TFTV: HOW TO CREATE A BAG FULL OF FASHION?

We all have those moments when our outfit is incomplete, and a quick change would be a life saver.

On today's episode of TALKFASHION TV, I discuss how to create and use a bag filled with fashion accessories. Whether you use it to dress your outfit up, change your mood, add a pop of color, or go from day to night, this tiny little red bag will keep your creative juices flowing all day.

Check out last weeks episode: WHAT'S IN MY BAG?

Please SUBSCRIBE to TALKFASHION TV.

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

Fall Daily: Nail Tutorial Inspired by Firmoo Eyewear

Inspired by my Firmoo Eyewear, I created a nail look using the same textures and colors found in my frames. The final outcome was a 3D Nail Art, that acted as a pairing accessory to my glasses.

You will need:

-Nail Clippers

-Nail File

-Nail Dot stick

-Black Nail Polish

-Pink glitter and gold glitter polish

-Pink Nail Polish 

NAIL HARDENER (optional)

Recently, I have been loving Sally Hansens 18K Gold Hardener. After I cut, and file down my nails, I just apply 1 or 2 coats, and my nails are stronger than ever.

PINK NAIL POLISH

Take any pink polish and paint all your Nails. 

BLACK DOTS

Now comes the fun part, start dotting black dots wherever you like. I was going for a ombre look and placed more dots at the base, and less at the tip.

PINK And GOLD GLITTER

Apply 1 or 2 coats of glitter over your nail. After your glitter coat dries, add a couple of more black and pink dots. It will give a 3D effect that make the dots appear in different dimensions.

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: Designing with a Children's Toy?

It's always around this time of year, that knitting becomes a bit of an obsession of mine.There is something rather therapeutic about repetitive motions of needling soft yarn through my fingers while sipping a cup of hot tea. 

Currently, I discovered this children's toy that I purchased several years ago in Brussels. It creates a rope type effect, with selected yarn and currently my guilty pleasure. 

Ironically, my mom saw my toy and informed me that she also played with a similar toy when she was a child. It made me laugh, because here I thought it was new, and yet again, I have realized I was born in the wrong generation. 

Inspiring several accessories of my winter collection, here is one I recently finished. It is a black and gold, chain necklace adorned by two vintage pins, and currently my favorite. 

Currently I am working on this varying shade of moss green, and feeling rather inspired to adding some beading details. 

Will keep you posted!

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: Pumpkin Spice Your Fall Style!

Pretty much everything in the U.S is pumpkin spiced right now. You can find it in coffee, toothpaste, cookies, pies, cereal, and chips? Yes, even chips. 

With such a love for this seasonal flavor, I am feeling inspired to infuse this delicious flavor into my Fall style. How do I do it?

If you want to dress like pumpkin spice, you have to think like pumpkin spice. First of all, what is it?

Pumpkin spice is a beautiful blend of cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and of course, PUMPKIN. This is the magic combination that fills delightful Fall desserts such as pumpkin pies,and pumpkin spiced lattes. The character notes of these spices are warm, sharp, and spicy. 

The "pumpkin" itself is a "whimsical" character, I mean, it did transform into a magical carriage for Cinderella. Therefore, if pumpkin spice were an outfit, it would be, warm, spicy, playful, and sweet.

Give it a try!

Join me tomorrow for more daily Fall Style! (Posting everyday: October and November)

xo,

Maya 

Fashion Diet: Creamy Watermelon Smoothie!

Maya's Refreshing Watermelon Smoothie

A refreshing blend of summer memories mixed with a cool crisp wind of Autumn. This smoothie is one I am currently enjoying! It is a great boost of energy and contains only 3 main ingredients!

-2 cups of chopped Watermelon

-2 frozen, and chopped bananas

-1/2 cup water

- 3-5 mint leaves ( optional) 

Mix in blender,and serve! Makes about 2-3 servings depending on cup size.

Enjoy!

x,

Maya

FWI: Innovative Shoe Styling Tips

Fashion Week of Innovation

Shoes, shoes, shoes! Yes, I am a shoe addict. 

I don't know what  it is about shoes, but for some reason, the word "enough" does not exist. 

Therefore, if the latter is true, buying can not be the answer, and becoming wiser, and more creative is no longer a choice, but a necessity. 

Here are my shoe styling tips that curbed my addiction into a creative method of shoe styling!

1.) Ankle Bracelets

Ankle bracelets are an easy way to add character to any shoe. Whether it maybe boots, heels or sandals, it can be worn easily and matched to your other jewelry or outfits.

2.) Ribbons

A simple bow makes any shoe look instantly sweeter. Just tie it around your ankle or loop it through a strap, it is an easy way to change up your shoe.

3.) Permanent Markers

Drawing on my shoes, is something I have done since I was a kid. Now a days, with my colorful variety of permanent markers,  drawing on shoes, has become an art form.

Add your mark on your shoes, and let it inspire you all day. 

4.) Leg Warmers

Leg warmers not only keep your legs warmer, but add a new life to any shoe. If you live in a colder region, you are aware of how certain types of shoes, are just not practical to wear, during Autumn/Winter.

My favorite is, leather leg warmers, and they have been seen all over the runway. They are an absolute must, if you love wearing your stiletto heels. They turn any low ankle shoe, into an amazing high cut boot. 

