Absolutely Fabulous

Follow Me on www.iLvstrated.com

2012-01-04T12:34:00.003Z

I've moved back to my original blog. Not sure if this space will still be here in future... follow me at your own free will but I would truly happy to see you there ツ

Absolutely Tuesday

A Promise

2011-12-24T16:30:00.000Z

2011 has brought me great joys and I promise to myself that I'll do my best to do better things for the coming year. I think I'm ready.I wish you all the very best, giving you my virtual warm hugs and kisses!

Til then xoxo

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-22T01:15:00.000Z

I had a festive dinner at work and I'm stuffed still, it's already past midnight. I've lost count attending Christmas parties by now, I've been to many... And I'm getting emotional for whatever reason, perhaps I'm just being grateful. This year has been somewhat special, there's a lot of things happened though it completely change my path unexpectedly, this must have been I've wanted all along without me knowing it. I'm happier, nothing beats that feeling. I asked the universe for happiness and its given to me abundantly.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and may all your Christmas wishes come true....

Life in Instagram

2011-12-20T20:22:00.000Z

iPhone is where I write notes, I'd often take pictures of places I love and shoot random stuff I see. Instagram became my new obsession, I followed a lot of people, oh and how I'm baffled with every photos! I'm amazed how talented people can be...

Let my Instagram photos tell you a story...

Christmas Markets in Dublin

2011-12-13T20:49:00.001Z

My hands are freezing while I'm typing this post, it snowed here in Dublin for the first time this month. Two heaters were on and few scented candles by my side and still I'm feeling cold.... I could never get use to this season but I'm not complaining though, I'm happy enough that boots and stockings were made for comfort and they're become all fashionable. You can wear them with so many different styles and colours.

Back to my title, Christmas markets in Dublin are everywhere, they're all seems inviting when I see them on my way home from work and I'm planning to spend my weekends hopping around town to visit each! There are two markets I'm eager to go, the one at the Docklands and 7Up Winter Wonderland

This morning, while tinkering on my iPad, I discover Art Rage app I think it's good to have for people like me who likes to doodle. This is my first try, yikes!

Lately...

2011-12-11T19:10:00.001Z

I've been busy, swamped with work and school stuff. I was obsessed dissecting my airline website, trial and error kept me awake all night for nearly a month 'til I submitted it today. There's few bits and pieces I sorted out for other modules in this semester as well and I'm glad I'm almost done except for a presentation on Thursday.Two weeks ago, I was sent over for a week long training by my company. The highlight must be the tour at the National Convention Centre, gawd, I love it there! If only I have my camera with me.... Then it suddenly hit me, I haven't been shooting since I can't even remember when. How I miss exploring the city with my camera in hand. I'm just contented with iPhone shots and posting whatever on instagram

I felt the hunger for shooting so off I went to Grand Canal to shoot the city. I started at dawn...

Everytime I wake up in the morning, I gazed at my window and look up in the sky. It has been furious skies lately, I wonder why.... Believe me when I say, this wasn't photoshopped, it was a shot straight out of my camera.

Grand Canal Theatre

This was taken 8-ish in the morning yesterday, I took the opportunity and shoot away as much as I can. There's no people loitering around, the place is literally empty. Though it was freezing I managed to still my hands, I'm too lazy to lug around my tripod.

I've loads of new pictures and I promise to share them straight away for these coming days.

Melissa

2011-11-23T23:17:00.000Z

Danielle

2011-11-22T21:19:00.000Z

Investment

2011-11-16T20:34:00.000Z

Recently, I've been pondering about the skills I need to improve. I just realized how important it is to invest on tutorials with best quality and not just by relying on the internet as some are really crappy that can lead to some freakish result. First, I bought Guy Garness Beauty Retouching Tutorial, I watched it for good few weeks again and again. It totally changed the way I retouch a photograph, my understanding how to attack the subject became gentle. I became focus on every detail.

It is a great investment for someone like me who's obsess with retouching and I believe in continuous learning, be it online or in person. I'm doing both and it helps that the people surround me are very supportive of my dreams. As for now, I'm back in college and working at the same time. Schedule is crazy but I'm loving every minute of it.

I would definitely recommend Guy Garness DVD tutorial if you're serious in making beauty portraits. Another lists in my bucket are Fashion Photography EXPOSED of Melissa Rodwell and Phlearn tutorials of Aaron Nace.

11.11.11

2011-11-11T23:26:00.000Z

Screen caps of my iMac wallpaper... I did it quick and I love it.

Never Let Me Go

2011-11-10T22:28:00.000Z

I just finished watching the film "Never Let Me go" that's based from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel about children being raised in a boarding school which main purpose in life is to donate organs once come of age until their last breath. The location is an old English setting during the 70s you wouldn't have an idea what is about to happen. Two thumbs up for this movie...

The cinematic moments were utterly impressive, it got me curious who was the talented person behind it.

Much to my admiration with high dynamic range (HDR) photos, I'm one happy viewer to observed what Adam Kimmel (the cinematographer) has produced here. I'm stunned and absolutely captivated that I followed every single moment without blinking...

