Currently loving: Jewelry - History + Industry

Metal, wood, semi-precious stones. Contemporary design that meets artifact heritage. All hand crafted in mesmerizing staple pieces of jewelry that captures the essence of magical femininity. Bold but feminine, with ability to transform any look and to leave eternity's worth of impressions. You can bet I am currently loving this amazing jewelry from History + Industry made by talented Irene Wood.

Although I am more of a minimalistic gold neck pieces lately I could not turn my head away from their instagram account that first introduced me to the brand. History + Industry is Brooklyn based studio that makes really stunning pieces of art. The owner has strong art history and knows her way around the stones. I love how all these materials are combined in perfect harmonious statement necklaces without being too much or chaotic. I feel like every necklace has its own personal story and such strong energy oozes from each one, like the stones give them special powers and makes them alive.

Besides necklaces, you can find amazing earrings and bracelets that are equally captivating in beauty of the design.

 

Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored, I just like the brand.

January recap

The first month of 2015 is behind us. 30+ days went by in a flash. I did so much, but I know I could`ve done much more. At the end of 2014 I was writing up my goals, resolutions and plans for 2015, for the first months to catch the momentum so my year would have a solid start for great (new) adventures. My resolution was to try whatever opportunity life gave me, so I did. More or less. One of my resolutions, plans and milestones was to have a recap at the end of each month and evaluate the month passed. So, this is my first and grand January recap.

In January I had 8 posts, less than last years 13, but more than in December 2014. The numbers are not really the reason I post, but keep in mind that, like it or not, we people do love numbers. In all the shapes and sizes, but that does not mean we don`t care about quality as well. For me, if it were all about the numbers I would have given up on blogging a long time ago. And with that in mind, I know I should post more, but resistance sometimes gets the best of me. So I post when I feel like it. I struggle sometimes with themes and subjects of my posts, and I try to avoid posting for sake of posting. All in all, I am OK with the way the year started, blog wise. And here`s to improvement!

Of all other plans and ideas to check of my 2015 resolution list, I checked the "go back to sketching" one. I even added some water coloring.

I upped my game on Instagram, took more photos, kept my 5 minute journal at OK level. I practice gratefulness and intention every day, and recognize signs of opportunity one by one.

Eating healthier after holiday craze is also on fast track to success. A lot of veggies and less and less crap. Eating fast food is (again) becoming unappealing for me more each day and I am so happy about it since I am such a junkie. Or, was. Yay!

Some January outfits that made grey, gloomy rainy days a bit brighter and happier. Although I was at work only for 7.5 days before sick leave was reinforced and PJs were back on schedule as all day dressing attire.

All in all January was good and I am thankful for the way it turned out. I met one amazing woman and had so many great ideas and made some plans, so I look forward to the future and making this January recap even more successful February recap. Hello February and welcome.

How was your January? Do you like how your year started and what was the most memorable moment in last 30 days?

Mine was when I really spent the day away from procrastinating on Pinterest or TV, but read, sketched, cooked and had a great day, almost totally unplugged. I was so surprised how natural it was for me to spend it that way. Maybe it was just what I needed. I guess I just need to listen more carefully.

Tell me about your month and what are your plans for February.

Shades of grey // the winter edition

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

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

 

The 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

 

“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

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?