BEAUTY CHAT: ARE YOU UGLY OR ARE YOU LAZY?

The truth of the matter is, laziness is ugly. YOU are not  Ugly. 

Like anything in life, "effort" does make a difference. Those extra 5 minutes of attention, will make a world of difference in your appearance, mental health, mood, and self image. 

Beauty is defined in the work you apply to take care of yourself. Just like a plant needs proper nutrients, sunlight, and water, your attractiveness depends on factors of maintenance.

This includes: skincare, hygiene, exercise, personal maintenance and wisdom. I hate to break it to you, but you are not just born beautiful. No one is. 

It is a daily effort that fluctuates based on will power. I personally,  struggle with my skin and weight  during stressful or hard moments in my life. This is a result of poor food choices, lack of sleep, and exercise. 

Just like any skill, you must learn the techniques to maneuver your actions for the desired reactions. Learning from your mistakes, looking for solutions and striving to be better on a consistent basis, is not an easy task. It is okay to fail, we all do; but,  personal beauty can only be achieved with humility and acceptance of those mistakes, and the commitment to try again. 

The way you live your life, and the effort you put into yourself, is your personal canvas. 

The clothes you wear, match your personal aesthetic. The books you read, represent the shape and directions of your thoughts. The food you eat, symbolizes your desire to live.  The art you love represents your soul.

Just like the furniture in your home, your efforts should bring you joy, and comfort. 

A sense of home.

Live Beautifully!

xo,

Maya

TFTV: WHAT I WORE AND NEW YEARS EVE LOOKBOOK (2017)

TALKFASHION TV

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"As far as we can discern, 
the sole purpose of human existence 
is to kindle a light 
in the darkness of mere being." 
-Carl Jung

Featuring the merger of Richard Strauss, "Blue Danube", the galaxy, and what I wore, check out how light and darkness inspired my New Year's eve style!

xo,
Maya

Blogmas Day 4: A Winter Secret

In a world dying to be perfect, and cloning ourselves to be just like everyone else, snowflakes whisper the secret style tips on phenomenal style. 

What makes a snowflake a natural phenomena?

 Individualism.

No two snowflakes in the world are found to be the same. The possible snowflake patterns are infinite. This is how nature works. Just like the fingerprints on our hands, varying circumstance create various outcomes.

The thing is, snowflakes follow different journeys through the clouds, and thus the patterns are represented in it's own unique way. 

A snow crystal may begin as a tiny hexagonal prism, but as it flies through the clouds,varying temperatures and humidity, variate possibilities of individualism and artistry.

So what's this ultra secret message sent from the sky?

You may not see the beauty in your own individualism, but wanting to dress or be exactly like someone else, is the equivalent to a plastical ornamental snowflake. You may look similar to it but you hold no essence of it. 

Just like a snow crystal, your experiences, thoughts, emotions, and ideas are individual. These are characteristics that will help you develop your secret formula of style. Society will tell you to be cookie cutter and do as everyone else does. However, fight the urge, and embrace your ability to be phenomenal.

xo,

Maya

Blogmas Day 3: 5 Style Factors on Snowflake Style

1.) Icy 

Snowflakes style has an icy element, and therefore incorporating that aspect into style is key. You can recreate the essence of it, by using elements that sparkle. Whether it be beads, sequins, or glitter it is an excellent way to achieve a icy effect.

2.) Geometric

It is important to note the beauty of nature lies in symmetry. Snowflakes have one very common trait found in their hexagonal formation. With that in mind, play around with geometric shapes, that are uniquely dividable.

3.) Light 

Have you ever noticed how snowflakes just flutter through the sky? There is a lightness to its character that makes it appear weightless. You can achieve this style by picking light materials such as chiffon, lace, feathers, or knit. 

4.) Fragile

Snowflakes by character are extremely fragile. Just as soon as you may see one, it can just as easily melt into oblivion. This aspect of beauty in the moment, gives it a unique fragility that is intoxicating. Mimic this breathtaking display of innocence by mixing different soft textures of white. Keep make up simple, and natural, and really let your beaut shine through. 

