read | beginner blogger tips

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Before I get started, I just wanted to make it clear that I am in no way claiming to be a blog-savant, or to have completely mastered the art of blogging itself (I’ll leave that to the professionals like Aimee Song & Nicole Warne), but surprisingly, I have received quite a few emails from people who want to start a blog but have no clue where to start, so I thought that I should do a post on it and impart most of my knowledge and the things that i’ve learnt in one go! Feel free to add on in the comments below on anything you think I’ve missed – these are just my observations and things I wish I knew before I started.

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read | tips for when you’re feeling creatively stifled…

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as someone who wishes to be able to call themselves a writer, i am often plagued with writer’s block. there is a story within me, sure, and it’s waiting to burst forth… and maybe that is the issue in itself. it’s waiting… and waiting… and waiting… and waiting. therefore i have to wait… and wait… and wait… and wait. i often tell people that my book/novel is a book/novel that i just am not ready to write, so i’ll just wait until i have more life experience, or until my vocabulary is more eloquent and mellifluous and my grammar is without fault, or until i go to university, when i’ll have time to write and take a class in writing – yeah, that’s it! i have to take a class in writing. but all of these are just excuses, and thinly veiled ones at that.

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The Art Of Selfie Taking

The Art Of Selfie Taking

Note: this is probably the most serious-unserious post ever. But whatever. And also, I literally did my make up in 45 seconds. So just. Yeah.

As the self-proclaimed Selfie Queen (a suitable title, seeing as taking selfies is all I do, be it for this blog [I usually take all the photos myself] or for my Instagram or for a new Facebook profile picture), I sometimes get a bit frazzled when I see people take bad selfies. Maybe I am just rather shallow, but if you’re going to put a picture of yourself onto the internet for all the world to see, why would you choose a bad one? 
So, for the amateurs or 12 year olds who have just gotten their iPhones and haven’t a clue on how to take advantage of the front camera, this post is for you:
 6 Tips On How To Take A Good Selfie
1) Know Your Good Side
Everyone has a preferred or good side, so to speak. Not all of us were blessed with the perfect enough genetics to look good from every single angle. Maybe your left side has a dimple that makes you look good? And for sure, we all have that good eyebrow. Use that to your advantage! 
2) It Is Not 2008. Let Go Of The ‘Peace Out A Town’
Who am I to lie? I did this pose throughout my entire prep school career. It was easy, and it allowed me to do something with my hands. Why get rid of a good thing? Well maybe it’s because it’s 2013. It’s time to let it go. Shh, don’t worry. You’ll find a new go-to pose soon.
3) You’re Allowed To Look At The Camera
Most people have gone through an emo/scene phase (don’t you dare lie you know you did too) and in that, we learnt that we must always hide our faces or avoid direct eye contact with the camera, in hopes that people will never look into our eyes, see our soul and realise we’re not as deep and tormented as we think we are. Whatever the case shall be, though, hopefully that phase died in this new decade, which also makes it okay to sometimes, I don’t know, actually look at the camera when someone takes a photo of you. I know. Shock horror. Let it sink in. It’ll be okay.
4) Beware Of Your Arms
Sometimes, holding a camera can be tedious and strenuous on your arms. With a DSLR, I know the struggle. But whilst taking a selfie, always be conscious of your arms. Sometimes they just get in the way and make things awkward. 
5) You Don’t Always Have To Pout

Seriously though. There are other things to do with your face. I used to be infamous for having the exact same smile in every single picture ever taken of me, but even that, too, can be a bit overboard. Yes, your smile works for you, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Shake it up a little. For example:

6) Good Lighting Is Your Friend
I am an avid believer and advocate for natural lighting. With good lighting, you seldom have to edit your photos because all your blemishes and bags under your eyes seem to be lessened by the lack of flash and the abundance of natural lighting. And always remember the age old photographers motto: The lighting must be behind the camera, not you. It does wonders.

So, that is it from me! Hopefully these ‘tips’ haven’t been completely useless, and if I offended you because you do one/all of these things, ooooops. Another school week up ahead, and hopefully I can blog in between it. Have a blessed week, friends!