Friday 17 September 2021

How to look confident on camera

look more confident on camera
 
how to look confident on camera
confident on camera

The professionals definitely make it look easy but if you're somebody who hates being on camera and struggles to feel confident, you are not alone! Many people feel uncomfortable being in front of the lens but there are ways to appear more confident on camera even when you're not feeling it.

Being a blogger, I'm generally used to having my photo taken but there have been times when I'm shooting out in public and I feel awkward. The last thing I'd want is for that to translate on film so in order to appear more confident in the photos, I'll follow a few steps to combat the shyness.

Keep a natural gaze

My favourite tip is to imagine you're smiling at a loved one or your celebrity crush instead of down the barrel of a lens. This will (hopefully) make you feel more at ease, and keep your smile feeling more natural rather than forced. Try to avoid fixating your eyes on the lens by keeping your eye movements relaxed. If you need to, take a brief moment to look away or look down before looking back at the camera.

Fix your posture

Fixing my posture and standing tall always makes me feel more confident, whether on camera or just in real life! Keep your core tight, pull your shoulders back and neck tall, but do so without tensing. Tensing will make you look more rigid which is what we're trying to avoid.

If in doubt, smile

It's no secret that your facial expression will be a big part of how you'll translate on camera. Try to relax your facial muscles. Don't be afraid to try a few funny faces if it'll make you feel more at ease and if in doubt, just smile!

Consider your body language

Personally, I like to experiment with poses. I'll create movement by positioning my arms, hands and legs in specific positions. One of my go-to stances is to stand tall with one leg in front of the other, clutching or gently swinging a handbag. If you follow me on Instagram, you may be already familiar with this one!

Dress for the occasion

Wear an outfit that you feel most confident in. Do you see those black heeled boots in the pictures above? Those boots make me feel like I could take on the world. It's important you feel happy in what you're wearing so dress with comfort and confidence in mind.

Stay cool under pressure

When we're the subject of a photographer, it's easy to be extra hard on yourself in that moment. Before the image has even been taken, you may find yourself already thinking "oh, I'll look awful". Don't! Give yourself a chance by remembering it's only a photo - a photo that can be ripped up and deleted if needed. You never know, if you're happy with it, it could be a photo that you cherish for years to come and use to remember a fond memory.

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Monday 17 May 2021

Why the H&M wildflower collection is just what we need right now

h&m wildflower dress

h&m wildflowers

close up of wildflower collection

wildflower meadow dress
h&m wildflower collection dress


 If a clothing collection ever had my name written all over it, it's the H&M wildflower collection. Each piece of this collection is adorned by dainty floral designs inspired by the beauty of our natural surroundings. It was born as a result of the uncertain times we're all facing, having been in and out of lockdown multiple times. That feeling of wanting to escape has been common for most. For me, often the only way to do that was to go out for a quiet walk in nature and admire the changing of the seasons. I won't be alone in saying how much nature has helped me carry hope and belief in the beauty of life over the past year. It's even more prominent now than ever before and the wildflower collection truly triumphs that.


The background behind this collection is a beautiful story within itself. The prints were designed and hand painted in house by H&M's print designers Abigail, Holly, Kavita and Florentin. They walked through fields of wildflowers seeking their muse and inspiration then sketched down designs, alive and untamed - just like what they had seen at the meadows. The flowers were hand painted in water colour giving them a soft and subtle look, mimicking that of real delicate petals. 


With sustainability at its heart, the range is made entirely from 100 percent organic cotton and a cotton-linen mix. In a soft colour palette, the clothes are beautifully vintage inspired yet kept in line with contemporary features, such as puffed sleeves and cut out detailing.


For a high street brand to connect with people in this way is refreshing and up-lifting. It feels as though we've got to see the creative process and the people behind the designs.

 The collection launched on April 12 and most pieces sold out within a day. You can still find a few pieces from the wildflower collection online and in store, but here's to hoping they'll be a second drop and extension of this stunning collection coming soon.


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Friday 14 May 2021

5 Easy Sustainable Beauty Swaps You Can Make Every Day

sustainable beauty swaps

Sustainable beauty is a hot topic right now and rightly so. As a beauty product loving human, I am not perfect but I'm certainly trying to make sustainable beauty swaps every day to be more conscious of the products I am using and reduce waste. 


