PHOTOGRAPHY EPIPHANIES

Today's post is not so much about this black pleated dress, which I love so much but seldom wear, as about an epiphany that I got when taking blog pictures today, using natural light from the sun.

 So in this one, the sun was behind me. It was really comfortable and easy, but my darling photographer kept complaining that my face was not visible. Which is not entirely true, I see it, it's darker but it's there. What's not so visible is the dress in detail.

In the second one I'm facing the sun, only the glare is so servere, I can barely keep my eyes open. and the details of the outfit are visible, although thanks to the sudden breeze, all you see is 'gone with the wind' pleats.
Also, because there was too much light, some colors were obliterated.

This last picture was the photographer with his back to the sun and the flash down. Let's not even talk about my facial expression. I was just tired of trying to keep my eyes open. I think I had already started complaining mid-shot. I'm thinking I need to invest in a better photo editor, although, I'm also quite dissapointed with Nigel. (Nigel is my Nikon). I'm going to have to switch back to Canon.

If anyone has any good tips, please feel free to share at the comment section.

Lesson of the day :- invest in very good sunglasses and bare that glare.

LESSONS IN MEN'S STYLE BY ANDREAS WIJK

One of my loyal readers asked me a question about shopping for a conservative male, she want's to help her friend spice up his wardrobe. To be honest, I am no expert when it comes to men's style, I did my research though and here's what I learned about men's style by staring at pictures of Swedish musician Andreas Wijk:

The first thing, from personal experience, simplicity is key. A few basic pieces that are not only stylish but can also be re used to create other looks would be ideal.
I noticed Andreas wears a lot of neutrals: whites, beiges, grey's and also blacks. I think every male closet would benefit with plain neutral tops and a few neutral colored pants.

Bare your legs out.... wear them shorts out! For guys residing in the warmer climates, shorts and jean shorts are your perfect go to item on those extra warm days. Keeping in mind that there's a thin line between short and perverse. I am appalled at the number of boys/men, I see walking around in board shorts in the city in summer. I mean, there are decent alternatives. Seriously, this board shorts thing is just perverse, it's gotta stop! Save the board shorts for water activities.

The stripes - They never really leave do they??? Stripes look hella stylish. They are perfect for the légère look. Not only males but females too need striped t-shirt's in their closets.

Layering zip up hoodies under leather or jeans jackets is still cool... I didn't know that. I believe though that zip up hoodies look best under jean or leather jackets. (Layering for dummies ha ha )

Sometimes, a simple scarf might be the secret ingredient to making the outfit complete / give the outfit the extra oomph.

Ofcourse every man's closet needs logo T shirts. As I said, with beginners, less is more. I kinda like that the logo's on his shirt are not overpowering, so that I actually looked at the whole outfit and didn't spend most of my time just trying to make sense of the logo's on the t shirt.
I kinda like the low collar on those round necked shirts! Though they seem to work better layered under a shirt or jacket or something.

all pictures (source)

This is another item that NEVER goes out of style. checkered tops...

I would like to reiterate that this post would be for the légère type of look. That I would baby step my significant other into the world of fashion, by making these choices for him, then work from there. Andreas style might not be everyone's cup of tea, or anything new, but you can't deny the kid is hella stylish.

BY SPECIAL REQUEST

This photo's were taken late in the day, please forgive the poor lighting.

everything H&M except BAG - Louis Vuitton glasses+shoes - BUFFALO LONDON 

Is it too late in the year to be rocking brown? 

Oh never mind! I don't really care, as long as the skies are gray, I'm going to wear whatever I want! I woke up extra early this morning, because my manager sent me to another branch for a seminar, just to get there to be told it's been postponed till next week. It was one of those rainy mornings and waking up was such an issue, and in the end, it wouldn't have made a difference if I stayed. Woe. Be. Mine

To be honest, I wasn't going to post today's outfit, just cos I thought it too basic. I mean, tank, jeans, blazer... been there, done that Ugh! My man insisted I put this on here. Hence the lately done dark photos and the title. In the end, it actually doesn't look to shabby huh? Let me know what you think, or what I should add or subtract to spruce up the look more.

