Uptown Photoshoot

Last Friday I joined Kiera, owner of Je Suis Prest Boutique, in photographing her store's latest arrivals. Amanda, the store's model of the month, quickly went through over 10 dress changes in under an hour, braving the zero degree weather outside for most of the shots! It was a race against the sun setting when we hit the uptown streets late that afternoon.

New holiday dresses adorn the walls

Gentle Fawn dress

BB Dakota dress

BB Dakota sequins

Jack dress / Gentle Fawn dress / BB Dakota dress

Kiera & Amanda

BB Dakota dress

Gentle Fawn dress

BB Dakota dress

Jack dress

Gentle Fawn dress

Jack dress

Textiles

Thanks to Kiera for letting me join her and Amanda- it was a great chance to practice with my camera. Although I've had it since I first got my DSLR over a year ago, it's time I finally learned to use my 50mm manual lens. Since I had to move around for different angles while adapting to the manual focus, it helped in staying warm!  

If you're wondering when I'll be back to photographing my own outfits, I should have something up in the next week! 

#shoplocalsj: Black Friday Sales

I've decided, that while trying to establish a regular posting routine, that I'm going to dedicate Friday's blog posts to local material pertaining to what's happening in Saint John. This week I'm sharing a list of the Black Friday sales [that I know about] in the Saint John area to support shopping local this holiday season.   There's really no need to waste your money on gas to cross the border to the US these days- you can shop in the comfort of your own city, save money, and save time while supporting our local businesses!

Uptown Saint John

Click on the store names below for more information on the sale, including the store's location.

• Element5: 20% off all in stock Aveda (excluding gift packs); 30% off OPI, SpaRituals, flat irons & blowdryers; 75% off all Distinctly Tea products
  
• Made You Blush: 20% all regular priced product, All Holiday Cake Sets 30% off, All Too Faced Holiday Kits 30% off, Principessa 50% Off, The Balm Jovi Kit 30% off, Lippmann Sets 50% off, All Urban Halos Buy one get one free!
  
• Manchester Shoe Salon: Starting today until Christmas Eve,they're having a BOGO event! Buy one, get one half price on ALL shoes, ALL fashion boots, ALL winter boots, and ALL handbags!
  
• Paddington Station: Today they are living away hourly prizes to shoppers plus you earn a $10 gift certificate for spending $50 or more
  
• PGal's: 40% off today 

These days I'm supporting shopping local in our city with the hashtag #shoplocalsj on Twitter. If you have something to share, show this hashtag a little love!

Je Suis Prest's Holiday Party

In previous years, Je Suis Prest Boutique has always gone for the big wow factor when it came to showing off their new holiday wears. (To see what I'm talking about- just check out my blog post from their Urban Glam Party they hosted last year with The Urban Shoe Myth.) I was excited when they announced their annual event on Facebook:

Screen shot from my computer screen (click to go to the event page as seen above)

While in Brunswick Square grabbing a coffee from Starbucks, I had chance to pop into the store yesterday and chat with Kiera for the scoop on the event. If you're wondering about ticket prices, attire, and the effort to round up your friends- don't fret! This year they've taken this event back to home base right within the store and created a shopping party. And really, I think this is a smart move. Kiera pointed out that when it gets close to the holidays, there's so much going on. We all know it can be difficult to divide your time and money accordingly, and still do everything this time of year. This is one store owner that really listens to her customers (and that's one of the many reasons I love her!)

Where everyone's life is so busy, sometimes it's nice to be able to do something on the fly and be able to attend an event where you don't have to worry about changing out of your work clothes or slouchy jeans. Forget about wasting your time making sure every hair is perfectly in place.  

Don't worry about ticket to this event, you can just drop by Je Suis Prest Boutique (on the 2nd level of Brunswick Square) this evening (Thursday, November 22) between 6pm and 9pm and spend your hard-earned money directly on brand new merchandise that is being released tonight. Everything might not be packaged into a fashion show this year, but the glam factor will still be present, directly on the racks. The store is already beautifully decorated for the holiday season:

An Instagram photo I took yesterday: check out the cute Free People socks hanging from the tree!

