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

Drew in Cloud - 3 Ways

I have a new client in another state that found me on Facebook. She had some questions about what colors the Drew tank in the Cloud print would go with. I went ahead and snapped some quick photos of different color jackets that I thought looked best. She really like it and it helped her a lot with her decision making process. Hopefully, it will help you too. 

Billy in Lichen (signature color) ~ $150
Drew in Cloud print (signature color) ~ $47

Daphne in Merlot (signature color) ~ $89
Drew in Cloud print (signature color) ~ $47

Vickie in Peacock (signature color) ~ $99
Drew in Cloud print (signature color) ~ $47

All Business, All Comfort

This was an outfit I wore back in September and I hesitated to post it because my tripod broke so I was trying to figure out another way to take photos of myself and I don't think I did a good job. Oh well. I was inspired to wear a more traditional business looking outfit because I had just put together a new college of business outfits where you can mix and match just a few pieces to get so many different looks. I was going to demonstrate the idea on me but then my photos turned out so bad that I changed my mind and used the models from kikaPaprika instead. 

My inspiration for my outfit below...

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $89
Loren in Winter White stripe (signature color) ~ $70
Petra skirt in Black (signature color) ~ $78

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $89
Petra skirt in Black (signature color) ~ $78

Loren in Winter White stripe (signature color) ~ $70
Petra skirt in Black (signature color) ~ $78

Loren in Winter White stripe (signature color) ~ $70
Petra skirt in Black (signature color) ~ $78

Concert Outfit

Again, I am behind on my posts! In August, I took a little trip down to Los Angeles to see my favorite band in the whole wide world. Yeah, I am kind of a groupie. They all know me and I hang out with them after the show. It is fun and something that I have been doing since my college years. Gosh, that dates me doesn't it? Anyway, I decided to pack only kikaPaprika items on this trip and it was fun! 

First up was my outfit that I wore on the plane and I had one of the gals who checked me in at my hotel take the first photo. They had a resident bird in their lobby too. It was a quaint little hotel but the most amazing thing was that it was right across the street from my concert. Sweet! 

I also wanted a small hands-free bag for this trip so I asked my very good customer and Miche Bag leader to get this awesome cross-body bag. It was fabulous and perfect for this trip! In fact, I still use it and tuck it into my bigger bags and totes. LOVE IT!

Daphne in White (custom color) ~ $89
Loren in Peony (previous season item) ~ $65
Twill Capris in White (previous season item) ~ $88
Hip Bag in Black by Miche Bag ~ $34.95

Next up was my concert outfit and it was the perfect outfit for this event. I felt a little dressy but way super comfortable. The top is my own but it had a little bit of sparkle that I thought the skirt needed. 

My own sparkly sequin top
Portia convertible skirt/dress in Alligator print (signature color) ~ $105

My own sparkly sequin top
Portia convertible skirt/dress in Alligator print (signature color) ~ $105
Hip Bag in Black by Miche Bag ~ $34.95

Here I am with my boys! Toad the Wet Sprocket

Portia in Navy/White Stripe

Well lookie here! I did take photos of my outfit where I wore Portia in the Navy/White stripe and I wore it multiple ways too. The photos are maybe not the best but my photographer is still learning the best settings for my outfit photos. At least it should give you some ideas! I love all the different looks you get with just 3 items from kikaPaprika!

Here I tucked in Pippa and folded the top half of Portia twice to get a long skirt. I could have folded it one more time to get a narrower band which might have looked better?
Pippa in Shell (previous season item & color) 
Portia in Navy/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $110

Back view ... Ooops! I should have fixed the back. Oh well...
Pippa in Shell (previous season item & color)
Portia in Navy/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $110

Here I just folded over the top half one time since I am short and it becomes a shorter version of this dress. If I decide to keep it, I will hem it so it is a better length for me. The best news is I can just cut it!
Portia in Navy/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $110

Here is the back view.
Portia in Navy/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $110

Here I just added a jacket!
Daphne in White (custom color) ~ $89
Portia in Navy/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $110

Back view.
Daphne in White (custom color) ~ $89
Portia in Navy/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $110

Here is the necklace and earring set that I sell too. I get loads of compliments on it everytime I wear it. It is cheap and probably won't last long but for the price, I am not complaining too much. I tried to crop the photo with Portia but then it looked like I was naked. Not a good look!
Blake in Iris (previous season color) ~ $72
19" + 3" Gold Tone Bubble Fashion Necklace and Earring Set ~ $26.40

Others in kika ... Daphne in Ink!

