Portland Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger

Sep 27, 2016

TRANSITIONING TO FALL WITH ESHAKTI


As the fall struggles to transition I'll be pushing the seasons in my new denim dress from eShakti. I have mentioned them before but as someone who is 5'2'' and pear shaped this is a great brand since you can customize all of the styles. The easiest go to next to black is Chambray. Since I'm ready for fall I paired this dress with some short black boots. Short booties make any outfit instantly fall appropriate. I can't hate on the fact that the trees behind me aren't brown and the leaves aren't falling. Its been raining so much the earth here is flourishing.
I was trying so hard to make it look like fall but what is not pictured is the fact it was like 105 outside.

What is great about eShakti is you can truly customize every part of this dress, not only do you include your own measurements, but you can pick sleeves, length, collars. It's so perfect!


eShakti doesn't stop at dresses, they have tops and jeans as well! If you get most of your items tailored this helps skip that step and is also a high quality. The shipping is fast too, in 10-14 days your handcrafted item is at your door. I have 2 dresses from eShakti and definitely want to try a pair of pants next.

 Oh Fall... do I need to come to you?

LOVE, MARA


 DISCLAIMER: This dress was sent to me for review by eshakti.com. Opinions expressed are all mine so back up off me. 
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Sep 26, 2016

MANICURE MONDAY: Nail Stalking, green with envy.

I think my love for Melody Ehsani is obvious. She was the first person we ever interviewed and still inspires me everyday. Green is a nail color I always get compliments on but this green is a step up! I love the glitter and it just pops so much! Also, loving her Selena tee, the Selena Mac collection drops this week! I can't wait and I hope I am able to buy something from it. 

For more inspo follow @melodyehsani on instagram. 


LOVE, MARA

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Sep 24, 2016

JAPANESE SNACK HAUL: Rare Oreos

The two types of junk food I am obsessed with are Kit Kats and Oreos. In America there are definitely a million flavors but overseas my favorite drink is a major flavor. Green tea Kit Kats are always a fun find in North America but when you find green tea Oreos you need to try them out! 
If you aren't a matcha fan go ahead and pass because the flavor is unmistakable. I also found chocolate oreos! I think we have the same ones in America but they were still good. The package is also very different, much smaller. It comes with two smaller individual wrapped sleeves on the inside. The Matcha oreos are more like a candy bar. They are kind of the same texture of a three musketeers but with oreo chunks inside. Its not bad, I have also tried the hazelnut flavor which is TO DIE FOR. 

There is also another bar called the UP bar featured in this post. It is not Oreo but for 50 cents was amazing. It tasted just like the chocolate Oreo but dipped in chocolate. Not pictured here are also the Matcha oreos that I have already eaten all of... They are super cute because the filling is matcha green! If only I could come across them more often.

Does this post reveal my love for junkfood or what? I've been going to asian grocery stores my whole life and never thought to share any of my favorite foreign finds so I think it will be fun to add every now and then here. 

LOVE, MARA
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Sep 21, 2016

FALL EVENTS: CARRIE ANN BOUTIQUE OCT 6

Are you ready for fall? The official first day is tomorrow and I can't wait. To learn more about fall fashion and fill your closet, I will be at Carrie Ann boutique along with many of Houston's finest bloggers to celebrate Carrie Ann's fall release!



Other bloggers there include:
Jillian Goltzman, CupofCharisma.com
Jacklyn Kent, BeautyandtheBinky.com
Stylist Jillian Williams, TheJilliansCloset.com
Ashley Lopez, SimplicityandCoffee.com

I can't wait :) Hope to see you there!
LOVE, MARA

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Sep 19, 2016

MY FAVORITE FALL 2016 TRENDS.

This past week has not only been a little whirlwind as far as fashion events but also personally. I swear I am trying to normalize my blogging schedule but there are a few things shaking it up! More on that soon, but until then, 3 of my favorite trends I've been seeing for fall are here! There are many more like chokers, bomber jackets, bell sleeves, bell bottoms etc. I am obsessed with Velvet, fun furs, and Camel!

