Red Brick Lipstick - Free Photoshop Curve

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Hello Sweethearts, I'm Lily from a little blog called Red Brick Lipstick. And like so many of you I am in love with Here Comes the Sun, it's a daily read and love so when I got the opportunity to write a guest blog post I nearly died and went to heaven.

I really love the photography side and so today I'm giving you all a free Photoshop curve. The curve you can download is called 'Sweet Little Macarons' reason being because it was devised for an image of a macaron tower I took. It's lovely for pastel colours and colourful pictures, it also gives images a slightly film looking feel to it.

To download this Photoshop curve, please click here! Oh and if you'd like to say a little thank-you in return for the lovely colours, please like my facebook photography page here.

Instagram Tips

Just a few things that make me happy:

♥ If you want to use the filters on Instagram without uploading to your live feed, just put your phone on airplane mode and the pictures will save to your phone instead.

♥ Stickygram is a simple tool to turn your favourite Instagrams into magnets. Only $14.99 (plus free shipping) for a pack of 9. Get on it!

♥ Lastly, check out this list- 50 Online Tools to Better Your Blog for a great selection of websites and programmes that will help you enhance your site and social networking reach.

GIVEAWAY - Holga 135BC - CLOSED

Todays giveaway is from my blog sponsor Indigo Ark and the prize is the red and white Holga 135BC plastic lens film camera (pictured above). I have this camera myself (but in black) and have enjoyed some great results with it, so I'm excited for one of you guys to get to own it as well!

To go in the draw:
♥ "Like" Indigo Ark on a Facebook and leave a comment on this post to say you've done so
♥ For an extra entry, share this post on your twitter or facebook and leave an additional comment.

Giveaway is open to all readers, international included and will be open until 1 April 2012. Maximum two entries per person and if you don't have a blogger account please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win! Good luck :)

Competition is now closed -- congrats to comment 197 - Regina.

Final Queenstown Snaps!

(Bowler hat c/o Romwe, vintage coat, Mink Pink stripe Raglan jumper c/o Market HQ, Converse chucks)

Hello lovelies! Just wanted to drop in and share the last of my snaps from our recent trip to Queenstown. Isn't it the most beautiful place you've ever seen? If you're ever looking to travel to New Zealand make sure you put this place as number one on your "must see" list. And if you do plan on going please feel free to email me for any tips of places to go/stay and things to see and do.

Over the last few years Jeremy and I have made an effort to take regular holidays and we've been to some beautiful places but I have to say this was a our favourite trip so far. It was quite a lot colder being so far down South so it was fun to enjoy the crispy cold weather mixed with beautiful sunshine as well. It was quite different for me having to dress up with lots of layers as where we live is quite warm so along with it being a great trip it was fun for me to play around with my wardrobe too!

Party Planning

(picture credit: ONE, TWO)

I need your help ladies! A friends birthday is fast approaching and we're about to start planning the menu, decorations, colour scheme etc but first we need a good dose of visual inspiration to get the ball rolling. It's a dessert night (though a few savoury treats will be served as well) and we're looking for ideas for table settings, recipes and cute little extra touches. Can anyone link me to some pinterest boards, printable downloads or flickr accounts that might help? ♥

To Be Inspired

(pictures from my instagram - @herecomesthesunblog)

As a blogger there can often be a lot of pressure to stay constantly inspired (even if that pressure is just coming from yourself) so that you can frequently update with fresh and inspiring content. Many times over the last few years I've sat staring at my computer screen, fingers poised to type but at a loss of what to say or share. Lately though I feel like I've been in a different place and my mind is a buzz with so many different things that are making me dream and create. A few little thoughts on what might have been the cause:

♥ Feeling like watching a dvd tonight? Remind yourself - you don't just have to watch a new release. Not that new releases are bad by any means - I just saw Midnight in Paris and LOVED it, but sometimes it's nice to explore a little further- try a foreign film or one of the classics. I just saw Casablanca for the first time and walked away feeling so inspired.

