This week’s Weekend Wear spotlights more than one local designer. It actually features a few.  Excitingly enough I had the opportunity to give a shout out to Miami’s homegrown talent on the Today Show(yes, the Today Show. amazing right?!) alongside my fashion blogger friends Electric Blogarella and The Wordy Girl. The New York based morning show came to Miami for the weekend and wanted to know what definres “Miami Style” from our perspective.

I styled the beach-wear which was so much fun to do especially since my beautiful 6-year-old niece Mia modeled in it. She is a little star in the making as is my other model Jackie G Casals who holds the Miss Coral Gables title.

***WATCH THE SEGMENT HERE: http://www.today.com/video/today/50904816#50904816

What THE MODELS Wore: 

Jackie: Letarte red full piece, N&K Designs necklaces, CRE bracelets, Charmdeliers bag, Saha coverup and hat (available at ShopMiamiStyle.com)  

Mia: Old Navy ruffle tankini and flipflops, Claires.com heart shaped sunglasses and accessories.

What I Wore: AVA dress, N&K Designs necklace, CRE bracelets (available at ShopMiamiStyle.com)

“I’m all dressed up with a broken heart.”- Peggy Lee

“It’s Time to Move On” is a song by Tom Petty that inspired this post as well as a chapter of my life and the lives of close women around me. With the start of a new year, so many of us become braver with our beliefs and take strides to make things happen. Whether it’s a new career choice or the decision to go somewhere in search of true love and happiness. For this post, which was shot in Miami’s Little River district, I decided to create a story about a woman who is full of color and life and behind her is a contrasting structure that is falling apart. At times, you see her slowly moving way from it and in other photos she is still is optimistic and is leaning on it to support her which it cannot without repair. The house in this post can represent anything in your life that is already broken and you have to make a choice to either fix or abandon it. The start of a new year is the best time to do it. For the woman in the story it’s about unrequited love. She is in love with a man who has realized he isn’t ready to be in a realtionship, but who doesn’t want to let her go and is always giving her hope. Her heart is broken and she has no choice, but to walk away from the realtionship which is crumbling. ”What lies ahead I have no way of knowing. It’s time to move on. It’s time to get going.” -Tommy Petty. I hope that this post inspires you to let go of whatever may be holding you down from happiness. Taking, that first step is always the hardest, but the bravest and just think you’ll have a year ahead blossoming with amazing opportunities. Here’s a link to Petty’s song that inspired it all. Listen to it over and over and may it give you strength like it has for me. CLICK HERE:  

OUTFIT: Hoss Intropia dress (Available at Bloomingdales Aventura & Falls), Forever 21 hat, Steve Madden shoes and Saks Fifth Avenue vintage bag. 

Today’s amazing sunwear from Coach’s latest collection is the cherry red ombre Casey. They are like the perfect shade of red lipstick that make any outfit look hot. Whether you want to dress sexy in a LBD, hit the beach in a multi-colored bikini or stroll downtown like a diva, these sunnies are your must-have essential. I love the fact that this strawberry tinted sunwear with its retro vibe matches all skin tones and styles making it the perfect gift for your BFF, sister, daughter, mother, co-worker and of course, yourself. These sunnies are like magic, seriously. You can be having a drabby wardrobe day wearing a plain white tee and a pair of denim, but once you slip into these red Caseys it’s like oh la la… whose that Lady in Red? Now that the holidays are around the corner, these are the ideal gift to get especially for us Miamians where we have summer all year round. Aside from being stylish, they also have 100% UVA/UVB protection and are budget friendly. So what are you waiting for? Buy them now on Coach.com

See how I rocked mine in Miami’s downtown in front of one of the city’s hot spots Vagabond. Special thanks to Carmel Ophir & Danny Alva.
Photos by: Karla Garcia
MY OUTFIT: Coach sunglasses and purse, Wildfox top (Available at Bloomingdale’s Aventura), Forever 21 pleated pleather skirt, Jeffrey Campbell Litas.

As New York Fashion Week comes to an end this week, many fashion goers are finding themselves reaching for more comfortable threads to enjoy the shows. The Sidewalk Talk is all about who’s wearing what, favorite shows and well, how utterly exhausted attendees really are. Fashion Weeks are extremely exciting, but a week long of eyeing countless models strutting down the runway takes a toll on any style maven—especially when they are blogging, photographing or covering it for a major outlet. Today’s Miami: Through the Lens of Street Fashion focuses on the final days of Fashion Week and what you may catch attendees donning on their way to the remaining designer collections on the catwalk.
Styling/Model/Words: TheFashionPoet.com Photo&Art Direction: Karla Garcia
OUTFIT: WildFox top and Rebecca Minkoff purse (Bloomingdale’s in Aventura), American Apparel leggings (Lincoln Road), Steve Madden boots, Forever 21 hat,

