2.07.2011

Daily Threads: Staying Neutral

{J Crew Buffalo Button-upBanana Republic V-neck Sweater (similar), Target Black Skinny Pants (similar), Steve Madden Inka Black Boots}

Did you enjoy the superbowl? It was ok for me. Aguilera messed up on the National Anthem, the Black Eyed Peas were painful to watch, and the game wasn't really good until the last quarter. Although I was hoping to see the Steelers win, I'm still glad the Packers won - which may seem weird, but true. I don't consider either of these teams "my team"; however, the Steelers have my favorite player in the NFL - Troy Palamalu - so that's why I was pulling for them. I'm pretty neutral when it comes to the NFL - I just want a good game.

Moving on... I was given Photoshop Elements 9 this weekend. It's been over five years since I've used Photoshop - so I feel like a lost child. Any one have tips, pointers, words of wisdom, or fabulous tutorials they'd like to share? Please! I'm dying to get crafty with it, but I don't know how. Yet!

47 comments:

jenn~the stylish housewife said...

love your outfit! i have had elements 8 for over a year and still have not figured it out!!! so when you do, please please please do a tutorial for me....ha ha! i am following @AmandaPadgett and she offers free actions and online classes (not free). one of these days i will find the time to figure it out but right now i am focused on the 30x30 =)

the stylish housewife

Gertrude said...

My Saturday outfit consisted of the same neutral colours! Great outfit! I do not live in America, so can't say anything about the superbowl hehe! x

Bows and Pearls

Anonymous said...

great outfit and I just HAVE to try to do a fishtail braid! I saw your tutorial this weekend and now I just have to actually do it!

And random question, what kind of hair products do you use? You always have awesome volume! Please do share. :D

Liz said...

Oh I love Elements!! It's a bit easier to navigate than Photoshop in my opinion. I used Sydney's tutorial for starters and that led me to play around a bit more. I also order a user cd online for like $20 - that's been super helpful too!

kristine [kristine. or polly.] said...

You always look so great! I love that cardigan layered over the black and white. I didn't watch the Superbowl, but I did hear about it. Man, I would feel so awful if I messed up the national anthem for the SUPERBOWL. Yikes.

Anonymous said...

How nice of someone to give you Elements! I know Pioneer Woman has some downloadable actions that are compatible with Elements, but I've never used it...

JennaStevie said...

I love this look, so simple and chic. I didn't watch all of the superbowl, just bits and pieces! I dont think I've ever used photoshop elements 9, I have CS 4, I just spend some free time playing around with it. Thats how I learn personally.
xJennaD

Michelle said...

such a fan of checkered under a sweater!

Anonymous said...

I love the sweater over gingham shirt look -- I tried this yesterday and looked like a doofus! You make it look so very effortless...

Morgan said...

Totally agree on the Superbowl... the music was horrendous!!!
Love the outfit, as usual. :)

The Suburb Experiment said...

I like your layers. Whenever I try a sweater over a button up it looks weirdly lumpy!

I just wanted any team that wasn't the Steelers to win. :)

Jenn

Hayley said...

I love this look too! I have to say I almost had a mini meltdown watching your hair tutorial over the weekend. I had my hair hacked into and had to cut it short and I long to make a pretty braid like this...!!!!

Hayley
http://www.theweekendfile.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I always love how you put together such classic chic outfits!!
I'm definitely not into Football...Hockey is my sport (it's the Canadian thing to do)

http://required2beinspired.blogspot.com/2011/01/bag-skirt-diy.html

Katherine said...

There are so many things that I love about this post! I totally agree with your Superbowl talent comments, the BYP were awful! And Troy is my favorite as well, based completely on his hair instead of skill:)

Finally, your outfit is adorable! I'm wearing a VERY similar outfit today for day 7. But that post will be up tomorrow!

❤ Katherine at sparklefarklediary.blogspot.com

Elaine said...

Gorgeous!! Love this.

www.clothedmuch.com

Katy Brooks said...

LOVE this!! it's SO similar to my last post. I'm copying this look!

Holly said...

love this outfit!
and p.s. i've been sporting the fishtail for such a long time, but with your tutorial i now have zero flyaways, thanks!

Anonymous said...

Poor Fergie is morphing into a man before our very eyes.

Stacey Kay said...

this outfit is incredible. Its so simple, but the color mix so well, and you look gorgeous

xoxo
Stacey Kay
“Runway Inspiration, Vintage Decoration”
www.GoodwillHuntingg.com
Women’s Fashion Examiner-Cleveland
My Vintage Handbag Line

mk said...

great outfit, as always. you seriously have the most amazing legs!

www.yogaandpencilskirts.blogspot.com

Babes in Thriftland said...

