Brrrr! It's another cold winter day here in Florida my friends!!
(currently 39º - high of only 55º). That's cold for this Florida girl.

Let's warm up together with our "Let's Talk Tuesday" No. 2 today. (click here if you missed No. 1 and find out more about the inspiration behind the NEW LTT blog series here on Pen + Paper Flowers if you missed the original announcement).

I have another set of fun questions I'm excited to answer today.
I'm just loving this little bit of time we are carving out each week to connect for a few minutes on a very real level - like friends meeting up over coffee or hot cocoa!


QUESTION #1:
Q: I loved the Book Club you were doing last year but I haven't seen any updated posts in awhile. What happened? Am I missing something? - Maria B.

A: Oh my! I'm embarrassed to admit this but the truth is...life is what happened. After going strong from January until August, I missed posting in September...and then October and before I knew it, it'd been three months and there was no way to catch up at that point.

The good news is, I've been brainstorming some ideas to update the PNPF Book Club to make it a little more simple...a bit LESS complicated. How about I skip the "review" part of things, which was the original concept of the Book Club, and just do a quick list of my current reads every month? What do you think? BTW: Here's one for you: "Whatever You Are, Be a Good One" by Chronicle Books. (Clara gave it to me for Christmas).

QUESTION #2:
I just love the inspirational thoughts you share on Instagram and I'm wondering if there's a specific app you use to create them? I think it might be the Rhonna Designs app but I thought I'd just ask.  - Amanda G.

My favorite app to use is called Phonto. It's SUPER easy and allows me the flexibility I prefer for manipulating fonts and letters. I actually just select the "plain image" option and then select the blank white square to add my wording. That's it. Now, having said that, I do love using the Rhonna Design
App when I want to add some cute design elements. And of course, I'm always using my favorite design program, Adobe Illustrator, for designs as well.


QUESTION #3:
Q: I just love your simple style - both with your designs and some of the images I've seen of your home decor. You'd mentioned awhile ago that you were in the middle of deciding on a paint color for your master bedroom. I'm in the middle of a master bedroom makeover and I'm curious as to what color you ended up choosing. Natalie P.

That's so funny you asked about this because I was at the paint store just YESTERDAY having a gallon mixed up to test out on the master bedroom. I never did paint the master as previously mentioned a year or so ago because I still wasn't convinced of the colors I'd chosen and I just sat on them. In fact, I've still got paint swatches on the walls and I just keep adding to them any time I'm inspired by a color I see on Pinterest or social media and any color recommendations from family and friends.

I'm not sure why, but I've been really stumped with what to do or what direction I want to go in for that room. I can't tell you how many "this is the one" moments I've had with paint colors only to sit on it for a few days and then change my mind altogether. (what is that?) Grrr. So...in keeping with my One Little Word (LESS)...I'm doing less second guessing, less procrastination and I will be moving forward..with confidence by the way...with the custom paint color I had mixed yesterday!

It's a color of happenstance because it was two different leftover paint colors Emalyn decided to mix together on a whim when she re-painted her bedroom a few months ago. Can you believe that? I LOVE the color she ended up with (shown on the top paint stick) so I had it custom matched and then used 50% of the formula for a lighter/brighter hue in the master bedroom. (bottom paint stick). And...yes, it's another creamy white neutral. My mom is SO rolling her eyes right now. And maybe you are too!? *blushing*

I'll share before and after pics soon! For now, I wanted to share a photo of the final Behr paint formula I'm using in the master bedroom, just in case you want to run right out and try it yourself!! 
Let's call the custom color: Happenstance.

Okay, and one more thing...
Have any of you seen the SureSwatch™ sheets? I noticed them for the first time at the Home Depot paint counter yesterday while waiting for my paint to be mixed. The concept sounds pretty cool - but I left without paying the $3 for one sheet. Now after having watched the how-to SureSwatch™ paint and SureSwatch™ Primer Decider videos online to learn more, I'm even more curious about whether or not they'd really work and if they'd be worth it? If you've used them I'd love to know what you think!! And if you haven't, would you consider using them?

Was that fun? Feeling a little more connected? I know I am.
Until next week friends...keep your questions coming!!

