Friday, September 30, 2016

Manhattan, Rain or shine

   



the {POISON} APPLE

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COLLAB POST FEATURING:

PHOTOGRAPHY OF ME: DELANE ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

JEWELRY/STYLING/SCENERY PHOTOS: ALLISON B. COOLING

Pick your poison: whether rain or shine, city-slicker grunge or boho-soul flow, it's a tale of one city, from two perspectives.

TAKE ONE:

With the ruby red deliciousness of a freshly-picked apple, this Zara frock surely stood out in a sea of NY City scenes. With the usual industrial-inspired palette of ashen grey (in a good way!), charcoal black, smoked tawny and frost blues, a contrasting piece is needed. And that's coming from the person who thinks black is most appropriate for all-season wardrobe. Add Chelsea boots (an homage to the neighborhood) and a classic leather jacket 'cuz it's a no-brainer.

The overcast day in Manhattan created a hauntingly perfect aura - cue random city statue gardens (see pic below) and reflective puddles- creating mirrorlike surfaces abound. Clearly I'm all about that slightly moody aesthetic.

The first thing about NY (and I'm talking just Manhattan here)- it's literally insanely large, it's a monstrosity, it's ginormous (as Elf would say). I'm a proud Chicagoan (go Cubs and Hawks), but the sheer size of New York is astounding. Street after traffic-filled street, you could walk for miles and still be amidst the skyscrapers. The iconic 42nd Street, Times Square, was a city all on its own; lights, camera, action!!!


   If you're looking for cute boutiques and one of a kind finds, I'd suggest these places:

         The Chelsea Market Artists and Fleas: Located on 10th Avenue in the Meatpacking District, I loved the eclectic mix of apparel, jewelry and art prints here. Plus, the rest of the market has great cafes, flower shops and more.

         Williamsburg Artists and Fleas: We hit all the "Artists and Fleas" markets, this one in Brooklyn, and again did not disappoint. Bedford Avenue is also a great street in Brooklyn that boasts a bunch of small boutiques. The Tibetan Mandala store, Catbird NYC and Red Pearl are just some of the places to stop.

Mulberry Street (near Little Italy) has some great little shops as well. If you're in the area, stop by Spring Natural Kitchen for their homemade lemonade and spring rolls (they have a ton of vegan options = yasss)!


Disclaimer:
I'd been looking for Batman this whole time - finally found him in Times Square on the last day of our trip. Yay!






the {POISON} APPLE

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TAKE TWO:

From rain-soaked concrete streets to high atop inner-city parking garages, the marigold glow of afternoon sunlight emerges. It's a stark contrast to earlier dark skies, creating a city drenched in honey hues. Try this second perspective: everything looks rosy from the top. Ant armies scatter and scurry on the pavement, while toy cars beep and buzz past traffic lights. A subtle, surging energy can be felt emanating upwards - things to see, things to do, places to go.

For the more bohemian components of this look, cue the henna art (I absolutely love Jacquard Mehndi Henna Kits from Michaels), silver jewels and statement necklace. Yes, I'm wearing only one earring -- mix and match earring styles (here, pearl dangle with mini silver hoops on the other ear) and break the rules of earring pairs. Nobody likes rules, seriously. We're much too creative to abide by them, am I correct?!

The necklace uses chunky chandelier crystals I got at a flea market over Labor Day weekend. Tangle those up with bunch of chain, more crystals and safety pins to create that undone-yet-done look.  Stay tuned for a feature post on this one.

My last sighs of Manhattan (at least for now) were from the back of a taxi; not ideal, but sort of cinematic in a way {insert vintage film reel effect}. I'm peacin' out - hopefully not for long! ☆:*´¨`*::*´¨`*::*´¨`*:☆

    
COPYRIGHT
Content within this post is copyright Allison Beth Cooling and Delane Ashley Photography for Quiet Lion Creations.
If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com

Monday, September 12, 2016

sticks n stones





KIDS THESE DAYS

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COLLAB POST FEATURING:

JEWELRY/STYLING/PHOTOGRAPHY: ALLISON B. COOLING
MODEL: NIKOLETTA
CLOTHING: GENERATION BLISS BOUTIQUE


Sticks n stones and South Side Chi silos, Nik really hooked us up with this killer shoot location. I always love me some good graffiti; the more colorful, the better. There's probably hidden obscenities lurking in the drippy backdrops, but that's what makes these types of shoots all the more, ahem, unique!