Velvet is easy to infuse into fall in many ways! You can go all out with actual clothing or pick up a great accessory to help add texture and dimension to your look. You can even opt for a matte lip creme emulating a velvet look. Velvet is always come and go but always perfect for fall/winter.  I want to pick up a cute crossbody bag or embellished sneaker. 
I think I just love this fur because I saw Rihanna wearing this YSL piece. I actually am not a fan of fur unless its vintage but.. this is too cool. I love textures. This piece walked down the runway during the Vogue and Simon Malls Luxe fashion show at the Houston Galleria. 
One of my favorite colors this fall is camel. Suede is a huge trend so it folds into this color that I am obsessed with. I did a thrift call a couple weeks ago and picked up a few camel tees that I can't wait to wear. I really want a camel bag and some boots, and that cute button up skirt... and basically everything else in this trend board. 
I am such a season pusher... maybe I'll randomly pack up and move somewhere a little bit colder? You know... since I apparently love this season so much, and Houston isn't really about that life. Hmm....

Do you have a favorite trend?
LOVE, MARA


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Sep 18, 2016

WEEKEND WRAPUP: Fashion Filled Week in HTX

PHEW, its been a whirlwind of a week. Between all of the fashion events and changes in my personal life I feel bad I've been more exhausted to blog. I went to both the Neiman Marcus and Tidbits It Girls of Instagram event as well as the Vogue and Simon Luxe show.
Some of my favorite trends this season are dressed up sneakers, bomber jackets, embellishments and chokers. I ran into a few familiar faces and even met Deandre Hopkins at the Vogue event!

I'll be discussing fall trends and transitioning your wardrobe all week so stay tuned!

LOVE, MARA
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Sep 14, 2016

WEDNESDAY INSPIRATION

Sometimes you need  a little push over the hump.
Keep hustling.
LOVE, MARA

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Sep 13, 2016

K BEAUTY | CRACARE ALOE SMOOTHING MASK REVIEW

First of all, I recently found out Lioele is Houston closed so I am super sad :/ One of the last times I went and I got this mask for free with my purchase.

 WHO KNEW IT WOULD COME IN HANDY? When I got back from Belize I was pretty dark. My skin was peeling badly and it was super noticeable on my forehead. I was scouring my beauty closet (please don't judge me) for anything super hydrating and I saw this 3 part mask. Normally I feel like this would have been too intense for me but for my peeling face after vacation, it was perfect.

Step one was an anti-aging primer. It acted as a serum before I placed the sheet mask on. You rub it into problem areas but there was so much I ended up just putting it on my whole face. After applying the serum you apply a typical sheet mask. I forgot how long I had to wear it but I just watched TV the whole time, masks are the best thing to do when you are relaxing. After the mask washing your face is not necessary. You can continue to massage extra product into the skin. Step three was applying a night cream. Since I do masks at night the timing wasn't a issue here. I applied the night cream and went to sleep.
I woke up with the smoothest skin and I did not have peeling issues with my forehead anymore. Talk about intense moisturizing! I would definitely buy it again because my face can get pretty dry when it's cold outside but Lioele closed! There is another K beauty store in Houston called The Face Shop that I want to visit, maybe I'll hit that place up and review more K Beauty items!

LOVE, MARA

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Sep 12, 2016

WASHINGTON DC OPI | Swatches

As soon as September hits I transition my nail colors to more nudes, shades of gray, and really rich tones. I was going to put together a list of colors I'm obsessed with  but OPI already did it all with their DC collection. I love how they chose DC but then focused the collection on Kerry Washington's series Scandal. The whole collection comes in Nail Lacquer and as Gels. Also, with Kerry working on this collection herself, she is OPI's first ever creative ambassador! These colors look great on all skin tones, all shades of beautiful. To me that is what makes this collection instantly exciting.
I tend to buy colors that are very similar so this season I want to buy some colors that are a shade different
Lucky for me, my three colors on my lust list came in a set at Ulta. It hits all three colors I plan on wearing all season: Nude, Deep Red, and Greenish Gray.