DIFFERENT WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS
1. Email me directly: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com
2. Leave a question on my Instagram feed anytime.
3. Leave it as a comment here on the blog.
If you ever have any issues at all being able to leave a comment on my blog, please email me directly to let me know so I can figure out how to resolve it for you: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com

xoxo!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I thought it'd only been a little over a year ago that I started putting different paint swatches on the walls in the master bedroom but when I went back to look at the original post about choosing a paint color I realized it was from August of 2013! Oh my goodness. That's just ridiculous. Now I'm embarrassed. See!! I've REALLY been stuck. For too long. Here's to LESS procrastination! *blushing*

INSPIRE | Racing vs. Pursuing

(Designed using the Rhonna Designs App on my iPhone).

I shared this on my Instagram feed and received a lot of likes and positive feedback about it so I thought it might be important to share here on the blog too...

RACING VS. PASSIONATELY PURSUING

Don't confuse "passionately pursuing" your dreams with frantically "racing" to make them happen. They are two very different mindsets. Racing requires complete focus on one goal - blocking out distractions, focusing on the weaknesses of "opponents" to help propel you to 1st place and using every bit of energy you've got to cross the finish line first - and by your own merits.

A passionate pursuit means to passionately "follow" and as you follow your dreams you draw inspiration from everything around you as you make your way; listening to your heart and letting it guide you down paths you didn't originally intend on traveling. It's about being curious along your journey, being open, reaching out to others to cheer them on in the pursuit of their own dreams and even taking the opportunity to stop and rest in order to reflect on how far you've come, celebrate the obstacles you've triumphed over, rehydrate, refuel and reevaluate. Passionately pursuing your dreams ultimately leads to reaching those dreams surrounded by the people who were part of your journey all along. See the difference?

I hope you were inspired!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The inspiration behind the "She Said" quotes I've been sharing come
straight from my desire for my daughters and myself to "BE the 'SHE' " I write about.
The quotes are derived from my deep desire to transform all of my weaknesses into strengths.
They are, in a sense, personal daily lunch box notes I write to myself and instead of tucking them into a lunch tote, brown bag or lunch pail, I share them with the world through my blog and Instagram. 

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*

EMPOWER | Rhonna Designs App

It's here...

the brand-new...

recently launched...

Rhonna Designs App

You know I like to keep you updated on new phone apps...related specifically to photo editing.
This new app is going to blow your doors off!! It did mine!!

It provides a really fun way to dress up your Instagram photos...
& create inspiration to share with the world.
This app is LOADED.
I'm not even kidding.
You won't believe all of the creative elements you'll have right

DiSCOVER | Video on Instagram

Just in case you haven't already heard the big news...
Instagram now has video capability!!

CLICK HERE to see the first on-the-go Instavideo I made over the weekend?

I know...not that impressive technically but cut me some slack - this is all still new to me! *wink*

It's similar to the concept Vine offered

with the following key (& fabulous) differences:

- 15 sec video vs. 6 seconds that Vine offered.

- 13 video filters vs. ZERO filters from Vine.
- loads straight to your Instagram feed.

Check out all of the details straight from the Instagram Blog...

and if you've already started your own Instavideos...

here are some fun links to look at to improve your Instavideo experiences and just for fun:

- Audio Tips & Tricks

- Discover your favorite celebrity videos 
- Turn your "auto play" feature off if you don't want videos to automatically start playing...
  (Go to "Settings" and then "Preferences")

Want to get started creating your own Instavideos? 

UPGRADE to the latest version of Instagram right here:

iOS version 4.0 - Apple's App Store

Android version 4.0 - Google Play

If you don't already follow me on Instagram...

you've got an open invitation to keep up with my life behind-the-blog!
Click right here or just search for me on Instagram: @pnpflowers

KEEPiNG iT REAL

My actual VERY FIRST on-the-go video was of my first visit to Mellow Mushroom.

Unfortunately, the battery on my phone was low before I started recording and it died before I finished.

We then went to Le Macaron right after Mellow Mushroom so I was only able to charge my phone in the car for about 10 minutes as we were driving. I wasn't sure I would get it filmed and posted before my phone died again. Lucky for me the timing of it all worked out...just barely!!