5.) Socks with Fur Embellishments

I personally love boots with a bit of fur embellishment. It is very tempting to buy a fur embellished boot even though you have one just like it, minus the fur. The solution?

Fur trimmed socks. It is seriously the most genius creation that peeks out of every heel, ankle boot, and Mary Jane. It is also a fun way to warm up a strappy stiletto heel.

6.) Fun Knee High Socks

Gladiator shoes or leather cut out boots are sexy in the Summer, and fun in the Winter?

I love, wearing fun socks, that slightly peek through the holes of these type of shoes. Wearing funky socks simply on its own, can make you look like a clown, but paired behind leather cutouts gives a very cool effect. It's a bit like stained glass, where small bits of color peek through the black cut out structure. 

xo,

Maya

FWI: From Blouse to Bag in Less than 60 Seconds!

Fashion Week of Innovation:

Transforming a blouse into a bag, is something I discovered one day when I had much too much to hold and nowhere to put it. My brain started to click, and I noticed that my sweater had arms long enough to become a strap. The main body of my blouse resembled the shape of a bag, and the bottom of the blouse needed to be closed. I then grabbed the hair tie from my pony tail, and in less than 60 seconds, a bag was born!

See my easy, 2 step transformation process from blouse to bag all under  60 seconds. No cutting, or sewing is necessary and all changes are completely reversible. 

Step 1: Pull your blouse inside out, and use a normal hair tie, to securely close the bottom portion of the blouse. (above photo) 

Step 2: Tie the sleeves together in a secure knot, creating a strap.

Voila! In a matter of seconds you have transformed a blouse into a beautiful bag! 

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

How to Customize and Create a Nail Look Perfect for your Outfit

Nails are often overlooked  as an accessory of fashion, but it is not only inexpensive, but a super easy way to upgrade any outfit. 

More than you may realize, nails are one of the final notes we see, and attention to this tiny detail is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. No outfit is ever complete without the right nail. 

How to customize and create a nail look perfect for your outfit:

One of the easiest ways to customize a nail look, is to pull the same main colors of your outfit as your nail polish choices. Try to pick no more than 4 and from there decide how you want to use the colors, and which ones to emphasize on which fingers. 

To add quirkiness, be playful on the colors you use and how you use them. Play around with accent fingers, and throw away any rules of symmetry or unity. Always rationalize your choices by the tones set by the outfit. If your style is classy, then simplicity is key. If you prefer fun, quirky, or artsy style, then intricate designs of  hand painted detail will take your outfit up another notch. 

Add textures to your nail art by mimicking your outfit. Think outside the box, and experiment  with new ideas. Try new techniques such as this nail dotting pen. It is easy, and affordable, but very effective. 

Voila! 

Day 2 of 5: Beaded Details and Mind Blocked

Day 2:

Today was a day spent on details. I beaded all day and I am still currently beading. Designing your own clothes is a crazy thing and 5 days to finish an evening gown, is an even crazier experience. 

 As fun as it is, the whole situation is rather unpredictable and chaotic. Part of my head thinks about the beading I am doing, and the other part of me is contemplating the bottom half, and what I will do. The creative process is never a smooth ride, and I have moments of complete mind blocks that leave me completely frustrated. However, other moments are filled with energetic bursts of ideas that make the whole chaotic mess worth it. 

Stay tuned....

xo,

Maya

Romantic Valentine's Day Hairstyles

                                     FLOWER CROWN

Flower crowns are fun, easy, and whimsical. The one I am wearing is actually made of fresh water pearls and rose quartz. It is originally a necklace which I simply added light ribbon to tie into a soft sweet bow. 

                                  SIMPLE BRAID CROWN 

Today's hair tutorial is more like a hair journey. There are a total of 12 steps, but along the way you may choose to stop at whatever hair style you like. All the looks are romantic, sweet, and feminine, perfect for Valentine's Day! 

Step 1: Curl you entire hair as usual. Spray with hair spray, and dry shampoo for added volume. 

Step 2: Part your hair down the center of your fore head. Then grab a small section of hair near the base of the forehead. 

Step 3: Take that small piece and braid it. Repeat on the other side.

Step 4: Tie them together in the back forming a simple braid that looks like a crown. If you like this look you can  stop here, or continue to go further and achieve a different look.

                                  TRIPLE BRAID CROWN

Step 5: Take another section of hair next to the previous braid.

Step 6: Braid and secure. Repeat on the other side, and secure with ties in the back forming a double braid. 

Step 7: Take a new section of hair near the ear, braid, and secure.

Step 8: You have now achieved the triple braid crown, which is one of my favorite hairstyles to wear with a boho style look.

(You can  choose to wear this look or to continue on and achieve something more intricate.)

                                   BRAIDED VARIATIONS

Step 9: Split the remaining hair in two sides. Braid one of those sides with two braids.

Step 10: Braid the other side with one braid. (Which side does not really matter)

Step 11: Take the side with only one braid and wrap it around the side with two braids. Secure with pins. ( This is a look I adore, and I often stop after this step)

Step 12: Wrap the remaining two braids around and secure with pins. You have now completed the entire look and have achieved the ethereal romantic bun.

                             ETHEREAL ROMANTIC BUN

The final look is soft, romantic, and elegant. A simple look, that can be achieved in less than 10 minutes, it is perfect for a romantic Valentine's day dinner. Keep your make up look warm, soft and natural. Enjoy!

❤

 xo,

Maya