Kamakura Hydrangea Temple Photo Journal

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

Photo Journal : Rose Garden in Japan

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

Spring Capsule Wardrobe

Spring Capsule Wardrobe by nia-maki featuring French Connection

As much as it does't seem like spring in the northeast (it actually snowed last night), it's that time of the year to change up your wardrobe. Out with the heavy coats and in with the classic trench coats. Good bye dark plums and hello pastels. That being said, this spring is the first spring I try out a capsule wardrobe, and after it will make a complete year of trying out to be a minimalist (wardrobe wise at least).

I've definitely had to adjust the rules I initially set and get used to new routines and styles of clothes. But I've enjoyed this experience and found out more about myself than I thought I would. After all, building a capsule wardrobe is just as much about finding out about what your true style is...what your want to say to the world about yourself through fashion, as it is about being practical, choosing quality over quantity, and simplifying.

The troubles I've had is with transitional periods, especially fall and spring, because I can't decide if I'd really want to put away certain pieces before the next season comes along. For example, the A-lines midi skirt would work just as well in the summer as it would in spring. Do I really "need" four capsule wardrobes instead of two? Or should I just narrow each season's selections and just have four?

As with any season, the backbone of your capsule wardrobe is your neural classic pieces. For spring, I've decided I wanted to focus on lighter neutral colors (the stain remover pen is already in my purse) like white pants and light wash jeans. But embracing my feminine style, I brought in more of the tulle/A-line midi skirts that I love so much. A maxi skirt for the colder days, and a couple dresses that can go from formal to casual depending on how you accessorize.

Spring 2015 Accessories by nia-maki featuring a yellow gold necklace

The accessories are where I like to mix in trends and make the clothes versatile. So Forever21, H&M, and such stores still get visits for costume jewelry, scarves, and an outfit of two in the seasons trending colors and styles. This year it's all about the brass/gold tones, asymmetrical earrings, choker-ish necklaces, and I still love the layered, delicate necklaces and stackable rings. 

Hopefully dressing the part will give the weather a clue that it's time to warm up [=

"You have a more interesting life if you wear impressive clothes."

- Vivienne Westwood