As I'm settling in to type this post today I've got Pandora blasting on the birthday present J got for me back in November and the house is ROCKING!!

I'm currently listening to "The Chainsmokers" Station - in particular this new-to-me-song called Faded by Alan Walker. Currently crushing on "Don't Let Me Down" by The Chainsmokers  - it completely booms!!! (and I like boom). *wink*

So let's get to the question this week...

Q: Hello. I've been wanting to ask you about what camera you use? I think I saw Nikon mentioned somewhere but can't remember and don't know what kind. I just love your photos and hope to invest in a new camera soon to help improve on the quality of my photos. I have a Canon point and shoot and it's just not cutting it. Did you ever take photography classes or do you just have a natural ability for taking such pretty pictures? Sorry. Guess there's more than one question here. 
Thanks for answering. - Nikki C.

A: I am one lucky girl, as I was given a new camera for Christmas - the Nikon D750. Prior to that though, I'd been using the Nikon D70 for over 10 years. It was an awesome camera and my first DSLR. It took great photos and the only time it was ever in the shop for repairs was after my daughter, Clara, accidentally dropped it one Summer while we were on vacation. Yikes! 

I decided on going with a "full frame" camera this time - which is what the Nikon D750 is. 
It's a dreamy camera with beautiful resolution, video capability and wifi built in - making it so easy to send the photos I've taken with my DSLR straight to my iPhone for easy uploading to Instagram - or other social media outlets. 

And YES!! I did take a fantastic online photography class many years ago. The gal's name is Karen Russell and when I went to grab the link for you I was sad to hear the news that she has decided, after 10 years, to close up shop. *frown* But her class is where I REALLY learned some key things about photography...and when I got brave enough to switch to "manual" mode. *wink*

With that said, I do still take plenty of photos with my iPhone too! Just not as often for the blog. Over the last couple of years I'd been getting lazy and found myself just reaching for my phone instead of my DSLR - but my passion has been reignited with my new camera. 

If you are looking to upgrade or invest in a high quality camera, you do not have to spend a ton of money - and I would advise against it unless you are considering a career or serious hobby in photography. I was instructed in the beginning to pick a brand and stick with it. Nikon or Canon are the two most popular brands out there and you can't go wrong with either. Of course, I'm a very happy Nikon girl and would push you in that direction. *wink* With that said, great photography is really about learning composition, understanding lighting and PRACTICE!! If you can take a photography class, I would highly recommend it. 

I hope that helps!

RANDOM GIRL TALK
Do you all have a favorite iPhone case you'd recommend?
I recently upgraded to the iPhone 6s Plus and as much as I love the really "pretty" cases out there, I need something that offers serious protection. I ended up going with this OtterBox but I just feel like there's got to be cuter options out there!! And to be honest, I also ordered this Lumee case but it's not really all that cute and I don't take enough selfies to justify the cost - so I'm sending it back.

Thanks for being here my friends!!
And KEEP ASKING YOUR QUESTIONS!
Ask me anything, anytime, by emailing me, leaving a comment here on the blog or by asking your question as a comment on Instagram! (email: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com)

 xoxo!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
For those of you who noticed, I have to apologize for missing our LTT last week.
I've been sick since the end of January and have had zero energy. Two doctor appointments and I'm finally starting to feel the "head cold cloud" lift. #sograteful Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts - they most certainly helped!

Confession: I've only gotten through about 2 chapters in the owner's manual on my new camera...which means I'm barely using the perks this camera actually comes with.

LET'S TALK TUESDAY | No. 4 :: Fonts + Blogging Tips

Good Morning friends!
I'm so excited to sit down with you today for our weekly meet-up.
I mean who doesn't love a little coffee, cocoa and conversation...right?

I think you are going to love today's "Let's Talk Tuesday" (LTT) questions I've picked to answer so let's get right to it...

QUESTION #1

Where do you get all the fonts for your art prints? Thanks! Monika W.

