Kelly Saks Talks Summer Style Tonight on CBS 4 Miami

CBS 4 Lifestyle Reporter Lisa Petrillo (L), Models Rob & Carolna, and Kelly Saks (R) at the Aventura Mall

Last week marked a milestone in my budding career as a television personality and I'm so excited to finally be able to share it with you! I was asked to participate in a fashion segment for Aventura Mall alongside the fabulous Lisa Petrillo of CBS 4 Miami that airs tonight. (Update: Watch HERE!) As the style expert, I helped Lisa break down all of this summer's hottest trends for men and women. Trends to look out for include pastels (seen above on Rob who is dressed in GUESS,) sheer fabrics, bold prints, fishtail skirts & crop tops (above on Carolina dressed in Bloomingdale's,) and of course neon. If you're in South Florida, tune in to CBS 4 tonight at 5PM for more on what should be in your closet this season!

What I wore: Zara Lace Top, Bebe Pencil Skirt, Lale Bracelet, BCBG Turquoise Earrings.

This Thursday: Fashion Bloggers Do It Better Summer Edition

This Thursday night join me and a slew of Miami fashion bloggers for the second edition of Fashion Bloggers Do It Better at Ricochet Bar/Lounge. The summer fashion fest presented by Refinery 29 and hosted by my gal pals Annie Vazquez and Eugy & Simonett will feature a fashion show and pop up shops chock full o' 305 style. Runway divas like Naomi and Giselle won't be strutting their stuff on the FBDIB2 catwalk, but us bloggers will! I've been working on my pivot turns and can't wait to work it in two hot summer looks from local faves Furor & iShine365. Cool factor: you'll be able to shop the looks from the runway on the spot! 

IF YOU GO

Thursday, June 28, 7-10PM (Fashion Show at 9PM)

Ricochet Bar/Lounge

3260 Buena Vista Blvd, Midtown Miami

RSVP: FashionBloggersDoItBetter@gmail.com 

Becoming Blair Waldorf

My Monday nights are sacred for two reasons: yoga and Gossip Girl. Now that the CW drama is on hiatus for the summer, the start to each week has been far too zen. A fan of the high-fashion, high-drama show since season one, I thank Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf for filling the void left by the Carrie Bradshaws and Marisa Coopers of TV land. When I learned that Gossip Girl's Emmy Award winning costume designer Eric Daman was headed to Miami I nearly jumped for joy in my 6-inch heels! The style guru hosted a GG themed fête at Swarovski to celebrate the launch of his new web series The Daman Chronicles. (Above photo courtesy Getty Images/John Parra for Swarovski.)

Bevy Smith, Eric Daman, and Ria Michelle

Co-hosted by the beautiful Ria Michelle, the Swarovski Style event invited guests to dress up as their favorite Gossip Girl for their chance to win a prize pack that included major Swarovski bling & Seasons 1-4 of the drama on DVD. Many, many Blairs & Serenas (and one Vanessa) came to play but Eric chose only one faux-Upper East Sider as his winner: me!  Fitting since I often think Blair Waldorf is my alter ego. In all seriousness, what a major compliment.

I'm Wearing: ZARA Suit - Lola Top - Aldo Pumps - ShopSueyBoutique Bag

Coincidentally, my very own "Chuck Bass" was also there and Eric couldn't let him go home empty handed. The only male to attempt Gossip Girl style claims he dresses like this on the daily. He even sported pink socks.

Winners! Santiago Jaramillo as Chuck, Eric Daman, Ria Michelle, and Kelly Saks as Blair

You can judge Miami's take on Gossip Girl fashion for yourself by watching the event on Livestream. Love the Swarovski jewels? Win a Swarovski Rainbow Pendant ($150 value!) on June 26th by tweeting about your favorite part of The Daman Chronicles using #SwarovskiStyle. Now enjoy photos of some of my favorite fashion moments of the evening...

UES besties Serena & Blair? Fellow blogger Kristin Clark & Kelly Saks channeling the It Girls

Guests with hostess Ria Michelle

The always chic Angeles Almuna. She makes those amazing rosettes!

Cuties Leila & Dee in perfectly preppy ensembles.

This sassy partygoer was a combo of Serena/Blair.
All I can say is gimme that skirt! (Versace x H&M)

A stunning Jacqueline Isabel rocking an incredible Swarovski necklace.

It was a full house at the Swarovski on Lincoln Road!

Aww, CHAIR! Santiago Jaramillo & Kelly Saks

The ah-mazing Rocket Necklace I took home - Blair Waldorf approved.

A Short Story

The Rubell Family Collection in Wynwood
{ZARA Blouse & Pink Shorts - BCBGMAXAZRIA Clutch - Bebe Studded Wedges -
Henri Bendel & Forever 21 Bracelets - Lola Sunnies}

You first got a peek at this look in Microsoft Aims for Style in Miami. Funny thing is, this outfit almost didn't happen. Let me explain... When I heard that ZARA, one of my favorite places to shop, had just completely overhauled their Dadeland Mall store I was conflicted about whether or not to check it out. Fellow bloggers & friends warned of the major amounts of cash I would drop just by walking through the shiny glass doors. Some even likened it to the devil- but I went anyway! (They were right.) I loved these amazing pink tweed shorts at first glance, but my shopaholic guilt started to cloud my judgement. Are pink shorts a good investment? Will I get enough wear out of them? Good thing I shut off that little voice because I took them home and have been wearing them with everything! Here I paired them with an awesome floral silk blouse that I purchased during the same fateful shopping trip. Other options for pink shorts? A chambray shirt, sleeveless white button down, sheer blush tank... Moral of the story: If you're second guessing investing in a piece that seems risky, think again! A bright basic like pastel shorts or printed pants can be the breath of fresh air your wardrobe needs. Shake things up and try something new this summer- you may end up loving the unexpected.

