Wishlisted Wednesdays

Hi There!

Today's post is a bit of a departure from the normal wishlisted type of entry, but it just so happens that I love books. I'm quite fond of most genres, and as an only child, I spent hours upon hours immersing myself in whatever books I could get my hands on. Do any of you remember those catalogs that used to get sent home for the monthly book drives in elementary school? I can't even begin to describe the excitement those brought me, and though I rarely got to order from them, I loved perusing the different titles and descriptions. Anyway. You get the picture. I'm a big book nerd. 

As a bibliophile, I'm usually guilty of reading a few titles at a time. For the most part, this is due to the fact that one of my favorite authors, Jose Saramago (one of his books is always in my rotation - it's an addiction), can be difficult to read for extended periods of time. Not only is his narrative structure challenging, but his subject material often leads my mind down some distracting philosophical avenues. 

Which brings me to my point: sometimes I just want a little light reading. Now, let me preface this next statement by saying that I adored the Harry Potter series. When J. K. Rowling released her first post HP novel, The Casual Vacancy, I read it almost immediately. I did enjoy it, but felt as though it lacked a lot of the charm I was used to with her writing. 

Her latest novel, released under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo's Calling, is everything that I had been looking for from a "popcorn book." 

A mystery novel that introduces a solid protagonist (she will apparently be writing a series to follow said character - fantastic!), I found myself remembering the ease with which Rowling can convey a story. Centered around the apparent suicide of a supermodel, and the private detective investigating her death, it's an extremely engaging read, and a great introduction to the series to come. 

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that strikes a balance between thoughtful storytelling and painless reading. It's over in what feels like a flash, though, and now I'm on the lookout for another entertaining and light read!

Any recommendations?

Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Trends - Berry Lips (drugstore edition)

Hi There!

One of the fall trends that I have seen a lot of recently is the berry lip. I thought it would be fun to do a drugstore only post on some of my recent favorites, so here they are:

~Baby Lips Dr. Rescue by Maybelline (shade 60 Berry Soft)

$3.99 - CVS

The Baby Lips line from Maybelline has been buzzed about for a bit now, and the newest edition that I've tried is the Dr. Rescue. They come in six different shades, all fairly sheer, with a distinct menthol/eucalyptus smell. They tingle slightly when applied, but I find that to be a pleasant sensation on my very dry lips. There are a lot of bold claims made by Maybelline about this line - 12 hour hydration, soothing, smoothing, renewing, etc. I can't speak to the smoothing and renewing, as I haven't been using them exclusively for long enough to tell, but they definitely soothe when applied. 

~Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm by Almay (shade 100 Just Plum Good)

$5.99 - CVS

Let me just start this out by saying that I am in love with this product! It comes in ten shades, and glides on very smoothly with a doe-foot applicator. And the smell...oh my. It smells like a cross between caramel and cotton candy. It's incredible. There is no sticky feeling, and it leaves just the right amount of color to give impact while still looking natural. This product also comes with claims of having balm like qualities, such as providing hydration and softer, smoother lips. I did find it hydrating, absolutely. This is definitely not a long lasting product, however, so you may want to keep that in mind.

~Color Whisper by Maybelline (shade 85 Berry Ready)

$7.99 - Walgreens

The Color Whisper line has been a favorite of mine for a few months now, but I hadn't tried this particular color until last week. It's really a lovely shade (there are 20 in total), with much more color payoff than the name would suggest. Maybelline describes it as having a gel formulation, and it really feels nice and weightless. Again, it's not particularly long wearing, but it will last for a few hours, which is reasonable for me. 

~Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain by Jordana (shade 06 Cranberry Crush)

$2.99 - Jordana

I haven't tried anything from the Jordana line in many, many years, but I have seen this crayon stick reviewed positively by several YouTubers, so I thought I'd give it a shot. In terms of color and pigmentation, it's very similar to the Color Whisper Berry Ready above, just a touch lighter. It applies easily, and leaves an initial glossy finish that does wear down (FYI Jordana describes it as, "glossy finish that transforms into the perfect flush of color." Pretty accurate). The color does stay on the lips for longer than a typical lipstick, but not quite as long as a lip stain. There are 8 shades available.

