3 V-Day Outfits: Which Girl Type Are You?

Lets take a new approach to Valentine's Day Style, and rethink the meaning of this very selective day. Valentine's day is a day of love and therefore, interpreted as a day only for those with a "lover". Yes, some people celebrate amongst "loved ones", such as family or friends; however, what about loving you? Let this be not another day where you dress to impress someone else, but a day to discover yourself. 

Try loving yourself for a day?

 Revolutionary.

The Relaxed Thinker, is a girl who is low maintenance, earthy, and loves to read. She cares about others, and holds empathy for the world, and the future. She may not be the girl everyone notices, but she is definitely quietly loved and appreciated by others. 

Complimenting her character, this type of girl is suited wearing loose flowing blouses, simple stretch jeggings, and a no fuss shoe. Make up is natural, hair is loose and flowing. Everything anout this girl is natural, fresh, and simple.

The Independent girl is a modernist, and a 'go getter'. Very much a realist, she is not the type to wait around for a prince on a white horse. She sets a goal and goes for it. Usually the type to be noticed and chosen as a leader, she is fearless. 

Living in the now, she is fashion forward, and bold. Suited to business, she looks amazing in pencil skirts, leather attire, power suits, high boots/heels and contemporary style. She is confident, and her hair is pulled back or worn in a way that never covers or hides any part of her face. 

The Romantic, is a girl who loves poetry, history, art, music, and love. She is an idealist, and believes in the impossible. Often times, accused of having her head in the clouds, she is a dreamer. She loves, "love" and holds it to the highest esteem. 

With romance on her mind, her style is soft, feminine, and ethereal. She gravitates to whimsical style, and is suited to ombré textiles, chiffon dresses, and flower crowns. As a creative soul, her style is unique, vintage, and artsy. 

Which girl are you?

To be honest, this is not enough "types" to cover all of you, and most of you are probably mixtures of many. However, the point is to think about how your "character" should influence your style. When your inner being and outer style synch up, then you have personal harmony. You look, feel, and will be treated as you naturally are. You can be many "types" of girls, but the important thing is figuring out all levels to your preferences and what you desire from a deeper level.

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

❤

Maya

5 Ways to Pick a Fashion Image that Is Yours

In the Fashion Industry, it is rather easy to get swept up in a abyss of clothes. Every season is marked by new trends, and new "fashion images". They are then plastered all over magazines, and used to hypnotize viewers to buy themselves a new image.

Yes, being "trendy" and copying runway looks, is an easy way to look good and champion yourself as "stylish". However, can you really call yourself fashionable if all you really do is follow the fashion flow of others? 

How can you find your own fashion path and step out of the lane? 

Here are my 5 easy ways to keeping your style Right for You.

1.) Who are You?

Not to get too philosophical, but if you want to be fashionable you have to know who you are and what you are about. Are you a student, doctor, actress, waitress, etc.? Your occupation serves as your "practical" factor. For example, if your life requires you to be on your feet, running around, then tight mini skirts, and 3 inch heels are probably not for you. Fashion always need to be "functional". It should work with you not "you working for it". 

Separate from your occupational side, you also need to know your inner you. This is the you that represents what you like. Do you like art, sports, music, books, etc.? Start getting inspired by what you love. 

2.) Don't be afraid to be Different

The worst thing for fashion, is the need in humans to be accepted. Nothing kills creativity faster than wanting to be exactly like everyone else. Trends feed off this human weakness, and seasonally more mindless fashion minions, buy into losing themselves. 

The more "popular" a style maybe, the less original you are. Try to always think for yourself. If you have a dress or shirt that many others also have, why not spice it up by cutting off the sleeve, changing up the buttons, or adding some other fabric? 

3.) The Fit

The shape, fabric, and style, best suited for you, should be decided by how it makes you feel over how you look.

 What makes you feel beautiful? 

For myself, nothing puts a smile on my face quicker than a flowy, A-line, skirt. As a shorter frame, this elongates my legs and is flattering whether in flats or heels. When you feel beautiful you will move, and hold yourself in a more attractive way. Remember in life, we are not a motionless photo. How you walk, stand, all contain wrythm, flow, and attitude. If you don't feel good chances are, you are not looking so great either. 

4.) COLOR!

Color is actually a fascinating phenomena that is often overlooked in life. Each color is scientifically proven to hold a different frequency and create different moods.For example, when we see pink we think "sweet". This is largely the reason we represent little girls to "pink, and bakers add pink food coloring to their sweets. 

To be honest, there is nothing more ridiculous than, following "color trends" that are marked every season. It is a decision obviously decided by textile companies and brands contrived to sell products motivated purely on making money. 

Color evokes emotion. Just because 'orange' is the color of the moment, it means nothing if the color is not right for you. Certain colors will give you comfort, and this is a sign your aura is fluctuating  on a similar frequency as that color.

 Motivate yourself, to follow your instincts. These instincts are what will bring you to the image you should be. 

5.) VINTAGE!! 

I can not stress enough my love for Vintage. For those of you who really hold no interest in it, at list give it a try. First of all, a Vintage Store, Thrift, or antique, is a whole mish-mash of STUFF. It is an excellent way to exercise what you like, without the mind manipulation that happens in "trendy shops" that strategically pose mannequins in fashion images that they want you to be. 

At first it may look like junk, but let your eyes settle into a new mindset. You cannot imagine the treasures you will find, and how much it improves your vision on your own personal style. Whether it be an interesting belt, or a 60's pouf dress, there is something for everyone. Keep an open mind, and the ideas will flow in. 

