February 23, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: New Studio


































Today is a pivotal moment on the bliggity blog. I have officially switched over to my "real" camera (a Canon Rebel T3) and I also installed a little backdrop (or studio, as I like to call it) in my room! There are still some kinks to be worked out, but it's just one little step towards the big improvements I have coming up this year (including moving to self-hosting and a slew of other techie things). I would love to hear your feedback on the new backdrop though! I know that "frolicking in a field" (as I playfully refer to it!), is a popular way to showcase outfits in magazines and blogs, however I'm very passionate about keeping this blog realistic and won't ever be switching to that format. While I certainly appreciate that kind of photography, I also think it can make an outfit look very "fantasy", unobtainable, and more desirable than it truly is. So while I'll be staying with a simple backdrop, I am always a huge fan of improving and want a higher quality website, and hopefully this is a step in that direction!

About my outfit: I've been seeing these faded leopard pants everywhere lately and I'm just not sure I'm a fan! I loved her combo though, so I tried it with my leopard scarf and solid camel pants instead. This is an outfit that could easily transition from work to going out. I envision the right photo for a night out, but the middle with the blazer could work for work, especially if you sub in black flats or a sensible pump!

Inspiration photo: Who What Wear
Blazer: Express, old
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35
Scarf: c/o Ross, $13
Pants: Hwy Jeans c/o TJ Maxx, $18
Shoes: Carlos Santana from DSW, $33
Earrings: Banana Republic, $10
Rings: LOFT pink stone ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic $10, My Stella & Dot website $49 


1. Old Navy leopard scarf, $16.94
2. Echo leopard scarf, $46.99
3. Amazon leopard scarf, $8.83

65 comments:

  1. I love how you used the leopard scarf as a substitute!  Your whole outfit looks great!  I have to admit, I think I am a fan of those skinny jeans on that model.  I want the ones she has!  They are so cute!!!  I know they are a bit trendy, but leopard is always in style every year no matter what, and as long as skinny jeans are in style, these would be worth investing in!  For me, anyways!  Nice to see you got your  new camera and a backdrop in your room too.  I think the pics look fantastic!  xx

    Pip
    http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love your version, and the new photos look great!  Definitely can tell a difference in the quality of the photos, and the backdrop works well to help the outfit pop.  Your "frolicking in the fields" comment made me lol.  So true.

    I have noticed those pants everywhere too, and I think some bloggers do a really nice job with them, but they would never be for me personally.  One, I could never wear them to work, and two, when I do wear more casual stuff on weekends, there are many other things I'd rather be wearing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The pics definitely look much better and crisper, but the background of your site/blog is white as is your studio backdrop, so it's a bit of a glare to me. maybe if you frame the pics in a color/black or change the background color of the page, so it wouldn't be white on white, it might pop a little more? You rock and keep it coming!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is such a cute outfit definitely one of my favorites! I am with you on the leopard pants can't get myself to like them yet. On other people they look cute but I would never wear them!

    And I agree with Elizabeth it does make your outfit pop!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Like your take on the leopard trend. I've been seing the jeans on bloggers and actually got me a pair from Target for $19 (with a coupon) but I have not worn them waiting to decide if I will keep them. You should check them out at the Target website. I printed the 15% off coupon recently so it might still be available. I got me the ones in gray because I think they are more wearable.

    ReplyDelete
  6. you look AMAZING :) i love the simple black with leopard. its so chic!

    xoxo,
    tiana of l'esthetique

    ReplyDelete
  7. Props to you for keeping things real!  I agree that frolicking in fields rubs me the wrong way.  Or the bloggers who include five pictures of themselves in each outfit, with their heads turned to one angle, then the other.  We get it, you think you're pretty cute.

    I loved your blog as it was, but also loving all the improvements and your motivation to change things up!!  You are an inspiration in so many ways!

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOVE the outfit! (As always :))  I do agree with the one post about it being a little white on white though.. I have been reading your blog for quite some time now and I love it so much because it's very real, so as long as you don't loose that, you'll do great with whatever changes you make! Keep the awesome outfits coming!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Welcome to the Canon Rebel world!! You are going to love it. I got mine in January for my birthday and it just changed my whole perspective on photography. I'm still learning things and reading books on better composition, lighting, aperture, etc. I pretty much shoot with a 50mm lens for all my posts.
    Niki
    www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the leopard pants but I won't jump on a trend that I believe will flash and burn quickly. I'll be the one still wearing them 5 years from now and getting those nasty looks from the cool girls :)

    I think the backdrop works until the floor. I feel like you should be standing on something to mask where the floor meets the wall of the material. But I've always disliked that part of any studio photo. I don't think about the backdrop until I see that and then it's all my brain can focus on.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your outfit!  The print scarf is my favorite.  I'm still on the fence about leopard printed jeans as well but mostly because I'm 35 and they just may not be age appropriate.  If I was in my 20s, I would definitely rock them! 

    BTW, your blog is totally awesome, but I think the white backdrop is a little to bright.  I actually like the color of the softer wall.  My two cent :-)

    https://cityandburbsblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. i like your version better. gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love that you keep it real.  And don't indulge in the fantasy outfits.  If we all wanted to be in a photo shoot for a magazine that would be one thing but this real life with deadlines, baby spit up and a dishwasher to clean out!  I love the new camera, you can really tell a difference.  But I would agree about the white on white.  I would change your background on your site so the white backdrop really stands out.  It makes the clothes really pop though!

    ReplyDelete
  14. LOVE the outfit. Yay for switching to your new camera!! I like the backdrop - are you going to add some colorful ones too (or maybe a black one?). I know white can wash people out sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks Michelle! I love the idea of different colors, but the cheap-o in me is resistant b/c that backdrop was not cheap. I will totally invest in another one if the white isn't working, but likely won't be rotating a bunch of fun colors anytime soon. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like the backdrop and the lighting in your new photos.  It makes it easier to see the outfits.

    Also, I like your take on the outfit.  I'm with you, I'm not sure I could wear leopard print pants.  Your look has the same style, but is much more wearable, in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Elena, feel the same way about this trend. Not going to hop on board just yet, but not writing it off either!

    And thank you for the feedback, but I'm not sure what you mean? Are you talking about the "puddle" of fabric around my feet? That is one of kinks I need to work out in my "studio" for sure. A little wrinkle is fine b/c I don't want to look like I'm floating, but I also don't want the fabric to cover up my shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so jealous of all your research! Photography bores me to tears. :-( I'm trying though! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you Libby!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Awesome, thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Awesome suggestion, thank you! I will talk to my designer about some non-white background options for the blog. New design won't roll out until April at the earliest, but I will def take this into consideration! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks Pip!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm sure someone else has mentioned this (I didn't read all the comments) but the first thing I thought of when I saw the white is, "we'll never be able to see her favorite white jeans."   I like the idea of a backdrop, I think it looks more professional, but I wonder if you need to make it a different color.  I would research what sort of backdrop shows up in the fashion photos that you like.  By the way, I LOVE your blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Allie, thank you for the feedback and this is an excellent point (I do love my white jeans). However, if you notice you can see the folds and wrinkles in the backdrop of the photo, which means you should be able to see all the details on my white pants like that too. I'm not using flashing + the new camera is much more "realistic" so you should be able to see them way more clearly than you ever have before (considering the wall behind me has always been white too!). :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jillian @ Reshape Your LifeFebruary 23, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    I love the idea of the new backdrop, and I think it makes for very streamlined pictures (along with the new camera!)  But what if you took a cue from the food bloggers out there and got a piece of faux flooring (obviously it would be an investment, but you'd only need like a 3x3 square) but that way you could have a section of wood or faux wood flooring instead of your usual carpet?  I think just the fabric underfoot is a little wonky right now.

    As for the outfit I think you recreated the trend the right way!  Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love the new set-up! Between the crisp white background and your post-cruise glow, the pictures look great!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have to read it in spurts as it gets a bit overwhelming. I definitely suggest buying a 50mm lens. Cheap in the world of lenses ($100) but gives you that great blurred background you see on a lot of blogs, plus great up close details. I did a couple of posts on camera settings back in Jan. Another great source for info is www.kevinandamanda.com. She has awesome tutorials.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm heading to Old Navy tonight to pick up that leopard scarf!  Super cute! and love that this outfit can be dressed up for work, or dressed down for a movie.

    fitfashlife.blogspot.com
     

    ReplyDelete
  29. i like your new backdrop! the white helps the reader focus on what your blog is truly about - your outfits! i love your leopard scarf, too :) 

    megan
    diaryofthisgirl-megan.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I absolutely love your version :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. love the scarf! i tried on the leopard pants at target and ended up not getting them. for some reason they remind me of snooki but i dunno, maybe that's just me.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm also not sure how I feel about those pants. I think the leopard scarf was a good substitute and has the same effect! I like the new "studio", still real just let's the outfit pop.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am not a fan of these leopard pants either. I like your take on this outfit waaay better than the WWW. Good job!

