Fall Daily: I Feel Fat

I know I am not fat, but I feel fat. 

Truth be told, my attempt at dieting and eating healthy has been a gigantic fail this month. (Hence, the "Healthy Recipes" or diet updates, have gone non-existent.)

The patterns are always the same in my life, things  get stressful, I get tired, and then I get sloppy. 

Like a room that gets messy, feeling fat is me being lazy and feeling out of control. I eat an entire bag of chips not because I want or need it, but because it is oddly therapeutic. It feels good to crunch your sorrows away, but as we all know, such actions have consequences. Like laundry, that is piled on the floor, one day you will have to deal with it. The longer you wait the more work that piles on. 

To eat or not to eat?

In High School, I found it amusing how my beautiful friends would nibble on their carrots and celery, while other girls envied them for their "perfect physique." 

The truth is, everyone struggles with their body image. Whether you are fat, chubby,or stick thin, we all have our own issues. The importance is therefore not on your body, but your lifestyle. You know what you eat, and you know how you live your life.

 When I am in control and I cook deliciously "healthy" meals, I feel radiant from the inside out. I can feel the positivity multiply and the boost in my energy. I internally know I am treating my life in a loving way, and that makes me feel good. 

When I throw in the towel, and binge on pizza, chips, and donuts, I feel like a hot mess. Don't get me wrong, a happy mess, but quickly followed by a heavy dose of regret and negativity. 

Here's to eating smart, and loving our bodies.

xo,

Maya 

Fall Daily: 5 Ways to Style Happiness into Your Life

Happiness. 

Like a distant rainbow, happiness is a never ending chase towards the beauty of life. It is an emotion, an attitude, and a direction. 

The thing most of us do not realize is, it is also a way of life. The choices we make, no matter how minuscule, are creating future responses that trigger various emotions. 

 Our 5 human senses: sight, taste, smell, sound, and touch work as doors that welcome or reject happiness. Here are 5 ways to inject a bit of happiness into your life. 

                                               SIGHT

What do you see? 

Are you wearing something that lifts your spirits, or is it just another "whatever" type lounge-wear? 

What we see can make us laugh, smile, or just spark positive changes in mood. 

It may be the color, design, word, or style, but the key is knowing what works for you. 

Surround yourself with beautiful scenery, uplifting home decor, and clothes you love. It is sure to lift your spirits. 

                                              TASTE

Eat Happiness.

We all have that little treat that is sure to put a smile on our face. The happiness may only last an instant, but during hard times, those moments will be your savior. 

Eat healthy, cook with love, and start eating yourself some happiness. 

                                                 SMELL

Smells Happy?

Perfumes are a very complex matter. Each smell will create a different emotion, and differentiating which is which, takes a bit of maturity. The easiest way to describe a happy smell, is by using the "smile meter". You may not pin point why it is making  you feel happy, but you should be able to instantly feel your spirits lift.

                                                TOUCH

A Touch of Happiness.

All throughout the day we touch things. More than we realize, these textures are effecting our mood. Pick clothing fabrics that feel good to your touch, and make a mental note. These touch signals push positivity in your day, rather than annoyance. 

                                           

                                                SOUND

Sounds like Happiness?

Just as loud pounding music in the middle of the night can drive you insane, sweet lovely music can chirp delight. I highly recommend creating a playlist of "happy" music for those days something dreadful is brewing and you just don't have time to spiral into a depression. 

 No disrespect to sadness, brewing in misery with amazingly sad music is also a killer experience. 

It's all a matter of timing, and knowing when and where to listen to what. 

Join me tomorrow for more Daily Fall Style!

xo, 

Maya

PS: The quickest way for an instant smile is taking your lipstick on your bathroom mirror and drawing a tiny happy face. I know it sounds ridiculous, but is that not the point? Anyways, I guarantee it will trigger a tiny chuckle and before you know it, you are smiling. :)

Fall Daily: How to Pick a Sweater that Snuggles You!

Sweater weather is officially here, and picking the right sweater can be the difference between a good day, and a bad one. 

My inspiration is rather simple. 

Imagine a cold crisp day, a cup of hot cider, a good book, and the most lusciously warm knit blanket enveloping you in a massively huge hug. That instant moment of utter satisfaction is what I look for in all of my Fall/Winter, sweater ensembles. It is literally fashion that "hugs" you. 

Sweater Factors to look for:

1.) Is it comfortable? Don't be lazy try on the sweater, move your arms around, twist and turn. Does it feel good on your skin? 

2.) Snuggle factor. Does it feel like a massive hug? I don't know if I am the only one who feels this way about the "snuggliest" sweaters, but they make me instantly want to give myself a little hug.

3.) How warm can you go? On a practical note, it is important to know how cold or warm your climate is. Some knits are made for the coldest temperatures, verses others which can be worn lightly, and provide less warmth. 

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

xo,

Maya