Milan, Italy | Photo Diary

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Lo

The moment when I realized I’d left my cell phone on the table was a moment that was full of emotion–first silently and then loud. Profanities bounced off the walls of our tiny AirBNB apartment as I paced and retraced my steps of the afternoon in my brain.

Finally after going through my mental rolodex of curses, I determined that the only place it could possibly be was at the tavern with the slightly-too-sweet tiramisu. We were all the way back across town in our apartment and for a moment I thought “I can do this trip without my phone.” Then reality swung a punch and I realized “no, you absolutely cannot you fool.”

With a pit in my stomach and eyes to the ground I saw the pavement blur by as began to run (with little to no dignity or faith and a shortage of breath) to where I hoped my phone still remained. Back down into the metro I’d go, barreling onto the train and then back off again; speed walking under the shade of the duomo, across the piazza, down the narrow alleys and finally stumbling into the kitchen of the tavern.

I probably could’ve come across less panicked (it probably seemed like I’d left my child there) but the servers understood, even through my broken Italian, what was going on. After the longest two minutes of my life, the owner finished his phone call, reached behind the counter and handed it to me with a smile. I have never been so happy in my life. Bless you sweet, sweet Italian man. May you be forever blessed with lots of happy customers to your restaurant of checkered tablecloths and delicious lasagna. Please take care of your bee problem on the patio. Sincerely, Lauren.

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There will never come a day when Italy does not hold a special place in my heart. Since my first visit there in 2011 I’ve known that the Italian lifestyle is one I can get behind. Schedules are more relaxed, there’s always pizza (or calzones), sentences sound like songs rather than statements, being surrounded by centuries old architectures with one million stories to imagine, dinners that run late into the night, wine continually flowing and.. the men. The Italian men, ya’ll. My kryp-to-nite.

And next time I’m in Italy? The south. I’m aching to see the Amalfi coast, Sardinia, and the secret panini places hidden in alleys in the smallest towns. They’re always the best.

Speak to you soon!

South of France | Photo Diary

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Lo

The South of France was like stepping onto a movie set; everything felt so glamourous.

When we traipsed off the train in Cannes, it was almost too easy to fall into the lifestyle of the quaint, french resort town. Every morning was spent lazily, draped across the furniture in the den sipping coffee and checking emails until hunger took over. After preparing our breakfasts of quiche and fresh mango, we’d open the big french doors and take our plates out to the glorious balcony that overlooked Rue d’Antibes (the main street in Cannes).
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Around early afternoon we’d embark on adventures for the day. We hopped a train to Monaco and picnicked in the park and to Nice to link arms and chasse down the boardwalk. Sitting in beachside chairs facing the Cote d’Azur, we imagined the luxurious lives awaiting others in the oceanfront penthouse suites above. (Fear not, between popping into the shops and exploring the alleys, we found plenty of time for wines and cheeses.)
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Each night the sunsets appeared to be painted onto the sky and they echoed across the pristine panes of the windows that paneled the romantic buildings lining every avenue. The south of France is as beautiful as we hoped. We finished the days almost just as we had started them: on the balcony. Wine in hand and the aromas of dinner wafting through the french doors that lead back into our charming AirBNB apartment.
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As a million stars filled the sky and were uninterrupted by any big city lights, all I could think about was how perfect the easygoing nature of the south of France had been for us. Paris was calling and after a few days we’d be thrust back into the familiar routine of fast-paced traveling. For now, it was okay to take it slow. After all, traveling isn’t about how many extravagant attractions you see or how many trip-advisor recommended restaurants you eat in. It’s about the moments; it’s about the experience; it’s about the little things.

In the long run, they’re what you remember most.

Countdown (On moving to Seattle) | Monday Playlist

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Lo

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since I moved into my house in Nashville. I can’t believe it’s already been five years since I moved away from my home state of Arkansas to start a completely new chapter of life that has shaped me more than I can explain. College, friends, people who introduced me to hot chicken.. it’s been a doozy. Although this won’t be my sappy “I’m going to miss you Nashville,” post you can rest assured that one will be coming at some point in the next few weeks. Why? I’ll tell you.

For those of you who don’t know, in a few weeks I’ll be uprooting from this amazing town I’ve been calling home and relocating to the pacific northwest. Seattle! There are a lot of things on the horizon for me and it’s just a move I know I need and want to make. It’s certainly not that I’m hot happy in Nashville, I love it here; Everything just fell into place so quickly and seamlessly and there has never been better time for relocating. I’m so excited for a new wind of creativity and inspiration; a regular diet of coffee and poutine (thanks canada); and new people and experiences that await me.