When it comes to doing hair, I admit I’m hair styling challenged. I only know the basics: blow dry straight, bun, pony tail and a sorry excuse for a side braid. My first attempt with a curling iron gave me a second degree burn. True story. So when Refinery29.com gave me the opportunity to show everyone how to rock and create a Lady Gaga inspired bow braid which I must say is perfect for Miami’s inferno like weather and for stopping traffic stylishly ( yeah, people literally stopped to take a picture of it), I got down to business. I watched a few YouTube DIY videos (like huh)and decided I’d better call the 911 for hair in Miami: Blo Blow Dry Bar in Midtown for some help.Owned by sisters SandiRose and Kailey Madger this is my go-to-spot for budget friendly cool braids & quickie blow drys that don’t require an appointment. Yep, walk ins are totally welcome here. 

The gals took me in and stylist Annie (yep her name is Annie too.) Schooled me on how to put together the bow bun with 6 easy steps that require just 5 minutes.

What You Need: 20 bobby pins, a brush, 1 pony tail, and hairspray.

PHOTOS by: Alexander Tamargo/ @ALTAImages 

STEPS to Bow Braid: 

Step 1: Brush hair out and make sure it’s dry. It’s better if it’s not clean so it’ll hold up. ( and yeah that’s my real hair people..no extensions here, than you for very much.)

Step 2: Pull hair back in a high pony tail. 

Step 3: Fold pony tail toward forehead to create loop. Split loop in half to create two loops.

Step 4 Get extra hair and wrap in between two loops with a bobby pin.

Step 5: Bobby pin two loops securely on each side.

Step 6: Hairspray bun to help hold.

Voila! The Lady Gaga bow bun in 6 easy steps. 

Now to try at home or if you’re hairstyled challenged like me call and book an appointment at: 

Blo Blow Dry Bar Midtown which is located at 3301 NE 1st Ave, Ste 103.

Phone: 786-373-5256

What I’m Wearing: American Apparel cut off, Furor Moda vintage skirt, Steve Madden shoes, Target bag, sunglasses (courtesy of Tory Burch), butterfly necklace (courtesy of Miriam Merenfeld.

Every morning in Miami hundreds of tired denizens drag themselves from the comforts of suburbia into dark parking garages at train stations sipping coffee while bits of light trickle in like hope. Armed with laptops, iPhones and suitcases, men and women clad in corporate clothing emerge with one thing in common: garage dreams. They are everything and anything from desires to succeed to wishes to sleep in a bit longer to the chance meeting of the love of their life. In a sense, we all are garage dreamers. Aren’t we? It’s the flame that keeps us steady on our trek even in times of darkness and offers us the joie de vivre. For this Miami: Through the Lens of Street Fashion series, we decided to explore our city’s public transportation system from buses to trains to more. Our journey commences in the outskirts of the glamour and hipness of Miami in a city known as Kendall. Our stylish subject is ambling across the garage ready to jump on a train and start her morning commute. She is at Miami Metro Rail at Dadeland South which is a major transit station that connects the southernmost suburbs of cities like Homestead and Florida City.

Styling/Modeling: Annie Vazquez Photography/Art Direction: Karla Garcia

Outfit: Marc Jacobs dress, laptop case, iPhone case (Available at Bloomingdale’s Aventura), Steve Madden shoes (Available at Steve Madden in South Beach’s Lincoln Road)

Today Room Service captures two of the Mondrian South Beach hotel’s coolest features: a floating stairwell and a giant image of a doe-eyed doll in the lobby. Marcel Wanders is the the genius behind the design of this uber chic hotel that meshes art and functionality so beautifully. I love traveling and I tend to be one of those people who misses their bed when staying at a hotel, but the Mondrian South Beach isn’t one of those spots. I just feel so right at home here. It’s not pretentious or overly glam. In fact, while it’s absolutely gorgeous in design, there is something very welcoming and cozy about it. So what do you think of my outfit? I was trying to go for a fun resort wear look with fringe to mix with this amazing snakeprint skirt. 

PHOTOS Courtesy of Alexander Tamargo/@ALTAImages

OUTFIT: Top and sunglasses (Forever 21), Tart snake print skirt (Courtesy of Lilac and Lilies/ order at: (954)530-3109), cuffs (courtesy of Tiffany & Co, turban (Gold Saturn).

To book a room: www.mondrian-miami.com

Miami gals are really into the skull motif these days and local online shop Vanity Gal has teamed up with me to give one lucky reader the chance to win these 3 uber cute skull bracelets. Aren’t they adorable?! They also have some other irrestible ones with different designs you can see on their site. 