Before you read any further, I must add a disclaimer that if you are looking for a sustainability expert, I hold my hands up that I do not know enough about this topic to be considered an expert.


Swap out single use cotton pads for re-usable pads

I was skeptical at first but honestly, I'm embarrassed that I didn't make this swap sooner. The product is a diamond! Not only are these re-usable pads softer on the skin than disposable cotton pads, they're very easily washable by hand with soap and water or in the washing machine with detergent for a deeper clean. I use the Garnier Reusable Makeup Remover Eco Pads, linked below.

Use refillable containers 

As cute as they look, it's time to ditch the travel sized mini beauty products in favour of refillable bottles. By buying minis, you're wasting additional plastic that didn't need to be wasted. Save yourself a few pennies by investing in refillable travel beauty bottles and top them up with your full size product every time you go away.


Recycle containers

Avoiding plastic where you can is a good idea but it's often difficult to avoid in our current day and age. Opting for glass or aluminium containers is a much better option than plastic because it can be recycled indefinitely, meaning it can be recycled over and over again without ever losing its quality. Once your beauty products are empty, if it's eligible to be recycled, give the bottle a rinse and pop it straight in your recycling bin or bottle bank. Alternatively, certain beauty brands such as MAC will offer you incentives to bring back your empties into the store to be recycled.


Swap liquids for solids

One of the easiest ways to turn your beauty routine either plastic free or less plastic reliant is by switching from liquids to soaps or bars instead. In addition to requiring less packaging, solids such as soaps are more affordable and will last longer than liquids due to their higher concentration.


Wave goodbye to single use face wipes

I gave these up long, long ago! While the convenience of a single use face wipe is undeniable, their cost on our environment is ghastly, especially when they're disposed of in the wrong places and end up blocking drains and littering up our rivers. 

In fact, I've never used a disposable face wipe and found it to cleanse my skin as thoroughly as a hot face cloth and cleanser so you'll be doing your skin a favour. Since removing face wipes from my beauty routine, I've swapped them out for a muslin cloth. The fabric is ever so soft on my skin but gently cleansing too. 


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Wednesday 5 May 2021

The Best Affordable Dior Dupes

dior dupe jewellery

dior dupe necklace

Dior is without a doubt one of my most adored luxury brands but I can't quite afford the bags of my dreams just yet! With that in mind, I'll often come across pieces that remind me of the extraordinary taste of Dior without being the real deal or having the real deal price tag. Of course, they will not have the same quality level or be manufactured in the same way but they will excite my personal style and provide the tiniest hint of Dior I'm craving for. From jewellery to hats and handbags, scroll down to unveil the best affordable Dior dupes and click the photos to shop them.


Dior handbags: the real deal



Dior handbags: the dupes




Dior jewellery: the real deal



Dior jewellery: the dupes




Dior accessories: the real deal




Dior accessories: the dupes


Saturday 1 May 2021

30 of This Season's Best Luxury Gold Jewellery Pieces


Deia Ear Cuff, Monica Vinader 

My love affair with jewellery started long ago. First hunting through second-hand vintage pieces at car boot sales and then making my own beaded jewellery as a young teen. While I occasionally still dabble in both of those things, my eye for jewellery is usually drawn by minimalist metal pieces and those with a little sparkle. I'm talking about the kind of jewels that you can wear every day in comfort and quiet confidence. Find 30 of this season's best luxury gold jewellery pieces below.


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Friday 30 April 2021

How to find your style and stick to it


Believe me when I say I've spent many years wondering who I am, what I like and who I am supposed to be but I don't think I ever really had ALL the answers. I mean, does anyone? 


That being said, as I have grown older I've never felt more comfortable in who I am and what I like than now. When you're younger, it's exciting to try as many fashion styles as possible and experiment but over the years I've developed my taste to know what suits my body and what I like best. I no longer waste money on fads and trends that I'll never wear again. Instead I opt for timeless pieces and before buying, I'll always ask myself: "would Evie in five years time wear this?" If the answer is no absolutely not, then the hanger gently goes back on the shelf. Now I know that thinking far into the future is sometimes a daunting prospect but in this instance, it prevents me from investing in pieces that I simply will not love for years to come. For me, that's worth letting my mind wonder forward for.


