‎www.tumblr.com/blog/living-fash

‎www.tumblr.com/blog/living-fash

Day 1 @ LFW

The day begins early for those of us that had the privilege of attending Fashion Week. First a shower and dress rehearsal, meaning making sure that what we will be comfortable and adequate for the rest of the long day.. Then the walk to Somerset House. The walk is short about 10 mins, the traffic is not bad, as long as you remember to look the right way when crossing the street, you'll be fine. Then hope to bump into a Cafe or Convenient Store for some quick snack/breakfast on the go or similar.

Make your way to Somerset House, Remember to wear the badge or you'll get stopped.

Then, look at calendar and list of events. Make sure to arrive early to get to que for the shows. Remember there is always a pretty long line between shows.

The good thing this year was the lack of freezing air while ir was early Fall, the popular consensus was that it was very mild weather, for some it felt like summer and people often complained of how hot it was. I personally, like it because I come from a very hot, hot place so this weather gave me a chance to wear layers. That is something unheard of back at home, layers, one may ask. Usually, we wear T-shirts and shorts all the way until almost Christmas time. I can honestly say I was not prepared for the weather because the only 3 items of winter clothing got used and reused multiple times. Well, at least now I know that I need to pack my wardrobe totally differently. I took way too many shoes and not enough clothes. I actually should have just gone shopping in Europe but I was afraid as it turned out that I would have no free time to go shopping. Mind you, I had collected a long list of stores I wanted to stop by and shop but as I mentioned before I run out of time before I knew it, it was time to go to another country and experience the weather there. I must admit, I was very pleased with the stores we did managed to go to in Amsterdam and Spain but I did not have a free hour to spare in London or Paris. How sad is that!! Oh well, as it was, the short trips to the stores in Amsterdam turned out to be extremely short, perhaps in the span of 10 mins to shop, that's not very conducive to really enjoy the experience but oh well, one must take what one can get. Time is short and traveling makes it seem ever shorter..

Some invites

Some of the invitations we got for LFW. The interesting thing about it was that we didn't know what shows we were attending until arriving to London. I hoped to get invites but it wasn't set in stone until you get your invite on the mail and delivered to your door you're not sure if you're going to the show or not. Remember, no physical invite means no entry. So, when we arrived to London and made our way to the hotel we booked, we found out the pleasant surprise of a stack of invites waiting for us. Then, I had to organize the dates, shows and coverage we were doing. I was finally on British soil and happy to get off the plane but I was so busy with the details it was not even funny. The internet wasn't working properly and I couldn't use my phone to check on emails, but to make matters worst we still needed to get to Somerset House and get the badge and then meet up family for event, then go to the museum all that and more. Finally, after a lucky and I mean lucky walk down the street we bumped into Somerset House almost by accident but I know it was luck, we were as tired as one human can be from being on a plane for 16 hrs, then with the stressors of datelines, and prep work we still managed to make it there. At Somerset House I got my badge, then it was off to the Photopit and figure that out. After a few minutes, we were ready to hit back to the hotel and take a look at the equipment needed for the next day and the shows we were going, and the places to be transported to, all in the next 1 hr before our next stop at the family event. I can honestly say, I was happy not to have a photoshoot that day because I would have been dead tired. Oh well, that was the first day in London.

Courtyard LFW

--The Courtyard early in the morning-- Before the shows begin, people prepare around the grounds. Make up artist and Hair stylist arrive early to do their magic and make everybody more beautiful than they already are. Photographers also get to Somerset early, they must mark up and be ready when the shows begin. Of course, the people at Somerset are there, polite and hard working, they all look and act so professional. There are the door people, always making sure everyone has the right credentials to go in and out of the buildings. It's amazing that so many different people get together to appreciate the one thing in common, FASHION. There are Magazine editors, Fashion Stylists, Buyers, Bloggers and friends of the House, among the celebrities attending the Fashion Shows. It's all so surreal and at the same time

Images from Somerset House, London UK. From the peaceful to the busy cobblestone paved courtyard.