As a designer and someone who loves to do hand-lettering and doodling, I use a combination of my own hand-lettered fonts as well as fonts I've purchased. Anytime a person uses a font to create something for resale, a "Commercial Use" or "Extended License" for each font must be purchased. (which is why I try to use my own lettering a lot of the time - fonts can get expensive).

Although a lot of my fonts have been purchased from www.myfonts.com, you guys are going to go nuts over the new place I've been using for the last six months or so...Creative Market!!

They have a wonderful selection of modern calligraphy fonts and LOTS of other fun stuff over there!!   I LOVE it over there and I know you will too. It's easy to become addicted.

My most recent font purchase was Ink Bandits. I used it to help create this NEW "Our Story is My Favorite Love Story Art Print in the shoppe!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

QUESTION #2

Q: Hi Jessica! Have you ever or would you consider "mentoring" someone who wanted to start a blog? Or maybe a LTT question with a shorter answer would be: Do you have a list of 5 tips for someone to get them started? I have wanted to for probably 5 years and just haven't done it for whatever reason and just need that little push. Thank you, Andrea B.

A: Wow! This question totally made me blush. First, I've never thought about mentoring someone who wanted to start a blog because honestly, I've never been asked...so I'm completely flattered by your interest. That's not to say I haven't been asked a variety of questions through the years by friends, family and others who are curious about blogging and how it all works exactly. I'm certainly no expert but with seven years of blogging under my belt, I'm happy to share what I've learned and what has worked best for me.

So...here are my SIMPLE blogging tips for starting a blog:

BE TRUE TO YOU
First answer this question: "Why do you want to start a blog?"
Your answer will help guide you on your blog journey.
Next, figure out what YOU love. What makes YOU happy? What warms YOUR heart? These are the things you should write about. These are the things your blog should be built on. These are the things that will fuel your passion as you begin your blog and these are the also the things that will continue to keep you motivated on your blogging journey.

LESS IS MORE
Keep your blog and the process of starting one simple - especially in the beginning. I've been using the Blogger platform forever. It's simple and it's FREE. Try out a free blogging platform to make sure you love it before committing to a monthly or annual fee. Here's a roundup of "The 10 Best FREE Blogging Platforms"

INSPIRATION 
Take some time to really look at the blogs you follow and read to figure out the things about each one you love. Is it the layout, simple design, color palette, content, photography? More than likely, you'll notice a pattern of elements you are drawn to that will help you define your own style. Use the inspiration to guide you as you design your own blog.

PRETTY PHOTOS
Imagery is what draws people in; Your words and content are what keeps them there.
Posting photos is a BIG part of blogging. You do NOT have to be a professional photographer or hire a professional photographer or have a fancy professional camera. For awhile there, I was posting photos from my iPhone because I got lazy and the process was a lot more simple compared to using my old DSLR. Just know that large, high quality, photos are essential.

If your photography skills leave you feeling intimidated or discouraged, you may want to try:

PHOTO EDITING APPS to help enhance your pictures before loading them onto your blog.
My favorite is Pic Tap Go because it's SO super easy and I've just recently played around with A Color Story.

PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS for inspiration and learning the basics.
Here are a couple of suggestions:
1. A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book - I have this one and it's great for visual inspiration.
2. Picture Perfect Social Media: A Handbook for Styling Perfect Photos for Posting, Blogging and Sharing - I don't have this one but it sounds super helpful.

Check out these Photography tips and tools from Melissa over at Design, Eat, Repeat.  (again, the phone cameras these days provide great quality photos for posting on the web so don't get hung up on the equipment). I just thought you might find it interesting.

Last but not least, my final "simple" tip for starting a blog is...

JUMP
If you've been thinking about starting a blog for a long time, it's time to stop "thinking" about it.
Jump in and try it! Whether you love it or leave it, at least you will actually know either way because you took a chance. Don't overthink it. Just do it. Jump!!

And that's it for today my friends!
I hope you are inspired and feel like you've just sat down with your best girlfriend for some quick trade secrets. *wink*

Keep sending in your questions...I'll keep on answering them!!

