A Spot of Peplum

J.Crew blouse // Topshop skirt // J.Crew Edie bag // Nixon watch // Nine West Pumps

Hi, everybody! How are you? It's been a few months since the peplum phase began, and it's definitely still going strong. Personally I like everything about peplums, and even after this trend has gone down I plan on keeping them as a closet staple. This red peplum skirt is great for wearing out and goes with quite a lot, from pretty blouses to simple tees. Obviously tie-neck blouses are a favorite of mine, and this dotted J.Crew number is no exception. I quite like the sleeve length - the details make the product, people! A nice structed bag, simple heels (I've really been into chunky heels lately), and a straightforward watch are the perfect compliments to this lively look.

Happy Saturday!
XOXO,
Kate

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." - Ephesians 5:8

All Tied Up

Jacket, Moncler (try this jacket with this scarf); Shorts, Theory (similar); Watch, Timex (similar); Shoes, Payless

Now that summer is nearing an end (boo!) we'll have more and more of a reason to add lightweight jackets to our ensembles. In some cases, a jacket is just something to simple to throw on when it becomes a bit chilly, but in many looks, outerwear is the pièce de résistance. Nothing less can be said about this beautiful tie-neck jacket by Moncler. Short-suits are a bit of a "thing" right now, and pairing this jacket with tailored black shorts replicates the look of one. I softened the black and white color palette with canvas shoes and a very cute watch (I'm partial to almost anything leopard print).

Hope you all have a lovely week!
XOXO,
Kate

"My people will again lie under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines." - Hosea 14:7

POC (Pop of Color)

Modcloth top / J.Crew pants / Dolce Vita sandals / Dooney & Bourke Bag

If there's one item I have an absolute soft spot for, it's tie-neck blouses. This is a tad funny because at the moment I'm not really sure I even have one in my closet (shameful, I know) - although I do have a few scarves I like to tie into bows any chance I get. Although my closet is void of these types of shirts, that doesn't deter me from creating (or pinning!) as many outfits involving them as I can. Today's look is no exception and features a tie-neck top from none other than Modcloth. Trust me, if you're looking for one of these pretty blouses, your will find plenty of them there. I decided to pair this bow-tied beauty with straight-leg pants. This season printed trousers have been very big, but since I'm not keen on things that are too trendy, this pair is a great option. Polka dots are classic -  and what color combination could get any more timeless than good ol' navy and white? The Dolce Vita sandals used here are the perfect compliment for this pairing, since they're not too busy. They also seem to have been the "it" sandal of late, as I've seen them featured on a couple of different blogs and worn by a starlet or two. Finally, I added a nice little pop of color to an otherwise neutral look with the Dooney & Bourke Happy Bag - remember when I talked about it a couple of weeks ago? Yeah, I'm still smitten.

XOXO,
Kate

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Cool Beans & Some Tunes

Diane von Furstenberg top

Rag & Bone jeans
Madewell flats
Dooney Bourke bag
Ray-Ban sunnies

One of the reasons I like leopard print so much is that it really functions as a neutral. Blacks, browns, and virtually any other color in the book look great when paired with leopard-print accessories. Today's look features leopard-print shoes paired with black basics and a bright orange top - how cute is the tie-neck? Everybody needs a good pair of sunnies, and wayfarers are a great, timeless shape to have.

XOXO,
Kate

"God chose you out of all the people of the earth as his cherished personal treasure." - Deuteronomy 14:2

P.S. Recently I've become a fan of several British music artists, one of which is Rebecca Ferguson. She's beautiful, talented (she placed second in X Factor UK the year One Direction were in it), and has amazing personal style. The video for her song "Nothing's Real But Love," below, reminds me of a really pretty perfume ad (in the best possible way). If you like her music, be sure to pick up her debut album here - you won't regret it.

Prancing About in Style

Paul Joe Sister top, $119
John Lewis Women vintage cardigan, £35
7 For All Mankind straight leg stretch jeans, £149
Marc by Marc Jacobs leather shoes, $200
Marc jacobs handbag, £430

A very smart look for spending time with friends and having a fabulous day out. Of course, the tie-neck makes a reappearance, this time adorning a simple black cardigan. Straight leg jeans are perfectly streamlined, and flats are just the right thing for wearing while running about town.

XOXO,
Kate

P.S. I'm a major fan of Tim Tebow, and I'm extremely excited about watching he and the rest of the Broncos "UNLEASH" tonight against the Patriots. Go Broncos!

A Touch of Pink

A touch of pink by prettykeenkate featuring a bowler handbag

Holmes Yang cap sleeve blouse, $715
The Row blazer, $1,890
Planet straight leg pants, £69
Vince Camuto black pumps, $118
Armani Jeans bowler handbag, £130
Mulberry engraved jewelry, $320

Navy blue is a great neutral to wear and very fun to work with. I really like sharp tailoring, and this look delivers that with a very feminine and fashion-forward twist. This beautiful top adds a great pop of color to the suit, keeping it from appearing too boring or serious. Tie-neck blouses add a gorgeous ounce of girliness to any outfit and work with a number of things. This top is from Katie Holmes' line Holmes & Yang, which I've recently been very impressed with. Gold is the perfect tone to compliment navy blue with, and classic bangles are a sophisticated embellishment. Finally,  don't be afraid to mix navy blue and black! A lot of people say it's a fashion no-no, but I believe there are many ways to do this color combination right. My method behind this outfit was to keep the black to the accessories and the blue to the parts of the suit. Keeping the purse and shoes both patent was also a way of bringing unity to them.

Hope you all have had a great Thanksgiving week!
Smiles,
Kate

Flouncy Fun

flouncy fun by prettykeenkate featuring 14k earrings

Shirts blouse, $95
House Of Holland metallic skirt, £440
Black shoes, $13
14k earrings, $1,250

I like this look a lot because it's sweet and girly, but still has an edge. I think it's the fun twist put on  a lot of the classic pieces that make it interesting and a tad funky, a la Alexa Chung - who has a knack for taking a timeless look and making it quirky and cool. Pleated skirts are the "it" style of the moment, and the metallic finish on this one is simply sumptuous. I kind of have a thing for tie-neck blouses, so this top is naturally a favorite - especially with the white/black contrasting. This is the second post in a row featuring a leopard print bag, and I have no regrets - this ladylike one takes the cake. Simple diamond earrings and black flats finish up the look with just the right amount of subtlety.

Hope you have a wonderful week!
XOXO,
Kate

Minnie

Minnie by prettykeenkate featuring short sleeve shirts

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel short sleeve shirt, €325
Trina Turk red pants, $92
Dorothy Perkins black wedge heels, £33
Dorothy Perkins black clutch, £8
Jennifer Meyer Jewelry diamond stud earrings, $675

Hey guys! How have you all been? I decided to go with a look that was a bit retro-inspired. The slender leg of the pants balances out the slight boxiness of the top. Colored pants are and always will be a great thing to have in your closet, and pairing them with neutrals keeps the look from getting too overwhelming. A wedge heel is always great, and the tassel and lock detail on the clutch is magnificent! I feel like this look is very "Matchbook girl" - Matchbook Mag references, anyone? Either way it's super fun, and that's really what I like - it proves that when you look good, you feel good too.
Stay precious!

XOXO,
Kate