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Shades of grey // the winter edition

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shades of grey_collage1 shades of grey_collage2 shades of grey_collage3

Days have never been as gloomy as past few days. Rain and heavy clouds, wind and cold that just keeps creeping in right to the bone. It seems that the world around me is in infinite shades of grey. I prefer my winter more white, to be honest. Since the internet is currently being spammed by salves of people rumbling about THE movie, here is my contribution on the subject. Shade wise.


When it comes to fashion, on the other hand, and art, design, decor etc. grey is one of the colors I really like. I have to say my winter months are mostly spent in black and/or grey, but at the same time they don`t make me gloomy or depressed as the weather does.

Somehow black and grey give me the strength and I feel very confident and powerful wearing them. For me there is something soothing in color grey. So Zen. (although today I am wearing pastel pink, stripes and leopard)

How do you spend your winter months, wearing blacks and greys or maybe more bright colors to clash with boring weather? Is your mood influenced by colors? Tell me, I would really like to know.
photo source: pinterest, google

Say cheese pin up girl

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pin up girlpin up girl pin up girl pin up girl

Say cheese pin up girl! This is another pin up inspired photo shoot I did in December. This one is a bit less elegant and feminine but still very much inspired by the great 1950`s. Retro vibe is all a girl sometimes needs and you know how much I love that retro vibe.


My favorite piece is that vintage camera I got from my Dad. I remember when I was a little girl, back then we took so much more photos then today, and my parents would commemorate any moment they managed to with that camera. I remember my Dad showing me how to take photos with it, so when I got a bit older he would let mi practice. The photos were of course horrible but I loved it!

p.s. beware of doughnut belly fat in the first photo. Oh, well, that`s me :D

The stories we tell

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stories_we_tellThe middle of the week. We are half way there and it`s almost weekend, again. I have been trying to write a post for the past hour or so and all I have gotten out of it are delays, problems, malfunctions and tantrum-y programs and machines. I hope they had their fit so we can commence. 


But that is not THE story I wanted to tell. Although the moment (of the original story) is more or less gone, the fragments that resided will hopefully be enough to save the story in one way or another. I wanted to tell a story about telling stories. And we all tell stories. One way or another.

Whether we are storytellers, writers, photographers or painters, actors, musicians or parents telling their children fairy tales before bed, individuals reminiscing about moments gone, telling stories is natural to all human beings. Some people are better and more creative about presenting them, some are shy and secretive and keep them hidden for their own pleasure. But in the end, moments captured in storytelling works of art are memories and emotions that live forever. 

Thinking about ways to tell a story, to capture a moment or hold on to a memory got me thinking about that book "Stuffocation" that basically lies on a premise that people today are more and more suffocated by stuff, thus the expression "stuffocation" and that living the stories, lives, moments and collecting them as adventures and memories, in the end again and again stories to tell, remember and share are more and more important than any object you can buy.

Clothes and gadgets (and all other stuff) have become so accessible and cheap, we are suffocated by trends and must haves that most people think that getting that coveted item will make them happy in the end. And sure, maybe it will make you happy for few weeks but then, another item will come around and consume you wholere with the need to own it. So we go around the world, with our heads stuck in "stuffs", on the run to get that hot new stuff that everybody is raving about, forgetting to tell the story. Any kind of a story. Except the one about getting THE stuff.

I am not saying that we need to go "native" return to the cave and abandon all the privileges 2015 can offer us. I am just saying, look around and tell me your story. 

My story (for this blog entry) is this - I wanted to tell a story about telling stories. LOL. Maybe this whole post seems a bit coocoo and random, but hey, this is my story and this is the way I decided to tell it.

Use resources around you to be your art - cameras, pens and pencils, colors and canvases, words and strokes, and let the art you make, the story you tell be your history.

Maybe some of the coveted items have special and sentimental value and I respect that. I would probably hold on to that one too, but I think there is nothing more valuable than a story you poured your whole heart, soul and being into. Even if it is a quiet (but special and with the right intention) night (or any part of the day in any way you want it) with someone special, a loved one, a friend, relative, parent, someone whose company makes you happy, the product of your storytelling, even if it be a personal journal entry, will have unmeasurable value as a memory and a story to remember.

Some stories come as more spontaneous moments, but are equally important. Because the beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every story is worth telling.

p.s. I had this incredible urge to write this storytelling post and I could have written it in one of my journals or notebooks but the urge wanted it more public. And for few days this idea was floating in my mind, in different shapes and sizes, and then in the end this came out. What do you think of it?