Coffee break at Lester's. {Zara Pink Shorts, Similar here}

Seeing double at the De la Cruz Collection in Wynwood

Flower Power - De la Cruz Collection, 2nd Floor

Joan. Rivers. At the Rubell Family Collection

East/West Fashion Face-Off Hosted by Kelly Saks

Join us tonight at 9:30PM ET for a live fashion chat with bloggers from both coasts!

HOST: Kelly Saks, Editor-in-Chief, Kelly's Kloset

@KellySaks

Karla Garcia - MIAMI 

@kargarohhsnap

http://www.kargarohhsnap.com/

Hazzle Andrada - LOS ANGELES

@hazzlejoy

http://lipsticklaceandlattes.com/

Miss us live? You can still watch the recorded hangout above! Comment or tweet us using #eastwestfashion.

Citron + Spikes du Jour

{ SYLK Dress  -  Wild Pair Pumps - Sharif Handbag - Topshop Earrings }

Two trends I can't get enough of right now: neon & spikes. While they can be statement makers on their own, I was able to style them together for a pretty date night look by choosing neutral accessories. I picked up this chic chiffon dress at a boutique called SYLK while I was in Las Vegas last week. Everything I've been buying lately is citron, but I can't help it! The flourescent hue makes even the slightest tan look so good. Nude spiked pumps and a python bag added attitude without overwhelming the dress. I finished off the look with another souvenir from my trip- citron & coral spiked hoops from Topshop.

{ SYLK Dress  -  Wild Pair Pumps - Sharif Handbag - Topshop Earrings }

{ Wild Pair Studded Pumps }

{ Clockwise from left: Henri Bendel Ring - Topshop Earrings - Forever 21 Ring }

Microsoft Aims For Style in Miami

Computers are not just for nerds! Ask any fashion blogger and they'll tell you that their tech gadgets are just as important to them as they are to any finance analyst, editor, or web designer. With computers and smartphones becoming a permanent accessory, it's no wonder that tech giants like Apple and Microsoft have realized that their products have to be more than just powerful - they need to be stylish, too.

Last weekend Microsoft invited a select group of influencers to preview their latest products and I was lucky enough to make the guest list! Along with editors from glossies like Glamour, Lucky, Complex, The Source, and Latin Cosmopolitan, we spent two days learning and playing with the latest Windows phones and laptops- all while enjoying unique experiences that only my hometown has to offer.

Check out photos of our VIP weekend, all taken from my new HTC Titan II phone and its cray cray 16 megapixel camera!

The weekend kicked off with product demos at The Shore Club. The gorgeous 3-story penthouse was decked out with cool new Microsoft products, like these Limited Edition Artist Series Mice. 

Which mouse expresses your style best?

We got presents from IVIvision sunglasses

IVIvision is designed by Rob Dyrdek

...and met Artist and Owner of Gallery Diet, Nina Johnson.

Nina Johnson and Danica Lo

Nina took us on a Wynwood art tour along with our host, fellow Miami blogger 

Carmen Ordonez of Viva Fashion.

Carmen & I at the de la Cruz Collection

I met Joan Rivers...

 Hoping Joan isn't judging me at the Rubell Family Collection

took way too many photos of this Lanvin installation,

Fashion is art at the Rubell Family Collection.

and had lunch with celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein!

Chef Michy cookin' up ceviche at Gallery Diet.

Lunch was... incredible.

Course 1: Burratta & Watermelon Salad

But the views from the yacht were better.

Yeah, I live here. Cover-up by H&M.

I changed into my third outfit of the day for dinner at Juvia.

Doesn't Eric look dapper? My dress was a great $22 find from Forever 21.

Then Sunday came, and we said goodbye with a rooftop brunch and beautiful views of South Beach.

I took Eric's Webster x Target fedora because it looked better with my outfit.

Disclaimer: Microsoft gifted me with a cool new computer and Windows phone, along with weekend accommodations and activities seen above. All opinions are always my own.

Holiday in Siesta Key

{H&M Camp Shirt - ALEXIS Fringe Skirt - Vintage Pineapple Purse - Forever 21 Hat}

Sun, Sand, and Resort Wear is what filled my Memorial Day weekend! The unofficial start to summer landed me in the hidden paradise known as Siesta Key. Hidden to me anyway - it was my first time visiting the oceanfront locale on Florida's west coast, but definitely not my last. The charming beach town offered up delicious eats, friendly locals, and powdery white sand that was silky to the touch. Just days before my getaway I came across this amazing fringe cotton skirt at South Dade consignment shop The Recycled Closet. When I picked it up and read ALEXIS on the label I knew I had a gem on my hands. The skirt was the inspiration for my tropical themed weekend in beach bliss....

{Ready for the weekend!}

{Classic Havaianas - Vintage Pineapple Purse - ALEXIS Fringe Skirt}

{ZARA Top - VS PINK Denim Skirt - Miss Trish Sandals - BCBGMAXAZRIA Bracelet - Gifted Clutch}

This 2nd outfit is one of my new favorites! Nothing like neon pink & orange to offset a fresh glowing tan. I picked up this hot top at the newly refurbished ZARA in Dadeland mall (aka heaven!) It has all of the elements to make it a summer must-have: tropical flowers, flourescent colors, and golden studs. Let's just say I couldn't resist it. I dug up the neon skirt from the depths of my closet, and just like that, what's old is new again. I finished off the look with my leopard jeweled sandals from Miss Trish (also worn here.) Leopard is a neutral in my book- goes with almost anything!

{H&M Cover-up - Forever 21 Hat}

{Bananas! The print from my H&M Cover-up}