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If Google+ is your network of choice, I have new shorter link to my Google+ page!
https://www.google.com/+Clothingcult
Sometime soon I will start posting more links and blog posts Google+ in case that’s your preferred way to catch blog posts as well.
I was taking photos the other day and came up with a perfect quick example of the little things that matter when posing. Yes I’m a bit curvy but it can be either accentuated or minimized by where I place my arm. It’s not unnatural for my arm to be by my side anyway but you can see how much a difference it makes when I move just one arm.
There are plenty of posing tips online, and particularly easy to find on pinterest. What makes the most sense will depend on what you’re trying to do. Clearly the “family photo poses” won’t work for one person blog shots, “maternity poses” are intended to emphasis a pregnant belly and the “sultry album cover” poses don’t typically make as much sense on a fashion blog.
Here are a few good resources I’ve found for bloggers:
And don’t forget – look at photos you like to see what they are doing well. Try to mimick what you like but don’t forget, we’re all individual. There are plenty of poses that I think look good for other people but I think look ridiculous for me. I’m not a high fashion blogger so you aren’t likely to see a photo of me walking through the Tuileries Garden in France (even though I have been there before.) If you ever catch a picture of me running through a field in a frilly dress… never say never but right now that’s just really not me.
Experiment with poses and find what’s right for you. Digital cameras mean you can take a lot and not worry about the cost of developing film. Try things. When you find something you like, try and recreate it and then make a mental note of what worked and why.
I just received my first Influenster Voxbox in the mail. It’s the “RoseVoxBox” and it’s filled with an assortment of items I’ll be reviewing below. But first…
“I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.”
But here’s the deal. I ALWAYS believe in reviewing authentically and not based on the fact that I was given something for free. I pretend that I paid for it or I’m deciding on whether I would be buying more. In some cases it will be reviewing ingredients to determine if I even want that on my skin or in my body. If you read this blog regularly, you also already know that I tend to check ingredients A LOT.
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara (MSRP $5.99) Well first things first…. what they sent me is not waterproof and you know that what I wear daily is waterproof. It’s the one and only product that I sacrifice the healthy quest on for the tradeoff of being waterproof. And they do not appear to make the “Glam Retro” in a waterproof mascara. They do have a “Scandaleyes Waterproof” but the brush shape is different and brush shape is VERY important with a mascara. I’m fairly certain that the ingredients for this mascara are the same as several of their other mascaras. A custom report with the cosmetic database gives this a 5. For mascara that isn’t waterproof that’s a bit on the high and unhealthy side here. So since it’s raining out and this isn’t waterproof mascara, I’ll just be reviewing this on the brush and initial application. It’s ok but I’m not wowed.
If I’m going to wear a non-waterproof mascara it would probably be either the Physicians Formula organicwear because it’s a super healthy 1 with the cosmetics database and still makes my lashes look good or I would go with the Dior Diorshow Extase mascara because the brush shape does amazing things to my lashes. For reference, what I’m wearing 90% of the time at the moment is the Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara (if they had the “Extase” in waterproof, the shape of that wand is better.)
Dr. Scholl’s For Her Cozy Cushions (MSRP $12.49) These are not going to replace the real shearling insoles in my uggs (the real shearling insoles cost $15 a pair for comparison and they are REAL shearling) but these might be suited better for non-ugg shoes. I would prefer real shearling because shearling has natural moisture and oder wicking properties. These only claim to help keep feet warm and dry so I’m not sure how they will smell over time. I trimmed them down to a size 8 (I wear typically an 8.5) and I’m throwing them in some other boots I own and we’ll see how I like them after a week. Oh wait … now I remember why I haven’t bothered buying fuzzy insoles for my other shoes. Last time I tried to put a pair into any of my other shoes, they all seem too narrow for this kind of insole. It says that they will work in dress boots … I did manage to cram them in but then the shoes were too tight and that was without a pair of socks. Ballet flats? At least with mine that was also a no-go. Unless you do a LOT of extra cutting dress shoes don’t seem reasonable (maybe on a wide width shoe they would work? Maybe?) But over all I think you need a pair of shoes that are loose or maybe even a half size too large for your foot in order to comfortably use these fuzzy insoles because they are thick. :/
belVita crunchy Breakfast Biscuits (MSRP $3.69 for a box of 5 packats of 4 biscuits) These are pretend healthy. Ok fine, they’ve tried here: B-vitamins, and whole grains and No HFCS and 230 calories. They are better than what most Americans call breakfast. But to me this is still a horrible breakfast choice. Personally I need some proteins and fats to start my day right. This is mostly grains and sugars. I also just don’t eat a lot of grains that aren’t accompanied by meat or eggs anymore. Proteins and fats to help even out my starches / grains. Some of this may be a bit of me personally so if you are looking something to replace cereal with, this is going to be SO much better than that. It is crumbly or at least the one I received was so I’m not sure that this is a “eat while driving” food. I received the blueberry and it does smell intensely of blueberry and the flavor is a bit like blueberry muffin meets a cookie. Tasty sure … will I be buying these anytime soon personally? No.