Invitation

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend

Desfile Del Pozo | Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tv

Desfile Del Pozo | Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tv

LFW

In case I haven't mentioned, I'll be attending LFW, is one of the highest profile fashion events in the world and one of the Big Four Fashion Weeks around the globe. The event is organized by British Fashion Council BFC and includes a number of special sponsors such as Vodafone,Mercedes Benz, American Express, Canon etc. LFW is held at Somerset House in central London. LFW is a trade show attended by Press, Buyers and Key opinion formers globally. I got commissioned for it and I'm now on my last leg of things to do before the date of departure. Yes, I'll try to post picts but as I said I'm working and working my ass off all days doing coverage of different events it's not going to be an easy task but on e that a counted few have a chance to experience. I'm thrilled to be attending this so exclusive

Trip is fast approaching

Sorry for not keeping up with the blog, it has been so so so busy in here. Well, AFW went by as usual,I didn't have time to attend anything this year. I was invited to some events and some good friends were so eager to go but to be honest, I didn't want to be disappointed. I instead started my shopping for the trip to Euro, I needed to get new luggage, the last one was way to heavy but ideal for a trip to Asia. This time I needed some light way luggage the last one broke in LAX terminal, that place always does a number on my luggage. Anyway, I got Victorinox luggage and I'm super happy with it. Gotta go, phone call, must be a client rushing order before I leave..

New week and I'm all filled up. Got to talk to client, need to wait for deliveries and then my AC broke.. I'm in Texas, if anyone knows the weather here sucks. IT's summer so add that to the picture. It hasn't rained much this year but that's not so infrequent. Well, at least things are good. Day starts at 6:30 for Yoga class, then breakfast then whatever emails I have to respond to. I have to track shipments and deliveries in between preparing my client's print work. Working with In Design and PS back and forth. The website is almost done, thanks to my awesome beau. Now, need to finish the CV for upload, got my commissioning letter delivered and uploaded to the server, now looking for images for contest and then working on editing them. Good thing the day is not over. Well this the the schedule for today.

BBC News - Collaboration Culture: Meet the artists

BBC News - Collaboration Culture: Meet the artists

Very interesting project in BBC.

Sewing Revisited

I know it has been a while since I posted an update, well things have been good. I gotten myself in more projects to work on in the next few months. I'll be traveling to Europe sometime in Sept. Dates to come soon.Now, I'm procrastinating and not booking my travels just yet but I'll get to it shortly.. well, if my ADHD don't get in the way. 1.-I'm currently working on a jewelry piece, need some more supplies!! 2.- Lost the fear of the sewing machine, so now I have some pieces put together and working on some patterns to make others. 3.-Embroidering for my Kaftan piece.. This takes so long!! 4.-Packing for a beach getaway. 5.-Buying supplies online for all the above projects mentioned. 6.-Travel stuff I'm procrastinating now.

Link

VIMEO link of Fashion show

--- Good news, packages arrived, ready for styling soon..--

During SXSW

Things are very interesting during SXSW Fest in Austin, Fashion shows, music performances and the streets downtown are blocked to allow people to walk from venue to venue. It's usually a pretty neat event, except for the parking situation. This year I decided to take advantage of the rail system in town and rode the train to the convention center, right at the heart of the madness. Awesome!!, I skipped the mad drivers and the outrageous parking wars. Well, I arrived just in time to catch a fashion show and then many street performances and what not. The vendors are always interesting too, many come from different parts of the country so the goods are so cool. Well, updating vimeo now, i'll post link later.

Follow up- on Why! oh why?

A few weeks ago I posted on the issue of copyrighted material used in commercial advertasing without proper release, compensation or credit. All the hard work done by a team gone down the drain sort of speak. I found the ad work at a local mag and when I first saw it, I was perplexed at the audacity of some people, in this case the jewelry maker. She had taken our team's work and put her logo and run it as an ad in a local mag. Everything would be good and dandy if the intention of the shoot was to create an ad piece/ advertising /commercial work but it was not. After a few months of running the ad,I decided to pay a visit to the person in this discussion. Well, that conversation did not go well. Lets start with the facts, I explained how it was unfair for the model who didn't expect to see her face/look run as the advertising look for the jewelry company, specially w/o compensation. Also, to the photographer who put the entire shoot together w/o receiving compensation for his work. He didn't even get acknowledged in the final piece run by the mag. Why, because it looks better w/o credits. It looks like the person's paid for it, while in reality they didn't. I haven't even gotten started to mentioned how I decided on the styling of this piece to showcase the elements when the "client" says to us, the photographer and me, the stylist. Client:"well, I got thousands of pictures from other people, I don't need to use yours" Photographer:"good, go ahead and use them, because I don't want you to use my picture like that" Client: "well, to tell you the truth, I don't have photoshop, so I can not put my logo, but you can do that. To my surprised she expected the infringed photographer to do some more work for her after she blatenlty refused to admit fault or apologize for any inconveneince to all of us. She then left the room, saying " You need to be nicer to me, I don't need this shit". Sometimes this industry seems to be plagued with people trying to run their own agenda without caring about what is right or wrong. Sometimes, it seems unfair that a good deed goes punished for so long and it makes you want to stop working with people. Sometimes people abuse the system. And just make it harder for all of the good people out there to get a break because we then are all so worry about not getting rear ended by those who don't value the work of others. Well, the magazine that run the ad has been informed of the lack or release on the image used and they haven't even responded to it. It all seems too unreal to believe that someone with thousands of images can choose to infringe on just one, but I guess... I run a search and found the image in question used for anything from coupon, ads,twitter and what not.