♥ Speaking of classics - why don't you read them? They're called 'classics' for a reason! I'm currently reading The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fizgerald and am lost in the world of 1920's New York.

♥ Do Something Different Everyday is a challenge being run by Laura of See Hear Say. On her blog you can see what her and others having been doing to get out of their comfort zones and try new things. This month isn't over yet so there's still time for you to get involved too!

♥ Get active. This has been one of the things I've been enjoying the most over the last few months! In a bid to become healthier I've been much more dedicated with exercising frequently and I've been surprised at how happy it makes me. Not only do I enjoy being out in nature and exploring different parts of my neighborhood (which is often how I end up finding good locations to shoot blog posts too) but it feels so good to be fit and healthy. I mix it up between running, power walking and if I'm stuck inside because of rain I'll do some calisthenics and pilates.

I know none of these are exactly revolutionary ideas but sometimes it's nice to be reminded of things like this. I know for myself it can be so easy to get stuck in my routine day after day and then wonder why I'm feeling such a lack of inspiration. Hope these ideas encourage you to do something different and feel a little more creative and inspired ♥

Hello Swallow

(shirt c/o Oasap, hat c/o Romwe, bag from VJ Style, vintage shoes)

After a great holiday in Queenstown and then a few nights in Auckland (where the above pictures were taken) we're now home sweet home. It's nice to be back amongst my things and feeling well rested and ready to return to routine. Queenstown was beautiful and it was nice to spend some time in Auckland too - catch up with family, visit friends and wander around pretty neighborhoods. Happy weekend everyone, hope you have a good one!

Queenstown - What to do & What to eat

Where we ate:
♥ Fergburger - no matter what time of day this place always had a huge queue and we quickly found out why! Best burgers in town and despite the line, they crank it out pretty quickly with around a 10-15 minute wait. Prices start at only $10.
♥ Patagonia - homemade icecreams, chocolates and desserts. Prices start at around $6 and the menu is mouthwatering. The tramontana and banana caramel icecream flavours are definitely our recommendation.
♥ Vudu Cafe - our breakfast place of choice, great menu, good coffee and lots of really nice cabinet food too.
♥ Bostwana Butchery - be prepared to spend a bit more if you're heading here for dinner. We went at lunch time and took advantage of their $15 lunch menu which was still incredibly delicious. Amazing service, beautiful decor and a great view of the lake and mountains. We recommend the french onion soup.
♥ Remarkable Sweet Shop - free tastings of home made fudges and a huge selection of sweet treats from around the world
♥ Les Alpes - a cute French restaurant down by the water. All the staff spoke French, the decor was adorable and the menu full of macarons, pastries and baguettes.

What we did:
♥ Helicopter flight - a 20 minute flight over the Remarkables including a few minutes to stop at the top and take a few pictures. There are also much longer (and much more expensive) packages available.
♥ Million Dollar Cruise - a 90 minute scenic cruise around lake Wakatipu. Breathtaking views!
♥ Onsen Pools - $80 for an hour for two. You get your own private pool with the most amazing view before your eyes. We also paid an extra $25 for the indulgence pack which came with a glass of sparkling wine each, an aromatherapy burner, grapes and fluffy towels.
♥ Gondola/ Luge - we went up first thing in the morning and enjoyed the crisp morning view of Queenstown. Apart from the Helicopter ride this was the best view of Queenstown we had.
♥ Bike hire - we hired bikes for only $29 each for a half day and cycled through the Queenstown botanic gardens through to Frankton.

What we'll do next time:
♥ Hire a car and drive to Wanaka and Arrowtown
♥ Shotover jet

What A View

(dress c/o Chicwish) 

Just a few snaps from outside our hotel room. This is the view we've been waking up to each day! So incredibly breathtaking and it doesn't get old. Today has been a good day- we went up the gondolas and had a few rides on the luge at the top during the early morning sunshine, stopped by Botswana Butchery for a leisurely lunch, walked around the botanic gardens and revisited Patagonia for icecreams and hot chocolates. Could not be loving this trip more!

Queenstown by Helicopter

Yesterday was Jeremy's birthday and his main present was a helicopter flight over the Remarkables. Which worked out great for me because I got to take part in the experience too! We just did a small route with a quick ascent straight to a peak with a few minutes to get out, rush around and snap a few pictures/ marvel at the beauty. The descent was a little longer with a few big turns and more time to appreciate the incredible view.

All in all I can say it was the best experience in my life (aside from getting married). Seriously!! The view was so breathtaking and having never been in a helicopter before just made the whole thing that much more exciting. We'd definitely jump at the chance to do this again!

Anyway just wanted to drop in to share a few pictures. The weather here today is stunning so we'll be heading up the gondola for a bit of luging in an hour or two. Love this place and all the stuff you can do here!!

I ♥ Queenstown

(pictures from my instagram - @herecomesthesunblog)

Just wanted to pop in and say a wee hello from the deep south of New Zealand! This week I'll probably be a little more absent on here than normal, but with good reason - the husband and I are on holiday in Queenstown. 

It's our first time down here and even after just half a day of exploring we can tell this is going to be one of our favourite holidays yet! So many amazing places to eat, stunning scenery and a few adventure activities planned as well.

I'll try check in here and there to share what I'm up to but in the meantime I'll still be active on my twitter and instagram (@herecomesthesunblog).  Much love xx

Sun Flare

The lens flares in these pictures make me so happy. It was a little experiment the husband and I tried the other night and it actually worked! If anyone else wants to give it a go, we shot in the early evening while the sun was on a good angle, I stood in the shade with the sun behind me and Jeremy stood where the sun shone straight onto the camera lens. I love the effect, now I want to try this with one of my film cameras!

If you're looking to experiment with backlighting and sun flares I definitely recommend checking out this post on A Beautiful Mess for more indepth info on how to do it and some handy hints and tricks. Next time we give this a go I think we'll try do it without any use of shade and just the sun behind me. Can't wait!

Little collar

Hat & dress c/o Romwe, Cambridge satchel from VJ Style

I am so happy to have a bowler hat again. Around this time last year I had one I thrashed so much it ended up falling to pieces. Hopefully I'll have better luck this time round! This clothing combo and it's darker colour palette and thicker layers makes me realise summer is well and truly over here. I'm a little sad about that but at the same time trying to remember all the things I love about Autumn: thick socks, orange leaves, hot coffee, pumpkin soup and big snuggly jerseys.  Not to mention I'll get to wear this cute dress more and more :) I guess there are good things about Autumn!

Blue Baby ♥

Outfit details:

Evil Twin dress c/o Market HQ

Ankle boots c/o Ugg Australia

Red Envelope clutch c/0 Chicwish

Make Up: Lauren West Makeup

Photography: Kopie Photography

The last shoot from my weekend with Kopie Photography! You can check out part one and part two as well if you've missed them. I'm still kinda getting used to seeing myself with this smokey eye look! While I wouldn't wear it day to day it was quite fun for a change :)

As a side note, I'm in the process of letting my fringe (bangs) grow out. Which happens to be the most unattractive experience ever but fortunately my hair grows pretty fast so hopefully it'll all be over soon. I've had a fringe for as long as I can remember but it's time for a change and I'm thinking of giving a middle part a go once it's grown out properly! In the meantime I do apologise for crazy side swept look I'll be displaying while I wait it out!

Cozy Moments

(images from my instagram - @herecomesthesunblog)

Just a few snippets from my perfectly relaxing weekend :) I just started reading The Book Thief and am loving it already! Thanks to those who recommended it to me in this post. I think after I finish it I'm going to get my hands on a copy of Norwegian Wood.

It feels like my weekend disappeared in the blink of an eye! It was a good one though. Other than these cozy moments inside I also managed to enjoy a few good runs, good wine and good food with friends, a movie or two and the husband and I have started 30 Rock from the beginning.

Hope you've all had a lovely one! This time next week I'll be in Queenstown and I couldn't be more excited x