Lesson? Make sure your battery is fully charged so you don't have to be so freaked and stressed out about capturing a momentous occasion that you sacrifice video quality! *frown*

iNSPiRE | Promise Me 2013 - 4 Rivers

15 Days into the "Promise Me 2013" journey... 
and I am happy to report I've officially crossed off one of the things on my list...

A Visit to 4 Rivers Smokehouse
SWEET SHOP VIDEO FILMED VIA THE  VINE APP

4 Rivers Smokehouse from Jessica Kirkland on Vimeo.

Alongside the smokehouse portion of this dining establishment is their 4Rivers Sweet Shop.

It's loaded with oversized delicious desserts that are not for the faint of heart.

There are giant cakes, cookies, milkshakes, pies, unique cupcake flavors - like Mountain Dew with the icing rolled in Doritos... and more! (You can even order some fried Oreos while you are dining in the Smokehouse).

Here's what we brought home with us...

Oversized Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie

Why this? Because it was obnoxiously large, I love peanut butter + chocolate, it was unique 

and I'm totally inspired to create some dipped cookies like this! *wink*

This is just the beginning...

Keep reading for the rest of the yummy details...

EMPOWER | Leme Camera Photo App

I'm sure you've noticed a pattern lately...

me posting square photos...

square photos with "burned edges"...

square, edge-burnt photos finished off with a fun polaroid frame-type look to them...

Well as much as I'd love to say I'm just an amazing photographer...

The truth is...

I've just found an amazing camera/phone app I'm in love with. (and slightly addicted to using).

I'm going to share my secret weapon with you today...

so you too can easily achieve the same results I've been posting.

Introducing...Leme Camera Photo App

Please Note: This is an actual CAMERA app designed to take photos...NOT a photo editing app.

Here's the scoop directly from Leme Camera:

"The heart of Leme Cam is the unique charm found in simple film photography. We urge you to have fun! Capture your style, emotion, and your creativity using our chic, unpredictable, yet delightfully retro “toy” cameras, cool lenses, and funky films. There are no rules. Shoot anything, shoot everything! You never know what amazing pics you’ll get!"

Learn how to go from "average"...

to artistic...

Open the Leme Cam phone app... 

(Download the FREE app right here)

SETTiNGS

I use the SAME EXACT CAMERA SETTINGS every time I take a picture using Leme Cam.

I've tried some of the other options and the polaroid-ish results I'm sharing with you today are my favorite.

These are MY personal preferences so feel free to adapt the steps to your own likes.

Do this one time and you'll be set every time you open the app.

Open the Leme Cam app and click on the "MY PHOTOS" button

Click the "SETTiNGS" button

Scroll down

 Turn on "BACKUP PHOTOS TO CAMERA ROLL"

Go BACK to main menu

Now here's the FUN part...

Click on CAMBAG

Important Note: See the "Random and "Manual" Dial at the top left of your Leme Cam?

I leave my dial on MANUAL.

  This allows me to take photos using the settings I've chosen. (and the settings I'm about to share with you).

Choosing "Random" will allow Leme Cam to pick and choose

 various frames, film and camera combinations every time you snap a photo.

Pick your CAMERA, LENS and FRAME from a variety of options.

Simply scroll up or down to view all of the options within each separate category...

Make the following selections: LEMELEME, MARGARTIA & WiDESCREEN and click FINISH

These are the settings I use EVERY TiME I use the Leme Cam app for taking photos...

TAKE YOUR PHOTO

YOU ARE DONE...

View your Leme Cam photos in your Camera Roll and post to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

See the side-by-side difference?

I hope you love it as much as I do.

Have fun playing around with all of the options Leme Camera offers.

Perhaps you'll create your own signature "go-to" camera settings. 

THiNGS I LOVE ABOUT LEME CAMERA

• Square Photos (no cropping needed - ready to load to Instagram)

• Photo Resolution - (perfect for posting to my blog - without resizing)

• Simply tap on the screen to select your focal point

• Taking photos indoors using harsh lighting still produces cool results with Leme Camera.

With that said...my favorite photos are outdoorsy - the settings I've shared today have a "vintage-blue-ish" tint to them and make photos of nature and images captured outside look especially pretty.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I pretty much use Leme Cam to compensate for the potential of underexposed photos.

