Playa

We went to the beach again yesterday.  It was warm and sunny and fantastic!  We took a long 30 minute walk, sat around for a while, then walked back toward the car.  I had a whole long post in my head detailing how I got to picking out this maxi dress, but, well, I'll save it for some other time. 

The Details:

Maxi Dress: Target Same Dress in Purple

and in Blue and yet more!

T-shirt: Old Navy Similar

Cardigan: Target Similar with Frills

Shoes: Target Super Similar

Earrings: gift

Sunglasses: Guess

Jumping for joy at the weather!

Friend Friday: Blogger Mechanics

Since I recently wrote a post on this subject, I figured I would join in the Friend Friday post by ModlyChic. 

1. What technology do you use in blogging?

I use my camera,a Canon PowerShot SX-20IS Digital Camera.  Its considered somewhere between an SLR and a point and shoot digital camera.  I got it because of the flip out screen that makes taking self-portraits significantly easier.  I also have a full sized tripod.

2. What computer and online technology do you use?

I use my Dell computer to write all of my posts.   My blog is hosted by Blogger and I use Picasa and Google Photos for my photos.  To edit my photos I normally just use Picasa, but every once in a while I'll use Photoshop Elements that came with my computer.

3. What is your process for taking pictures?

I set up my camera on the tripod and take a few test pictures to make sure that I've got all the settings right.  Then I set the timer, flip out the screen, and run in front of  the camera.  I take a few pictures then check to see how they've been turning out.  I then take more pictures until I'm happy with at least 3 or 4 of them and head back inside. 

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?  

It depends.  For the past few months I've been taking pictures at night on my front porch.  Since I got tired of doing that, I've tried to take pictures outside around the house during daylight.  I do, almost always, take pictures outside, though.  My house doesn't have the best lighting and there isn't a corner with enough light that is also neat in the house for me to take pictures inside.  

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?

I'm about 100% sure that my camera doesn't support a remote, but if it did, I would want one.  Barring that, then maybe a course on how to use photoshop elements.   

Weekend!

Since the weekend is just around the corner, I wanted to share with you all what we did last weekend.  (Kind of late, I know)  A friend of mine that lives in town recently had her dog move in with her from her parent's house.  She wanted to take Buddy to the beach and asked us if we wanted to take Bella too.  Of course we said yes and headed towards the beach with Bella in tow.  

Posing

Getting her to sit for the camera

 While there, my plan was to take beautiful outfit pictures with the ocean and dunes as my background.  Complete Fail.  The temperature was around 48.  In my mind it would feel like a brisk 50.  With the wind it felt like an awfully cold 40 instead.  I got the Fiance to take some pictures anyway in hopes of having *something* worth posting.  
     After we got to the car we defrosted and once we got home we planted some trees I got for free at the mall on Saturday.   All in all, it was a great outing hanging out with a friend I haven't seen in a few months and taking Bella to the beach.  Hopefully the next time we go it won't be nearly as cold.

Bare feet was a stupid idea.

Bella had no problem posing despite the cold and wind.

Look! An outfit under the track jacket!

Weird pose while being cold.

 We did manage to see some dolphins though.  The Fiance was seeing if Bella would approach the water (she didn't) and called out to us that there were dolphins.  I pulled out my camera and managed to get a few pictures.  I completely missed the dolphin that surfed a wave--but these turned out pretty nicely.

Special Offer!

     eShakti recently contacted me to offer a special promotion to my readers.  From now until February 28, 2011, by using the code LAWSCHOOL2011 at checkout, you will receive a 20% discount at eShakti!  It can be used on any number of purchases you make until then.  It is, however, an exclusive code and cannot be used in addition with any other offer, gift certificate or promotion.  
   Since this is such an awesome deal, I figured I would also show you what *I* would purchase.  Below are some blouses, skirts and dresses with accessories that just scream romantic to me.  Any of these looks would be great for a certain romantic holiday coming up (if you celebrate it, that is.)  And if you want to check out my review of eShakti, here it is.  

eShakti by lawschoolfashionista featuring crystal jewelry

Buttoned shawl collar dress - eShakti.com, $70
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $60
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $55
Triple layer pearl necklace - eShakti.com, $30
Crystal stretch bracelet - eShakti.com, $30
Copper enamel blue stone pendant necklace - eShakti.com, $20
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $50
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $43
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $40
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $40
Wavy square bangles - set of 3 - eShakti.com, $20
eShakti - Shop Women’s designer fashion dresses, tops| Size 0-26W..., $18


Edited to Add: I do not get any payment if you use the code.  I recommend eShakti because *I* like it and *I* appreciate having clothes tailor made.  

