Fall Daily: How I Use Fashion to Get Over Heartbreak

Heart break is a very private, heavy, and treacherous obstacle for anyone to overcome. The greater the love, the greater pain. 

I have basically lived the last 6 years of my life with this thing called "heartbreak". The best way I can describe it is like an emotional pedal note that rings heavy undertones throughout my current existence. What's one way to deal with it? Fashion.

What you choose to wear, has an attitude, emotion, and power. If you dress powerful you feel powerful. You may have no control of the pain in your heart, but the first step to achieving some  what of a life, is regaining back that power. 

You have 2 options.Take advantage of the situation and make yourself better, or let the situation ruin you and settle for something that was not meant for you.

I choose to become a powerful woman. Here is the first step to getting you there! 

 MY POWERFUL WOMAN STYLE

                                  LEATHER AND STUDS

In the past couple of years I have grown a love for leather and studs. I never actually saw myself as the type to wear a leather biker jacket, with studded black boots, but, it is empowering. You really walk a little stronger, and care a little less.

                                     STRONG BLAZER

A strong blazer is masculine in nature. It pulls your shoulders back,  in a way that allows you to be all business. You don't need a man, or a woman. All you need is a goal, a plan, and the energy to do all the work to get there. 

                                       BLACK POWER

Black interestingly enough, is not a color, but the absence of color. Wearing black is powerful. There is something somber within it that allows you to collect your thoughts and sort them out. I always feel more organized and in control of my life when I wear all black.

                 STRONG ACCESSORIES and HARSH LINES

Clothes that are cut harshly, create edges, transmitting powerful energy. This type of style keeps me pushing forward, and not looking back. Add some some strong accessories and you are ready to conquer the world!

                       HAIR THAT MAKES YOU FEEL POWERFUL

Pulling back your hair in a chic, tight bun behind your head, makes you feel empowered. Unlike flowing long hair, or wispy bangs, there is no room to hide. There is a refreshing quality to having nothing fall on your face, and a level of added confidence in showing your entire face uninterrupted. 

Take care!

Join me tomorrow for more Daily Fall Style!

xo,

Maya 

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

4 Ways I Wear REAL Leather Ethically

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them at least don't hurt them. "

-Dalai Lama

If I am honest, many vegans I have met, find it disgusting that I wear leather (or as they like to call it dead animal skins). I am approached with a lot of judgement, some eye rolling, and quite a bit of anger.   However, just wait one second and lets discuss this. Is there an ethical way to where real leather? 

4 Ways I Wear REAL Leather Ethically

1.) Buy Leather OLD verses NEW.

Look for leather in vintage shops, consignment, or thrift stores. For many years now, I do not invest in buying new leather, and therefore, do not contribute to the killing of animals nor the promotion of the leather industry. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing leather products that have been recycled for the second, third, fourth time. 

2.) Have Leather Swap Parties.

Rather than buying more leather goods, fill your fashion bug by swapping products with friends. The great thing about leather is how beautifully it ages. It has a lifetime unsurpassed by most materials and buying more should always be controlled to a minimum.

3.) Take care of Your Vintage Leather.

Leather has a life of its own, and if you take care of it with love, the proper creams, and repairs, there will be almost no need to throw it away. All my vintage boots had a life before me, and now with me, and as far as I am concerned will be with me as long as I live. 

4.) Never Throw Away Leather. Recycle.

People now a days are so quick to toss a pair of shoes, or a bag that looks a tiny bit old, but never do that with leather. The beauty of leather lies in its ability to age beautifully. If you no longer want it, either give it to a friend, donate it, or bring it to a consignment shop for re-sale.

Although, I cannot undo the harm that has been caused to animals in the past, I believe throwing away all previous leather products and vowing to never wear it is harmful to the environment. Why? There is undeniably tons and tons of leather goods on this planet and throwing all of them away is wasteful, environmentally hazardous, and disrespectful to the animal who had to die for it. The only ethical way to proceed is to limit the purchasing of " NEW" leather, while respecting the existence of the "old". 

What else can we do?  We as a fashion community need to push for proper laws that forbid unethical treatment of animals, or the inhumane killing of them. There should be a huge push for strictly organic leather and the reduction of products created per year. Wasteful shopping habits need to be re-examined, and true appreciation should be born.

Take care.

xo

Maya

How Ethical is Vegan Leather?

All Vegans are passionate in their crusade for animal rights and the end to all animal cruelty. 

Wearing "animal skins" is a big, "NO", and thus, the alternative is vegan leather. However, should it really be an alternative?