Kiss Gradation Polishes (MSRP $6.99) I think this is 3-free. I had three different polishes to read the ingredients on since this doesn’t note that it’s 3-free on their website or anywhere. Three free means no: dibutyl phthalate, toluene, or formaldehyde. I received “Film Noir” though my base polish is more a silver than a white as shown on their site and in other pictures. Just in case the product number on my box is 58085 MGE01. This reminds me of the reverse of my nails that I did last year for halloween. I followed their instructions and applied step 3 polish before step 2 polish was dry and ended up with a smudged nail that wasn’t a gradient. I’ll try again when I have more time and not follow the directions as exactly. Tip: be sure to get all of the nail polishes out of the package’s plastic tray before you start – if you’re doing all of your nails you might smudge the first coat trying to get to the rest out. For $7, if you like all of the colors, this is still a decent deal on nail polishes.
Lindt LINDOR Milk Chocolate Truffles ok it’s Lindt and it’s chocolate. I know it’s not super healthy but also not super bad. I’m not going to scrutinize the ingredients on this one (though I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate.) Ate it first thing. It was tasty. That is all.
Vitabath Hydrating Lotion IN BLOOM™ Asian Orchid & Coconut (MSRP $7.99) – We are off to a good start because it’s free from parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, and synthetic color. BUT then we kinda fail miserably on the overwhelming synthetic fragrance. Overall looks like healthy ingredients and when I have some time I’ll type them all up (couldn’t find the ingredient list pre-typed online) and run a cosmetic database report. Even if I’m wrong on the scent being synthetic (not likely) it the scent was still overwhelming for me. I put the lotion on one arm and immediately went to wash it off. … and it still smells like I have it on. And it’s not even that pleasant – there are some synthetic scents that are still nice smelling, but to me this smells like cheap cologne. Keep in mind that I’ve switched to all natural scents (no not hippie scents like patchouli, I dislike that too even though it’s tolerable and doesn’t give me a headache) and I even use unscented laundry detergent. Now that I’ve showered, I have to note that I can still smell it!!! I scrubbed down my arms and I used multiple kinds of soaps! I even used some harsh soap I keep on hand for when the natural stuff isn’t cutting it and I can still smell it – ugh!!!!!! I even slathered my arms in coconut oil in case it was an issue with the scent needing an oil solvent and scrubbed down with soap again – that helped the most but I can STILL smell it!! What a MISTAKE!!! Ugh. Do NOT I repeat DO NOT apply this to yourself if you do not like the scent!!!! Hours later and I’m still regretting that I put this on my arms simply because of the scent. Headache. This scent = epic fail.
Honestly for the time investment I’m not entirely sure I want to participate in future Influenster boxes. While it was fun to get a big box of stuff to try, it’s mostly cheaper drugstore items. And while it’s nice that they are accessible at the drugstore, I’ve seen most of these products there and not been wowed enough to actually buy them before (LINDOR truffles excluded … I have bought those before and will buy them again.) I DO still shop at the drugstore some (have you noticed the number of $2 Sinful Color nail polishes I have reviewed?) but I have moved into healthier higher quality products and that has, in general, reduced my drugstore shopping.
I’m also not sure how many of these tasks (below) I would have to do in order to be invited back. And since I’m not ok with promoting products I don’t exactly like without a review, I’m hesitant to do some of these tasks. Great from a marketing standpoint for these companies because people are being prompted positively, not so great for someone who wasn’t wowed by the products in the box.
I would have done a vine or youtube unboxing video if I had known about the PRIOR to getting the box in the mail. I had already opened a lot of it by the time I realized those were actual Influenster tasks (maybe I should have known.) I may still go back and to a post-unboxing video and submit that.
Oh wait – here we go … only REQUIRED part so you aren’t disqualified for future boxes is the survey at the end that hasn’t been sent out yet. 🙂
“I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.” Yes, and I tested them and I wasn’t wowed by anything but the chocolate. Sorry Influenster! :/
This month’s Bespoke Post Box of Awesome is “Crisp.”
Technically this box is usually Tim’s box but I’ve taken a few of the items from his box this month and wanted to share and review.
Bespoke Post operates a lot like JewelMint does in the sense that you have the option to skip a month but it’s mixed with a set box of curated style and discounted products like Birchbox or Ipsy.
Each box has a strong theme to tie the items together whether that’s coffee (link to Tim’s review) from the Bespoke Post “Roast” box or getting a closer shave with the Shave set. Each Bespoke Post box is $45 and includes products that are often worth way more than that. Like JewelMint, you DO have to remember to skip a box but you will get an email reminder as well as information about that month’s box.
