Katie's Bliss

Summer Ready | Styling Denim Shorts

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

And we're back! You may remember back in April I collaborated with fellow bloggers and real-life friends Cathy, Kristen and Christina for a styling spring denim series. One of the brands we worked with was American Eagle and I'm so happy to be teaming up with them again to show you how we style AE's festival shorties for the summertime. I decided to go for a preppy city look and styled my shorts with a striped tee, printed scarf, Jack Rogers and a panama hat. I have a feeling this is an outfit I'm going to be wearing often on my summer adventures around NYC :)

Want more ideas for how to style your denim shorts for summer? Make sure to check out Cathy of Poor Little It Girl, Christina of Oh So Glam and Kristen of Living in Color Print outfits for some inspiration!

Summer Beach & Swim Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:58:00 PDT

Summer Essentials:

Beauty Needs:

During the summer I always like to have a tote bag ready filled with my summer essentials for a trip to the pool or beach. In college when I lived at home with my family I always spent my free time in the summer at the pool at our country club down the street. Now that I'm living in the city I'm not even sure where people go to escape the heat and lay in the sun. Are there even pools in NYC? I know people go to the Hamptons and Montauk on the weekends so maybe I'll have to look into planning a trip. I've still never been to Long Island!

I mentioned last week that I was heading to Jamaica with my family for a week-long getaway! I'm currently here and having a blast - more to come later - but I wanted to put together a video and post showing you my essentials for summer at the pool or beach. Most of these items (minus the towel) are now with me on my trip. One thing I did forget though when I put together this post (probably the most important thing) was sunscreen! Always remember your SPF - I'm crazy about it - my worst fear is being a wrinkly old granny! HAHA

CITY BLISS | Shopping at Warby Parker

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

Guys. I have a surprise for you - a CITY BLISS video where I'm actually not pigging out on a sugary treat! Shocking right? For the third installment of my new YouTube series I'm taking you guys to the Warby Parker flagship store located at 121 Greene Street in Soho. I had so much fun learning about the brand, shopping and playing in their awesome photobooth. Seriously if you guys are in town you need to stop by! The store itself is a work of art.

Check out the video to see my experience, outfit (you may recognize it), the awesome pair of sunglasses I went home with plus my interview with Warby Parker PR and fashion coordinator Kaki Read. As always let me know what you guys think in the comments! If you have any suggestions for future CITY BLISS please let me know! You can Tweet/Instagram your ideas to me @KatiesBliss with #CITYBLISS. Hope you all have an amazing weekend! I'm heading off to Jamaica Saturday morning bright and early :)

Me and Kaki Read, Fashion and PR Coordinator for Warby Parker

Even though my poses were lame, the photobooth was SO muc fun!

An array of classic and statement frames

Wearing (Pink!!) Animal Print

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

Persifor dress c/o | Zara heels | Julie Vos cuff & necklace

So can we talk about how amazing the pink jaguar print is on this Persifor dress? I'm in love because it's just so me. I have to say though, I'm pretty sure everyone I walked by when I was wearing it definitely gave me a second glance. I don't often see too many people who dress like me around my neighborhood.

It's so interesting to see the contrast between how differently New Yorkers dress uptown versus downtown. My style is so uptown - bright, super girly, preppy - very Upper East Side. Honestly though I can't imagine living anywhere else but downtown Manhattan. I love the West Village because I'm so close to everything - work, shopping, restaurants - it's the perfect location for me.

Have you ever had an experience where you dressed differently from everyone else at your school or in your town? Would love to hear your stories!

Other awesome animal print dresses...