 

With all this buzz around fake leather here are my 3 thoughts on Vegan Leather. 

1.) What is vegan leather? 

Before you get excited it's not anything new. It is just an ethical name for artificial leather. Other names are leatherette, pleather, or faux leather. Basically it's made of synthetic fabrics, or microfibers, that are made from plastic chemicals that cost much less than real leather. 

2.) Is vegan leather unethical?

Stopping murder on animals is ethical, but promoting a fake version of leather that is a cheap product, is not in any way ethical. It is undeniably harmful to the environment made of materials that take centuries to decompose and continuously fillup our landfills with toxic synthetics. The chemicals and pollutants needed to manufacture the process of creating faux leather are being dispersed into the environment, proving it is causing more harm than good.

3. Why Would You Choose Vegan Leather?

The danger of sticking ethics to fabrics is its ability to make you buy something based on your beliefs rather than logical reasoning. Vegan Leather is FAKE, and a fabric that will quickly end up in the trash. It does not age well, it looks cheap, and simply a bad choice. It does not ensure quality of any form and the only purpose to picking such a fabric is to get a cheaper price point for what looks like leather. 

If ethics is your reasoning for not wearing leather as it naturally is, it is also your ethical responsibility to not promote the further development of fake leather that adds unnecessary harm to our environment. 

xo,

Maya

Stella McCartney Vegan Bags are an Ethical Rip Off

'The consumption of animals - whether you're wearing them or eating them - is extraordinarily damaging to the planet. There are over a billion animals killed a year for food, half of which don't even get eaten. And there's over 50 million animals killed just for fashion.'

'If you're mindful of how you're approaching your life, then you see the connection. You can't avoid the connection.

-Stella McCartney BOF Magazine

Stella McCartney is a leading pioneer, in the fight for ethical high fashion. As spokesperson for PETA, her products stand true to her vegetarian beliefs, and no animal skins, fur, or feathers are ever used in her collections.

The only problem is, as ethical as her materials maybe, her price point is undeniably criminal. She is undoubtedly profiting from the vegan hype and the ignorance of many consumers, who cannot tell the difference between faux and real.The truth of the matter is, people place trust in the price. If you pay a couple of thousand on a bag, you assume it is made of the finest quality and will last you a lifetime. As far as I am aware, she has not patented some ultra exclusive fiber that trumps the quality of real genuine leather or mimics any of its luxurious qualities. Lets be real, pleather is cheap, lacks character and ages poorly. 

To be fair, luxury  brands in general, have millions of costs separate from the actual material fees. Whether it be advertisement, promotion, runway, production, there are a lot of reasons price points on brands, balloon out of proportion.

 However, $1,000 - $4,000 for a FAUX leather bag is undeniably a huge stretch and a clear rip off. At such a price point, the consumer (at the very least) should be guaranteed a product of the highest luxury material, or a highly developed alternative, that is a worthy competitor of leather. 

 If ethics is truly as high of a concern as they say, the money they save by using fake materials, should be noticeable in the final price. Or at the very least, a portion of the profits should be donated to an animal rights group. 

Otherwise, please do not vomit ethics, while profiting off of it. 

xo,

Maya

Fashion Makeover: Reviving Vintage

There are many reasons I love Vintage/Antique/Thrifted Items, but perhaps my number one reason is there is almost always a process of "restoration" that is required and after it is done, it is as if the item has been brought back to life. 

You constantly need  to see the "possibilities", verses what it may look like at that moment. When I shop for "new" things I look for flaws. I want it to be perfect, and then I spend the first week nervously  worried about getting it scratched or damaged. However, with vintage the mental process is reversed. The item is already far from  perfect, with wrinkles, and variations in color, that have naturally occurred, and yet this is exactly what makes it beautiful and unique. My focus with my vintage items is all about bringing out the beauty it once had, and celebrating the uniqueness that only time and age can bring. 

                                            USEFUL TIPS

When shopping vintage, it is very important to be able to notice good quality leather verses, pleather. Pleather, or colored leather does not age well, and cannot be restored. Always look for QUALITY, and strongstitch work.

 

                                    PRODUCTS I USED

The Creams I used are for cleansing the leather. It provides protection, while re-hydrating life and color back  into the dried leather. The products are both from France, and were highly recommended to me buy a shop owner from one of my favorite Vintage shops.

I cleaned and  polished  the bag with old stockings, and an old T-Shirt. The plastic gloves are just a personal choice because your hands can get a bit oily. 

...and Voila! This bag is perfect  for all my blogging necessities. I put my lab top, a notebook, color pens  some other essentials, and I am ready to blog anywhere!