Boost Your Blog // 4 Collage iPhone Apps for Summer Blogging

I am dying over the warm weather here!  I can't wait to get outside & take a zillion pictures like I normally do when it gets warmer.  I took about 100 photos this past Winter & I think I've exceeded that number in these last few days!  So if you're like me your blog is now going to be flooded with all you're iPhone or smart phone pics.  The Summer sun just makes everything look warm & yes I do want to see the maragrita you're drinking and your feet dangling into the cool water of a pool!

Here are some of my favorite collage apps for iPhone that will help you create cool photo layouts for your summer picture sharing & blogging:

PicFrame - I downloaded this ages ago when I first got my iPhone & it's been my go-to collage app for ever!  Since I downloaded it like over a year ago there have been a bunch of upgrades - add shapes, add effects, more layouts, it's all awesome!  This is really an all in one app since you can make the collage & edit/apply filters with in the app.  You can also open in it other apps including instagram, you can send it to flickr or facebook, and of course save to your camera roll.  It's seriously the best!

DuoMatic - It's not really a collage more like a double exposure but it's still creates a pretty cool and unique effect to share!  I loved playing with this at the lake & combining sea, sky, and sand.  You can get really artsy with it too since you don't have to take two photos instantly & can pull from your camera roll.  So edit your photos in another app & bring them over to DuoMatic.  Or create your photo then edit away in other apps! (some of my faves are listed here)

Pocketbooth (also on Android!) - Create old style photo booth pictures instantly to use in blog posts with this app.  There are several different upgrade packs available for different effects, too.  For a better blog format, try taking pictures horizontally that way you can use the film strip as sort of a banner stretching from left to right (instead of up & down) across your post.  Take pictures the traditional way & create a cool wallpaper with this tutorial, too.

BeautifulMess - This app came out just a little while ago...this week actually I think!! And I've played around with it for a few photos.  It is pretty cool! If you love the look of doodles and text on photos but aren't that skilled a doodler or a mousepad user, this app may be a great alternative to make your blog photos have that look.  Save the images directly to your camera roll & use an app like PicFrame to stitch a few together or upload a collage made in PicFrame & see what you can make.

So there you have it, some pretty sweet & pretty cool apps to spice up your photo taking and blogging this Summer.

What are you excited to document this Summer?  Any fun trips?  Do share your fun collaged pictures!

xoxo, Moe

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Trend Tuesday // My Next Beauty Purchases

Well, my make-up up swing is in full effect & I'm craving a lot (a lot, a lot, A LOT! lol) of new make-up and brushes.  This is sort of a secret confession: I've been watching a lot of make up videos on YouTube as well!!  I'm so weird!  Any who.....my last make up freak out (I mean obsession) was probably sophomore year of college...and my remaining collection of things is a little outdated/expired. Also, my previous up swing revolved around eye shadow and right now I'm craving different foundations, blushes, bronzers, brushes, etc.  I'm looking to really focus on a whole look, a whole proper look.  I also don't plan on spending a whole lot on this new little collection so to the drugstore, WalMart, & Meijer I go.  So here are some of the things I want to pick up to add to my little collection:

I'm on the look out for more brushes - currently I have a big fluffy blush & a foundation brush, so I'm looking for more, more, more!  I am also eyeing this sort of beauty blender thing I've seen at Walgreens.  I used to put my make up on with a sponge & have since moved away from it....but I think this may feel better than those little baby wedges in my hand.  The contours seem like they'd blend things together better.

Since I'm all about new foundations, I'm also all about new concealers.  I've got my Rimmel BB cream that is good for summer & Rimmel foundation, I recently picked up Revlon Color Stay because I heard it was more full coverage, I want to try a Neutrogena one I've heard is great, & I want to pick up the Almay that I used to wear in high school & college.  Side note - I'm pretty sure when I was younger & first started off with make-up I used revlon, as soon as I smelled it a wave of nostalgia overtook me!  Anyway....these concealers are ones I've had my eye on every time I pop in the drugstore.

