Fall Daily Essential: Ankle Boots + How to Pick the Right One

Ankle boots are an essential Fall wardrobe piece and picking the right one takes some fashion wisdom. After years of my own mistakes of shopping by "impulse", I have amassed quite a collection of shoes. There is a clear divide between the shoes I actually wear, verses the shoes I do not.

Over the years I have learned valuable tips to preventing shopping mistakes, and finding a product you will love for years to come. Here are my ankle boot recommendations:

If you do not own any ankle boots and plan on investing on your first pair, think practical. Do not reach for the first boot that may scream, "Awesome", but matches nothing. Control yourself and start by selecting a classic style boot, in either the color black or brown. 

                              THE CLASSIC STYLE

The classic style is simple, clean lines, and with very few embellishments. It may not be the most exciting, or creative in design, but it is extremely wearable.  This type of shoe should be part of everyone's wardrobe. It matches everything you own and can be styled up or down. 

Your only job is to consider the height of the heel or to opt to have no heel. This will all depend on your lifestyle and how much walking, and standing your day requires. Try it on, walk around and make sure it feels good.

                               POINTY STYLE

To point or not to point? 

Being quite petite and small, I have learned over the years that a pointy tip will lengthen, and slenderize your legs. A rounded tip gives you a chunkier more casual vibe, and knowing the difference, gives you knowledgeable control. As I own both types in my collection, I tend to have rounded tips with my higher heels, and pointier tips with smaller or no heels. 

                                LACE UP STYLE

Lace up boots, give off a casual vibe, and best suited for those with a more carefree lifestyle. They are extremely comfortable, and great for walking; however, they are a sportier style and are not appropriate for all situations. You can also mix this type of boot with a feminine soft style. It is a fun way to add a spicy element to a normally sweet tone. 

                             EMBELLISHMENT STYLE

If I belonged to a category, it would definitely be this one. I love embellishments and unique little touches! The problem is, they are not always the easiest to style. You really need to know your wardrobe very well, and how to balance color, textures, and embellishments, in total harmony. The look can easily look a bit crazy, and become overwhelming. My number one tip is keep your clothes with the same color tone, and match the embellishments on your shoes with your accessories. It works every time!

                        PEEK-A-BOO TOE STYLE

The peek-a-boo toe is a perfect alternative for those who live in a warmer climate. It gives off the effect of a boot but can still be warn like a sandal. I would not recommend this particular style to anyone living in a colder climate, or a place that rains. 

Join me everyday for more Fall Style!

xo,

Maya

FWI: Tips and Tricks on Styling Dresses Up or Down

Fashion Week of Innovation

Dresses are a funny thing. They have a very distinct character, and very rigid rules.  For example, if you are invited to a wedding, you search for the perfect dress, considering the venue, time, and season. A cocktail dress can only be worn at cocktail hour, and evening dresses can only be worn at formal events, while sun dresses can only be worn in the sun. There are so many rules,  that "usually" most of all your dresses end up quietly collecting dust and disappearing from your closet memory. 

Before you start classifying your dress as a "one time only" waste of money, here are a few ways to add new life, and transform it into different shapes and styles, perfect for multiple events!

1.) DENIM TOPS

The easiest way to dress down a dress and make it casual,  is to add a denim top. You can wear it over the dress as a casual jacket, tied at the waist, or under the dress letting the collar peek through. 

You can pair the look with simple ballet flats or Keds flats and it is an adorable day look. (It is also a fun, effortless way to transform a look into evening. Just bring a pair of heels and remove the denim top and the transformation is complete.

2. ) The TRANSPARENT SKIRT

Cocktail dresses are fun and sexy but unfortunately, not quite "formal" enough to be worn at gala events, or can they?

The transformation is as easy as adding a long, transparent skirt and other formal accessories.  The added length, makes it instantly Gala appropriate. Style with a glamorous clutch, corresponding heels, make-up and an elegant up-do.

3.) ADDING A DRESS VEST

Adding a dress vest is the quickest way to take a rather fancy, feminine dress, and make it modern, cool and edgy. It is unexpected and interesting for the eyes. You can pair such a look with an edgier open toe stiletto. 

4.) Crop Top Magic

Strapless dresses are sexy, but the exposed skin does create limiting situations it can be worn. Try styling it with a beautiful crop top, and it will easily transform a sexy dress, and make it conservative. the look is sleek, contemporary, and minimalistic. 