3 Summer Looks | Take 2

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

Look 1 - romper | bag | flip flops

Look 2 - maxi dress | tote | wedges

Look 3 - mini dress | clutch | sandals

I'm starting to envision my outfits for my vacation to Jamaica next week and I plan on recreating some variation of these three looks while I'm away on my trip. A romper/jumpsuit look for when I'm hanging out with my family at the resort, a maxi dress look for exploring + shopping, and a bright mini dress look for dinners at night. So I know you may be thinking - what about swimwear? I actually posted a few weeks back on that so make sure to check it out! Don't worry I'm definitely not going to forget my swimsuit :) Now can this week be over already? #4MoreDays

CITY STYLE | Maxi Dress + Denim Vest

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

I have a feeling my summer uniform is going to be a cotton maxi dress topped with a denim vest. I've worn a variation of this look at least 3 times over the past week and I'm obsessed. These photos were taken after a fun brunch hosted by two brands I was recently introduced to, Julie Vos and Persifor. The cuff I'm wearing on the right is by Julie Vos - isn't it stunning? Happy Monday everyone! Also - don't forget to check out the video version of my look. There are bloopers at the end :P

May Fashion & Beauty Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

via KatiesBliss on Instagram

TGIF right? The week was a long one and I am so ready for a two day break! I think from now on I'm going to make a point to film a monthly fashion and beauty favorites video and post it here on the blog. Let me know if you guys would be into that as well as any other suggestions for videos you'd like to see from me! And make sure to check out my YouTube channel for more beauty and style videos - I don't always post everything here on the blog so subscribe if you don't want to miss anything :)

Fashion Faves:

Nine West heels (on sale)

Victoria's Secret bikini (on sale)

Ipanema sandals ($28)

Silver Jeans Co. denim vest

Beauty Faves

Lancome Flash Bronzer Anti-Age

NARS Multiple in Copacabana

Amarte ExfoliPowder

Laura Mercier Lipstick in Plum Orchid

Cargo Bronzer

Prune For June + Feminine Style Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I'm leaving for Jamaica in just a little over week - which means it's time to get a spray tan, mani/pedi, place my toiletries into travel size bottles (I never check a bag), pack up my beach tote and yes - shave. I've hated shaving ever since I started as a preteen and my feelings haven't changed. It's just one of those necessary evils we have to put up with as women - no one wants to look like Sasquatch on the beach. And there's nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in a bikini :(

Schick® is currently hosting an awesome contest - all you have to do is create a summer style pinboard inspired by one of the 5 trimstyle personalities showcased on Schick's Pinterest page. If I had to choose the one that best fits me it would have to be the heart breaker. I consider my style very flirty and feminine - I also love me some pink as you can tell from my inspiration board above!

So once you've created your board just submit a link to it at PruneForJune.com. One grand prize winner per trimstyle will be selected based on creativity, uniqueness as well as overall look and will win a prize package worth $2,500. A second place winner will receive a prize package worth $1,000. Yep - you could win all of that just from pinning. So what are you waiting for?!

Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle® enables women to shave, trim and transform themselves with a simple flip of the handle. Getting your garden ready has never been this much fun thanks to the Prune for June Pinterest contest. Share your best summer style for a chance to win amazing prizes.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle®.

Sporting Texture | Collab with Life With Emily

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

I'm linking up with Emily from Life with Emily today to showcase how we wear texture. I first discovered Emily's blog a year ago back when I was still living in North Carolina. It's such a small world because Emily actually went to college at a school right near mine! I'm so disappointed we didn't figure it out sooner because we totally could have met in person. I definitely recommend checking out her blog - she is such a sweetheart and I love her style!

I really love how this J. Crew embroidered skirt packs a punch but isn't too over the top. Also thanks to NYC's humidity my hair is a total poofball. Good thing I have a twistband in basically every color so I always have one to match my outfits :P

Little White Dress + A Statement Heel

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

Happy Monday everyone! This little white dress first appeared on Katie's Bliss almost 2 years ago (I've been blogging that long!?) back when I was in college living in North Carolina. The difference between now and then is instead of pairing my dress with cowboy boots I went for a bright statement heel. I guess New York City is rubbing off on me - seriously the women here dress so chic and it's normal to see women wearing sky-high statement heels on a daily basis. While these Nine West beauties aren't sky-high (thankfully!!) they definitely make a statement. I can't wait to pair them with other dresses and boyfriend jeans this summer.

Speaking of little white dresses I've linked below a few more that I really love. This one from Lilly Pulitzer is almost identical. Every girl needs a little white dress right?

