My Mom always used to say....

At least two style educators whom I have come across, have paid attention to the influence of our mothers in our style today (Natalie Jobbity and Polly Hollman). You see, inherently we know what works best to accentuate our natural beauty. However, external influences such as media images or basically conversations with other people, can alter our preferences such as our favourite colour to wear or whether we like a certain type of heel versus another. The number one influence is Mommy dearest.

When you were a little girl, chances are you sat on the bed as your mom put on her Palazzo pants and spruced up her perm with some curl activator. At that moment you involuntarily elected her as your style icon. Mom wore animal print, and now as you skim through a clothing rack, you pause at the leopard jumpsuit. My mom used to have her hair dyed jet black and cut a la Joan Jett. Guess what haircut I had. 

Mom's influence does not solely come from example, but her lingering words could have a lifelong impact on our decisions. Some mothers batter their daughters' self-esteem with criticisms about their weight or features. I have a friend whose mom constantly commented on how she should stay out of the sun because God forbid she gets any darker. Other mothers are the opposite, and blow their daughters' heads up by constantly complimenting them about how sexy they are and how they are the best looking among their peers. Either way, the damage is done. The girl either goes on being self conscious about her appearance, hiding her body in over-sized clothing, or she believes she is the hottest thing since sliced bread and walks around with her ass hanging out as her own gift to the world. Neither of them has a clue about what they really look like.

What I want you to know, is that you are an individual. Without a doubt, who we are is molded by our environment, but we must not neglect our innate sensibility. Classic Nature vs Nurture debate. What looks good on your Mom may not necessarily work for you. Know YOUR body, and love it for what it is. Adorn yourself with garments and accessories that bring out your unique radiance. Spend time evaluating why you have certain preferences- Are they your honest personal opinions? Don't be afraid to form your own stance. 

At the end of the day, EVERYONE has an opinion about you. The one that really matters is yours. Give yourself a woman to be proud of.

Secret Weapon

My French teacher in high school (SAGHS Big up yuhself) is the quintessential fabulista. What's a Fabulista you say? I believe I learned the term from Natalie Jobbity in her amazing book "Frumpy to Fabulous". A fabulista is a woman who maximises her positives and works it! You can't take your eyes off of her. She gives off some sort of electricity and attractive energy that makes you want to be in her presence for some of that yumminess to rub off on you. You want to know her. You want to be her.

Madame Gosine taught me something big. She said "People don't realize that I'm so short, because I walk 6 feet tall". TA-DA! How you carry yourself can hugely impact the way people perceive you. I have a tip that can help you walk a little taller too- consider it your secret weapon, as it literally is your secret. Think of something that makes you feel sexy. Is there something about you that only your boyfriend or husband knows about that is really just racy? Do you have a tattoo or a piercing in a hidden spot that people can only see if you show them? Details like these are your secret weapon.

The next time you step out among people who intimidate you, think about that little secret weapon that is on you that no one knows about! It can be naughty panties or simply just some really outrageously expensive lipstick that you have been coveting for months (and to everyone else it's just pretty lipstick- but to you it's the silkiest, most luxurious purchase you've ever made). Your secret weapon can be the fact that under your clothes you have a fresh smooth bikini wax, or that inside your closed-toe pumps, you are wearing an exciting caviar pedicure! Whatever your secret is, make sure that whenever you think about it, that it brings a smile to your face. And do smile when you think of it. Let people wonder what's up with you. Why are you in such a good mood? Who is this fabulista?

Hello Gorgeous

Let's get straight to the point- Nobody is perfect.

I have been surrounded by women my entire life, and if there is one thing that they have in common, is that they all harp on their flaws. I heard something yesterday that woke me right up- A woman whom I admired my whole life for her beauty and apparent confidence said to me that the number one quality she wants in a partner, is someone who will accept her for her flaws! screeeeeeeeeeech Hold up. If this is you, let us get something straight. Do not let your imperfections be the focus. This just stifles your ability to achieve great things, because at the back of your mind you will think that you don't deserve the best because you are not the best. Know this, you actually are the best- You are the best version of you.

I have decided to take my lifelong passion for fashion and style to another level. My goal is to make as many women as I can, look past the frizzy hair, the wide nose, the flabby arms, the crooked teeth, the mosquito bite boobs or whatever they feel keeps them back from their personal image of what's perfect. Actually. I hate that word, "perfect". I don't want to help you to become perfect, because chances are that you will be giving up the very things that make your friends love you. I just want to help you find that inner sparkle, through pointing out and emphasizing all the goodies that nature was so generous to give you.

Through this blog I will be sharing beauty and style tips, as well as recipe ideas to activate your senses into recognizing that "Damn, I'm good looking".

So take some advice from a fellow beauty,