Silver Lining | Personal Style

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Lo

Photos by Eric Tra

Ever since turning 24 in February I’ve been rewriting my life mantras. I’ve been learning a lot about myself and establishing what matters most to me in this world then separating those from what I think might be toxic. For example:

Things that are toxic: Neglecting to purchase something that you’re personally drawn to because you think other people won’t respond to them the same way you do. I struggled with this for a long time. I was constantly asking myself “What if people think I look weird?” and then hesitantly putting that pair of metallic harem pants back on the rack.

Things that are not toxic: Allowing yourself to buy whatever the hell you want because you’re an independent person who doesn’t just follow trends, but instead sets them. Trends like METALLIC SILVER PLATFORMED SHOES.

I don’t think I’ve ever experienced love at first sight in the way that I did when I sleepily stumbled across these babies on Shopbop one night around my birthday.

I’d been feeling very blasé about many of the styles I’d been scrolling through, but these oxfords by Opening Ceremony could not have made me feel any more alive. I was in love. I constantly admired and talked about them for two weeks before my friends got tired of hearing me obsess over them and urged me to buy them…so I did.

They’re grungy. They’re minimal. They’re shiny. They’re PERFECT. One small step for my closet, one giant step for me serving Xenon: Girl of the 21st Century realness.

New Life Mantra #2: Do you. Wear whatever you want because YOU like it. Be fearless. Feel flawless.

Buying these shoes wasn’t just a sporadic chasse into my spring wardrobe, but a step deeper into my identity. Every time I wear them I feel fiercely confident and undeniably myself. Who cares if people like them or not? They aren’t wearing the shoes – I am.

Speak to you soon!

All Saints | Spring 2015

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Lo

I saw the All Saints Spring 2015 lookbook and was practically drooling over the muted color palette, variety of textures and flawless styling that was employed the perfect unexpected layering combinations and boots for days. This spring collection of classic separates was shot perfectly against the backdrop of an old airport hangar which added some editorial edge. Fringe details and selvaged necklines hit the nail on the head of my hard v soft aesthetic that I’m normally drawn towards, and the introduction of prints and lace offered that pop of femininity that I take on the side of my more andro tendencies.

When I see a shoot like this that I’m super inspired by I try and brainstorm how I can manipulate my closet into ensembles that give a similar look and feel. Playing with proportion will be key; not to mention giving stripes on stripes another shot. Maybe a an outfit that stacks a longer spring coat over a short short, or one of my more oversized tops over a lace skirt.

Playing with pattern and proportion can be weird at first, but to me those are some of the most interesting outfits out there.

To view the rest of the collection click here

Speak to you soon!

Spring Mood 2015 | Fashion Inspo

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Lo

Regardless of the fact that much of the US is quite under the weather right now (pun intended), Seattle is in one of the few regions that’s experiencing super pleasant weather (complete with peeks of sun). This not only means that I have been experiencing HIGH amounts of energy and outputting major positivity, but also that I’ve started preemptively planning my spring wardrobe.

Developing wardrobes for seasons is new for me; it’s something that’s come as a result of having a really solidified aesthetic for my personal style. Before I get into the thick of developing the capsule (new vocab word for me) I try to envision what I want my closet to embody for the next few months and what kinds of pieces I’ll need to be able to maximize its potential. A big help for doing this? A mood board. A collection of images, colors, textures, and shapes that will sway the purchases I make into becoming a cohesive collection of pieces.

Define some goals for yourself to get started. This spring my fashion goals are:

To utilize texture in order to create interest in outfits, not only physical texture but graphic texture as well.
To collect pieces in a minimal/neutral color palette so the shapes can speak for themselves
To find a pleasing balance of tomboy and feminine
Heavy contrast in color and feel (soft vs hard)
To look like Alexa Chung as often as possible.

Developing a capsule wardrobe for a season can be a tough task, luckily Caroline from Unfancy has some pretty sick tips for getting started.

To see more of my aesthetic check out my tumblr and my Pinterest.

Good luck!

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Speak to you soon,

Chloe Resort 2015 | Sunday Inspo

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Lo

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Really into these colors and silhouettes from the 2015 Chloe Resort collection. But, let’s be honest, I’m really into anything that Chloe’ puts down a runway.

Clare Waight Keller (Chloe’s designer) was inspired by a building called Villa Savoye, designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier. I’m a huge advocate of juxtaposing hard and soft in fashion, so collections inspired by architecture normally catch my attention for doing just that.