Here is another woman who I met networking and she was looking for a jacket to go with an existing skirt that she owns. She tried Daphne in Ink and look what a great match it made! It looks like they were meant to go together all along. Sorry for the bad photo but I took it with my old cell phone and the camera isn't so great on it.

Please make sure to take a look at her web site if you are interested in learning more information about her business. Kim Carolan is a Retirement Plan Consultant with Evergreen Retirement Plan Consulting. She helps out small businesses figure out how to plan for retirement and also their employees too!

Daphne in Ink (custom color) ~ $89

My new love ... Charissa!

I just can't believe that every season kikaPaprika comes out with a dress that I love even more than the previous version. This season we have a dress called Charissa and I love it so much! If you loved Alice last season then you should definitely check out this dress. For me, I almost always have to hem and alter my clothing. It is worth it to me to have clothes that fit right and most of the time the adjustment is small and inexpensive. This dress I don't have to do anything at all to. What do you think of it?

It might be hard to see in this photo but there is a matching belt that can be completely removed and worn without or with a different belt entirely.
Charissa in Peacock (signature color) ~ $99
19" + 3" Gold Tone Bubble Fashion Necklace and Earring Set ~ $26.40

Back view.
Charissa in Peacock (signature color) ~ $99

Here I just added a jacket!
Daphne in White (custom color) ~ $89
Charissa in Peacock (signature color) ~ $99

Back view.
Daphne in White (custom color) ~ $89
Charissa in Peacock (signature color) ~ $99

Others in kika ... Portia in Navy/White Stripe!

Wow, I certainly have gotten behind on my blog posts. I have a few "Others in kika" posts to share with you so here goes! 

This is a client of another kika sister who I cannot recall right now. Let me know who you are and I can give you credit. I love this look a lot and have worn it myself but I don't know if I took any photos. Shame on me. I will wear it again I am sure so you can see me in it too. This is the much loved Portia convertible dress/skirt. This item is continuing into our Fall Collection and this Navy/White stripe is stunning and also available in our 13 colors offered this season. That means you can have this item in all 13 solid colors (shown below) AND also the stripe is available in the 13 colors as well. Depending on the color the Navy stripe will dye a darker Navy or Black and the white will be the color you pick. So Peacock stripe will most likely have a Black/Peacock stripe. Ask to see my swatch book for a better idea on the colors! 

L-R: Black, White, Lichen, Peacock, Ink (Navy), Imperial, Amethyst, Merlot, Ruby, Tangelo, Winter White

Daphne in White (custom color) ~ $89
Portia in Navy/White stripe (signature color) ~ $110

kika on Vacation (part 1)

I have gotten behind on posting new kika outfits. I have been busy with the end of school activities and then we went on vacation to Yellowstone. I had fun picking out kikaPaprika items to take with me and my suitcase was almost completely filled with kika! I loved it. So, here are some kika highlights from my trip. Enjoy!

This is actually from a trip to Ikea a few weeks before but here I am with my silly son. I am wearing...
Daphne in Ocean (custom color) ~ $85
Pippa in Stripe (signature color) ~ $50
Jasper and Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace ~ $44

Ice cream stop in West Yellowstone
Rita in Navy/White Stripe (previous season)

Walking to see the sights at the Fountain Paint Pots.
Rita in Steel Stripe (previous season)
Twill Capris in Steel (signature color) ~ $88

Checking out the exhibits at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
Lisa in Ocean (custom color) ~ $58Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

My silly son eating candy in West Yellowstone.
Lisa in Ocean (custom color) ~ $58

Oh Oh Oh Anastasia!

This is an amazing dress. I didn't think I would love it as much as I do. The best thing is it looks good on so many people who have tried it on! I didn't know it would be a universally flattering dress. Plus, the other great thing? It comes in 24 different colors! 12 solid colors and 12 stripe colors. Wow! I will try to show you as many different looks here.

