17 of 30 & Guest Photographer

Photo Credits: Danny Virasawmi

Outfit Details:

Boyfriend Blazer: Old Navy

Top: H&M

Leggings: Old Navy

Mary Janes: Aerosoles

Necklace: Thrifted

Watch: Anne Klein

Ring: F21 or H&M

A few things:

• I want to be famous. I really do. I'm working on it. I have to believe it will happen, I just have to.

• This boyfriend blazer is so versatile that I am predicting it will one day physically save my life. It can do all things.

• If I could wear these black leggings every day, I most definitely would.

• Did I mention that I just want to be famous?

Thanks again to Danny Virasawmi! This is definitely my favorite photo shoot that we did.

Fashionably Yours,

What Every Woman Never Wants to Hear

Outfit Details:

Shirt: NY&CO

Pants: NY&CO

Shoes: Aerosoles

Watch: Anne Klein

Earrings: F21

Mondays are always rough. Mondays after a holiday break are barely bearable. So with the very essence of the weekday against me, I was hoping that my awesome outfit & flawless makeup (flawless as of 12 hours ago) would give me a boost.

I guess I was wrong.

When someone is overly exhausted (me) and already knows it (myself), the last thing that you want to hear is that you look overly exhausted!

So, when I strutted myself into the front office this morning, whipped off my Jackie O's, and tousled my hair, I never expected to hear:

"Ohhh...um, wow. You don't look so good. Are you tired?"

YES. Why, yes I am. Now can I get some time off to emotionally recover from that comment?

Happy Monday. How many days until Christmas break?

Fashionably Yours,

Outfit 15 of 30 & A Guest Photographer

Outfit Details:

Vest: F21

Vertical Top: F21

Leggings: Old Navy

Boots: Endless.com

Belt: F21

Watch: Anne Klein (birthday present!)

Ring: H&M

Photographer Credits: Danny Virasawmi 

It's official. 1/2 way! And I'm beginning to recycle elements of the 30 for 30. You've seen this top worn in a totally different way HERE.

This vest was previously paired with a black dress HERE.

And these boots, that belt, and those leggings would be worn every single day if I had anything to say about it. But alas, I do not. Life (& my job) dictates a different outfit for every day. 

A former student of my father, friend of the family, and freelance photographer, Danny Virasawmi, came to visit. We chatted about photography, did some test shots, and he took a bunch of outfit pics for me! I think they're great!

I think I fake looking warm pretty well. It was well into the 30's and I was covered in goosebumps! But anything to get the perfect shot.

Danny is a professional freelance photographer located in central New Jersey. 

Stay tuned for 2 more posts from his photo shoot with me & his contact info!

Fashionably Yours,

What I Get To Come Home To

This is my mom's little pup, Lani. I know it's a little early for the Christmas dress, but we had to make sure it fit! From the looks of it, she's not too sure about it. In addition to my loving family, I get to come home to this little cuddle bumpkin. She is currently nestled up in my lap and perfectly content. Her usual spot is on top of the back of the couch looking out into the world. It's like she's always waiting for me to come home.

Fashionably Yours,

Friend Friday Guest Post - INKBLOTPHOTOGRAPHY

Happy Black Friday, everyone. I hope you all got some great deals! Since I can't shop for myself during the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge, it was too tough to go to the stores and see all the good deals I couldn't have...

This week's Friend Friday is a Guest Blogger Post Exchange. Cate of inkblot*photography and I exchanged posts today. Check mine out HERE.

"The Art of Fashion"

As an aspiring fashion photographer, I look at a lot of pictures, but as a fashion blogger, I look at TONS of pictures.

There are hundreds of fashion blogs about personal style, but not as many about the art of fashion photography. So for a more marginal Fashionista like me, it's hard to find guidance online when you're more interested in the lighting of the photographs and the positions of the models.

Obviously, fashion is about the actual fashion, but for me, it's about the art. When I'm looking through editorials, the things that catch my eye are things like angles, colours and intensity. I post the shots that make me want to take a second look. The ones that grab my attention and force me to examine every aspect of the picture and really think about what makes it great. For me it isn't just about the clothes; it's about the way the clothing is presented in the photographs, and the true art that's created in the process.

Photo Credits: Julia Stegner by Alexi Lubomirski

In the months since I've transitioned my blog to posting more editorials, one of the things that I've learned is that the models are especially important in making a photograph work. There's a reason that there are 'models' and 'supermodels'. 

A good model can evoke an emotion in a photograph with a flick of her wrist or the angle of her eye line. It matters if a girl can move or not. Tyra always says "she's model the noun not model the verb" and truer words have never been said. There is a difference between a face that makes you take a second look and pay attention, and a girl that can evoke emotion and style with her entire body. In the end, it's those girls that make the jump to supermodel.

As of right now, the models at the top of my list are Karlie Kloss and Freja Beha Erichsen. Between the two of them, I've found some of my favourite fashion shots, and they've inspired my own aesthetic.