Pssst....I also heard directly from the source, that there will be some mark downs on [some of the] current merchandise. 

Oh, and just for fun (and a trip down memory lane), check out my blog posts from Je Suis Prest's previous holiday parties:

• Urban Glam Party: Saint John Theatre Company, November 2011
• Holiday Fashion Show: The Canterbury Lounge, November 2010

Coming up: Tonight I'm going to pull together my list my sales and savings for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so be sure to stop by again tomorrow for that scoop!

Saint John Cut 3: Catherine, Maryanne & Apryll

Continuing where I left off last week, here some of the shots I took of the remaining lovely ladies I had the pleasure of photographing at Saint John Cut, version 3.0.

Catherine

Dress: Free People from Je Suis Prest Boutique 

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Maryanne

Shirt: Kensie from Je Suis Prest Boutique

Skirt: Kensie from Je Suis Prest Boutique

Coat: from Je Suis Prest Boutique

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Apryll

Dress: Kersh from Silver Daisy Designs

Necklace: Silver Daisy Designs

Shoes: Manchester Shoe Salon

For all the models:

Hair: Adam Donnelly

Make-up: Carrie McGrath & Taylor MacDougall

Social Media Links: Adam Donnelly (Twitter/Blog) | Carrie McGrath (Twitter/Facebook/Website) | Taylor MacDougall (Twitter) | Je Suis Prest Boutique (Twitter/Facebook/Website) | Silver Daisy Designs (Twitter/Facebook/Website) | Manchester Shoe Salon (Twitter/Facebook/Website)

Saint John Cut 3: Kate, Julia & Kayla

As I mentioned in my last post, I had opportunity to play fashion photographer (amongst some really and truly talented photographers!) earlier this week at Saint John Cut 3.

I've really appreciated the opportunity to be included since the first event, always having a blast but switching up my role at each session. Initially, being a style blogger who documents her outfits from time to time, I dressed up and had my make-up done along side the models and fellow blogger pal Kate of O My Heart in March 2011. At version 2.0, I decided to step behind the scenes and help dress and style the models, look after wardrobe on set, and shoot a few pictures of all that was happening in November 2011. This time around, I decided to try my hand at actually photographing the models up front, using a little creativity, and getting a better handle on my DSLR.

I kept my equipment fairly basic and stuck to my 18-55mm lens so I could simply the process: concentrating a bit more on the subject, the background, and learning to use my friend Allie's external flash that I borrowed.

My first model was Kate Lordon, owner of Silver Daisy Designs. The theme for this event was Into the Wild, also known as the project name for the construction of the uber modern home of Judith Mackin and Robert Moore- which was our set location. I saw the into the wild pillow sitting next to Kate on the couch and thought it was only suiting that I get a few shots with the project title.

Kate

Dress: Press from Silver Daisy Designs

Earrings: from Silver Daisy Designs

Shoes: Guess from Manchester Shoe Salon

Hair: Adam Donnelly

Make-up: Carrie McGrath & Taylor MacDougall

Next up, I photographed Julia Hurst, blogger of Fortunate Fool.

Julia

Dress: Mink Pink from Silver Daisy Designs

Shoes: Vince Camuto from Manchester Shoes

Hair: Adam Donnelly

Make-up: Carrie McGrath & Taylor MacDougall

Later that day, these eye-catching Eames for Herman Miller chairs were just asking to be photographed. Kayla Cormier, who works at Silver Daisy, sat down next to Julia.

Kayla

Dress slip: OXMO from Silver Daisy Designs

Sweater: Press from Silver Daisy Designs

Shoes: Manchester Shoes

Hair: Adam Donnelly

Make-up: Carrie McGrath & Taylor MacDougall

I've got more photos coming up this week, plus I'll eventually wrap up my Saint John Cut 3 posts with a Behind the Scenes look, plus deliver all the deets on the who was involved!

Social Media Links: Adam Donnelly (Twitter/Blog) | Carrie McGrath (Twitter/Facebook/Website) | Taylor MacDougall (Twitter) | Silver Daisy Designs (Twitter/Facebook/Website) | Manchester Shoe Salon (Twitter/Facebook/Website) | Judith Mackin (Twitter/Website)