~Silk Finish Lipstick by Wet nWild (shade 552A Just Garnet)

$0.99 - Walgreens

Wet n Wild makes some pretty solid lipstick, although they do tend to feather a bit, so watch out for that. This shade is a nice mix of plum and red, and it's extremely wearable. It's not a moisturizing formula, but the pigmentation is fantastic and the color is very flattering. You will definitely need to touch it up after eating or drinking, and I highly recommend using a lip liner and applying with a brush to avoid the edges bleeding. All in all, a really nice and affordable option that makes a statement!

What trends are you loving this fall?

Thanks for stopping by!

Thematic Thursdays - Depth of Field (pt. 2)

Hi There!

Welcome to the second installment on depth of field. Last week, I talked about shallow (or small) depth of field, and today I will focusing on deep (or large) depth of field. 

Let's jump right in!

There are many different genres of photography where a large depth of field is utilized, such as landscape, architecture, action, and some street photography. For me, I use this most often in landscape and architecture shots. 

shot with an Olympus E-P3
ISO 800  16mm  f/22  1/320s

Landscapes can be made much more vibrant and vivid by insuring that all elements are in focus. 

shot with an Olympus E-P3
ISO 400 15mm  f/7.1  1/80s

This technique allows the eye to appreciate all that the shot has to offer. 

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 2200  55mm  f/20  1/30s

Emphasis on texture is much more at play with deep depth of field, whether it be raw and gritty as above, or smooth and creamy (that's a strange word to describe a photo, but you know what I mean, right?) as below. 

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 3200  55mm  f/9.0  1/13s

I often like to employ larger depth when I'm shooting architecture as it allows the viewer to appreciate the details of the subject matter. Here are a few examples:

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 100  28mm  f/6.3  1/125s

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 100  28mm  f/8.0  1/250s

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 800  24mm  f/18  1/250s

Another instance where I enjoy this is urban/art photography. The sharpness that deep depth of field pairs so well with these types of shots.

 

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  45mm  f/5.3  1/800s

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  46mm  f/5.3  1/1250s

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  18mm  f/4.0  1/500s

This was a very photo heavy post, sorry about that! Sometimes though, the illustration of a concept explains it much more eloquently than words can. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishlisted Wednesdays

Hi There!

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I am a coffee junkie. Having worked in management at a very large retail coffee chain for many, many years, I was spoiled by constant access to delicious coffee. Since I left that job I've been on the search for a high quality in-home option, which I had previously found in the original Keurig brewing system. 

I enjoy so many things about individual cup brewing systems - they are convenient, customizable, low mess, and fast. However, the original Keurig didn't offer a "latte" option, and I was also troubled by the amount of waste that individual pods created. 

Enter the new(ish) Keurig Vue! I had heard about this upgraded option, had been wanting to try it out, and what with my move, I was in need of a new way to brew my coffee. I decided to opt with the Vue, and I am absolutely in love! 

sexy little thing, isn't it?

Happily, this model has addressed my previous issues quite handily. The Vue is able to brew latte style beverages, and the pods are recyclable! 

It is similar to the original Keurig, in that individual pods are used to brew single cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and iced beverages. K-cups are not compatible.

so convenient!

The only initial drawback I've found is that most of the larger coffee retailers haven't released Vue pods yet, but I'm sure they will be doing so in time. 

I'm extremely impressed with the quality of the coffee that this machine brews. With the original Keurig, I was much more finicky with the type of K-Cup that I would use because I found a lot of them to be very weak. This has not been the case with the Vue. With each type and brand of coffee that I have tried, the brew has been strong. To add to that, there is an option to brew your cup on a stronger setting. So far, it is perfect for me.

Happy coffee drinking!

Thanks for stopping by!

Random Reviews!

Hi There!

You know what's amazing? Dry shampoo. What's equally incredible is that dry shampoo has become pretty universally acknowledged, which means you can find many different brands without ever having to go to a salon (not that going to a salon is a bad thing). As I'm slightly obsessive about trying new things and figuring out which brands I like most, I thought I would do a post on several of the dry shampoos that I have found at the drugstore.  

To preface this review, I will let you all know a little bit about my hair texture: I have extremely fine, very thin, and pretty oily hair. Great combination, right? You may be asking yourself why I would want to use a dry shampoo when I have an oily scalp, which normally necessitates a daily wash. That's a great question, let me explain... I have had this thing going on for the past few years wherein I lose serious quantities of hair every time I wash it (working on that with the doctor). Therefore, I try to only do so every other day. On the off wash days, I need the dry shampoo to tame the oil in my roots. The other reason that I will probably never forsake this product has to do with the fine texture of my hair. There's no body there. At all. Good dry shampoos do wonders for me as far as styling, curling, etc. 

