Old Joy Gift Box Review

I travel a fair bit and when I meet someone new they always ask me, “What’s Vancouver like anyway?” I never struggle in saying it’s calm and clean. I mention the trees, the mountains, the ocean and the rain. All things environmental.  Now, thanks to Old Joy Gift Boxes – I have an answer that captures both the atmosphere and the flavor of Vancouver.

Melissa Mills has taken the best of the best of Vancouver artisans (Woodlot, Vancouver Olive Oil Company, Lissu Linen and Minimocs to name just a few!) and thoughtfully curated her gift boxes with an accent of an old joy – a vintage item that ties whole box together. She painstakingly handpicks her products to align with the interest of the recipient (like a cool vintage camera for my friends at Flytographer).

Melissa has a keen eye for aesthetic and design and don’t even get me started on the ribbon she uses! I lust after this classic black and white grosgrain ribbon that I feel Coco Chanel would use in the early days making her hats (Note to Melissa: Find more of that ribbon!).

The boxes themselves are made out of reclaimed wood and lined with an OLFCO flower arrangement (dried flowers in shipped boxes) which make the boxes very west coast.

After ordering a number of boxes, I began to realize that the real secret behind the boxes – is actually Melissa herself.  Mother of a beautiful girl, she is always with a smile and a sunny disposition. Melissa is the true definition of joy and the passion she has for her craft radiates like the sun in every box she delivers – much like a glorious day in city of Vancouver.

ELENA:)

Metro UK Feature with Flytographer

When you read this – you may wonder if in fact I am currently using my fabulous Flytographer photos for an online dating profile – I am not 🙂 But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great idea.

I think it’s funny that I talk about Paris in the article – but these pictures are from New York. Details…

This is from the Life & Style report in the Metro UK for September 4, 2014

How a hot shot can help snap up a date 

Author Elena Murzello talks to Ashley Pearson about boosting her profile with a pro-shot portfolio

Everyone knows you have to look good in an online dating profile. Using a professional snapper and hiring a witty writer to pen your blurb is becoming the norm but no longer content with standing against a white background, singles are hiring photographers to capture them in glam settings in order to attract a lover.

While holiday snaps are nothing new- as Kate Taylor, relationship expert for match.com says “People in summery, exotic photographs are seen as more attractive, sociable and healthier than the same people in wintery shots” – the chances of you capturing the perfect holiday selfie are slim. But hire a pro and you get all the extra pizzazz (and airbrushing) of a professional and capture the adventurous globetrotter vibe as well.

Think stylish shots of sporty looking accountants skiing down mountains, glam PR girls climbing out yellow cabs in teetering heels, curvy divorcees lying on immaculate white sandy beaches and good looking hipsters hiking Kilimanjaro.

No wonder companies like Flytographer are in demand. It’s a service providing professional – quality holiday photos worldwide thanks to a network os skilled snappers, many of who shoot for likes of Vogue and Vanity Fair.

Elena Murzello, dating expert and author of The Love List: A Guide to Getting who you want, is a client. “Having a profile photo that stands out is vital,” she says. “First impressions are key and it’s the difference between a swipe or a second look.”

“Travelling solo to Paris, I booked Flytographer to capture me on the Pont des Arts bridge and at the Louvre. There’s only so much detail and personality a random selfie can portray. I loved the results – my online interest increased exponentially.”

Flytographer founder Nicole Smith is surprised by this new market but couldn’t be happier. “I set up the company so that people on holiday would go home with great photographic memories,” she says. “If clients are using them as a way to find true love after they get home, it’s a bonus.”

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Anthony Garcia

My awesome makeup for my shoot was done by Anthony at Pucker. He was amazing! So amazing in fact – he attended the MET Ball tonight!

Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with the talented artist, Anthony Garcia:

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1) How long have you lived in New York? 

– I have lived in New York for two years from Pasadena, CA

2) What is your favourite makeup product and why? 