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE

Sorry for the pouty looks not feeling too good today.... :(

 I am really glad though, that pointy heels are back in trend just because I get to wear my "ergonomically incorrect" shoes. I think they are really sexy though, but not too easy to climb a flight of stairs with.

Jacket - MANGO shoes + clutch - ZARA top + skirt - H&M

We are still experiencing frigid conditions in Hamburg. I am tired of layering heavy clothes, and so I've thrown all caution to the wind. Plus I am so tired of leggings. I only dress like this when I know I won't have to walk a long distance to and from the car and will be in sufficiently warm surroundings.

I have a feeling, this jacket will be making a whole lot of entries on this blog. I had wanted a similar one ever since I saw Taylor wearing the Alexander Wang jacket on 'The Rachel Zoe Project' and I after years of searching, I finally found a studded one at Mango. Imagine my joy.

Hope you all had a blessed Sunday. 

EASY DOES IT

As sure as the sun will rise in the east, pastels and florals will always make a come back in the spring. Remember last year when mint pants were all the rage? I'm kinda excited to be back in my mint pants and maybe even try a new pastel color.

Pullover -TALLY WEIJL pants - NEW YORKER Shoes - BILL BLASS bag - EMMA accesories - H&M

Pastel pants, white pullover and nude colored - white shoes (which I need in my closet). You can never go wrong with that combination! 

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...

Spring!!! for it's role as winter...

shoes - JANE STILTON pants - STARVIDARIUS top - NEW YORKER jeans top+ cuff - H&M fur knit . TOM TAILOR

Bag - MANGO

I like the way the sun comes out and kinda just has a piss on us. Its like, if you sat in a glass house, you would feel all that heat, but step outside and you are met with white remnants of winter a chilling cold and muddy fields. 

I'm grateful for the sun, just because I can soak up some of it when I am out. (Thank God for melanine). This was I think the most casual look I will be in this year. The plan was to go out and soak up some of the sun that was seeping in our windows, maybe go for a walk around the block but it was freezing cold outside. 

We are spending easter on Fehmarn Island (the sunniest Island in Germany) which lies on the Baltic sea, we are enjoying being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. About the outfit, is aztec print still in vogue?? I love that jeans tops are in vogue all year round and that they can be styled in so many ways, I might have to add a few more into my closet. Most of all, I am happy to be doing a post outdoors on a sunny day and wearing colorful pieces and not standing out.

What are you grateful for??? 

EVENT: GRAZIA + H&M Conscious Collection

On Wednessday the 27th of March, H&M in Alsterhaus Hamburg had an event in cooperation with Grazia (DE). They opened their doors at 2100 for what was supposed to be a two hour shopping event, with focus on the Conscious collection.

We got there at 2130 hours, by then the event was in full swing, there were models milling around in H&M conscious collection clothes (which was the best sales gimmick cos what I saw them wear is what I bought) and photographers running after them. The staff from Grazia and a few German celebrities, who I hadn't the slightest idea what they did or why they are famous (gotta look them up).

The ambience was good. Thanks to the DJ's one had a feeling of walking the runway the whole time. H&M served fingerfood, champagne and a variety of softdrinks for the teetotallers and they that had to work Thursday. They had a nail bar, and many girls got their nails did. Also, for this one evening, you got 20% off of every item you bought. It seriously doesn't get better than that.

Considering, I had just edited my closet, I have never been more grateful to be part of an event and give out my money. As the night wore on, more people arrived and the store got a bit messy but the H&M girls really did a great job. I have never seen H&M so neat.
As we were on our way out, we recieved goody bags with H&M journals, a copy of GRAZIA magazine and Full Lash Mascara.

All in all it was a wonderful evening. I just wish, Hamburg girls would step away from their jeans and bubble jackets, and just try something different.