I spend every Saturday lugging my suitcase around busy East London streets, and to be honest, I wouldn't change a thing. Today I talk you through my routine, where to shoot, where to eat and where to treat yourself after a long few hours shooting.
7am: alarm goes off, get ready (and probably pack suitcase because I leave everything until the last minute)
8am: bus to the station
9am: meet a mate and shoot some ideas (mostly "there'll do)
9am-1pm: shooting shooting shooting
And I now realise how boring that all sounds now I've written it out but GO WITH IT.
Okay so location time. Liverpool Street Station is a hub. There's the Exchange next door, with pretty steps and on the weekends, the bars and cafes are closed so the outdoor seating is a hidden gem to use. It's always pretty quite up there (because nothing is open) so the perfect place for a quick change. I always wear cycling shorts and a vest top so no nudity occurs.
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| The Spitalfields shops |
You've got Spitalfields Market around the corner too. Here's where I spend most of my time. There are a tonne of different shop fronts, market stools and hidden roads that I won't shoot in the same place more than once in a few weeks. For food and drink, there is of course a bundle of restaurants inside the market, including a pub and food stall/trucks too. I usually opt for Costa, purely because I like tea & cake AND there's a toilet too for outfit changes. For a treat too I've visited Duck and Dry too, for perfect hair for the photos. It's so quick, half hour to 40 minutes for a blow dry and style. And I can NEVER recreate the bounce and volume that they do there, at home. They've now extended too, with a bar and even more hair eggs (is that right?!). It's Instagram worthy too, if you were wondering, with a flower wall, light word signs and that bar I mentioned? It's pink marble. Oh gosh indeed my friend.
At the back of Spitalfields, slightly more North (as in a few feet away) is Shoreditch. The cool people's paradise. Now, if you're looking for coffee then Shoreditch Grind isn't far, just on Old Street roundabout, but I'd opt more for Brick Lane. The road is packed every minute of every day however. I'd recommend shooting at one of the far ends, as it's 'less' busy and some of the roads are one way too, so less traffic for those walking across the road shots. My pamper NO.2 location is the new Luka Spa. I attended their packed out launch party and was kindly gifted a gel manicure and Swedish back massage. Get a massage if you can. Shooting 6 outfits then going into a dark room with the sounds of waterfalls and just calmness, was a wonder I'll never forget.
Other Eastal locations include the likes of St Pauls, The Sky Garden, and even the Shard, if you don't mind heights.
The East of London is home to many fab places. It's my home, my workplace and happy place.
The end.
Duck and Dry blow dry: Before and after
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The blogosphere has been hit recently with a new scandal; blatant copying. Whether this be outfits or imagery done in the EXACT same way as another blogger, instagrammer or influencer. At first look you may not realise what has been done, unless you know the original image or piece of writing yourself. Brands regularly rip off smaller companies and their designs and can have legal action taken against them. But what happens when your photo is taken and redone, never mind when this new image is an advertisement or sponsorship?
They say imitation is a form of flattery, and to an extend that is true. I love when people ask me where my clothes are from, and knowing that I've influenced someone to buying that product is a great feeling. But is blatantly taking something and putting it up as your own really being inspired? A tiny example is of a tweet that I wrote a few months ago. It was to promote my instagram and every time I do so I try to have a witty caption to go along side it. A 'pal' I had, decided to copy and paste it, adding her instagram images instead of mine and changing one or two words, but even glancing at the tweet as I scrolled, I thought it was mine at first, even a few months later. She didn't like mine, nor help promote it. She didn't message me to ask if she could use the wording, or even quote it. I made her fully aware that I'd seen it, and she eventually took it down and unfollowed me. It seems so minor, but it's irritating. Clearly I'm doing something right.
We'll move on from copying, and into the realm of loving a style of something or someone and using them as a 'what would....do' type deal. For me, the likes of Freddy Cousin Brown, Josie from Fashion Mumblr, and Lydia Millen who are my outfit Goddesses, and I take inspiration from the way they dress, and the way they produce their content. I use Josie's Lightroom presets, and have her notifications on to see when she uploads another beaut image. However this doesn't mean I'm off to the exact same road with the exact same outfit on to post a few days later hoping no one will notice. I grammed a photo a while ago that in my head looked slightly along the lines as one of my friends' editing would look like. I sent it to her and asked if she was ok with it going up, and would have changed it if not. I don't think anyone minds something being slightly similar if you just ASK or prewarn. But never ever ever copy. It's a sin. Probably.