All I have is elements so I'm not much help. However, I know there are some great tutorials over at the Pioneer woman. She even has Action Set downloads where you can just plug that into your photoshop and get the desired look!
xo
Erin

Kuleigh said...

Love the outfit! Wish I was wearing that today because it's raining! You're right about how poorly the super bowl entertainment was! Good thing the commercials made up for it.

Melissa: Write it in Lipstick said...

I agree on everything you just said. Come on Christina did you even practice the song?

Lilly Style said...

Looking great, simple yet very stylish!

Diana said...

Very stylish look! And I absolutely love those boots on you! And the plaid shirt..yes for remixing your clothes :)

Leah said...

Love the black & brown together! I agree on the half-time show...I couldn't take the screaming any longer!! :)

Savannah said...

Love the colors in this outfit. OR lack of colors I suppose, it's really chic.

savannah-joyofliving.blogspot.com

The Natty and Jessie Show said...

Black pants always look amazing on you! I love this look and the colour blocking from the other day! Must be your amazing pins! Jealous much?!

Photoshop elements 9! I have that one too and have just found opening a random photo and having a play around is heaps of fun! I'll definately be back to see if anyone has given you any pointers!

. said...

You look super sleek in the neutrals, and I'm so excited for you to play with Elements! Depends on what kind of look you're going for with your photos, but what I did was google "free photoshop actions," download and take a look at all the steps they use for ones you like, and then develop your own. Have fun :)

BryanaEllen said...

LOVE your outfit! Very cute.
I agree about the Black Eyed Peas...I was cringing, and then Slash came out and blew them away with talent...but then Fergie decided to sing along and I was cringing again! Haha

Meg O. said...

I love this pairing of gingham with your outfit! I wasn't really paying attention to the BEPs. I just loved the light-up jumpsuits!! -Meg

Melissa said...

Cute! I love your layers. I need to get some more layering tops.

I'm not into football at all. I watched the half-time show, but that's it.

I've been using Photoshop for a very long time. I've never used Elements, but I think they are similar. If you need help or have questions let me know. :)

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to tell you I nominated you for The Stylish Blogger Award over on my blog today. Check it out for details!! Great outfit, by the way :)

Marie said...

Oh I love this outfit so much! It looks great! It was so hard for me to watch Christina mess up the national anthem....awkward.

Kate said...

Great outfit! I love the black and white check under the nude sweater.

XO, Katie
Running on Happiness

Kileen said...

i love the neutral color palette on you and it's a nice change of pace every now and then. as for me, i completely missed the superbowl and will need to spend some time with YouTube this evening. :)

and as far as Photoshop goes, i think the biggest feature I love is Context Aware fill (it's new to version CS5). you can basically take anything that doesn't belong out of a picture and it still looks perfect. I'm thinking about writing up a little tutorial on it cause it's a lifesaver!

cute and little

Sophie in the Sticks said...

love your neutral outfit. Even in the UK they were making a big deal out of the Superbowl, its all lost on me tho!
http://cgdn.blogspot.com/

ilene @ muchloveilly said...

goooo packers - so i was happy about the super bowl. ;)

loving the outfit too - rock those neutrals and black!

♥B said...

I really like this outfit! Very cute :)

megannielsen said...

wish i could help - i know nooothinggg about photoshop. But I know you're hair is cute like that - so that's gotta count for something! hehe

Anonymous said...

I wish I had some pointers, but I'm only good with Illustrator barely..lol You look so cute in this outfit!

Jess said...

Very chic! Love the neutrals. I didn't watch the Superbowl but I really enjoyed the episode of Glee that came on afterward. :)

Lisa D. said...

I really like this outfit, too! The gingham shirt under that sweater is really cute. Cool sunglasses!

Shannon said...

Ughhhhh...the Black Eyed Peas (especially Fergie) made my ears bleed.
You, on the other hand, look super cute.

Klancy said...

I just found your blog via kendieveryday. I just wanted to drop a line to say I'm loving your blog and your style! Is that your boxer named Maeby? Is it named after the character on Arrested Development? If so, I love you even more! <3

Elizabeth said...

I'm jealous you have Elements. I haven't used Photoshop since high school (over six years now) but I still miss it.

I'm not sure how different Elements and the full version are, but Lifehacker just posted 
Learn the Basics of Photoshop in Under 25 minutes. It might be a good refresher.

meghan said...

I love this outfit. I see a lot of style bloggers with the check shirt look. I love it! Wonder if I get it now if it will stay in style...Guess I'll think about it once 30x30 is over.