Cynthia Macken
chic eats Toronto

Dripping in Gold

 

Creative Direction: Cynthia Nguyen
Photography by: Vincent Ko

 

Do you ever wonder if you’re changing for the better or worst? Or if you’re just completely static?

As of late… I feel as though I’m cycling through the same routine and in search of something exciting to shift my creative thinking. A greater surprise just might influence and shape my new work. Maybe it’s the new people I’ll encounter or an event that will challenge me to act out a different side of myself.

Throughout the last two months, I occasionally catch myself feeling apprehensive about my position in my career and point in progression for my side projects…such as this very platform you are reading my post on. I felt that these short days could use some experimentation to ease that feel of being fixed. By producing somewhat ostentatious images, I draw attention and kick things into a unique tier of interest. All the recent and audacious images you see across my Instagram and this site don’t quite project my humbling experiences. But who cares?— it’s not as if I’m trying to get the entire world to know me for all my good deeds. As cliche as it sounds, I genuinely enjoy treating my feed as a canvas and I’m the big-headed genius behind it all.

People come to my page to view my direction as well as my friends’ awesome photography…also not to forget, to read all the kinds of nonsense I tend to write that follows after I’ve arrange the photos for my articles. No one has to know the part where I got stung by a wasp while Vincent captured these photos of me. Whoops.

Secretly and subjectively, I get a thrill out of “challenging” other people in the realm of curated content plastered all over social. That thrill is what you could also interpret as “motivation” and small bits of entertainment. That keeps me busy. The work on my feed and site has given me an assailable lead by being my own artist behind all the creative projects I take on. For fun and for a bigger portfolio book on the evenings and weekends. This millennial is better off marrying her job than a man in this city. The surface may appear different but I’m still that tenderhearted lady with that obnoxious laugh. This is for folks who are familiar with my outlandish way of displaying extreme happiness.

 

Olivia Palermo x Chelsea28 Neck Tie Blouse
Olivia Palermo x Chelsea28 Accordion Pleated Skirt
Jenny Bird Edie Hoop Earrings
Zara Black Strap Mules (Similar here)
Rayban Aviators Sunglasses

See below to shop the options!

 

 

 

Below: At Lavelle, Pork Belly Benedict (front) and Cocoa Nib Waffle. (back)

“We can think in our minds and reinforce positive thought all we want, but our actions will dictate whether our circumstances change from bad to good. What are we going to do about it? I can want something with all of my heart and mix that desire with faith, but unless my actions provide the fuel for the engine, I remain in the same spot.” Christopher Connors

chic eats

Fly like Paper

American Apparel lightweight Dylan trench in Paperback
Ecru lab Shakepearean Luv silky button-down cami
Zara white wide leg trousers
Yves Saint Laurant Nude Wrap Ankle Block Heels
Sunglasses (Similar here and here)

Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that I have a brunch addiction. It’s pretty evident and real. And no, I’m not ashamed. Truth is, it’s an actual expense I put aside for…for each and every weekend, if possible. It’s the joyful time I look forward to each weekend while vigorously going over geo-locations and foodie blogger Instagram’s  for enticing food photos.

Had the great pleasure of kicking off my brunch adventures at Bar Reyna on Cumberland St. with Darlene of The New Girl. The space was nothing short when it came to interior and exterior decor and the food itself. Impeccable Greek fries with shaved feta, delicious oysters and tasty shakshuka. (If you’re looking for a good Shakshuka— I recommend the one served at the ONE Hazleton restaurant.) Oh, and a nice glass of mimosa of course. In a extremely odd way— it’s almost therapeutic for me when I’m sitting down and eating brunch…after a long period of shooting the untouched food. Maybe it’s just good food in general moves people like that..  Or maybe I developed this love for food through being raised by a chef as a father and stay-home mom that cooks phenonmenal Vietnamese food. Don’t be jealous! x

All in all— I love brunch. I have a shirt that says it. And no— an all day breakfast wouldn’t count!  

Photography by: Darlene Anderson

outfit

Sweet Escape

 

J.Crew Cotton Off-the-shoulder Top
Massimo Dutti Front Slit Skirt
Lack of Color Spencer Boater Hat
Yves Saint Laurant Nude Wrap Ankle Block Heels
Massimo Dutti Suede Cross body bag

See below for similar options!

I know I take a crazy load of time when it comes to preparing a blog post.. which is why I hold immense pride once I’ve curated and launched a post. Whether I’m told that I should stick to posting more frequently or to ‘just get a post out the door..’ I would much rather bite my tongue and hold back until I’ve produced an exquisite article filled with wonderful photos.

Photos that are not only simply taken against a wall and tweaked via post production but are well thought through with a direction.. a particular narrative. A narrative that my readers can follow along and immerse themselves in a different world. A world infuse with excitement and femininity. Creating an escapism for my viewers through my craft and lens is what I yearn to do and is the major…if not the sole reason why I blog. To share all this with you.

From the choice of clothing, to the colour palette, the location, the poses and expressions..along with the placement of each element.. on site or within the posting stage. I want to create that lush, warm presence in the curated landscape I’ve built up.. without being too far away from my own home. One day, I’ll have it down. The beautiful and editorial way of creating escapism. Just like Gary Pepper Girl, Tuula Vintage and Park and Cube.

Now you know why I take such a long, damn time to create a post like this…

I hope you genuinely enjoy this article!

Photography by: ARTIESE STUDIOS
If you get a chance, check out her new Barcelona travel guide.

 

inspiration

Elegant to the Bone

Here are my August favourites I’ve collected over month in preparation for the Fall season…

Finders Keepers Fold-in Trench / Fame and Partners Kenny Grace maxi slip dress / Roberto Cavalli Serpent leather small flap Shoulder bag / Jenny Bird Edie Medium Hoops / Calvin Klein Bell 85mm Heels in Bone / Anthropologie Cecie Sunglasses

outfit

Taking Home the Bronze

Zara white sleeveless trench vest (simlar here)
Club Monaco Kendyl crop top
Banana Republic Maxi drawstring skirt (similar here)
Massimo Dutti Suede crossbody bag
ALDO CiCi heels in Bone

See below for similar options!

Allow myself to get into my part time role as a blogger and showcase a quick outfit post for you.

I actually wear this outfit out (sometimes with different tops or a black sleeveless trench) extremely often to the office. The white vest is a great addition to make your outfit appropriate and feel ~high fashion~ for any occasion— it’s also an awesome replacement for the work blazer. To be quite frank with you.. I get showered with compliments all around for doing this maxi and long vest combo from coworkers, friends, and even strangers. Not so much from the family since they believe I should be wearing short and fitted items to show my “feminine” petite body. But surprise surprise, if you know my wardrobe, you’ll know my closet contains a lot of oversize and pieces that drape on my body instead. (There’s a huge playing factor as to why I dislike fitted articles of clothing because when it’s worn, it rubs against my body and makes me irritated..and sort of.. itchy? Probably because of the irritation) Comfort has to be one of the most important things to consider when owning a piece of clothing. As for being petite… Don’t be afraid to do a maxi and a long vest when you’re under 5’4. Because it’s all about understanding and rockin’ those proportions, as well as pairing the look with a pair of nude ankle straps for the illusion of extra height. 😏

With the nightie slip gown trend going strong— it’s hard to avoid falling in love with the flowy, satin fabrics that drape on your body and making it office-appropriate and fashionably polished. That’s why a satin maxi works out so well as opposed to a fitted, satin skirt (starting to sound like I’m ready to run into a club with a matching black choker.) Let’s just say that maxi skirt and long vests go together real well.

Photography by: Artiese Studios

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