Pin up girl

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pin up girlpin up girlpin up girl

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
~ M. Monroe


These are some photos I did with my hubby back in December. I am wearing Audrey dress from LindyBop and bow heels from Primark. Stockings are from Calzedonia and jewelry is unknown. Dressing up as a pin up girl is always a pleasure. I adore 1950s fashion and sometimes daydream about time traveling back and enjoying the era first hand. I have few `50s inspired skirts and dresses that I wear with a modern touch.

Candyman


 Special thanks to Slavko and Ozy, my furry little friends that made these photos even special.

#OlympusPenGeneration

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#olympuspengeneration

New in! What to say than YAY, and #OlympusPenGeneration! Love this baby.


Although small(er) than DSLR and slim in size, the PEN baby packs a real punch when it comes to image quality. I can have nice, professional looking photos with great image quality, better than phone photos at least.



The design is really cool and the camera feels absolutely great to hold, and I love that about it, light and easy to handle. And it fits in my work bag perfectly. I love how easy it is to take pictures because all the buttons and dials are in just the right spot. The grip lets me get a steady hold even on the spur of the moment and when I’m shooting at awkward angles.

Olympus PEN is a mirror-less camera. In comparison to DSLR, where is the difference?

In a mirror-less camera, light passes through the lens and right onto the image sensor, which captures a preview of the image to display on the rear screen. Some models also offer a second screen inside an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that you can put your eye to (add on).

DSLRs use the same design as the 35mm film cameras. A mirror inside the camera body reflects the light coming in through the lens up to a prism (or additional mirrors) and into the viewfinder for you to preview your shot. When you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up, a shutter opens and the light falls onto the image sensor, which captures the final image.

 

Comparison:

DSLR camera bodies are comparatively larger, as they need to fit in the mirror and prism.

Auto-focus speed - there are so many theories here, as experts say it`s a draw. The best mirror-less cameras match DSLRs for fast auto-focus. Which means, if you mean serious business you need a serious camera. Mirror-less or DSLR.

Viewfinder/previewing images - With a DSLR, the optical viewfinder shows you exactly what the camera will capture. With a mirror-less camera, you get a preview of the image on-screen, and sometimes also through an EVF. Verdict: For many situations, especially low-light shooting, the DSLR's optical viewfinder is more accurate.

When it comes to image quality and image stabilization, experts say it`s a draw too, but mirror-less camera takes the prize when it comes to speed and video quality.

On battery issue, DSLR wins the round, as well on question and lenses and accessories due to DSLRs have access to a far greater variety. Although with #olympuspengeneration cameras you have the ability to use the lens adapter to widen your lens choice.

 

The verdict:

A mirror-less camera is better for a casual to semi-serious photographer who wants an all-day carry camera. A serious or pro shooter who wants access to a wider range of lenses and other gear would be better off with a DSLR. One area where there is no difference is image quality. Both modern DSLR and mirror-less cameras can take excellent photos.

 

I hope this was not a boring post for you, I felt like something needed to be said about the type of the camera, besides just "yay, I bought this baby and that`s it" because I feel it is nice to have some information, like a type of an introduction or brief explanation on (any) interesting products, especially this type, since bloggers use them so often. When I started writing this post, I didn`t really had in mind writing such long one, or so technical, but then I was somehow mentally transported into a readers point of view, and I asked myself, if this was the first that I heard about #olympuspengeneration, would I even know what is that? I would have thought "oh, it`s a nice little camera that fits in my bag". Seriously. And at first I did.

 

Mirror-less camera? So, there are cameras WITH mirrors? I am clueless about photography in so many ways but this much I have learned. The rest is yet to be discovered. But what I wanted to say, from readers point of view, and the one who doesn`t really read photography news on a daily basis I wanted to provide a short, useful description about the product and explain that there is a difference and why there is one. It saves the trouble to the wondering mind. I hope it helped.

 

Please feel free to share your impressions about this post and your thoughts on the subject. What camera do you use? Which one do you, or would you prefer?

January wishlist

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january wishlist

 

The holidays are over, new year has begun and January sales have begun. What to buy? What to buy? I have been entertaining myself with window shopping, khm, hypothetical on line shopping and made a January wishlist. Few essential items that would make my life complete. And my wallet substantially thinner.


