Eureka! - Find the Original Source of an Image

Have you ever been surfing around the net or Pinterest and spied an image you love? The entry promises instructions or a recipe or you'd love to see a larger photo or more images. Then you click on it and DRAT! instead of the image going to the original source, it goes to an image page. All you have is that same image in another window. It's so frustrating. As a blogger, if I use an image that isn't my own, I cite the original source with a name and link. It's just good blogging and keeps you from being a thief. Sometimes I see an image on another blog and I know that blogger isn't the photographer. If I still want to use the image, I need to find the source.

1. Spy the image you want to use or find. You can use this same method with Pinterest.

2. Right click on the image and open a new window. 

 
3. Open Google Images and click on the camera icon.

4. Copy the URL from the open window of your image, paste it into the URL slot and click the Search by Image button.

5. Google will return your results.

 

 

6. Click on the results links to find your original source. It make take a few clicks to find the source but this method has never failed me. 

 

 

 

blog example: Cocktail de Mariposa

photo credit: The Sartorialist

 

It's a great way to give credit where credit is due and to get the information you really want to find.

 

 



Inspiration - When There is None

Yesterday I was involved in a discussion on a fellow blogger's facebook page (Wardrobe Oxygen) about the work it takes to run a successful blog. In that discussion there was talk of people's perceptions of the work it takes and in some cases the lack of respect that bloggers, even professional bloggers receive. I started thinking about the posts I do and the work and inspiration it takes to write a good post.

graphic credit: traceyadamson.wordpress

I am not a full time blogger. I have a full time job, separate from blogging, that pays the bills. When I started this blog, it was a fun outlet for my love of fashion. Posts weren't regular but I enjoyed the writing. I care a great deal about my blog and don't want to just post anything. Lots of thought goes into what I want to write about but also what I think you all will find interesting. I want it to be well written, inspirational, helpful and worth your time. A good blog post takes time. In most cases, hours. If there are lots of photos or collages, it can take even more time. It's a true labor of love and passion.

A few years ago I decided to start posting regularly. My goal was to post every weekday. Most weeks I meet that goal. Lately, I've been lacking in inspiration.  I don't want to just post crap that you don't care about. Part of the reason is the other tasks I've been focused on (work, home repairs, health, stress).

Now the real confession. Another reason for my slightly irregular posting is my lack of an inspirational workspace.  My office/studio is a ridiculous mess. It's become a dumping ground for things and now it's just a huge pile of crap. There isn't even a workable space in the room. Auditioning for hoarders is a distince possibility. Admittedly, I'm not a super neat person.  I like the house to be clean but I come from a long line of savers and pile makers. I have to force myself to purge on a regular basis. That being said, my creative workspace has always been a clutter free zone. It's a small space and I have kept it that way because I needed a stress free place to get away and be creative. That space no longer exists. I troll Pinterest and other blogs and see amazing creative spaces. Creating that space for myself would be great. It's also daunting. I look at the mess and think of the work and freak out. My plan is to do a little at a time. I have to do some cleaning to coming weekend to move a piece of furniture. It's a perfect time to start clearing out my small room Wish me luck. And now some picture perfect rooms for inspiration.



Office Inspiration

 

Back to blog posting, do you have topics you'd like to see me cover? Burning fashion questions or frustrations? Please respond here or email me at realgirlrunway@live.com.

Best of Blog World - Picks of the Week (June 15 - 21)

My friends, as you know my paying job has been taking much of my time lately. Work has been very busy. In addition, I haven't been feeling well.  Unfortunately that means I haven't been posting much or writing much in the last week. I thought I'd share some of my favorite posts, from some of my fave bloggers this week. I'm trying to get back in the saddle with some personal style posts and my own writing. Thanks for hanging in there.

• An amazing job at organizing a small closet from ...love Maegan. I plan to use Maegan's ideas in reorganizing my own closet. I have a nook in the side of my closet calling for shoe shelves.

• Instructions on creating my own DIY bleached jeans from I Spy DIY, like the ones I showed in this post. I can't wait to do my own. Hopefully work will cooperate soon.

• Hair tutorials shared by Sarah of Style IT.  Some great tips from Collette Malouf with step by step pictures. I love how she has taken the mystery out of a style that at first glance seems complicated. I'm fighting the urge to chop off my hair. These new style ideas will be a huge help.

• I love the layering, styling and the hat in the post Summer Magic by B. Jones Style.  I have a few summer hats and I enjoy seeing how other people style theirs. The structure of the hat vs. the flowing jacket are calling my name.

• This black and white look from Megan of The Frugalista Diaries is so chic! The mix of prints and stripes with the pop of color in the bag is fab. Did I mention that she just had a baby? The best of Mommy style and she looks INCREDIBLE! The post also inlcudes a funny story about husbands and clothes.

   

Frugal Fashion Friday - Living Your Dreams

Today's FFF post is fashion related but the full focus isn't fashion. Wow, the alliteration in the previous sentence is nuts. About six months ago I opened a fortune cookie to find the following fortune:

It really made me stop and think.  I have a great job, that is rewarding (most of the time), where I'm successful and it pays well. It however, is not and has never been my dream job. Sometimes, There are two things I'm very passionate about, politics and fashion. I've always wanted to work  in fashion in some capacity. I toyed with the idea of majoring in fashion in college. I've held dreams of opening my own boutique, and being a personal stylist. One of the things on my bucket list has always been to attend NYC Fashion Week. I started this blog a couple of years ago hoping that I might be able to go sometime using my blog as an avenue. Little did I know fashion blogging would blow up like it has in the past few years. Back then, I only posted occasionally and wasn't committed to it fully. I've avidly followed politics my whole life. Voting and making my voice heard is very important to me. During college I became more of an activist for causes that are important to me. In the last ten years, I began working with candidates to assist with their campaigns.

When I got that fortune, it made me stop and think about my dreams of youth.  I've always known that I had the power to live those dreams. I just had to make it happen. Silly me, a fortune cookie had to be my catalyst. First I made a committment to blog regularly.  I would attempt to post daily or at least four to five times a week at a minimum. Then I decided to work my blog. Look for ways to learn more and network. With politics, I took a more active roll in my local Democratic party, serving as the chair of some committees and volunteering additional time.

Me with former Governer of VA and DNC Chair Tim Kaine

Here's where the frugal part comes in.  I've spent a little (very little) money here and there on small donations and social events. I've never purchased clothes or products just for my blog that I wouldn't have bought normally. I have only donated to candidates and causes I fully believe in. It cost me nothing to start my blog. It was free (THANKS BLOGGER!). In fact, if choose to, I can run ads on my blog to make a little cash. I've been invited to events and gotten a few items gratis, in gift bags and through product reviews.  I've had the opportunity to meet some incredible activists and politicians, including Gloria Steinhem, Tim Kaine, Tyne Daily and many other Congressional leaders.  I attended rallys and heard (at the time) future President Barack Obama speak.  I was even invited to and attended the innauguration.  The only cost for these events was my time to volunteer, committment to the cause or small donation.

I know that all dreams aren't this inexpensive. However, there are always opportunities to make your dreams happen. I'm sure if you search a little you will be able to find less expensive options.

LIVE YOUR DREAMS!

Best of Blog World - My Recent Picks

In addition to writing this little blog, I'm also an avid blog reader. I have Google Reader on my laptop and my iPhone.  When I have time, I check out other blogs for fun reads and inspiration. I thought I'd share some of my favorite posts from recent weeks, with you. I know you're scratching your head trying to figure out what the things below are and why they are in my blog this week.  Well, read on my friends, all will be revealed.

• Fabulous local blogger (and friend), Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen has a great blog about dressing your body, shopping economically, music, her beautiful daughter and lots of other fantastic tidbits. Her post about Bras this week made me nod my head yes and laugh.

• An amazing and quick DIY vest from Kirsten of Studs and Pearls! It's even great for those who think they aren't creative or can't sew.  You only need scissors and a scarf.

• I love the fun and sunny manicure on The Looks for Less.  I'm planning to try it soon. It may be a bit bold for some but you could tone it down by using more muted but Spring like colors.

• Kimberly of Fab Finds Under $50 is one of my favorites. This Daily Outfit post illustrates exactly why I love her blog. She's put together a fun and accessible outfit, gives you fantastic organizational tips and throws in a yummy recipe. Multi-tasking at its best.

• Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere has great style and is always trying out fantastic recipes. I made marshmallows from a recipe she published during the Holidays. I can't wait to try this homemade Pop Tart recipe!

I hope you have as much fun reading these blogs as I do.  Maybe you'll even find a new idea, recipe or project.

Sharing in the DIY

Lots of thanks to fellow blogger, Jenni of I Spy DIY. Not only is she adorable, she has amazing style, and a great blog where she posted a link to my DIY chain detail jacket in her DIY Roundup! 

Check out Jenni's blog. She has fantastic ideas and also writes a monthly column for In Style.

photo credit: I Spy DIY

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

You can now follow my blog on bloglovin. It's a great website that allows you to follow and all of your favorite blogs in one place.

Just sign up for an account. Once you register, add blogs by entering the address of the blog. So simple.

http://www.bloglovin.com

http://realgirlrunway.blogspot.com/