HOW TO ENTER: In order to enter to win the 3 bracelets: all you gotta do is: tell me why you want to win on my FB page & Like Vanity Gal’s FB page. The winner will be announced next Wednesday at noon. Good Luck! 

If there is one thing every Miami girl needs in her wardrobe is a pair of cool cutoffs— especially during the summer months. From the looks of it Ileana Lima and Georgina Patrizio’s denim line called TRIBE totally fits the bill. Their first collection consists of one-of-kind reworked vintage pieces that feature studs, peace signs, an American flag and animal prints. Plus, now that Coachella is around the corner, these make the perfect bottoms on concert going days. I’m loving the studded versions & the ones featuring wild horses (SEE HERE ). TRIBE is sold at Lima’s shop: Electric Boutique at 14248 8th St; 305-554-6448. or email: shoptribe@hotmail.com

On Thursday, I hosted the Guy and Girl Boutique Spring Tweet Up at the Shelborne Hotel in Miami Beach. Part of the hosting duties including styling a mannequin with the shop’s clothing, shoes and accessories which participants with the most retweets could win. Naturally, I graviated towards the menswear meets edgy effortless. This look  is something I’d rock day and night. I love the mismatching combo of the snakeskin clutch with the black & white slip on espadrilles. I think together they mesh quite nicely.Then there’s the preppy printed navy blazer which gets playful with an eye popping coral button down. Lastly, the accessories at Guy and Girl are to die for. I’m not into fine jewelry or bling. I prefer baubles that are are whimsical and fun— and this shop has plenty. For my mannequin, I selected a necklace with a swing pendant ( how cool is that) and a double ring featuring hand cuffs. I also loaded on two chunky bangles and topped off the look with white Ray-Bans. I hosted with alongside bloggers: Sussett Cabrera, Ria Michelle, Me and Kelly Saks. Check out the pictures:

DETAILS: Some detail shots of my mannequin.

I DO: I absolutely heart this ring from Guy and Girl Boutique. 

What do you think of my styled up mannequin?

On March 26, there’s another Miami Fashion Blogger panel taking place at Soho House at 7 p.m. in the hotel’s library. The hour long talk will brush upon everything you need to know about the art of fashion blogging and how to get started in it. Bloggers will discuss a variety of topics from Miami Street Fashion, interviewing top designers, photography, outfit posts, scoring a Fashion Week credential, hosting events, monetizing a blog and how Miami compares to other major cities in fashion blogging. Miami’s Social Media Maven Maria Arguello will be moderating the panel and speaking alongside bloggers: like myself, Karla Garcia( KarGarOhhSnap) Maria Tettamanti (The Wordy Girl),Ginger Harris (Electric Blogarella), Eugy & Simonett of ( The Goodwill Project) Ria Michelle (RiaMichelle), Erika Thomas (Blah Blah Blonde) Amanda De Luca (Capture Fashion), Carmen Ordonez (Viva Fashion Blog). Big thanks to Tara Solomon from Tara Ink for all her help with this! 

To RSVP for the event: HERE

(*The event is only open to Soho House members)

POSING: Myself, (TheWordyGirl.net) and (KarGarOhhSnap.com) having some street fashion fun.

BLOGGER TRIO: It was suppose to be a group shot of all 9 of us, but the rest of the gals couldn’t make it to our Design District fun shoot & we totally missed them.

I’m running to represent Miami’s Next Big Style Blogger on Refinery29 & I need your your vote to win and help put Miami on the Fashion Blogger map. It takes 1 minute to vote.

All you have to do is click on the link:  http://www.refinery29.com/styleblogger 2. Then, click on popular contestants tab. 3. Scroll and find my image ( like the one you see above) 4. Last, click on the heart on my picture.

Thanks so much for your support!

I’m a fan of Miami Designer David Jon Acosta’s Gold Saturn line and after seeing these pics of his new brand called Our Prince of Peace debuting this Spring, I’m completely sold on it. Acosta is an expert at making Miami gals look effortlessly chic which is a look I’m always aiming for. I have a gazillion of his GS turbans which are sold at top trendy shops like Nasty Gal and have been featured in major glossies like Teen Vogue. I can tell you come Spring I’m going to be scooping up his second brand which was inspired by the City of Miami Beach. There’s scarves with pom pons which I’m totally infatuated with, snake print body con skirts, skinny pants in metallics ( so amazing), geometric print bandeaus and the good ole American flag. What I love the most is that every item is versatile to combine with your wardrobe. Whether you rock it with a tee, denim or cutoffs. For more info email davidjon@ourprinceofpeace.com or check out ourprinceofpeace.com or www.goldsaturn.com