Moda Mama

How I Despise “Must” Haves

March 23, 2015
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7 COMMENTS

Xanadu-spell-designs-dress-boho-maxi-festival-style

Xanadu Dress – Spell Designs // Sweater – UO // Boots – Aldo // Sunnies, Necklace & Belt – F21 // Bag – Target

I don’t know if it’s my rebellious nature, or just my cynical view on things, but I seriously dislike when anyone posts articles on “Must Haves.” It’s applicable across the board, but I’m mostly referring to fashion posts here. The “Must Haves in Every Closet”, “Must Haves for Spring” etc., etc. You know what I’m talking about. Us women have seen them, and continue to see them every season.

Every magazine and blogger always has these “Must Have” articles. Frankly, I think it’s ridiculous. Why ‘must’ you have it? What’s gonna happen if you don’t? You don’t need to have anything except weather appropriate clothing to keep you safe from the elements. That’s what you ‘must have’ and even then, if you don’t well, that’s at your own risk. You’re a grown up and can make those choices for yourself.

Further, these must haves are not applicable to everyone, so why must you have them? I don’t own a crisp button up white shirt. I haven’t owned one for about eight years. It’s on everyone’s ‘Must Have’ list, yet I haven’t needed it for eight years. So perhaps it’s not actually a ‘Must-Have’?

These are generic lists for generic people and they don’t reflect individuality. They should be called “suggested haves.” Because not only do they paint you inside a generic box, but they also make you feel like you are somehow without or lacking if you don’t own these things. I call bullshit on that. I don’t own a set of classic black pumps. And thought I do have a classic black blazer, I honestly have worn it for about nine years. So why must I have these things? Clearly I don’t.

What must you have in your wardrobe? Those pieces that define you and that function in your lifestyle. That’s it. That’s all you ‘must have’ and tell anyone who says differently to shove it somewhere.

No Labels

February 2, 2015
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5 COMMENTS

Maxi Lace Dress – Arnhem // Sweater – Ruche // Belt – Hadley Pollet // Boots – Aldo // Necklaces – F21

I love this gorgeous maxi dress from Arnhem. It’s really a summer piece meant to be worn over a bikini rather than layered for this Winter weather. But as you all know, I don’t like labels like “Summer” and “Winter” on clothing. So I’m playing around and trying to figure out ways to wear this gorgeous piece all year round.

Thoughts? Other ideas on how to wear it? You guys always inspire me.

Winter Unicorn

January 28, 2015
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10 COMMENTS

Sweater – ThreadSence – huge sale now! // Dress – Ruche – huge sale now! // Thigh High Leg Warmers – Free People // Boots – Aldo // Necklace – TopShop

Here’s a quick outfit from a couple of days ago, you know before it got too cold to breathe. It was a unicorn of a Winter day: I could wear bare legs. Crazy I know!

The day also made me realize that I miss wearing dresses. But frankly my dear, it’s too cold. Right now, I’m into the double pants, or thermal long underwear scene.

Or just bundling up in front of the space heater and never leaving the house.

Clean

December 31, 2014
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4 COMMENTS

Dress – Ruche // Sweater – hand me down // Cardigan – – UO // Boots – Aldo // Long Necklace – I forget // Short Necklace – Vanessa Mooney

The end of 2014. To be honest, I’m kind of glad it’s over today. The last year has been challenging *let’s use that word shall we* and though 2015 is not off to a great start, at least with the unknown there’s the possibility and the *dare I say* hope that things will change for the better.

One thing is nice, I’ve been working my way through the house slowly over the last few days, cleaning everything. I mean everything: washing walls, washing baseboards, moving all the furniture out of the way, emptying, cleaning, and sorting everything. And it feel so much better to walk through the areas of the house that have been done. They are as clean as when we moved into the house and it de-stresses me in a wonderful way.

New Year, clean start. Symbolic perhaps? Let’s hope.

Love For The Disgusting Hallmark Moments

December 23, 2014
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4 COMMENTS

Dress & Fringe Scarf – SheInside // Cardigan – Ruche *old* // Tights – gift // Socks – – UO // Boots – Aldo

As everyone scrambles to get their shopping done, I’m enjoying the little things with my family. We have free passes to Casa Loma, so that’s on the agenda today. And yesterday we traded with a neighbor for an espresso machine.

None of it took shopping or money, all of it just took some good will. The result is that this morning we’re nursing our first homemade lattes, and heading out to spend a day as a family.

I know, it’s disgusting how Hallmark the day is…but I love it.

