Photography – lillekins

May 20, 2014May 23, 2014

Free Photo Editing Apps

Since buying myself an ipod touch I’ve loved playing about with the cameras and photo editing apps, they’re fun, fast and fantastic. I’ve always enjoyed taking photos and photoshopping them to perfection but it’s a time consuming process. I found that good photo editing apps are hard to come by, especially free ones. With many like CamWow plastering their tasteless logo onto your snaps, I raided the app store in search of the best free photo editing apps.

MonkiMi is an app created by the youthful clothing store Monki (owned by H&M), It is the only app listened that is completely free of charge with no costly add ons. Simply take a photograph or upload, then watch the magic happen as your eyes enlarge for a super, freaky, cute look. You can also customise your photo with a wide range of frames, stamps, phases and digital makeup. There is even a blur type tool to soften the complexion of your skin, making it look almost perfect. This app is aimed at the fashion savvy, with a range of trendy accessories including hats and jewellery.

Another favourite of mine is Snoopify, set up by the rapper Snoop Dog himself, this app will leave you feeling graciously gangster. Since downloading the app last year he has introduced more free stamps, my personal favourite being the huge cigarette (wait, that’s no cigarette). A few of my personal favourites include a snapback, huge spliff, wedges of cash and a “puff,puff,pass” phrase.

Google’s Snapseed is a slightly more advanced editor; although not my favourite. There is a wide range of filters and frames, it allows you to adjust the saturation, brightness and contrast. You can add analogue effects such as light leaks and scratches. The app also provides other basic tools such as cropping and correcting red eye. Although the application has a vast amount of effects, I think most of the filters tend to make photographs look a little kitsch, tasteless and very amateur in comparison to other apps I have used.

As a lover of Photoshop I was excited to find out they were making their app Photoshop express free, since downloading it last year they haven’t updated it much. My favourite feature on this app is probably the filters, many of them have a very natural look. Other useful features on the app include cropping, sharpen, contrast, clarity, red eye correction and many more. I was very impressed with this app, I felt it gave the most professional results than any other editor I have used before, It was very easy to use and is practically idiot proof.

Rakuga-cute is an amazing app, although Japanese the app is in English, with a wide range of stamps, roll stamps and frames to choose from, you can be sure to make your photos look super kawaii. The app allows you to create colleges too, with existing photographs; which is very unusual for a free app. You can also use monochrome filter; I was intrigued by this feature and never would have expected a it to be free. This app really does give you the flexibility to be as creative as you can, without breaking the bank. You also have the choice to take things alittle feather with buying a few extras from there store.

January 6, 2013January 10, 2013

Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair

Recently I visited Spitalfields market, London, where Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair was held. The events are held at the beginning of every month. I first heard of the market towards the end of last month, there was an event on Facebook that a few people said they we’re attending and I was intrigued. I joined the event immediately and scanned the Facebook pages to find out more about the market, I was instantly impressed and was looking forward to attending.
The market was a mixture of old and new, the newer items were obviously cheaper, Dresses from £12 and necklaces from £5, some stalls weren’t part of Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair, only stalls with Judy’s label on were. Most of the stalls I did approach were vintage, selling lots of delightful treats.

One stall sold vintage inspired pieces, such as dresses for £12 with very sweet and modern prints but had that vintage reminiscence to them; this stall wasn’t part of Judy’s fair but I love my bargains. There we’re quite a few sellers specialising in costume jewellery, one woman made rings with scrabble letters and Lego blocks while others would sell vintage jewellery some dating back to the 1930’s.

I visited Daber Decades stall at the market, the small business specialises in 60’/70’s vintage clothing, I spoke to Sharon who runs the business, she was very humble and she told me she adores the 60s – 70s decades and is keeping it alive today with her wonderful collection. Her stock ranges from Biba to Mary Quant these were some of the biggest names in fashion back then and would probably be compared to todays Topshop. The clothing she had was good quality; I guess you could even say they were fresh from the past. You could easily tell the items she was selling were near enough new, hardly worn and left in the wardrobe.

I couldn’t resist trying one of Flavourtown’s tempting cupcakes; I chose to have the peanut butter cake. The gentleman at the stall recommended the apple cup cake, naming it his favourite. I thought they we’re a tad expensive, £2.50 for one, until I got home and had mine. The sponge was moist and what appeared to be icing, looked like it would be very sickly but I had judged these cakes completely wrong, the icing was the perfect garnish to top the cakes, it wasn’t overly sweet but perfect. It was probably the best cupcake I’ve ever had; I think Flavourtown must have magic in their kitchen because I would never be able to cook up something as fabulous as these.