Then I remember, I have two pieces of photos thats very similar to what I've seen in the film - the trees and the boat at the shore.

"We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through or feel we've had enough time." ~ Catherine

You check out some of my HDR on Flicker account

Apple Family

2011-11-09T23:05:00.000Z

It's more than obvious how much I am a fan of Apple. I think they are the coolest gadgets ever invented as of today. Not only being cool but these babies made me appreciate the real art in the world of technology. Each of these gadgets have different purpose in my life whether personal, at the university, career in photography and web. iPad 1 is for showing portfolio to prospect clients, it is my easy access on the web and mail too when I'm out and about. iMac is for massive photoshop editing and watching TV series. Macbook Pro is for on shoot location where I download contact sheets, it is also something I need for programming and research in college. I bring it with me in school all the time and I watch quite amount of video tutorials in it as well while I'm working on iMac. And last but not the least - iPhone, I've finally decided to give it a go since Siri is very inviting. I'll most probably tweet more when it's easier for me to tap tap tap (compare to my old blackberry's tiny keyboard). iMessage comes handy (oh how I'm addicted to this!).... FaceTime is one thing I'm curious about, not that I fancy video chatting but it is something I'd like to have everywhere I go. You'll never know if happens I'm trapped in a cave or something, at least I can still see my family and friends thru it ツ

So yeah, these are my tech family, I'd rather spend on these than clothes or anything fashion related honestly.

All I Want For Christmas

2011-11-08T18:25:00.000Z

The iPhone is schedule to be delivered by tomorrow, I'm feeling giddy and amaze! I've been holding off my excitement for the longest time since day 1 it was introduced. I still have the iPhone 3G but never really use it for the fact that I opted to use my blackberry to constantly chat with my lover thru BB messenger. But I guess, I had enough, I must go back to my first love - iPhone that is.

And I supposed I deserve it... for working hard for the past months ('',)

But still, it wouldn't hurt to make a wish list do I? I only wish for 3 things:

1. Snake-print nylon tote by Marc by Marc Jacobs

2. ghd Gold Classic Styler

3. Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson

Brogued Lace Up Shoes

2011-11-07T21:48:00.000Z

Not only I found one but two of these beauties! I wasn't in the mood for shopping that day but when I tried this on, I knew they're meant for me. I chose the black first since most of my work clothes are black but the brown one haunted me overnight so I went back to buy it the next day. I have good few dresses that will match these, I'm one happy camper ツ

Halloween

2011-11-01T23:08:00.000Z

Halloween is, perhaps, my favorite holiday of all time. Its great to see people who comes up with amazing costumes and style. The kids are overwhelmed with sweets as they walked along the streets and it's nice to see fireworks and bonfires, it is indeed a good craic.... I, on the other hand, stayed at home to work and work some more. I edit photos as if there's no tomorrow but when I tried to take photos outside, my mind got confused with the settings of my camera. I panicked for I don't know how to use it properly anymore, gawd, it's been months I neglected it! How I've long to go out and shoot again but I can't find time for it, I'm feeling sorry or rather guilty. This is not good.

So today, I went to buy a camera strap, so I can bring my camera out everyday. I'm not digging a neck strap anymore since everyone I see on the streets has it. Everyone is a photographer these days and I somehow wants to be unique hehehe.

Happy Halloween!

Photograph and Edited by me | Make up by Tatiana

Still Here

2011-10-14T23:42:00.000+01:00

Photography has taken a back seat for a little while (longer than I thought) but it doesn't mean I'm giving it all up. My course started last September and it has already given me loads of assignments, well, I'd reckon they're more of a thesis kind - it's time consuming and keep my mind to work overtime. It's something I'm challenged to do so, I wouldn't change it for the world :D

I recently accepted an amazing day job as well which I'm expecting to do landscape photography aside from web stuff I'm already working on, life is this good, I wouldn't want it the other way :D

These pictures were shot last September, I've still have few projects to edit and hoping to finish them before Halloween...

Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T10:11:00.000+01:00

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

Swiped the above thru apple.com

It saddened me big time, I've been a fan ever since I discover his wonderful Apple creation, truly an empire, there's no denying it. May he rest in peace where he can check on us from time to time, see how everyone are inspired by him and his mind.

Desperados

2011-10-01T12:09:00.000+01:00

You brought me into a dream where I met tall scary people,

one seemed to look like Death with his hook.

I was in a grave with loads of dire wolves and

they were looking at me waiting for that one move.

I've been to this place and so I thought. Twice.

Suddenly, the ground lifted me up

I was way up to the clouds.

I was feeling nauseous, I was crying out loud.

I woke up disorientated with an upset stomach, I was in pain so much. Alcohol has never done me any good, I've lost count how much I drank last night. The concert left my ears deaf, but I had so much fun. It's nice to see an old sweet friend again, we watched her boyfriend performing on stage.

Today is the 1st of October, this lyrics definitely matches my dream last night.

"Wake Me Up When September Ends"

by Green Day

Sumer has come and passed

The innocent can never last

Wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass

seven years has gone so fast