on taking photos in cemeteries

Cemeteries are, hands down, my favorite place to take pictures. Actually, they are one of my favorite places to go, period. They are beautiful, calm and peaceful, and always full of inspiration. Being in a cemetery never fails to get my creative juices flowing. Whenever I post photos taken in a cemetery I always receive questions and comments regarding my choice of location. Perhaps it may seem lugubrious to some, but I assure you that it can be anything but, especially when one looks at it from an artistic perspective.

Here are some etiquette guidelines to refer to if you decide to take some cemeteries of your own. I've also included some tips to help make your adventure worthwhile. All the photos in this post were taken in a cemetery (you can view the original post by clicking the photo).

Etiquette:

Be respectful. This is the first and foremost thing to mention when undertaking any activity involving a cemetery. Remember, this is where people are buried. Treat every tombstone marker and mausoleum as if your own family were buried there. Don't ever step on a grave marker. I don't even like stepping in front of the markers over where I think the people are buried - try to stay on designated walkways and use your best judgment if paths are limited. And don't ever remove flowers or other "tokens" near memorials.

Be careful. Don't touch statues or grave markers. And if you do, use extreme caution as some of them are hundreds of years old.

Be quiet. There may be other people there visiting and you don't want to disturb them.

Respect mourners. If there is a burial taking place, even if it is on the other side of the cemetery, come back later. You don't want to be a distraction.

Stay out of the way. If you drive, park your car in a designated parking area or be sure to pull over enough to the side that another car may pass you. Don't drive on the grass. Ride bikes only on designated paths. Don't wheel your bike around the grass - park and come back to it.

Don't argue. If you are asked to leave by a cemetery employee or officer of the law, do it. Don't make a scene. They may have reasons for asking you to leave. Also, if you are ever asked to put your camera away, do it. You can always come back later. (This has never happened to me, but just in case...)

Leave only footprints. Don't leave trash or props behind (common sense, people!). And if you see trash, pick it up and dispose of it yourself.

Tips:

Don't be afraid. People have a tendency to think of cemeteries as spooky places. Trust me, unless you go at night when everything seems to get shadowy and ominous, they aren't scary at all. Be relaxed. Your photos will be better if you are not freaking out at every little sound you hear. Take in the beauty and the splendor. Retrain your mind to see a cemetery as a calm and peaceful place.

Find the oldest graves. In my experience, the older the tombstone, the more aesthetic appeal it has. Newer markers just aren't the same.

Bring props. Instead of taking things from the cemetery to use (don't do this EVER), bring your own props. Fake flowers, books, and an apple are examples of things I've brought in the past. Have them planned out before you get there. Remember to take them when you leave.

Keep your keys with you. If you drive and park, don't leave your keys in the car! There's too much of a chance of locking them in (really, this goes for any picture taking adventure). Imagine - you got some great pictures, it's starting to get dark, you get to your car, it's locked. The keys are in it. You hear an eerie rustling behind you. Don't be that person! Keep all potentially freaky circumstances to a minimum. Check and double check.

Use what's there. Benches and steps are meant to be used. It is appropriate to touch and use these things because that's what they were meant for.

Research. Do some reading up on the cemetery you will be going to (or have been to). What is the oldest grave? Are any interesting people buried there? Are any graves thought to be haunted? Knowing these things will make your time there more interesting.

Explore. Keeping in mind the etiquette mentioned above, have fun exploring. I have come across some very interesting tombstones during my visits. These make for great photos. Read the tombstones - do any of them say anything unusual? There is great architecture and scenery to be found, so don't limit yourself to just one area.

Keep going. Go at least once during each season. Go before the grass turns green, go when things are in bloom, go when there's snow on the ground...you'd be surprised by how the time of year can affect the aesthetic of your photos!

Take fabulous photos. Take photos from different perspectives. Don't just take boring old outfit photos. Incorporate yourself into your surroundings. Work with the scenery to produce an amazing one-of-a-kind pictures.

shabby apple - GIVEAWAY

This week I am excited to bring you another giveaway. This time, the boutique Shabby Apple is giving away one of their lovely dresses. Shabby Apple's site is so much fun to browse - I'm drooling over their Mad Hatter Lookbook - it's amazing! I'm also a big fan of the Sidesaddle collection and their newest - the Silent Era swim collection. In addition to their lovely dresses, they also have cute aprons, gorgeous jewelry, and shoes.

I chose the Da Vinci dress (below) for the giveaway, let's be honest, because of the amazing hoodie-like pocket. The pouch is perfect for storing lip balm, a phone, or your chilly hands. It takes me back to those high school days when any sweatshirt would be considered less than ideal if it did not have said pocket (and then I felt lame when I'd try to stick my hands in pockets that weren't there - haha!).

