Spring Fashion Trends

I love spring. It is one of my favorite seasons. As much as I enjoy bundling up and wearing black monochromatic outfits and boots during winter I have to admit that I love the warmer weather, shorter hemlines and brighter colors spring has to offer even more! 

My dream is to attend New York Fashion Week. Attending would be life changing but sitting front row would be by far the dream of all dreams. NYFW is the at the center of all new trends and I follow each season with such anticipation and wonder. What will be in? What will be out? What colors are going to be popular? When I look at NYFW I think to myself about what easily transitions to everyday life. While I am in love with fashion shows most things there are not wearable in everyday life. So today, let's go ahead and look at my favorite trends for spring!

1. Crop Tops

Now I know what you are probably thinking as I write this…you can't be serious? I would never wear a crop top. But stay with me on this. Crop tops are one of my favorite trends for spring. I am not talking about a top that looks more like a bra than an actual top but bowing a bit of stomach can be super sexy. When it comes to crop tops I like to pair mine with flawy maxi skirts. Nordstroms have so many to choose from that you are sure to find one you love. So keep doing your sit-ups and following the Bikini Mom Challenge and lets take a risk and get out of our comfort zone!

2. White Wide Leg Pants

These have been s go to of mine for years. I wish I could wear them all year round. I am partial to white linen but really any white wide pant is amazing! White pants are so universal and can be worn in the boardroom to grocery shopping. I love the versatility of this and I LOVE that fashionistas everywhere are jumping on this trend this season. Thes Yves Saint Laurent pants are EVERYTHING and I am obsessed. With the wide leg being the trend this spring I like to offset the fullness on the bottom with a more fitted shirt. Since it is spring and bright colors are majorly in I love this yellow shirt and stacked wedge to pull everything together! 

3. Magenta Purple

This color is unbelievable! I cannot get enough of it and have already picked up probably 5 things that either have this color in it or are entirely this color. From shoes to dresses to tops to pants this color does it all and does it well! This is a total weekend outfit. I love that you can throw it on and just go. The purple in itself is beautiful but when accented with yellow it really allows the magenta purple to pop. The yellow keds and accented jewelry give a normal looking outfit a trendy chic factor. I love love love this outfit!

4. Florals

Okay so florals can be difficult. You want to look chic but you don't want to look like your grandma. I get it. I struggle with this trend too. Here is my secret to wearing florals…wear it on the bottom half! I know this is crazy but go with me on this. When florals are the worn in either a pant or skirt and paired with a simple top (mt go to is chambray) the look is a total home run. Its trendy without being too much. I like wearing floral skinny jeans or a tea length skirt and a simple top. Nothing too fancy just effortless chic. Trust me on this…you can wear this trend and wear it well!

5. Full Skirts

Doesn't this look take you back to watching Grease? Summer lovin'…LOL! I just love it! I have always loved wearing skirts and full skirts have always been one of my favorites. I feel like Audrey Hepburn every time I put one on and although skirts have come a long way (ascetically) since then they are still a must have on my spring list for sure.

So what do ya'll think of the spring trends? Will you be rocking your midriff or strutting around in magenta purple? Let me know what you are looking forward to most this season! Until tomorrow…

Love Always,

Katie

Bikini Body Mommy Challenge

I scour Pinterest daily (more like hourly) looking for the best outfits, makeup tips and workout plans. I pin inspiration of anything and everything and am always looking for something new and exciting to try. Pinterest is great isn't it…who would have thought a few years ago that linking images from websites would be the most time sucking thing on the planet?!?! LOL!

I was on there today when I came across the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge. I clicked on the link and instantly became intrigued. The woman who started this journey had 3 children, worked full-time, was a single mom AND managed to lose 100 pounds in a year. That is pretty impressive and trumps my excuses of I work full-time, have a husband who helps around the house more than most men and only have one child I just don't have time to workout. My goals are pretty simple…use a little weight, tone up and just be healthier overall. 

