Why Not Boutique - Clothing & Accessories

Wednesday Wit & Wisdom: Wonderful Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Wit:

Wisdom:

Not sure if everyone knows this, but I'm headed to Europe for 21 days in July. Trust me, while it may seem that I just nonchalantly typed that statement out like I'm discussing something as exciting as the weather, in reality, I'm jumping around, doing a happy dance. I am BEYOND excited. 21 days and 6 countries?! I'd have to be dead to not be excited.

Anyway....getting to the point....I have every intention of taking 300 pictures in front of every single monument, tree, pretty building, and beach that I happen to stumble upon. I may even find a Mime in Paris if all goes well and have my picture taken with him. The only problem? I take TERRIBLE photographs. Awful. I either look completely inebriated or like I have a lazy eye in just about every picture I've ever had taken of me. But after 15 years of dreaming, plotting, and planning, I am absolutely determined to look completely fabulous in every single picture I take in Europe. But first I need to figure out how exactly that's going to happen....

Here are some tips that I've stumbled upon that seem fairly easy to follow in order to look your best in every picture taken of you...

Take a page out of the Hollywood playbooks. There's a reason that every single starlet photographed on the red carpets looks like they're standing the same way....it's because they ARE all standing the same way.

Stand with your hips rotated away from the camera at a 45 degree angle
Put your weight on your back foot (Victoria Beckham is a pro at this...just google images of her)
Elongate your other leg. You can cross it in front if you want. Regardless, make sure to point your foot toward the camera. Bend the knee a bit so you don't lock up or look stiff.
STAND UP STRAIGHT (yes mom)
If you want, put one hand on the hip facing towards the camera
Relax your face
To avoid the double chin, elongate your neck by moving your head forward slightly and lift up your chin. If you can feel your neck creasing in either direction you've gone either too far forward or too far backwards (up the nose shots are not flattering either!)
Have fun!! Even if it's in your own mind, if you're mentally happy that will shine through no matter what!

Wednesday Wit and Wisdom: Putting a ring on it and summer hats

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Wit:

via pintrest

Wisdom:

Summer Hats to suit the shape of your face

Heart Shaped:

Look for something with a medium sized brim as well as a medium sized crown. Classy bucket hats and Cloche hats are great options.

Clockwise

Crusher Hat by J. Crew $36.50

Clear Skies Cloche by Anthropologie $32.00

Terrace Table Hat by ModCloth $19.99

Mint by Goorin Braided Straw Bow Cloche by Urban Outfitters $29.00

Long:

Choose a hat with a wide brim and a low crown. Fedoras or Trilby hats will help balance out the length of your face and give it width.

Clockwise:

Poppy Fields Fedora by Anthropologie $54.00

Colorblock Crusher Hat by J. Crew $39.50

Paper Braid Trilby Hat by Envision Studio $14.99

Bow Fedora by Gap $29.95

Round:

This is one of the hardest shaped faces to have when it comes to wearing a flattering summer hat. It's best to avoid round or floppy hats which add width. Look for hats with high brims that are wider than your face. Fedora's will work best for this shape.

Clockwise:

Two Tone Straw Fedora by Nordstroms $29.00

Elly May Fedora by Anthropologie $78.00

Plaid Trim Straw Fedora by Old Navy $12.50

Basketweave Fedora with Floral Trim by Forever 21 $6.50

Square:

If you have a square face, the goal with a summer hat is to lessen the angles of your face. To accomplish this, opt for soft, feminine hats with large brims and curvy lines. The classic floppy summer hat a perfect choice.

Clockwise:

Speckled Floppy Hat by Forever 21 $12.80

Frayed Ribbon Floppy Hat by Jessica Simpson $34.00

Floppy Striped Straw Hat by Gap $34.95

Summer Straw Hay by J. Crew $34.50

Oval:

If you're fortunate enough to have an oval face, then you pretty much have your choice of summer hats. Experiment with all the styles and chose one that you like best.

Wednesday Wit & Wisdom: Elephants and Hurricanes

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Wit:

via pintrest

Wisdom:

Today, June 1st, is the first day of Hurricane Season for the Southern States. Maybe it's just my overactive imagination, but if the weather patterns of the last few months are anything to go by (Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Tornadoes...oh my) then we could easily be in for a long few months.

I'm not a Florida native, so, although I have lived through a hurricane or two, I'm in no way, shape, or form well versed in the whole Hurricane Preparedness thing. And last weekend I started thinking....am I prepared to potentially have to "rough it" for a few days if I should be trapped in my house due to a hurricane? The answer to that question is a very vehement NO. Not unless I could survive on a year old jar of sun dried tomato's and three leftover 100 calorie Nutty Butters.

So for those of you who are like me and have overlooked or ignored hurricane season for the last few year and as a result, have not provided yourself with the proper survival tools, here is a list of items that FEMA reccommends that you place in your "To-Go Bag" in case of emergency:

Water. One gallon per person, per day for at least three days
Food. At least a three day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food
Battery Powered or hand crank radio
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener
Cell phone charger

Additional items to consider:

Prescription meds
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and additional water for your pet
Important family documents including insurance policies, identification, and bank records in a waterproof container
Cash
Warm blanket
Change of clothing
Matches in a waterproof container
Personal hygiene items, including feminine supplies
Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children

One thing my family does do is designate an out of state family member as the go-to contact person. She is the person each of us will call in case we all get separated to let her know that we're safe.

Be prepared! And if we're really lucky (knock wood) none of us will ever have to use our hurricane kits!!