Monday, January 3, 2011

You’ve Gotten Into My Bloodstream

12.28.10

This is another Christmas gift. I choose this one at Nordstrom Rack. There was a lot of debate and back and forth. It wasn't cheap. So I needed to make sure it would be worth the investment. I had originally tried on another one (same sweater, same size, just not THIS sweater) and something seemed oddly unflattering about it. I still really loved it. I wore it around the store for a while. Eventually I decided I did like it, but something told me I might want to try on another. So I did. And this one was much better. There was something funky about the pockets on the other one. I’m not saying this one is the most flattering thing ever, I don’t think it is really. But I love it in spite of that. I love the colors and the shape and all the little details. I love that when I lose a button I can replace it with pretty much whatever I want. And I love the remixing possibilities.

12.28.10

I also love that I can pair it with that lace skirt. I find the black one almost impossible NOT to wear but the green one has been harder for me to style. I don’t think it comes across in the photos, but the sweater actually has little bits of sage green running through it (and pink, and lilac , and purple, and mauve, and grey and light blue and gold and more!).

12.28.10

Oh! And these photos are about a week old, so I forgot you hadn’t seen them yet, but check out those Doc Martin wedges. Nathan thrifted them for about 10 bucks. He saw them and made a mental note. Then he came home and asked what size I wore in Docs. A few days later he went back and as luck would have it, these were still there. They are in like new condition and the previous owner used an additional insole, so the original insole has not even shaped to another foot, meaning I can break these in as mine all mine. I love how they have sort of a “creeper” feel to them. And they are SO COMFY. It’s almost unreasonable.

I’m having a really hard time finding photo editing software I don’t hate. I normally use Microsoft Office Picture Manager, which I love. I don’t need much. I need to crop, I need to adjust the brightness levels and contrast and really that’s about it. I don’t correct flaws or edit backgrounds. My images are pretty darn close to their raw format. And I like them that way. I tried Photoshop over the weekend (free trial version) and I hate it. I also hate GIMP. Mostly I just want Microsoft Office Picture Manager back, but I don’t have Office on my new laptop and I cannot figure out for the life of me if Picture Manager is included in the home and/or student packs. The listings talk a lot about how you can edit right in Word, but I don’t need or want to do that really. I want to edit each picture QUICKLY and move on. If you have the home or student version of Office 2010, did it come with Picture Manger? Do they just not consider it important enough to list on the package detail or is it not in there? As much as I want to go back to it, I can’t see spending upwards of 300 bucks to get the full on version of Office with tons of stuff I’ll never use. I’m also open to trying something similar if anyone has a recommendation, but nothing web-based. Our internet connection at home just doesn’t support that kind of thing when we are both online.


Sweater Coat, Free People, Christmas gift from Nathan
Layering Cardigan, American Apparel, Christmas gift from Nathan
Tank, Urban Outfitters
Skirt and tights, Target
Boots, Doc Martins, thrifted by Nathan

30 comments:

tryjen said...

How about Picasa? The desktop software is free, has everything you need, and is integrated with Blogger anyway. I think Blogger stores your photos in a Picasa web album, come to think of it. Anyway: http://picasa.google.com/

cwhf said...

I am a recent convert to the big chunky sweater and I love this one. It's quirky and I love anything with purple in it so complete win.

I edit my photos in flickr using Picnik. I basically crop, resize and minor light correct (I am far from expert on this). Works ok and it's easy.

Unknown said...

I love this sweater coat - the colors are amazing and it adds such a great punch to the outfit!! I love how you paired it with that skirt and floral top - amazing!!

Anonymous said...

That sweater looks sinfully comfy! Glad you splurged. You deserve it.

christina said...

Love the sweater, good choice :) I wonder how it would look if you did a chunky belt around your waist? could be cool but i'm no fashionista...

also, if you ever want a quick photoshop tutorial i can show you exactly what you need to use and it will be super quick. you can just ignore all the other tools you don't need.

Anonymous said...

Another vote for Picasa! Also, love the sweater-coat! =)

hillary said...

have you tried picnik? you can go via your photos on flickr or if you go direct there are much more options.

Autumn said...

