3-29-2026 MY INSPO: zen to the max and maxing out the card

 zen-x vibes

a switch up from last few entries, where i was inspired by the sleaziness of the 2000s. this week i got inspired by the total opposite: zen-x. think gen-x soft club in a yoga studio. what would a 90s yoga studio and juice bar look like and sound?

as trend forecasters predicted the rise of vintage athleisure, fitness girlies passed on coordinated lululemon sets and hunted fila, kappa, and puma reminiscent of the 90s. frequently my tiktok feed provides me aesthetic moodboards with a moby song in the background - 90s minimalism, sheer and flowy layers, usually in pastel tones, and 90s decor. 

according to the consumer aesthetics research institute (cari) zen-x is defined as the following:

popular with gen-x and some baby boomers; this aesthetic emerged in the early 1990s, part of the 'natural-organic' shift away from 1980s excess and a resurgent wave of environmentalism (eg. sting in the rainforest, the corporate eco-responsibility trend made famous by companies like the body shop, the nature company, etc.). this was combined with a trend towards minimalism and renewed interest in japanese architecture and design concepts.

i decided to start the week consciously zen-x style. early morning stretches, a protein shake for brekkie and listening to 2000s yoga studio music. wore some 2000s looks all week and with sib, used our "yoga studio voice" around the house while making almost healthy meals. desserts included raspberries and dates (and a healthy cheesecake sib made from scratch). 

in this zen-craze (didn't last long because mid-week i went full supervisor bitch mode), i styled numerous outfits i can elevate my daily leisure looks into something more effortful. here's some looks you may see me in while i get full-organic groceries, finally go back to the yoga studio, or hit the tropical smoothie cafe. hint: some may be styled next week as a challenge:

the following songs totally evoke the chillout vibe zen-x promises. here's some tunes to add to your yoga routine:

designated fool - sananda maitreya

world looking in - morcheeba

just the way you are - milky

human nature - madonna

silence - delerium

papua new guinea - the future sound of london

teardrop - massive attack, elizabeth fraser

friendly pressure - jhelisa

one of these mornings - moby

closer - goapele

finally, to incorporate more mindfulness every day, even while we stare in our screens, a therapist colleague recommended the app insight timer. to promote this with a client, i downloaded it myself and i use it, albeit not regularly, but i have no plan on deleting the app any time soon. for daily stretches and flexibility the bend app is my go-to.

the designer hunt

this week i did some spring cleaning, rearranging in my closet, and while i barely have rack space left, and my shoe collection forced me to order a few shelves for organization, it doesn't stop me from feeling like there are pieces missing.

i love looking at brands. i am that sucker, always looking for a high-end gem. if it weren't for sib and boyfriend, i'd probably be a bit more reckless in my spending. and my privileged ass can be grateful for the numerous pieces i have sourced throughout the years (i seriously don't need another cotton tee just because someone's designer label is on it). still the shopaholic itch persists. luckily, instead of making reckless purchases on therealreal, i just decided to share the following designers that are yet to claim a spot in my closet.