Why ! oh why?..

Well, the truth be told, I have been sewing quite a bit. I got my fabrics lined up and my props ready for styling the upcoming shoots. As the story goes, another incident about photography and usage came up. While I was online,FB time is limited to the bare minimum I saw a Flyer with one of the pictures from last summer shoot. That shoot was a collaboration with the model and photographer. The model was new and the photographer didn't know how well she'll do in her first shoot. The shoot in question turned up to be great and the images were so good. The photographer released the images to the model and the jewelry maker that let us borrow the jewels. I as a prop/set stylist know the rules of the game when it comes to usage. Unless otherwise noted, the use is for portfolio only. So I have my print book with all the shots that I consider worthy of printing. The issue here was that the jewelry maker had other intentions in mind. Intentions such as advertising etc. The photographer had a usage release for her to guide her through the do/don't of his images. Remember images belong to the copyright holder, in this case the photographer.

To make the story short, the images are used commercially in print/web and w/o copyright but instead the designer's logo. The images don't have credit,link or attribution to anyone in the team including the photographer and I find that apalling since it took us all a good amount of time to produce those images. I specifically dislike the fact that they continue using these images without regard to anyone's wishes. I guess no good did goes without a repercussion.

Anyhow, enough of whinning and let's get working.. got some sewing and stuff to do before the end of today.

The prop making starts

Yay!.. got my overseas purchases and some of the local items delivered. Now, I need to keep the work load to prop making gear tike. I go my fabrics and patterns ready. Now, to sew, paint, draw and sketch the ideas before the weekend is over.

Styling difficulties.

After a funky Monday where nothing was going according to plan, I managed to survived and now I'm eager to continue this madness. Well, for starters my mail packages did not arrive, nobody seem to know where they're at this point. Mind you, that it's has been 3 weeks and now 3 different packages are lost...I am now very concerned about the faith of the upcoming shoots since I've ordered materials and props for them. I have wardrobe arriving from overseas and now do't even think the packages may get here at all. The funny thing is, I would think that the packages get lost in customs or in the transfer, processing in a different state but nope. The packages make it to US, make it to Texas and the city and magically disappear from the mail truck to my door step. Iat this point I don't think there is anything else I can do, I tracked the packages' journey and feel like they're almost home but the morning when they are up for delivery they never get delivered. They seem to go into a limbo or another dimension in which they just disappear. I filed complains and opened cases against the drivers, nobody is responsible at this point. They all say they're investigating but in reality, when time is money and purchases can not be replaced, I am out of luck, out of time and out of money due to somebody out there stealing my packages. Yes, I mean stealing because there is no other word to use when things happen once, it's an incident, when they happen twice, it's a coincidence but when it happens multiple times then I called it stealing.. Well, I'm done with my rants today, I lost hope on the system but I still have to keep on doing what I do.. Some more styling, accessories and prop shopping. Gotta sew something today and go on with ideas for upcoming shoots.

Make your own... - Do it yourself - latimes.com

Make your own... - Do it yourself - latimes.com

Deciding...

I have been absent all last week, deciding on projects. I think I need to enter a few contests and maybe squeeze a photo submission in there but the most important part is going to be deciding on which images to turn in. Selection of images always takes a toll on my well being. it's difficult to decide and commit to one single shot for submission. I personally always have a tough time narrowing down to one shot per look from a photo shoot but it's a job that needs to be done. t doesn't matter what one personally wants to keep and thinks it's so "awesome" but what in the real whorl will work the best from that shoot.

