into the wild....

✿ ⁂ COLLAB POST FEATURING  ⁂ ✿

PHOTOGRAPHY/JEWELRY/STYLING: ALLISON B. COOLING

MODELS: KARLEE DEWAN & FLÁVIO AGUIRRE

CLOTHING: GENERATION BLISS BOUTIQUE


....take a walk on the wild side.... An almost-barren landscape of ghostly trees, weathered prairie grass and spots of speckled snow paint the picture of a mid January landscape. Winter {specifically post - Christmas} in Chicago can get a little dreary at times. Cold without the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the short days can wear 'ya down. I mean, I like {love} the darkness, but not at 3 in the afternoon. It makes it exhaustingly difficult to shoot - lookbooks or otherwise :(

However, that's no excuse for dressing drearily as well - my flower child Karlee shows us warm weather whimsy can be brought to the winter months. Yes, it was a bit chilly for her runnin' around in shorts and a crochet tee, but it has to be fully sleeting with a windchill of negative 40 for northerners to get cold.

In Coachella spirit, my mala necklaces paired with a charm choker, bohemian top and boyfriend jeans spells everyday chic. Add a knit sweater for practicality.

Why is she carrying an ice cream cone filled with flowers? Because I said so. ✌️✿

Ok, so the boho theme takes a little darker turn (you didn't expect that with me, did you? Jk) with the addition of spike jewelry and an edgier wardrobe.

My men's mala necklaces and stacking bracelets pair perfectly with a casual tee, jeans and combat boots, via Fláv. Add a beanie - they are always necessary.

For the ladies, yes, you can wear rompers in winter - pair tights underneath and add booties and a floppy hat. Finish with more - malas, of course. I'll definitely post a tut soon on how to make these. If you haven't guessed, malas are kind of my favorites.

CINDERELLAHHHH STORY

Our last look may be the most practical for winter - lace and fur - for a modern Cinderella vibe. Ice blues and dove grey combine for that true cold-weather color combo. My featured necklace below mixes pearls, chain, crystals and pave beads (single post with directions coming soon on this) - definitely offsets the sugary sweet pastel coat and feminine florals of the dress. The earrings I simply made by attaching Swarovski (what else?) disc drops to a metal laser cut connector.

For the dudes, I love layering stone necklaces in varying lengths over any top. He's also got that semi-denim on denim look (hello 90s) which is definitely monochromatically chic. I made his necklaces from agate, obsidian and tourmaline beads, plus Tibetan pendants. One of my fav sites for awesome Tibetan and metal pendants/amulets is Happy Mango Beads. They have great pieces you can't find elsewhere - plus - Boulder Opal. I am legit OBSESSED with this stone - if I could buy all the pendants I would, but they're $50+ each. I got one off this site a while back when they were on an amazing sale, I paid less than $10. If you love gemstones, check out Boulder Opal. Super unique.

A special thanks to my bebes Kar and Fláv, who weathered (besides the ACTUAL weather) frozen fingers/toes, creepy people in cars spying and lack of yummy snacks/drinks to shoot my lookbook for a good 3 hours.

At the very bottom, I've got a dope intro film made by Fláv - check it out!

 ⁂ ✿ ⁂ ✿ ⁂ ✿ ⁂ ✿ ⁂ ✿ ⁂ ✿

COPYRIGHT

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

lillie necklaces

With the lightness of lace and the sheer sparkle of Swarovski flatbacks, these pendant necklaces, although small in size, truly pack a punch!
This is actually a perfect tutorial for anyone who is new to jewelry making. If you are always intimidated by DIY projects, don't fear. This jewelry tutorial is the perfect step into working with higher end materials (sterling silver / precious metal and Swarovski) and I encourage you to try it!

With some glue, filigree components and chain you can have a super sophisticated piece, perfect for both casual outfits and dressy occasions.

 

Use any color crystal flatbacks here to suit your mood. Go for light and like colors, shown here, to wear them layered. Or, choose one focal piece and make it a ravishing rainbow of hues!



I'll show you exactly how I made these three pieces, and don't worry, it doesn't take long. Just give some time for the glue to dry, and you'll be on your way. Feel free to use these pendants as earrings as well!



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are filigree pendants (silver styles here and gold styles here), rhinestone flatbacks in multiple colors and sizes (some clear stones here and silver stones here), a toothpick and Gem-Tac, necklace chain, 6mm jump rings and flatnose pliers.

I used sterling silver bases here for an upscale look. You can grab sterling chain at any local craft store. Cousin Elegance Metals has many different chains that are pre-made for ease!



Step 2: Crystallize. Use your toothpick to pick up small dabs of glue and place on the filigree pendant. Do not use too much glue here, or it will ooze out the bottom of the pendant - not good!
You can embellish as much or as little as you want! Let the glue dry fully.



The back of the pendant should be clean, without glue webs. It helps to place the crystals fully on metal parts, instead of cutouts.
Simply attach your pendant to a premade necklace chain with your jumpring. Use flatnose pliers to help you open and close the jump rings.



Super simple, yet so sophisticated. I love how these our lightweight, and can be layered for a mix ' n match vibe! Filigree pendants come in so many sizes and shapes-- try using multiple pendants per piece for a super-shiny statement accessory.

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

sunset soliloquy

   

"all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream"

A palette of crumbling cracked concrete, ashen marble slabs littered haphazardly in a ghostly blueprint, and dull olivine grassy groundcoverings surely presents itself as a seemingly desolate destination, void of any aesthetic appeal. Complimented by the light shuffling of palms blowing in the beach-soaked wind, the afternoon rose-quartz glow of a dying sun and the occasional buzzing of lonely crows nestled in branches above, the air is heavy. Heavy with time, heavy with memory, heavy with history.

The attraction to such a place can seem quirkily contradictory for some -- but for me, it's only fitting. Is there such a heaviness? With feet sinking into the sand, perhaps yes…but with each gust of breeze washing through the rows of stone, the energy is in a way, cleared. These souls are gone, of course, and only structural markings remain.

Metallic tones of chrome, antique gold, bright copper and deep bronze can indeed offer a lightness -- bringing in a contemporary set of texture, color and shine to an otherwise rustic landscape. When these elements are paired with a sophisticated wardrobe of dark bohemian pieces (embroidered fringe ponchos, a 20's-inspired emerald minidress and a crisp lace-up tunic) an entirely new mood emanates about. Who is this girl? The late afternoon sun so deftly dances off each sewn sequin, each crystal charm, each strand of chain, mimicking the way she flows through each sitting grave. She leaves an almost tangible trail, aside from her light footsteps imprinted in grey sand below. There is a certain aura about. Is it….hope? Is it….strength? Nothing intentional as she passes through for just a few minutes, but the effect is lasting. The grave markers stand almost as a sleepy audience, silently observing her path. Just as fast as she appeared, she continues on her way out, in tandem with the sun as it begins to creep behind trees and below the horizon. A slight air of wonder is left about, and any tension lifted. One crow feather gently skims across the concrete trail, out of sight.

Model: Emily Geer
Jewelry / Styling: Quiet Lion Creations by Allison Beth Cooling
All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling

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