 A busted-out wall made for easy entrance into the abandoned silo, but the adventure could quickly have gotten out of hand. (Nik, in Greek accent) "C'mon Al, let's climb to the top I do it all the time, just grab this rope and climb up to those stairs."

I look up. Said rope is outside the building, above water, and the steel wallside stairs creak and shuffle in the September breeze. The building is probably 20 stories high, lowballing. "Um NO. Absolutely NOT."

"Ok, let's go to the basement then."

We walk around the main building to a small Hobbit-sized hole. Cue Greek accent -- "Yes, let's climb down here, there is a cool hallway at the back with metal bars-"

I poke my head in the hole. I cannot see the floor. Something dark and large is in the corner. Oh hell naw.
"Nik, let's take it easy for today. Outside only."

That girl would do great on Survivor.

LOOK 1
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In usual QLC style, more is BETTER! Graffiti! Sequins! Statement jewelry! But, you've gotta always mix that high and low, here in the form of copper sparkles on top and ripped jeans, sporty sneaks on bottom. Homage to Kanye here, he'd probably stare at himself in the reflection of those sequins,,,, no doubt.

My Dreamweaver necklace was made with 100% Cousin Corporation supplies (grab at most craft stores!), while the simple chain choker was created from small sterling connectors. Those wrap bracelets are great everyday pieces - wear with just about anything. The neutral tones play off all colors, case and point.

Copper sequin crop, distressed jeans from Generation Bliss.  Sneakers Yeezy Boost 350.






COME FLY AWAY

LOOK 2
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I have been legit LOOKING for a great view of the skyline, and this location provided it perfectly. The wind was working for us (it is the Windy City, of course) and making this monarch-chic Generation Bliss pleated skirt float and sway.

This outfit is fiercely feminine (you're used to at least a little grunge with me, correct?) but surely offset by that chainmaille vest for some added edge. Made from a bunch of oval jewelry connectors and jump rings, its almost-scaly surface acts as a delicate armor. 

Body chain / bracelets by me, Black bodysuit and Butterfly skirt from Generation Bliss.  Shoes, Aldo.






THE APOCALYPSE

LOOK 3
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Niks like, "I want to take a picture by the Shut Up, it's funny". And so there we go, trekking through what looked like multiple 7-Eleven dumpsters that had been attacked by the Zombie Apocalypse, to make it to this quirkily saucy wall. Mind you, she's in heels, and I'm struggling to hold nine fully-filled clothing hangers, a menagerie of already tangled jewelry, two backpacks, a new laptop and Nik's dad's extremely expensive Canon. But, you do what you must.

It's kinda 90's here with that silky cami top and chunky choker. Layer said choker with a longer tassel necklace for some dimension. Black on black is even better, we're all about that chic darkness, even in satin shine. We found the pièce de résistance outside in that awesome skull graffiti, so much yas.

Three looks were enough for us that day, it was getting time for some Starbucks. I'd for sure go back to this location, though. There were great areas we didn't have the energy to shoot at. All other Chicago photogs or creatives, be sure to check it out!

Necklace and choker by me, top and skirt from Generation Bliss.  Shoes, Aldo. Purse, Gucci.




COPYRIGHT
Because I take all photos for my blog, the images within this post are all copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations.
If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

lotus potions



Lotus flowers, henna potions and golden glows mix with a recurring theme of bohemian glitz for this mini-motif post. The fresh buzzed undercut clearly steals the show, if you ask me - if you haven't tried an undercut yet, what you waitin' for?

And while it's officially / not officially the end of summer, get ready for autumnal themes.  PUMPKIN SPICE , PUMPKIN SPICE , PUMPKIN SPICE , PUMPKIN SPICE!!! Cue the wheat and distressed wood, but offset that with cinnamon-red blooms of early fall. The henna I used here on my hand was from Joann Fabrics actually (the Jacquard Henna Kit) and it worked great- super dark, and the applicator was nice and thin. It's been lasting for a week now and is just a little faded.

And as my favorite time of the year, Halloween, creeps around the corner, be on the lookout for spooky chic tutorials and photo posts.



COPYRIGHT
Because I take all photos for my blog, the images within this post are all copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations.
If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com