I always look at the image as a whole not as individual part of a shot. For instance, I look at the concept and the execution then I look at the image for 30 secs and move to another task at hand, if I can remember the image after 5 minutes of not looking at it then I know the image stays but if I can not recall it at all then forget it, and move on.. find another image that works because the current one is too weak.

Anyways, I guess this weekend will be selection and coming up with titles and such.

EASY FIT YOGA PANTS « Weekend designer

EASY FIT YOGA PANTS « Weekend designer

Free lingerie, nightgown, camisole, bra and pajamas sewing patterns

Free lingerie, nightgown, camisole, bra and pajamas sewing patterns

Need to gather some supplies

I am currently looking at the ideas for the shoot. I need to start on production soon which it means, gather supplies, buy elements and construct things. I'm in the mood board process right now, sketching the looks and the scene. I need specifics for the wardrobe. This has kick started my creativity and I'm spending some time researching the current trends and putting together the rest.

Another Mexican Peasant Blouse/Dress « Nicely Done

Another Mexican Peasant Blouse/Dress « Nicely Done


Cool link for the sewing aficionados out there

Mostly True: Chances Are, You Suck

Mostly True: Chances Are, You Suck



This post is very interesting,
A must read for anyone debating on the quality of their work.
Article by Photographer Kenneth Jarecke

http://jezebel.com/5865207/why-did-vogue-italia-nix-an-image-from-karlie-klosss-nude-editorial





Source:http://jezebel.com/5865207/why-did-vogue-italia-nix-an-image-from-karlie-klosss-nude-editorial
Link:http://jezebel.com/5865207/why-did-vogue-italia-nix-an-image-from-karlie-klosss-nude-editorial

GROUND ZERO

GROUND ZERO

Source:http://www.neo2.es/blog/2012/01/ground-zero/

Love the inspiration on these designs, reminds me of Manga, this is definetely a great Spring collection 2012. designers Eri y Philip Chu, Ground Zero.

Fashion on Film

FASHION ON FILM: 9 MOVIES WITH INSPIRING STYLE

FASHION ON FILM: 9 MOVIES WITH INSPIRING STYLE

Source: Independent Fashion Bloggers

Two For The Road

Two For The Road (1967)

The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

La Piscine (1969, French)

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover (1989)

In the Mood For Love (2000)

Ciao Manhattan

Ciao Manhattan (1972)

Coco Before Chanel (2009)

Atonement (2007)

Elizabeth (1998)

I personally loved the wardrobe used in Atonement.but my all time favorite is Coco before Chanel. That movie was so inspiring and filled with amazing designs.

Fashion and the art of Erte

Fashion and the art of Erte

There’s a particularly iconic series of Erté artworks that you’ve no doubt seen before: a woman – swathed in fur and adorned with a headpiece, cutting a silhouette that’s since become the recognisable epitome of Art Deco decadence – walks a lithe, silver-collared greyhound with all the drama of one who’s just walked onto a stage. Like much of Erté’s work it sweeps the viewer up into another era. One where opulence ruled; one that’s again being looked to as inspiration for 2012′s fashions.

Erté’s most prolific time as an artist was during the 1920s and 30s. With a swirl of exotic influences including European Orientalist art, Byzantine mosaics, Greek vases, and Egyptian motifs, his illustrations remain inspirational for both the artistic and the fashionable.

source: Fashionising.com

Art Deco Inspiration

Art deco decadence, and the opulence of days long gone has made a return to the runways and design houses. Exotic influences from the 20's, egyptian,greek, oriental influences are appearing more attractive to the designers and in full force for a very ornate attire.

source: fazhionzen.tumblr.com

What's going on with people?...

What is going on with people?...

story premise: Model contacts Photographer for a Test shoot.

Me: I assist and plan production for editorial work, I source talent, locate designers and bring the concept to completion.

The model in question is someone who performs burlesque shows. I am not particularly inclined to the genre, but I can do a very good job putting the mood board and elements for the shoot.

I contact photographer and find out that model is sending him inspiration for her shoot. I am excited to see her ideas and put the looks together.

Well, to my surprise I find out that the model doesn't not think burlesque at all. I think ok. Now, lets see what she got.. She wants avant grade with a twist of Fashion. I almost spilled my drink looking at her choice of inspiration.

Oh boy, do people really think realistically of themselves?, that was a rhetorical question.