5.) Unique

Above all else, snowflake style is all about being the star you were born to be. Celebrate your ideas, and what you find interesting to wear. Let your mind wonder to the unknown, and find yourself finding who you really are. 

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: Eyeglass Style and Firmoo Review

Buy 1 Get 1 for Free Black Friday sale right now. www.firmoo.com 

Daily New: http://www.firmoo.com/new-arrivals.html 
Designer Eyeglasses: http://www.firmoo.com/designer-eyeglasses.html 
Sunglasses: http://www.firmoo.com/wrap-around-rx-sunglasses.html

Firmoo is the world's most popular online eyewear store, and the second time I have worked with them. All the prices of their eyewear is remarkably affordable, while still maintaing high quality. 

With such reasonable prices, eyewear is no longer simply functional but fashionable. You can mix and match outfits to feature or compliment all your outfits. Inspiring new forms of fashion styling! 

To compliment my frames I styled my outfit with the same pink and black combination. The only difference is a slightly lighter pink hue found in my trench coat. The lining of black mimics the movement and waves found in the design of the frame. 

My nails, also inspired by the textures found in the frames added an edgier touch. This look is in every way classic, modern, edgy, and fun. 

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: What's in My Make Up Bag?

Over the years, I have learned that "simplifying" is the key to success. We all probably own more make up than we can handle, and the only way to actually use it, is to carefully edit. 

The system that has worked for me, is to take a moment when you have time and carefully pre-select key pieces to create a gorgeous look. They should be minimal enough that they comfortably fit into a normal size beauty bag. 

You can change it out per occasion, or by week, but all essential pieces are right at your finger tips. There is no need to shuffle through piles of lipstick, or panic over a certain pink blush. Everything is waiting and ready to go. 

Having good make up brushes is the difference between having a good day and a bad one. 

Think about it, the first thing you do in the morning is skincare, then make up. Good brushes, set your morning off with positivity. The ultra soft bristles, and well made grip are sure to get you smiling.

My personal choice is a travel brush set by AERIN. Interestingly, the case is not by AERIN but by Lisbeth Dahl and originally contained a nail kit. 

Chanel is my favorite make up brand, and travel palettes are my beauty weakness. Not only do you have quality at your finger tips, it is also a great way to take a day look into evening. 

This particular palette was a gift and is sold only online or duty free. It contains mascara, 5 eyeshadows, 5 lip colors, blush, and powder. 

My favorite day time lip is CHANEL Rouge Allure, 17 Emotion and lip liner, 49 Rose Corail.

My favorite spicy lip is COVERGIRL, 307 Seduce, with NARS lip pencil, Cruella.

For natural looking skin, I am currently loving tarte, full coverage Amazonian Clay foundation. As a concealer for spots I use physicians formula. For a soft glow, I use Too faced, Candlelight. 

For eyebrows, I am currently loving, Dolly Wink, brown and my favorite eyelash curler is by Cle de peau.

Join me tomorrow for more Daily Fall Style!

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily Faves: Spiciest 2015 Eyeshadow Palette!

LES 5 OMBRES DE CHANEL, Eyeshadow Palette in Entrelacs , is the new 2015 Fall Collection for CHANEL. As a current "fave", I felt compelled to write about this amazing Fall product!

This 5 shadow palette features nude shadows, ranging from light to deep, and shimmer to matte. It provides a spicy warmth to the eye, creating the perfect touch to any Fall make up routine. Nothing says Fall quite like this natural brown, smokey eye palette. 

Fun Fact:

The embossed design on the shadows is inspired by the stained glass windows of Aubazine, France, where Gabrielle Chanel once lived as a child. 

If you can get your hands on this limited edition palette it is worth giving a try! 5 stars!

Join me tomorrow for more Daily Fall Styling!

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: Style from Oktoberfest?

 Happy Oktoberfest!

