San Smith

My favorite iPhone photo apps!

Ever since I got my iphone 4s I've been going crazy taking photos, and one of my favorite things to do is experiment with the cool photo apps that are available! Soooo I thought it might be nice to share a few of my favorite programs and how I like to use them! <3

 

 

Instagram

Most people have instagram or have heard of it... but for those of you who don't use it - you should check it out! It's my favorite photo sharing app! I love that you can find new people through it, see whats popular with people all over the world and also see whats popular with the friends you follow. The filters for photos you upload are super cool and there are some nice borders that are optional as well. It can also push the photos to tumblr, facebook, twitter and flickr when you upload them which I love because it saves me time! Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

 

PicFrame 

This is the app I use for making photo collages and outfit photos for my blog and instagram! It's a very handy little app when you have more than one photo you want to share and are away from a computer and want to quickly merge it all on your phone. You can add curved corners to your collage and change the background color, and there are also three pages of layout options! Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

   

PriPri Marron 

LOVE this app!! If you are familiar with purikura or sticker pictures, this app is a way to create that sort of thing on your phone! It has 6 different sections of sticker images, continuous stamps and borders along with a pen tool and ways to add text. If you wanted to take it further you could even print these out on sticker paper and use them like real purikura! I've done that a few times with my friends. Note: The last image was edited in PriPriMarron and then Princess Camera, which is mentioned below. You should definitely try out using these apps together, you can get even better results! Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

  

Flickr

Pretty straight forward... it's a mobile version of Flickr. I use this to upload photos straight from my phone so I can be lazy and avoid the step of importing them onto my computer and then uploading them. Heh! I don't use it for much else, but that feature alone makes this app dreamy for me. I love saving time and anything to keep me from having to sit at the computer is a plus! Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

 

Princess Camera

Another photo decoration app similar to PriPri Marron but with different options. The options seem to be more tailored towards making your photos "cuter" with lighting techniques and fake make up. There are little stamps and stickers you can add, but the selection is much smaller. This app is also a little more difficult to use, but the ability to enhance your appearance is still cool and worth trying. You can see I put fake bottom and top lashes, blush and little bows on myself above! I like to use this app with PriPri Marron - I'll often enhance the appearance of a person in Princess Cam, and then take it into PPM to add fun borders and details for an over the top photo. Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

  

PiciBooth 

Ahhh, PiciBooth - I love this app because it's a free photo booth, but I also slightly hate this app because you are forced to watch ads while your photos "develop"! While the ads are annoying, the overall usability and quality is pretty good for free. I only takes 3 photos with the front facing camera on a timed setting (like a real photo booth!) and it has 5 filters you can use on them afterwords. I usually crop out the logo at the bottom if I plan on putting these online or printing them out! You can see that in the photo on the left... and the giant image of me in that photo is just an enlarged area of another photo strip! They still retain a lot of photo quality after being saved so you can play around with them a bit which is awesome! Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

 

Pixlr-o-matic

This is a filter app with features that remind me of the filters in instagram but 10x more awesome. There are hundreds of combinations you can choose from - and if you look at the top right corner of the first photo there is even an option for the program to randomly select nice combinations for you! You can select light filters, overlays and frames for your photos. Best of all, it doesn't crop them like instagram does!! Very fun app for those who like to take their photos one step further. Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

Adobe Photoshop Express

Last but not least, Photoshop for your iPhone! The options on this app are limited, but its nice if you just need to adjust the photo slightly due to poor lighting or something. I think you might be able to buy additional photo editing features for the app, but I haven't looked into that since I'm thrifty with my app purchases. ;) Click here for more info from iTunes.

 

And that's it! I hope you guys like the apps mentioned and let me know if you have any favorites I should check out! Happy Friday you guys!!

 

Record Store Girl comic #2

I figured now was a good time to share RSG #2 online since #3 is now in Magnet magazine for February!

And as mentioned on twitter by Criminal Records, you can get the latest issue of Magnet magazine with Record Store Girl #3 from your local record shop! Go go go ! <3

Let's cook! Making bacon cheddar scones

Recently for dinner I tried out the bacon cheddar scone recipe from Annie Eat's blog! 

I'm fairly new to cooking - it's not something I was interested in until recently. Over the holidays I received a stand mixer from Chris in a perfect tiffany blue, and it's really inspired me to try out some harder recipes! I'm still experimenting with the mixer and trying to learn what are good recipes to make with it... I've tried cookies, brownies, mashed potatoes... and now scones! After finishing things up and eating I can say this recipe is GOOD!!

I used turkey bacon instead of regular bacon since its a tiny bit healthier. I also don't have a cooking brush, so to brush the scones with egg wash I used a spoon to drizzle some on and then spread it out with the bottom part of the spoon. Worked just as good!