There are definitely some Bespoke Post boxes that are more unisex than others (if Tim hadn’t bought the Bespoke Post Roast I would have … oh wait … I think I started him on this subscription so I may very well have paid for that box!) But the intended audience IS men. You can take a look through past “boxes of awesome” here.
My favorite from the box is a scarf “exclusively made for Bespoke Post by vintage-inspired clothing label Gilded Age, this scarf captures the perfect mix of rugged and refined so you can go from yard work to a night out and anywhere in between.” It retails for $119 and it is a 17″ Wide Scarf. Solid charcoal chambray on one side and Striped charcoal/white on the other side with 3″ long tassels. “Yard work” seems a little far fetched but maybe that’s because I grab the cheapest scarf I own so it can get all sweaty if we’re talking yard work…
To me this scarf looks very much like something that would sell at Madewell or Fossil but even better quality and my first thought when I saw it was that it looked like it came from Anthropologie. The scarf’s style is a bit laid back but still a classic style given that it’s chambray. The material is excellent and you can see the quality in the details like the sewn edge and how they’ve added the tassels. I expect that this scarf will last a very long time.
Pictured above: Gilded Age Chambray Scarf, Lands End cashmere cotton blend sweater (this sweater was also Tim’s – accidentally run through the dryer so it shrank, sleeves rolled up so it didn’t look too baggy on me), Kohl’s Sonoma life + style red velvet ankle pants, Ugg leather and shearling Antora metallic pewter ballet flats, faux diamond bezel earrings from Curacao, and barely in the picture, the new hair donut bun.
Don’t worry guys, my photo doesn’t doom this scarf into the girly category. I should probably take a photo of Tim wearing the scarf too. It does look fairly unisex and how you tie it can be an important factor in how it looks on. (Photo of the scarf on a dude over at Dappered in case I don’t get around to photographing it on Tim.)
My next favorite item in the Bespoke Post box was the Microfiber Sheet from Declan. (Show in the first picture at the top.) It had a printed chambray pattern on it and it’s EXCELLENT for wiping down electronics. Even better than my last microfiber cloth (which Tim accepted as a consolation after I grabbed this one from his box.) Declan has a lot of great patterns on their website. Again, good quality product… I keep thinking that if they made them square they would nicely double as pocket squares for Tim.
And the last thing I took from Tim’s box was the Men in Cities Card Holder Wallet. I’m very basic when it comes to my wallet. Less is more. Small is better. I want to be able to throw it in my purse and find it but also be able to throw it in a pants pocket quickly. And with women’s pockets being even smaller than mens, a tiny wallet is a must. I haven’t migrated my stuff over to this gray leather wallet yet because it’s just a hair smaller than my current wallet but more importantly, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with the couple of keys that hang off the current wallet…. so Tim might get this wallet back for that reason alone. I’m not sure yet. I’m not even sure I can buy yet another of the wallets I have been using for the last 5-ish years. I asked for one for Christmas one year and got two of the same thing … I kept the second and upgraded to it after much abuse of the first one. And I’ve not seen a lot like it so even without the keys, this Men in Cities card holder wallet may be my best bet. (I’ll try and post a photo soon of the two side by side.)
The one item Tim is for sure getting from this box is the Charcoal Striped Socks from Mack Weldon. There’s no way they would fit my feet! 🙂 And he needed some more nice dress socks anyway. These are nice and they appear to be a good quality. We’ll see how they hold up and if they can beat out the golden toe socks he owns.
The box also came with Carmex Lip Balm + Lotion which neither of us will use (he’s allergic to one ingredient, I react to another.)
Anyway – another great box from Bespoke Post Box of Awesome!
Like what you see? Sign yourself (or your man) up for a Bespoke Post Box!
http://bespokepost.com/r/1c10f6
(full disclosure this is an affiliate link though it’s Tim’s account)
coupon code “WINGMAN? should save you 25% off your first box!
Just a quick photo of what I wore today – Military green pants, leopard ballet flats, fedora.
Most of this outfit is actually from Kohl’s. I’m a little addicted to shopping there lately. I seem to find more pants that fit me there than anywhere else I seem to go for some reason and I’m not sure why. Really a fan of the Sonoma Life+Style and Apt. 9 brands when it’s coming to pants. Also not loathing crops and capris like I used to … and I’m not sure why.
I’m a little obsessed with Chevron and have pined … I mean Pinned many cute chevron items on Pinterest. I thought I would share a few of those items here with you now.
You can click on the collage version below and zoom in and out as well as click through to the items. Just double click on an image within the collage below to be taken to the associated page. Some are items that are no longer for sale but a few others are still available for purchase.
A couple of previous Chevron posts on this blog include: