Warning! Stop Fashion Censorship

First of all what is censorship? 

Censorship is the  act of hiding or removing ideas, words, media, that are viewed as unacceptable, or inappropriate. In other words, it's a form of mind control that inables people from making their own opinions on issues viewed as harmful for society as a whole.

So what is fashion censorship?

Fashion censorship is the act of denying yourself or others from dressing beyond the "norm". It is the act of subjecting or being subjected to the opinions of someone else's fashion style as the guidelines of what you wear. 

How does it happen? 

The whole process is so subtle, pretty much nobody even realizes it has affected them. There is no big green monster in real life,  forbidding you to wear anything. However, the monster does exist, and it is created by society. It forbids you from dressing outside of the cookie cutter and straying from what is "popular". Need proof? What are trends really?

For me, I can remember back to Junior High and loving these amazing, fluorescent green suede shoes. They were lace ups, with a black chunky platform and so bright you would think they were made of Kryptonite. I can remembering being so excited to wear them on my first day of Junior High, and absolutely positive everyone would rave at my awesome find! To my shock, my shoes were received in utter disgust. I could literally see their eyeballs pop out of their head, and the gasping shock of horror on their faces. Everyone sneered and giggle cruel remarks, "Nice clown shoes Maya." or "Please never wear them again Maya." Suddenly my shoes felt like a horrible mistake. I felt out of place, and unwanted. This is what it meant to go against the "Norm". I was embarrassed and with that comes fear. Suddenly my judgement seemed inadequate, and I learned my opinions could not be trusted. I studied magazines, followed trends, and picked up on what everyone else deemed appropriate to wear. Now, people were noticing, and I was accepted. It felt good. It felt right. It just wasn't me.

The thing is, as I achieved this "cool" status I was losing something far more precious, the ability to think, and form my own opinions. What happened to me? Where did I go? You get so busy impressing others, you forget to treasure your own voice. 

Life is full of censors. Every time you try learning something about yourself, it is always visited by these censors of fear and doubt. After all, censors are simply warning signals of possible harm. 

Be brave and fight against your fashion censors. Do whatever you think is right, and fight for it.  

Sway from the pack, and you're labeled a freak. Stay with the pack and learn nothing. 

xo,

Maya

Warm Morning Lemon Water? (September Fashion Diet)

September Fashion Diet: Warm Lemon Water

Why start your morning off with Warm lemon water? 

Lemon in the morning helps to kick start our metabolism for the day, and it will improve your liver and  digestive system. In other words, it is like an text message to your body, reading: "FYI, You will lose weight today." 

Not only that, it is extremely hydrating and improves clearing the skin, and boosting your immune system.  

HOW TO MAKE LEMON WATER

- 1 cup Purified Water

-1 lemon (organic if possible)

- a spoonful of honey (optional)

 Take your purified water and warm it up. Water a bit warmer than your body temperature blends easily into our own body, and thus absorbs it better. 

Take your lemon (organic if possible) and roll it once on a flat surface with your hand. This will get the juices flowing before you cut it open. 

Squeeze half a lemon in a cup of water. Slice the other half into circular pieces, and add one slice into the cup as a nice visual touch. From there I like to add a small spoonful of orange blossom honey.

Why lemons?

Lemons contain antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers which build immunity.

Some nutritional benefits are:

• high vitamin C
• citric acid
• calcium,
• bioflavonoids
• pectin

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya 

 

September Fashion Diet?

Lets Diet!

Talk Fashion is launching a new series this month called, September Fashion Diet.

I don't know about you guys, but every year I do the same thing. I gain a tiny bit of weight during the Summer, and then it is a gradual progression though the next couple of months, until I massively explode during the holiday season. Wouldn't it be great to feel amazing during these next couple of months, and not have to strategical hide that belly? 

This year, I want to play it smart. Eating healthier sooner, and staying body cautious before the problem gets out of hand. The "theory" is, if I start eating healthier now, perhaps, it will prevent me from falling off  the wagon with a bag of chips and a bucket of ice cream.

I will be posting all throughout this month regarding, healthier choices, recipes I am enjoying, and my overall progress. Join me on my quest to get healthy in September!

xo,

Maya

Is Your Fashion Style Getting Boring? Lets Refresh!

Do you ever feel like your clothes lose its appeal after wearing it once? How do you keep it fresh and prevent your style from getting stale and predictable over and over again? 

The key lies in your brain. Think of your style as like a conversation with a friend. When you speak with your friend would you use the exact same words, to say the exact same ideas, over and over again? When your life starts to get repetitive, your mind gets stuck. In order to keep that wheel of life moving you have to keep on challenging yourself. 

Fashion is just like life, and it is easy to get stuck on a style that works. Whether it be a certain haircut, how you do your makeup, or a clothing preference. It is easy to get comfortable and fall into a routine.

Why take a risk when you find something that works? 

Change will create change. This does not mean to throw away who you are, or to forget all your previous fashion preferences. This simply means, try something new. It is the equilvalent of trying "Ethiopian" food, or some other exotic cuisine your palette has never touched. Yes, you may hate it, but then again you may love it. Either way, new experiences keep your mind fresh. 

How? 