Picassa is okay.... Try IrfanView. Its freeware, and you can do those simple things you do with picture manager. I don't like how Picassa wants to import all my photos and make albums and stuff. Every time I opened it, I saw pictures I didn't want to see. Trust me, IrfanView is what you need!

hillary said...

Sorry didn't see the not web based.
did you try photoshop elements too? its the simpler version

rlutz said...

That sweater is amazing...love the texture and all the colors...great how you mixed it with the lace and the patterned top...cannot wait to see how else you are going to style it!

Someone said...

1. I know what you mean...that sweater "shouldn't" be flattering, but it's awesome! As a knitter, I don't often care for storebought, but that one is really. nice.

2. Free People sells at Nordy?? They used to be an obscure brand found only at Urban Outfitters back in the day (of course, so was Anthropologie!)

3. Nice score on the Doc Martens!

4. What you want is Paint.net, which is...FREE. Way easier to use than the Gimp, and has more functionality than some other stuff but isn't as crazy as Photoshop.

Elia said...

I really like using Picasa for quick and easy touch ups/edits. You can download the desktop version instead of using the online version.

xo!
Elia//Style Waistland

Joy said...

That sweater has lots and lots of possiblities! It'll go with almost everything and it looks comfortable.

I use Piknik on Flickr. It's free and easy.

Unknown said...

I love the colors of the coat, I can't wait to see how else you remix it!

Those Doc's rare a ridiculous find, congrats :)

Anonymous said...

Love that sweater coat - I'll bet you'll find a million ways to wear it! I have rediscovered docs. I love them. I wore them endlessly in high school and am pleased to have them back in my closet. As for photo editing, I use Picasa. I'm really not techy at all, and I find it really user friendly.

Anonymous said...

Loooove that sweater. Who care if it's not the more flattering thing? If you like it, that's all that matters. Plus, I adore it, so it has at least one other fan!

Keep Warm (Danielle) said...

That sweater looks so magical! I have nothing to add to the photo editor discussion as I have no idea what to do that with. Good luck!

Alison at Wardrobe Oxygen said...

The sweater coat is like a long, high-necked funky quirky version of a Chanel jacket and I love it!

Love all the feedback on photo editors as that I am in the same situation looking for software...

Brittney said...

May I include one of your photos in my blog post for tomorrow (Tuesday) about how to wear belts? Let me know if you'd rather I didn't.
Thanks!
-Brittney
http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com

Louise said...

Aw, who cares what is 'flattering?' I just love that you look happy and confident, which makes it flattering! You're so pretty with your lace skirt, too!

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

I use picnik - http://www.picnik.com

It's free and does pretty much anything you want. You can upgrade to a fancier version but I don't find I need it.

Heidi Williams said...

Another option for editing - i dont think anyone has mentioned. Have you heard of, or tried using www.Picnik.com It's free and then they have some fancy stuff that is premium (which is 24$ a year) this is a web based editing - super awesome. I used it for a long time until i started getting more serious and now use photoshop. The great thing about picnik is that you can upload and then its on the web and you can acess it anywhere for editing. Its very integrated with a lot of websites, including facebook/flickr/picassa/photobucket, etc..... Anyway, its def worth checking out if you havent found a solution yet.

-Heidi

WendyB said...

Excellent thrift find with the shoes!

K said...

I love the sweater! I've been looking for a long chunky black sweater but I haven't found one I like yet :)

I use IrfanView. It's free and pretty easy to use :)
http://www.irfanview.com/

FutureLint said...

The colors in that cardigan are beautiful - I seem to love EVERYTHING by Free People! Great idea pairing it with the green skirt!

Kelly said...

that sweater coat = awesome

Unfortunately I have no advice about the editing I use photoshop. Even though I only use about three things in it.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love that sweater coat - it's beautiful! And I don't think it's unflattering really - not on the grand scale of chunky cardigans at least! Cx

A Day in the Life of One Girl said...

I use Picasa - its not that bad. Nothing too crazy and all fancy that will drive you insane. Plus, I just click the upload button and it goes straight to the web album. Then when you are writing your post, you just insert straight from the album. Its suuuper fast. I have a kiddo running around and need super fast. Don't have time for photoshop

Unknown said...

Here's a link to a free download of MS Picture Manager (the 2003 version)

http://www.brothersoft.com/microsoft-office-picture-manager-download-171868.html

HTH!

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