Photo Credits: Karlie Kloss by Tim Walker

But how is this even relevant if you are a personal style blogger? The thing is, the internet is a visual medium and pictures make all the difference. If you're on lookbook, then you probably know that the looks that get hyped the most often are the ones that have the most interesting photographs.

When you're taking style shots for your blog, take notice of your surroundings and lighting. "Use your angles" as Tyra would say (I watch a lot of Tyra) and try to make your shots interesting. People come back to style blogs not just because of that bloggers personal style, but because they like the visuals that blogger creates in their shots. The best blogs have great photography.

We all love fashion. We wouldn't be here if we didn't. But sometimes it's fun to explore the different aspects of the fashion industry that we weren't as invested in before. 

Track my love of editorials at http://inkblotphotography.blogspot.com, follow me on twitter or bloglovin' or join me on facebook.

flaunt hard,

Cate

Showers of Blessings

Outfit Details:

Cardigan: H&M

Skirt: H&M

Tights: Cynthia Rowley

Belt: F21

Mary Jane's: Aerosoles

Umbrella: Courtesy of my Aunt RoseAnn

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I hope everyone had their fill of blessings today. Even with the rain out here in the east, it didn't seem to dampen our spirits.

I'm thankful for more things than words could express or that a blog post could hold. Just being home - just being with my family - just being with those who have loved you for all that you are no matter what.

It's as simple as that.

We had quite a fantastic feast. We had an assortment of gluten free, dairy free, sugar free & vegan delights. A lot of the guests today have some severe food allergies (myself included) - but everyone would argue that this was one of the most delicious Thanksgivings that they have had!

Our guests were quite fashionable as well. I was quite impressed.

 The inspiration for it all - my Grandma, Aggie. She hasn't changed a bit :)

What are you thankful for?

Fashionably Yours,

30 for 30 is Packing UP!

The long awaited Thanksgiving Break is here! These past few days have been quite hectic and I've missed posting outfits 9 & 10...But I'm packing up and heading east to visit my family for Thanksgiving. 

Packing for this break within the 30 for 30 Challenge was tough! I think that I actually packed more things than when I usually travel - since this time I can't repeat outfits. 

I'll admit it - usually when I go home I'll wear the same outfit a few days in a row. Home is home - and I'm not judged there. I just relax and reunite. 

I felt like I was choosing my items for the 30 for 30 all over again as I was packing - only extremely scaled down.

Yes, that is a copy of Breaking Dawn. I will be reading it for the first time & am excited!

Here's what I came up with:

5 days

3 pairs of shoes

3 belts

2 scarves

1 pair of leggings

1 pair of jeans

2 pairs of tights

1 boyfriend blazer

1 blue sweater

1 black vest

2 tops

All set & ready to go!

I'll update you on the scandalous body scanners!

Fashionably Yours,

My Birthday Suit

Outfit Details:

Scarf: Courtesy of Lara Miller

Sweater: F21

Belt: Courtesy of ShopRuche

Jeans: Macy*s (Grane)

Flats: H&M

Ring: Birthday gift from a student! H&M

So, it happened! My birthday happened. I turned another year older, agonized over the thought of my "life goals" and if I am at where I thought I would end up, worried if anyone would even remember what today was, and survived!

I am thankfully proved wrong a lot and was pushed out of my self loathing by love. The love of my family, friends, coworkers, students, and even strangers!

As I walked out of my apartment building this morning, I saw an unexpected package waiting for me in the mail room. It was the above beautiful woven scarf from Lara Miller! We've never met - but were supposed to at the Midwest Fashion Blogger Meet-Up back a few months. She wasn't able to attend and in reparation she sent a gift.

On a day when you are worried that those close to you are going to forget your birthday it was quite refreshing having a stranger drop a surprise at your doorstep.

Thank you, Lara!

All day long I was showered with selfless gestures, kind words, and birthday wishes. My students surprised me by decorating my classroom - another student who shares this birthday with me made me a gluten free, dairy free, egg free "cake" out of styrofoam and DumDums - and I received the most thoughtful gift I've gotten in years from a coworker.

Am I at where I thought I was going to be at (insert age here)? No. I'm not. And I think I might be OK with that. Emphasis on the words "think" and "might." The plans that I have had for myself have never ended up being as good as the ones that have actually happened. Besides, if I could have predicted where I'd have been at this age, what fun would that have been? I wouldn't have experienced all of the surprises, the ups - the downs, the joys, the pains.

What Has Become of Me in the Past Year:

1. I've moved to a new city.

2. I've been diagnosed, treated, and am continuing to be healed of a serious illness.

3. I started to follow my passions and started this blog.

4. I learned that the hardest things to do are most often the right things to do.

5. I fist pumped.

6. I fell out of love.

7. I read all 7 books of Harry Potter.

8. I was once again romanced by my favorite band, The Swell Season, in concert.

9. I was asked (and accepted) to be in a wedding for the 9th time.

10. I made the decision to never, ever, ever, EVER settle again.

Thank you to all who shared in this special day with me. I love you more than I am physically capable. Raise a glass to the next 365 days of possibility and prospect.

Fashionably Yours,