When we think of Oktoberfest we think of beer. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, and it attracts nearly 6 million visitors from all around the world. 

However, as I am not keen on beer, my focus is on the fashion. Specifically, the traditional Bavarian attire of Lederhosen, and Dirndl. 

                                         LEDERHOSEN

Lederhosen are traditional breeches usually made from leather. They can be found short or at knee length. The longer ones are usually called Bundhosen or Kniedhosen. 

They mimic the playfulness of overalls, while maintaining a nostalgia of bavarian history. 

Lately, I have been loving wearing brown leather shorts, with a chiffon, cream blouse. The look is "lederhosen inspired".

                              

                                                DIRNDL

A dirndl is a traditional dress worn in Bavaria. It consists of a bodice, blouse, full skirt and apron. While appearing to be simple and plain, a modern dirndl can be quite intricate and expensive. The look is playful, sweet, and feminine. 

Although, I do not go around sporting an apron, I am inspired by the beauty of a a full circle skirt, and a ruffled blouse under a fitted corset. 

Join me everyday for more Fall Style!

xo,

Maya 

Would You Sell Your Soul for Fashion?

If the Devil wears Prada, and women worldwide are losing their minds over shoes, bags, dresses, etc., who's to say how far one is willing to go for fashion? 

Is it possible one would sell their soul for a pair of Louboutins?

Sadly, this fact is true for many, and the epidemic is growing. With the recent rise of "sugarbabies", it is undeniable how far women are willing to go in order to have a certain bag or a collection of luxury shoes. Is this what fashion is all about? Sell your self, to buy pretty things? 

I think not. Fashion you obtain by selling yourself is not fashion at all. Why? Fashion is the pursuit of self discovery through the decisions you make in dressing yourself. It should promote the existence of one's soul rather than the deterioration of it. It is in every way, an art form, and therefore, an EQUAL opportunity for everyone to obtain. Even, a penniless homeless person can be fashion. Countless, runways have been inspired by the hobo look, including Gaultier's collection in '94. Avante garde designers constantly create couture piece from pop cans, garbage bags and newspaper, proving fashion has no price. 

Selling yourself to obtain fashion, is a myth created by the billion dollar fashion industry. They want you to mindlessly buy. They want you to believe, fashion is all about what you wear and how much you pay for it. They want this,  because they need your money. 

The truth is, fashion is NOT based on how much you spend, but how much creativity it pulls out of you. 

Some of my favorite pieces in my closet are worth no more than $5. True treasure pieces, found in Vintage shops, and 2nd hand stores, costing nearly nothing, but representing everything about me. My    "it" moment is when I find a piece and I can say, "If I were a fashion item this is what I'd be" .

Our society, of living to buy, and buying to live, needs to change. There is a core misunderstanding of the purpose of things, and how and why you obtain them. I am not saying Haute Couture, is not a magnificent work of art. I am simply reminding you, that there is no art quite as beneficial to oneself, as the one you create for yourself. 

If you can't afford Chanel, let it INSPIRE you, not DESTROY you.

xo,

Maya

Review: My 2015 Winter Style

This Winter I challenged myself by documenting 15 days of  what I wore. The purpose of the challenge was to approach 2015 with a new attitude and to push my limits of creativity.

Today, I have decided to review this Fashion Challenge and share with you what I learned and currently love from my Winter style. 

Currently Loving:

My Wintery color palette finds me loving black, white and grey. I enjoyed the textured patterns of knit fabrics, stripes, embroidery, and pops of color. I normally, am never known to wear black, but this year it seemed to be appropriate to my current mood. Nearly 90% of my Winter style contained partial black elements. During darker days, I found myself craving bursts of color.  Pops of electric blue, turquoise, magenta, and golden oranges can be found in my style. 

What I Learned: 

How you stand or pose for a picture, greatly effects the proportions of the body. It was a huge wake up call to see how angles can lengthen you or chop you in half.  Knowing where the camera is and how to take a good shot is truly a learning experience. 

