OOTD: We played it on the Gramophone

Have I ever mentioned, I have an extreme affinity for swing music? Whether it be 1920's, gypsy or the good ole footstomping N'Orleans swing - there's something about it that makes me wanna skip about and dance. George actually did a GCSE in Dance and has taught me some of the moves but I take 'foot-stompin' far too literally and end up 'stompin' on peoples feet. Occasionally, the touring 'White Mink' speakeasy event comes to Komedia in Bath (an excellent venue with great artists!) and for one night, everybody dresses the part and dances the Lindyhop, Charleston and Walkabout to brilliantly revived live swing music! Another great pub in Bath, if you're an enthusiast for live music is 'The Bell'. They have such an eclectic and vibrant selection of artists playing from blues, bluegrass and folk to world music, reggae and ska. George has a record player, and although it's not quite a gramophone, we love the sound of vinyl and there's something oddly satisfying about playing a record. 

For the next part in Jesses BA Graphics project, she had to create 'Look Book shots' that were different from the usual. No moody models with jelly spines and expressionless faces allowed :P Because I'm far from model material and I'm the kind of lighthearted person who doesn't take myself too seriously, I was happy to 'fill the role' as I love an excuse for plenty of silliness - and besides, I provide the Camera equipment and on-site technical help! 

I get a few questions about what Camera I use and how I shoot so one day, I'll probably sit down and make a photography post although I'm not sure I have any special advice that you haven't all heard before. Here are a little few fun facts though about my camera and the advice I give to my friends when taking pictures ^.^

I use a Nikon D610 with a 50mm f.1/4 lens most of the time

Always for the love of cake, shoot on manual

Adjust your white balance accordingly 

There's a handy little light meter inside your digital camera that will tell you what the exposure is going to be (if it's over or under exposed) if you're using a SLR. Pay attention to that and adjust the aperture/shutter-speed accordingly and you should be A-Okay! :D 

Shallow depth of field is pretty and good for when you wanna do close ups and focus on something (but that's just my personal opinion)

Take ISO into consideration depending on weather conditions/time of day

Look at the light conditions around you. I find it ALOT easier to shoot when the light is diffused. Glaring sunlight I find really difficult to work with and much prefer shooting in the late afternoon/evening when the light is much prettier (that's pretty lazy of me and bad to admit)

Mist, fog & stormy weather makes for great photographs - Don't assume only the sun makes the best shots

The less mistakes you make when you take the picture, the less editing it requires ^.^

Shoot in RAW (if using a DSLR) - it makes it easier to adjust white outs & over exposed bits

 I'm really lucky, I have a great quality camera which I saved up a long time for to buy and it's a full frame DSLR. I'm always learning how to improve and my photographs are nowhere near perfect, nor is my advice. I would always recommend Nikons because I found them really easy to learn to use. Put a Canon in my hand and I'm totally flummoxed. I just personally can't get along with them although I've seen many fantastic photographs taken on a Canon and I know them to be ace quality. 

Yes, that is duck tape on the bottom of my shoes. These beloved brogues are about 8 years old now and bought in Urban Outfitters on my first ever trip to Bristol. Their flower pattern is pretty faded but I still love them and will determinedly hang onto them until they fall off my feet despite nans efforts to put them in the bin.

I will be completely honest and say I had no qualms about walking around Bath dressed like this. I'm not sure I could get away with it in Cornwall (not that it would stop me! as I'm fairly comfortable in my skin and what I wear). I worried at first before buying this dress that a drop waist style wouldn't suit me as I'm quite curvy and generally it isn't the most flattering style for us voluptuous ladies. However, I was stubborn and tried it on and it didn't look as grim as I had feared and so it went in the shopping cart. I will be wearing it as a summer dress because it's so swishy, comfortable and light and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Dress: Limited Edition by M & S    |    Necklace: Laura Ashley   

Bag: Floozie by Frost French     |     Brogues: Urban Outfitters 

It was free cone day at the Odeon on this day. George works there so he tipped us off and so much ice cream was enjoyed completely gratis. What more could you want out of a spring day? I've been making most of the Easter Holidays despite working two jobs because the days are longer now which means evenings jogging at the canal, trips to the park, swimming, skating and enjoying the little things. Yesterday, we had lunch alfresco on the big flowery roundabout that has all the trees (near the weir) surrounded by the tall beautiful bathstone buildings and Abbey and reflected on our good fortunes. I can hear the sounds of neighbours cutting the grass outside and the birds twittering away and I'm filled with such delight. Good weather has that effect on us, although I did read a quote that said 'there's no such thing as bad weather. Just different types of good weather' :) I think that's true, but even so. It's hard not to love sunny days more than overcast ones :P OH MAN, I CAN HEAR THE ICE CREAM VAN :O :O :O gotta run! cheers and gone!