To my dismay, I'll have to say ,no,at least in this case, she wasn't too realistic. This particular model/performer wanted something totally out of her league. She could really benefit from expanding her burlesque presence and getting images to promote herself, i.e media kit, promo material,etc.

Instead, she chose to approach Avant Garde and Fashion as if one changes socks. Again, I get paid to do a job, so it doesn't matter what I think, except that this time is Pro Bono.. No Bueno.

She wants Avant Garde make up.. I think, uhmm, do you have an MUA, if so I should know about it.. Mind you not all MUA are not made the same. Talent is something people have or acquire with experience and I have been around long enough to know that there are some good ones and some not so great. The work gets fixed in Photoshop later on, but none seems to care as long as it looks "pretty". The cost of fixing things is high, there is the fast route and there is the good old path. I prefer the second.

Anyway, Make Up shoots, Beauty shots, Avant Garde or other form of Close Up, Macro Cosmetic Look shoots are always designed with expectations on mind. Color palette, accessories, look, crops,angles,props,etc. We don't just throw a Close Up/ Beauty shot just for the sake of it. Light has to be set up for it, and most important the Post process of 1 single image will take a considerable amount of time. We like to have all the questions answer before the shoot starts and people get the face painted or things get glued to their skin.

So, in this case she has not mentioned any of the important info. What's the look, send me the design, who is the Mua, what colors are being used. I need these details so I can prepare for the shoot.

Many people forget that nails are import and I'm not going to be stuck in PS because someone forgot to take the nail polish off before their well planned shoot. I come prepared with nail polish remover after a few incidents in which the models were told to have neutral nail color but ended showing up with Black and purple and red all in the same hand..

Anyway, This model in question not only wants Avant Garde Make up, close up beauty shots but also wants full length as in Fashion spread. Mind you, not sure yet what her concept of fashion is since we don't seem to be speaking the same language. I seen her entire list of inspiration and haven't yet found one single image depicting Fashion. There were some Fetish portraits, some artistic nudes, some bondage, some Avant Garde make up and some Post processed, manipulation kind of image, you know the high fantasy kind, the ones you add the background and all.

I am concerned just because I love what I do and I try my best to do the best job can possible do but sometimes people don't make it easy.. Please be realistic with your body, your image, your concept and expectations. If you're not a Fashion model, ask yourself why would I want to put you in Prada and make you an Ad especially if you're not paying my day rate. And by Fashion model I mean, 5 9' and above. Even if your body proportion adequate you're still not tall enough without shoes. The dresses I get would have to be altered for the occasion and then I'll have to make the Photog perform magic with the angles to give me those shots we all see in magz.

Advise for all the models that want to be the best at what they do. Please read the magazines, look at the images, look at yourself and analyze why do the images look good. Why do you like them? IS it the product?. Do the Fashion Spread Editorials captivate you?.Awesome, but why? Is it the colors, the items, the current trends in fashion, the amazing make up and hair or perhaps the location is so intriguing. Well, ask yourself those questions and be honest with yourself. If you were chosen for that role in that campaign, advertisement or editorial would you look as good, body proportions, demeanor, and unique look. If you have what it takes to make it, that’s awesome, all you have to do now is prepare yourself and make sure you are ready when the opportunity comes knocking at your door.

Inspiration

Link http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/b--Ladylike-lessons-from-W-17634.html

Eight themes for spring 2012

Content found at Fashionising

Eight themes for spring 2012, eight miniature styling lessons. But this shoot for W Magazine doesn’t base its class curriculum around the most casual of clothing. Instead it’s steeped in femininity, the kinds of styling ideas you’d take with you after nightfall or to any occasion where the most ladylike of attire will elevate your mood.

Edward Enninful’s styling takes us through frilled romance and sweet sorbets, structured skirt suits and flowing frocks. When it hits a 1920s note it does so with “bias-cut slip dresses and ostrich plumes”, precisely the kind of understated Jazz Age glamour that’s ripe for this year.

I am a big fan of Edward Enninful's work. <-Mapleleaf

7 Tips For Setting Blogging Goals In The New Year | Independent Fashion Bloggers

7 Tips For Setting Blogging Goals In The New Year | Independent Fashion Bloggers

here is the link http://heartifb.com/2011/12/26/7-tips-for-setting-blogging-goals-in-the-new-year/

So here we are, the last week of the year 2011. It’s been a crazy and wonderful 12 months for all of us I’m sure, full of ups and downs and the usual drama. Perhaps some of us just began our blogs this year, and maybe some of us are just rounding out another calendar year of posting, tweeting, photo-taking and style reporting. Either way, the end of the year, after the holiday festivities but before the big ball drops is a perfect time to renew your online self. Set goals for 2012 and commit yourself to an amazing year of blogging.