I am always up for a challenge…I love anything that comes with a timeframe. 30-60-90 day challenges. I live for them. If not to prove to myself (and ever loving husband) that I can do it. With summer just around the corner, I thought what better way to kick off my get fit for summer than this awesome challenge! So I am taking the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge.

I will be blogging on Wednesday's about my journey and my progress. I would love for all of you to join me and take the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge. The best part is that you don't have to belong to a gym or spend lots of money on meal plans and quick fixes…all you need is some time each day and the motivation to do. If you can sit on the couch and watch housewives (like me) you can find the time to join me! I have posted below the first 7 days of the challenge so it is easy to follow along. Make sure not to watch the videos but click on the days as they have the directions in case you miss something. I have also linked to the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge website and Facebook page for more inspiration.

Day 1: Fit Test!

Day 2: 

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

Who is with me…are you ready to get healthy and be in the best shape of your life? I can't wait to hear from ya'll to see if you are loving this challenge as well? Until tomorrow…

Love Always,
Katie

8 STILA in the Light Make-Up Tutorials You Have To Try!!

I bought this palette almost a year ago after my favorite beauty blogger Cara Brook from Mascara started using it. I have to admit that Cara is kind of amazing! Not kind of more like IS AMAZING! She is one of the big aspirations for my blog and anything she recommends usually winds up in my shopping basket within days. 

I use this palette almost every day and really love it. Next to Naked 2 it my favorite eye shadow palette and lately this has become my go-to. The colors are fantastic and universal. I use all of the colors (which I can't say for all my palettes) and the best part is that it is under $40! I promise I am going to start doing tutorials soon but I need to get a decent camera. The iPhone just isn't cutting it! 

So tonight I am going to give you the net best thing. I am going to showcase some of my favorite tutorials from the Stila In the Light Palette. These girls do such a GREAT job at their looks they definitely need a shootout!

Blog Posts:

Stila In The Light Get Ready With Me Tutorial by My Newest Addiction

Stila In The Light Palette Look 2 (Inspired by Miley Cyrus) by Makeup Matters

A Bubbly Metallic Eye in Under 5 Minutes by 15 Minute Beauty

YouTube:

Get Ready With Me: Stila In The Light Palette by KathleenLights

Stila Golden Makeup Look Tutorial by Superficialgirl

Prom Makeup Tutorial by Lauren Curtis (This one uses some other palettes aside from In the Light but it is so fantastic I had to you use!)

Soft Natural Makeup Tutorial by Mascara (This is my girl Cara Brook. I use "my girl" loosely as she doesn't actually know who I am but in my mind we are besties!)

Get Ready with Me: Stila In The Light Eyeshadow Palette by Goo Roo Beauty (This is one of my go-to looks! So easy and yet so beautiful!)

What do ya'll think? Will you be checking out this awesome palette? Let me know your thoughts? Until tomorrow…

Love Always,
Katie

Not Everyone Can Be Winners...

Last night as I watched the awards I couldn't help but love so many of the outfits. For the biggest night in Hollywod there were far more hits than misses. With that being said…not everyone can win and there were some definite misses last night in my opinion.

Maybe I missed something but I was totally not a fan of this dress. I wanted so much to like it because the concept is spot on and it is hard to dislike Gucci but I just couldn't get into it. Even with the sparkle it was still too simple and blah for me. Don't get me Anne is beautiful and her hair and makeup were stunning I just wish she had worn her after party to the actual award show because that dress was stunning. Maybe she went with…save the best for last.

This dress is what I have come to expect from the exquisite Anne. I love the corset-like top and the black and white really compliment her milky skin.

I cannot believe I am about to say this because this woman is like my one of my favorite actresses of all time, but I have to say (through gritted teeth) that Julia Roberts is on my worst dressed list for the Oscars. I wanted to like this Givenchy dress and I really tried but the awkward cut and almost rough looking material is just all wrong for America's Sweetheart. I wish she had made a statement in a form fitting jewel toned dress. However, even with this fashion miss Julia is still stunning and her low key accessories and loose undo are very flattering and beautiful!

