11.30.2010

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,

11.29.2010

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,

11.27.2010

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,

11.26.2010

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

11.25.2010

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,

11.22.2010

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,