Others in kika ... Elle!

I just realized that we don't have photos on our website with Jenna or Elle! We have had Jenna from last season and you can search for photos on my blog for that piece. It is a longer pencil skirt and Elle is the new "Simone" if you remember it from last season. Elle is a short pencil skirt or for some people it is a mini skirt. Just depends on how tall you are or how long your legs are. 

I only recently got Elle in a size that I could wear so soon I will have my own photos but in the meantime, I want to share some photos of Elle from fellow kika consultant Daphne who has a great blog. I encourage you to visit her blog for style tips and ideas too! 

First up is her client Veda who tried on lots of different outfits. This was my favorite look with Elle but check out her blog and see what look you like best! 

Daphne in Khaki (custom color) ~ $85
Drew in Black (custom color) ~ $40
Elle in Khaki (signature color) ~ $60

Here is another one of Daphne's clients ... Samantha! Again, she models many different looks on Daphne's blog but this one is my favorite! So classy! It inspired me to wear black and white one day and you can see that look on my blog. 

Leslie in White (custom color) ~ $68
Drew in Black (custom color) ~ $40
Elle in Black (custom color) ~ $60

A shorter version of Portia

This next round of photos shows Portia in the shorter skirt version which I kind of love. I have it pulled all the way up and then the top folded down all the way to my waist. I think if I am going to keep Portia, I might have it hemmed because it is so long. What do you think?

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $85
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Back view
Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $85
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Here is Portia without the jacket. I don't think I would ever wear it without a jacket but if I did I would go up one size so that the print isn't so stretched out. 

Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Back view
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Many ways to wear Portia

I had a very busy week at the end of April. I had lots of different meetings during the week and I had two kika shows on the weekend. I challenged myself to only wear 3-4 pieces during the week so I didn't have a lot of kika laundry to do before my weekend shows. I like how different you can look by just having a few pieces. Imagine if you mixed it up with a pair of jeans or leggings or something else in your closet? I didn't have time to document all my different combos during this week but I am pretty sure I wore my Bootcut Pants in Black with Charlotte. 

First up was a maxi dress style where I "cheated" and used two pieces to make it look like one. 

Daphne in Ocean (custom color) ~ $85
Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Back view
Daphne in Ocean (custom color) ~ $85
Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Here I just changed the look by swapping out the Daphne with a different color. It is also one size smaller (can you tell?) than the Ocean. 

Daphne in Black (custom color) ~ $85
Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Again, I changed the jacket for a new style and it changes the look again. 

Leslie in White (custom color) ~ $68
Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Here I am without any jacket so you can see the Charlotte and Portia as a long skirt combo.

Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

I pulled up Charlotte so you can see how these are indeed two pieces and how I folded over the top of the dress (Portia) to make it a long skirt on me. That is my nude shaper you see between the garments not my skin! 

Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

I also figured out a day or two later that I actually liked it better when I tucked in Charlotte and ruched up Portia so it gave me more of a defined waistline. Both work but now I want to try this combo in a solid color. I am curious if the two pieces will blend together as nicely as the print. Now ... What color should I pick? 

Charlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Full size version of the close upCharlotte in Meadow (signature color) ~ $64
Portia in Meadow (signature color) ~ $95

Happy Earth Day!

Sorry I am so behind on my blog posts. I am going to try to catch up today! Things have been so busy lately that I barely have enough time to snap some photos of me wearing kika. I think you folks should start sending me photos of YOU wearing kika. ;) 

I recently got Shannon in a size that works for me but it is still a bit snug in the chest area. It is one of my difficult places to fit on me. I don't think my boobs are THAT big but my rib cage is just wide. It works because the fabric in the back is stretchy. I want to love this piece, I do! Anyway, I threw it on over my Twill Capris that I do LOVE and really like the combo!

Shannon in Ocean (signature color) ~ $78
Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

Back view
Shannon in Ocean (signature color) ~ $78
Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

 Anyway, a few weeks ago it was Earth Day (April 22nd, 2013) and we had a special on Lily so I thought I would try it on and see if I could make it work for me. It just doesn't do it for me at all but I tried! If I left it untied in the front it was just too long and didn't look good at all. Maybe I should have saved those photos? I also didn't like it with Shannon under it so I swapped out my shirt for Paige which I liked a lot better. I much prefer the Kelly for me as I am just too petite or short waisted for this piece. What do you think? 

Lily in Khaki (signature color) ~ $83
Paige in Turq (previous season color) ~ $76
Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

Back view
Lily in Khaki (signature color) ~ $83
Paige in Turq (previous season color) ~ $76
Twill Capris in Khaki (custom color) ~ $88

DIY Fabric Softener

Here is another DIY laundry tip. It is almost too easy!

Vinegar Laundry Softener
Vinegar is all I use now to soften my clothes and reduce static cling! Aside from being a natural softener, it also removes soap residue in the washing machine and reduces static in the dryer. You can add vinegar to a Downy ball and throw it in with your laundry, or pour vinegar directly into the fabric softener dispenser if your washing machine has one (which mine does). I like to add 1-2 drops of my favorite essential oil to the vinegar in the softener dispenser. It gives my laundry a nice light scent after it is washed but I also always use an unscented laundry detergent.  

If I have time to make up my fabric softener, I will often add baking soda to the mix. Just be careful as it effervesces quite a lot! Baking soda is another natural softener, plus it helps to clean and deodorize clothes. Here is the recipe for that one:

 6 cups of vinegar
1 cup of baking soda
Essential Oil

SLOWLY mix together in a large container. I add enough essential oil to give it a nice scent. Store it in the vinegar bottle or a squirt bottle. Shake before each use. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup during the rinse cycle. I have an High Efficiency washer so I use less but if you have the regular kind ... just add more. 

Sometimes I don't have the baking soda handy so you can mix up just vinegar and essential oils and that will do the trick. Or if you like to change the scent, just use plain vinegar (or the vinegar/baking soda mix) and add a few drops of essential oil right in the machine. 

Sweet orange brightens and fights stains


Lavender offers a calming effect


Peppermint can help fight tough odors on clothing

MonicaHubinette @ kikaPaprika.com ~ http://kika.hubbe.net