Love Vintage Had an eye catching display; the whole stall was laced with little trinkets including perfume, jewellery and handmade cards. I was told how the owner loved to collect vintage pieces but was over run and decided to set up a business. I fell in love with the display, it was like a glimpse of fairytale scene, so many wonderful magical things. There was a small box that was over flowing with golden broaches like a miniature pirates treasure chest, my favortive was the little shelf dressed with perfumes, mirrors and other beauty products.

Another stall I visited, Old Pony, were selling had made brooches, the creator told me how he made these intricate pieces with a laser machine. He designed and made necklaces, broaches and for a barging price, necklace from £5, brooch from £3. Considering these are unique one off pieces, meaning they are in the same league as haute couture but much more affordable, it really was an amazing deal. If I had money when I was there, I would have infested in a Diamond necklace, much cheaper and glamours than Tatty Devine.

Unfortunately I didn’t go to the market with a huge amount of money so wasn’t able to buy anything other than my cupcake, I think I will be attending Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair again in the future and take advantage of the bargains to hand. Although I wouldn’t describe the fair as expensive or cheap, Judy had it pretty accurate when she titled the fair as affordable.
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair is not only in London but there are a few scattered around the UK, if you are interested in visiting one of their events, head over to the website. The only advice I can give is to take plenty of cash.

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk flavourtownbakery.co.uk www.dadderdecades.co.uk

oldpony — Necklaces and Brooches by Old Pony

P1040984 — Vintage denim shirts and denim jackets for £10

P1040989 — Postcards for 20p from Lou’s Lovely Bits

Vintage Lou's Lovely Bits — Vintage Lou’s Lovely Bits

Modern Dresses for £12 (not part of Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair)

January 4, 2013

Natalia Vodianova

Natalia Vodianova is widely known as the real life Cinderella, as a young girl she would help to look after her sister, whom was born with cerebral palsy, in a one room apartment with her mother and two siblings with no TV or washing machine. She often helped her mother at the market selling fruit, when she turned 14 she set up her own stall a few yards from the market on the motorway, by doing this people were more likely to buy her goods before getting to the market.

When she was 15 she was encouraged to enrol in a modelling school, her boyfriend then told about a modelling cast. She was asked to wear a mini skirt, which she didn’t own, she took one of her Mothers skirts and customised it. Cyril Brulé spotted Natalia and promised her a contract if she could learn fluent English in 4 weeks. She was then sent to France where she was sign with Viva Models at 17 and had a very promising future, she now comes in third of the worlds’ highest paid models.

I first learnt of Natalia back in May 2008 when she was gracing the cover of Vogue, flicking through a friend pointed out how much of a resemblance I had to her (despite her being much taller than me, I’m only a lousy 5,5’ ). Maybe if I was taller I could have been as successful as Natalia, maybe even be compared with her in the industry. I personally couldn’t see it but I have been told numerous amounts of times, it is a compliment being compared to someone as humble and graceful as Natalia.

I went to go and see Natalia back in 2009 at Somerset house where she was having her photos taken for February 2010 issue of Vogue, she was behind glass and she really is just as beautiful in the flesh. Her photographer was Nick Knight who is one of the most famous and talented photographer in the fashion industry, he has also won a number of awards for his work.

One memory stuck with me when a rather wealthy looking woman came in, she was approached by a member of staff, she said that she was there to check to see if the model had arrived. The woman then smiled at me and then left, I don’t know who that woman was but maybe she would have scouted me if I was taller. I would have asked her if it could be arranged to meet one of my favourite models despite her smiling at me she didn’t have the friendliest ora.

I have a lot of respect for her because she set up the “Naked Heart Foundation” charity, she helps to improve the lives of children in her native home of Russia. Her aim it to build playgrounds for children. Natalia believes the playgrounds will help rehabilitate child, because “play is very therapeutic”.

Not enough celebrities give to the community’s they’ve grown up in these days , they could improve the lives of others. Natalia has all the traits of a fairytale princess, she’s very beautiful, she grew up in poverty; now earning an estimated 4 million a year and wants to improve the quality of life in Russia.

December 28, 2012December 28, 2012

I Love My……

Dr Pepper! I created this photo for an online competition last year titled “Pepperhood”, unfortunately I didn’t win but I bagged 2 cinema tickets and went to see “My week with Marilyn”. I also won the pink pair on pants on my head as well as 4 more, Dr Pepper done the “Win pants or prizes” competition again eariler this year but I didn’t win anything. Some of the text messages sent to me stated that I had entered the code wrong. When I re-sent it I had a reply telling me they had already received that code. I think it might have been a bit of a con!