A-Line of Coral and Canvas

I'm back from vacation and I've missed the blog! 

Do not adjust your computer and/or phone screens, I really am like four shades darker thanks to a week of fun in the sun :0) 

Ootd: Monday Blues

Good Morning Islers,

Just a quick outfit of the day "ootd". Today I'm rocking a blue monochromatic look. Though I don't feel a bit blue emotionally, I do feel calmer somehow (hmm maybe a good topic for my next post...which colors evoke which emotions). Anyway, happy Monday and let's have a great week! 

Xoxo,
Maya

Top: Forever 21, Belt: Thrifted, Skirt: Strawberry (NYC), Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Necklace & Affirmation Bracelet: Strawberry (NYC), Gold Bangle: Ralph Lauren (Century 21), Neon Bracelet: H&M

Oh, You Fancy Huh?

Hey guys!

So today was my church's anniversary and we were encouraged to dress in our Sunday Best! I found this gorgeous golden Isaac Mizrahi skirt and just had to have it :0) I went pretty simple on top but gave the look some golden finishing touches with my accessories. It's always fun to dress up for special occasions but remember make it your own so your totally comfortable and you own it. Case in point, I felt beautiful and didn't want to take this skirt off!

Skirt: Isaac Mizrahi, Shirt: Forever21, Cross Bracelet & Necklace: JewelMint, Earrings: H&M, Cuff: Thirfted, Bangle: Ralph Lauren

Style Recycle

The skirt I'm wearing today is one of those pieces you find in the back of your closet like "Hey! I remember that!". I especially love feeling the satisfaction of having something "new" without the guilt of shopping and spending money.

One of the things I appreciate about style is the way in which you can take an article of clothing, combine it with other pieces in such a way that your wardrobe seems endless. Okay, so maybe I DO have a lot of clothes ;-) BUT the main reason it's probably perceived as excess is because I rarely wear the same piece the same way twice! This is a great style tip I've learned from one of my ALL-TIME-FAVORITE style icons Michelle Obama. She is consistently seen in the press recycling pieces but they seem so fresh because she combines them differently. Take a cue from Mrs. O and work that wardrobe people!

Below are a few examples of Mrs. O recycling some of her favorites:
http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2013/7/15/dots-on-repeat.html
http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2012/6/27/feeling-dotty.html
http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2010/7/12/black-and-white-florals-and-polka-dots.html

http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2013/6/16/tracy-reese-repeat.html
http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2010/6/8/nice-day-for-a-picnic.html
http://mrs-o.com/newdata/2010/4/14/hola-mexico.html

Follow Michelle Obama's style blog @ http://www.mrs-o.com

No lie, just before posting this one of my co-workers came up to me and complimented my skirt saying, "Okay, seriously...you never wear the same thing twice!" I mean this post is predestined*sigh*

Skirt: Forever21, Turtleneck: H&M

Day to Night

So for those days when I know my day isn't ending at 6pm, I try to plan out an outfit that can easily transition from day to night with as little fuss and manipulation as possible. Because most likely you'll have to carry something extra with you and who wants 5lbs. of extra crap to lug around? Often my "to night" consists of just dinner or choir rehearsal, but I usually don't want to start my evening with the same outfit I've been wearing for the passed 9 hours. A change of shoes and accessories are usually my saving grace. Accessories are light-weight, fit easily into your purse and I already keep 6-7 pairs of shoes under my desk at work...hey variety is the spice of life right? Lol 

Below I've styled a couple of "to night" examples for dinner and something more casual. 

However you take it from day to night, remember the Styl Isle approach and put your spin on it...make it unmistakably you!

To the office...

To dinner...

Accessories case doubles as a clutch!

To the office...

To choir rehearsal...

Here are side by sides of the looks at a glance...

Office to dinner: Skirt-Forever21, sequin tank-Express, Blazer-DeJanero (NYC), Booties-DeJanero (NYC), Suede shoes-Bakers. 

Office to choir rehearsal: Blazer-The Limited, Corderoys-Joe Fresh, Cardigan-Forever21, Bracelet-H&M, Tote-H&M

Bathroom Selfies

Okay so if you've been a member of any social media outlet for more than 5 minutes, you've seen the infamous selfie. Those shameless pictures we take of ourselves and post online. I, for one, LOVE a good selfie...hey as a single woman who else is going to take pictures of my fabulousness in the car, on the train, at dinner, in the bathroom...???!!!

Yes! I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the bathroom selfie is the most pictured selfie on the web. This is a fitting topic for my second post b/c as you will come to see I am a relentless bathroom selfer (can I call myself that?). Since most of my time is spent at work, this makes the most logical location for my photoshoots lol. An abundance of mirrors and great lighting...how can one resist! 

Anyway below are a few (and I do mean a select few lol) of my shameless bathroom selfies which, at this point, I consider a perfectly acceptable commonplace practice! lol

Get it? lol