The Next Big Thing: Flixel Photos

Through watching the 20th cycle of America's Next Top Model, I discovered Flixel Photos. An app and piece of software that enables you to create your own cinemagraph - or Flixel. A combination of a still photograph and video, they are a new and exciting way to show an image and tell a story. Flixel Photos will be perfect for my Next Big Thing brief, and I am looking forward to researching more into the app and company.

flixel.com

What I got for Christmas 2014

Christmas. I love the whole process; choosing a present (although it can be hard to think of certain family members, I'm thinking of you Nan!), wrapping it, watching it sit under the tree (in my case only for a matter of hours, I finished wrapping at 11:45pm on Christmas Eve), to seeing people's faces when they open it (silently praying they like it). And of course receiving, I can't lie. 

For those who are much more organised than me, their presents had been sitting there under the tree for a little while, and despite studying their shapes and sizes, I didn't have a clue what the festive wrapping paper masked.

To say the following photo shows a lot of presents sitting and around the Christmas tree is an understatement. This year there was 9 of us on Christmas Day, the most we'd had for years. It was lovely spending time with my family and friends I hadn't seen properly since before I went off to uni. And of course, I ate and drank far too much and am currently slouched on the sofa watching everything and anything.

One of my all time favourite posts to read is what people got for Christmas, and I thought I'd share some of the goodies I received from my family and friends.

Life in photos #12

Today I managed to stuff myself with even more food and also had 2 naps. Boxing Day accomplished.

1. Rummaging through the pressies - who's that for then, Maddie? | 2. Christmas morning breakfast | 3. The dogs enjoying their Christmas treats | 4. Looking a little lost there | 5. My Nanny knitted the cutest little covers for a Ferraro Rocher | 6. There's no room for you Daisy | 7. It's all too much for her | 8. Found this little one hiding away from all the noise and commotion | 9. Baby

Life in photos #11

1. Cheeky selfie | 2. Gorgeous stripes notebook for the next term from Sighh Designs | 3. Catch up with my friends | 4. Macaroons at Westfield | 5. Christmas meal at a friends house, homemade pavlova | 6. GBK | 7. Sweet potato chips and baconaise sauce | 8. Two icons | 9. A lovely necklace I bought for my friend Sarah for Christmas 

Term One: reflection

My first term of university is over. 10 weeks away from home living a brand new life and experiences.

I have changed so much in 10 weeks, and I can't begin to describe how weird it is going back to a place (home) where basically nothing had changed. I've changed a lot as a person, in a good way and for the better I'd like to think, and I have really felt my confidence and happiness blossom.

Solve Sundsbo x Kendall ON Cara = LOVE

Wow.

Face of the Future - Steven Meisel

For my visual critique essay I have decided to talk about this image, photographed by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, 2012. I love the composition of the image and feel there is a lot of connotations: the mask, the eyes, the make up.

Life in photos #10

1. Caramel cream frappuccino on my train journey home | 2. Also assisting me on my journey | 3. Watching my favourite film on the train | 4. I was so pleased to see his little face | 5. Loved this in IKEA | 6. A trip to IKEA can not be complete without the meatballs | 7. When the sun shines in winter it makes everything look beautiful | 8. Burning this beast | 9. My Nanny always makes the best Christmas cards

Quote from Timba Smits

"In life we do things. Many things. Some we wish we had never done. Some we wish we could replay a million times over in our heads. But they all make us who we are and in the end they shape every aspect, every detail about us. If we were to reverse any of them we wouldn't be the person we are. So just LIVE, make mistakes, have wonderful memories but NEVER second guess who you are, the things you have done, where you have been and most importantly where it is you're GOING."

RAW PRINT - 03/13/14

Life in photos #9

1. Anything is possible | 2. I can't lie, almost bought this for myself! | 3. I never thought I'd be purchasing toy ponies for my degree (Object of Desire brief) | 4. Flat family Christmas meal | 5. RAW Print lecture | 6. 2nd Christmas meal with the gang | 7. Why not? | 8. My secret santa present, the amount of wrapping was crazy... | 8. This is what was in the big box in all of the wrapping! I've been needing a travel mug for ages and it's travel themed = so me

Christmas List 2014

Now the first term of uni is over I thought I'd gather a range of things that have made it onto my christmas list this year.

Object of Desire

On Monday we were set the task of a photo brief, with the theme of an "object of desire". We were told to focus on a particular item such as a trainer, a mascara or a bag. After looking at this Pinterest board, I was particularly inspired by the use of small toys with an item of make up. And here is what I created...

Visual Critique: Steven Meisel

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's

Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's (Matthew Miele, 2013) is a documentary showing behind the scenes at Bergdorf Goodman, the iconic department store in Manhattan. There are a range of interviews with designers, celebrities and style icons. It was a real treat to see how the window displays came to life, watching the extravagant designs crafted by hand, all leading up to the big reveal.

"If fashion had a home, this would be the address."

The changing face of fashion: Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner. I'm sure a lot of connotations pop into your head when you see/hear her name. Kardashians and Kim most likely to be the first few words. However it appears model is now starting to creep in. 

Which I personally am a huge fan of.

I can't stand the fact that she is getting so much hate and abuse from this all. She's beautiful, tall and can photographic fashion like a dream. Why doesn't she deserve to be a model when she has all the qualities to be one? Because of her family name? And being a sister in the "Kardashian Krew"? If so, it's absurd.

When I first saw her cover for Dazed and Confused I was so excited. Not only did she look insane, I really felt she was starting to be taken seriously. Possibly my favourite part of the piece is the Kendall Jenner Burn Book video.

With all this hate coming her way, left, right and centre, what best way to deal with it? Write a burn book, obviously...