Late Night Gift Wrapping: Gift for My Niece!

Being an "Auntie" during Christmas time, is a wonderful thing!

My adorable niece is a little over one years old, and to my personal delight, my access into the world of baby-toddler fashion. 

To my surprise, fashion for these little people, called babies/toddlers, has evolved into a mega industry.      

Pretty much anything you can imagine in the adult world, has been created and styled into adorable "mini" perfection. With limitless variables of possible style combinations, fashion is alive among the younger generation!

For my little niece, who will be spending Christmas with me, I have styled for her a festive, casual "Christmas inspired" outfit. Her headband is a Christmas tree, which I hand sewn several little bells. In all honesty, the headpiece may annoy her, but I am secretly looking forward to putting it on her and hear her jingle all the way. 

xo,

Maya

Blogmas FAIL or Save?

Blogmas FAIL!?

 Like a holiday curse, as soon as Blogmas began, I was plagued with a horrible case of the flu, then bronchitis. Spending the last two weeks sipping digusting cough syrup, I have basically missed all the holiday festivities.

Basically, I have two choices. I could very easily throw in the towel and just let the holidays slide right on by. Or, I could try to save what I have left, by making the final week the best ever! 

Join me as I try to get as festive as I can, and celebrate the final countdown till Christmas!

Xo,

Maya 

Blogmas Day 2: Holiday Hair Goals

Ever since I cut off over 10 inches in the summer, I have been in a bit of a hair rut. I either leave it down, or throw it up in a ponytail, but old hair favorites just no longer work.

 

I have selected 5 of my favorite hair styles, and have challenged myself to attempt all of them throughout this holiday season!

1.) Winter Rose.

This is my favorite hairstyle. There is something quite feminine and sweet about it, and I imagine myself wearing this style with chunky sweaters and blanket cardigans. The look is easy, and natural.

2.) Braided Side Swipe

This braid is incredibly easy, but a beautiful touch to any holiday attire. I enjoy it when I wear cashmere neutrals, tucked into high wasted jeans. Very casual, sweet, and easy.

3.) Triple Braid Christmas bun

The triple braid Christmas bun looks rather complicated but it is actually quite easy. I plan on trying it for special occasions and events . It gives off a ethereal and whimsical touch. Perfect for the holidays!

4.) Braided crown. Depending on how long your hair is, the crown will be either single or doubled. A fun look I love to wear with festive sweaters and a red lip. I actually wore this style today!

5.) Bardot Pony Tail

This is a romantic interpretation on the sporty "ponytail". I would love to try this style with a nude lip, smokey eye, and an all black ensemble. A pop of color in my accessories, and the look is complete. 

xo,

Maya

Blogmas Day 1: "Frosty the Snowman" Nail Tutorial!

Blogmas Day 1:

Holiday nails are the perfect way to jumpstart your mood and start feeling festive! Todays tutorial is so quick and easy, you will be amazed at how quickly you can start feeling festive. Inspired largely by "Frosty the Snowman", this is my take on a more mature way to mask a childlike spirit. 

All you will need is:

-black nail polish

-white nail polish

-frosted white, glitter nail polish

-nail dot making tool

Step 1:

Paint all your nails with a frosted clear nail lacquer. I used Sally Hansens, "Crystalline" 02. 

Step 2. 

Use your dotting tool or a tooth pick to paint little white dots all over the crystalized lacquer. 

Step 3.

Use your tooth pick of nail dotting tool to pain a small snowman on one finger. 

Voila!  You are finished. 

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

Blogmas Day 21: Holiday Colors verses Winter Style

With Winter officially upon us for the third day, it has me thinking about the irony between the glamour and glitz of Christmas, verses the quiet, serene nature of Winter itself. 

Normally, I always receive my fashion cues from Nature. Whatever, the seasons are doing, regarding, textures, colors, and design, is what I go by. This sense of dressing with the movements of the Earth help me feel grounded to the Earth and in tune with the world as a part of me rather than where I live. 

However, December is the one month in in the entire year, I go against the hushed tones of a darkening Autumn, and silent Winter. I look at December as the sparkly exception to my golden fashion rule. 

Christmas is all about playful bold colors, glitz, and light. I find myself, being bold and desiring warm fiery tones, and adding sparkling glitzy accessories. It is a month of love, celebration, joy and hope. I believe it is a needed necessity for the bridge into the darkest season of the year. The entire act of adding Christmas lights, to a tree that has lost it's leaves and color, is a way we add hope and joy to  the finale of another year. 

However, this does not mean Winter is not beautiful in itself. In fact, it  is one of the most self reflecting, and  serenely beautiful. Winter style is more relaxed and toned down. I find myself craving mostly grays, black, white, and darker tones after the Holidays have passed. 

x,

Maya

Blogmas Day 18: "Christmas Lights" Nail DIY

Today's Nail DIY is inspired by my favorite little Christmas tree. It is basically a French Manicure injected with a tiny bit of Christmas spice. I find this look very easy to wear, as it is mostly neutral. It adds just the right amount of festive cheer, while maintaining sophistication, and charm. Best of all, it is very easy. 

Step 1: Use a neutral nail color. My favorite is by collistar, 47 madreperla. It is literally my favorite color in the world. It is a neutral gloss with a pink under sheen, and pearl essence tint. 

You will then need a collection of nail polishes in vibrant colors. Silver is a nice one to add for its sparkling effect. 

You will also need a toothpick, plastic bag, and scissors.

Along the tips of the nail, dab tiny dots of nail polish in random order as you like. 

Voila! :)

Enjoy your festive nail. 

I also played with variations on dabbing the various colors. This look is more playful and fun. 

xo,

Maya

25 Days of Holiday STYLE

25 Days of Holiday Style, will be "Blogmas" posts fully dedicated to my style tips, OOTD, and DIY's. 

My Holiday Style during the month of December is the one month in the year that I break the rules a bit and dress against the natural call of nature. The reality is, December is a month of silence, darkness and rest. By nature it symbolizes the ending of Autumn, and the dimming of lights as Winter approaches. "Normally" according to my theory of style, I should be walking around in dark colors: black, grey, and touches of white. However, do I? 

Not quite. My Holiday style contains a combination of dark and light, but it is in reality more festive than solemn. A lot of key pieces I use are black, but always a lot of festive shine, and sparkle. My color choices are full of reds, burgundy, green, silvers, and electric blue. 

Join me as I celebrate the holidays through fashion. ( A new post will go up every day until Christmas Day.)

*Twinkle Lights* Nails of the Day

Blogmas!

Dear Readers! The past couple of months have been a crazy ride for me. I would like to thank all of my followers, clients, readers who have been reading any of my articles or viewing my Lookbooks Keaton Row, Lucky Magazine Community, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Google + or wherever else you may be reading this. Joining in on the Christmas celebration and countdown to the most exciting month of the year, I will be attempting my very first Blogmas! I will be blogging everyday till christmas including DIY's, gift ideas, fashion lookbooks, and possibly some holiday OOTD! I hope you guys will join me on a very festive countdown to CHRISTMAS! xx - Maya