As you can see I have presented you with a collage of carefully selected items that represent usual winter color palette - black with occasional blop of "color". Yes, like most of people I succumbed to the winter color scheme trend where something bright and vibrant such as red or yellow cannot be found even if it were a matter of life and death. Not to sound overly dramatic, of course. 

This little ensemble would be my every day work choice, a base of casual (breton), hint of edge (boots and jacket), a sprinkle of femininity to show I am still a girly girl all rounded up with bad ass accessories and a coffee cup which, in fact would not contain any coffee at all. Tea. Cocoa. (vodka maybe, just kidding) but, coffee I`m afraid is not my cup of tea. Tea is. Allergic to it. Coffee not tea.

What do you think? I still plan on doing some post holiday shopping but I think that will be more early February shopping that anything else. I was, as a matter of a fact in serious money spending (hello Xmas bonus!) moment last weekend, but was totally disappointed with what I found. I am more of a store shopper rather than an online, due to not so regular sized proportions so, I really have to see it fit just the way I want it, and that turns out to be a bust in... too many cases I would like. So, as usual most of the thing didn`t fit, like, at all... or they didn`t even have it in my size. 

I decided to wait and buy something I will really like, although for a bigger price I guess but that is better, I think than to buy anything just for sake of buying and sales, if it ends up in  the back of my closet.

What are your experiences with January sales? What would/did you buy? I know it`s 2,5 more months till spring, but, I kind of feel like I don`t need to be buying winter clothes after NYs, right? What would be on your January wishlist?

 

Item info:

New year resolution

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2015 resolution


If you could write a text to the you a year ago to prepare yourself for 2014 WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?


New year resolution(s). Every year millions of people make lists, promises and dreams for the year ahead, encouraged by the success or the failure of the same. Either way, planing a better self, a better life for yourself is always a good way to go even if you don`t cross all the things from said list. New year resolutions are often ridiculed and laughed at because well, most of us suck at completing them. I suck at completing them. Most of the time. And that is OK. So what is different this year? I didn`t make one. Yet.

My new year resolution is to try. I got only that one. To try to write. To be the better version of myself. To try to be happier when it comes to work/hobbies, more positive and less annoyed by meaningless words, deeds and people. Try not to complain and always look on the bright side (of life). Just to try. The rest will follow.

I have several tasks, milestones, lists I wish to accomplish this year and I will try to, first make them, then stick to some points... just try... and the most important, I will try not to give up (so/to) easily. That is my biggest challenge. My new year resolution is to TRY (anything and everything).

And with that said, remember this, you can`t go wrong. I would like to share these words from Neil Gaiman with you about mistakes.

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. Your`re doing things you`ve never done before, and more importantly, you`re Doing Something.

So that`s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody`s ever made before. Don`t freeze, don`t stop, don`t worry that it isn`t good enough, or it isn`t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work, or family, or life.

Whatever it is you`re scared of doing. Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

I love this. LOVE. I am scared. All the time. And because of that fear I let life get by me, doing nothing, just sitting in fear of not being good enough. I don`t really understand why is that and that is a topic for another post. But for now, let`s not be scared and let`s do some mistakes. Epic shit.

Just try.

A lot can happen in a year. A lot. (or nothing really, it`s your choice)

I choose a bountiful year full of mistakes, people, places, dreams and epic shit I`ve done. I choose to recognize every day as a chance to be a creator of awesome things. Awesome things I desire, dream of, create, think, write. I choose to be present every day and let magic happen. I choose to seize the day and try.

Don`t put pressure on yourself, on your resolution(s), lists, anything. Baby steps. Just try.

And if all this feels like load of crap... here is one final piece of advice I will make my mantra for life:

SMILE LIKE A MONKEY WITH A NEW BANANA. that is it. the best of me. it`s not really mine, I found it online.

Stay focused and extra sparkly.

 

Happy 2015

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happy 2015

Happy new year! Welcome 2015. I am sure you are going to be just splendid. Full of marvelous new adventures, wonderful memories, places and people. I know you are going to be awesome. So, here is to you! Cheers! Clank!


Here is something to think about and incorporate in daily life in 2015.
Never looking back or too far in front of me. The present is a gift, and I just wanna BE.

In the spirit of this quote, I am not going to tell you all about my plans, resolutions and overall excitement that is currently overwhelming my head. No, I am going to enjoy this moment of quiet first day of January (btw hello January) and write my five minute journal. Watch quietly last hours of first day of 2015 as they pass by. Tomorrow is friYAY, and although I don`t go to work, I can`t help but say - yay it`s Friday!

Happy 2015 everyone!