Starting Over at 30

Hello everyone, I'd love to introduce myself to you all!

My name is Maria, I was born in Beirut and raised in the U.S.A. until my family moved back to Lebanon when I was a teenager. Adjusting to one culture then another was not easy, I lost my close friends in the States, and I had a complete culture shock when I got back home to my roots. I always felt like I didn't belong and after all these years I still feel the same. That being said, I have not lost my identity and never will, because the last thing on my mind is trying to blend in.

I studied architecture and have been practicing for 11 years until recently when I decided to leave my stable decade-long job to pursue my dreams. It is tough starting over, especially when you've already established a career, but in the depth of my being I felt that I shouldn't waste another day of my life trapped inside 4 walls and putting my visions on hold. If any of you are the creative type then you can relate to what I mean when I say that office work makes you dead inside. I am currently working more than one direction which are sharing and selling my art as well as taking on commissions, offering architecture and interior design services to clients, and creating content and collaborating with brands and businesses. It is way harder juggling these 3, but I am laying the foundation for my future and I don't intend to back down.

The photo below was taken in Camden Market, London where I felt like I belonged, the scene is so chill, so hippie, just like me.

I am also a mother of 2 kids, Tracy is turning 4 and Fares almost 1.5 years old. They are a handful but I wouldn't have it any other way, and I'm here to destroy the stereotype that mothers can't do home and work at the same time. It takes a tremendous effort to be able to take care of family and still be able to chase personal goals, but ultimately I am willing to go the extra mile for greater goals.

I'm big on girl power, I hope that the new generation of women understand that they are beautiful just the way they are. Lose the makeup, boost your confidence, embrace your body type. It took me a long time to finally love myself and my curves, but now I do and I hope all women will someday make peace with who they are. Looks aren't everything, heck, they mean nothing! What is important is being nice, polite, cultured and humane.

I got my first tattoo last year and now I have 4, I'm obsessed and I don't think I'll be stopping anytime soon. I also used to have a stud on my nose but switched it to a ring when I was in Barcelona's street market. I love traveling, I have a bad case of the wanderlust and my bucket list is pages long. You will always find my goofing around, case in point the photo below taken at Central Park!

I love art in all its forms, and I feel an automatic connection to anyone who is an artist and has a deep meaningful message to share to the world. I also love everything old, I sometimes feel I was born in the wrong century or decade. I love antique tableware and furniture, vintage fashion and accessories, black and white movies, psychedelic rock and symphonies. I live and let live, you won't see me judging anyone's beliefs or their right to their opinion. I express myself through painting, drawing and writing. I also love to read, and I'd rather be called a bookworm over anything else.

I launched my blog 4 years ago, I talk about personal style, travel, food, culture, parenting, beauty as well as sharing my experiences and thoughts. If you would like to get to know me better through my writing, my blog is https://www.stylememaria.com.

My Instagram and Twitter handles are stylememaria, Pinterest is stylememariaweb and I recently started sharing some of my paintings on http://www.saatchiart.com/marianajem, I still have hundreds of paintings and drawings to upload though!

I hope I get to meet you all and that we have an amazing connection together!

Much love,
Maria
xoxo