The Ulta by me is sold out of most colors mostly because the week it debut they were running a buy 2 get 1 free sale. There weren't too many colors to choose from so I decided to order the 3pc set online. The 3 pc set is also special because it packs the 3 limited edition colors in the collection.
Im currently sporting Kerry Blossom which is reminding me of another color but I can't put my finger on it. My favorite is the "Liv" In the Grey. It has a tint of green in the gray and its SOOOOO GOOD. I need a big bottle to replace my love for You Don't Know Jaques. I found a new go to grey! Inside the ISABELLEtway is a great nude that I want to try as a pedi color with glitter. Its very caramel, not like most of the nudes I own. FUN FACT, it is also named after Kerry Washington's daughter, Isabelle!




LOVE, MARA




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Sep 10, 2016

NYFW '16 STREET STYLE

ITS THAT TIME AGAIN Y'ALL. Its NYFW and as usual, my attention is always on the street style. I just think its so cool to see what is going on today with the crowds. I have listed below 3 of my favorite Instagram accounts right now to trend spot.

@manrepeller
How long have I been a Man Repeller fan? She has responded me a few times on twitter! I think her writing style is so funny and satirical. Her Instagram posts a lot of presentation photos and BTS shots!

@beckermanblog
The beckerman sisters are so cute and fun! They live in Moschino and it looks amazing in all of their photos. I follow them mostly for their style not really for updates on shows. If I was able I would raid their closet!

@chiaraferragni
I just love following Chiara in general. Her own line features my FAVORITE MOTIF, a winking eye! She is just fabulous, like... if only my blog generated $7 million in revenue. PFFT.
LOVE, MARA
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Sep 6, 2016

WORKSPACE GOALS

I have a built in desk nook at my house and never really use it! Its super nice and very big but I don't find time to work from there. I typically drag my laptop into the living room and work on the couch and when I'm tired of that I drag my laptop to my bed. 
These photos are cute inspo for a work space. I love bulletins and the idea of adding one with quotes in different fonts is awesome. I just love the ideas on the workspace goals instagram.
I wish I actually worked in my workspace. Until then, goals.
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Sep 5, 2016

CURRENT OBSESSION: Nude Lips and How to Find the Perfect Nude.

I am such a season pusher, my nails are already a dark shade of gray and I am thrifting all the best nude, copper and olive green frocks I can find. My go to is typically nude for lips in the winter. My face and lips get very dry when it gets cold out but I have a set Clarins routine to combat that! I'll share my skincare routine later in the month because in actuality its just 88 and humid.
I JUST WANT IT TO BE FALL.

If you're like me and are prepping your closet, check out my tips below to find the perfect nude for your skintone!
Nude lippies

When shopping for nude lip colors there is a lot to choose from! These simple guidelines below will put you in the right direction, there are so many nude shades out there, it's hard to tell which one is the right one!
FAIR SKIN TONES
Opt for more sheer and dusty pink undertones. Yellow undertones will wash you out. (MAC Cream Sheen is a great color!)

MEDIUM SKIN TONES
Hues with peach or pink undertones are amazing on medium skin. Opt for something slighty darker than your actual complexion, something lighter or the same shade will make you look sick. My go to is MAC Taupe. 

OLIVE SKINTONES
A tawny shade of carmel or taupe work best. Lighter options look like concealer on the lips! REVLON Nude Attitude is an affordable drugstore option.

DARK SKIN TONES
Chocolate nudes with shimmer complement this skin shade very well. Shimmer will add dimension without making the color look too flat. MAC Siss is a popular one and looks GRAND!


Hope this list helps! I just ordered a ton a colourpop colors for the first time and will be swatching them when they arrive! I have a lip color obsession and my makeup tray is becoming over flowed. I like to see a color on skin before I purchase them because lets be fair, a pale white model swatching lipstick in the demo doesn't help me. Colors will look different on my skin and its hard to find them swatched on darker tones. As I expand my lip color collection I will be sharing them here so I hopefully help with making recommendations!

Are there any colors you want me to try?
LOVE, MARA
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Sep 1, 2016

Okay Seriously, How is it September?

It feels like its been a long year, but at the same time it's gone by so quick. Its time to start transitioning into fall fashion, fall nail colors, fall activities. Its getting darker sooner, all my tv shows are coming back, and its time to rebuild. 
This summer was super great for Malibumara.com and I want to keep that momentum going into fall. I am planning some new posts and a small facelift. More reviews coming so stay tuned. There are a few more plot twists before this year is over...

LOVE, MARA
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