Alright, with that out of the way, on to the products.

I'm going to talk about them in order of least successful to most successful, and the lowest on my list isn't pictured above, because I lost it in my move and have no desire to replace it.

5) TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

$4.99 for 5.7oz - Walgreens

This was the only brand I tried that I couldn't find any redeeming qualities about. Sorry TRESemme. This may not be the case for all hair types, but it really didn't work for me. If anything, it made my roots look a little more oily, and weighed down my hair overall. Pretty much the exact opposite of what I need. Like nearly every other dry shampoo, this one leaves a heavy powder residue that needs to be massaged in. The smell was not too bad, however, I guess that's one positive. This one is a pass for me.

4) Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

$5.99 for 7oz - Walgreen's

Let me tell you - I did not find this refreshing in the least. Hands down, this one had the most off-putting odor of the bunch. Good grief, the fumes. It leaves a standard amount of residue, and is heavily mattifying, despite the "lite" matte finish it describes on the packaging. As far as absorbing oil, I would say that it does a fair job, but not quite as well as I need. It also didn't really texturize enough for me. I won't be purchasing this again.

3) Batiste Dry Shampoo Original

$8.29 for 6.73oz - Walgreens

Batiste has several different variations of dry shampoo, and the original is the first (and only) that I have tried. I would say this one is the heaviest on the residue factor, but it is quite easy to blend through with your fingers, brush, or comb. I wasn't in love with the smell, but I also didn't totally mind it. I purchased the regular size in a package that came with an additional travel size, and it's quite convenient for carrying in my purse. This is a perfectly fine option - it adds a nice amount of texture and finishes only slightly matte (take note Not Your Mother's). I will probably try out the other products from this line, in particular the formulation for dark hair, which I will be picking up soon. 

2) psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo

$6.49 for 5.3oz - Walgreens

Psssst! has been around for what feels like forever. It's a very dependable dry shampoo, not to mention an affordable option that's easy to find. For me, I think it performs quite similarly to the Batiste Dry Shampoo. I would say that the residue is a bit less, and the smell is nicer, which gives it the edge in my book. This is the safe, solid workhorse of the dry shampoo family. Absolutely the one on the list with the most bang for your buck.

1) Marc Anthony True Professional 2nd Day Clear Dry Shampoo

$9.99 for 3.17oz - Walgreens

This might actually be my perfect drugstore dry shampoo. I love it. Love. It. Not only does it do exactly what I want it to (absorbs oil at the roots and adds amazing texture), but it also does exactly what it says it does - it is actually clear. True story. This is the only product I've tried that goes on clear as day. Add to that the fact that it smells wonderful (small caveat - it smells wonderful to me, but it is definitely scented, so be aware of that if you are sensitive to smell), and I'm totally sold. There had to be a catch though, and it's the size of the canister. This has only 3.7 oz, and it goes pretty fast. I am on the search for a larger size, but so far, this is all I've found stocked locally. I will absolutely be purchasing this again. And again (and it would seem often, until I can size up). 

What are your favorite dry shampoos? Do you prefer drugstore or salon brands? 

Happy Friday, everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thematic Thursdays - Depth of Field (pt. 1)

Hi There!

Today's photography focus will be the first of a two part series centered around depth of field. The term depth of field (in photography) refers to the amount of the picture that is in focus. A large depth of field occurs when the entire picture is sharp, whereas a small depth of field is when a certain subject is emphasized by blurring the surroundings. I'll be talking about shallow depth of field in this post.

Utilizing a shallow depth of field often results in striking photographs. This technique is especially useful for single subject shots, such as portraits. I also like to employ it when I want to emphasize certain nature and architecture subjects, or macro photography. 

The most common way to achieve a shallow depth of field is by understanding aperture. Aperture is basically the hole in your lens - the smaller the hole, the higher the f/stop (how aperture is measured on your DSLR). This can be confusing at first, but an easy way to remember is to know that the higher the f/stop, the more of your image will be in focus. 

The most common (for me, anyway) shallow depth of field technique involves using a low f/stop and then placing the object I want to emphasize in the foreground, in focus.

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  38mm  f/5.0  1/800s

In this shot, I wanted to focus on the chain-link fence to draw the eye to the scrap of paper that had been tied to it. Blurring the background ensured that the focal point of this shot would be where I intended.