I don't have to stress about lighting conditions...

I just point and shoot and the results are typically cool. *wink*

DiSCOVER | Green Smoothies & Photo-A-Day

It's Summer...
and although I'm still up at 3:45 a.m. most days...
trying to slip in extra work hours before anyone wakes up...
I've still been able to sneak in some fun here and there with the kids.
(which is also the main reason for getting such an early start on my day).


I've also discovered a couple of new things I've chosen to implement into my daily schedule...
I thought you may be interested in them too...

THING ONE

Green Smoothies

I've got some lifestyle goals for myself...
one of which includes continuing to incorporate more vegetables into my daily diet.
This green smoothie recipe is one of the best I've found, (thank you Grandma Kirkland)
and allows me to start my day off right.

RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS (Makes 2 servings)

5 cups spinach (or kale) 

2 medium bananas (frozen)

2  1/2 cups water

1/4 lemon (frozen)

agave nectar (to your liking)

1/2 cup frozen pineapple/mango pieces

Combine everything using a heavy-duty blender.

TIPS:

Purchase the following items in bulk from Costco/Sam's and then freeze in Gallon Size Ziploc Bags

Spinach (yes, you can freeze spinach. I didn't know that either).

Bananas (peeled and cut in half)

Lemons (quarter the lemons and freeze - seeds & rind included)

Pop the cut lemons in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes and then shake the bag so the lemons don't stick/freeze together.

Pineapple/Mango Frozen Fruit - already bagged *wink*

THING TWO
Photo-A-Day Challenge

I have discovered "PHOTO-A-DAY" prompts created by Fat Mum Slim.
These are daily prompts to inspire you to photograph/document the everyday.
The list of prompts above is for the month of July.
(Today is July 16th so the prompt is "sign").

Taken straight from the Fat Mum Slim website

Here’s how to play:

1. Look at the list. What’s the prompt for the day? Let’s pretend it’s self portrait.

2. Take a photo of yourself, either in the mirror or some way else.

3. Upload your photo to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, your blog, Pinterest or where ever it is you want to share your photo. Use the hashtag #photoadayjuly so people can find your photos

4. Check out everyone else’s photos. Comment or like them!

For me...

PHOTO-A-DAY was just what I needed to push me to document the everyday...

which has led me to REALLY look at the little things around me...

and photograph things I may have previously thought to be insignificant...

which in reality are the little details of my life that tell my story.

It's also inspired me creatively.

I've been having so much fun using the amazing apps available for

truly taking my "iPhoneology" to an entirely new level.

Here are a few examples from my Instagram feed...

Photo Prompt: Building

Photo Prompt: Open


Photo Prompt: Chair


Photo Prompt: Fun


Photo Prompt: Best Part of Your Day


Photo Prompt: Busy


Photo Prompt: Self Portrait


Photo Prompt: Something Cute



Photo Prompt: Drink


Photo Prompt: Empty

I LOVE looking back through my photos...

remembering the little moments.

If you are inspired to join the Photo-A-Day challenge - jump right in.

And don't stress if you miss a day. (or two...or three - don't sweat it...it's supposed to be fun - not a arduous task). *wink*

Otherwise, if you are just looking to make photo-taking more fun...

check out the list below:  

My favorite iPhone apps: (most are available for Android phones too).

Leme Camera

Phonto FREE

LensLight

Pixfx

BubbleFrame

Pixlr-o-matic FREE

I'll be sharing a simple tutorial this week to take you through the steps of my process.

Another FABULOUS TiP:

From my computer, I absolutely LOVE using Pinstagram for viewing my Instagram photos.

Pinstagram makes it super easy to

• follow others

• comment on photos

• "LOVE" photos

• Pin photos to "Pinterest"  (super cool)

• Post to Facebook

• Post to Twitter

I hope I've helped to get your week off to a great start!

If you've been inspired to join PHOTO-A-DAY...I'd love to know.

Looking forward to a fun week ahead!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I've been packing J's lunches in the morning...

and sending him off with a green smoothie too.

He wasn't excited at first...

But after tasting the smoothie - he's not complaining. *wink*

Besides, it makes me feel good knowing I'm pumping him up with good vitamins.