HERE ARE IFB’S TOP 7 TIPS TO HELP YOU SET BLOGGING GOALS FOR 2012:

1. Make a vision board. We spend so much time looking at our computer screens, and rightly so. It’s where the action’s at, where we get out information, and where we publish our brilliant thoughts on fashion. I’m the kind of person though, who needs a few tangible things in front of her to get inspired. I like to physically rip pages from magazines, save business cards, print out photos, collect post cards, you name it. For 2012, why not make a tangible collective of inspiration for your blog? Hang a cork board near your computer, and fill it with motivations and inspirations. Print out inspiring quotes, collect images of trends and looks you like, and arrange them where you can always see them and let them fuel your creative fire.

2. Create a bank of blog posts. I won’t wax philosophic on this because you can read an excellent post on it right here.

3. Cruise your favorite blogs for design and formatting inspiration. The start of a new year is a great time to consider dusting off the formatting, design and template of your site. You should ring in 2012 with a bright, shiny and eye-catching site! For ideas and inspirations, cruise your favorite blogs, as well as some of the blogs they may have on their ‘roll that you may have never seen. For formatting and design tips, take a look at this post from earlier this year.

4. Spend some time studying your analytics. Ugh, numbers. Blech, statistics. I have a love/hate relationship with my Blogger statistics page and my Google Analytics as well. Watching those lines jerk up and down, meticulously agonizing over why one post did better than another – it can drive a girl nuts and totally drain my creative energy. However, it’s one of the best things you can do understand your audience, find your strengths and take your content to the next level. Review the posts that had the most traffic and the most comments. Think of ways you can riff off those posts fresh content and photos, minimize posts that you found to have low traffic. Pay attention to what days have higher traffic and save your best posts for those days, etc. Study, study, study – I promise it’s worth it. (Also check out this helpful post from Ashe.)

5. Pick a blog star to follow. When I ran cross country in high school, I would struggle to find the motivation to push myself through the entire 5k race. I’d let my arms drag, my head wobble, and would get to a place where all I could think about was how tired I was. Then I’d hear a voice of encouragement from the sidelines (usually my mom or a friend on the cheer squad) and feel a renewed motivation to perform. I would lock my eyes forward on the numbers printed on the back of a girl in front of me. I’d watch her arms, see where she stepped, follow the swing of her ponytail. I’d envision myself tethered to her back, and never let myself fall farther back from her, and try steadily to gain on her – then eventually pass her in the last 100 yards. Consider my voice right here in this post your call to action, your “You can do it!” sidelines shout. Pick a blogger you love and admire, someone who’s perhaps a little more popular than you, has a few more comments, whatever. Chase her all over the internet. Tweet a few times more than she does, study her posts, emulate what you love about her style – but always, always with your own twist.

6. Renew your social-media self. In the same way that this is a good time to brush the dust off your site’s design, it’s a good time to brush the dust off your social media outlets. What does your profile blurb say on Twitter? Does it include your blog URL? How’s your picture? How’s your background? Pick a new one! Go onto your Facebook fan page and update your image, create a new gallery, “like” a few more bloggers, make sure all your info is current. Go through your “follows” on Twitter and see if there’s anyone you can weed out (try using Tweepi to clean up shop). You might also want to set goals for how you communicate on your social media channels. Perhaps promise yourself to tweet a link to another blogger’s post once a day. Perhaps tweet a link to an inspiring news story each day. Commit to #FollowFriday each week. Maybe set up a link to your blog so that a tweet goes out automatically each time you post. There are so many things you can do to up your game, and you owe it to 2012 to get after it!

7. Keep all your goals in a place you can see them. As I mentioned above with the vision board, I’m a visual person. Before I moved to New York, I drew an outline of the Empire State Building, and colored it in as I reached financial saving milestones leading up to my departure. In the same way, I think everyone can benefit from having their goals written out in a place you can always see them. Whether that means creating a document that lives on your computer’s desktop or printing them out and taping them to the wall – just make sure you can always see what you want. See where you want to be. See the numbers, see the earnings, see the posts, see the fashion. As you reach your goals you can cross them off, put gold stars all over them, a check mark – whatever it takes to keep motivated and reward yourself for all you’re bound to accomplish!