5.) Beaded, Ornate, Tops

A simple black, jersey, sundress can instantly be cocktail ready by adding an ornately embellished crop top over it. 

I am addicted in searching for beaded pieces in vintage shops, simply because, they are the key in changing an outfit from ordinary, to extraordinary. No fuss, practical, wearable style, that is multifunctional. 

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

Blogmas Day 23: Make a Christmas Hair Band in less than 10 Minutes

If you are looking for a last minute idea to add instant festive cheer to any holiday party look, be sure try out this super easy DIY. 

All you will need is two rather long ribbons, a hair tie, and scissors. I have not provided measurements simply because head size, and creative preference should be left subjective.

Step 1: Fold each ribbon in half. find your needed length by applying the ribbon around the desired part of your head, keeping in mind that half of it will be occupied by the hair tie. 

(Tip: braids call for longer lengths, so keeping it a bit longer is always safer. You can always trim it shorter at the end.)

Step 2: Loop one ribbon around the scissors, or any stick form. Then tie a knot around it with the second ribbon. The key is to create a loop which you will need at the end. 

Step 3: Begin to braid. You can either do it with 4 parts and braid a classic "fish tail" or go for the basic three and simply keep one ribbon together while braiding. 

Step 4: at the end of the ribbon, choose the same ribbon you looped around the scissors, to create another loop. Tie and secure the loop with the other ribbon.

Step 5: Cut the hair tie.

Step 6: Take the hair tie and place it through the ends of braids. 

Step 7: Secure the ties with a double knot.

Voila! You are done.

xo,

maya

Blogmas Day 2: How I Add Holiday Spice to My Shoes

During this time of the year, I always itch to find a perfect festive shoe. Unfortunately, it is rare to find anything beyond a red pump and everything else is rather ridiculously over priced. 

A quick and easy way I amp up my rather muted Autumn and Winter Shoes,  is simple and cheap. I use Christmas ribbons that are lying around my house for decorations or gift wrap, and lace it through or loop it where I can.

 Over the years I have created unique ways of tying bows, and I have decided to share some of them with you down below.

xo,

Maya

                          STANDARD Single Bow

                                      TRIPLE BOW

                                        BOW EARS 

                                        MISTLE TOE-BOW

Fashion Style Inspired by Flowers

Spring is here, and Nature is in full blossom. No one can deny the beauty that comes with this cheerful season, and like the singing birds in the sky, this is your time to shine. Who better to get inspired by than Mother Nature herself?

Here are my Style tips on how to be as beautiful as flowers themselves.

                                         ROSE BEAUTY

When you look at a rose what do you see? First you will notice the softness of the petals, and the curves of beautiful lines the petals make. This dress is a perfect representation of the softness and beauty a rose brings to the eye. Normally, people would match this dress with a deeper purple, or some strappy gold or silver heels. This is standard and predictable. However, use a rose as your inspiration and you can look for an amazing green color shoe with sharp edged rhinestones mimicking the stem and thorns. Voila! Pure Rose Seduciton.

                                    TEXTURES and LIGHT

Spring time is beautiful not only in the sense of "flowers" but the dance of colors that change with the changing light throughout the day. Be observant to the colors changing and gain inspiration on how to add these combinations to your own outfit. 

                     OMBRE and NEIGHBORING COLORS

One of the current trends is "ombre" but did you know this idea is nothing new? Nature has been doing it since the beginning of time. Usually, with flowers, you will see a gradual blend of colors intoit's neighboring  color. "Neighboring" is in reference to the color wheel that follows the order of the rainbow. Play around with matching up accessories and clothes with different shades of the same color family.

                                               SHAPES 

Flowers also are abundant in textures and color combinations, and Nature never gets it wrong. Don't be afraid to play around with the shapes and lines you see in flowers. 

                                   COLOR COMBINATIONS 

If there is a master of color, it would be flowers. They have a way of creating the most magnificent cor combinations  that you would never imagine could work. This dress is gorgeous, but wouldn't your first instinct be to buy a shoe within one of the colors in the dress? A white strappy heel or if your daring maybe a pink pump? 

Would you ever go searching for an amazing textured blue sandal pump? If you observe flowers you would. Looking to nature will give you a whole new vision of endless possibilities.

                                             LAYERING

If flowers can teach you anything, it is to look outside the box. Don't be afraid to layer polka dots on polka dots, and why not add an orange ombre clutch? If it works for a dalmation orchid it will work for you as well. 

Be forever inspired...