Just a note that I am wearing a kika size 1 in these photos because that is what I have in stock. I should have it shortened but I will wait until I decide to keep it or not. In the meantime, I tucked the skirt into the built in belt. Other than being too long (which is a common thing for me) the size 1 fit me pretty good! I normally wear a kika size 2 in the dresses. 

Anastasia in Khaki/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $140
Daphne in Ocean (custom color) ~ $85

Back view

Anastasia in Khaki/White Stripe (signature color) ~ $140

Back view

Anastasia in Imperial Stripe (custom color) ~ $140

LEFT: Anastasia in Ocean Stripe (custom color) ~ $140
RIGHT: Anastasia in Peony Stripe (custom color) ~$140

Anastasia in Peony Stripe (custom color) ~ $140
Triangle Scarf in Ocean (custom color) ~ $42

Anastasia in Black (signature color) ~ $125

My Outfit for MamaCon!

I decided to do one big event this season and spend a bit more than I am used to to see how it goes. I heard lots of great things about MamaCon last year from my friends and decided to go to the Taste of MamaCon a few months ago. It was interesting and fun and I kind of got talked into it since a lot of my friends were going to have booths there. I didn't want to do it alone which is a problem since I am the only kikaPaprika consultant in Western Washington! I asked my friend Lindsey to help me out and I paid her in jewelry, a scarf and a  shirt. I also paid for her lunch too but I still think I got a good deal and it was really nice to have another person helping out. 

So, lots of people ask me what MamaCon is and it is a "Cool Conference for Modern Moms" according to their web site. It really was a lot of fun and wish I had more time to listen to the speakers. I might just go as an attendee next year but I did make some amazing connections this time with people that I hope will grow and blossom! I am featured for a few seconds in this highlights video. You can skip to the 1:38 mark to see me and kikaPaprika!

Anyway, I didn't have time to take great photos of my outfit that I wore to the Friday night event but I wanted something that I could load all my clothing in and still look great in. I wish I had picked comfort over style for the shoes but I went with flats the next day.  I was there all day on Saturday which was hard on my feet since I barely sat down the whole day. My Saturday outfit was similiar to the one posted in my "From Business to Bunco" blog post but with Sunset Stripe Tieks ballet flats and the Ponte Knit Skinny Pants shown below. 

Daphne in Ocean (custom color) ~ $85
Charlotte in Meadow Print (signature color) ~ $64
Skinny Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $90

Back view

Charlotte in Meadow Print (signature color) ~ $64
Skinny Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $90

Back view

Scotty Dog

I went out for Karaoke as a last minute decision and just got the Camille in the Scotty Dog print and HAD to figure out an outfit to wear it. I knew it was going to be warm so my options were a bit limited. The skirt is a bit short and the material is lightweight so I put on some leggings under it so I didn't have to worry about people looking up my skirt on stage. I also wasn't sure how much it would cool off in the evening so I figured I better be safe than sorry. Turns out I didn't need to worry about the chill or the stage. Oh well! 

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $85
My own tank top
Camille in Scotty Dog print (signature color, very limited) ~ $58
Capri Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $56

Back view

Dressed to Inspire

I had a big presentation in one of my networking groups where I had to inspire and motivate the group. It wasn't supposed to be about my business but since we just had Earth Day the week before, my head was filled with all sorts of information about being green and eco-friendly with clothing. So, I took those facts and tried to see if I could inspire everyone that they can make a difference with clothing. I got them thinking differently about where and how their clothes are made. Even simple things like shopping local and made in the USA does huge things to help the economy and the environment. Of course, I also shared how horrible the cotton industry is for our environment, other textile alternatives and how you can be chemical free by buying clothing made in the USA. I think it went over pretty well! 

I wanted a really great outfit for this presentation and tried something different which I really liked. I wore a belt! I had bought this belt when I first started with kikaPaprika because someone suggested having different belts might be handy for my customers when they try on clothes. After 9 months, I finally wore it and really liked it! It was also a bit chilly that day so I threw on some leggings. What do you think of it? 

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $85
Alice in Cocoa (custom color) ~ $99
Capri Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $56

Yes, it has pockets!

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $85
Alice in Cocoa (custom color) ~ $99
Capri Leggings in Black (signature color) ~ $56

Back view