Meijer carries e.l.f stuff & I've only ever seen it in Target & online so I'm stoked to see if I can pick up a new big neutrals palette.  I'm really a neutral eye girl and my old palette was gifted to me one Christmas aaagggeess ago....probably early high school so it's time to let that baby go.  I think that's the only bit of make up thats made a million moves with me.  I just love all the neutrals in it & it's my go to palette for special occasions.  This big palette in the image above is from e.l.f. I wonder if I can find it in the store or if I've got to order it from the website.

Mascara because my mascara is rather cheap & because why not.  Who doesn't need an assortment of lash blasting products?

My face has a lot of redness & scaring from troubled skin as a teen.  This green concealer/tone correcting thing I've used since high school but I haven't bought one in a while.  I remember when I found out that green corrected red, I think I read it in like Girls Life or Seventeen or something.  My mom picked it up for me, I put some on the redness on my face and applied my make up.  It was like magic.  I was so excited to have normal looking skin!  So, I guess that's a bit nostalgic for me too!  Now I'm not embarrassed or self-conscious about my red spots but an even skin tone is nice!  Currently I'm using a tone correcter from e.l.f.

I've been lusting after a pretty yellow nail polish after seeing it on Kaelah's nails in her instagram feed...which wasn't that long ago!  But I neeeed a yellow polish.  This one from Ruby Wings changes in the sun to an orangey color.  So cool!

And since I want to keep my lips nice & since carrying around a bonnie belle lip smacker like I'm eight might not be the best approach these cute lip gloss sort of things will look just as cute but make me feel my age.

What are your next beauty buys? Anything you swear by?

xoxo, Moe

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Make it Monday // DIY 3 Simple Chain Bracelets for Summer

I've been drawn to delicate, simple chain bracelets lately.  Just a little something to add a hint of classy arm candy to an outfit.  But I haven't really been on the hunt for any lately.  So I decided to raid my jewelry making supplies to see what I could dig up.  Luckily I found a few strands of chain, some bits & bobs, clasps, & jump rings.  To add a bit of color I snatched up a bright pink nail polish - believe me, it's like neon pink the photos don't do it justice!

DIY Knotted Silver Chain Bracelet:

With your wire cutter, snip three equal lengths of chain longer than you think you'll need to fit around your wrist.  Open a jump ring & slip all three chains + one end of the clasp set then close the jump ring.  Gather all three lengths & tie an over hand knot in the center (or as close to it as possible.)  Now wrap it around your wrist & eyeball how much extra chain to take off - or you could gauge it on a bracelet you already own - and use your wire cutters to snip off the ends.  Next open a second jump ring slip all three chains + the second half of your clasp and close the jump ring.  You're done!

DIY Tri-Colored Beaded Chain Bracelet:

Like you did before cut three equal lengths of chain - to fit around your wrist, this time - in three different colors (gold, silver, & an antiqued copper), add a jump ring, & the first half of your clasp.  You'll need beads with holes large enough to thread one length of the chain through.  Add your beads.  Open up your next jump ring slide all three chains on + the second part of your clasp.  You're done!

DIY Circle Loop Chain Bracelet:

Same deal - three lengths of chain (doesn't matter if they are the same but they need to be long enough to fit around your wrist).  Add a jump ring & clasp.  I found some silver circles in my bead stash that I painted with nail polish for an enameled look but you can use any bit of chain or repeat my process if you like.  Now open up a jump ring, slide on your loop, & pick a place on the chain to place your circle, attach the jump ring & close it.  Now using your cutters snip off the excess.  You'll attach this excess right back on the other side of the circle with a jump ring.  Now repeat that with your second circle, staggering it on another chain.  You can lay this bracelet next to the others do get an idea of the excess you need to snip off.  Then open a jump ring, slip your three chains on & the second half of your clasp.  You're done!

Now you have three pretty cool bracelets for Summer!  I love them because they add a little bit on interest to an office look - even though my office is pretty laid back - or adds a bit of class to a pair of jeans.  Love it!

xoxo, Moe

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