Steel and Peony

I found another set of photos which needed some serious editing so they might not be the best quality. I don't remember where I was headed in this outfit but I did love the combo and the Twill Capris are one of my favorite items too. I have worn Pippa in other blog posts but most I feel are too big on me. This is a kika size 0 (women's 0/2) which is MUCH smaller than I usually wear but I like the fit a lot better too. The stripe version fit more normal but with the solid fabric it just came out a lot more generous in the sizing. What do you think of it?

Pippa in Peony (previous season item & color)
Twill Capris in Steel (previous season item & color)

Back view.
Pippa in Peony (previous season item & color)
Twill Capris in Steel (previous season item & color)

Here I added a little jacket/cardigan when it got chilly.
Kelly in Steel (previous season color) ~ $89
Pippa in Peony (previous season item & color)
Twill Capris in Steel (previous season item & color)

Back view. Oops, I forgot to fix the back of my jacket....
Kelly in Steel (previous season color) ~ $89
Pippa in Peony (previous season item & color)
Twill Capris in Steel (previous season item & color)

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

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

Magic Trick Scarf Tie

Here I go again with another scarf tie! This one is one of my favorites and I learned it by watching Wendy's Lookbook 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf video. It is amazing and if you haven't seen it ... do! She has a great step by step video demo too but I thought I would give it a shot with one of my kikaPaprika scarves. Tell me what you think!

I am using the Wavy Stripe Scarf from kikaPaprika ($28) and wearing Pippa in Ink ($50) and Simone in White (previous season item).

Step #1: Use a rectangle scarf like kikaPaprika's Wavy Stripe scarf. 

Step #2: Fold or scrunch it up lengthwise so you have a nice narrow scarf.

Step #3: Wrap it around your neck one time and keep the ends even.

Step #4: Pull one "tassel" from under the loop and put your hand through it.

Step #5: Use your other hand and give the other "tassel" to the hand in the middle of the loop.

Step #6: Tada! Adjust as necessary and now you have a cool pretzel looking tie that was easier to do than it looks!

All in one photo!

How to Tie a Scarf Into a Vest (2013 version)

I did this last season with one of our scarves from the Fall Collection but it was a wide rectangle scarf. I thought I would show you how to tie a scarf into a vest using a narrower rectangle scarf as I like that look better on me especially since I am petite. People are always amazed that what I am wearing is actually a scarf! I don't usually like to wear vests but I find that it is so different that I just have to do it sometimes. I did two scarf "tricks" during a presentation at a networking business and even the guys loved it. One of them inspired me to blog and make a video demo too. Here goes!

I used kikaPaprika's Bird Scarf which sells for $26. I am also wearing Pippa in Ink ($50) and Simone in White (previous season item).

Step #1: Take your scarf lengthwise ...

Step #2: Fold it in half. One side has your "fold" and the other side is "open".

Step #3: Take the corners that you were holding and tie a very small but secure knot. 

Step #4: Find the side that was "open" (it helps if the scarf has fringe) and pull it open.
You should find two holes like this to put your arms through.

TADA! Here is the look all finished.

Here is an all-in-one photo with all the steps.

Pippa in Ink and Peony

We have had some great summer weather lately so it has been fun to dress in my summer line. My first look with Pippa is a basic outfit. Ink (dark navy) and white. I dressed it up with some fun necklaces. It was also my base for two scarf tying demos that I am working on posting. The second outfit is a fun summer look in Peony. I have noticed that Pippa in the stripe I wear a kika size 2 and it seems to fit just fine. When it comes to the solid colors, I find it runs pretty big. The Ink is a kika size 2 and the Peony is a kika size 0. I would probably buy a kika size 1 but I was surprised how well the 0 fit me too. What do you think?

Pippa in Peony (custom color) ~ $50
Camille in Feather Print (signature color) ~ $58

Back view

Here is the necklace I am wearing...
16" Copper Necklace with Agate and Cultured Freshwater Pearls ~ $47.20

Pippa in Ink (signature color) ~ $50
Simone in White (previous season item) ~ replace with Jenna or Elle

Back view

Pippa, Twill Capris and Daphne

I took the Twill Capris that I wore a few days ago and paired it with one of my favorite tops ... Pippa in Stripe! I have a duplicate that I can keep in my closet so I don't have to worry about keeping it clean for my shows on the weekend. I put it with the Daphne in Ocean which is my new favorite jacket. How many favorites do I have this season? Too many. What is your favorite? 

Daphne in Ocean (custom color) ~ $85
Pippa in Stripe (signature color) ~ $50
Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

Back view

Pippa in Stripe (signature color) ~ $50
Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

Back view

I didn't have a chance to photograph a detailed image of the necklace I wore but here is the stock photo from the manufacturer. I really love this necklace and it goes with so many things! 

18" Jasper & Agate 14K Gold Plated Necklace ~ $78.50

Black & White

Now, I never knew I would be a fan of the Skinny Pant but I just got these new ones from kika and am totally in love! They are a Ponte knit which is new in our line. I had to look up what it is but Ponte is a double-knit interlock fabric that has stability and firmness in addition to flexibility and softness. This means it can be used in dresses, blazers, and more structured pieces and hold its shape but still maintain comfort and give. Best of both worlds, right? Most Ponte knit fabrics are made with Rayon/Polyester but ours is made with Organic Cotton! How cool and so soft too!

I wish that photographing black was easier to portray online! You just have to take my word and see these new Skinny Pants in person. 

Sometimes, it is good to go back to basics with black and white. kikaPaprika does so many different colors, people can forget that we do the classics! Who do you know that needs a basic black pant or white shirt for work? How about this combo? 

Leslie tie front cardi in White (custom color) ~ $68
Pippa in Black (custom color) ~ $50
Skinny Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $90

Other side

Back view

Pippa in Black (custom color) ~ $50
Skinny Pants in Black (signature color) ~ $90

Back view

Femme Fatale Necklace by Stella & Dot

Oval Pave Swarovski Ring ~ $55.20
Black Onyx Stretch bracelet ~ $9.60
Two Stella & Dot bracelets

Polished Sterling Silver Raindrop Earrings ~ $31.20

Leslie & Pippa

Ok, I know I need to try other combinations as my blog photos are all starting to look the same. Maybe I can get some photos done today of some new outfit options. By now, I guess you can tell which items are my favorites because I wear them all the time! 

I am wearing Leslie in a kika size 2 (women's 4/6) in these photos and the Steel one I wore previously was a kika size 4 (women's 10/12). I am really a kika size 3 (women's 8/10) in this piece so I can't wait to get my size to see how it really fits. As you can see however, our clothing is very forgiving in the size department!

You can also tie the front at different heights for different looks. 

Leslie tie-front cardi in Ink (custom color) - $68
Pippa in Stripe (signature color) - $50
Tencel Bootcut Pants in Ink (custom color) - $75

Back view with Leslie tied in front

Here is Leslie un-tied in the front for a different look.

Leslie tie-front cardi in Ink (custom color) - $68
Pippa in Stripe (signature color) - $50
Tencel Bootcut Pants in Ink (custom color) - $75