To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is "like" the Shabby Apple FB page, then leave a comment on this post saying you did so. In your comment, I would also love to know how you would style this lovely dress. Please remember to leave a way for me to contact you in your comment (any comments without contact info will not be considered), and please only one comment per person.

This giveaway will run for 10 days (ending March 24th at midnight). The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Good luck!

P.S.
Shabby Apple is offering a discount to all Fabulosity Factor readers. For the next 30 days, just enter the code "FABULOSITY10OFF" at checkout.

The winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest end.
If the winner does not reply within 7 days, another winner will be selected.

put the "pep" in Sgt. Pepper

Whenever I wear this jacket, I get one of two comments from pretty much everyone:
1) OMG, Michael Jackson!
2) OMG Sgt. Pepper!
Really, either is good with me.

dress - thrifted ; jacket, hat - H&M ; tights - Worthington ; shoes - Kohl's

tracks to follow

I found these photos lurking in the annals of my computer and I realized that I had never posted them. These were taken around the holidays when it was bitter cold but there wasn't any snow yet. I know I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again - for perfectly fitted/shrunken sweaters shop the little boy's sections of department stores. That's where this one is from...I got it last year on sale when all the spring stuff was starting to arrive in stores.

Remember when I wore this hat last year? That was one of my favorite outfits ever - this hat was such a great find! It even came in the original box - from Gimbels.

dress, H&M ; sweater - Target ; boots - Kohl's ; purse - vintage Coach ; jewelry, hate - vintage

words 2 live by GIVEAWAY - closed

I am a total sucker for anything romantic so when I first saw this First Words sign on the Words 2 Live By shop, I thought it was the sweetest thing ever! I immediately knew I wanted one that said "cool shoes," the first words my boyfriend ever said to me. (The shoes in the photo are even the shoes I was wearing at the time!) I can't help but smile every time I walk by our new sign!

Erin, the store owner is amazing to work with. She sands, paints, and cuts the individual letter stencils for each piece by hand so every piece is completely unique. She is also open to customizing to specific needs, just let her know!

Erin is now offering one of my readers a $35 voucher for her Etsy shop. Here are the rules:

1) "Like" the Words 2 Live By FB page.

2) Visit the Words 2 Live By Esty shop, and

3) Leave a comment on this post saying what you'd use the voucher for if you win. (Please only one comment per person.) And remember to leave a way for me to contact you!

This giveaway will run for 10 days (ending March 10th at midnight). The winner will be selected by a random number generator. Good luck!

Closed! Thanks for entering!

skin - a love story

I haven't always loved my skin. Really, I never even really thought about it unless it was extreme - dry, oily, sunburned, ect. I bought whatever body wash and lotion was cheapest and smelled good. I showered every day and that was the extent of my 'skin care routine.'

It wasn't until I started eating healthier that I realized that my current skin care products were lacking. I flipped over the bottles of product I used and examined their ingredients. And that was the turning point. The ingredient list included words that were inches long and I didn't even want to begin to try and pronounce them. Why, I thought, would I be so careful about the things I put into my body and then turn around and slather these unnecessary and potentially harmful substances all over it?

Once I discovered that my skin care products were extremely lacking in pure and nourishing ingredients, I started researching natural skin care. The things I found amazed me. I could make my own skin care products with ingredients that nourished and pampered my skin instead of stripping it of its natural barriers. I could spend less than I ever spent on commercial lotions, washes, scrubs and make downright luxurious concoctions.

I have learned quickly that if I am kind to my skin...my skin will in turn be kind to me. By switching up my skin care routine for an all natural DIY route, I am no longer plagued by dry, irritated skin or breakouts. The skin on my face is no longer oily. My skin feels and looks at least ten times better and that, in turn, has made me more confident in every aspect of my life.

(I should also mention that around the time I was going through this revelation in the skin department, I was also changing my diet. I finally made the switch to an all vegetarian diet. A few months later, I was completely vegan. My skin had all ready looked better because I was making my own sin products, but eliminating meat and animal byproducts from my meals was the cherry on the (dairy-free) cake. Not only do I look healthier, I feel better than I have in years. Obviously, diet is something that is extremely personal and I am in no way trying to convert anyone to veganism or condemning them if they eat meat. I merely believe that in my case, this switch was a major contributor to my improved health. I have spent lots of time - I even took a nutrition class - researching how food affects the body and the way it looks - believe me, you really are what you eat.)