I'd post the recipe here but there is no point since it's already blogged on Annie's site and is her original content. But... In the future, if I find recipes I like in magazines or through family members I'll be sure to share those! :)

Love Letter - List #26

This is Love Letter #26 - a list of all things I'm liking at the moment!

 

Monster High "Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love" and My Little Ponies "Friendship is magic" - yes, I finally watched the new my little ponies, and it's actually pretty cute... and on the note of other children's shows, I'm excited for the new Monster High special in February. Guuuiillty pleasures guys. <3

Shit Tumblr Girls Say - Angelina is hilarious and awesome. If you haven't seen this yet, then watch it - it's dead on. 

 

Advanced Style documentary - Love these women. Major inspiration here - I actually took lines from this video and printed them out to put up around my house. I can't wait to see the documentary!

 

Zine Scene: The Do It Yourself Guide to Zines - Cruised through this one at the Library last week and while it's really old now (published in 1998!) a lot of the info still applies, but to blogs! Very very cool book plus a fun look into the recent past. Plus, it was super fun to see examples of zines that had been made and a look at the authors. 

What We Wore: An Offbeat Social History of Women's Clothing, 1950 to 1980 - Another one I read at the library. I love looking through books like this to see the changes in fashion. Looove these bathing suits in this photo I took:

Gentleman Jesse and his men - I can't wait for this album! It sounds so good.

Cosmic Thing - B-52's

I'm so excited - Le Tigre 

This fashion shoot, "Harajuku-ers", and this one too, "Love Station", are total eye candy.

A blog post analyzing my favorite style combo ever, "The ’80s/Mid-Century Connection" !!

Advanced Style asks, "Should we ever stop playing dress up?" (no!) Some good advice in this article.

"How to Not Care What Other People Think of You" by Rookie Mag (Thanks Lillian for the link!) 

Love Fashion designer Julie Mollo's new blog, "Home Economics", where she writes about "my favorite tips for looking good, feeling good, cooking well & living well!" - it's super cute!

Flickr favorites - Pink  |  Tarina Tarantino boutique  |  Pink and purple hair  |  Retro custom Draculaura (makes me think of ghost world!)  

 

 

 

Last but not least, Danielle of Ghosts Waltz... you make my heart melt. I adore the drawing you did for me to bits <3 Thank you for posting about it!! I treasure it and keep it on my inspiration board for 2012.

 

 

Photo update: instagram randomness!

I've been posting a lot of fun photos on instagram lately, and I thought I'd share a few! It'll be like a brief little life update...

Which by the way, if you are instagram - my name is "sanasaurus" on there! :)

I am slowly changing my office around, and one of the big things I've done so far is I've sold the giant standing desk cabinet I had! I used some of the money to get a little vanity dressing table for my office and I love it. Chris put it together for me last week and its my new favorite place in the house! 

Wheels & Dollbaby's Dita Von Teese cardigan review

So for those who haven't heard - Australian brand "Wheels & Dollbaby" mentioned on their facebook page the other day that they have restocked the coveted Dita Von Teese cardigan!! It seems the only color restocked is the black with red stitching though. Here is a link to the cardigan listing. The peach cardigan is also still listed, but with out any sizes so I'm assuming it's sold out...

Anyhow, buying these cardigans can be a little intimidating so I wanted to make a video explaining the sizing and quality of these cardigans for anyone not living in Australia. I was really lucky to be able to purchase two of these cardigans before they sold out recently - one in black and one in red, and I learned a lot through the process of buying them.

 

Detailed information on the sizing

In the video I discuss information about the sizing, stretch, and what not. As mentioned, here is the size chart from Dita Von Teese's website:

Also discussed is how Wheels & Dollbaby recently changed the way their sizing is listed on the site (#'s 1-5 vs what I assume is standard AUS sizing). As far as I can tell, this is how the new sizing compares to US sizing and their old sizing:

US 4 - AUS 8 - W&D 1

US 6 - AUS 10 - W&D 2

US 8 - AUS 12 - W&D 3

US 10 - AUS 14 - W&D 4

US 12 - AUS 16 - W&D 5

Wheels & Dollbaby does seem to run "small" compared to typical US sizing. I usually wear a US small/US 4, but in this brand I definitely wear a US 6/AUS 10, and this particular cardigan runs even smaller than their typical clothing to give a sexy skin-tight look that Dita Von Teese often rocks. If you don't like an ultra tight fit, then go up 1 or 2 sizes. 