– My favorite makeup product to use on clients has to be a illuminating highlighter because it creates a beautiful glow and luminous finish which makes your skin appear to be younger.

3) When did you start doing make up?

– I’ve always been an artist and I picked up makeup while doing theater. I was late in signing up for a drama course and the only way to be a part of the production that semester was to take a costume and makeup course. I learned a lot from the class and learned that I was actually good at makeup. It’s always been another way of expressing my love for art and perfection.

4) Tell me about your favourite characteristic of a person’s face and why.

– I would have to say the eyes. I feel like a woman’s eyes can always be dressed up or down with very little effort. I like emphasis on the lashes for daytime and a darker crease for that sultry eye.

5) Name three characteristics (in no particular order) on your Love List? (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate).

– My wife definitely needs to be confident, loving and humble.

ELENA:)
 

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Jen Reiher (Flytographer)

These are my two favourite Flytographer shots. The first is from my Paris Flytographer shoot with Pierre Torset from February. The second picture is from Johnny Wolf in New York in April.

I decided I had to interview with Jen Reiher, who is the shoot concierge for Flytographer. Totally organized and personable – you are definitely in great hands when you book a shoot. I should know 😉

Here is 5 minutes/ 5 questions with the lovely Jen Reiher.

1) How long have you lived in Victoria?
My entire life – minus a GAP year spent volunteering in the UK. It’s hard to imagine leaving Victoria! It’s the perfect size, has an amazing food scene and the weather is the best in Canada!
2) What are your top three favourite cities in the world to visit?
So far? Budapest, Hungary; Seoul, Korea & Portland, Oregon. However… since starting to work for Flytographer the top 3 places on my ‘to visit’ list are Placencia, Belize; Lisbon, Portugal & Cancun, Mexico!
3) What is your must need travel accessory?
A very timely question… I’m travelling to Vegas for the first time in a few weeks and just starting to pack my bags and the one thing I need to find still is a great hat…! It’s a super important accessory for fashion as well as practicality for sunny destinations, but in winter a toque is a pretty classic Canadian accessory, too.
4) What’s the best part of reviewing all the pictures from all the photographers around the world?
Just how many authentically magical moments our photographers capture! I always get a little bit chocked up when I’m uploading the photo sets because the personalities and emotions just leap out of the screen. I think this is because we are capturing such meaningful moments and connections between people and places like anniversaries, honeymoons (or second honeymoons!), engagements, birthdays & bucket list trips.
5) Name three characteristics on your Love List? (Qualities that you look for in a potential mate/or your mate has already)
This was basically the gist of my wedding vows…

  1. Nerdiness: My husband and I started talking because we are both Mac nerds, and we’ve never stopped sharing geekery with each other.
  2. Adaptability: openness to change, and the ability to grow together is so key to me to long-term happiness in relationships! I am definitely not the same as I was when I met my husband 10 years ago, and neither is he, but we have definitely grown together and changed each other in small ways for the better.
  3. Compatibility yet independence : My husband and I are a great team, but we are not inseparable… it is so important to have passions to pursue outside of each other! It gives us things to talk about together if nothing else… 🙂

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Johnny Wolf

I had tons of fun with the wonderful Johnny Wolf, who was my NYC Flytographer. We walked along the High line and then we took it to the streets for more pictures and Artichoke pizza.  

This is 5 minutes/5 questions with photographer, Johnny Wolf:

1) How long have you lived in New York? 

All of my life! 

2) What is your favourite thing about being behind the camera?

It removes my self awareness.  I’m generally more of an introvert, but with a camera in my hands, I become much more outgoing and have no trouble directing people and being the center of attention.  The interactions I have and connections I make with people are wonderful!

3) Where is your favourite location in New York to take pictures?

Dumbo, Brooklyn.

4) What is your single best piece advice for aspiring photographers?

Take risks and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.  I’ve found that I learn a lot more from failures than I do from making a good picture.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?

Strong, independent, selfless.  And warm.  And goofy.  Wait, did you say three?

ELENA:)

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