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.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Battling a headcold over here people. My left ear is completely clogged. Ugh!
BUT...our master bedroom got painted this weekend - thanks to J's help.
Want a tiny peek? Check out my Instagram Feed!
Here is the BEFORE  and a teeny tiny peek at the AFTER.

GIVEAWAY | Photography Prize Pack :: The Cake Blog

Holy "Photography Giveaway Batman"!!

I shared on my Facebook page yesterday that The Cake Blog just launched a brand new online photography class for those of you looking to improve your "Cake" photography.

Well now today…there's an AWESOME giveaway going on over at The Cake Blog website and I'm sooo wanting to enter to win this myself!!  I figured if I wanted to enter it you totally would want to as well so that's why I'm sharing!!

Hello!?? A fab Nikon camera, a pretty camera strap, an amazing photography backdrop and a gorgeous cake stand, created to withstand tiered cakes, all. up. for. grabs!! Who doesn't want every bit of that?

One person will win it all.

If you bake cakes either as a business or even on the side…you should totally enter to win this.

And guess what…even if you don't bake cakes you should STILL enter to win because who couldn't use an awesome new Nikon camera,  (the camera brand I use personally), and that awesome loot to go with it?

You should totally tell all of your cake baking friends about the class and this giveaway. If they win they'll SO owe you at least a couple of FREE cakes….right?

Go to The Cake Blog to enter to win…and good luck!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I never know what the proper etiquette is when it comes to having friends that do fabulous giveaways.

I always want to enter the giveaways but then I'd feel really guilty if I won - like I'd taken the prize from someone else who might then think my friend just wanted to give the prize to me because…well...we're friends. (which all of my blogging friends are way too honest to do that anyway so I don't know why I even worry about that). BUT still. That would put them in a weird position if my name happened to be drawn because technically I would be the winner…but who really wants to announce to the world, "Yay! My friend won instead of all of you readers out there." I've actually considered entering to win using a bogus name so that neither my friend OR anyone else knows it's me that's entering. BUT…what happens when the prizes have to be shipped to me? Yeah. Awkward. Ha!! Just keeping it real folks... just keeping it real…*wink*

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA | Michael's Recollections Calendar Kit

You guys….I'm sharing something so cute and so "doable" today…

I just know you are going to want one of these for yourself! (or for someone on your Holiday shopping list).

Michael's sent me this adorable Recollections Calendar Kit to start my 2014 off on the right foot…

and by that I mean I've got a cute calendar for the new year and I've got a super easy way to document the favorite monthly moments and memories my family and I make along the way.

This Recollections 2014 Calendar Kit does double duty by providing a 12 month blank wall calendar to keep up with what's coming ahead…as well as allowing me to tuck in some memories using the photo pocket style scrapbook pages for my family and I to look back on; And the sweet pink box it all came in is for storing the calendar at the end of the year. (Or heck! You might as well display the album on your coffee table or bookshelf with your other family scrapbooks and then use the pink box for something else)!? I LOVE that!

I've been wanting to get back into scrapbooking for some time, ( see this, this and this and maybe this too). You see, I originally started this blog to be able to combine my love of scrapbooking, photography and journaling because it was becoming increasingly difficult to find the time to sit down and scrapbook. Blogging merged the three worlds together. 

Unless you have your blog printed, (which I have YET to do), I've missed being able to physically hold something in my hands and look back on all of the memories and fun we've experienced. Ema LOVES the scrapbooks I created in the past. She loves looking through them and over the past couple of years she's been asking me when I would pick it up again. Her inquiries have really lit a fire in my heart to get back to it. I just haven't been sure where to start and this is just the thing I needed. It literally took me less than 30 minutes to put the ENTIRE album together using the cute stickers to mark birthdays and holidays and I was able to make it incredibly adorable by selecting from the super cute pre-designed 3x4 and 4x6 designer insert cards. Soooo simple! 

