Beautifully Flawed...Imperfectly Perfect

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I wanted to write a post of a different sort and just speak from the heart....

I have thoroughly been enjoying my holidays of time spent with loved ones. For my family and friends, that usually involves FOOD! This is the time of year when I like to take a little time off work, fellowship and dine. Unfortunately, there is a draw back to this period of decadent indulgence... 

I'm not ashamed to say I've gained a few holiday pounds that don't always have me feeling my best.  "I feel like crap." "I don't care today." "All black it is." "I can't fit this anymore." "I'm fat." We've all had those days of feeling fat or unattractive, prompting us to put little to no effort into our outward appearance. These are phrases I have found myself saying recently, specifically in the morning while dressing for work. It's also been the reason for my limited picture and blog postings. 

BUT I want to share a very helpful tip that counter acts these negative thoughts. I pick one thing to highlight about myself, that is not body related, in order to move the focus from areas I feel less confident about. If I don't like the way a dress is hitting my thighs or the muffin-top that is waiting to rise in those trousers (lol), I pick out a dope piece of jewelry, bust out a sexy pair of shoes, try a different makeup look or style my hair in an interesting way to take the attention off my body and help me get excited about something else. When I'm self conscious about my outfit (and ultimately my body), I don't feel my most confident nor do I operate at my best. So this little trick shifts my perspective.

Let's be honest, you may not ALWAYS love the skin you're in, but realize that you are a wonderfully, multifaceted human being. And that loving yourself does not mean highlighting the best parts of you only, but it's celebrating the parts that are a challenge...the parts that require work....the parts that aren't perfect. That's what is beautifully flawed.........imperfectly perfect about YOU!

Xoxo~Maya

Body Con and Bandage

Some people feel the "body con" and "bandage" dress craze is played out now. I say BRAVO! *clapping hands* What could be played out about something that sucks you in and displays all the best assets of being a woman? This is my only bandage dress and I pull it out when I want to feel sexy. It's funny how we can adopt the characteristics of our clothes. Dress to kill, and you'll feel an inner self confidence you didn't know existed.

I've offset this look with a gorgeous black and gold necklace that I had the creative notion to where as a headband (clever girl). There is something that I absolutely LOVE about headbands worn around the forehead...it screams Grecian goddess. I kept with that color story and paired gold and black accessories. Simple, but sky high, Jessie Simpsons carry the sexy all the way to the floor and tone those less-than-toned legs LOL! Lastly, I added a bit of lux with my fur stole (was super excited to pull this piece out the closet again for the winter).
"Body Conscious fosters self confidence."
-- Maya Gatewood

Click the jump link below the read more...

It's Handled! Olivia Pope Inspired Look Book

I am such a huge fan of the tv show Scandal and insanely inspired by Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, whom I also love! Olivia Pope is such a strong, powerful and beautiful Black woman, how could I not be inspired by her style. Quintessential chic, with clean lines, neutral color palette and simple accessories, she is also sophisticated, confident and classic. She doesn't need to turn to gimmicks, tricks or illusions to look stylish. Her clothes are understated but by no means boring; she dresses so her personality can shine through. You look at Olivia Pope and say "Wow! She's good at her job."

Anywho, enough of my love affair with Olivia :-) on to the look book. I have been wanting to do an Olivia Pope inspired look book for the longest but something about this season has really been inspiring my everyday looks, for the office especially and now that it's Fall, fueling my love of coats (click here for my Coat of Arms post). An exciting find is The Scandal Collection by The Limited. Where The Limited has pieces seen in Scandal episodes available for purchase! I mean how perfect is that? Click here for a video from Kerry Washington about the inspiration behind the collection.

I put together three looks (it was hard to choose only three!), that I feel embody the spirit of Olivia and incorporate my own style. By the way I used the same H&M black slacks in each look (similar here), proof of how to extend your wardrobe with basic/classic pieces.

First thing's first! Olivia will ALWAYS have a banging coat or jacket! The color palette is restricted to camel and black, but I've created visual interest with the lines and collar of the coat and zipper detail on the sweater. Olivia enjoys a relaxed fit to her more causal pieces.

Click below to read full post...

OOTD: All Black Everything

Hi Islers...hope you are all having a fantastic day today!

Really quick Outfit Of The Day today...All black everything...Black on Black on Black! I've worn head-to-toe black for the past three days and no, I'm not in mourning. It's just been so easy to throw on without having to worry about what color goes with what, which accessories, print? Solid? Blah, blah blah! Sometimes it's nice to just, rest my "style mind", throw on all black and jet out the door. Plus today's look will easily make the switch from day to night when I go out for dinner this evening.

But black doesn't have to mean boring snooze fest. You can still look stylish, chic and in some cases...FIERCE HONTY!!

"They say black is the void of color, maybe that's where you begin to shine through." --Maya Gatewood

Ciao for now!

#1: Slacks: H&M, Shirt: Strawberry Stores (NYC), Nude Pumps: Nine West, Necklace: H&M, Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Studs: H&M
#2: Shirt: Forever21, Cardigan: DeJanero (NYC), Cords: Joe Fresh, Pumps: Ralph Lauren, Necklace and Belt: Strawberry Stores (NYC)
#3: Silk Blouse: Joe Fresh, Cords: Joe Fresh, Pumps: Ralph Lauren, Black and Gold Necklace: Strawberry Stores (NYC)

 

Baby Pink and Thrift Shopping

Happy Monday Islers,

Would you believe my dress and necklace and bracelet set are thrift store finds? This is why I love thrift shopping. You can buy inexpensive clothing without sacrificing style. I love when a color combination come together...I purchased the dress and jewelry set at different times from different shops but they look as if they could have come from the same collection. This blazer is New York & Co. and I decided to keep the footwear "barely there" with some nude peep-toes. Definitely feeling chic, sophisticated and feminine today. I'm such a huge fan of thrift and vintage shopping, below are a few tips that I've learned while scanning the racks.

5 tips for thrift shopping: