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    What To Wear

    Friend Friday: The Mechanics of Blogging

    An DyerWhat technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc…)
    I use my computer, BlackBerry, Cannon D10 camera and sometimes a tripod but 99% of the time my husband ;D Now, you may be wondering, why the D10? …such a random camera, right? Well, I originally purchased it for our honeymoon to Hawaii (the camera is waterproof) and well, my other camera died so I use this one. As a point and shoot, it’s actually pretty amazing. I especially love how great detail shots in natural light turn out. It’s not ideal for blogging but really, for now it gets the job done.

    What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system, photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)
    I swear by WordPress and I’m also an Adobe CS5 addict. For blogging, I primarily use Photoshop to edit tone, color, brightness and contrast as well as lens correction options. Since I use WordPress, I store all my photos there as well. I also love their BlackBerry app; it makes approving comments and quick new posts extremely easy.

    What is your process for taking pictures?
    It’s not exactly the best process to say the least but it’s efficient. Photos usually occur right before we leave for wherever we’re heading to. That’s why all my shots are on our stairs 🙂 lol sheer convenience.

    When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?
    I’ve been shooting at the same spot regularly, as I mentioned in the previous answer, our staircase. I would take the photos indoor but our décor is pretty dark; lots of dark cherry wood, grays and blacks (I swear it looks nice though lol just not great for blogging outfits). Our staircases obviously offer a nice light background so that my look/outfit is the focus. I actually vented to my husband the other night about how boring it seems so he brought up the idea of scouting locations. We’ll probably try this out however; it really depends on our time and availability. Snapping a few shots before we leave is convenient and efficient… scouting out locations and setting time aside to take photos will probably be a process we’ll need to work on and schedule in.

    If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?
    I’m determined to get a DSLR soon. I’ve had it on my wish list for years now (since the D40 was new on the market!) but plopping thousands of dollars down for a good camera (+ lenses) to blog with hasn’t been a priority. I’ve had my eye on the D90, so we’ll see 🙂 keeping my fingers crossed that I can get it sooner than later!

    Interested in joining in on the fun to? See information about Fashion Beauty Friend Friday here.

    Xox,
    An

    *the photo above really has nothing to do with this post 😛 and if anything, contradicts my writing seeing as it’s indoors, taken with a tripod in front of a blank wall. Why don’t I take more photos here? It’s no longer blank… boo!

    What To Wear

    Breton Stripes

    An Dyer in H&M Breton Striped Blazer | Brass Plum Camisole | London Bridge Jeggings | Bakers Caged Heels | Michael Kors Watch | Pearl Necklace mady by my Mom :) and ring gifted from my Dad | Banana An Bangles

    H&M Breton Striped Blazer | Brass Plum Camisole & Clutch | London Bridge Jeggings | Bakers Caged Heels | Michael Kors Watch | Pearl Necklace mady by my Mom 🙂 and ring gifted from my Dad | Banana An Bangles

    When Everybody, Everywhere announced breton striped as their next focus, I instantly knew I wanted to wear my new H&M blazer. Afterall, it’s been sitting in my closet staring at me for a week. Now the more I look at the above photo… the more I think it will look great with a pair of white shorts this summer 🙂 hmmm…

    Want to see more breton stripes in action? Head over to www.everybodyeverywear.com and check out all the gorgeous looks!

    An Dyer in H&M Breton Striped Blazer | Brass Plum Camisole | London Bridge Jeggings | Bakers Caged Heels | Michael Kors Watch | Pearl Necklace mady by my Mom :) and ring gifted from my Dad | Banana An Bangles

    Xox,
    An

    What To Wear

    Tutus and Miu Miu

    I look so serious.

    I normally don’t shop at H&M as much as I have been lately… but with skirts as cute as this one, how could I not? Now if only I found it before New Years and it would have been the perfect over the top statement look. I have a habit of purchasing whimsical items like this and then not having events to attend and wear them to… Fortunately, a good friend invited us to his birthday celebration this past weekend. Perfect timing <3

    An Dyer in H&M Blazer, Tutu Skirt & Bow Bracelets | Worthington Tights | Forever 21 Camisole | Aldo Clutch | Michael Kors Watch | Miu Miu Bow Pumps

    An Dyer in H&M Blazer, Tutu Skirt & Bow Bracelets | Worthington Tights | Forever 21 Camisole | Aldo Clutch | Michael Kors Watch | Miu Miu Bow Pumps

    Xox,
    An

    What To Wear

    Mama’s Girl

    An Dyer in Express Boyfriend Blazer | Forever 21 Camisole, Necklace & Ring | Betsey Johnson Tights | H&M Rose Clutch | Steve Madden Raven Boots | Clear Watch from my Dad & Shorts from my Mom :)

    Express Boyfriend Blazer | Forever 21 Camisole, Necklace & Ring | Betsey Johnson Tights | H&M Rose Clutch | Steve Madden Raven Boots | Clear Digital Watch from my Dad & Shorts from my Mom 🙂

    My Mom is my best friend and my fashion inspiration. I haven’t mentioned it before, aside from the link to the right, but I have my own business called Banana An. Banana An is my very own online fashion accessories retail boutique. Here’s an excerpt from the about me section there that briefly explains my love for fashion and it’s relation to my Mother:

    My name is An and this is my fashion accessories line. I guess you can say I was born to be a fashionista… my Mom -my idol- has always been extremely fashion forward and raised me that way. When she was pregnant with me – she actually went into labor while shopping at the mall!! Growing up, my mom would always sew cute clothes or make accessories for me. I have always been her sidekick when shopping and I have collections of her fashion magazines. My love for fashion soon grew into an obsession…  

    To this day, my Mom still shops for me…and I love it when she does; it’s the next best thing to shopping with her. I kid you not, my Mom can out-shop me any day. I recall many a shopping trip where I found myself sulking in a chair whining to go home while she’s trying on her trillionth pair of super cute shoes. This happened as recently as, oh say, last year. Me, a grown woman, addicted to shopping, begging to leave the mall. Yep, my Mom is hard-core and the coolest shopaholic Mom ever (so what if I’m a bit biased :P) Anyway, back to the point – my Mom bought me these adorable heart polka dot shorts a while back that I’d let sit on my dresser for months. My parents invited my in-laws to dinner at one of our favorite hole in the wall steak houses last week, so I decided it was time to bust them out. I paired them with tights, my favorite worn-out* boyfriend blazer and this amazing clutch I scored at H&M for only $7. Seriously, check out the detail of the clutch, below. I actually wanted the strapless dress made with the same fabric but never found it in my size so when I spotted this clutch, I had to have it… and at seven bucks? Steal deal.

    An Dyer in Express Boyfriend Blazer | Forever 21 Camisole, Necklace & Ring | Betsey Johnson Tights | H&M Rose Clutch | Steve Madden Raven Boots | Shorts from my Mom :)

    An Dyer in Express Boyfriend Blazer | Forever 21 Camisole, Necklace & Ring | Betsey Johnson Tights | H&M Rose Clutch | Steve Madden Raven Boots | Clear Watch from my Dad & Shorts from my Mom :)

    H&M Rose Clutch detail

    Xox,
    An

    *my boyfriend blazer is so worn out that the lining is fraying at the seam – anyone have tips on how to salvage it? 🙁