My first “Fashion Blogger” photoshoot

PREPARATION, PREPARATION & MORE PREPARATION

After completely forgetting the first photoshoot that Jo and I had planned, we scheduled in a new date. So fast forward to 6 weeks later, it was 1 am in the morning and I was still up preparing for the shoot. Work had been so busy that yet again, I was unprepared even when the second date had come around.  

My first “Fashion Blogger” photoshoot on 14 December 2019: This was my second outfit entirely purchased from TK Maxx except for the earrings which I bought in India while on holiday but I have found a pair of similar trousers which I will link below.

Ralph Lauren cropped trousers in UK size 6 –

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/houndstooth-linen-blend-trouser-483881.html?cgid=women-clothing-trousers&dwvar483881_colorname=Houndstooth&webcat=WOMEN%2FClothing%2FTrousers#webcat=women%7Cclothing%7CTrousers&start=1&cgid=women-clothing-trousers

Faux animal print Guess shoes in UK size 6 –

https://www.guess.eu/en/catalog/view/women/shoes/court-shoes/fl7x15esu08?color=leopa&country=gb&CMP=KNC-GES-Feed_GB-Google_GB&LGWCODE=13922151;91553;5523&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgebwBRDnARIsAE3eZjRkRTETaSEeoj45Tr9EyQ4e–Y_8tCsuQae5KBtyE-nf8eon4F6_dEaAtFFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

My handbag from Ralph Lauren –

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/leather-large-lennox-tote-486410.html?cgid=women-accessories-bags&dwvar486410_colorname=Saddle&webcat=WOMEN%2FAccessories%2FBags#webcat=women%7Caccessories%7CBags&start=1&cgid=women-accessories-bags

My blacktop by Nicole Farhi in UK size 8: –

https://www.nicolefarhi.com/collections/sale-womens-tops/products/silk-jersey-circular-tee

CHOOSING MY OUFITS AND GENERAL (YET MORE!) PREPARATIONS

I finally managed to choose three outfits taking care to choose the fabrics that would travel well in my backpack. I chose Carnaby Street for the shoot. I was born in Liverpool in the late 1960s and know that at the time in fashion both Liverpool and Carnaby Street were hotspots for London fashion and style.  In the case of Liverpool, it was all about the Beatles and London and Carnaby became important fashion hubs.  

So here’s the advice I was given to prepare for a Fashion Blogger style photoshoot: 

1. Get a facial, manicure and pedicure. 
2. Get a good night of sleep. 

 I can safely say that I did none of the above.  

This is where juggling a full-time job (quite a heavy one too) and trying to build my blog becomes a little tricky.  

I speak a little about what I do and my background in a previous blog post: https://www.theyoyochronicles.com/menologues/menopause-weight-gain-and-childlessness/ 

My first “Fashion Blogger” photoshoot on 14 December 2019: This was my first outfit and travelled on the Tube to Oxford Circus wearing this and then Jo, my photographer and I walked to Carnaby Street from Oxford Circus Tube station.  I have provided links below to the relevant retailers in case you would like to shop the look.  My coat is in UK size 6 and is by Karen Millen but I could not find a similar coat to mine on their website but I did spot this rather splendid leather trench coat on sale PLUS this leather coat also represents a key fashion trend for 2020

https://www.karenmillen.com/leather-trench-coat/AKK99786.html?color=166

My T-shirt is by Etre Cecile in size large and as I mentioned I purchased mine from TK Maxx so it is unlikely to be in stock by I am linking a similar one below

https://www.etrececile.com/t-shirts/dog-badge-esprit-libre-boyfriend-tank

Spanx velvet leggings – when I found these in TK Maxx several years ago I bought two pairs and love wearing them.

https://www.spanx.com/leggings/velvet/velvet-leggings

I normally wear size 6 so I was delighted that these boots fitted me in UK size 5. Again, I could oot find them on the website but I have linked the next best below

https://www.calvinklein.co.uk/leather-chelsea-boots-000b4e6262001

BALANCING BLOGGING WITH FULL-TIME WORK

When you’ve been working all week to help clients with serious, and often heartbreaking issues, suddenly forgetting to schedule in a manicure doesn’t seem like the end of the world. Having said this, I would like to eventually find a healthy balance and next time, I will definitely give myself more time.  

 I already have a vision of myself creating a mood board, getting good rest and packing my outfits complete with accessories well in advance. Also, a quick tip, if you have rich dark coloured skin like me, I suggest that you pack some body oil/moisturiser with you. Jo, my photographer on the day spotted some ashy patches on my legs and suggested I used some moisturiser. Luckily I had some hand cream on me and massaged that into the areas. Jo explained that it is very difficult to eradicate dry skin using photoshop. 

If you have any tips or tricks for preparing for a Fashion Blogger style photoshoot, or even about how you balance a full-time job + blog, comment below and let me know! 

BTW: I weighed myself this morning and I have lost one of my Christmas & New Year holiday pounds going back down to 140.8lbs.  Yay!

Until next time, it’s 

 #nototheyoyo #yestoastablehealthyweight #yestoastableweight #notimetopauseformenopause #Menologues #YesToAstableWeight 

My black T-shirt is from &Other Stories and I think it is in a size medium.  It is also a TK Maxx purchase from at least 3 or 4 years ago and I love its versatility for smart casual or formal outfits for work.  Mine has a raw hem.

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/tops/tops-t-shirts/product.cotton-t-shirt-black.0278372013.html

My leggings are by Emilio Pucci and I have linked similar ones below which are also on sale

https://www.emiliopucci.com/en-vn/shopping/ruched-printed-leggings-14097947

My shoes are from Fatih again via TK Maxx. I wore them to Ascot last year and for me, it represents the best way to buy high heeled shoes because I cannot walk in them! LOLZ! I tend to carry them in a backpack along with a pair of sensible flats that I can actually walk in.  But they are lovely.  I could not find you the exact pair so I have linked the closest equivalent below that are also on sale.

https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_068010611897_-1