Above & Beyond Style

Last week, I posed the question: What are your style pitfalls? What gets you off track from authentic style? And you came back with some seriously good intel. In this week's episode, I recap your feedback and offer a few solutions along the way. This season gave us an opportunity to look at a variety of obstacles or challenges that can get in the way of our authentic style, and hopefully, you've found the encouragement, validation, and inner strength to take a step toward a style that is authentically yours! And when you need help, I'm just a message away. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the web⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to her emails, too!

Back again with another update on my style resolution with vibrancy as I visited coastal Connecticut! Then, I take another look at these style pitfalls with a bit more focus on the psychology of authentic style. Maybe you've never really been on track with your style? Maybe there's not even been an opportunity to focus on authentic style? I also have a listener request: would you email me what your style pitfalls are, or what gets you off track, or maybe even why you've never even been "on track"? You can email me here. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the web⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to her emails, too! You might also enjoy listening to this episode from season 1: The Secret to Authentic Style

Sometimes when we look at the extremes of style behavior, we can find clarity in the middle, which I argue is where authentic style lives. This week's episode looks at the Minimalist, the Maximilist, and the Moderate, and offers tips for how to orient ourselves toward a more moderate, authentic style. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the web⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to her emails, too!

Let's take a brief break from style pitfalls, as it's been 5 months since I first discussed Choosing Entrepreneurism, and it's time for an update! I recently made a big life transition (sold my home + seeking where-to next!), and it felt appropriate to share more about my spiritual journey as I continue to choose entrepreneurism. I've had several great coaches, mentors, and friends to support me along the way, and this week's episode builds on the importance of a growth mindset and personal healing as business owners. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the web⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to her emails, too!

This week's check-in on "vibrancy" comes after a VERY big shift I made last week (spoiler alert: I moved!). And it all got me thinking: While I am looking at settling into a new community or neighborhood, I'm curious about whether the pressure to belong is impacting how we get dressed. Does your neighborhood have a look? A uniform of sorts? Do you find yourself feeling the pressure to belong by wearing what's "acceptable" vs. what may be more authentically you? Listen in to see if this may be getting you off track from your authentic style. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠the web⁠⁠⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠ to her emails, too!

In this week's episode, let's think about those items in your wardrobe that are just too hard to handle or care for, i.e., may require dry cleaning or ironing. These can be reasons why we don't reach for certain items, and then they sit in our closets collecting dust! Consider how garment care may be a reason you get off track with your authentic style, and if there are any steps you're willing to take to get that item back into rotation. I referenced these specific items in the episode (if you shop from these links, I do make a small commission, so thank you!) Steamer Sweater comb Sweater shaver Natural stain solution Mesh garment bags To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠the web⁠⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ to her emails, too!

After a check-in on this year's style resolution with "vibrancy," we dig into yet another style pitfall I coin as the "reserved only" section of our wardrobes. It often feels similar to why we don't use the fine china or burn our best candles. It's as if we are reserving these items for special occasions, and yet, we aren't always guaranteed that future opportunity. What would happen if we actually wore the specialty items? Tune in for this week's dose of style inspiration! I also reference this episode from Season 1, Using Wardrobe as a Tool for Support. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠the web⁠⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to her emails, too!

Are you someone who is a repeat buyer of the same item? The "multiples shopper" can leave us with more than what we need and can even keep track of! Listen in this week to find out why we buy in multiples and how to this behavior may get us off track from our authentic style. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠@mfd_style⁠ or on ⁠the web⁠ (www.mfdstyle.com). ⁠Subscribe⁠ to her emails, too!

After a style resolution check in on "vibrancy," we tackle this week's pitfall: The "What If" Scenario. Do you have a disproportionate number of clothes in your wardrobe that are being reserved for the "what if" scenario? Listen in for a closer look at your wardrobe and explore why you're hanging onto clothes for the one-shot-wonder scenario that may or may not even happen! I reference two previous episodes you might also enjoy listening to: The Power of Color with Rebecca Reid and The Clothes We Keep.  To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

Authentic style starts with YOU. And sometimes we (including me!) can get too heavily influenced by trustworthy outside voices to purchase items that maybe shouldn't have been in our wardrobe to begin with. With social media influencers and targeted ads on the rise, we can place too much emphasis on external suggestions vs. listening to our own knowing. This week, try to hone your own intuition and get clearer about the best choices for your wardrobe and style. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

In this episode, we check-in about this year's style resolution with the word "vibrancy" and share how it has shown up personally and professionally over the last few weeks (which has been really fun!). Then, I continue our conversation around what gets us off track from a wardrobe we really love by addressing the shopping itch. It's a behavior many of us lean heavily into and can sometimes result in a closet full of clothes we don't want or need. Listen in for how to help scratch the itch more effectively! To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