How can I put this in my closet without spending all my Christmas Visa giftcards on one shoe? Pieces with Lace-up details, robe-like silhouettes and structural, graphic garments. I could see myself picking up any of those things and weirdly layering them together in the (not nearly close enough) spring months while I pretend to be perched on a ledge in the window laden Villa Savoye myself.

To learn more about that click here.

Speak to you soon!

9 | Monday Playlist

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Lo

It’s Monday again and that means it’s new music day again! Making these playlists is something I genuinely look forward to because not only do I get to show you guys (potentially) new bands, but I get to seek some out for myself. I usually try out the playlist for a week before I launch it live on here, and this one is no exception. In fact, based on that one week trial, this one may be one of my favorite one’s I’ve ever published. (That may or may not be based solely on the fact that Ryan Gosling’s band is the first track. I’m serious. Google “Dead Man’s Bones.”)

(…Also be careful googling that because your results might be weird).

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It’s officially the second week of July, so here’s to nearing the dog days of summer. I wish that meant:

A) Free puppies!
B) There is no other choice!

But what it means instead is that things are about to get a little toasty here in the southern United States. Now would be a great time to start hydrating, allowing yourself more time than normal to walk places, getting milkshakes more frequently and warning your friends that it’s hot so you’ll be reaching “hangry”* status more quickly than normal.

*hangry: hane•gry, adj- being so hungry that you are visibly upset. “Lauren had to wait to sit down at the pizza restaurant for dinner, and impatiently watching everyone else crunch their piping hot crust made her hangry.”

Here’s this weeks playlist! Stay cool! (Literally)

Speak to you soon!

Sunday Inspo | A Note on Patience

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Lo

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11

A little inspiration for the beginning of a new week. I know, for me, this is may be a little bit of a challenging one. Why? Because patience is hard. Patience is one of those things that’s easier said than done in almost any situation, but it’s also one of those things where I have to drop my hands because I am not in control. Why worry about something that you can’t do anything about until you can, right?

Hang on tight this week. Remember that whatever you’re waiting on is worth the wait.

10 ways to distract yourself from the waiting game:
1. Put on your jogging shoes and go out the door before you have a chance to change your mind. I know from experience that just going on a brief (and still struggle filled) run around your neighborhood can help to put things into perspective…or at least help you focus on how awful the hill you’re about to run up is (*life metaphor, am I right?!?*). Spoiler alert: you are going to make it to the top. Promise.

2. Drive. Go anywhere. Blast your favorite music, blast Coldplay’s new album (or Ed Sheeran if you’re into that kind of thing) and watch your city roll on by. And SANG. Loud. Who cares who’s next to you at the stoplight (unless it’s that person you smiled at, at the bar last weekend…then you cool it).

3. Find yourself a snow cone. There is nothing that a snow cone on a hot day can’t help. (If you live in Nashville figure out where Retro Sno is because it will not only change your day IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE OKAY?

4. Say yes to things this week. I know that I’m really guilty of holing myself up in my room and shutting down when I’m stressed out, but I’ve found that if you actually LEAVE your room (aka the center of all stress) then you will be able to breathe a lot easier.

5. Make a to do list and check thangs off. Getting things done always makes me feel a sense of accomplishment and makes any stress I have seem a lot less daunting.

6. Pizza.

7. Fill up your schedule so you don’t have time to think about whatever it is you can’t stop thinking about.

8. Laugh as much as you can; watch a funny movie, binge on buzzfeed, hunt down the next big youtube sensation, cruise the internet for comedy gold…I swear it helps. I make a point to spend some time on my favorite funny websites before bed most nights. Laughing relaxes you and makes your brain feel 100 times better. Or call me because I’m hilar.

9. Plan something really great for what happens after you know you’re going to find out about whatever it is you’re waiting on. That way you’re looking forward to something and not dreading it.

10. Pizza. (Needed to reinforce how important this step is. Ask for ranch.)

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Speak to you soon!

Park Guëll, Barcelona | Spain Travel Diary

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Lo

• Wearing a jumpsuit from Necessary Clothing (similar here) •

It’s always interesting to experience a place that you have seen on a screen, made of thousands of tiny pixels, so many times. You go with certain expectations of what it will look and feel like, and sometimes your experience is even made or ruined by those expectations.

Park Guëll is a place that I’ve seen a million times on the internet. I anxiously counted down the days on the trip until we would get to pay Gaudi’s masterpiece (one of several) a visit. With an open mind I took in the sight of the mosaic covered grounds; the flowers spilling over the walls echoing the vibrancy of the tiles; and the colorful, breathtaking view of Barcelona from the overlook.

