

I am really late in posting this but back in January I had been given a fun idea from another kika stylist to give a fun shopping spree away! I was headed to California for our annual Runway training and Spring Collection launch. They always set up a "kika store" there to sell off discontinued kika items at a very low cost. Most of the items in the "kika store" are several seasons old but it is fun to see things before I sold kika. 

It was so much fun to go shopping for my Facebook winner. She had never shopped kika before so it was a bit of a challenge to figure out her kika size but I saw the colors of these two items and I knew they were calling her name. I said I was only going to buy one item but the shirt I found (Elise) was see-through and needed something to go with it. The Drew tank in the fabulous print was a perfect match. 

Here is Mara at a vendor event we were both at and she wore her winning outfit! What do you think? 

Elise top in Peacock (?)
Drew tank top in hand dyed print

kika blog - Special Delivery: Dressing for Two

Now, while kika doesn't sell "maternity" clothes that doesn't mean that it isn't versatile enough to be worn before, during and after your pregnancy. Why settle for unflattering maternity wear that you can only wear for a few months? Consider kika for it's chic and stylish clothing that is stretchy enough to wear through all phases of your pregnancy. Why not invest a little more and get tons more options?

Also, guess what? This top would be great for when you are nursing too! Read more on kika's blog!

Read more on kika's blog!

kika’s Eco-Friendly Fabrics

I created this in a handout that I give to people who want to know more about our fabrics and why we care so much about the environment. I figured this information would make a good blog post and I would love to hear what you think!

kika’s Eco-Friendly Fabrics

If you know the difference, you’ll appreciate the difference.

ORGANIC COTTON is grown without synthetic pesticides and insecticides on farms that have been free from the use synthetic pesticides/insecticides for at least five years. Organic cotton protects the health of people and the planet by reducing the overall exposure to toxic chemicals that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences, from asthma to cancer.

Cotton is considered the world's 'dirtiest' crop due to the heavy use of insecticides in its cultivation, the most hazardous pesticide to human and animal health. Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land yet uses approximately 25% of the world's insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides, more than any other single crop.

DID YOU KNOW it can take almost a 1/3 pound of synthetic fertilizers to grow one pound of raw cotton in the US? It takes just under one pound of raw cotton to make one t-shirt.

kika blog - Race Into Spring With Our Edgy Moto Crossover

Check out all the different styling tips on how to wear Brittney. It is very similar in cut to a very popular cardigan a few seasons ago (Kelly) but it is made from different fabrics. It has an interesting Tencel woven twill that creates this heathered look with a black solid Ponte knit along the sides. It is very slimming and the stretch Ponte makes it easy to wear. Read more on kika's blog!

Read more on kika's blog!

Reese vs Eileen Fisher

I told you I had more I was working on! Reese is one of my absolute favorite tops from this season and I can't wait for the weather to behave so I can wear it. Maybe I will figure out a jacket to wear with it just so I can. I really love the two tone result from the two different fabrics. I have this one in Orchid and LOVE IT. What do you think? 

Check out Reese on my Website

Emily in the Evening

I mentioned that it was a really nice day yesterday? Well, as soon as the sun went down it got cold. So, I swapped my Mary in Orchid for Emily in Black. I just love how cozy this jacket is and how stylish too. It definitely kept me warm on my date night with my husband. Check out all the different ways you can style it. I love black but the details of this jacket sort of get lost in photos.

Style tip: Roll the collar under
Emily in Black (signature color) ~ $185
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Style tip: Pull the collar down over your shoulders
Emily in Black (signature color) ~ $185
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Style tip: Pull the collar over your head 
Emily in Black (signature color) ~ $185
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Emily in Black (signature color) ~ $185
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Feeling like Spring

Today was a great day here in the Pacific Northwest. Sunny and only 55 degrees but it felt a lot warmer when you are basking in the sunshine. It was nice to spend some time outside and open up all the windows in the house to let some fresh air in.

Anyway, I saw a photo that kika had posted and I felt inspired to imitate it. Today felt like the perfect day to try it. I will post the inspiration photo at the bottom.

Mary in Orchid (custom color) ~ $120
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Mary in Orchid (custom color) ~ $120
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85
Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $58

Inspiration photo!
Lizzy in Flamingo (custom color) ~ $99
Michaela in Winter White Stripe (signature color) ~ $85