Currently, what are you guys loving this Winter? 

xo,

❤

Maya

My CHANEL Style

The French fashion house of Chanel is famously known for revolutionizing the art of haute couture and everyday fashion "prêt-à-porter". The fashion house disregarded structured-silhouettes, corsets and bodices, and replaced them with garments that were functional and flattering to the curves of a woman’s silhouette. Iconically known for their tweed jackets, little black dress, and masterful use of the classic black and white, Chanel is the maestro of balancing the classics while maintaining the forward thinking of the modern woman.

My personal love for Chanel is found in their classic black and white elements, mixed with pearl embellishments. I was recently invited to try a collection of Chanel pieces, and my favorites land me always with the the classic black and white style. Chanel couture always has a level of elegance, sophistication, and power. Coco Chanel herself, was a powerful, independent, business woman, revolutionizing the male dominated fashion world in her iconic, "tweed jacket".

 There is something about Chanel style,  that allows you to remain feminine, while embracing the power within every woman. 

Fashion Challenge Day 14: OOTD "Parisian Black and White"

Fashion Challenge Day 14, is my love for wearing classic black and white with a quirky French twist. The colors, black and white are known for it's classic and orthodox qualities, but easily can be styled stiff, safe, and predictable. 

Today's look is highly influenced by leading French designers who use the classic black and white colors and playfully style their looks with various frills, textures, patterns, and ribbons. 

The skirt is from France, and one of my favorite black and white skirts. The textured patterns of black circles, is a fun way to play with shapes, linear stripes, and braids. The entire look is playful, fun, and quirky, while still remaining classic.

xo,

Maya

Fashion Challenge Day 1: My "Press Event" OOTD

Today's outfit is completely styled around the most amazing leather jacket by Rebecca Minkoff. It was a gift to me for the Holidays and it is embellished with a million pearls. If you have read my, "2015 Resolutions", it is one of my goals for this year to add a bit more edge into my style, and wearing a black, motorcycle jacket is very outside the box for me. 

The entire look is a bit, Marie Antoinette, a pinch Chanel, and a dash of My Fair Lady. It is uniquely my own style, and photo ready for today's press event! (Fashion Tip 101: When in doubt always take a picture of your outfit before a press event. Sometimes unsuspecting fabrics become transparent with powerful camera flash.) 

I hope you join me on this challenge and hashtag your looks with #2015fashionchallenge !

Don't forget to push yourself to try new things!

xo,

Maya

Re-Defining FASHION

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, fashion is defined as:

"a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people; the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles; clothes that are popular."

The debate between what is fashion verses what is style is a direct result of the fact the definition of fashion itself is flawed and incomplete. Fashion cannot exist without style, just as style cannot exist without fashion.

 No different to art, music, and literature, fashion is a form of self expression shaped by our own human experiences. It should not be defined by the level of "popularity" it experiences in a given time period, nor should it be justified by the opinions of anyone but your own. 

It is ridiculous to equate fashion by current trends, or how much you "buy". Defining fashion based on trends, popularity or the "business" that exists around it, takes away from the artistic nature of fashion itself.

 Fashion does not discriminate and anyone who has the courage to embrace who they are, is capable of fashion.  Letting go of the desire to be accepted and following what socially surrounds them, is one of the greatest challenges in life. 

Fashion is not simply the physical adorning of the body, face, and hair, but the collaboration of the inner thoughts, and personal taste that allow you to create your own self-presentation. If you simply dress without thought, the garments you wear, will always remain as lifeless textile. 

Any worthy fashion designer, has a vision, and a message inspired by something. Copying head to toe looks, created by a famous fashion house, is undoubtedly a sure way to impress and look flawless. However, it should not be mistaken as your own merits of fashion, you are merely a dress form, displaying the fashion abilities of someone else. If you steal fashion to your benefit, it will surely use you right back. 

Although the practical purpose of clothing is to "cover" our bodies, ironically, the true purpose is to "expose" one's self. Figuring out how to dress yourself is as important as understanding who you really are, and what you are all about.