 One of my favorite ways to shake up my style is trying clothing and accessories from different regions. Either you can travel and find  local markets, or you can even try finding ethnic jewelry in your own town.

Surprisingly, it does not cost much to make a difference. Change works like a domino effect, started by a singular idea.

 If it feels scary but you some how desire it, give it a try. As long as it is not permanent, what's the worst that could happen? 

Recently I cut off my hair. (If you follow my blog you would already know this, and if you follow me on instagram you may have even watched me do it. )

To summarize, my hair has been unbelievably long for most of my life, and cutting it off was terrifying for me to do. However, to my surprise, I quite like it. All my clothes look different on me, and my overall appearance is slightly different. You would be surprised how changing one thing, causes you to slightly change other aspects of your style. Shorter hair gives off a sportier, playful vibe, and this has me wearing my clothes in a different way. My style these days has become more minimalistic, cleaner lines, and less color.

If I debate with myself regarding my style now verses before, there would be no comparison. You see, all of it is still me, no better, no worse,  just changing.

I can feel myself evolving and growing, and there is something quite beautiful about that.  When you change something in your your style, you change something in your thoughts.You see things you might not ordinarily see, and challenge choices you may not ordinarily take. 

Whether you go extreme or try something light, keeping your style fresh means trying something new!

Good Luck!

xo,

Maya

Fall Style Inspiration: Golden Sunset

If the sunset were a season it would definitely be Fall. They both have dark undertones, while their overtones are vibrant, and glorious, giving off a warm glow that entices your soul. It is in these very qualities that I find myself gravitating to the warm colors of a falling sun, and the candle lit effect it creates. Coppers, brown, burnt yellow, orange, burgundy, are all colors that create heat in your eyes, soul, and life.

The complexity of Fall lies in its juxtaposed qualities of dark verses light. They do not fight or overshadow each other, but rather work in a magnificently blended harmony. It is as heartfelt and mesmerizing as life itself, and sends a glow of hope to everyone in the world. 

The earth is celebrating and  filled with magnificent displays of color. One would even say, the 'finale' of the season. Enjoy the color displays found in life, nature, and fashion, and don't let it pass you by. Be inspired and absorb these magnificent colors into your own fashion style. 

After all, with the blink of an eye, there will be no light. A darkness called, "Winter". ( of course minus the billions of twinkle lights)

xo,

Maya

Fall Styling Obsession: Cuffs and Bangles!

As I mentally prepare my Fall line up, I realized I am currently loving cuffs and bangles. This is a new discovery for me, since all my attention in the past had gone to statement necklaces and earrings. What's so great about dressing up the wrists?

For One, as the weather gets colder, your neck does not want to be exposed and styling up the wrists allows you to keep warm. 

Two. It is a super easy way to take a boring turtle neck sweater top, with jeans, and transform it into high style. Just add an awesome statement cuff, cool boots, a hat, and you are picture ready.

Three. It is an effortless look that does not try too hard. Beautiful earrings or statement necklaces are gorgeous but I always feel it requires you to have the right make up and hairstyle. 

Four. Unlike earrings and necklaces, decorating the wrists, draws your eye away from your face, giving your face and hair a much needed break.

I enjoy wearing cuffs and bangles with a messy bun, minimal make up, loose black poncho, black leggings and a funky shoe. It is definitely my "i'm not trying" style, because Im really not. 

How are you guys getting ready for Fall Style?

xo,

Maya

What is Your Fashion Age?

What does it mean to dress your age? 

First of all, your dress age, is not based on the number of days you have lived but the stage of your mental level. Fashion, after all, is a strong representation of your views on life in general.  

Let me explain, fashion is like a fine wine. In the beginning you start out as a seed, then a plant, a flower, fruit, grape juice, and with much time, "hopefully" into an amazing wine. 

With fashion, there should also be a level of progression and development. We are an ever changing living creature and our fashion choices should reflect that.

The key rule to remember is, fashion represents your current life views. Therefore, what you wear should represent your current mental state. If a small child is dressed in stiletto heels, a mini skirt, make-up, and purse, what kind of life is this child leading? Perhaps, she is a starlet, who has already grown up to a mini adult, but normally a child, going to school to play in the sandbox, will have no reason for such attire. 

Just the same as fashion, your body develops in different stages. A girl goes through puberty, which prepares you for child birth, and then menopause. 

In each "physical" change are corresponding life changes, that reflect on what you wear and learn. For example, when you are in your teens, there are rushing hormones during these pubescent years. It is a highly experimental stage of your life, and "usually" your fashion will reflect that. You will make many mistakes, and experiment with crazy fashion, but all of these experiences will enrich your knowledge for the future.

As you fall in love and start a family, your life circumstances once again change, and your fashion preference will again, "evolve".

However, these natural forms of progression are often stunted by the desire to remain forever young. When this happens, some women find themselves in a "fashion period" that no longer corresponds with their life experiences. 

Most importantly, there is no right or wrong in fashion as long as you are staying true to your own views. If you are a child that likes to dress in old lady clothes, then do so. If you are an older woman who wants to dress like Madonna then do so. However, never use it as a tool to be someone you are not or pretend to be in a stage of life, that was long gone, years ago. 

Fashion is all about reinvention.

xo,

Maya