HEY OCTOBER | LETS START NEW AND STUFF

Its October! Its fall, time to get spooky. You know what's spooky? Adulting. 

Y'all, this marks 12 months of living in Portland. Well, almost. The end of this month marks 12 months of living in Portland. If you've followed my blog these last 12 months, its actually been really hard. It's great in the sense I am learning alot, I've already gotten a promotion, I enjoy working with my originals team... But it's been hard in the sense of being here alone, trying to work with a new team that I don't blend with, being black in Portland, and dealing with no HEB or Canes. 

Anyway, it's not anything that can kill me. My only challenge is losing weight the rest of the year! 

In other news, after years of using most of the same items, I finally ventured out and tried a few new beauty products. I LOVE them and have used them all September and wanted to share them:

1) Mario Badescu Facial Spray: I admit I only tried this because it was really hyped but I am not regretting it. You can use it to set makeup which is what I use it for. It makes me look really dewy which is my vibe right now. It smells like roses, but there is a green version that is aloe. Mario makes a moisturizer with SPF that is in my cart next. This product is also only $7 so it's pretty affordable compared to most products like this. 

PHOTOLOG: Concrete Jungle Vibes

This post has taken longer than usual, my body is finally crashing! I have been going home and falling asleep. NO BUENO. It is luckily a 3 day weekend so I will be able to get some work done but also fit in some real rest. NY was so fun, I need to visit for fun later this year. The day we arrived it was an amazing 60 degrees, and then by day 2 we woke up to a mini blizzard. I DIDN'T HATE IT! NYC actually salts the sidewalks so it wasn't scary trying to walk around or get anywhere that we needed to be. Major WIN.

SHOESDAY: Extra Butter

Extra Butter NYC is a minimalist streetwear and sneaker shop in NY. We actually went in to compshop but I really thought the space was really good. They have both apparel and sneakers, Of course they sell adidas, but they also carry BBC, Reebok, and Diadora to name a few. This L.E.S shop has been around since 2013 and is definitely here to stay.

Also, Happy shoes day! Today I'm featuring my Pharrell Hu NMD in black, I highly regret not buying every color. 

Valentine Adventure| A look you can actually run the town in.

I was sent a really cute Dress and Bomber from AMIclubwear.com and styled them for the perfect streetwear ready night on the town.

The dress is listed here as a cognac ruffled, mock neck long sleeve, side slit, floral lace detail knee length dress. In NYC today I am running the town in this look. It is also really cold in both Portland and New York so for this season I am pairing it with thick black leggings from Zara, adidas EQT, adidas originals Beanie and an AMI Clubwear Bomber Jacket.  My jacket is no longer available but there are some more cute ones Here, Here and Here. You can still sign up for a link for AMI to email you if my embroidered one is back in stock.

Lipcolor is Hotline Bling from Colourpop.

AMI clubwear is a site I browsed quite a bit while in college but stopped looking in the past few years. I really missed out, they have a few pieces on their site that can fold into my personal style. The offering is very trendy and affordable so they are great looks for a quick night out. Where was this site when I was headed to the Maxim party last minute! I did wear this jacket to the maxim party, I am not a hoe so I get cold.

LOVE, MARA

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How I Style My North Face Jackets

This time last week I was snowed in and miserable! This weekend was beautiful and sunny. I went to the gym and ran a few errands. On my way home I was going to wash my car but it started sprinkling -_- Everywhere I go, errands, work, whatever, I have leaned on these two jackets quite a bit and I got them both for Christmas! I have a few others in my rotation but with this snow and wind, and days that its about 24 degrees outside, my North Face parka gets a lot of attention. It is so crazy getting into this weather but my body hasn't failed me in it yet. On days where its not going to rain and its over 40 degrees my who is this whoisthis collab is my favorite pop of sunshine. The eye motif is my favorite thing and the fact this jacket is covered in eyes was a no brainer on my Christmas list.
I have learned to depend on a good down jacket that is also water resistant. The Parka has gotten so much attention from me lately because its not only warm but it has great deep pockets and the perfect hood that stays in place. It doesn't really move  if its windy! I am able to dress extremely casual at my job so below are outfits very similar to things I have worn before to work. I am so excited that my tri-color NMDs are in the mail on the way to me (pictured bottom right)!

How I wear my Northface Jackets by malibumarablog featuring an adidas jacket

Michael Kors sleeveless turtleneck
$485 - net-a-porter.com

TIBI cropped sweater
ifchic.com

The north face coat
thenorthface.com

Adidas jacket
crownthequeens.com

Joe s
belk.com

The North Face clothing
thenorthface.com

River Island ripped jeans
riverisland.com

Adidas Originals sneaker
$160 - italist.com

Adidas Originals white sneaker
stylebop.com

Kate spade purse
$435 - neimanmarcus.com

Watch
macys.com

When I used to think of North Face the first thing that popped into my mind was a basic bitch. You know, the black 1/4 zip, or full zip, with uggs and leggings as pants. I was put off by the brand that I never looked into what real jackets they offered. I mean, in the head I will never buy a 1/4 zip from there still! But these two are so worth it.
Its Funny how cold I used to think 50 degrees was but today after leaving the gym I didn't really need a jacket. How spoiled is everyone in the south?! Layering has been my major key, and keeping pops of color in my wardrobe really helps me when the sun doesn't make an appearance. Rain is something I am kind of used to because Houston is technically a swamp/wetland area but PDX rain is a little different. Its really light, I have never used an umbrella here, just stuck to a rain jacket with a hood. But the rain just goes on, it gets gloomy and I just get sad. Even on days its not raining there is a little gloom. I heard the summers here are REALLY nice... so lets see. It's cool having 4 seasons.