Applying Steve Jobs' Wisdom to Fashion

For those of you who may live in a box and have not heard about the Genius  Entrepreneur, and Innovator of the "i" Generation, Steve Jobs was CEO of IMAC, iPhone, iPad, and iPod, literally transforming the World of Technology and placing it into the touch of our hands. 

Steve Jobs, in his signature, black top, jeans, and sneakers, may not be considered "fashionable" in conventional terms, nor may you see him grace  the pages of VOGUE. However, let's think outside of the box and apply his wisdom directly into Fashion. 

1. Have No Regrets

We all believe we have a long time to live. However, the reality is, we are never guaranteed, "tomorrow". How many times have you wished you could wear a certain look, and stopped ourself for whatever reason, or promised yourself you will put more effort on another day? 

Dress for today, and have no regrets. 

2.) Look deeper than the surface.

 People are so quick to judge Fashion as merely what you wear and what you look like. When in reality the focus should be placed on the intention, and desire to figuring  out who you really are. The result of what you look like, and the competition that follows is not nearly as important as the understanding of yourself as a unique being needing an outlet for expression.

3.) Ignore the opinions that drown your own. 

We are so quick to look to others for answers on who we are. From magazines, internet, television, celebrity, etc. someone is always placing their ideas on fashion as the "right" one creating a world wide web of "competition". 

Why is it, we avoid looking to ourselves for our own answers?

 

4.) Love What You Do.

I can't begin to tell you how "Love", connects you to life. Anything you "love", you will do your best. There have been countless times, that I have worn beautiful outfits that "looked" rather great. However, it was somehow, not me. It wasn't like a second skin, and it felt a bit like a costume. You know that feeling when you may "like" someone, but it definitely isn't "love". Finding a style is a similar process of understanding the difference between how you look from how you feel. There are many things that make you look good, but very few that make you feel like you've found yourself. 

4.) Money is not Everything.

Society places so much emphasis on making more money to buy more stuff. Fashion is not any different, and stepping up the fashion ladder should not be associated with buying more or spending more. This link between fashion and money is created to make you shop. When in reality, Fashion is always linked to you. 

5.) Have Courage.

Having a voice is hard, but making it heard can be terrifying. Wearing something that YOU like, and You think looks good, takes courage. In our pursuit to always be the "best", we immediately eliminate or hide our so called, "flaws". 

Instead of celebrating our thoughts we often times depend on trends to verify if our idea was good or bad. Does everyone agree it looks good? Is everyone wearing it now? 

If we ever want to live in a world not based on "popularity" why not step out of the "trend" line and start doing your own thing. 

6.) Editing is Necessary.

Just step into any department store, or google clothes, and you have literally a billion choices at your finger tips. Even Coco Chanel is famously known for saying, "Before you leave the house, remove one piece." 

Steve Jobs also accredits much of his success in his ability of eliminating what  NOT to do, over what to do. The process of "editing", is important in every element of life, and holds true for fashion as well. With such excess in our world, elimination is the key to success.

7.) Always follow your heart and intuition.

Most importantly, stay true to your fashion intuition. If something draws you in and you don't know why, don't let public opinion sway you away. Follow those instincts, and inch your way closer to a style custom designed for you. 

5 Basic Ways to Personalize Your Wardrobe

It is always easy to fall into a fashion style created by trends and followed by the masses, but how do you personalize it? How do you add your identity into what you wear and avoid becoming the girl wearing the same outfit as half a billion other girls? 

 If you follow my blog, you will know how I constantly stress the importance of finding your fashion identity and straying from cookie cutter styles.

The following are my 5 basic ways to personalize your existing wardrobe, and get you thinking a little bit more personal. 

                                         

                                         VINTAGE SHADES 

Whether it be shades or eyeglasses, they are in my opinion one of the most important fashion accessories to make a statement. After all, eyes are the windows to your soul, and the home of your fashion voice, why not dress them up fabulously?

I personally, have become completely addicted to vintage frames. There is literally, every possible design you can imagine. Some are completely crazy, and others quite serious, or comical. You cannot image how much character you can find, and how it is possible to find your exact personality in a vintage shade. 

                                       CHARACTER SOCKS

Whether you are a high powered lawyer, or a jet set fashion blogger, socks are an easy way to express who you really are. People often times over look socks as a fashion item, simply because they are usually tucked away and hidden. Nothing personalizes an outfit quite like picking socks that are exactly you! You can take a completely serious business look and add a flash of color in the most unexpected way. It is still professional, and yet now the look has a bit of you in it.

                                    QUOTES YOU LOVE TEE

Having relaxed T-Shirts with quotes you love, is a fantastic way to add your philosophical voice to any fashion look. 

It can also serve as a reminder to yourself about why you love it, and how it represents you.

A fashionably silent introduction to what you are all about.

                                 CUSTOMIZE YOUR BUTTONS

I have to admit, I have a bit of an addiction to vintage buttons. When I was in Europe, I would literally spend hours rummaging around antique markets, and antique stores collecting vintage buttons. Some are incredibly cheap and some are extremely expensive, but every single one is somehow completely unique. The craftsmanship is so ornate and beautiful I have often taken some and made earrings, brooches, and even hair accessories. 

One of the quickest easiest ways to personalizing any outfit is changing out the buttons. If vintage is not your style, even just changing them out with another color, style, or metal will easily personalize the look to your own.

                                       GET IT ALTERED

Never forget everything can be altered. Lets say you love the bottom of a dress but the top halter just isn't a good cut for your broad shoulders. Why not get it altered into a skirt, or add some fabric around the shoulders? Finding a good seamstress or even learning to sew yourself is a fantastic way to play around with your wardrobe.

 I constantly cut up my own clothes, and put it back together. It is a fantastic way to save an old item of clothing and breathe back new life into it.