houndstooth blazer

How to find your style


Think about your wardrobe. What pieces spark the most joy for you? For me, these are my fluttery floral dresses, my elegant Coach Tabby black handbag and my fierce houndstooth print blazer. Have you got some pieces in mind? Great! Now let's break those pieces down into colour, prints and styles. For me, it's clear from my love of floral dresses that I adore soft pastel tones, nature inspired prints and elegant, flattering fits. From my love of my houndstooth print blazer and black handbag, it's clear I am equally a big fan of power dressing garments, neutral and monochrome colour palettes and pieces that hold a little structure.


coach tabby bag

When I'm stuck for things to wear or buy, I'll keep a mental note in my mind of brands within my typical budget that I always end up looking to for inspiration and newness. That way, when I'm in need of a new outfit, I can almost rely on at least one of those brands pull something out the bag that I'd be interested in wearing. To name drop a few: Zara, H&M, Mango and Oasis have all been sending my bank balance in a spin lately so I'd likely search their new in collections down first before anything else.


When it comes to finding your style, over time it may alter and change - of course it will! But I do believe that we can easily create a little more consistency in our wardrobe just as much as we do in our day-to-day routines with defining our go-to looks. If you're feeling a bit meh, lost or confused about your own fashion style (we've all been there!) try the above to help you define your main style pillars and go from there. 


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Monday 28 December 2020

Reflecting on 2020 and What It Has Taught me



2020 has been a year like no other. It'll be no surprise that I've been pondering the content of this post for weeks already; wondering where on earth to begin and how to phrase a year that has caused us all so much distress, sacrifice and pain in a positive light. Although it's been a tough year, with each year passing there will always be lessons to learn, things to be grateful for and reflections to be had.


Like others, I've had my low moments this year and at times, I've felt guilty for it. A key lesson I've learned this year is that all feelings are valid. We'll all be going through our own troubles, some will be worse than others but that doesn't mean your problems hurt you any less. 


As our normality shut down back in March, I began working from home full time for what I thought would be a maximum of 12 weeks. This time last year, if you'd have told me I'd be working from home for 10 months and still ongoing until further notice, I'd have never believed you. What it has taught me is that I am much more resilient than I give myself credit for, so much so that despite it all, I received a promotion this year. I also recognise the privilege that is working from my home when others may have much tougher conditions to cope with. It may be small, rented and claustrophobic at times, but it's quiet, clean and facilitated with all that I need to continue working. For that, I am very grateful. 


In 2020, I realised the sheer strength of my love for my family and friends. Prior to this year, I'd travel home to see my family every 2-4 weeks on average. Due to the several lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions, I have hardly seen them this year. I've had moments of pure frustration. I've felt upset and angry at the time that has been stolen away from us to be together, but my care for them is greater and stronger than anything. Keeping them all safe and healthy is a priority and once the pandemic is over, I'll give them the biggest hug ever (probably sobbing everywhere at the same time).


I'm incredibly lucky to have had my partner by my side this year. He's been the one picking me up in those challenging moments and getting through it all together has been a testament to our love.


Throughout the ups and downs of the last 12 months, the support of my blogging community has remained. Sometimes I find it tough to share my vulnerability online but each time I have shared my soul with you, you've shown me kindness and I am extremely thankful. At times when I've felt alone, you've reminded me that I am not and I hope that I remind you of that too. 


It wouldn't be right to talk about 2020 without dedicating thanks to our frontline staff and essential workers. You've really carried our country through this year. Your resilience, hard work and bravery is admirable and no words will ever express our gratitude for the heroes that you are. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for others.


Who knows what 2021 will bring for us but what I do know is that we will face it with the same courage, strength and togetherness that we have faced this year with. I pray for brighter days ahead and I wish you a safe, Happy New Year. 


Love, 

Evie xxx


Saturday 12 December 2020

Christmas Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

Christmas Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

Decorating your home for Christmas is such a joy but it can be a challenge within itself, especially if you only have a small space to work with. We live in a one bedroom flat, just the two of us. It's lovely but it's not great on the storage side of things and it can feel a little cramped at times. Although, that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the festive season and Christmas decorating.

Here's some Christmas decorating ideas for small spaces that have helped me decorate our small apartment...

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WREATH DECORATION, FROM FRONT DOOR TO FESTIVE CHEER!


