Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe

This fall, I decided to add some warm, earth tones to my capsule wardrobe. I have gone as far as to incorporate gold jewelry, but I can say the last time I had brown boots was...actually never. I like my blacks and grays. I like my silvers. I like my color schemes the way I like my music in the 2000s. Dark, cold and emo.

However, this fall I'm embracing the reds, coppers, and browns, and surprised that I'm actually loving it. Some of my pieces won't stay from last fall since I've gained weight. I figured by this fall I would have lost it and only have had to replace my summer wardrobe this year, but unfortunately it's too late and I might as well come to terms with my new size.

Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe by nia-maki featuring trench coats

I still have a few more pieces to get to complete the wardrobe and just the accessories and shoes left on the list. I was really happy with Mary Kay's fall line as well! The metallics are not only gorgeous, but the have lots of browns and golds, and the shadows go on SO smoothly and pigmented.

So far, what I've done with my capsule wardrobe in the past has been the planning of what colors and items I'd want, but this season I also want to give some thought into how I store and organize my closet. The last few years has involved so much moving that I've never fully felt like it would be worth organizing things. But like my weight change, I should just embrace this and have it organized in a way that's conducive to my "nomad" life. It should be easy with such a small wardrobe, right? Who knew how zen this whole process of minimalism would turn out to be?!


"Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity" - Coco Chanel 

My Road to Minimalism: Fall Capsule Wardrobe

It's officially fall. By process of elimination, it technically should qualify as my favorite season. Winter sucks balls, summer is too hot, spring causes horrible allergies... Yet this year I notice this feeling of dread as the temperature begins to drop and the day's get shorter. I feel as if summer ended too prematurely, and the fact that fall is upon us only reminds me of the dreary realization that winter is just around the corner. Suddenly, what should be my favorite season -the season with the best flavored coffees and cozy attire to match the perfect weather, not too hot or cold -becomes the bane of my existence. O.K. that was pretty dramatic. It's not that bad. But it also means that I need my new capsule wardrobe for the season.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe by nia-maki featuring a white blouse

Again, some useful links for capsule wardrobes and minimalism:

My Road to Minimalism: Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Summer Capsule Wardroble by nia-maki featuring short black dresses

3 Tips for Big, Frizz Free Curls even with Low Density Hair

I'm guessing the first thing you are going to as is..., "What's low density hair?" 

Well, check out this right here for a more in depth look at what hair density is and why its important to know what your type is to help you with your hair routines. 

Well, I not only have thin hair, I have low density hair too. So despite the volume the curls give me, if you hold it all together you could probably fit it all in a straw. Okay, not really a straw, but you get my point. Don't believe me? Look at SunkissAlba's wet hair after she twirled her hair vs mine...

Skip to 5:07 for that part

and here's mine... yes yes, I just jumped out the shower, I have no make up on..

I just don't have that much hair, as in individual strands of hair... so naturally, as much as I wanted big hair... I couldn't do the same things as the many curly hair videos I love watching. 

So the trick for us low density girls (and guys) is...

1. Get the right hair cut! 

This goes for all curlies out there, but curly hair especially needs the right shape to look gorgeous, unless you have super short or long hair...

The Christmas tree look (which is what you get if you don't have layers) is not working my love bugs. 

I still need to get my deva cut, but in the mean time I'm getting some shape by flipping my hair from one side to the others, which makes faux layers. 

2. Don't weigh your hair down!

Especially after I cut my hair, I realized I needed to adjust the amount of product I put in my hair (since I have less hair, obviously) but also just cause I have curly hair and need extra moisture doesn't mean that I need to slather it down with oil. Because of my hair texture, porosity, and density, I find that oil just makes it look like Professor Snape (Greasy) or greasy jerry curls... and it just weighs it down if I over do it... My hair does better with light creams or mousse (but beware of alcohol in it). 

Figure out your blend of concoctions for your curls, and remember sometimes less means more. 

3. Use a hair dryer (low heat) with a diffuser!

Although you need all three things for it to work, this is what puts the icing on the cake. I am all about no heat, but honestly even with low heat the diffuser makes it feel like it's on cool, even if I put it on high. This gives the soft curls and adds volume even with low density hair. 

I twirl my hair with Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and i use smaller sections. It works much better in smaller sections since it dries faster, and it really fluffs up each section well. I then smooth it and separate the curls with serum or oil. 

There you have it guys! I hope this helps you guys out and gives life to your curls! 

“Relaxing your hair is like being in prison. You're caged in. Your hair rules you. You didn't go running with Curt today because you don't want to sweat out this straightness. You're always battling to make your hair do what it wasn't meant to do.” 

― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah

Kyoto and Osaka Photo Diary

 

The Winterlicious Tag 2014

Winter by nia-maki featuring christmas holiday decorations

I've never done a tag on this blog, but since it's been ages since I've filmed a video (and I managed to forget my charger for my camera while here in the US for the holidays), I figured a blog post would suffice. Although I started my vacation with lots of snow and cold, gloomy rainy days, the past few weeks have been manageable, and I am not as envious of the temperate Tokyo winter I am missing out on. Anyway, let's get to these questions, and as always, I tag everyone!!