Before I get there, though, I’ve got a trip to the beach in two weeks and a trip to europe in a month. This playlist is called countdown for more reasons that I can even explain. So here it is! Monday playlist: Countdown.

Speak to you soon!

Charleston via Iphone | Photo Diary

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Lo

1. My first impression of Isle of Palm was surreal. After being on the road all day ALL I wanted was the sand and the surf. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the salty air was the elixir that would get me through the rest of day.

2. Brunch at Toast! Of Charleston. I went to Toast twice; the first time offhandedly and the second was planned. My first trip there I was there during Sunday brunch. After doing a quick sweep of the menu I decided on a mimosa and a dish called Eggs on Meeting Street: a poached egg perched on top of a crab cake and a fried green tomato with remoulade and the most pillowy biscuit I’ve ever eaten…divine, okay? The company at Toast wasn’t bad either.

3. There was tile work everywhere in Charleston, especially on Kingstreet. Talk about a city with attention to detail.

4. Because, once again, I could not get enough of the beach. One of the best parts of the trip was just grabbing a quick picnic at whole foods and camping out on the sand until the sun went down. People watching was on point–but mostly I was excited about the puppy watching.

5. Black Tap coffee was entirely too charming and delicious. An iced coffee there was the perfect break to walking around in the hot sun all day (and also a break from a chapter in the story called: I locked my keys in my car. Woops).

6. Breakfast in bed because the berries were too vibrant not to capture.

7. Sunny flowers on rainy days.

8. My trip down to Charleston was a self proclaimed #coffeeroadtrip. I stopped at a stop in Chattanooga and a shop in Atlanta. The shop in Atlanta was called Octane and it was by far the smoothest cup of Ethiopian coffee I have ever had. Octane is a café and a bar, so needless to say I can’t think of any better place to be watching the World Cup right now.

9. I could’ve strolled down King Street alllllll day. And I did. And I got a really unappealing sunburn (pun intended)…(the pun is always intended you guys).

10. Another shot of the sunset over the sea at Isle of Palm. Perfection.

11. Milk and Honey was the other shop I stopped at on my way to Charleston. Before I had even gone inside I was in love. How can you deny such a cute store front? The inside was just as charming with the same honeycomb tiling and beautiful typography all over the walls. I’m crushing haaard on their branding. (And also their honey latte was the sweetest of treats).

12. Being on the beach alone was never lonely. No, it was really introspective for the most part. Just taking time to really absorb how the waves work and and massive it all is. It’s crazy. I recommend taking a personal moment or ten by the waves some time. You’ll get more sorting out done in your brain that you bargain for.

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All of these photos were from my instagram which you can follow at @lacunningham!

I also updated my personal portfolio today and I would love for you to go take a look!

Speak to you soon

Head East | Weekend in the Appalachian Mtns

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Lo

For three days last weekend I was on a mountain high. Two of my best friends and I loaded up and drove to their family cabin in West Virginia to spend some time hiking, laughing way too hard and exploring the best ways we knew how. Trail after trail took us on winding routes where we got to be close with lots of wildflowers and lots of deer. The views from the top of the mountains we climbed, though they were hard to get to, were always well worth it. The earth is a breathtaking place, and sometimes I forget that.

The area we were in was the northeastern part of West Virginia, right in the thick of the Monongahela National Forest. The hills were covered in lush, aromatic spruce trees that seemed to go on forever and in the mornings they stayed tucked under thick blankets of heather gray fog. There was so much to do within an hour of the cabin so here’s a little guide in case you’re up for some adventuring as well:

SENECA ROCKS
-Hiking, rock climbing and repelling are just a few things that you can do at this nationally renowned park. The hike up the mountain isn’t terribly hard, but it’s 1000ft of elevation that you’ll definitely be feeling in your thighs when you get to the top. Good news: even though you’ll be exhausted you can rejuvenate on the observation platform and chow down on a peanut butter CLIF bar (there’s a snack cart at the top). If you’re interested in climbing or repelling on the flat faced rocks, there are lots of instruction classes around and guided excursions as well. Seneca Caverns (all the cave photos above) isn’t far away and was so cool as well!