One of the most heart warming decorations to enjoy at Christmas is a festive wreath. Whether you buy a wreath already decorated or decorate it yourself, they're such a delightful, neighbourly sight when you come home at the end of the day. One of my favourite things around this time of year is seeing houses with their festive decorations up, each unique with a personal touch. I don't see why apartments should miss out on that?

I decorated our wreath this year using a wreath kit. I loved every second of getting my creative juices flowing and decorating it exactly how I wanted. Discover my guide, 'How to Decorate a Christmas Wreath' here


Christmas Wreath Decoration

Christmas Wreath

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE


Coming home to the smell of a real Christmas tree is such a privilege but when you have a smaller space, it makes much more sense to invest in an artificial tree that is easy to set up and store each year. We bought ours from B&Q a few years back and it has served us well so far. I must admit, it was one of the most affordable options and it's a bit dark in colour for my liking but it does the job and looks lovely once decorated. To give it a frosted look, I have invested in a snow spray in the past which worked really well. Having a smaller space, we couldn't invest in a proper tree base because we can't store it easily and it would be wasteful not to keep it for years to come. As a solution, I wrap my faux fur blanket around the base. The blanket is light brown in colour, almost replicating soil and is lovely to lay the presents on.




Christmas Tree Decorations

Christmas Tree Decoration

NUTCRACKER NOSTALGIA 


Bringing character and cheekiness are my Christmas nutcrackers. My parents bought us these as a gift and I completely love them! They take me back to being a little girl watching the film 'Barbie In The Nutcracker' on an old school chunky TV. From mini ones to giant ones, just sit them on a shelf or alongside your tree for instant festive fun.



Christmas Nutcracker

Christmas Nutcracker Decorations

Christmas Nutcracker Decoration

CANDLES FOR FESTIVE AROMAS


When dressing our space for Christmas, I like to consider experience as well as appearance. Although the sight of Christmas decoration ignites such a warm and cosy feeling, the smell of Christmas is equally unbeatable. The warm festive glow and satisfying scents of candles are certainly a key element of festive decor not to be missed.




FESTIVE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS


Flowers at Christmas are such a delight! Festive greens and deep romantic reds are one of my favourite combinations for this time of year, along with snowy whites and pretty pinecones. Whether they're a centrepiece for your Christmas Day dinner table or a special gift from a loved one, flowers are a very special touch. Seasonally, you'll find most florists combining beautiful roses with bountiful chrysanthemums,  festive foliage and berries at this time of year.

Festive Flower Bouquet

Christmas Flowers

Follow me on Instagram for more ideas @evieroselane



Sunday 6 December 2020

How to Decorate a Christmas Wreath

christmas wreath

close up of wreath

For the first time this year, I got stuck in and decorated my own Christmas wreath. Despite the perfectionist in me, I found it surprisingly straight forward and effective. Having a hand in the creation process and personalising it myself certainly made it even more special too. 


HERE'S HOW TO DECORATE A CHRISTMAS WREATH...


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You'll need:
- A pack of thin wire (like this)
- A pre-prepared wreath base or wreath kit (I got mine from Bloom & Wild, get £10 off your first order here.)
- Items for decoration
- A bunch of mixed foliage
- Ribbon (I used this one here)
- Floristry scissors (like these)


1. Firstly gather up all your decorative items and separate them into clear piles by type. I used gold sprayed seed heads, pinecones, guinea fowl feathers and a collection of different foliage for mine!

2. Trim your foliage into sprigs around 3-6 inches long in length. You can bunch 2 or 3 sprigs together or keep them separate. 

christmas wreath kit


3. Next take one wire and tie it around the base or stem of your decoration. Leave one end of wire two thirds longer than the other and twist the shorter end around the remaining wire so it's neatly concealed. If you're using feathers like me, you should be able to poke these in without needing wire.

4. Placing your wreath on the table in front of you, position the first foliage or decoration pointing clockwise. Once you're happy with the position, feed the wire through the back of your wreath, fixing it around the back with the remaining wire.

decorating a christmas wreath



5. Carry on adding your decoration and foliage around your Christmas wreath. A good tip is to add your decorations pointing the same direction and evenly space out the different types.

6. Finally tie the ribbon in a bow on the top or bottom of your wreath. You can also tie a smaller length of ribbon in a small hoop at the top on the reverse side to hang your wreath to the door or wall.

If you gave wreath decorating a go after this post, let me know in the comments or tag me at @evieroselane on Instagram!

finished christmas wreath


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