I feel as though I should be documenting EVERY single thing. I HAVE to get that one shot. From vlogging my week (have I actually ever done that successfully??) to any event I've ever been to. I went to the Pandora Christmas event a few months ago, and was on edge as I'd forgotten to charge my Olympus Pen that morning. The flashing red battery sign on the screen sent my heart going, just incase I didn't capture that shot of a tree.
Since when did creating what we love, start putting us under so much pressure?
We see hundreds of our inspirations, be it bloggers, youtubers or social media 'influencers' (awful word) traveling around the world, working with some of the best brands there are, and not only does this push us to work harder to achieve ourselves, it pushes us a little too far sometimes.
My 21st party- I was ill, and the entire day was meant to document my birthday. I managed to take a total of 3 photos at the party, and vlogged a 3 second clip of it. I came away sad, because I hadn't gotten any birthday content for any channel. I took my '21st birthday' instagram after my birthday, as it was really the only reason I had bought those balloons. Instead I decided to give my instax camera to my sister, enjoyed my night and have the polaroids to prove it. I'll love myself for it in the future, because I was really there.
I go to so many events, edit 5 or 6 photographs from the 400 I slaved over, and do absolutely nothing with the rest of them. Even then, are those photographs even good? Are they worthy of that post you've planned? No? Then what's the point?
I'm going to try to live my best blogger life, whilst also being present in my own life too.
As a blogger, I am aware of the basic needs that one must have. Most are to aid the photographing of products or outfits, some are outfits themselves. Know a blogger? Heres what to get them...
Memory Card:
Photography item number 1. No matter what you use to take photos on (minus the phone) a memory card is needed. The bigger the GB, the better. Stuff one in a stocking and you'll be on the good list for the next year.
Lens:
Photography item number 2. Lenses are expensive, so if you're looking to spoil someone, check with camera they use and if they're lusting over a specific lens or any accessories for the camera, such as a strap or bag.
Gift cards:
No matter what neice the blogger is, a gift card is a fabulous idea. From fashion to beauty, home bits and bobs or cooking essentials, a gift card to their favourite store can be of great help if you don't know what to buy.
Marble anything:
They either love it or hate it. Marble is a bloggers's favourite background. From wrapping paper and desks, everything
Mugs:
An instagram favourite. For all the hot chocolates this festive season.
Blogosphere Magazine:
If you haven't heard of Blogosphere Mag, are you sure on that? Its for bloggers by bloggers. They host events, and publish the best advice and interviews of the blogging world. My second year subscription has just renewed and I ADORE it.
I start the day by charging everything from my phone, energy pack and camera batteries and chose the outfit I'd mentally put together over and over again.
I pop my pink jacket on top and put spare 'photo shoot shoes/boots' in my bag for later in the day.
I'll probably jump on two or three trains to a London location for a press event. My most recent have been the Utan & Olivia Attwood tan morning, Maui Moisture, and the Blogosphere summer party.
After the event, another blogger and I will head onto another train or any form of transportation will do, to one of those cafes you see all over Instagram. I recommend Peggy Porschen for a cup of tea and a cupcake, or Farm Girl Cafe for some brunch.
On the brunch note, what's the one thing bloggers can't live without? Avocado. Avocado toast is a must. We whip out our Olympus Pen E-PL8s and get snap happy with the flatlays. Latte art is an essential part. Clearly. At this point, we've instagram storied the past few hours, to the point where myself and Maria may have sat on the sofa in a shopping centre for 20 mins silently editing photos and choosing hashtags.
We walk not too far from anywhere in London really, as around every corner in the West, you'll find tall white houses and a blogger taking outfit photos. This is where the Olympus 45mm lens comes into play and gives the best blur that we all live for.
I'll end the day with a free Bubbleology, courtesy of my black card, hope back on the tube, and spend the rest of the day editing my photos in bed. I love these days. Inspiration is at its high.
Until the 22nd of August 2017, I, an established blogger, had never tried avocado. After a 9am press event with @mariajblogs, we headed on down to Notting Hill and seated up at Farm Girl Cafe. Then the bloggers in us appeared.
We brought out our Olympus Pen E-PL8s and changed from the 45mm to the pancake 14-42mm lens. We chose avocado on toast and drinks that would be instagrammable as hell. Maria chose the Rose Latte whilst I opted for a hot chocolate, with apparently some interesting art on top. It's a mushroom obviously.
