into the blur

Drumroll please.... these are the first outfit photos that have been taken with my new camera!

See that background blur in the first photo, oh yea buddy! 

I. Feel. So. Cool.

I literally have ZERO bad things to say about the Canon 50 mm f/1.4 lens - sure, I have MUCH left to learn about this new addition, but so far it has generated photos that look way better than my current skill level should be able to create. 

I think some of you might be considering this lens purchase for yourself, so I am just going to talk about it a little bit (I do NOT know all the appropriate photography words for the things I am about to discuss, if you know, or have any additional info, please share it in the comments, let's chat!)

This little f/1.4 lens is substantial! Made of metal, even though it is more squat than my 18-55 mm lens (f/3.5-5.6), it has much more heft, you can definitely feel the difference in your hands. 

There is no "zoom" capability - only your feet. With the 18-55 mm lens you can twist the lens to "zoom", but the 50 mm f/1.4 does not do this. I also feel as if I have to stand further back from my subject when using the 50 mm f/1.4 lens. 

Can we talk about bokeh for a second? Bokeh, or background blur, was something that my first 18-55 mm lens couldn't do, and was the main reason I desperately wanted to upgrade my lens. You see, I can't convince my neighbors to all wheel their trashcans out of the alley when I want to take pictures, so the next best thing is to blur them out. There is a fine balance of background blur and maintaining focus on the main focal point (one thing I am still working on), and these pictures were taken with a f-stop around f/2.0.

Light - the f/1.4 aperture lets in so much more light, so bright & crisp photos are possible even at low light, & all my photos have a more "true to life" look.

Ok, those are the 4 things I can think of right now. If you are looking to get this lens for yourself & have any additional questions, let me know and I will do my best to help you out in the comments!

{ What I Wore: ASOS leopard jacket // Forever21 striped tee // Cole Haan cross body purse // COH boyfriend jeans // Steve Madden pumps // Bobbi Brown creamy matte lippy in True Pink }

{ Get the Look }

leopard jacket {$55.00, exact one} + stripe tee {$14.80} + boyfriend jeans {$69.95} + nude pumps {$24.80} + gold cross body purse {$24.80, so cute with scallops!}

My new "Leo" necklace from Boutique Onze

What type of camera do you use?

What's your best outfit photo taking tip?

P.S. Don't forget to enter my $50 J.Crew giftcard giveaway { here } & the Because Shanna Said So group giveaway (for a prize package worth $200+!!!) { here }

ain't got nothing on me

{ What I Wore: Forever21 striped tee // J.Crew leopard belt (currently on sale) & cropped wool trousers // Nine West black pumps // Urban Outfitters "attitude" glasses // Michael Kors gold watch }

{ Get the Look }

striped tee {$14.80} + leopard belt {$10.55} + cropped red wool trousers {$34.50, exact ones, now on sale} + black pumps {$41.99} + "attitude" glasses {$9.50} + gold watch {$43.98, love this one!}

I think this is my first official "I saw it on Pinterest, found the perfect shirt/missing puzzle piece, & re-created it" outfit... boom

Oh and guess who's the top hit when you Google "attitude glasses".... take that sassy J.Crew girl! 

(go ahead, you know you want to test it out now...)

Have you been re-creating any Pinterest looks lately?

P.S. I am linking up with Marionberry Style's Trend Challenge: Stripes 

Check out the rest of the stripe-tastic looks { here }