    Tiffany
    http://shoeschampagne.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. http://granola2glam.blogspot.com/2012/01/ebay-louis-vuitton-lookalike-stole-and.html 

    Oh, and there's a great Louis Vuitton $7 lookalike leopard scarf/stole I recently featured. 

    ReplyDelete
  35.  Jillian stated it very well in her reply. I think the viewer shouldn't be aware that a back drop is being used and the "puddle" makes me aware of it. This takes my attention away from the clothes. If you put something solid over it to stand on it might resolve that.

    ReplyDelete
  36. you have some great finds!
    www.alwayssaygrace.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love how simple the outfit is, but wearing camel pants instead of jeans takes it up a notch to super chic!  And I loooove that Old Navy leopard scarf.  I might just have to get that--thank you :)

    Audrey
    www.puttingmetogether.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh, good point, your walls have always been white!  

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love how wearing camel pants as opposed to jeans takes this outfit up a notch in chicness!  And I LOVE the leopard scarf from Old Navy!  Off to purchase it right now--thanks! :)

    Audrey
    www.puttingmetogether.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. You look great and really pop with the backdrop. I'm not a fan on any print design on pants. Maybe because of my age. Some butts and thighs just don't work well with design! Love the scarf and your blog is great.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Jillian @ Reshape Your LifeFebruary 23, 2012 at 7:23 PM

     You could actually get a piece of plywood and spray paint it with a high gloss white paint if you wanted the all white look... I think that would look a lot cleaner!  You could also use a textured stone like spray paint for variation (one on either side?)  Just some ideas... :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great outfit! I'm not a big fan of printed pants either - I prefer plain clothing but like you've done here, adding interest with accessories! Thanks for the inspiration!

    The backdrop is nice - white always is. I would also recommend changing the blog layout colour too though.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Love the new backdrop and your blog is my absolute favorite because you are real and aren't frolicking in a field.  You wear things that are realistic.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I LOVE it!!! And I'm totally with you. I like realistic pictures! Not crazy lighting in a field where you can kind of see half of the sweater, and maybe part of a shoe. 

    ReplyDelete
  45. I LOVE your realistic pics!  Please do not ever frolic in a field!  ha!  I always go to your blog first. :)  Love the backdrop, too.  Keep up the great inspiration, J!

    ReplyDelete
  46. The photos look great and I love your take on this outfit, so cute!
    xx
    Be Frassy 

    ReplyDelete
  47. This outfit just WORKS!  Love the shoes for a little edginess.  Also, looks great with your skin/hair coloring.  Thanks for the inspiration :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thank you Margaret! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am definitely considering this Jillian!! I like the idea of it being all-white, but I'm going to stop by Lowe's this weekend and see what my options are. Thank you! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  50. I actually love your combination better than the inspiration photo! I think it is definitely more "wearable"! Keep doing what you're doing!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hey- I like the new backdrop. It does make your pictures look a lot less yellow. And I can tell the camera is better too. I'm very happy with the change! I like your site in general because it really is "everyday" fashion- so I (a person with 0 fashion knowledge, and who doesn't want to dress crazy avante garde) can actually apply your looks. I know there have been a couple people who complain it is too boring- but I don't think so at all! It is WEARABLE and elegant and EVERDAY. It is a way I can dress for work so I don't look boring and blah, but don't look unprofessional or crazy! My only complaint was with the yellow-ish pictures.

    I also like how you usually get things for reasonable prices...I pretty much only buy things at Banana Republic if they are on sale. I think you had a post once about how to find things a good price, and might even have mentioned BR specifically...If you see this, would you mind posting the link to it? I've lost it!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks Nicole! I think the yellowish pictures actually is a problem whenever I try to take a photo at night, with zero natural lighting. Curious to see how my new camera performs under those conditions! Everything about my photos and the backdrop was driving me crazy so I'm excited to at least be trying something new!