SPRUCE KNOB
-AKA The highest point in West Virginia. There are a lot of trails that vary in length around the mountain (many of them with an abundance of wildlife running about) as well as one that goes to the top. When you reach it there’s an observation tower with a killer view, and if you explore around the peak of the mountain you’ll discover the coolest boulder garden that would be great for camping or just to stop and soak everything in. There are plenty of other lower areas for picnicing and grilling as well.

CANAAN VALLEY
–Blackwater Falls should be the first stop of your day. There are some trails on the grounds of the park, or you can just take the stairs down to view the falls.
-Get back in the car and drive about 20 minutes and you’ll arrive at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. In the winter it’s a ski resort, but in the summer it’s teeming with outdoorsy people who want to take the lifts up the mountain to the trails. We hiked the Bald Knob trail which was a 2.5 mile trek that took us through the most perfect forest I’ve ever been in and then opened up to the top of a mountain with breathtaking views. (We saw so many deer during our hike, it was crazy). I’d definitely like to return to this part of WV for some snow tubing and skiing.
-Don’t forget to stop off in some of the quaint towns that line your drive to Canaan Valley! We didn’t have a lot of time, otherwise I would’ve been all over their many antique stores and restaurants boasting home cooking (aka my weakness).

This guide is far from being complete, but it should be enough to get your wheels turning. GO somewhere. Explore more, ya’ll.

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Tomorrow morning I’m heading to Charleston SC to indulge in coffee, southern cuisine and sunshine. I’ll be there through the weekend so be on the lookout for some beautiful instagrams! Follow me at @lacunningham

If you’re interested in seeing more of my photos from the trip feel free to take a jump over to my Flikr page (click on the About tab at the top of this page)

Thank you guys for reading/looking and being wonderful!

Speak to you soon!

Salt Air | Monday Playlist

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Lo

We spent one of our last days in Spain on the beach. After having such a jam packed itinerary, it was really nice to know the only things ahead of us that day were a warm blanket of brown-sugar colored sand, the ocean’s breeze and maybe a pitcher of sangria. (Maybe can also be read as “definitely”).

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It’s a Monday and I’ve finally had time to sit and reevaluate priorities and responsibilities for my life in Nashville; while I love to be always going, there’s a pile of work (next to the trip’s laundry) that always seems to pile up. Being my own boss is great because I can work remotely and get a lot done wherever I am. Being my own boss also means that when I return from trips I have a day of back-to-back meetings, that feel more like speed-dates, at the cafe I frequent. Needless to say, my next few days are a little hectic.

Wednesday I’m driving into the hills of West Virginia for a final weekend of R&R before the dog days of summer truly arrive. Upon my return I’ll be moving into a new house and starting a new wave of summer clients. It is a hearty to do list, but I’m really excited to see what’s up next. Life gets crazy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Enjoy the playlist! It’s a little bit of bluegrass and a little bit inspired by the beach (aka where I wish I was every second of these hot months):

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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!

La Piscina | Pool OOTD

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Lo

La Piscina by dreamdolivelo featuring a drinking bottle

French Connection cover up / Monki highwaisted swimwear, $14 / Araks black swim suit / Havaianas gold sandals, $41 / Wildfox Couture clear vinyl tote, $230 / Beaded ankle bracelet / Chloé chloe sunglasses / COOLA Suncare sun care / Abyss Habidecor beach towel, $240 / Sagaform drinking bottle, $28

Sometimes a getaway is exactly what you need when life seems to have been whizzing past you at warp speed. It’s easy to lose the beauty in moments when they all start to melt together.

A pool day is definitely in order; one with rays of sunshine and beads of sweat that are not only symbols of a physical detox, but a mental one as well. I’m all about this monochromatic swimsuit paired with a tropical, patterned kaftan on top. A vintage inspired pair of shades to protect my eyes, sunscreen to protect my face and water to keep me hydrated through the day are my other essentials.

What do you do to take a breather?

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Regular posting back SO 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!

a blog by Lauren Cunningham

Tag Archives: vacation

Milan, Italy | Photo Diary

South of France | Photo Diary

Countdown (On moving to Seattle) | Monday Playlist

Charleston via Iphone | Photo Diary

Head East | Weekend in the Appalachian Mtns

Salt Air | Monday Playlist

Park Guëll, Barcelona | Spain Travel Diary

La Piscina | Pool OOTD

Barcelona by Night | Spain Photo Diary

La Boqueria | Spain Travel Diary