Skin is something one "wears" every day. That is why I have decided to include this post on my blog that has, up til now, been primarily a daily style blog. I have also gotten many emails and comments asking about my skin and hair care routines so I've finally decided to address them. This post will be the start of a series of skin care posts. I'll be posting recipes for making your own skin care products, tips for naturally healthy skin, and may even start a hair series. We'll see. Please feel free to leave me questions or suggestions for future skin care posts in the comments section - I'm really excited to see your reaction!

there she stepped out of the blue

See...here's the hat again! I'm obsessed! Anyways, I was going to wear a lighter colored jacket with these awesome shorts, but after walking around like that for a few minutes, I wasn't thrilled. I didn't think that this navy one would work either, but after buttoning it up, I loved it!

shorts - vintage ; jacket, hat - H&M ; purse - vintage Coach ; shoes - Candie's ; tights - Target

a loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge

This hat has quickly become my favorite. It was a Valentine's gift from my boyfriend and since that day it has hardly left my head. It is the perfect hat - classic shape and color, and the brim isn't too small or too large. I love it...does he know me or what?!

Last month we took a visit to see the Cleopatra exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. It was spectacular - one of the best special exhibits I've ever seen. These two rings, an ankh and an asp, were souvenirs. I love wearing them next to each other.

dress, belt - thrifted ; sweater, hat - H&M ; shoes - Kohl's ;
purse - vintage Coach ; socks - Target ; rings - gift shop

just one more hat...

The joys of the Midwest, I tell you. Today I woke up to a flurry of snowfall. The gorgeous warm weather has been tricking us into thinking spring is coming early...maybe it's not too late!

dress - thrifted ; cape - eShakti ; boots - Candie's ; hat - H&M

she was just a wish

It was nice enough to venture out without a jacket this morning. This sweater and lovely scarf kept me warm and cozy as we enjoyed the almost spring-y weather.

One of my Valentine's surprises was this gorgeous quartz point (pictured below) - the minute I got home I slipped it on a delicate gold chain and haven't taken it off since. I love the extra something it adds without being too in-your-face.

dress, boots, sweater - H&M ; scarf - gifted ; necklace - DIY'd

in the frosty air

My boyfriend and I had a great time exploring this massive cemetery we stumbled upon during one of our adventures. The statues, mausoleums, and headstones were unique, gorgeous, and practically glowing in the light coating of snow.

I'm having a fun time experimenting with this hairstyle. Basically, it's just folded up and pinned with a handful of bobby pins, but I feel like it looks a lot more elegant and involved than it really is. This style's perfect for an easy vintage-inspired look, and it's definitely a great alternative to a ponytail.

dress, cardigan, belt - thrifted ; hat, boots - H&M ; tights - Target

DIY pussy willow crown

When I in elementary school, one day a teacher brought in the branch of a Pussy Willow tree for show and tell. I was in awe of it and I could hardly stop petting the soft plush catkins (that's what the buds are called). I was so enamored that my teacher broke one of the buds off and let me keep it. Ever since then, my favorite tree has been the Pussy Willow. I was so excited to actually see the trees for sale a few weeks ago and, of course, I had to get one. It has been so amazing to watch the buds emerge from their shells and flower - I am in awe of this little part of nature. Researching my new tree I was intrigued to learn that Pussy Willow is also know as the 'Tree of Enchantment.' Interestingly, if one would like a wish fulfilled, she should let the tree know of her wish, and tie a loose knot in one of the branches. Once the wish has come true, she should return and untie the knot, making sure to express her gratitude.

Here is a simple DIY that took me less than a half hour to create. I wanted to use real branches for my crown, but since my tree is still so young, I decided to use faux ones. It is really inexpensive, though, even with the floral branches - the supplies pictured here cost less than $10 all together and I've gotten lots of other use out of the floral wire and wire cutters.

You will need: real or faux pussy willow branches (or flowers of your choice), branch-like floral wire (top), thin floral wire, and wire cutters. I found all of these in the floral section of my local craft store. You could probably find most of it at a department store, too, in the craft or gardening section.

1. Snip the stems off the thick middle branch. Measure the length around your head and, adding several extra inches, snip the thick floral wire.

2. Using small pieces of the floral wire (I'm using green to make it easier to see for this post - brown wire would blend better), attach the ends of the thick wire - this will be the base for your crown. Wrap the wire tightly and make sure to tuck in the edges of the wire - you don't want your head to get scratched when you wear it!

3. To make sure that your crown doesn't come apart, affix the ends together in three places - once on each side and then once in the middle.

4. Begin attaching your pussy willow stems. Use the same method you used in step 2.

5. Keep using the wire to attach your stems every couple of inches or so. (See how the brown wire would look better?) Also, next time I would use smaller pieces of wire to attach my stems - see how in the picture the wire is wrapped around five or six times? That probably isn't necessary - two or three would work just as well and it would be less obvious.

6. Once you finish with one stem, keep adding them until you are satisfied with the result. Overlapping makes for a fuller crown.

7. When you are done adding stems, go over your crown and tuck in any stray wires and fix any loose pieces. You could stop here and have an absolutely gorgeous crown, however, since I used the green wire to affix my stems, I decided to embellish mine with some green stems and leaves.

There you go - totally room for any embellishments or any other details that may tickle your fancy!

p.s. my last DIY got a teeny feature on the American Apparel website - check it out!