I am sure that you can't tell Liza anything but someone really should have. There is nothing nice you can say about this ensemble. It looks like she picked it up at the local Sears and threw it on as they pulled up to the awards. The color is almost startling and the material really makes the term "cheap suit." I love Liza and am a huge fan but I just cannot condone this look. On a night where her mother was being honored for The Wizard of Oz I wish she would have put some thought and effort into her outfit so she can standout for how wonderful she is not how badly dressed she was.

I have been loving everything Margot Robbie has worn this award season that I was shocked when she showed up almost unrecognizable in this Saint Laurent dress. While her hair color change was shocking enough this dress did nothing for her, if anything it makes her look larger than she is. I was dying to see her in a pastel color that complimented her new dark hair due but instead of goddess I got more goth.

So what do ya'll think do you agree with me? Do you think I totally have it wrong? i would love to hear your thoughts! Until tomorrow…

Love Always,

Katie

And the Oscar Goes To...

I can't help but wonder whether people watch the Oscars for the awards or for the fashion? I for one tune in to see what EVERYONE is wearing! So with that being said let's get to it!

You can't even talk about this award season fashion without talking about Lupita Nyong'o and girl did not disappoint tonight. Not only was her speech so inspiring but whoever her stylist is needs an award of her own. This girl has worm every silhouette and pastel color you could imagine this awards season and I was DYING to see her in a ball gown and did she NAIL it or what! The way she uses color and texture is so amazing and so fashion forward that I have to give my best dressed award to this amazingly beautiful woman! I cannot say enough good things about her. She truly is amazing!

Cate Blanchett has to be my style icon. This woman can do no wrong in my book. She stunned as always this year in Armani Prive. Her romantic cap-sleeve dress featuring a long, flared tulle skirt with crinoline edging was beyond beautiful. The material included sequins and a flared tulle skirt that offset light gold Swarovski crystals. Who wouldn't want to wear this AMAZINg dress? Cate is always stunning and I am so glad that she chooses to stay classy and beautiful!

Whoa Mama! From this picture you cannot even tell Olivia Wilde is pregnant! Can you believe she is due in a few weeks? Girl is stunning. Olivia's Valentino dress is the perfect amount of sexy and sophisticated. I loved that she played up her accessories since she chose black and no one will doubt that her best accessory tonight is definitely her baby daddy, Jason Sudeikis. Not only does she win my dressed of all the mom's to be but these two definitely are a contender for best couple!

While she may not be nominated for an Oscar this year, girl is WORKING it (figuratively and realistically). Kelly Osbourne stunned in Badgley Mischka. This girl has always been one of my girl crushes. She is not afraid to try trends and her take on old Hollywood glamour is beyond breath taking. I love that she chose white with a lace overlay. It screams sophistication and class. Yet her purple hair keeps it fresh and cool. I love this girl so much!

What do ya'll think of my best dressed women? Do yo agree? Do you think I missed anyone? Let me know. Tomorrow we will be having some fun  by looking at my least favorite outfits of the night. Until tomorrow…

Love Always,
Katie

Paleo Week 1

Well ladies (and the one man who reads my blog) week one of the Paleo Challenge is complete. 

I won't lie, the Paleo Challenge has not been the easiest New Year's Resolution I have ever made but I am really starting to like it. If you are thinking about trying it, I strongly encourage you to take the challenge. It really has been a lifestyle change for Steven and I. At the end of week 1 here are some of the things I learned.

1. I can actually cook and even bigger revelation, I actually like it1 This is a BIG one for me and if my mum is reading this, she as probably fallen on the floor and is in shock. We have made some really good meals this week. Some from the Challenge and some I found on Pinterest. Here are a few pictures of some of my favorite meals. They really are tasty and even better healthier.

**Side Note** I am using only the pictures I took. This is because I always get irritated when my pictures don't look like Pinterest so this is my reality.

Tomato Basil Spaghetti Squash

I found this recipe on an awesome blog called Taylor Made it Paleo. It is quite possibly my favorite new dinner! I love pasta and giving it up was really hard but spaghetti squash is surprisingly a great alternative. Not only is does it taste great but it is super easy.  

