We tell people to do this and that. Don't do this, don't do that, while we can't even ask ourselves to do the same things?

Quote of the day

Life is never boring, but some people choose to be bored.... Boredom is a choice.

How to Control Your Shopping Appetite

Sometimes, it’s hard to resist the shopping temptation…especially when there’s a great Urban Outfitters right on campus or Bergdorf’s is just down the block from your office. Even a bad day can trigger the credit card-swiping monster in you. However, there are many ways to avoid shopping and still remain happy and stylish.

Shopping as Therapy

According to an article by CBS News, a shopping high can be compared to a runner’s high. Our bodies release the natural chemical dopamine, making for an enjoyable and memorable experience. On the simpler side of things, when we see or buy something that we think is pretty or that looks fantastic on us, it makes us feel good.

With the availability of online shopping, it’s even easier to get that shopping high—so it’s really important to find other ways to be happy without breaking the bank. You could actually try running, or some sort of exercise to get that rush; if you’re not the athletic type, there are other options!

Re-Vamp with DIY

One of the quickest ways to get something “new” is to do it yourself! If you’re feeling crafty, re-create a current trend with something already in your wardrobe. Shop your closet for pieces you never wear anymore, and get to work!

Host a Clothing Swap

If your friends share your hunger for shopping, get together with them and have a clothing swap. Tell everyone to bring about 10 pieces that they don’t want or don’t know how to wear, spread them out, and let everyone pick new pieces. Whether you decide to play for keeps or plan to swap back after a month, this is a free and fun way to get new items in your closet and even inspire others!

Save Up

Another way to keep yourself from splurging on smaller, cheaper items is to find one piece that you really love and can save up for. Pick something classic and timeless that is still totally you—this way, you can ensure it will be worth the wait and price. My recommendations: really nice basics. A beautifully tailored blazer, a versatile LBD, or fab pair of pumps by your favorite shoe designer are great choices.

When CAN I Shop?

With anything, it’s important to find a balance. You don’t have to completely stop shopping, and you shouldn’t. If you just donated a whole bunch of clothes to Goodwill and are now lacking basic essentials, allow yourself to buy some new ones! If your friends want to go shopping, it’s okay to go with them—you can stay in control. Chictopians recommend considering several questions before purchasing an item:
Do I need this?
How many times will I wear it?
Is it made of quality materials?
Does it flatter my body?
Could I better spend the money on something else?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, your choice should be obvious: don’t buy it!

source : http://www.chictopia.com/photo/show/477096-How+to+Control+Your+Shopping+A-deep-purple-accessories

How to jump in your photo without looking awkward

Models in mid-flight, defying gravity, have started a new trend in fashion photography, displaying clothes in whimsical ways while giving new life to dresses, swing coats, scarves and anything else that can take flight. Magazines like Vogue consistently choose the jump shot because it makes models seem ecstatic at the prospect of the season’s new fashions. Model Caroline Trentini, has made jumping in editorials and art form and is rarely seen touching the ground in any of her shoots.

It was photographer Phillipe Halsman whose lens first captured the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelley and Audrey Hepburn in mid-air. Halsman coined the phrase jumpology as his style of photography. You can check out Halsmans iconic photos in his book Phillipe Halsmans Jumping Photo Book, to see just where jumping with style originated from. His whimsical Jumpology series features artists, celebrities, politicians, businessmen, and royals taking the leap of faith. Phillipe was quoted by the New York Times as saying “When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping, and the mask falls, so that the real person appears.”

So how do you get this perfect shot? How do you jump with style, and capture one of these magical Marilyn moments? Well…after a lot of jumping, and shouting to my husband who was behind the lens, “Did you get it?” I thought it was about time to get a few tips from some professionals. So that’s exactly what I did. I was lucky enough to steal a few moments of time from some professional photographers over at Film Magic, and these were the tips they gave me.

1: Set your camera ready
To catch the action of jumping without any blur, you want to first make sure you have your camera set to the fastest shutter-speed it can manage. You also want to make sure you have a lot of light on your side. Once you have the light and exposure part sorted out, use burst mode (that means lots of exposures in rapid succession) so you’re pretty much guaranteed that at least some of the shots will turn out. You might want to pull out the old camera manual if you can find it to really get yourself going.

2: Focus the camera
You can set the camera on a tripod and have all exposure settings predetermined and locked in. Then place some object where the jumper will be. Set focus on this object, then turn auto focus off and lock in your focus on your item. Set the camera to shoot as fast a burst rate as possible. Then when your subject begins the jump, press your shutter and hold it down to take as many shots as possible while the person is in the air. Most likely, you will get at least one that is exactly what you want.

3: Check your camera
You want to make sure that the camera doesn’t have to try to be focusing or making exposure readings / settings while you are trying to take your picture. You want all that already set into the camera so all it has to do is take photos as fast as it can.

4: Use props when handy
Props are useful. If you have access to a trampoline, or you want to try jumping on your bed (safely of course), then try it. These are good ways to get some height in your picture and also buy you some time with your shutter, creating a great shot.

5: Be a trooper
Practice, Patience, and Luck. Just keep trying. When it comes to a photo like this, timing is everything. So keep at it, and eventually you will get the perfect shot..


Written by Tracy of Project Tracy