Tribal-Inspired Casual Look

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Fri, 31 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

As you can see I decided to end the week on a tribal note :) I'll be honest sometimes I struggle with putting together shorts and t-shirt looks. Either I end up looking too casual and sloppy or just too overdone aka 'I tried too hard'. I think I got it just right though with this tribal-inspired J. Crew outfit. I'm slightly obsessed with any print that's Moroccan inspired or ikat-esque so these J. Crew Factory shorts were an instant buy for me. And despite the patterns being different, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well this J. Crew top paired with the shorts. I'm loving a lot of what I'm seeing from J. Crew lately so I've linked a few other favorite shorts and casual top options below. Have a great weekend everyone!

Little Mint Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

I am so in love with this Club Monaco little mint dress. I stopped by the store on Prince Street in Soho the other day and I had so much trouble making up my mind about what dress to purchase (seems to be a reoccurring problem with me, oops). Club Monaco really knocked it out of the park this season with the summer collection - there were so many beautiful, feminine pieces that I could easily see becoming classic staple pieces in my closet. If you're curious about what I was eyeing I've included a few of them below. Isn't that cutout dress just amazing?

Outfit Improvise | Gingham + Florals

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Mon, 27 May 2013 06:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

Elizabeth & James dress (worn as skirt & last seen on me here) | J. Crew factory blouse | Wanted booties c/o | MICHAEL Michael Kors bag | David Yurman bracelets

I was originally planning on wearing a favorite Elizabeth & James floral dress and my new Zara sandals for Nick's sister Kelsey's high school graduation on Saturday. You may remember it as the same dress I wore at my college graduation just about 1 year ago! But due to inclement weather and record low temperatures (no joke it was 48 degrees), I had to improvise. Instead of sandals I opted for my go-to booties and so I wouldn't freeze to death, I layered a gingham blouse over my dress. I also wore my Madewell trench but I took it off for these pictures because I really wanted you guys to see my blouse and dress. Even though this look was a last minute improvisation, I ended up really loving how it turned out. I'm definitely going to re-wear it on a nicer day back in the city.

Hope you all are having a nice Memorial Day holiday weekend! Nick and I are heading back on the bus to NYC today :)

Closet Organization + Storage Tips for Small Spaces

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:47:00 PDT

Many of you guys have been requesting to see just how Nick and I organize our clothes in our apartment in New York City. At first it really was a challenge. Coming from our over-sized college apartments in North Carolina (my closet was twice the size + I didn't have to share it with a boy) it really was a shock just how much less space we were going to have living in the city. We've been in our apartment for about ten months and I think we've finally figured out a system that works best for organizing our clothes. By no means is it perfect - or worthy of some award for being an awesomely organized small NYC apartment closet - but it works for us.

My tips for organizing your clothing in a small space

1. If possible - store your off-season clothing somewhere else. I'm fortunate that my grandparents live about a 1.5 hour drive outside the city so Nick and I keep all our opposite season clothing at their home. Doing this cuts down on the clutter in our apartment and makes managing our closet a lot easier.

2. If your closet is overcrowded look into purchasing a standing garment rack (ours is from Bed Bath & Beyond). Now this idea took some convincing when it came to Nick. He was not into the idea of having a garment rack in the middle of our living room and thought that having one would encourage me to purchase even more clothes LOL. I persuaded him into giving the idea a chance and it ended up working out great. Our closet is so much more manageable now that we've both been able to move our most-worn pieces out on to the garment rack. I also think it looks nice having all my colorful spring dresses out on display. And no it hasn't encouraged me to purchase more clothes! :P

3. Have storage with multiple uses. For a while I really struggled with how to organize my pants. They took up wayyyy too much space when I had them on hangers in the closet and there was not enough room to store them in the dresser. When we first moved in I just kept them all in pile on a bookshelf - I literally had no clue where to put them. Then one day it hit me that a storage bench (ordered mine from Target.com) was the perfect idea. We had a tiny spot in front of our living room windows where we had space for a small seat. By getting a storage bench I was able to kill two birds with one stone. I added extra seating to our living area + found a way to neatly store my pants.

4. Get rid of items you don't wear. When you live in a small space there is nothing worse than being a hoarder. Too much clothing = clutter. Every few months I like to go through my closet and get rid of the items Nick and I really aren't wearing. Ebay, Buffalo Exchange, Plato's Closet, Salvation Army, younger siblings - there are so many ways to pass on not worn clothing. I know it's hard but you will thank yourself later when your closet is clean and organized.

What are some ways you stay organized in a small space? Any tips of suggestions for me?

P.S. I'm heading to Massachusetts this weekend with Nick for his sister's high school graduation. Looks like the weather is going to be cold and rainy but it will be nice to escape the city. Hope you all have a safe holiday weekend and you get some sun!

Spring Look on Grove Street

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

If you visit the West Village you must take a walk down Grove Street. I have to say that so far during my time here in New York it's the most picturesque and charming street I've discovered. I think I'm just a sucker for ivy-covered red brick, cobblestones, wrought iron and stone stairways. Sometimes I like to daydream about what my West Village townhouse would look like if I had one. Mine would surely have ivy-covered brick, overflowing window baskets, a colored door and a big iron door knocker. A girl can dream right? What's your dream home?

A Retro Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

I want to introduce you guys to Shabby Apple - it's an online dress boutique that specializes in vintage and retro dresses. I personally love these sunglasses, this dress, this gingham skirt and this bow back top. Super cute and all at an affordable price - great right? To win a $75 giftcard check out the giveaway below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* this giveaway will end May 29 and is open to U.S. readers only

CITY BLISS | A Visit to Sweet Revenge + My Look

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:11:00 PDT

Cupcakes? Red velvet waffles? Sangria? Do you want to know where the best place is to get all three of these in New York City? Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Sweet Revenge, a restaurant and wine bar located in the heart of the West Village on Carmine Street for the second installment of my CITY BLISS series. I even got to sit down with the owner, Marlo Scott, and ask her a few questions and hear the unique story that lead her to start her restaurant. Check out the video above to see more of my visit and my interview with Scott. And don't judge me for all the cupcakes I pigged out on during the filming...

enjoying a few too many cupcakes...

I recommend ordering a cupcake/s and the red sangria

Me and Marlo Scott - had so much fun speaking with her!

I was wearing...
Karen Kane dress c/o | LC Lauren Conrad heels c/o | Missoni for Target clutch | David Yurman bracelets

Let me know what you think in the comments and leave me any suggestions for where I should go and what I should do in my next CITY BLISS video :)

Bright Moment | Orange + White

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

I cannot tell you how great it feels to wear bright colors again! Last weekend I had such a great time attending a blogger brunch for Annie Griffin and Sail to Sable. Both brands definitely fit my aesthetic - bright, preppy, feminine - and I had a great time learning more about them both. This blouse is by Annie Griffin and I am obsessed with its orange hue. Wearing a top like this is definitely the way to leave winter behind and say helllloooooo spring don't you think?

On another note - my little sis is in town this weekend and we are planning on doing some exploring over in Brooklyn! If you know of any places we must visit please let me know. I'm not too familiar with Brooklyn so suggestions would be appreciated :)

Must Have | Swimsuits

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:00:00 PDT

One month from today I'll be heading to Jamaica for a week in the sun with my entire family! The whole gang on my mom's side will be going - aunts, uncles, cousins, my gram and pop etc. It's the first time we've all vacationed together and I couldn't be more excited. I feel like it's been years since we were all together in the same location for a holiday so it will be nice to have some family bonding time. Lucky Nick even gets to tag along too :)

Since I'm soon going to be hitting the beach obviously I have swimwear on my mind. I'm hoping to purchase one new bikini for my trip and I'm loving the ones above - Shopbop.com is killing it with their swimwear selections this season. I've never been a one piece swimsuit type of girl but I'm considering a few of the ones below as well. Which suits are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

Outfit Remix | Cutout Top + Skater Skirt

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:00:00 PDT

I was wearing...