2012 is your year, so go out and get it! Make outlandish goals, make reasonable goals. Make mistakes, get crazy, take risks and push yourself. You are the captain of the good ship “your blog name here.” Don your captain’s hat, take control of the wheel, navigate the waves, and use as many ridiculous metaphors as you need.

What do you hope to accomplish with your blog in 2012? How are you going to do it?

C’est chic : Gold spike bracelets | 160g Jewellery

C’est chic : Gold spike bracelets | 160g Jewellery

Retro dreams: Prada’s full campaign - Fashionising.com

Retro dreams: Prada’s full campaign - Fashionising.com

Prada's campaign for Spring 2012.. Inspired on a retro look, 50's theme,colorful and picturesque. photographed by Steven Meisel. Definitely, a blast from the past with style and lines cut straight out of a 50's magazine. Love the body thigh pieces, the scarves and the solid color skirts. Not so sure about the( flames) print on the dress against the red car. I can see the theme but I am not particularly fond of whole car heatwave look. Anyway, love the brand and the styling here is great.

(via 2012 hairstyles: 2012 haircuts & 2012 hair... | Fashion zen

(via 2012 hairstyles: 2012 haircuts & 2012 hair... | Fashion zen

Found this on http://www.fashionising.com, LOVE that site!! it has great content and inspiration from around the world. This is their 2012 Hairstyles Trend outlook, just gotta say one word. Love

I am currently looking at trends for the next project on the making. As you all would know, it takes a whole lot of time and preparation to get something good put together. You know the saying, it takes a village to raise a child, well in this case a takes a team to raise a concept and execute it to satisfaction....

I got some cool ideas in mind but in reality I need to make the time to put all the concepts in paper and sketch the things I want into the mood board before I can even say I'm working on this project for real.

At least the hair trends are inspiring me to finish the current assignment so I can hurry up and do the research work needed for the upcoming shoot. Oh yeah, this shoot is something just landed on our hands a few days ago. Not sure yet, as to what direction I want to go. It's starting to crawl up on scheduling so I must hurry.

Fashion Retouching is Art | Trendland: Fashion Blog & Trend Magazine

Fashion Retouching is Art | Trendland: Fashion Blog & Trend Magazine

After reading this interesting article I found on http://trendland.net I really feel like doing some retouching.. Hahah, even thought I have already been retouching for the last week. It never gets old until the hands, fingers and wrist feel too exhausted from the wacom tablet and pen tool.

• Well, for anyone out there retouching is like icing on the cake. You need to have a strong cake foundation that tastes good and looks good. i.e. good lighting makes all the difference.
• Then it's all about technique, experimenting and taste. If anyone has ever used PD, they probably know that there is always multiple ways to do something, so technique is often developed with experience. I read books, and online resources but what helps me the most is always experimenting.
• The Key is : SAVE the file often, use multiple layers so if you're not happy with one particular look, finish, output, then you can easily turn it off or delete it. Also, remember file size increases when adding layers but it's worth it.
• Try to work with as big of a file as you can get, the resolution is better.
• Remember--- SAVE, SAVE, SAVE

How Photographers Actually Spend Their Time

How Photographers Actually Spend Their Time


I saw this article at aphotoeditor.com, the site it's very informative if one is interested in all aspects of photography.

I was not surprised to see the 1st pie chart How people think Photographers spend their time, in the past I heard conversations in which people think that it's just a cool profession that they can just take on one given day. They often imagined themselves traveling the world shooting for Animal Planet or National Geographic. They had said " it would be so cool to just go to these places and shoot there" next words coming out of their mouths were " of course I don't want to stay on no 3rd world hotel accommodation" So, I kept myself from breaking their hearts by telling them the work needed to be a photographer. At that point, I don't think the people really wanted to listen.
Anyway, the article it's really good.. I particularly liked the fragmentation of pre-production and post ie. meeting clients 9.7 %, marketing 5.9%, camera and computer upkeep 3.8 %, Blogging 8.7% Editing 28.4 %.

Editing takes a BIG chunk of total time, but without editing, there is no consistency in final product. Unless the editing it's outsourced, the photographer must spend hours on each image that he produces for a final project. To me, there is no such a thing as straight out of the camera. Yes, I do have a lot of friends that claim and leave under the "Purist" spell, but for me, everything can be made better if and when necessary.