I'm often asked (and very flattered) when people ask me what equipment I am using to take my DIY shots. The truth is, I don't use anything fancy at all. Just some simple techniques I have learned throughout the years and my trusty Samsung Note 3 phone. Yup, that's right...I don't even own a "real" camera. Here are some Pinterest photo tips to get you started. Pinterest Photo Tip #1: Know Your Home Which windows get the most natural light? At what time of day. I have two places I take shots, in my living room on the floor in the afternoon under a wall of windows or in the kitchen next to the sink window in the morning. Anywhere else casts too many shadows or won't let me see the details on things like oil bottle labels. To test it, take some small objects like oil bottles or even green army men and shoot around your house. You will start to see how the shadows play at different times in natural light. Don't be afraid to get down on the floor...as you will see shortly, no one will ever know. Pinterest Photo Tip #2: It's All About the Props I am constantly on the lookout for Pinteresting Props. I stalk the Target $1 spot which is full of great things like Chevron contact paper, ...
Christmas Gifts for the College Crowd
Looking for the right Christmas gifts for the college crowd? I was too. Turns out they have plenty of wants and needs and no money to get them! What a perfect time to spoil someone. Here is a list of things that are perfect. Gift Cards: It seems impersonal I know but it REALLY isn't. Kids who don't have a car on campus will love giftcards to stores and restaurants within walking distance. Google a map of their campus and zoom out a bit. The map will show you what they have right around them. You can then go to places like your grocery store that likely sell 100's of different store giftcards or an online dealer that will have a wider variety. Even if you can't find a place close to their campus, they will love one to stores at home. One place we like to give giftcards too is Gordmans. They have a great selection of cool posters, sheets, and even new clothes (my sons LOVE their dri-fit collection). It's about time that a new something in the room or closet would be a welcome pick me up! There is a great coupon to attach to the giftcard at the bottom of this post. Headphones: Headphones are one of those things that college kids tend to go through a lot. They have their ...
It’s Tough Not To Like the Kyocera Brigadier
Can your iPhone 6 do that? It's OK to admit the answer you are looking for is, UM, NO? Admit it, you probably just winced a bit when I dropped it. It's the stuff tech lovers nightmares are made of. We pay more money for the Otterboxes to protect our precious phones than the phone itself it seems like these days. But, Kyocera and Bear Grylls would like to put to an end to the daily terror of the dreaded "phone drop". They have accomplished that goal with this tough little phone my guys are fighting over, the Kyocera Brigadier Verizon sent us to test out. Oh, and by the way....the phone came up with a tiny chip in the plastic casing of the phone, about the size of a pin head in the above video. The phone itself was unscathed. While the main feature of this phone is pretty obvious: IT'S TOUGHER THAN A HONEY BADGER....There are a few other things that make this a favorite in this house: Street noise is cancelled out. This has been really useful for my husband making calls while downtown. It's got a heavy, sturdy feel and you're not afraid if it takes a tumble. Built in flashlight means not having to use a third party app. The altitude detector has been great while hiking ...
How To Help Your Kid Transition in College
It's been just about a month since most college kids have headed off. And its just about the time for them to start missing home, if they haven't already. I'm finding while the first month is hardest on the family left at home, the second is hardest on the one who left. What can you do to support your kid away from home? Here are some strategies my friends and I are finding successful. How To Help Your Kid Transition in College 1. Send them an amazing memory. This summer my son got into hiking and had several gorgeous photos he took of 14'ers. I teamed up with Picture It On Canvas to turn one of those photos of Grey's Peak into an amazing canvas art piece for his dorm room, earning me a "Mom, it's AMAZING. Thank you so much" text. Any mom of an 18 year old knows, that is huge! Not sure what to have put on canvas for your kiddo? Spend some time looking through his or her Instagram account. I love that they can import a picture directly from Instagram! I chose to have this mounted thin-bar on a 16*24 canvas. It is the perfect size for over most dorm style desks. The thin bar makes it light enough to hang with Command poster hanging strips which I left there on move in day. ...
Top Roadtrip Apps for Moms
This month we have spent every week on the road. Like, literally, have been on a major trip every week of August. My Samsung Note 3 and I have never been so close. We've spent a lot of long hours together watching the pavement pass. So how did my phone save me from certain death by boredom while on these fabulously scenic roads? Read on for some roadtrip apps for moms that will make your phone your next BFF. Top Roadtrip Apps for Moms Instagram. I mean what's more fun than sharing boring pictures of the road, right? Well, maybe sharing all those quirky little road stops would be. Probably Definitely more fun is seeing what all your friends are up. Instagram is the ADHD's busy moms Facebook. Your kids are on Instagram taking a million pictures of themselves making duck faces. Go look. Nothing is more fun that looking at ten million selfies of your adorable kids. Make sure to like all their pictures. They really appreciate that. Especially the teens. Candy Crush. It's addicting. It's annoying. It's a puzzle game with a social twist that let's you endlessly beg your friends on Facebook for extra lives and new levels. The good news is that unless you are willing ...