While the initial impression was more than magnificent, it was what you saw when you looked past the big details, and instead focused more on the intricacies that were true signatures of Gaudi’s work. Some of them were only visible for an instant, so catching sight of one felt like a whisper from Gaudi himself; a secret that not everyone gets to know. Those details are what make seeing a popular place so special. Those details are what make visiting a place like that worth it.

Mosaics, like pixels on a computer screen, come together to form an image and make an impression. There was certainly one left on me. Thanks, Gaudi.

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A final few waves of Barcelona photos to go and then an announcement of a new adventure!

Speak to you soon!

Barcelona by Night | Spain Photo Diary

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Lo

On our first night in Barcelona we braved the crowds to see the Magic Fountain. Although it was flooded with tourists, the view of the city paired with the music and good friends made every second worth it.

Have a great weekend! More Spain photos to come.

Speak to you soon!

La Boqueria | Spain Travel Diary

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Lo

Whenever I mentioned that I was making a trip to Barcelona, a popular suggestion I got was to visit La Boqueria. La Boqueria is a huge market filled to the brim with produce, locally made products (cheese, cured meats, olive oils, etc) and counters where you can pick something up or have an authentic meal prepared right in front of you. Our hotel was near La Rambla, we made the market one of our first stops.

Things you should probably pick up at La Boqueria:

1. Fresh Produce – Traveling can often consist of eating heavily for days upon days. A welcome change, for us, was to grab some fresh fruit for breakfast and vegetables to take along with us for lunch. We spent a fraction of what we would’ve at a restaurant and still got to enjoy the local flavors. My favorite things were the vibrant red cherries, juicy peaches and perfectly ripe avocados.

2. Juice – It’s impossible to miss the rows of festive, brightly colored straws that adorn the fresh juices all over the market. From kiwi coconut to mango banana berry, you can pretty much get any combination (or single flavor) that you’re hoping for. Definitely a refreshing treat that would make a hot day maneuvering through the crowds much more bearable.

3. Candy – On a less healthy note, you have got to get your hands on some of the specialty candy in the market. We made a point to go three separate days, each time trying something new. My favorites were the macarons (of course), the truffles, the coconut bonbons and this circular, toffee and chocolate crispy treat. I really think I could’ve tried anything and would’ve had a shut-my-eyes-in-chocolate-ecstasy moment.

4. Gelato – Gelato isn’t just delicious in Italy; no, I had some of the best gelato I’ve ever had from a counter in the very middle of the market. We got one coconut and one scoop berry (with fresh berries piled on top). The gelato was so good that we actually had to have a seat right in the middle of La Rambla to enjoy it to the fullest extent (send your judgements to my P.O box).

5. Empanadas – Jamón y Queso. Pollo y Queso. Anything. Everything. Get them all.

6. Counter Service – The one thing we didn’t do (and I feel regrettable about) was taking advantage of the in-market food counters. The aromas from the various seafood, tapas and float about the entire market; the sizzle of busy skillets interrupting barter conversations between shopper and stall owner. There was one near the back that was lit with rustic lighting and was serving lobster…I’ve got to get back there some day. It really did seem to good to miss.
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Although we did see and do a lot in Barcelona, I felt like the market needed it’s own post. More sites and stories to come!

Speak to you soon!

Burgos | Spain Travel Diary (+June Playlist)

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Lo

Sometime during the middle of our tour of Spain we stopped in a quaint, colorful town called Burgos. When we arrived the sunset was beginning to paint the pastel buildings in warmer tones and illuminate the tall towers of the cathedral near our hotel; Flowers decorated street level window boxes, restaurant table tops and almost every balcony we saw. Within a few minutes of being in town I was a little disappointed we hadn’t blocked out more time to spend in this charming city, but totally grateful that I got to see it at all.

As the sun sunk behind the hills that framed the town we indulged in a multi-course meal of Sopa de Ajo (castillian garlic soup), Pork Tenderloin, and Quesa Fresca with honey. (Don’t worry, there was wine). We reluctantly rose with the sun the next morning and made our way towards Bilbao.

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Reliving this Spain trip has been almost as satisfying as the trip itself, but I couldn’t go another week without making a playlist. As it’s the beginning of a new month I give you the June Playlist. Enjoy:

Speak to you soon!

a blog by Lauren Cunningham

Tag Archives: spring

Silver Lining | Personal Style

All Saints | Spring 2015

Spring Mood 2015 | Fashion Inspo

Chloe Resort 2015 | Sunday Inspo

9 | Monday Playlist

Sunday Inspo | A Note on Patience

Park Guëll, Barcelona | Spain Travel Diary

Barcelona by Night | Spain Photo Diary

La Boqueria | Spain Travel Diary

Burgos | Spain Travel Diary (+June Playlist)