Sunday, 17 January 2016

How I Edit My Instagram Photos!

  Hello Everybody!
  I love photography and editing my photos! And what better way to show people than to post it on Instagram and my blog! I thought I would share with you how I do all my editing so...

  First I choose my photo: 

  The only editing app I use is the default Instagram options.
  
  I start by filtering my picture. It depends on the photo you are using, but if you are taking a photo of your surroundings use a more earthy filter. Or if you are doing something like a beach scene, a flower, something colourful or something that makes you happy use a brighter filter.
  I am using the filter- Lark: 40. Also I add a border. I have only just recently discovered this but I really like it!
  

  Then I add some Lux. This option will help with contrast.
  This is usually on about: 40. By now you should be seeing a slight difference!

  

  I now move onto generally how you want your photo to look.

  So starting with Brightness which I have set to a minus number, but it depends how good your lighting is in the original shot. On this photo it was quite bright so I turned it down to -30.

  Contrast is basically the Lux option in more depth and on this photo I have set this to -40.

  Structure is used if your photo is slightly out of focus or if you to want to show your photo in a bit more detail. However don't go to over the top with it, because it can make your photo grainy which is why I have mine on -10.

  Warmth is probably my favourite editing option because it transforms a photo on a cloudy day or just a day which looks quite miserable into a sunny and healthy day! Which is why for this photo I have it on 60.

  I have no saturation on this picture because I find it makes the photo look a bit fake and orange.

  I have added a bit of colour and that colour was orange which was on 10. I also added a bit of highlight, this colour was purple. After editing quite a lot of Instagram photos I have learnt that whatever you're trying to pull attention to, try using that colour, a colour similar or a colour that compliments it well!

  Fade is just something to play with. But it can depend on how vintage you want the photo to look. I set this at 30.

  Highlights I feel is just a perfectionist option in my opinion I think it makes the balance of you photo a bit more equal. That's why I put mine on 20.

  Shadows is also something to be set according to your personal preference. Sometimes I have if on -20 and some days I have it on 50 so it really does depend on your own style. But in case you do want to go ISayBell Style I used -10.

  Vignette  I also very much like this as an option. It is difficult to describe, but in my own words it makes the corners go darker. I do quite find a difference in my photo once adding this feature. This was on 40.

  I had no Tilt Shift on my image because I wanted every little detail to be visible. Although it can be used in many photos. So do just test it out!

  Sharpen can also make a photo slightly grainy so don't use a great amount. Which is why I only put it on 10.

  Which now finishes all the editing! And don't worry I will show the finished product so...
  
 

  This was the finished product! So final step is to save and/or share your photo. I hope this inspired you with your photography! That's all for now!
  Byyeee!!!!



Sunday, 10 January 2016

Banana Loaf

  Hello Everybody!

  I love baking! But I have never made anything in a loaf tin before, until now... So I thought what better way to use up some bananas and use my loaf tin than make a banana loaf! The recipe I chose was really straight foward and the banana loaf came out very moist and scrummy!

  

                                                            Servings: 8
                                                            Prep Time: 15-20 mins
                                                            Cook Time: 30-40 mins
                                                            Difficulty: Easy

  For this recipe you will need:
  140g butter, softened, plus extra for the tin
  140g caster sugar
  2 large eggs, beaten
  140g self-raising flour
  1 tsp baking powder
  2 very ripe banana, mashed
  50g icing sugar
  Handful of dried banana chips, for decoration (optional, I raided our cereal packet for mine!)

  Method:
1. Heat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas 4. Butter a 2lb loaf tin and line the base and sides with baking parchment.
2. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then slowly add the eggs with a little flour. Fold in the remaining flour, baking powder and bananas. Pour into the tin, smooth the top and bake for about 30-40 mins until a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove to a wire rack.
3. Mix the icing sugar with 2-3 tsp water to make a runny icing. Drizzle the icing across the top of the cake and decorate with banana chips.

  

  It is so good! I can't wait to have another piece! If you do happen to make these please tag me on Instagram showing me your bakes! I will see you next week!

  Byyeee!!!!

  


Sunday, 3 January 2016

My New Years Resolutions

  Hello everybody!
  
  Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great New Year and made it a memorable one! It's now that time of the year where you make resolutions to try to improve your year. So here are my resolutions!

  ▪️Keep improving my blog so that I hit 1000 views! We hit 500 around November... let's see if we can achieve this crazy amount by March!

  ▪️Be more organised - don't leave everything last minute! I'm that kind of person who will say, yeah I'll do it in 10 minutesThen half an hour later I'm getting stressed over it because I haven't done it, which brings us onto the next one!

  ▪️Don't get too stressed out over things! I have done this too many times and got myself into a state! It's terrible to do this so I just need to try not to think of the negative side of things and instead, focus on the positives!

  ▪️Eat healthier! Yes, I know this is the most common resolution, but I cannot say how important this is! It will improve my energy levels, mood and general health I'm sure!

  ▪️Read more books! When I read I love it! I can just never find the time, not that I never have time - I just find something else to do, but in my head I'm thinking I should really be reading!

  ▪️Get out of the house more! Whether it's a walk on the beach or doing stuff in the garden, enjoying the fresh air also keeps me happy!

  

  I hope this inspired you to do some of these things! Feel free to share your resolutions in the comments! That's all from me. I will see you next week!

  Byyeee!!!!


 


Monday, 28 December 2015

Monthly Favourites!

  Hello everybody!