Anyone that knows me and is familiar with the type of scrapbooking I used to do would agree that this simple approach is WAY out of my element and not anything like what I'm used to doing. Which is why this Recollections Calendar Kit it SO perfect for me right now. The kit comes with an album, blank calendar pages, stickers, along with 3x4 and 4x6 designer insert cards. Since the kit comes with everything I need to put the album together, I have the opportunity to rekindle my love for scrapbooking without becoming overwhelmed by the selection of other scrapbooking embellishments and extras available. (Not right now anyway - I look forward to that down the road).

The cute kraft binder with the pretty aqua blue binding that holds the calendar has been punched with a hole for easy hanging. Another thing I love is that all of the designer cards that come with the kit are double-sided so you can mix and match your favorite monthly themed designs. That means that even if my neighbor or bestie get the kit - the versatility of the available pre-designed elements still allow you to make it your own. (And of course any photos and journaling you add will make it even more personalized).

The kit even comes with a pen and a spot to keep it when you aren't using it!
The only real decisions I have to make using this calendar kit is which side of the cards to use... 

And whether or not I want to include a photo, journaling or both. Ha! 

That's easy enough for me!

I hope you've been inspired to pick up your own 2014 Recollections Calendar Kit.

It can be found exclusively at Michael's Stores and it'll be the best $39.99 you've ever spent because this isn't just a gift for the person who purchases it or the person that receives it under the Christmas tree; It's truly a gift that keeps on giving every time we look back on the memories we've made. 

Your kids will love it and your family will appreciate it - if not now I promise you they will later!! *wink*

Here are some other ideas I thought of that you can use the calendar for:

- Grandparent's Gift - 

   1. Spend the year putting together a collection of memories you can then mail off to grandparents to enjoy. 

   2. Send the Calendar Kit to the grandparents and have them put it together.  Then send them monthly pics to add. You can get the kids involved in this one too!

- Document a specific goal - something you are looking to achieve over the course of 2014

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I'm serious when I say I assembled this calendar kit in 30 minutes. It was really fun to put together and I love how CUTE it turned out! I can't wait to add snippets of 2014 to it!

PEN N' PAPERFLOWERS (PNPF) RECEIVED FREE PRODUCT, COMPENSATION OR OTHER PERKS FROM MICHAEL'S FOR REVIEWING AND SHARING THIS PRODUCT. BE ASSURED PNPF ONLY POSTS/REVIEWS PRODUCTS I LOVE AND FEEL YOU WILL LOVE TOO!

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

LiFE | Fields of Wildflowers

We've got beautiful fields of wildflowers in our area during the months of April and May.

Through the years, I've taken advantage of photographing my older girls in them when they were pint-size.

This past weekend was Ella's turn to finally have her photos taken in them.

Ella was more than thrilled to be dressed up like a princess…

surrounded by beautiful flowers…

creating a huge beautiful bouquet with them...

while I was happily snapping photographs of her. 

She actually enjoys having her photos taken - polar opposite of her older sisters.

I hope she doesn't grow out of that...

I'll let the photos do the rest of the talking today...

Ella Scarlet - Wildflower Fields - April 2013

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Small grasshoppers kept getting caught in the crinoline layers of Ella's dress during the photos.

I didn't DARE say anything about them - even though I was trying not to freak out.

I just quickly kept brushing them off and she never had a clue! *wink*

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*

PHOTOGRAPHY | Homecoming 2012

This weekend was one of those moments in my life...
I didn't really expect to come so soon.

How did my first daughter...
my baby...
suddenly become sixteen...
ready to attend High School Homecoming?

It was just yesterday I was stuffing her backpack for pre-school...
listening to her requests for "oat-ma-meal"...
and singing all of the lyrics to "Titanic" at age two.
Where did the little girl go that used to secretly bury eggs from the refrigerator...
around our yard...
in hopes of them hatching?

There she stood on Saturday...
dressed in a beautiful pink dress...
standing in silver heels...
sparkles in her hair...
a gorgeous young woman...
in the middle of her beautiful close group of girlfriends she's known since elementary school.

Homecoming 2012

I love her.

And I love the "little girl" laughter I can still hear just by looking at these photos...

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Honestly...I think I'm in denial.

I can't possibly have a Junior in High School.

