How To Stay Busy When The World Is Frozen

Hey all!

I wish I had a more inspired post to write about here, but with the world at a stand-still, frozen in fear, nothing has piqued my interest to write about. Perhaps my next post I will brush up on my art and fashion history textbooks and blog something more educational, but for this post - let’s talk about something every creative I’m sure is struggling with: staying productive and creative when no inspiration is coming through.

I’ll admit - I have not been blogging as much because life really did hit me hard the last month. Before going into COVID-19 lockdown, I ran into some pretty serious health and interpersonal issues that put my life at a standstill, and now our current international quarantine has made that standstill even more profound.

I create this blog to educate and inspire others, so let me lead by example on what I have been doing.

So, how have I been staying busy during “social disty”? I am a big fan of lists, schedules, and calendars, and utilizing those organizational tools has been even more important during today’s monotonous times.

My best advice to other creatives out there is: We have had our few weeks of mourning, of relaxing, of accepting. It is now time to create and contribute, for our own sanity.

I have been treating this time as an extended and much needed vacation. I am reading books I have intended to complete, I am finishing up my clothing collection, and catching up on films I have not seen. I am trying to keep a steady mix of assertive and passive hobbies in my daily rotations (see a couple blog posts down on my theory on different types of productivity) so that I am equally producing and consuming.

I intend to use this time to learn more, to try to maintain my social life through social media (unfortunately) and Animal Crossing, and to work on projects I keep putting off.

Raine 2.0 will have a soft launch within the coming weeks online until I am able to ship and deliver. I am going to attempt to make face masks for local hospitals as my contribution to helping with the world’s pandemic.

Basically, us creatives need to stay busy. Follow my example and make short term goals to complete and reach during this time. Make a daily schedule to get yourself moving and out of a mixed-up-sleep-schedule funk. It is PERTINENT that us creatives create during struggling times like these. When the economy has crashed and the world’s health is in the toilet, all we can do is create art. All we can do is provide creature comforts for others and ourselves to keep spirits high. The Netflix shows we are watching and the books we are reading were all created by artists and creatives. Those essential products made by creatives like us are what is keeping the world’s morale up.

So the least we can do is contribute. It may be hard to get out of that pandemic funk, but make a small step to making a daily schedule for yourself to create at least one thing a day. To express yourself once a day. To learn once a day. Your future self will thank you for it.

Love you all! Thank you so much for reading. Stay safe, healthy, and sane.

Lorraine

How To Stay Inspired

Hey guys! Sorry about the break in post during the holidays. I am back with new posts about fashion styling, art history, and creative advice for 2020!

Sometimes life can get you down and everyday chores and responsibilities can get in the way of your creative juices. Right now, I am struggling with just that. A lot is going on with my life at the moment and big life events are moving very rapidly. I do not have the energy to be innovative, creative, or charismatic about projects. I am trudging through finishing up my clothing collection, and the cold weather has me feeling like a hermit. But in order to move forward in life, one must push through any obstacle, and I am trying my best to still create during these winter months.

One thing I want to touch on in this blog post is my theory on productivity. I tend to go through two different phases of productivity and alternate back and forth. The two phases of productivity I experience are assertive and passive.

During the assertive productivity phase, I want to constantly create. I am always inspired and want to do ALL of the things. I tend to agree to too many things and overextend myself, but I feel so good about it. While feeling assertive, I am drawing, writing lyrics, making more blog posts, just DOING things.

During the passive productivity phase, I want to kind of draw inward and evaluate my life. I lean towards activities like yoga, reading, and shopping. In this phase I am still remaining productive but I am taking information in instead of exerting information. While I feel guilty in the passive phase that I should be doing more things, it is also important to take that time to reflect and slow down.

Both of these productive phases influence how I stay creative. If you, the reader, also resonate with these, let me offer some advice to keep alternating between phases and not being stagnant with your growth as a creator and human being.

• Always try new things. 

• Go out with friends, but alternate your friend groups and what you do with them to keep a healthy balance and to always be learning from them and making new memories.

• Make some time for yourself to learn something new! 

• Even in the passive phase, try a new restaurant or place to shop at.

• Listen to new music.

• In your assertive phase, try making something everyday, whether it be a sketch, a poem, meal prepping

• Never be afraid to take risks and say YES - just make sure you have the energy for it.

These things I do to keep myself moving forward. It is healthy to alternate between being assertive and passive with your habits and hobbies to keep your creative juices on their toes and flowing! Inspiration can come from anywhere - and it’s okay if you hit any roadblocks, writer’s blocks, or just need some downtime to reassess your needs. Do not force creativity and productivity.

I hope this blog was helpful to read! It is definitely something different than what I typically write up but sometimes we all just need a boost, especially since we creatives are always so hard on ourselves and our productivity. 

Thanks for reading!

