Instagram Inspiration

Hey Surfers!

So I have a mini post for you this week. I was going to write a continuation on the Topshop and Olympus pen feature but the last few weeks have been insane; my lovely cousin announced his engagement and the wedding was to follow just two weeks after!! I was also asked to be his official photographer (helped out by my two beautiful little nieces) so with everything going on I haven't been able to edit the London pictures...sorry guys.

I still wanted to put something up so I thought I would show you all a couple of things I've been playing around with.

 In my photography course we have been learning about composition and the skills involved. I always see these amazing flat lay pictures on Instagram from famous YouTubers and Bloggers so wanted to try my hand at it. I've coupled what I've seen on Instagram with what I have learnt from my class and came up with these pictures. Enjoy!

If any of you are wondering the lipsticks are Mac Matte Lipstick in "Taupe" and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 477 "Black Cherry". 

The sunglasses are from Toyshades. I picked them up from their stand in the Oxford Circus Topshop; amazed to find prescription sunglasses for only £40.00! 

I used my make up for these shots but might try books next time. The pictures are all photoshopped just to brighten them up as my kitchen doesn't have the best light; I also enhanced the colours.

I had no idea how to get the white background that I've seen in other pictures, so I constructed a make shift studio out of layers of printer paper! 

I hope you enjoyed this little post. I'll be back soon, you never know when a new post will appear!

Love Lily

X

Birthday shopping on the Champs-Élysées - Parisian Getaway ~ Day Three

 Hey Surfers!

Please excuse my long absence, the injury to my arm was worse than I'd realised which means very limited (if any at all) laptop use.

Today I'm bringing you the final day of my trip to Paris; my birthday! It was definitely one of my most memorable. I woke up in Paris to presents and a day filled with shopping, though that was after frantic packing and leaving our suitcases behind in the lockers of Gare Du Nord.

Our first stop was the Galeries Lafayette; an enormous, Harrodsesque shopping mall which had a focus on high end products. Their displays were beautiful and I had to hold myself back from buying everything in sight.

The Galeries Lafayette

Their Christmas decorations were absolutely stunning, but I didn't want to pull out my giant DSLR in such a place so did some incognito papping on my phone.

I had a specific goal in this shopping centre. 

The only souvenir I wanted to bring back from Paris (other than two full memory cards) was the Pandora Eiffel Tower charm for my bracelet; though I was well aware that nearly every other owner of a Pandora bracelet would have had the same idea and...I was right. 

When we finally found the Pandora stand they told me that the Eiffel Tower was completely sold out! but they did have the version which was somewhat more expensive and featured a small gold heart. As I had decided I would buy the charm whilst planning the trip I couldn't help myself and bought it. :)

After picking this up we had a look around the rest of the shopping centre and found some gifts for friends and family. I also found this delicious French coffee which I have been enjoying since we got back. 

In the background is one of the presents my mother bought for me. Pop up map of Paris :)

A good few hours later we decided to make our final stop The Avenue des Champs Elysees to see another one of Paris' most famous landmarks: The Arc de Triomph.

So wonderfully detailed

It was a beautiful and imposing structure; I must have taken a hundred pictures before I realised we were running low on time and still wanted to explore the street for the famous shopping experience.

a picturesque side street

Found the Pathe offices!

Didn't have the time to go in here :(

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves strolling down the Avenue in the winter wind, choosing presents for my siblings. I bought myself and my mother some small perfumes as I wanted to purchase something that was exclusive to France (later found out that you can apparently get them over here!) The scent was so unusual and intoxicating, though it has to be used sparingly as it is very concentrated.

Caramelized Pear Perfume!
 Mum's gift making a perfect background here :) 

Unfortunately we had to leave soon after to navigate the Metro back to Gard du Nord and collect our suitcases. By the time we got on the Eurostar I was utterly exhausted but was looking forward to getting home and seeing the rest of my family for my birthday.

Overall it was an amazing experience and I will definitely be visiting Paris again as I still have so much to see, though next time I may brave the crowds and make a summer trip. 

Don't forget to check out the blogs at the top of my page, I've added a few new ones ;) and you can

look back to Day One and Day Two !

Love Lily.

x