let's talk about my addiction.
Yeah, so I'm just a little bit addicted to Instagram. Especially these days, when I feel a bit cooped up in the house (not that we can't go out, but it's just a lot harder), it makes me feel just a bit more connected with my world. While Chris keeps up religiously with the news, I naturally tend to be more relational and love keeping up with my peeps on IG.
One thing I've been thinking about recently is the struggle between taking beautiful shots and keeping it real. I think it's easy to ooh, ahh, and compare my life to the perfectly arranged photos I see on Instagram, but then I have to remind myself that I scoot that clutter out of the frame, so others must do it as well-- right?! Is it deceptive to act like I don't have a giant pile of mail cluttering my counter, or does everyone know that? Cuz my life isn't perfect and my house isn't pristine, and I know yours isn't either. What are your thoughts? Is it okay to just take pretty pictures or do you prefer to follow IGers who keep it real with the clutter and struggles of the week?
That collage above is pretty much how my weeks look these days.
The occasional outing with Silas + lots of chilling together + figuring out how to calm our occasionally fussy baby + trying on pre-pregnancy clothes and being delighted that some of them actually fit! + iced coffee to save the day + starting to get back into reading the Word daily
Two more things::
I've been itching to get some of my photos printed. I know about Stickygram and hope to get some magnets ordered in the next week or so. What about printed photos? I've heard of PostalPix, but I believe that only works for iPhone users. How do you print your IG photos?
Also, I've been eyeing this macro/wide angle phone lens from PhotoJojo. I think it'd be fun to experiment with my phone photography with it. Anyone have it and can give me a review? Think it's worth it? Chris thinks it's completely silly, but I'm tempted to buy that sucker.
I've heard good things about Pernickety Prints for IG photos. I haven't tried them yet as I do most of my printing at home. Love your instagram photos!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I haven't heard of them-- will definitely check out Pernickety Prints. Thanks Penny!
DeleteI print my IG photos thru www.mpix.com. they have a 5x5 size and the photos come out AWESOME. I have lots framed around my house b/c I too, am an instagram addict. I swear i would have NO pictures of my second little boy if it weren't for my iphone and the cool effects of IG.
ReplyDeleteI also just ordered my second round of sticky grams. they are SOO CUTE and make great presents (who wouldn't want magnets of your cute little guy?!?!). they too, are great quality!
oh, great to hear! I'll look into mpix-- sounds perfect! And yeah, I've only heard great things about stickgrams-- excited to try them out!
DeleteI didn't even know about sticky gram! Thanks for sharing! now im super excited about magnets! haha!
ReplyDeleteI love IG too! I haven't tried printing anything out yet. I have an Olloclip for my iphone. It has macro, fish eye, and wide angle lenses. It is fun to play around with. I haven't used it lately but I guess I should. :) I definitely try to hide the big pile of mail or dishes etc from my photos. Everybody has some mess but I don't feel the need to show it all off. Thanks for sharing all the pics of Silas. I enjoy your IG feed very much.
ReplyDeleteooh, where is your Olloclip from? (I haven't heard of these-- all in one would be great!)
DeleteUnfortunately, I think it is only available for the iPhone 4/4s. It is now sold at Amazon, Apple stores, Target, and Best Buy.
Deletehttp://www.olloclip.com
hey I print my pix on postal pix on my ipod i don't have an iphone .. just download the app and you can order them and let me just say they are wonderful... very quick shipping also and the quality its GREAT!
ReplyDeleteHm, good to know, Stephanie! I don't have a working ipod though, so I don't think that will work for me. Maybe PostalPix will expand to Droid users someday soon!
DeleteLove the pix! Sometimes my pictures are nice and clean and sometimes they are crowded. But that's my life. Sometimes the house is clean, sometimes its not. I feel like I keep it real in most pix. But there's nothing wrong at all with taking a pretty picture! It's what you love!
ReplyDeleteI bought those exact lenses from photojojo about a year ago, but at the time I didn't have an iphone. It was fun, but it's annoying to try to keep track of the lenses, you always have that little sticky magnet on the back of your phone, and it takes a lot of time (or maybe I didn't practice enough) to get a good shot. The "fad" didn't last long for me... but, I also imagine the lenses would be a completely different beast on my 4S. And, I must admit, they were fun. I don't regret buying them, but I think they are more for fun than functionality... Don't know if that helps, just my two cents :)
ReplyDeleteThat's really helpful, Jen! Will definitely that all that into account before I buy! Thanks for your input!
DeleteI have an OlloClip lens for my iPhone... Not sure what other phones it works with. I love it. Does wide angle, fish eye, and macro. So fun!!!
ReplyDeleteI just checked-- looks like it's for iPhone only. Sounds awesome though! Does it stay on all the time, or you just put it on for photos?
DeleteI use Kanvess..it is super easy to order prints and I liked the quality. .25 per print..not sure how that compares elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteI don't get to use IG because I have an awesome Windows Phone. BUT I do scoot papers out of the way of pictures or whatever else haha Maybe I'll start taking more real life pictures :)
ReplyDeleteObviously I'm an obsessive compulsive IG'er too, and I've been taking a ton more photos since being more cooped up in the house with kids. For me it just kind of helps me appreciate the small things. I don't know. There are instagram haters out there but honestly I question whether they have a soul or not because I just find IG to be such a happy little place. I love it. And also, I try to keep it real. Sometimes I push the clutter out of the way, but typically not.
