Friends Friday - Blogger Mechanics

1. What technology do you use in blogging?

My laptop is drowning in a sea of viruses right now, so I am using my Acer netbook for blogging. I also use a Canon Elph point and shoot camera, and a cheap tripod from Target. I even do my videos with my p&s camera. This set up has served me quite well. But I'm currently negotiating with my sister to buy her old SLR camera now that she has upgraded.

2. What computer and online technology do you use?

I use Blogger (but am considering a move to WordPress) to host my blog, Flickr Pro to store my photos, and GIMP to edit my photos. My husband is a big supporter of open-source software so I use GIMP for him.

3. What is your process for taking pictures?

I take my photos in the morning before work whenever possible. Sometimes I'm running too late and they get done at night (boo!). I slap my p&s camera on my tripod, look around to see if there is any good light anywhere to be found (usually it's too early and the light is all very blue), mash about 15 wrong buttons on my camera while trying to get the setting right, then pose, pose, pose. Check to see that I don't look retarded in all 3 shots. Then go to work. If I do look retarded or didn't get my feet in the photo, then I pose, pose, pose again.

My camera has facial recognition capabilities so I can put it on a delay that waits until it sees a face (mine when I walk over there), then it focuses on my face and take 3 pics. LOVE IT! No more running over there and not being ready or blurry pics from focusing on the wrong thing.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?

I go through phases. For a while I was stopping at random locations on my way to work. But now I am back to taking them in the same 3 places in my house every morning.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?

A fill light so that my face isn't always dark in photos!

Friend Friday: Figuring Out What To Wear

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?

I usually start with one item that I haven’t worn in a while, or is new, or I just want to wear and then I build around it by holding up other items next to it. I keep everything on one or two hangers and actually build the entire outfit (even hanging necklaces around the “neck” of the hanger, etc).

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month, weekend?
If I am being organized, I go through my closet of Sunday sometime and pull together outfits for at least 4 work days. I only do 4 b/c I don’t generally do as much planning for casual Friday. And, sometimes I get a wild hair to wear something not planned out and then I just have a poor leftover outfit hanging on the closet door. It looks sad and makes me feel guilty b/c I know it is just hanging there, wondering why all the other outfits got chosen but it’s still stuck there alone. I can’t handle that.

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don't repeat?

Nope. I generally try not to wear the exact same thing and I’ve got a pretty good memory for that. But the reality is my blog is supposed to document my style, not dictate it, so if I feel like repeating an outfit, I will. And I will still post it. That’s just the reality of my fashion life.

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?

Rand does the laundry and sometimes I find great combos just from how he has hung things back in the closet. He’s my inspiration elf! And of course, I look at my closet and see what items I have that are similar to outfits that other bloggers have inspired me with. Blogger love!

5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do to cut down your dressing time?

I don’t think it could possible get any faster. I shower, etc the night before and pick out my clothing in advance, so I can actually be up, dressed, and out the door in 10 minutes if I need to be.