    As for the BR post, all of that stuff is listed in my Table of Contents tab! Here is the link for you: http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/04/todays-everyday-fashion-secrets-of.html

    ReplyDelete
  53. Congrats on the new camera and backdrop. I love your outfit and all the newbies :-)

    ReplyDelete
  54. i love your blog and enjoy reading it everyday. the only thing i don't like is when you diss other blogs for what they do. I understand you like to keep it "real" as you put it, but don't put others down because they want to take more creative pictures. i will continue to read and support you, this is just my humble opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Cee, I totally appreciate your opinion! If you are referring to this post, I'm actually not talking about bloggers (if you go back and read I don't mention them at all), nor was I dissing anyone! When I refer to frolicking in fields, I meant media in general - magazine editorials are where that idea came from originally, and while many bloggers use that format, that comment was in no way directed at any one group.

    It is my personal preference to read media that is realistic. But just as "I don't like this outfit" is a valid opinion and one that I would be willing to express with you guys, I think that saying "I don't like that kind of media" is just as valid. It's not coming from a negative place, and there will always be a need for Vogue and couture in the world, I just wish there were more alternatives and that "realistic" fashion wasn't so frowned upon. I truly hope that we have a "Rachael Ray of fashion" in my lifetime. It would be great if that's me, but I just want to see someone (anyone!) take on that role, and in general I want to see the fashion media landscape change to be more realistic, which is why I'm so passionate about keeping my blog realistic. That's all I meant. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. ps. See #9 in my About section! I say almost the identical sentence, but specify "magazines." :-) http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/p/about.html

    ReplyDelete
  57. although you didn't specifically refer to other bloggers in the post, by writing "keeping this blog realistic" just before mentioning the field frolickers, you imply that you are comparing your blog to other blogs (not magazines). While the media does this often in editorials, we are all aware that many bloggers take their ootd shots "on location" (ie fields,woods, etc.) as well.  One way isn't better than the other... and by comparing the two methods you make it seem as if your way is superior because it is more "realistic". Cee isn't the only one who read it as a diss, and even though you didn't mean it to come off in that way it did. Also, I saw your tweet referring to Cee's comment specifically (it seems you've deleted it since then), which is what brought me to this post.  She seems to be the only dissenter so I have to assume your tweet was an attempt to bring the white knights out to defend you and/or attack her opinion?  Again, maybe not your intentions but the act came off as a bit incendiary nonetheless. 

    ReplyDelete
  58. Tiffany, thanks for adding in your feedback! As I said in my response to Cee, I in no way intended my comment to be aimed at bloggers, so it looks like a case of bad wording. I am not saying, nor have I ever said that one type of media was better than the other, just different. There is a very heavy emphasis on fantasy fashion and I want to give women who would like to see more realistic fashion in the media a place to discuss real life fashion - not because it is better, but b/c that is our personal preference! I respect you (or anyone else's) preference to fantasy fashion and I just ask for the same respect in return! 

    As to why I included the parenthesis portion - that is because I knew there would be a lot of questions/comments "why don't you just go outside and take pictures?" b/c I get that question a lot, so I did indeed need to address it directly. No idea how my explanation was so misunderstood but I'm glad you girls brought it to my attention so that I could change it! (Going back and editing now.)As for my tweet, that is SO not what I was trying to do LOL! Omg, that is horrible!! I wanted more people's feedback to see if my statement really seemed mean-spirited and/or aimed at bloggers b/c it was really not intended to be that way. I took it down off Twitter b/c I decided to ask a couple PR friends to give me their opinion versus putting it out in the open. The written word can be so frustrating sometimes b/c I think a lot of times people hear a different tone or intent behind it, and don't speak up or ask for clarification. I'm really glad you and Cee brought this to my attention so I could clarify and make some edits! Thanks ladies. :-) 

    ReplyDelete
  59. ps. I just edited my post, so here is what I originally said, just so we can have it on record. :-) 

    "I'm very passionate about keeping this blog realistic (something about frolicking in a field rubs me the wrong way + I think it has a way of making an outfit look "fantasy" and possibly more desirable than it truly is), but I am always a huge fan of improving quality-wise. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction!"

    ReplyDelete
  60. thanks for clarifying, J.  I'm sure you didn't intend to create any adverse reactions with this post and I appreciate that you took Cee's and my opinions into account.  The edited version makes it much more clear what you were trying to say.  Thanks for handling this with grace and tact.

    ReplyDelete
  61. thank you for clarifying J. I understand that in written form oftentimes the tone doesn't translate the same as when you're speaking. I still love your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Have you considered outdoor pics?

    ReplyDelete