The allure of a sale can be quite tricky when we are trying to build a wardrobe we love. In this episode, I talk about the common pitfall of buying for a sale, and how we can create mental strategies to help us from succumbing to it and avoid having a closet of clothes we don't like or wear! Love to hear if you have any strategies you use to create some space between you and the urge to buy sale items. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

I have a firm belief that our clothing choices are an extension of who we are, but sometimes we look in the mirror and feel unrecognizable in our clothes. You're not alone if this sounds familiar! In this new season, we are going to unpack those pitfalls and things that distract us, and shine the light on what gets in the way of building a closet we love. So let's orient ourselves toward a style resolution, which promises to keep you- and me- on track. You might also enjoy listening to S1, E12: Curate a Closet You Love. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

Shame has a complicated hold on us, especially when we look in the mirror or get dressed each day. As a wardrobe consultant, I bear witness to many people's shame for themselves and for their bodies. I wrote an article in August 2022 about releasing shame and reclaiming self-love, and this episode is dedicated to 4 major wardrobe scenarios that have a spiritual opportunity for healing and transformation. I reference two former podcast episodes you might benefit from listening to: The Clothes We Keep and Shifting the Self-Talk Narrative. To learn more about Maria and her work (including how to gift her services this holiday season!), follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

Women's apparel follows no standardization of sizing, which has left millions of women feeling confused, frustrated, and at times shameful about the size they have to buy. In this episode, I discuss the psychological game of women's sizing and how it's impacted our feelings of self-worth and value. I challenge us to be conscious of the more important factors when selecting clothes, rather than fixating on sizes that no one else can see! To learn more about Maria and her work (including how to gift her services this holiday season!), follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web (www.mfdstyle.com). Subscribe to her emails, too!

Those of us in the U.S. have a very big shopping week ahead: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, NEW Secondhand Sunday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. Our consumer behavior really shapes so much of our economy, and this unique week is an opportunity to be intentional with how we shop and how we give. I tell you all about Poshmark's first annual Secondhand Sunday and why we should participate.  To learn more about Maria and her work (including how to gift her services this holiday season!), follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web. Subscribe to her emails, too! You can also shop Maria's Poshmark closet to support secondhand gifting: https://poshmark.com/closet/mfd_style.

December 1, 2022 marks my one-year anniversary of leaving traditional employment to run MFD Style full-time. Entrepreneurism is a choice, and while not everyone's cup of tea, it opened up possibilities and a lifestyle that I have wanted a long time. Listen in to this episode where I look back at my decision-making process and choosing a mindset that ultimately would sustain me as an entrepreneur.   To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web. Subscribe to her emails, too!

Lindsay Morlock is a gifted intuitive, breathwork facilitator, hand analyst, and Spiritual coach. Her approach to healing is grounded in helping others to bridge the gap between the spiritual and practical realms. Through her work, Lindsay empowers her clients to understand that they already have all the answers they are searching for within themselves; they simply need to learn how to access it. She loves helping her clients connect with their own Spiritual Support Teams and ultimately to develop the most important relationship they will ever have in their lives – the one they have with their SELF. You can find Lindsay on the web (www.lindsaymorlock.com) or on Instagram (@lindsay_morlock).  To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web. Subscribe to her emails, too!

Lisa McCrohan is an Integrative Coach, Somatic Experiencing Psychotherapist, author, and poet. She works with clients all over the world - both individuals and organizations - to follow what delights their hearts and lead lives they deeply love at home and work. She is the author of two books: Gems of Delight and Your Light is Rising. She recently started a podcast called Delightful - it's where science and psychology meet spirituality and creativity. Her whole intention for Delightful is to offer listeners a poetic experience for their nervous systems to be soothed and gently reinvigorated. Lisa lives in Middletown, Maryland with her husband, two children, and their dog, Sherlock, with the mountains outside their back door. You can find Lisa on the web (www.lisamccrohan.com) to learn all about her poetry, publications, and coaching.  To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web. Subscribe to her emails, too!

Kate Hammer is a business coach and consultant who lives in upstate New York with a family of four. She says, "Building a business takes courage, and you deserve to feel empowered in it. If you’re feeling lost, unorganized, or maybe just plain overwhelmed, 1:1 consulting from someone who cares about you and your success just as much as you do, can be a valuable investment." She will work with you to develop short and long-term strategy, brand confidence, and creative solutions to sticky problems. Kate comes to work with a tool box packed with over a decade of experience, an advanced degree in Information Management, Data Science certification, and a long list of happy 1:1 clients. She is also the host of her own podcast, “You Know How to Live,” and Season 2 will be out soon. You can connect with Kate via Instagram (@_katehammer) with a voice DM (she loves those!) or set up a 15-minute discovery call from her website (www.consultwithkate.com).  To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram @mfd_style or on the web. Subscribe to her emails, too!