LOVE, MARA

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TOBI DRESSES| WHAT IF YOU FALL?

WHAT IF I FALL?

BUT DARLING, WHAT IF I FLY?

Tobi gave me the chance to review some of the cute dresses on their site. I already was a Tobi fan so this is great! In these photos I am wearing the Emily Embroidered Maxi Dress. This would look cute with a leather jacket or even a black cape jacket for the fall! It is super hot in Texas so this is working out just fine. 

Tobi is a cute design label from LA that has a great private label of jumpsuits, tops, dresses and body suits. I have worn them a few times so this was a great collab. 

Also, you didn't think I would leave Houston without one more major project? KB Photography and I have had a vision of making me levitate for a long time. If you are fortunate to be in Texas, he is based in San Antonio and is very talented.

LOVE, MARA

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FASHION X HOUSTON: Thursday Shows

This year Fashion X came to Houston to present an amazing 4 days of runways, charity, and local shopping sponsored by Cadillac. I attended night one because I am super busy getting my life together! It was also great to run into a few of the wonderful girls in my community of Bloggers. I am really going to miss going to events with them! It is really unique in a space like blogging to find a group of girls that are willing to support and collaborate with each other. A lot of people are very egotistical about blogging, so I am thankful to have found a group of girls that aren't like that!

Night one consisted of shows from Miles David, Jimmy Burner, SixChel, This is Sloane, Rask, Daniel Esquivel, Sean Kelly and Mysterious by NPN. Daniel Esquivel and Sean Kelly are designers that have been on Project Runway. Local Designers included Miles David (David Peck), Jimmy Burner (OMG he is 17! So talented) and Mysterious by NPN. Nicholas the designer behind Mysterious by NPN also was the Bernina Fashion Fund Award Recipient. He received two awesome sewing machines! I saw him a couple years back at Artopia and he is still as innovative and impressive. 

This is Sloan is a designer from Austin, she debut her first collection at 19. 

Rask was full of really cool denimwear. The designers are two sisters from New York.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING! Mysterious by NPN was so beautiful.  

And thats a wrap! It was a good night of shows and Silver Street was a smart place to have it. Glad I got to attend a one last fashion show before I move :)


I'm also wearing one of my favorite dresses from TOBI! It is the ADRIANA WRAP DRESS. Tobi sent it along with a couple other dresses to share with you all. You are going to DIE when you see the maxu dress.

LOVE, MARA

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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!

I picked the Cotton Chambray Shift Dress. 

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

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

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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TREND REPORT: POM POMS

If you haven't heard I am headed to Belize this week for a friends Bachelorette party! In searching for some inspiration for outfits I kept coming across Pom items and I love everything! I picked up a pair of Pom Sandals and they are the perfect item so far for this vacation. I can't wait to post some photos in them. The pom just screams summer, as summer comes to an end I think we need to squeeze it in somehow.
I picked up my coveted pom sandals for only $14 at Justin, a local store here in Houston. TALK ABOUT A STEAL! When it comes to very trendy items I don't hesitate to pay a trendy price, its something so here and gone I didn't want to spend in the $150 range.

What was one of your favorite summer trends?

LOVE, MARA

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SUGAR AND CLOTH COLOR WALL HOUSTON: Smile Brilliant Giveaway Announcement

Photo by Jerren Willis

One of the best photoshoot walls in Houston hasn't even been around for too long. The Sugar and cloth wall was erected on canal street and is the best place to take photos. A wall sectioned out in bright colors for any theme you happen to have? Why haven't I made it out sooner? I paired a Zara skirt I found during a SUPER SALE for $10. What a deal. The top is thrifted from one of my favorite South Houston thrift stores and its true vintage and shoes are Steve Madden.

All photos are by Houston Photographer Jerren Willis.
You can contact him here: http://jwilphotos.com/services/
He was super easy to work with and has a lot of experience is tons of different genre of photography in Houston!

SO many adventures with this one and San Diego Comic Con for year 3 is happening. Follow us on Instagram/snapchat/ twitter to see what we are up too. Sorry not sorry for all the picspam that will occur. 

MARA's INSTAGRAM @Malibumara 

MARA's TWITTER @Malibumara

MARA's SNAPCHAT @Malibumara 

KYLEs INSTAGRAM @Kyle.jpeg

KYLEs TWITTER @khdot27

KYLEs SNAPCHAT @k.dot

AND A BONUS

I have been whitening my teeth with this awesome kit from smile brilliant. I am giving one away and its an easy giveaway that you can enter here:
http://www.smilebrilliant.com/contest#ig60017

The kit has been fun to use and I will be posting it later this week!

LOVE, MARA

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