Hello lovelies! How has your week been? Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity and I therefore stumbled across a Youtuber / Instagrammer who makes me bubble over with excitement at the possibilities. Her name is Kika (she’s from Finland) and she does ‘creative self portraits’ which are absolutely stunning. She is so full of enthusiasm and joie de vivre that I stalked followed her everywhere lol. Watching her talk and see her beautiful creations reminded me of how much I love to ‘manipulate’ images to create ‘art’ on the computer. I’m not terribly good at it, but I enjoy it and that’s what really matters, right?
Anyway, I first started doing photoshop creativity many years ago when I worked in publishing, but more recently I only did it for my book covers and it was something that really gave me fire in my belly. But I never did it for anything else, other than my own book covers. So, I’ve decided to start playing again—to create pretty images that I can share on my blog and instagram. I’ll be tying it in with my usual style and lifestyle posts, but will also try and create one or two more unusual pics as well (hopefully!). It’s all a learning curve so be patient with me! By the way, I mentioned Photoshop (above) but I haven’t actually used that for years. I use Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer, both of which are absolutely amazing, and a hell of a lot cheaper!
So what kicked all this off in the first place? Well, it started because I realised I wasn’t terribly happy with my blog photos. I felt they were lacking. So I’ve been doing (and will continue to do) some research about photography and decided to start shooting my photos in RAW format. I was so happy when I saw an immediate improvement! But, like I said, it’s all a learning curve and it will take me some time to nail it, I’m sure.
The other thing that had me thinking about all this stuff is the realisation that I must stop thinking of myself as a bit old to be doing it all. I know, I know, it’s ridiculous. But lately I have found myself thinking, on occasion, ‘Oh, I can’t pose for photos like that because I’m 45’, or, ‘If only I was twenty years younger, then I could pose differently and create more beautiful photos’. I mean, BLAH BLAH BLAH…GAWD…considering I’m always telling other people they can do whatever they want to do, regardless of their age, perhaps I should listen to my own advice! So yes, I might be 45 but I can still move, I can still laugh, I can still do everything else most twenty-year-olds can do (well, within reason), so why the heck shouldn’t I pose and post photos like I’m their age? Do you know what I mean?!? Just because I’ve got a few more wrinkles certainly shouldn’t stop me!
So from now on, you will find photos (and videos) of me clowning around as if I’m eighteen again! There is absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t. And if it gives me pure enjoyment, I’m going to carry on doing it whether you like it or not. But then, I guess if you don’t like it, you’re probably no longer reading anyway lol. So with any luck (and new-found skill!), my photos will be more artsy (let’s get that creativity spark lit baby!), more punchy and more polished. Well, that’s the plan anyway lol.
So, what are these particular photos all about? (Because they’re not very fashiony or really about creativity are they lol?) Well, this is the kind of thing I wear when I’m working at home and I figured, why not share that too? So, the other day I wore all blue—my light blue jeans, a light blue vest (both from H&M), a blue denim shirt (Primark) and my blue Woden trainers. And because I wanted a shock of colour, I added a red hairband to match my glasses and a slick of red lippy. Not the most exciting of outfits, but perfectly acceptable for working at home or for nipping down to the supermarket.
Because Kika had fuelled my creativity (!), I decided to pose with a bowl of big, beautiful red strawberries too! They were absolutely delicious, by the way. And their fragrance was divine! I also posed with Luna, and tried to pose with Shannon the cat, but while I was holding her, my mannequin fell over and spooked the shit out of her. This, of course, led to her clawing the hell out of my back. Hence no photos of Shannon :/
Anyway, today is the Neverending Style Link-up so I hope you’ll add all your fabulous posts—any subject allowed. I’ve been wondering whether I should move the link-up to Monday or Wednesday seeing as it doesn’t seem too popular on a Friday? Or perhaps that’s just because it’s so new? Let me know your thoughts! See you next week! Oh, please don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow me on Instagram!
Last week’s favourite was Laurie from Vanity and Me who has finally found a pair of leather trousers that she absolutely loves AND they didn’t break the bank! Well worth checking out! I’m a huge fan of Laurie’s, and if you’re not a follower, I highly recommend her blog as well as her Youtube channel.
I hope you’ll link up all your blog posts and Instagram posts too! I look forward to seeing you!
