Spot On // polka dot blouse + mini skirt

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear a black mini skirt
The unofficial start of summer has arrived, and I am fully embracing this 85 degree heatwave with short hemlines and light-as-air tops. The result? A preppy chic combo with a touch of retro flair!
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's outfit ideas
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's street style
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's purple Rebecca Minkoff top handle purse
A spotted blouse is playful and eye catching. I tied mine at the bottom as a trendier alternative to tucking it in. And to contrast the business-casual vibes my button-down suggests, I paired it with a mini faux suede skirt in edgy black. 
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear a tied a blouse
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's summer street style ideas
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's summer outfit ideas
A thick fabric headband, sharp cat eye sunglasses, and a ladylike purse are the accessories that seal the deal. This season especially, I'm turning towards small extras that make a big impact. Think bold earrings and even bolder lipstick!
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's polka dot button down outfit
[blouse: Loft (similar style here) // skirt: Zara // heels: Ann Taylor (similar pair here) // purse: Rebecca Minkoff (I also like this one) // sunglasses: Urban Outfitters // choker: & Other Stories (I also like this one) // headband: Anthropologie // watch: Daniel Wellington // lip color: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in "Dolce Vita"]

I wore this look for last week's Friday evening date night where we dined al fresco and enjoyed fresh brick oven pizza on the Upper Eastside. We walked to our dinner reservation from my midtown office and got to enjoy the weather and the sights along the way. There's nothing like almost-summertime in NYC!

// SHOP //


8 Ways To Wear Shorts Like A Grownup

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Shorts season is just around the corner! To celebrate, I'm sharing 8 fail-proof ways to rock your favorite shorts like a fashion star this spring & summer. 
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing shorts like a romper
This is a super easy and quick way to create an effortlessly polished outfit. It can be achieved by either wearing a bottom and top in the same exact color (hello black and white), or by throwing on two separate pieces in the same print. It's one of my favorite summer-outfit hacks!
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's Paris street style
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing a matching shorts outfit
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing a nice shorts outfit
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear shorts like a grownup
Ideal for work or special occasions, a blazer is the perfect way to top off a shorts look when you went to take your fashion game to the next level. Throw on nude heels to elongate your legs even further while taking your look into happy hour.
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to dress up a pair of shorts
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear shorts to work
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear shorts with a sweater
For fickle spring temps or chilly summer nights, a sweater is the way to go. Opt for bright bold colors or a preppy neutral. 
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear jean shorts
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing shorts with a bodysuit
Perhaps THE simplest outfit on the planet is a pair of jeans (or jean shorts) and a bodysuit. It's a definite throw-on-and-go look that won't let you down.
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear shorts with tights
While we've (hopefully) passed this point until fall, this is a great hack to keep in the back of your mind. I love wearing dressy black shorts with matching black tights when it's cold - it's a refreshing switch-up from the classic skirt & tights combo.
Nyc fashion blogger and model Kathleen Harper
Shorts and heels can be a daunting combination, but it can totally work if your shorts aren't too short and your heels aren't too high. It also helps to keep the rest of your skin exposure at a minimum since all eyes will be on your legs. Wear something like this for a fun night out or a hot date.
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing shorts in Naperville, Illinois
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing denim cutoff shorts at the beach
Ah, the much-loved tee & shorts combo. This is what summer outfit dreams are made of! Even better - you can totally wear this type of outfit everywhere from the beach, to a barbecue, to a night out on the town. It all comes down to accessories and shorts style. 
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's summer outfit ideas
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear shorts with heels
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing a white button-down with shorts
And lastly, don't think for a minute shorts can't be dressed up with a nice blouse or fancy(ish) top. Have I convinced you yet? There truly aren't too many places shorts can't take you!
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's summer street style with shorts