This is also an extremely effective way to shoot portraits. I'm not much of a portrait photographer, but I did take this shot of a family friend's pet that illustrates the impact of shallow depth of field:

Alternatively, this technique can also be used to highlight an object in the out of focus background of the photo. This may seem counterintuitive, but here is an example:

shot with an Olympus E-P3
ISO 800  42mm  f/5.6  1/1600s

Although the tall grass in the foreground is in focus, the subject of this shot is the very dominant, out of focus barn in the background. 

On the opposite end, sometimes it is more visually arresting to place your object focused in the background, while leaving the foreground blurred, as in these photos:

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 640  55mm f/5.6  1/1250s

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 400  28mm  f/4.0  1/1600s

Here is a shot from the same perspective, but different focus:

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 400  28mm  f/4.0  1/1600s

Something to keep in mind when taking pictures with a shallow depth of field, or smaller aperture: remember that the higher the aperture, the smaller the hole in the lens - you will need to make up for the lack of light somehow. The most intuitive thing to do is to lower your shutter speed, just be mindful of this in low light situations - you may need a tripod to minimize blurring, or some other source of light  (like an external flash).

Experimentation is key! I like to take the same subject and shoot it in many different ways. I can't recommend this exercise enough. The more familiar you are with your equipment and your viewpoint, the better your pictures will get.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishlisted Wednesdays

Hi there!

Confessional time: I've recently become a bit of a YouTube junkie. This may have something to do with the fact that I have a lot of time on my hands, as I'm 3000 miles from friends, family, and my job. On a whim, I started watching some basic make-up tutorials, and now I can't stop! So addictive.

I've always played around with make-up, but was more focused on fashion and photography until very recently when I discovered all the wonderful beauty gurus of the fabulous world wide web. Having spent my fair share of time in places like Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta, I was familiar with several different brands, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. It has only been within the last few months that I actually started doing more with my face than just mascara, tinted moisturizer, and lip balm. 

Confession #2: I'm getting old (gasp!). In my teens and early 20's, I had very oily, problem skin. It wasn't until around 29 that I stopped breaking out randomly, and I still get an occasional spot here and there (I'm 32 now). My skin is much more combination at this point, and I even have weirdly random dry areas, which is totally foreign to me... 

Anyway, this has been a long ramble. My point is two-fold: 

1) I like make-up! I love trying new things, and YouTube has been so entertaining and full of (mostly) useful information. It's also been introducing me to products that I wouldn't have normally heard about and tried.

2) I need (well, maybe want is a better word) make-up. My skin being less prone to breakouts has really opened my (cosmetic) world to a new set of possibilities. Aging gracefully is absolutely something I'm trying to do, and exploring products and options has allowed me to feel more comfortable doing so.

On to today's wishlist/review items, then! Highlighters and bronzers are things that I had never really experimented with, but in watching all of the make-up tutorials, I decided that I wanted to give them a shot. I would have never dreamed of using a highlighter in my younger days, as I was plenty shiny already, but I can absolutely use one now. As for bronzer, I have always been curious about them, but felt I might be too pale to pull them off. There was a brand that caught my attention while watching several videos from one particular YouTuber (Jaclyn Hill - go check her out. She's seriously brilliant with the make-up) called The Balm. I put their highlighter and bronzer set on my wishlist, and I just went out and grabbed them about a week ago.

First, the bronzer. It's called Betty Lou-Manizer and has some seriously adorable packaging:

I should point out, this is a bronzer with shimmer in it, so I won't be using it to contour. 

It is a beautiful tan with lots of gold, and adds a really nice, natural color to the skin. I have to use it very lightly since I'm so pale, but I love it. I'm not sure how much I'll use it over winter, but it's a lovely way to stay healthy and glowing looking through fall.

Next up, the highlighter. Called Mary Lou-Manizer, it has equally cute packaging:

This product is absolutely stunning. I'm very much enamored with it.

It's just a wonderful golden highlight, with TONS of color payoff. I think I will be using this product through winter, just with a very light hand.

As you can see, both products are quite pigmented. They are velvety smooth, and extremely blendable. 

I have a pretty neutral skin tone, so the gold works for me, but for very cool tones, I'm not sure how well this would work. It looks incredible on warm tones. 