Envy

     I've been kind of jealous of bloggers that are able to take such very pretty pictures for their blogs.  Since my pictures are taken by me + a tripod, they don't always turn out that pretty.  In fact, watching me take pictures is pretty funny, so I imagine.  This is my process: I set up my camera on the tripod, set up the camera settings, take a quickie shot to make sure that everything is right.  Then I set the timer and run up in front of the camera, pose and the picture is taken.  Repeat 6-10 times.  After I take a few pictures, I check the ones I've taken to make sure they're ok.  If they are I take a couple more if its not too cold.  If they're crap, well I have to take a few more and hope that I won't freeze to death.  With my ridiculous little routine and that as of late all my pictures have been taken at night on my porch, well my pictures aren't great.  Now while my porch is very nice, the lighting and background just isn't that pretty.  So I end up with kind of meh pictures.  

     Rather than continuing to be jealous, which is a waste of time and energy anyway, I decided to do something about my pictures.  I thought for a while on what makes others' pictures so pretty and interesting and on what I could do to change up mine.  I figured out that its a combination of lighting, background and placement.  I'm still doing the tripod routine, so I can't change the placement of photographs.  But instead of taking pictures at night, I plan on taking them when there's still light out.  
     These, for example, I took just as the sun was setting.  And most importantly, I took them out in the field next to my house.  The combination of the beautiful light and the pastoral setting made a difference.  I realized that what I really need to do to keep my pictures pretty is to plan them out better rather than just run outside real quick and take a few pictures then run right back inside.  I know that it'll be easier while I'm at home studying.  I'm not sure how it'll work when I'm back at work.  But I'm sure I'll figure it out.  

 

     This outfit is a mix of new and old.  I've had this coat for a few years.  I got it for Christmas a few years ago from my parents.  When I got it I wasn't sure about the shape of the coat at first.  But eventually the color and toggles won me over, so I decided to keep it.  The mock turtleneck is also from my mom.  Remember when I said that my sister brought back a bunch of clothes from Puerto Rico?  This sweater is one of the items she got brought me.  Generally I'm not a fan of anything turtlneck-like, but this sweater is pretty ok for the most part as the neck has been stretched out enough for me.  One of the benefits of hand me downs. 

     The pants, on the other hand, are brand new.  I got them when I went to Old Navy last week.  Like a lot of people, when I get something new I just *have* to wear it right away.  There are a few things that I'll just let chill in my closet, like a vintage wine, waiting for the right moment to pull it out.  But for the most part, I believe clothing should be worn.  And if its new its just too hard to not wear it right away.   

 

When something is new to your closet, do you wear it right away or let it chill for a while?   

The Details:

Coat: Old Navy (gift from parents) Similar Coat with Wood Toggles and Similar Shape

Cargo pants: Old Navy    

Gold Turtle Neck: Josephine Chaus (from mom)  Perfect Replica In Cashmere

Boots: Target     

P.S. If you'd like to see another blogger's take on pics in a field, visit Katie of Interrobangs Annonymous.

Ethics of Blogging

    I follow lots of blogs and sometimes forget where an idea came from.   Lucky for me there's a search feature in Google Reader that generally gets me out of a conundrum and lets me give credit where credit is due.  Nonetheless, I found this post by Design*Sponge to be really useful.  Grace offers advice on how to deal with negative comments, giving credit for photographs and protecting your work. Here's just a small bit of her helpful advice:

Knowing your rights is a big part of dealing with this issue. Original content is copyrighted the moment you write it on your blog. You can go to the extra effort to work with a copyright lawyer and copyright your content on a yearly basis, but most people are fine with the copyright level that you get from writing something online with your name attached. Beyond that, you may want to be informed about where your content is being run online without your permission or without you knowing it.

Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/biz-ladies-online-ethics-etiquette-part-1.html#ixzz1C4uPI8LZ

I definitely recommend you click on over and read her post.   I'm definitely going to take advantage of some of her suggestions, like using Tynt.  Have you ever had an ethical problem while blogging?  Anyone stolen your content?  How have you dealt with it? 

New Sponsor!

I just wanted to let you all know that Law School Fashionista has a new sponsor: Misikko.com.
  
Also, if you would like to sponsor Law School Fashionista, email me!  Rates are reasonable and flexible. 

Shopping Karma

    If you follow me on twitter, you know that I went shopping  last Wednesday.  And guys, I got *really* lucky.  Old Navy is not a store I normally shop at.  Its been a long time since anything in the store fit me well and so I pretty much gave up on it.  It came out of my shopping rotation slowly as I tend to really like their style, but the fit just wasn't there.  But since I found the skinny cords that I'm wearing in these pictures, I decided I would give it another try.  So Wednesday evening we headed in to town and the Fiance dropped me off at Old Navy while he went to get his hair cut. My purpose for the shopping expedition was to find more casual non-blue jean pants. 

