Feb 24 2010

How To Choose Outfit Photos

Category: My Outfits, ProjectsEyeliah

Whether you take 500, 50 or 15 photos you are going to have to narrow it down to a select few or even just one to place on your blog or online community.  How do you choose which picture is the best?  When I take outfit photos I use a self timer set to take 10 photos, so I can take anywhere from 10 on a good day to 120 on a really really bad day.  After the photos are taken the first thing I do is delete all the obvious fails right off the camera.  Then I upload whats left on the computer and use the bigger view to scrutinize and then am usually left with 3 to 5 full length shots.  At this point I break the photo down into three sections; face, top half of outfit and bottom half of outfit. With me so far?

I go over my face in each photo, like in this photo below I really like that I’m smiling but the middle section of the photo isn’t the most flattering, not horrible but lets see if I have a better photo.

In this photo I think the middle looks alright, good posture and bottom half deceptively great but that scowl on my face is not going to cut it!

Half smile here is definitely not as good at the first photo but there’s a better look at my headband and the outfit looks good enough so this photo would be my choice.

For the close ups I take anywhere from 10 to 50 photos on self timer, usually only 10 to 20.  My goal here is to capture a few smaller details.  It can be a bit nerve racking for me to be that close to the camera so I often do a little shake or make funny faces beforehand to loosen up and then pretend my husband is behind the camera while it’s rolling.

When I come across a photo that makes me giggle, I choose it for an outtake shot.

I’ve been really enjoying the outtakes (I hope you are too) as sometimes blogging feels too serious like it may come across that I’m trying to look pretty and perfect all the time or even that I am vain.  Maybe that’s a topic for another day.  Obviously that is so far from the truth, at first I was too shy to even show my face or tell people in real life about the blog.  What are your thoughts on this? What is your process for taking photos? How MANY photos do you take?

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Thrifted Striped Tee Shirt, cloned Santana Jeans and Jazz Shoes. Red Cardigan, from Anabela (wearing red most days for Go Canada Go!). Zipper Headband $5 (Beck will get the same one from the Wardrobe Remix Challenge).

Love Eyeliah


Feb 17 2010

How to Wear Everything in Your Closet

Category: My Closet, ProjectsEyeliah

How do I make sure to wear everything in my closet?  I put the pressure on!

Once or twice a year I go through my closet and purge, when I see things I don’t wear but also don’t want to get rid of they go into a special spot in my closet ‘the must wear pile’. It’s the first spot I see when I open the closet every day, after a while maybe a few months if I still haven’t worn the items they gotta go.  Here are the current items I need to wear.

Two sweet vintage capes wasting their loveliness, horse and poodle brown novelty sweaters, pink heart printed sweater and J Crew striped sweater.

Army printed hoodie, Roxy mesh hoodie (wore a lot a few years back), batik printed top with pockets, denim vest, purple swirl blouse, semi sheer top with lipstick print, green plaid top with lace shoulders (from a trip to Toronto in 2004 – my first taste of Urban Outfitters!).

The electric blue blouse and pink ballerina top have been on this list before, baby blue blouse, sparkly belt, belt choker necklace, green fuzzy hat (new find) and sequined chiffon blouse.

I got right to it with the beige cape, and yes these are wet hair photos.

I need to replace the buttons on this cape to something larger as they don’t stay closed.

Outtake, paging Doctor Eyeliah

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Thrifted Crochet Cape, Brown Floral Dress, Maroon Gloves and Navy Nurse Shoes. The Bay Floral Tights.

Love Eyeliah


Feb 01 2010

What Color Next Poll

Category: ProjectsEyeliah

I can’t believe it took me so long to try my hair curly at this length, this is what I got up to when I was home alone Friday night.  I also organized my purses and filing cabinet.  With my fine hair curls usually fall out within an hour but with some tough hairspray it may last a half a day so will try this look again soon for real.

Trying to decide what to do next with my hair, and I trust your opinions so….. please vote in the poll and I will do as you suggest, unless the winning votes are a write in ballot for a green buzz cut!


Jan 25 2010

How To Choose Items at a Clothing Swap Party

Category: I Shop, ProjectsEyeliah

Clothing Swap Shenanigans

Jessica hosted a Clothing Swap Party last night and it was a major success – I’ve never seen so many cute dresses and skirts – eek!

We added a new step to the beginning of the process, each person shows the group every piece they brought and tells a bit about its history, origin and/or size. This is very helpful to really know what is in the pile, we’ve found that fewer items get left behind for donation this way and plus is extends the swapping fun.

How to Choose Items

1. Before you go the swap, (just like before you go shopping, thrifting, online hunting) evaluate where the holes are in your wardrobe and where there is already too much excess. I for one need dress pants, jeans, cute blouses and shoes.  I do not need a-line skirts, purses, hoodies or any other casual clothes.

2. Hopefully when everyone was showing off their items you’ve been making mental notes of the pieces that would be really helpful for your wardrobe. Start by trying on the items that you really need.   First thing I did was try on all the pants close to my size, then the blouses and shoes.

3. Now you’ve chosen a couple cute items that will really add to you growing wardrobe, congrats. Why not try a couple pieces you normally would not. These are free clothes, live a little, you may be surprised that the light wash denim mini skirt suits your curves or the 90’s velvet jumper is so 2010.

4. By this time the craziness and the picking at the pile has slowed down. Now really go for it, no one is counting anymore. Cute cotton t-shirts in mint condition, something your best friend would love, your favorites that you’ve been neglecting because you already have too much, heck even items that would be good for reselling online (I haven’t done that yet but I don’t see why not).

5. This is the last and most important step, retry on EVERYTHING you chose.  And ask yourself; Does it fit properly? Will I wear it?  Do I love it?  Did it look better on another girl or did another girl want it more?

Hope this thoughts help you achieve successful swapping.

The Loot

So I did go a bit overboard as there was so much good stuff at this swap! Anything that doesn’t work out for me can easily brought to the next get together. Crochet Sweater Vest with Floral Appliqué, Simple Baby Blue Tee, glittery and lace cute top (first choice), jean skirt and REVERSIBLE purple a-line skirt.

Polka dot cotton sundress, black with grey and cream scarf, silk party dress, brown super soft dress pants, floral purse.

We took another set of pictures with our favorite items. ;-)

For more on Clothing Swaps – read What To Wear, How To Host and How To Be a Guest.


Jan 21 2010

My Virtual Birthday Party Part 1

Category: ProjectsEyeliah

Thanks so much to all who attended the Virtual Birthday Party as well as everyone who sent birthday wishes.  Ladies you look great!

Emily & Stephanie

Lydia, Alison & Charlene

Ren, Hana (rlf!) & Missa

Many more pictures after the jump…. Continue reading “My Virtual Birthday Party Part 1″


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