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.