Blueberry Muffins

These muffins are FANTASTIC! Considering there is no sugar in them and are 100% healthy I am actually surprised how much I like these. Here is the recipe from Robin's Sweet Confessions's 30 Day Challenge. Try them you will never go back to traditional muffins!

Grilled Short Ribs and Roasted Vegetables

Steven and I created this recipe on our own so I wanted to include it below because it was INSANELY good. It was so good our 7 year old daughter was salivating at the kitchen table. 

Ingredients:

Short Ribs

Gluten Free Barbecue Sauce

Gluten Free Rib Rub

Dried Bay Leaves

Salt and Pepper to taste

Assorted Veggies

Directions:

1. Preset the oven to 220 degrees 

2. Season ribs with dry rub, salt and pepper.

3. Place bay leaf on each rib

4. Wrap ribs in plastic wrap and place in oven for 2 hours

5. Remove from oven and plastic wrap. Let rest for 10 minutes.

6. Coat with gluten free BBQ sauce and place on grill for 10 minutes (until sauce is caramelized).

7. Grill assorted veggies.

8. Enjoy!

2. The next thing I learned was that it is possible to work out every day and not actually die. Steven will tell you I am not the most ambitious person when it comes to working out. Sure, once I am there I will work out hard. The kind of hard that entails me outlasting the lady on the treadmill next to me no matter what the cost but I can also pretty easily talk myself out of working out. The great thing about Robin's Challenge is that for the most part  no workout is more than 30 minutes. Sure they are hard and during it I hate both Robin and Jillian Michaels but it's only 30 minutes and then I am done. So far this week, I have done 4 different workouts. This one is definitely the hardest but it is my favorite.

3. I have actually learned to like water. Up until last week I would have rather drank just about anything over water. Water has no taste. It is blah. It has NO sugar. How can someone drink it let alone drink 64 ounces in 1 day! Well I am here to tell you that I am converted water drinker. I drink at least 64 ounces of water a day (most days more) and actually enjoy it. With all the water I am taking in I am seeing vast improvements in my skin, energy, and overall well being. 

4. Lastly this week I have learned probably the most important thing, paleo is a lifestyle change not a 30-day challenge. Will I stay on paleo after the 30 days? I haven't decided. What I do know is that without all the processed food and sugar and all around crap I usually eat I am not getting headaches, looking healthier and feeling all-around great.

If you want to try the challenge, post here. I am only on Day 7...catch me if you can. Until tomorrow...

Love Always,

Katie

Happy New Year!

Can anyone believe it is already 2014? I feel like the old saying is true, the days pass slowly but the years fly by. 2013 was truly an amazing year for our family and we had such a great holiday season and were able to celebrate with friends and family. I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday (except maybe more time off LOL!)

One of my favorite things about a new year is making New Year’s Resolutions. I love the idea of forgetting about the past and starting fresh with new goals and objectives. I try not to make too many as the more you make the harder they are to keep but never the less, I have a few I would like to share with you.

Complete the 30-Day Paleo Challenge

I am currently on Day 3 of this and it might be on of the more difficult resolutions I have made. I was on Pinterest and found this amazing blog about a lady’s 30-day challenge to herself to eat Paleo and workout everyday. It was really inspiring and after the holidays and looking forward to a beach vacation at the end of February I committed to following it. I have included the link below if you want to check it out. I also promised to keep everyone updated on how it is going.

30-Day Paleo Challenge

Blog At Least 3 Times a Week

I love The Katie Diaries and plan on making it a top priority in 2014. The fact of the matter is sometimes life happens and things you love have to be put on hold for a bit but never the less, I have lots of ideas and amazing things to show you so stay tuned. I promise you will LOVE what you see.

Run a Half Marathon

This was on my list for last year and never happened. I definitely want to accomplish this goal this year. Seeing my mum compete and in and Ironman and run marathons has definitely been an inspiration. I have not picked out which one and will probably not start training until February but you just wait…my yearend I will have done at least one.

There you have it folks, my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions. Like I said before, resolutions can be hard so post yours below and let’s make 2014 the best year possible! Until Tomorrow…

Love Always,

Katie