  Before I start this blog post, I want to apologise for not posting last night. With the rush and excitement of Christmas so much is happening and last night I ran out of time. So now let's start the Monthly Favourites!

  As Christmas has just passed the items I mention are some of my favourite Christmas gifts!

  ▪️ Sekonda watch with rose gold dial
  ▪️ Layla rose gold headphones
  ▪️ Sphero BB- 8 droid
  ▪️ My doodles speaker- unicorn
  ▪️ Disney Mickey Mouse Tsum Tsum plush- large
  ▪️ Disney Minnie Mouse Tsum Tsum plush- medium
  ▪️ Ted Baker Sparkling Treats mini EDT
  ▪️ Zoella Bath Bombinis bath fizzers
  ▪️ Scrabble
  ▪️ Simon micro

  
Done!! I hope you enjoyed! I had a great Christmas! How about you? Tell me what your favourite gift was in the comments below! My next post will be in the New Year!  So have a great one!

  Byyeee!!!!

Sunday, 20 December 2015

My 10 Favourite Christmas Songs

  Hello everybody!

   In the rush and bustle of Christmas, I think it's important to be as festive as festive gets! In addition to last weeks post, Christmas songs and carols are a big part of my Christmas build up. They can help you to be happy when you clean, and also nice to have on whilst wrapping presents or putting up the Christmas tree! Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs/carols!

  I'm going to start with the classics that everyone will probably know...
  ▪️ Band Aid
        Do They Know It's Christmas?
  ▪️ Mariah Carey
        All I Want For Christmas Is You
  ▪️ Peter Auty
        Walking In The Air
  ▪️ Chris Rea
       Driving Home For Christmas 
  ▪️ The Pogues Feat. Kirsty MacColl
        Fairytale Of New York
  ▪️ Frankie Goes to Hollywood
        The Power Of Love

  Moving on to individual artists.... I really enjoy listening to Michael Bublé at Chritmas so...
  ▪️ Michael Bublé
        It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
  ▪️ Michael Bublé Feat. Thalia
        Mis Deseos/ Feliz Navidad

  I now move onto another individual singer. It's Rod Stewart!
  ▪️ Rod Stewart
        Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
  ▪️ Rod Stewart Feat. Mary J. Blige
        We Three Kings

  Please let me know if you like any of these songs just as much as me in the comment section below with the title! 

  Byyeee!!!!

  PS. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and get all the presents you want! Xx
  
 


Sunday, 13 December 2015

7 Ways To Improve Your Christmas!

  Hello Everybody!
  
  If you are someone like me who is very festive, but you don't yet feel festive enough or just feel like you're missing something... Hopefully this will help you! I bring to you "7 Ways To Improve Your Christmas!"

▪️ Make your Christmas Tree and baubles have a story! For every bauble or at least a few try to have a fond memory behind them! To grow the collection, try to collect a new one every year!

▪️ Have a Christmas scented candle! I have the scent gingerbread from Zara Home. You can either get the small or large which is what I have and that was €19.99 (£12.99).

▪️ If you have a fireplace make the most of it and light it to feel more Cosy! If not use candles or if you want to you can search the web or get an app of a fireplace! 

▪️ Always have some DVDs handy because I feel if I don't watch Christmas DVDs during December it isn't Christmas. My personal fav is Home Alone, I just think it's such a classic and so much happens it's so exciting, and in some bits I can actually say the line with the actors. See, I really do like it.

▪️ Have an advent calendar, no matter what age you are! I think it makes the build up more exciting and fun. Also you get a chocolate every day so bonus points!

▪️ Bake some mince pies! If you do not like mince pies, you could make a Yule log or a Christmas Pudding! 

▪️ Last but certainly not least wear a Christmas jumper! I personally think it's better to wear it on Christmas Eve because on Christmas Day you might want to get more dressed up!

  That's all! I hope you were inspired by this! Please let me know what your favourite Christmas DVD is in the comments of this post! I will see you for another post next week!

  Byyeee!!!!

 
     

  

Sunday, 6 December 2015

Chunky Chocolate Brownies

  Hello everybody!
  
  It is December so I have to do at least one baking post. As you have seen by the title this week I have baked some chocolate brownies. I just feel you can't go wrong with brownies, they are so delicious and fun to make!

  
 
                                                                                               Servings: 15  
                                                                                                Prep Time:15 min
                                                                                                Cook Time: 45 mins   
                                                                                                Difficulty: Easy

   For this recipe you will need: 
  275 g (10 oz) softened butter 
  375 g (13 oz) caster sugar
  4 large eggs
  75 g (3 oz) cocoa powder
  100 g (4 oz) self-raising flour.
  100 g (4 oz) plain chocolate chips or chunks

  Method:
Pre- heat the oven to 180C/ Fan 160C/ Gas 4. Grease a 30 x 23cm (12 x 9 in) traybake or roasting tin then line the base and sides with baking parchment.
  
2 Measure all the ingredients into a large bowl and beat until evenly blended. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, scraping the sides of the bowl with a plastic spatula to remove all of it. Spread the mixture gently to the corners of the tin and level the top with the back of the spatula.

3 Bake in the pre-heated oven for 40-45 minutes minutes or until the brownies have a crusty top and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave the brownies to cool in the tin and then cut into 15 squares. Store in an airtight Tupperware.

  

  I hope you liked these! If you happen to make these please tag me on Instagram so I can see how yours came out (@ISayBell_blog)
  Love you all! Byyeee!!!!