Where to buy

• ASOS carries a small assortment of Wheels & Dollbaby, and often puts items on sale!
• Damsel in Distress in NYC - this is where I bought my red cardigan. They do not update their online store regularly though, so its better to check in person at their New York boutique. 
• Of course, there is always Wheels & Dollbaby's official site
• And if you don't live in the US or Australia, then visit this link for additional shops
• These cardigans often appear on ebay too, and are usually in the 1-5 sizing. I've seen them in peach, light blue, back, red and baby pink... The older cardigans have a "dollbaby" logo tag on the back neck area, but thats the only difference from the ones released recently. So keep an eye out for a good deal! :)

 

Here is the look I'm wearing in the video. High waisted shorts - Forever 21, V neck top - local boutique, Sheer tights - Target, Slouchy motorcycle boots - Steve Madden, Purse -  Betsey Johnson, Ring - Tarina Tarantino, and Purse Charm - Fluff.

The sweater provides moderate warmth when layered, and gives a very cute and unique look! I definitely recommend purchasing it if you are thinking about it! The item will sell out fast! 

Hope this was helpful!
If you have any questions feel free to leave in the comment area!

Coming soon: My 3d deco nail art experiment!

OH GIRL... let me tell you how much I love some nail art!! I know this isn't related to much on my blog, but I've been going bananas over it lately and just had to share.

For the past two years I've been really into experimenting with nail art, but hadn't gotten too far with it because it was complicated to DIY and expensive to have done professionally! Here are some of my attempts in the past inspired by things I saw online... Strawberry nails, Sally Hansen and Ulta nail strips, lots of hand painted bows and a few little nail stickers for good measure:

 

Not too bad, but not really what I fully wanted either... I mean, check out these amazing nails from Yukiumi Nails:

(You can click the photos for their sources and how to buy)

Aren't they crazy and gorgeous?! Go big or go home - right?? Haha! I love it! NOW that was what I really wanted to go for!!

However, after price research and a lot of thinking I realized its not very realistic for me to have crazy long nails that are expensive when I have a limited budget and use my hands all the time for drawing... Sigh. 

So to compromise I decided to try something simple myself and see if I like it! I bought some tiny bow cabochons on etsy to pair with Sally Hansen nail strips, and as soon as they arrive in the mail I'll make a post about it and a tutorial! I'm so excited!! So yeah - look forward to that post soon! I think it'll be around Valentine's day or shortly before it (judging by the shipping estimate). 

Are you into crazy nail art or the 3d nail decorations? OR have you tried it yourself and have fun pics to share? Lemme know! I'd love to hear! 

Love Letter - List #25

This is Love Letter #25 - a list of all things I'm liking at the moment!

 

Tarina Tarantino's youtube tutorials - I love these videos Tarina Tarantino made for her Sephora line. She is so down to earth in the videos and inspiring! Check out her Light and Luminous tutorial and Smokey eveing tutorial - I really hope she makes more!

Soft Shock - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Hysteric - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

She's got me dancing - Tommy Sparks

Koko Dake no Hanaashi - Chatmonchy - My cousin Chad gave me a Chatmonchy cd for Christmas and I'm loving it! Their music is so upbeat.

The Lady is a Tramp - Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga - looooveee!!! This is one of my favorite songs, and they did it wonderfully together.

 

Just Dance 3 is AMAZING!! I feel so good after playing it - it's the best work out ever. Chris got it for me for Christmas and I want to play it everyday! I hope I can get super good at it over time... right now I just kinda hop around and try my best. It's so fun! :)

 

Working on puzzles! Chris and I have been doing epic puzzling lately and it is so fun! We are almost done with a 2000 piece puzzle, and then we will start a 3000 piece one! Wheeee!

DIY peter pan collar from felt - annnd if you're not the DIY type though, this one is pretty fabulous on etsy. I really want to try to make this! Love this one by Chubby Bunny too.

Craisins in Cherry flavor and Walkers shortbread rounds - omgggg I could eat these all day. ALL DAY. Oh wait, I just did.

My Phillips wake up light alarm clock - I received this for Christmas and it is AMAZING!! I wake up so peacefully now. Often I wake up just to the light, but there is a soft bird chirping sound that happens closer to your hopeful wake up time just in case the light doesn't do the trick. It's so realistic I can't tell if its the birds outside or not sometimes! If you have issues waking up in the morning you might want to check this out!

Tiny Wisdom: When enough is better than more - good advice!

PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES – PLEASE READ THIS. - So much truth in this post. All freelancers should read this. 

I love these flickr photos - Hello Kitty Silhouette  |  Custom Draculaura  |  Girly Girls  |  Tarina Tarantino Collection  |  Halloween at Baskin Robbins in Japan  |  Pink and Black dessert table