The place itself is lovely, and the decor is blogger heaven. Sit outside for the best lighting and the chance for one of those pink tables.
Not too long ago, I got in contact with a sweet little jewellery company and managed to get my hands on a few of their goodies. Statement Made have a huge range of the most beautiful products I've ever seen. Along with this post, I am in the process of editing a little outfit choice thing to go along with a review of the pieces, so look out for that soon! Here I wanted to showcase the products in detail through photographs. 100% ordering Christmas presents from here!
Samantha Arrowhead CZ set silver plated adjustable ring £17.90
When looking for rings, I am always very aware of the sizing. Being claustrophobic, rings that technically 'fit' I find way too tight and will always buy a size bigger. This is adjustable. It's just fab! The design is lovely, simple yet striking. Super classy but perfect if you want to add a bit of a shine to your hand! The ring itself is lightweight too, so is easily an everyday piece. I love the arrow idea and how thin the metal is. Eye catching but still so simple!
This one has now been discontinued but I thought I'd show you it anyway!
This necklace is yet another design that's simple yet oh so effective! The blue stands out against the silver as a light glimmer of colour and looks lovely under collars of shirts (I do love a good collar/necklace combination)! The chain is at a good length too. By that I mean some chains are at that awkward medium length, too short to go under a t-shirt to look nice, but too long to be layered with longer pieces. This one is slightly shorter than the medium. It sits on my collar bone nicely so works with shirts or tops/t-shirts so that it hangs above the top of it.
Angel chimes chiming bola ball open swirl with angel wing pendant necklace £18.90
Now my favourite of them all, the stunning angel / chimes & wing pendant! This is just beautiful. I've been getting into more low cut tops recently (not too low cut as it's slightly cold and the trashy look isn't one for me) and the chain on this is super long! It sits just between my chest and midriff where the point of a low cut dress would sit mad with open shirts, the ball lays at the end point of the gap is, if that makes sense (you'll see what I mean in the video!). Aside from the wear-ability, this is a show stopper in itself. I love the idea of angels, being a Christian I've grown up with the idea of angelic creatures with rays of light behind them, gracefully telling virgins they are carrying the Son of God and I love the idea that angels are watching over us as guardians. The pendant is a open-able clasp with a coloured ball inside. This colour can be chosen when ordering but I think the pink is lovely myself. The chime gives the piece a USP as it were, making this necklace my favourite in my jewellery box.
I spoke to the lovely lass behind the brand and asked a few questions about the life of a jewellery seller.
When did the brand start?
"The brand (ooh brand - fancy!) Started when I was working in retail jewellery and I realised that jewellery no longer had meaning, you would sell one piece from the shelf then immediately refill it with another, you could be walking around and see 5 other people with the same jewellery as you! And I kinda felt that defeated the object! So I started seeking out and creating unusual jewellery about 4 years ago now, never knowing what it could become! The online store started 14 months ago, along with our etsy store and It's been growing ever since!"
What things inspire your new pieces?
"The biggest factor that inspire the designs is the world around us. A great deal of the sterling silver pieces are designed around nature, and the idea of nature. The other big inspiration is emotion, our scripted meanings collection is full of pieces with meaningful words, that people can carry with them always."
Any advice for the avid jewellery maker
"My advice for jewellery makers would be, (excuse the 90s pun!) Don't let anybody cramp your style! Your process is your process, the Internet can be a dangerous place for budding entrepreneurs, you read the things you 'should be' doing, and you end up trying to become a robot! People buy from you because you're unique, let that shine through your work and everything you do!"
What's the story behind the angel chimes necklace?
"The story behind the angel chimes necklace was actually meditation and yoga! I'm an avid yogi but I found it really hard to switch off and zen out! So this was the solution! With little enamel interchangeable balls with brass xylophones inside them, they're great for interchanging the colours and styles to match whatever you're wearing.The sounds they emit are a little bit like wind chimes, but as you move the gentle chimes are just so relaxing, you can't help but take a deep breath and relax!"
What is the best part of the job?
"The best part of the job is seeing people wear what you have created and brought to them. I especially love it when they're bought for gifts and the person receiving loves it! I have had emails before saying thank you and how wonderful their gift is. That's the best feeling in the world!"
I really do urge you to check out the website, have a nosey at some of the most unique products I've come across (real flower necklaces? Yes please) and you can click here to find any of the products I've mentioned!
K x
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