Comfy Yet Trendy - How To Style Athleisure-wear

Hi guys! Today’s blog has been inspired by my good friend Michelle’s suggestion: How do you stay stylish while wearing comfortable workout clothing? With athleisure-wear on the rise, it is always good to brush up on styling tips for this new trend to stay looking put together while being comfortable.

Athleisure-wear and streetwear has taken over the fashion industry. Many people opt for stretchy yoga pants and comfortable Nikes on a daily basis. Breathable materials and comfortable clothing are the main focus of many modern consumers, but the trick is, how does one stay on trend while sporting activewear?

A top styling tip no matter what you are wearing is to show off your best assets. Activewear can definitely accentuate certain parts of your body, but activewear can also be bulky and unflattering. My top tips and garment must-haves for athleisure-wear include at least one pair of heather grey yoga pants and one pair of black yoga pants for women, and men should have at least one pair of heather grey joggers and one pair of black joggers to be set for success with activewear. 

But beyond these basic pieces, I highly recommend mirroring your active wardrobe to what your normal wardrobe looks like. If you look better in brights, keep bright clothing consistent with your comfortable clothing. If slim-fitting neutrals is your thing, you probably do not want to dive out of your comfort zone with a neon orange bulky Nike hoodie. 

Another thing to consider is textiles. How do certain textiles make you feel? If dri-fit materials make you itch, try wearing light-weight cotton apparel instead. If you tend to sweat, dri-fit may be for you. Also, basic cotton tee shirts or band tees could suffice to pair up with some active outfits. Cotton is a breathable material and is quite versatile. Dressing down cotton tees to go with a workout outfit is always an option.

Silhouette is a HUGE thing I always discuss with people asking for styling tips. Referencing back to when I mentioned to show off your best assets in this blog, activewear for women should consist of long yoga pants and tighter-fitting tops (possibly a sports bra layered with a loose and breathable tank or tee). Capri active pants cut off legs at an awkward length and tend to make the wearer look bigger and shorter than they are. And even though bike shorts are a fun new trend, they tend to accentuate the thighs and make them look larger, and also stunt one’s height. Keep tops tight or small when compared to other garments you are wearing - it’s all about the booty right now, so that needs to be the part of your outfit most highlighted (keep your tops simple and less bulky). For men, long basketball shorts are officially no longer in vogue. Long shorts for men make the wearer look really short and larger. “Short shorts” that were once all the rage in the 1980s are back! Flaunting your thighs is encouraged now, men! Wearing well-tailored and well-tapered joggers is also a must to look put together while remaining comfortable in your athletic clothing. Lastly, most men want to accentuate their arm and chest muscles, so bulky hoodies or intricate windbreakers are definitely encouraged for your athleisure-wear ensemble. 

Lastly, if you do not intend to go to the gym in your fun, new activewear wardrobe and just want to remain comfy and trendy, try pairing up some practical jewelry and accessories or a full face of makeup with your fun Lulu Lemon outfit. Smart watches and simple chain necklaces add a nice finishing touch (you don’t want too many accessories for an outfit that is supposed to be deemed “relaxed”). A fresh face or a full face of makeup paired with your athleisure-wear outfit also do wonders for your appearance (if you are headed to the gym, PLEASE skip the makeup).

Athleisure-wear is such an exciting yet relaxing fashion trend to hit the runway and the streets, and it can be quite flattering if worn properly. I hope these tips help you remain relaxed and trendy within the evolving fashion world.

Thanks for reading,

Lorraine

How To Style A Dad Bod

Today’s blog is going to offer styling advice for dudes. Dad bods, specifically. This blog post was requested by my good friend John, and I will be explaining how men can style themselves to look put together with flattering outfit choices.

First of all, I am a big advocate for people knowing what silhouette proportions and color proportions look best on them. A key to dressing one’s self in their favor is featuring one’s assets while hiding not-so-desired parts of one’s body. Dad bods typically consist of a dude with possibly some nice facial hair, a beer gut, and skinny legs. In this case, legs are the best feature here.

For styling dad bods, I recommend wearing clothing and garments with vertical lines to seem thinner and longer. Clothing of the same color also helps keep this illusion. An outfit to successfully show off the best assets of a dad bod would include dark straight or skinny pants, smaller looking shoes with not much structure (think Vans, Toms, Converse, anything made of canvas), a dark-colored lightweight top (no heavy textiles), and a straight and somewhat structured denim jacket. Keep your colors cool and monotoned, wear light textiles, and wear vertical lines (denim jackets typically have stitching that run up and down, straight pants keep the movement flowing). 

TLDR; 

Pro-tips and takeaways for styling dad bods: Wear lightweight materials, less-bulky designs and stitching, vertical lines, dark colors, and monotone outfits for illusion of length and height.

Remember, all bodies are beautiful, and even having a dad bod is something to be proud of. Dress with style and knowledge of proportion, and your confidence will be boosted even more.

Thanks for reading,

Lorraine