I feel much too young...

except when I verbally announce I have a daughter who's a Junior in High School. *wink*

EMPOWER | Vintique Photo App

As a photographer...

who'd have thought I'd be addicted to using my iPhone for taking photos for just about everything...

Instead of reaching for my Nikon D70.

It's almost painful for me to have to whip out my DSLR anymore...

only because I know I have to take the photos...

upload the photos...

edit the photos...

and then save the photos.

Which is essentially what we are going to do today...
except the results are instant...
and can all be done with your phone...
using a super cool vintage photo app.

Here's my process for turning an ordinary phone-camera-photo...

into something "vintage" and "unique" using: ViNTiQUE

Ella decked in stripes and her Daddy's Shoes

Here's a photo of Ella I posted on Instagram last week...(and FB too, I think).

ORiGiNAL PHOTO

Big difference, right?

STEP ONE

SELECT THE ViNTiQUE PHOTO APP FROM YOUR PHONE

This is a .99 app available for download on your iPhone.

STEP TWO
SELECT YOUR PHOTO
With high resolution turned on...select the photo you want from your Camera Roll.
(you can also take photos straight from the ViNTiQUE app... I just prefer altering photos I've already taken)

I blurred out the number of photos I had because it was too embarrassing to post...*blushing*

Here's the photo I want to work with...

STEP THREE
ENLARGE YOUR PHOTO
Using the "+" button, click and hold until your photo fills the entire screen...creating a square.
(With this particular photo, enlarging it into a square would've cut off Ella's feet and head so I only enlarged it a tad)

Notice the slight adjustment between the two photos?
Enlarging the photo slightly eliminated some of the electrical switch above Ella's head and some of the foreground at her feet.
It still leaves me with a white border on both sides of the photo.
(which isn't what I typically like to do - but it works out...you'll see).

STEP FOUR
PRESS "USE" TO BEGIN THE FUN
Once you've got your photo enlarged and to your liking, it's time to begin editing.

STEP FIVE
CHOOSE A FILTER
Scroll through the "FX" (effects) and click the filter you prefer for your particular photo.
I selected "Mind Map" for this photo - the effect is applied to the entire square, blending my white edges.

STEP SIX

EDIT YOUR FILTER

Vintique offers a variety of ways to customize the filters and vignettes they offer

A list of textures related to the filter you chose are displayed at the bottom.
Click on each texture to turn it on or off and play around until you like the results.

I turned off the 4th button from the left  - which added more color to Ella's clothing.
I then scrolled all the way to the right and turned off the last texture - which lightened up the edges.



When you are satisfied, click the "Hide Edit" button to be taken back to your main menu.

STEP SEVEN

ADD A VIGNETTE

Select the "Vignette" button from the main menu and play around with the variety of effects.

I chose Vig9 which brightened the photo up even more so.

STEP EIGHT

SAVE YOUR PHOTO

When you've got your photo the way you want it, save it.

I prefer to save mine to my album just in case I want to access it again or repost it somewhere else.



ALL FINISHED!!

In today's tutorial, we only took advantage of the "FX" and "Vignette" features from the Vintique menu bar.

Here's a breakdown on all of the features and options available in the Vintique app:

32 vintage filters available...(with the option to turn adjustment steps on and off)

19 Vignette options (and the option to adjust the opacity as well)

49 Frame selections

Photo Editing Adjustments:

• Bright/Contrast/Saturation

• Vibrance

• Temperature/Tint

• Highlight/Shadow

• Exposure

• Gamma

• Hue

With a finished photo, you then have the ability to:

• Open in Instagram

• Save to Album

• Share on Facebook

• Share on Twitter

• Send as an Email

• Open in other apps

Vintique is a powerful photo editing app that is definitely worth the .99 investment. (my opinion). *wink*

I hope you learned something new today.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Or if you have some favorite photo apps you'd like to share...

leave a comment - I'm always looking for new things to try.

Hugs to you, my friends!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Heading to the park today for a picnic with Ella.

I'll be "Unplugged for Love" for a good part of the day - looking forward to it.