    I made a beeline for the Clearance section and got LUCKY.   Everything in the clearance section was an additional 40% off of the ticketed price.  My first trip to the dressing room consisted of a few pairs of pants.  Only the skinny cords in blue fit.  The second time through the Clearance section though, I hit jackpot.  I found a really cute bird and leaf print dress, light pink cardigan, skinny gray cargo pants and black jeggings.  Since everything was on clearance and the last time I went to Old Navy I got one of those surveys on the receipt that give you 10% off, everything was way cheap.  All in all I left Old Navy with 3 pairs of pants, a cardigan and a dress for about $25 and change.  How awesome is that?

    Anyway, this is what I wore to go on my quest.  Normally when I go shopping I think of the ease of getting into and out of a fitting room.  Despite taking that into consideration, I decided to go with my knee high boots anyway.  They're easy to slip on and off and since earlier in the day it had rained, I didn't have to worry about wet feet or hems.  They were a smidge annoying in the dressing room, but really, aren't most shoes other than flip flops?

    When it came down to the jewelry though, I got stuck.  I was looking in the mirror and all I could think was "This outfit needs some sparkle."  I looked through my jewelry and didn't find exactly what I wanted, but figured this necklace would do in a pinch.  I've never worn it before as its an odd shape.  I think it ended up being the right amount of sparkle and the perfect piece for this U-shaped neckline.  I got the necklace when I ordered some hair clips from the Sew Lovely etsy shop.  She was kind enough to add this necklace in as a surprise bonus to my order. 

What do you wear when you go shopping?  Found any spectacular deals lately?

The Details:

Sweater: Loft Similar, Similar color and style Similar Color in a cardigan

Pants: Old Navy Similar Skinnies

Boots: Target Really Similar, Also Similar

Necklace: gift Etsy

Sunglasses: Guess by way of Marshalls        

Similar Also Similar  
These aren't really similar, but I kind of want them. 

Sticking to it

     Since staying home full time to study, I've been working out a lot.  By a lot I mean like every day.  This is *so* out of character for me.  I've pledged plenty of times that I would workout more often or that I would lose a certain amount of weight.  Pledging and doing are two different things, however.  This time around, I'm doing.  I've known for years that I should workout more.  That the health benefits far outweigh the discomfort of getting off my ass and working out.  Its just that there was always something I could blame as being in my way.  If it wasn't studying, then it was working,or I was too tired or there was much more interesting tv to watch, etc.  I just let the excuses add up.  So its no surprise that it was nearly impossible for me to stick to some sort of routine.  

     This time around things are different.  I think its because I'm at home all day long and time isn't such an obstacle.  That and working out ends up being a break from the grind of studying.  I know that working out every day won't last.  Once I take the bar and go back to working, its going to be hard to work out 3 days a week, let alone 6.  Nonetheless, I think this time at home studying will serve as a sort of reset.  By making it a daily activity, I hope that working out will become habit.  A good habit.  One that will not just change the physical appearance of my body, but will change my health for the better.  Speaking of changing my body, I've already lost 2.5 inches around my waist and another 5 pounds from my last weight plateau.  Being able to see these changes already makes it a lot easier to stick to my routine.  I can see my accomplishment taking shape so it makes me want to keep at it.  I want to lose my tummy pooch and lose more weight and just get tone and fit all over.  What's your favorite way to keep to a workout schedule?  What's your favorite way to exercise?     

Closeup of Yoga Pants

     Because of my new found devotion to working out I figured I would need a workout wardrobe.  I invested in a pair of Old Navy Yoga pants to add to my really old black yoga pants that I've had for years.  (I honestly have no idea how long I've had them.)  In addition my little sister got me a long sleeve workout top for Christmas.  (not pictured)  This pink top was also a gift.  My friend Claudia entered a Glamour giveaway and won the top.  It was too big for her, so she offered it to me.  Its a wee bit too big for me around the waist, but fits the boobs just fine.  
      Here I'm also wearing a pseudo-thrifted item.  Some of my sister's friends visited my parents a year or so ago and one of them left this track jacket.  My sister offered it to me and I've been wearing it when I walk outside in the cold.  Its pretty great as I'm able to throw on some thin layers to keep me warm without being bulky.  I also get to add to my slowly growing workout wardrobe.  So that's a plus.  Do you too also use a new activity as an excuse for getting clothes?  (I'm sure I'm not the only one!)


The Details:

Top: Champion Double Dry Seamless Vented Tee Available Here and Similar Here and Here

Yoga Pants: Old Navy Available Here and Disco Pattern Here

Track Jacket: Old Navy Similar and More Here

Sneakers: Reebok Easy Tone Available Here and

Other Colors Here