// SHOP MY FAVORITE SHORTS //


Blazing Shorts // oversized blazer + swing shorts

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's spring street style with shorts and blazer
Spring is a magical season where you don't have to worry about bundling up or cooling down. Instead, the just-right temperatures allow you to mix it up with proportions and combos! Enter one of my favorite outfit formulas: blazer + shorts.
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's shorts outfit ideas
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's spring outfit ideas
Nyc beauty blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear green eyeshadow
Pairing high-waisted swing shorts with a boyfriend blazer will give you an effortlessly cool vibe that's casual yet polished. For an extra oomph, slip into a pair of trendy heels. I love these nude peek-a-boo booties by Vince Camuto because they're easy to wear and are way edgier than your average pump.
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's spring street style
Nyc beauty blogger Kathleen Harper wearing a green eyeshadow makeup look
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing an Alice and Olivia Time Out purse
Let me just take a second to gush about graphic tees. I firmly believe that a graphic/slogan t-shirt creates a solid foundation for SO. MANY. OUTFITS. Pair 'em with blazers, skirts, denim, cardigans -- you name it. A graphic tee is a true hero piece that you'll never regret owning multiples of. Trust me, I get sooo much use out of the one I'm rocking here!
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear a blazer with shorts
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing a blazer outfit
[blazer: Zara (I also like this one) // tee: Anthropologie (I also like this one) // shorts: Banana Republic (super similar style here) // shoes: Vince Camuto (I also like this pair) // purse: Alice and Olivia // necklace: Free People (I also like this one) // lip color: Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour in "Cake Pop"]

Once again, I couldn't resist matching my eyeshadow to my surroundings. I love my blazer's deep forest green color, so I decided to incorporate the same shade into my beauty look! I kept my lips neutral with Clinique Pop.

 Recently I wore this outfit for Sunday brunch and then last-minute errands. Don't get me wrong though, for errands I most definitely changed into sneakers ;) I'm not superwoman!

// SHOP //


Lipstick Review Part 2 // YouTube Video

Saturday, May 12, 2018



Part 2 of my lipstick review is now live! In this video, I review and briefly discuss seven lip colors/brands: Bite Beauty, Chanel, Fenty Beauty, Marc Jacobs, Bare Minerals, Milk Makeup, and Nars. Watch above to see why I recommend each one -- and which brand I'm CRAZY about right now :)

Another huge thank you to Ryan Kathleen Greene! She shot and edited this video and she's insanely talented. You can find more of her work here

Let me know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel here ;) 

Product details & links: 
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Lipstick Review Part 1 // YouTube Video

Wednesday, May 9, 2018



I'm a major lipstick fan and have so much fun trying out every brand and shade I can get my hands on. This video is the first of two where I review some of my absolute favorite lip colors and briefly explain why I love them so much. Whether you're in the market for a new lipstick or just love keeping up with beauty trends, I hope this video is helpful!

Thank you to the amazingly talented Ryan Kathleen Greene who not only shot this video, but also edited and directed it! You can check out her other impressive works here

Let me know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel here ;) 

Product details & links: 
(in order of appearance)




The Sweetest Thing // trench dress + bodysuit

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear a trench dress
When it comes to clothing, the sweetest thing in my book is versatility. I love finding pieces that I know I can make work in various seasons and for various occasions. Enter this strapless trench dress. While I've worn it alone before (you can see how I styled it here), I've been dying to layer a bodysuit underneath it. Now that it's spring, I've finally gotten the chance, and it totally transforms this dress into something even MORE unique and dramatic. 
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's spring street style
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's spring fashion ideas
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing Zara lucite heel shoes
Bodysuits are a brilliant way to make transitional dressing a breeze. I've been layering this simple black one underneath everything from jumpsuits to flowy short-sleeved tops. But there's nothing like seeing how effortlessly a bodysuit can breathe new life into a dress! This has got to be one of my favorite looks. 
Nyc beauty blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear pink eyeshadow
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper showing how to wear a bodysuit under a strapless dress
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing an Anthropologie floral clutch
A bright floral clutch instantly brightens up a neutral ensemble. This bag is fun, colorful, and as beautiful as a piece of artwork! As for my heels, I cannot get enough of lucite. I think it's a brilliant material to incorporate into accessories. Can you say modern?
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper wearing Urban Outfitters cat-eye sunglasses
Nyc beauty blogger Kathleen Harper's spring makeup ideas
Nyc fashion blogger Kathleen Harper's spring outfit ideas
[dress: Banana Republic (I also like this one) // bodysuit: American Apparel // heels: Zara (I also like this pair) // clutch: Anthropologie (I also like this one) // sunglasses: Urban Outfitters // earrings: & Other Stories (similar pair here) // eyeshadow: Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette // lip color: Lancome Matte Shaker in "Berry N Clyde"]

How gorgeous are these pink blooms? NYC is currently bursting with these romantic blossoms, and obviously I am ALL about it. So much so that I even matched my eyeshadow to the trees for this post! Oh man am I feeeeeling spring -- it's the sweetest thing, right? 

// SHOP //