I first wore this look to a happy hour with a few friends last Friday, but with my new Zara sandals. Since I loved it so much I decided to remix it again on Sunday for an afternoon out around the city but this time with my Converse. I have this habit of when I find a piece of clothing I love (this Karen Kane top) I tend to re-wear that item multiple times in just a short span of days. True story I actually wore this blouse 4 days in a row once. I'm the same way with food too. I'll eat something, get obsessed with it, won't be able to stop thinking about it and then have to eat it continuously until I finally get sick of it. Right now my obsessions are chicken tacos from Chipotle and the mozzarella/chicken baguette sandwich from Pret-a-Manger. I guess it could be worse :/

Giveaway | A Spring Staple from vkoo

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:30:00 PDT

I was wearing...

My ideal brunch look is a knit dress, lightweight sweater and some cute (but still comfortable) sandals. Yesterday when I attended a fun blogger brunch I knew it was time to break out my new vkoo sweater. I love the open woven pattern and the fact that it has a hood - it really is the perfect spring staple. Also, don't you think this sweater would make a cute beach coverup too? I can see myself wearing it over a bikini this summer :)

Big thanks to Christina of Oh So Glam for snapping these pictures! xo

vkoo is offering the chance for 1 Katie's Bliss reader to win the same sweater as me ($208 value) - enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*this giveaway will end May 27 and is open to U.S. readers only

Inspiration for your Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:55:00 PDT

It's a good day to have a good day everyone - Happy Friday! I wanted to leave you with some quotes that have been inspiring me lately from my Quoteables board on Pinterest. Whenever I'm feeling the blues or uninspired I always head over and take a look at these phrases to perk myself up. I suggest making a board on your Pinterest as a place where you can collect images and quotes to cheer you up and give you a dose of inspiration when you need it. It really does work for me!

My weekend is looking to be very busy - Nick's college roommate is staying with us and I have a few fun blogger events I'm attending. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Color Crave | Blue & White

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:13:00 PDT

Sometimes I feel like the only colors I wear are blue and white. I like to vary my colors here on the blog because I think you guys would get pretty bored if I only ever wore the same two hues. But on those days when I'm not taking outfit photos I swear I'm always adorned in some shade of blue. I think it's safe to say blue is my favorite color and I probably should have named my YouTube channel "BlueBeautyBliss" rather than PinkBeautyBliss :P

I was browsing the web and many of these blue and white items caught my eye. Those Jill Stuart pumps and RED Valentino espadrilles are more lust items than actual realistic pieces I'd purchase but hey, they were still fun to include. I really, really love the Topshop top, skirt and those surprisingly inexpensive Ipanema sandals.

What's the color you feel you are always wearing?

Preppy Look | Chambray + Colored Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:18:00 PDT

I was wearing...

Lately I've been feeling the urge to channel my inner prep and I don't think that urge is going away anytime soon. I've been finding myself browsing LillyPulitzer.com and repinning tons of preppy-inspired looks on Pinterest. Not sure if it's because the weather has finally warmed up or I'm going through another transition in my personal style. Whatever it may be I really don't mind - there's nothing like a chambray top paired with colored jeans :)

2 Dress Looks | Weekend in Connecticut

noreply@blogger.com (Katies Bliss) — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:00:00 PDT

Look 1

DVF dress | J. Crew sweater | Zara heels | Tory Burch bag | David Yurman bracelets

Look 2

Missoni for Target dress (old) | Topshop blazer | Zara heels | David Yurman bracelets

When I leave town I always like to pack easily transitional dresses that can be worn day or night. My family loves to dine out, so after a day of touristy excursions (like to a field of daffodils) we'll usually head to a restaurant. So most likely the outfit I'm wearing during the day will turn into my night attire as well. In these photos you see me wearing my Zara heels, however during the daytime I wore these J. Crew flats so I wouldn't kill my feet.

On my last night in CT we drove to the very small town of West Cornwall (it has the cutest covered bridge) for a traditional 6-course French dinner at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant. There were no menus - literally we were served whatever the chef felt like cooking that night. According to my uncle that's a pretty standard practice of restaurants in France. I really didn't mind though - the food was delicious and I felt like I was Provence! Maybe one day I'll travel there. Here's a little photo collage I put together of each course ;)