Top 5 Tips for Festival Season

This post brought to you by Teva. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's that time of year again, guys - the days are a little longer, the sun shines a little brighter, and you just want to dance in a field all day to live music.  It's festival season!

Electric Zoo Festival 2010

Sometimes the festival gods conspire with the sun and the universe to shine down on a simple confectionery to make one of the most beautiful, magical photos ever to be taken at a festival.  Major props to my friend, Elisabeth, who captured this beautiful moment.

Festivals can be a fun, wonderful, otherworldly experience - and they should be - but there are certainly things you can do to make your festival an outstanding one.  Here are my Top Five Festival Tips:

1. Wear comfortable shoes!  I can't stress this enough.  Sure, those wedge sandals look really cute with your maxi skirt and crop top, but after walking and dancing for a few hours, you're going to ditch them.  And then you'll be stuck carrying them around the rest of the day.  Not to mention that you'll probably get stepped on, or worse, step on something sharp.  Teva (the official footwear of Bonnaroo) makes some super comfy shoes that you can find at Zappos.  Personally, I'd choose a pair with a closed toe for protection, but it really depends on if you're going to get up into the dancing pit or hang back and chill the whole time.
2. Bring a backpack.  You're going to want use of your hands ~ while dancing, while snacking, while applying sunscreen, or while holding a beer.  A small, lightweight backpack will keep your arms free for whatever you decide to do with those most useful of appendages.  
3. Prepare for when it inevitably cools down in the evening.  You're going to be there all day, even after the sun sets.  And some festivals don't allow you to leave and re-enter.  A simple beanie will fit easily in your backpack, and you can tie a sweater or flannel around your waist.
4. For the love of God, wear sunscreen.  And reapply it often.  You'll sweat.  You'll go in a misting tent.  The sunscreen will come off.  Put it back on.
5. Visit The Fountain for more tips on getting #ready2roo, where festivalgoers are sharing their tips & tricks for making your time at a festival a truly positive and extraordinary experience.

Have you been to a festival?  What are some of your tips and tricks for making it the most amazing experience ever?  

Photo Shoot Tips

Fact: Many people who read fashion blogs are fashion bloggers themselves, so I know this next paragraph will most likely pertain to 98% of everyone reading this.  Have you ever thought about taking the gorgeous photos from your blog and compiling them into a book that you can pull out 20 years from now and say,  Oh, man, did I dress well.  Or maybe you want to make a book to sell; perhaps something along the lines of How to Dress Well (written by A Well-Dressed Blogger).  Whatever your level of vanity, there is a Blurb book just waiting for you to publish it.  And the friendly Blurbians (that's people who work at Blurb, if you didn't know) have put together this helpful little list of tips for a perfect fashion photo shoot.

1. It’s all about lighting. To make your fashion really pop, choose natural light or studio light with a soft box (you can even make one from a lamp and last season’s white t-shirt). If you’re using a flash, you’ll probably want to bounce it or stick a diffusion filter on it.

2. Make a shot list. This is a critical step, and even more important if you are photographing models. Even if your model is just your best friend who owes you a favor, they’ll appreciate it if you know exactly what you want to shoot. Think about the poses you want to capture, the outfits you want them to wear, and the details that you want to highlight in every shot. 

3. White balance (WB). Accurate color and skin tones come from making sure the WB function on your camera is set to your lighting situation. 

4. Choose the right lens/zoom setting. If you’re using a wide angle, you’re going to lose your beautiful lines. If you have a camera with different zoom levels, zoom out to minimize lens barrel distortion. 

5. Keep it stylish. It’s a fashion shoot, after all. Play music, keep things moving, try new angles. Attitude, attitude, attitude. 

6. Dress it up. Make your book as fashionable as the clothing featured in it. Choose a simple design that doesn’t upstage the clothing, but still looks chic. Pick a size and paper type that showcases the work brilliantly.

Start your Blurb book now and Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb.

5 Tips for Layering Jewelry

 

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I'm having an arm party and you're all invited.  Actually, I highly encourage you to throw your own!  And while you're at it, include your neck and fingers once in a while.  They're feeling kind of left out.  But you should know that there's an art to the layer.  So before you go layering all willy nilly, here are some tips on how to layer your jewelry without looking like a six year old who just raided her Grandma's jewelry box.  

1. Pick One

The best way to keep your look on the sophisticated side is to only select one jewelry style to layer.  If you're going to layer necklaces, only layer necklaces.  If you're going to layer bracelets, only layer bracelets.  This keeps you from overwhelming your look with too many accessories.  The only exception is when the jewelry is all very delicate; then go nuts!

2. Choose Different Lengths

When you're layering necklaces, be sure to select different lengths.  You want each piece to be displayed naturally.  If all of your necklaces are the same length, they not only block each others' view, but they're more likely to get tangled.  You should choose different lengths for bracelets, too (or at the least, choose adjustable ones so you can place them where you'd like).  This way, you can have bracelets at different places along your arm, instead of a jumble down at the bottom of your wrist.

3. Choose Different Styles, Textures, Colors, Materials, etc.

Probably the most fun part of layering jewelry is getting to showcase your creativity.  With necklaces, make sure that you're mixing it up, say pearls and diamonds coupled with a long gold chain.  If you're layering bracelets, try mixing something like gemstone bracelets with thin bangles and woven cloth bracelets.  If you're layering rings, try a fancy diamond ring with a simple metal band, plus a delicate ring in an interesting shape.  Part of the fun of trying different styles is mixing classics like diamonds or gold with something fun and unexpected like ball chains, animal charms, or geometric shapes.  Ultimately, you want the grouping to reflect the fun, stylish girl that is you!

4. Thin It Out

When layering, it's important not to combine too many chunky pieces with each other.  Combining heavy looks is likely to make the style look weighed down, and could also make you look bigger in the process.  Keep the necklaces, bracelets, and rings thin and slim so that you look thin and slim by association.

5. Let Your Jewelry Talk

You want to let your jewelry make the statement, so don't confuse the look by wearing busy prints or bright colors.  The closer your clothing is to the jewelry, the more neutral it should be.  For instance, if you're layering necklaces, wear a solid colored blouse or sweater.  If you're layering bracelets, wear a shirt with short sleeves (or push the sleeves up).

Basically, your goal is to have fun with the jewelry and to let it help you express your personality.  Follow these tips, and you'll be the life of the (arm) party.  I guarantee it.

This post sponsored by Anjolee.  As always, all opinions are 100% mine.