Zipped

 The very lovely Chelsea of gorgeous fashion and style blog Zipped was kind enough to answer our questions. Read on to find out about deigner oatmeal, finding your proportions and living in Seattle.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself...
My name is Chelsea Lankford, and I’m a nineteen-year-old Seattlite who loves tea, dried flowers, animal prints, and comfy clothes. After I graduated high school, I started working and am currently deciding what the next step is for me. I started Zipped after my mother encouraged me to put my ideas out for the world to see! I love the community feel, and finding so many similar souls through the Internet that share my love of clothes is so inspiring. 

2. What's your favorite outfit you've ever worn?
I have to say I really love this one, I find myself wanting to wear this skirt all the time! The print is so feminine and it is such a floaty, sheer fabric. I love it paired with the rugged denim jacket.

3. Who, where or what inspires your style?
I absolutely love flipping through catalogs like Free People and J.Crew. Of course, since I started blogging I have been getting so many ideas from other girls sharing their outfits in the blogosphere! The weather, also, is pretty influential in terms of practicality but also my mood. If it’s rainy, I typically tend to go for dark colors and in the sun I love pulling things that are bright and flowy.

4. How has your sense of style evolved over the time of your blog, and since learning more about becoming a stylist?
Well, at first I tried to dress up for my blog, but now I just post more what I wear on a daily basis. It might be boring once in awhile, but it’s important to be real with your readers and not put on a show. I’ve learned better color combinations and proportional silhouettes and a lot more technicalities, but in the end, just wear what you want. The one rule of fashion is that there aren’t any rules.

5. What is the secret to your amazing long hair?
My genes, I guess. I really don’t do anything special to it, honestly! I hate it some days and want to shave it all off, but when it comes down to it, my hair is a part of me I won’t be parting with for a very long time. I’m kind of obsessed with the natural highlights I got seriously blessed with. Oh, but don’t wash your hair every day! It can actually make your hair more oily.  

6. Tell us your favorite things about living in Seattle.
I love that the arts have such a big presence in this city. There is always something unique and beautiful around each corner. On a commercial level, we are die-hard Nordstrom fans as it is based in Seattle, along with Starbucks. It sort of raises the class-factor of Seattlites. Also, it’s incredible to be surrounded by water! I love looking out into the ocean and losing myself in the view, watching the boats go by. 

7. What are your three favorite wardrobe items at the moment?
My Levi’s jeggings, silk blouses, and my black flats. 

8. Describe a perfect day. 
I would wake up early and get coffee before heading to a flea market with my best friends! Spending the sunny afternoon browsing Nordstrom and then an evening out with a group of people sounds perfect. I also loooove to bake, so I might just stay in the kitchen with fresh flowers on the windowsill baking breads and vegan cookies all day! 

9. Your most important thrifting tips? 
Always keep an open mind, try everything on, and have a huge amount of self-control. Don’t buy something if you won’t wear it more than three times, even if it’s just five dollars. 

10. You mentioned in your blog that you love food, what are your favorite things to eat? 
I eat a bowl of “designer” oatmeal every morning, loaded with fruits and nut butters and add-ins like chia seeds or flax drowned in almond milk. It’s so much more fun than regular oats! Classy pizzas are amazing too, topped with mushrooms and spinach and Gouda cheese. But my favorite thing to eat would definitely be a green smoothie. You cannot taste the spinach and it is the best at keeping a clear complexion!