I'm still enjoying time with my kids for the holiday break but wanted to pop in to say hello and share a quick video I put together the other day using the Flipagram App. I just went through my Instagram feed and picked my favorite photos of Ella from 2013 and then added Ella's favorite song and voila! I have a fun slideshow of my favorite "Ella Moments"...



Approaching a new year is always so emotional for me! I'm sure it is for all of us.
There's a lot of reflection we all do about the past year of our lives and of course we all do a lot of dreaming for the new year ahead too!

My heart has been really, REALLY heavy lately about simplifying.
I'm going to be very intentional with my time in the coming year…
and to avoid getting into any deep conversation about it for now…I'll leave it at that.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Big changes and big decisions are standing right in front of me…
they are literally blocking my ability to move until I address them head on.
Change can be scary but ready or not…here I go...

EMPOWER | Flipagram App

Sharing the latest fun app I've downloaded...

I discovered Flipagram when my friend Aedriel shared it on Instagram last week.

I love the idea of being able to create a quick video using photos from my Camera Roll OR my Instagram feed with the option of adding music from my personal Music Library! Yes!!

When you are done you can share it via Email, Facebook, YouTube OR directly to Instagram.

I shared my first Flipagram video via Instagram last week...want to see it?

I simply picked some of my favorite daily "She Said" inspirational art I've been creating and posting on my Instagram Feed and put the images to music. That's it! It was SO easy!

I've got to work on the timing of the music but hey...I think it turned out pretty cute as my first Flipagram video.

Here's how to do it...

1. Pick the photos you want to use (from Instagram OR your Camera Roll/Photo Library)

2. Rearrange them in the order you want.

3. Add music from your Music Library (optional)

4. Adjust speed (or just pick the automatic 15 second option for loading to Instagram)

5. Add a title (optional)

6. Save to Camera Roll (which automatically saves to your Flipagram Account too)

7. Post to Instagram, Facebook or YouTube or email it to someone!

I look forward to creating more fun videos and sharing them on my Instagram feed.

I hope you'll try it out too!

Here's what I like about the app:

- having the option to use photos from either my camera roll OR Instagram.

- knowing my videos are stored on my Flipagram Account so I can access them ANY time.
- being able to include photos I've already edited.

- knowing I can create a video and SAVE it for POSTING LATER - it doesn't have to be RIGHT THEN!

- the "Instant Preview" feature allows me to see the video before posting to make quick changes.

Things I would change about the app:

- I'd love to be able to pick the start place of the song when adding music.

If you are into the creative photo apps as much as I am...
here are some of the other apps I've shared here:

Rhonna Designs

A Beautiful Mess

Leme Cam

Vintique

Hoping you are inspired to try them out!

Tag and follow me on Instagram using @pnpflowers & share your Flipagrams with me!
I'd LOVE to see them!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Some people view photo apps as distractions or time-wasters.
I really look at them as tools that push my creativity.
I DO have to be mindful of my time using them...
I can easily get lost in the creative process! *wink*

ELLA STYLE | Summer Fun on the Play Set

This happy girl LOVES being outside on her swing set.
We've spent some extra hours out there this Summer and on this particular day...
she really wanted some of her friends out there to swing with her...

Turn up the sound button and PUSH PLAY! 
Watch the 15 second Instagram Video I created...
(I love that you can hear the birds chirping in the background).

1. Giggling over the fact that "Cinderella" just wouldn't sit still in her swing.

2. Oops! "Brownie" and her pink pony fell out of their swing too.

3. Growing up too fast - she doesn't use her hands anymore for walking up or down the slide.

4. Build-A-Bears - "Brownie" actually belongs to Clara but since Clara has outgrown Brownie she's allowed Ella to temporarily care for her. "Cinderella" was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma on Ella's trip to Illinois with her dad.

5. Being a bit shy for some reason with me taking photos! (she's usually asking/telling me to take pictures of her) Ha!!

6. Ella can stand up and swing now too - with much caution at this point.

7. Getting ready to jump in her swing after carefully positioning and re-positioning her friends on their own swings.

8. Cute video showcasing Ella's super sweet personality! I love how this turned out.

Ella Style:

Ella is wearing +GapKids White Bermuda Shorts, Glitter Graphic Ice Cream T-Shirt and her hair is styled in a side-braided pony tail - tied off with a snippet of red gingham ribbon. (Such a small, simple detail I've always loved using on my girls).

I really encourage you to capture the simple things that make up your every day...

Your favorite coffee mug...

the outside activities you do with your family...

your children's favorite play things...

or even the shoes you are constantly tripping over.

I promise... you will miss seeing those shoes left out one day. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I typically go out in the mornings or after dinner with Ella...

this Florida heat is just too much in the middle of the day.

Ella's side-braided pony tail started coming out in the middle of playing.

I ended up re-doing it as a standard pony tail. (see photo 2)

Which by the way, Photo 2 is my favorite photo!

I think because it encapsulates everything we had going on that morning.

Ella's red cheeks, re-done hair, friends in the grass more often than in the swing

and her stuffed animals in her arms reminds me of how important they are to her - 

and how sweetly she cares for them and integrates them into her every day life.

She's such the sweetest!!