Rural Polish Lass

December 15, 2014
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6 COMMENTS

Dress – c/o eShakti // Cardigan – Ruche *old* // Tights – gift // Socks – UO // Boots – Locale // Necklace – Free People // Rings *other than ring finger rings* – F21

I’ve worked with eShakti before. They always have a great selection of classic pieces, and whenever we get the chance to work together, I always end up with a wonderful addition to my wardrobe. This time was no exception. I selected this gorgeous red boho dress from their holiday collection, and because their pieces are customizable, I decided to make the sleeves on the dress full length.

I wanted a dress that was geared more towards Winter, rather then towards Summer, not that you can’t wear this dress on a cooler summer day, just that I had a specific idea in mind. I’m so happy with the way the longer sleeves turned out.

The dress now has a great boho-folk feeling to it. Something that’s fitting, as I’m a girl from rural Poland *not 100% true, I split my time between urban and rural Poland – but still braided Polish lass here* so the braided farm girl thing is in my blood.

And as a last note, can we take a moment to talk about the red? I couldn’t resist this bold red. I’m having a love affair with red lately. Something about it has me enchanted.

Any colors that have totally captured you right now?

How To BAM and Winterize an Outfit

December 10, 2014
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6 COMMENTS

Dress – Avenle // Sweater – thrifted // Necklaces – Ruche // Belt – came with dress // Boots – Locale

My distaste for putting summer clothes away at the end of summer is well documented – especially ’cause the awesome deals appear right as the weather gets colder and who wants to wait a whole year to wear the pretty things! Not me. Avenle was a store I stumbled upon on Instagram and when I went to the site, I discovered a plethora of vintage-esque and boho-chic clothing. It’s all really well priced and they have great deals for newsletter subscribers.

So when I nabbed this cute dress for an insanely ridiculous low price, I definitely didn’t wait. Enter, layering. I’ve expounded on the wonders of layering *it’s the only thing that gets me through these harsh Winters* and I will continue to do so. A tank top, thick tights, thigh high socks, knee high boots, and a sweater over the dress, and BAM! The outfit is winterized.

It’s all about the layering people.
And the BAM!
You gotta have the BAM!

Maxis Hold Little Secrets

November 19, 2014
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2 COMMENTS

Chelsea Verde Maxi Dress – Ebay // Jacket – I forget // Bag – Target // Necklace – F21

Boho maxi dresses are just sublime. I love the wonderful assortment of patterns, the swish and swirl as you walk and turn. There’s something deeply satisfying in the weight of the material moving through the air with my movements. Almost a secret dance known only to me.

Also, there’s a great ease to them. For Winter, leggings and tights are easily hidden underneath for warmth, and sweaters just layer perfectly on top. The sweep and drama of bold colors and patterns make it look like you tried really hard – that’s another secret.

Change My Mind

November 4, 2014
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6 COMMENTS

Patchwork Dress – Vanessa Vigrinia via Anthropologie // Sweater – Ruche (old) // Tights & Bag – Target // Socks – UO // Boots – Aldo // Rings – Body Blue // Waterfall Necklace – c/o Atterley Road // Long Necklace – Homegrown Boutique

“I change my mind.” That’s the new phrase around the house. My girl learned that and now she’s using it everywhere.

She wants Dora instead of Blue’s Clues because, “I thought about it. I change my mind.”

She picked her two Halloween candy treats, then came back to pick a different one because, “I thought about it. I change my mind.”

She wants oatmeal instead of eggs because, “I thought about it. I change my mind.”

She wants the blue pants instead of pink because, “I thought about it. I change my mind.”

“I thought about it. I change my mind” this.
“I thought about it. I change my mind” that.

It’s frankly really hilarious and I have trouble not giggling every time she says it. She knows what she wants, and she makes it known. Pretty sure I know where she gets that from, huh?

*linking up with WIW*

Force Feed Me Pumpkin

October 29, 2014
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14 COMMENTS

Sweater Dress – Ruche // Cardigan – c/o Wallis // Boots – I forget // Tights – gift from Poland // Waterfall Necklace & Bracelet – c/o Atterley Road // Skull Necklace – Monserat de Lucca

Okay, okay, I’ll admit it, Fall is pretty. The colors and the textures are wonderful. But you’re still not gonna get me to like it. I don’t like the dropping temperatures, or the fact that I know Winter is a blink away.

You can tie me down, and force feed me all the pumpkin chai teas, pumpkin pies, muffins, and ciders you can manage *and seriously I encourage you to do so* but that’s still not gonna change my mind. I’m a summer girl. Give me hot winds, blazing suns, and fluttering kimonos any time.

But I’m trying to find the positive in things these days, so….hand over that pumpkin chai already.

Category :Dresses