I am so happy with this purchase! The fantastic thing about both of these products is that they can be used in several different ways - they both look lovely as eyeshadows. I highly recommend both of these, but if I had to choose one, I would have no trouble picking Mary Lou-Manizer (the highlighter). It's simply gorgeous. You can purchase these from The Balm's website, and they are also carried at Kohl's (who knew?). They retail for around $24.00 each, but I snagged them in a two-pack from Kohl's for $29.00. Great deal.

Thanks for stopping by!

Autumn OOTD

Hi there!

As some of you may know from having read my first post, I have recently moved to Boston, Massachusetts from sunny Santa Barbara, California. Until about two months ago, I have spent my life in California, and the weather adjustment is one of the things that I have been most uncertain about.

The great news is, it's not that bad yet! Fall is quite beautiful in New England, and the temperature has been lovely and mild. The bad news is, I'm miserably underprepared for winter and snow. But no matter - it's still fall, and I'm enjoying playing around with layering!

In that spirit, I thought I would share my look for today - I hope you like it!

Maeve Linen & Lace Tunic - Anthropologie
Manhattan Scarf Co Animal Print Infinity Scarf - Kohl's
Tan Leather Belt - LOFT
BDG Black Legging - Urban Outfitters
Franco Sarto Brown Boots - Marshall's

I picked up this tunic dress back in July in the sale room of Anthropologie, and I've had in mind this fall layering look since I tried it on in the dressing room. The dress is ridiculously comfortable, and can be worn in a multitude of ways. I've belted it here, but if you are okay with less structure, it looks great without the belt, as it's shown in the model shot on Anthro's site (link above). 

Since I'm still not totally acclimated to the cooler air, I wore a coat when outside.

Tan Pea Coat - Old Navy (several years old)

I love this coat because it looks great both open and buttoned up.

Don't know what I'm doing with my hands here...

Still a bit worried about how I'll cope with snow, but until then I'm enjoying autumn for as long as I can!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thematic Thursdays

Hi There,

On Thursdays I'm going to be focusing on amateur photography, and essentially walking you through the process behind some of my favorite shots. This week's theme is centered around capturing the sunset.

*Unavoidable disclaimer: I am a novice photographer and I make lots of mistakes! A lot of my favorite shots were happy accidents, but luckily those are best to learn from. 

I had set out in the early afternoon on a little photography field trip up highway 101 (I was living in Santa Barbara, CA at the time). I can't say it was my intention that day to get a good sunset shot, but it ended up being one of the best that I took that day. Which brings me to my first point:

1) It's great to have a plan, but don't let it stop you from exploring something that catches your eye 

Having that eye/creative vision is one of the most inspiring things when you're behind the camera - don't stifle it! My intention was to spend the afternoon taking some photos out in the country. Here are some of the results:

As you've no doubt noticed (and I've already mentioned), these are not pictures of a sunset. It just happened to be that the sun was going down as I was on my drive home, so I decided to pull the car over and try to get some shots. I took a lot of duds, which leads into my next point:

2) Take a lot of shots

I'm talking about a lot. A LOT. Make sure you have a large memory card in order to facilitate. It's pretty rare that you'll get the perfect framing, lighting, focus, etc the first time. You have to be willing to stick it out, change your grip, move a little to the left (to the left, to the left)... whatever it takes to get the image where you want it. A lot of times, you won't even know where you want it until you stumble upon it. 

However, this can get a bit tricky if you are trying to capture something as fleeting as a sunset. I was able to get around that by starting early. I stopped on the side of the road (safety first!) in several different spots while the sun was still descending before I found my sweet spot. Check out these duds:

so hazy

nope

just...what?

apparently not amused

So, these obviously weren't the spots I wanted to hang around for the actual sunset.

3) If you have an inspiration, be persistent!

At this point I knew I needed to capture the upcoming sunset, but I wasn't in the right place. I had recently discovered a view that I had been inspired by, luckily I was only a few minutes away. Over I went, and got there just in time. My first few shots were pretty good, but not quite perfect.

I was pretty happy with the silhouette and background coloring, but it was still missing something, so I re-framed and ended up with this:

I was beyond lucky (not to mention happy) to catch the sun right before it sunk below the horizon. It was just perfect timing!

If you're interested in seeing some more of my photos, you can head over to my 500px page!

*All of the shots in this post were taken with a Nikon D5100. You can find one here. All images were shot in RAW mode, and then edited in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Thanks for stopping by!