Shutterbug-Shutterfly

Do you guys like Christmas cards? I LOVE Christmas cards. I like any cards, really. I think it's because I like getting mail. I might be kind of obsessed with it, actually. Every day I run into the house and ask, "Did we get any mail today?" Hubs probably thinks I'm waiting for something or to hide a piece of mail from him but it's just that I love getting personal mail of any kind.

That's why when I saw this opportunity on Katie's blog, I had to jump on it! I've used Shutterfly for a lot of projects in the past (one of them being our photo guest book at our wedding) but the chance to get 50 free cards was just too good to pass up! I've loved using Shutterfly because they are constantly having a sale, they have super fast delivery and their products are very high quality. What's not to love?

So I started looking through all the Christmas cards and they have SUCH great ones this year:

Of course, I started with the Photo Christmas Cards

This one is super cute. I like the idea of updating friends about your family and really like that it's only a couple of lines. Plus, those little boys are adorable.

Love this one. It's simple but a nice change from just one picture.


I LOVE blue and red together for Christmas. We did that for our card last year. So I'm thinking I may mix it up this year. But this is still sweet. Nice and simple.


I love me some monograms. We have M's all over the house. So of course this one spoke to me. We definitely don't have enough pictures to fill it up though.


This one may be my absolute fav. Isn't it great? I love the message. Plus it's my favorite Christmas song!


And if Christmas isn't your thing, you can't go wrong with a holiday card.

There are so many more great gift ideas on Shutterfly's site. Makes me want to have kids so I can plaster them all over a calendar or a mug. :) Just kidding Hubs! (Sorta. But really.)

So go! Check them out. I dare you to find just one that you like. And if you're a blogger, you could get 50 cards free too! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Just act surprised when you guys get one in the mail, ok?

Greedy

I'm a greedy greedy girl. There was a time in my life where my mom would ask me what I wanted for Christmas or for my birthday and I couldn't think of a thing. SERIOUSLY? I can list of tons of things I want now. They are definitely not needs but man, I want want want all the time.

1. Unlimited shopping sprees at Target. Holy smokes, every time I go there I find about 15 things I want. Do I need more clothes? No but they are very clever at getting me to think I do.

2. New camera equipment. I'm doing all my stuff on a Nikon D40, which is a great starter SLR. But I covet. Ohhhh how I covet the Nikon D700, with a 50mm 1.4. Ooo and a 24-70mm but now I'm just getting greedy. I also want a nice flash but I don't want to start buying flashes and lenses that aren't compatible with what I have now.

3. Photoshop and Kubota actions. Yummy. I would buy an expensive package for the Magic Sharpener alone.

4. This necklace. You see the name of it?? It's like it was meant to be!

5. An external hard drive and a DVD burner for CDs. You know, so my computer can run at a normal speed.

6. A pair of TOMS shoes. I really like the grey ones. yum.

7. A Garmin 305 since I'm trying to really stick with the running thing. And a couple more running capris.

hmmmm, is anyone seeing a trend with my gimmie-gimmies this week?

Anyone else a greedy cakes this week? Because, oh man, I would feel awful if I was alone in this!!

Must. Get. It.

People, have you seen this? By the Mexican artist Salvador Ramirez Madriz, baby Chewbacca is nomming down on his bottle. Love!





via Neatorama and DeviantArt

Precioussss

So, I acquired a camera at Christmas of '08. Same Christmas where I got engaged. This fabulous camera is a Nikon D40. I know what you're all thinking... "But Coco, there's a D90 and a D5000, why didn't you get one of those?" Because I wasn't buying it and those were super expensive. That's why!

I got by on the kit lens up until this past January. The quality of my pictures were better than my point and shoot but still just ok. Until January. Ohhhh January, you brought me a sweet sweet (self bought) gift. My Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G lens. Oh yeah, this lens is the stuff. The schtuff, if you will. People are constantly saying, "Wow, your camera is great. What an awesome camera." I just want to get all up in their face and be like, "You don't even KNOW. It's this LENS." And it is. I was seriously all Golum on this thing when I first got it. (Who am I kidding? I'm still Golum)

People, if you want your pictures to start looking pro, get a one of these lenses. If I could have afforded it, I would have gotten one that went to 1.2G but them babies is expensive and mama's a little broke from buying a new camera bag. (More on that later! That's Precioussss II)

Want to see the difference? Of course you do.
Before: This is with my camera's kit lens. Yes, it's fine and it got the job done. (Yeah, that's me)

After: This is one of my cousin's senior pictures. Maybe this isn't the best one to use as an example since (a) she's adorable already without the help of a better lens and (b) I got better at angles. But it gets the point across nicely.

So peeps, if you have a DSLR camera and want to start taking better photos, get a nice lens! Seriously, it does wonders.

In a separate post, I'll be talking about angles and why you should never wear a skirt on a photoshoot. Dirt in the skirt, May. Dirt in the skirt! (Guess which movie!)

*I am not a camera/photography expert. AT ALL. I've never taken a class and don't claim to be a pro. I just love taking pictures and encourage everyone to get comfortable with their camera.

Precioussss II

When I started buying lens for my camera, I quickly realized I was running out of room to safely hold them all. Sure, I could store them in my hall closet but what if I wanted to take them all with me? I had them crammed into a small Nikon camera bag that made me nervous every time I took it out of the closet. Plus, I couldn't take my point and shoot with me since there wasn't room. OHHHH my first-world problems!

For my birthday/graduation I asked for money so I could buy a functional and stylish bag that held just about everything. Then I researched. I researched the heck out of it. Turns out, there aren't a whole lot of camera bags that are feminine but not outright girly.

Until this one. Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce you to my new precious. Lola, by Epiphanie.


Comes with this cute tag. Although, I clearly touched it a little too much. Fingerprints, ew.


Look at the inside! So roomy and violety. You could seriously throw this around and knock someone out, there's that much padding in there. So, not only gorgeous but better than Mace.
It also comes with a long strap so you can carry it across your shoulder. I love that. It makes it easier to grab the camera and go.

It's also not bigger than any other purse I own. And I own some big purses. Holla. And yes. I recently cut my hair. *sigh of relief*

But here's the kicker. The camera came in this big box and apparently the UPS guy had something against my wish for a cute camera bag...

Look at the size of that guy's foot! I mean seriously, he must have had his cranky pants cinched up real tight today. I'm glad it was a bag and not an antique tea set. Or a vase. Or something breakable.

P.S. Epiphanie Bags has no idea who I am. I'm just writing because I'm loving my new bag and I look at it lovingly, longing to get outside and really use it. Uuuuuuuuuse it.

Do you have a new obsession? Or maybe just a long-standing one?