Storytime: お盆 Obon and Childhood Memories in Japan

TALKFASHION TV

In this episode of Fashion Storytime, I discuss my childhood memories in Japan. Obon is a time for remembrance of loved ones, and it is particularly special for me because it reminds me of my beloved grandfather. All my memories spent in Japan flood back to me through smells, food, and fashion. With a quick blink of an eye, it's as if the present and past blend into an alternate reality.

xo,
Maya

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FASHION LOOK: 浴衣 OBON FESTIVAL (JAPAN)

OBON is a Japanese Budhist custom, honoring the spirits of loved one's who have past. It is celebrated in Japan during the summer months of July or August (depending on which prefecture) and usually lasts 3 days. 

It is believed at this time, the spirits of ancestor's will return to homes lit with a welcoming light, and will leave again on the third day. Families gather, homes are cleaned, and alters are adorned with delicious snacks, fruit, and flowers. 

 Obon takes place in the hottest months of Summer, and the traditional kimono is created in a light cotton textile, called a yukata. 

The waist is wrapped in a stiff, sash type belt called a obi, and the back is tide into a beautiful bow. 

Shoes are a sandal type clog, called geta, and the bag is a traditional basket based, drawstring, called kinchaku. 

The hair is adorned with beautiful handmade hair accessories called, kanzashi. 

Kanzashi are usually floral in design, and often worn corresponding to the appropriate season. 

When I wear a yukata, it is a reminder in the power of clothing on one's composure, thoughts, and demeanor. The clothes demand certain character traits to emerge. For example, walking in a yukata requires you to shorten your steps, and angle your feet inwards. If you do not walk this way, the yukata will open, and unravel. The obi belt is restricting on the abdomen and puts a pressure around the waist that finds me less open in my movement. In general, I find myself behaving much more demure, and introverted. However, in the restriction creates a great deal of mystery mixed with beauty that finds me intrigued by the power of the things we wear. 

xo,

Maya

SUMMER FASHION LOOKBOOK (2016): "Fly Away With Me"

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We all have hope that one day we will find the "one" and fly away together. Join me as I explore 3 Summer looks inspired by love, dreams, and hope.
All looks are light, whimsical and airy, creating an uplifting sense of style. Let your clothes catch the air, and your heart set free.

xo,
Maya

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SUMMER FASHION LOOKBOOK (2016): DANDELION STYLE

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SUMMER LOOKBOOK SERIES: 

DANDELION STYLE 

Inspired by William Shakespeare; Sonnet 18

SONNET XVIII

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And Summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course, untrimm'd;
By thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou grow'st;
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."


xo,
Maya (Summer Dandelion)

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

Trends gone Bad: Beanies During Heat Waves?!

I don't know about you guys, but where I live, the past couple of days have been so hot people are literally passing out from dehydration and over heating. Even massive brush fires have been popping up left and right from the heat. To my great surprise, this still did not stop several "trend" lovers from covering their burning head with a knitted beanie? What?!

This seasonal mish-mash of trends has been going around like wild fire, and it's about time some one said something. Yes, I know even Rihanna has been spotted on numerous occasions supporting this "beanie love", but does that mean you should copy it?

I am not saying that the trend is bad, but don't be crazy. If there is a heat wave and you are literally in a tiny tank with short shorts, do NOT put a heavy knitted hat on your head! Your head which contains your brain is where heat from your body escapes. Blocking it makes anyone with half a brain wonder, what happened to your logic?

       

If you must follow this trend then here are some tips to prevent you from looking crazy. 

1.) Temperature: The overall temperature should be cool enough that you need a cardigan. The heaviness of the knit and material should match the type you would wear in the given day. If you do not need a cardigan, this is a sign the weather is much too warm for a beanie.

2.) Material: Make sure the beanies you wear in Spring/Summer are lighter knit, and wider in stitch. Your head needs to breath during warmer months, and keeping it warm is counter productive.

3.) Comfort: Never forget beauty comes from how comfortable you are. Just like wobbling around in 4 inch heels is not sexy, a sweety head of hair is not fashionable either.

4.) Logic: The most important tip is ALWAYS, ALWAYS listen to your own logic. It doesn't matter who wore it which way, or how popular it is. Trust your own judgement. 

x

M