ReplyDeleteHaha you should see all I hide when I take pictures! No one's life is perfect.
ReplyDeletei LOVE instagram! i made a litte blurb book from all of our summer IG pics and left some blank pages to write on. love it!
ReplyDeleteand i love a little mixture of pretty pictures and real pictures. :]
I love IG and I love following your photos! As for getting that perfect shot - do what you gotta do. I take about a bazillion photos of my baby before I get that perfect (or least blurry) photo to put up. It's fun :)
ReplyDeletehttp://printstagr.am is the ONLY way to go. I will always order from there. they are super duper awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI love Persnickety Prints for all of my printing. They have a bunch of options for printing IG photos. Specifically, I have heard great things about their Android app where you can simply order the photos straight from your phone. The have great quality and fast shipping!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I hid quiet a bit of mess when it comes to taking a photo. I'm sure a lot of people do. I just ordered some beautiful magnates from Stickygram.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos like always.
Holli xo
www.twinsplusonemumma.com
I follow you and LOVE your photos! Hello, you definitely keep it real which is why I love following. I have a little guy who is not much older than Si...its so nice to know that I'm not alone on this new mommy adventure! Keep it up girl!!
ReplyDeleteI follow you and LOVE your photos! Hello, you definitely keep it real which is why I love following. I have a little guy who is not much older than Si...its so nice to know that I'm not alone on this new mommy adventure! Keep it up girl!!
ReplyDeleteSad to say, I'm more worried about the TERRIBLE lack of light in our house than the clutter in the background! Seriously, the next place we live must be east or west facing with floor to ceiling windows. I'm so tired of living in dungeons.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your IG photos are all beautiful, well-lit and I love them. Carry on!
I have to say that some days the mess and clutter are just part of the picture because I'm keeping it real. When the kiddos are doing something cute and funny, there is no time to get the clutter out of the way so it's just a part of the background of my life. My SIL is huge into her little macro lens but she has an iPhone and I don't know the brand she has. She does loves it, though. It is fun to see the pictures of Silas and watch him grow. This time goes by fast says the mom who's oldest is now a 2nd grader and my baby is almost 2 and a half (sniff, sniff)
ReplyDeleteI used http://printstagr.am/ and I'm really really happy with the results. I love that they have different size too. AND the sticker are the cutest thing! =)
ReplyDeleteI also just love Instagram! I especially love the pictures you post. I like that I can tell a picture is yours just by the feel and colours. I don't think there is anything wrong with kicking things out of the way. I love a pretty picture. :) "Keeping it real" is fun too, but I wouldn't say it's deceptive not to.
ReplyDeleteI envy you! I feel like the kid who didn't get an invite to the birthday party (not that I'm bitter about that or anything) ;) ... I am one of the few people on the face of this planet who still does not have an iPhone (or any smart phone) so alas, there is no Instagram-ing for me :( BUT - I am so excited - we've worked it into the budget and if all things go according to plan, I hsould have a NEW one (the brand-newest-of-the-new-that-was-just-released-can-you-tell-I-am-totally-excited!!!) next month! :) And when we do, you can bet that before I update my contact list or make my first phone call, this momma will be joining Instagram! As soon as I do, I'll have to join ya' there ;) Until then, God Bless! :)
ReplyDelete~ Jess of The Colorful Ones
oh yes, I'm totally addicted to IG. hands down my favorite form of social media. ;) & it's okay to clear the clutter out of the background, because yes, everyone does it.
ReplyDeletehappy first day of Fall! ;)
IG is too much fun. I have the same thoughts, "does it look like I'm trying too hard?!" "is this a pretty shot?!" Love your blog, love your posts!
ReplyDeleteKayla (new follower!)
www.mykindofyellow.blogspot.com
finding you on IG right meow!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered your blog through Pinterest. I have to tell you I've LOVED looking through your entries! You and I have very similar taste and I'll confess that I've had a not-so-secret desire to visit Hawaii this past year. You've inspired a few projects this week for me! I wrote an entry this morning about my Gallery Wall you inspired. {You'll notice I tried to do a happy heart tree like the ones you've painted: yours are much cuter!} Congrats BTW on the sweet little addition to your family. He's a cutie!
-Haley
www.mycreativeroots.blogspot.com
Just found your blog and love it! We're currently stationed at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy, another gorgeous island and great location. It's so fun to come across other military wives and bloggers! I'm adding you to my blog roll. :-)
ReplyDeleteLindsay, I have always loved your blog (and you) because you keep it real. It makes you readable, lovable and in my opinion a wonderful person to be on the blogosphere. It's too easy to make it look glamorous, but no one walks away empowered or inspired by that. Since I am not a Mom yet, I have to admit that sometimes when a blogger I like has a baby there is the inevitable blog (LIFE!) shift to all things baby...more than understandable! But not a lot of bloggers still make you feel welcome, even if you still get 8 hours of sleep and don't have to worry about snot suckers and Aquaphor. Also I just realized Becca posted above me...she is great. I don't know her, but we met via blogging as well (living overseas)...that's what your blog is doing...relationally making friends and keeping your door open for people to stop by and say hello. Thanks for that :)
ReplyDelete