March 30, 2016
What I'm Reading: Wellth
March 23, 2016
Life Lately
So, while I continue to navigate the new mama waters, I'll leave you with not one, but TWO, awesome giveaways from some fabulous ladies. Enter below for your chance to win your choice of $115 Paypal cash/Sephora gift card/Target gift card and a $100 Starbucks gift card! Both of which I could use right now because I can already tell this little beauty is going to be a handful...
Happy Wednesday!
Giveaway is open internationally for those over 18 years old. Winner gets to choose to receive $115 PayPal cash, a gift card to Sephora, or a gift card to Target.
March 21, 2016
How to Take Easy Silhouette Maternity Photos
Silhouette photos are incredibly powerful and eye-catching images. They add drama, mystery and interest to a photograph, emphasizing the shape of the subject. Perfect for maternity photos!
Looking to document your growing bump? This tutorial will help you take easy silhouette maternity photos from the comfort of your own home.
Looking to document your growing bump? This tutorial will help you take easy silhouette maternity photos from the comfort of your own home.
Steve and I have been together for over 10 years, and in that decade, we've taken hundreds of photos commemorating special moments and preserving memories. However, when taking photos, I am usually the one behind the camera. Sometimes I need to remember that it is also important to be the one in front of the lens - like when you are about to have a baby and want to remember your days with ‘the bump’ and your last days as a duo.
As we are on a budget, instead of hiring an expensive photography, I decided to take my own maternity photos at home with the tools I had available. I quickly realized, it is a lot easier than you would think.
Here's how you can take easy silhouette maternity photos at home.
Equipment You’ll Need:
- DSLR camera
- Tripod (optional, see tips below)
- Wireless remote control shutter release
- Window with sheer curtains
- Clothing clips (or similar)
What to Wear:
- black tight fitting top (i.e. sports bra or tank top)
- black leggings
- hair with texture or shape (i.e. curled, in pony tail or messy bun)
You want your silhouette to be as simple and clean as possible. Try to wear clothes that eliminate lines and bunching. Show off those pregnancy curves!
Steps:
- Set up your camera.
- To create a silhouette, place your subject (that's you!) in front of a light source, such as a window with sheer curtains. Remember: you always need to shoot into the light for silhouettes.
- Optional: If using a second model (aka your partner) have him/her stand in front of the window to frame your shot. Keep the frame simple, you are the focus of the photograph.
- If using your camera’s automatic setting, make sure to turn off the flash.
- Set your camera to the appropriate remote control or timer setting. If using the camera timer, make sure to give yourself plenty of time.
- Focus on the lightest part of the photo (i.e. area just above the shoulder) to set the exposure for the brightest part of the scene. By exposing the bright sky behind, the areas that are not so bright in the foreground will appear under-exposed or darker than normal, giving you a more dramatic silhouette.
- Step into the frame and strike your pose.
- With the help of the remote control, snap your shot. Make sure the remote is hidden when the camera goes off! (I used a remote shutter instead of the camera timer. I found it gave me more time to set up, and I was not rushed to 'get into position’, but it is personal preference.)
- Check your shot and adjust if needed.
Tips for Posing:
- Stand sideways and not straight on. Shooting straight on will lack detail. It looks best when you can make out the outline of limbs, faces, etc.
- Stand in a way that creates some shape to the photo (i.e. place your hands on your belly, bend a knee, etc.).
- If posing with a partner, make sure there is space between you and your partner, otherwise the silhouette will end up looking unrecognizable. Try turning sideways and facing each other.
- Do some research beforehand and create a pose list. Pinterest has a lot of great options.
Tips for Editing:
- Most of the time, silhouette photos are beautiful without any heavy editing.
- Usually a simple adjustment of brightness and contrast in your favourite editing software are all that are needed to finish the photo.
There is no right or wrong way to create a silhouette. It really comes down to personal preference. And the great thing about digital is you can take as many photos as you want to capture the perfect shot. Have fun and experiment!
Issues You May Face:
1. If you don’t have a tripod: Instead, place two equal-height chairs back to back. Place a small pillow or folded piece of clothing, towel, etc., on top of the chair backs to help balance the camera. It doesn't have to be pretty, as long as it is balance.
2. If when reviewing your photos, you notice a reflection in the window: First, evaluate the items that are in front of you. For example, when I first started taking the photos, I noticed the reflection of something white in the window. Turns out, it was the white duvet on the bed. To minimize, either remove the item creating the reflection or cover the area with a dark item (i.e. black shirt) and it will remove the reflection from the photo.
3. If your sheer curtains won’t stay closed: Either move the frame of your shot so that it is only in front of one panel, or use a cloth clip to fasten both panels closed. Preference would be to place at the clip at the very bottom or top so that it is not in the shot. However, if the clip is placed more in the middle of the curtains, be sure that you are standing in front of it when taking your photo so that it doesn’t show.
Update: Thank you for making this one of the highest viewed posts on To & Fro! As we are now expecting baby #2, check out my newest silhouette photo documenting my growing 21 week bump.
Sometimes it is the simplest pictures that work best.
Have you ever taken your own photos to document a special time in your life?
March 18, 2016
5 Ways to Live a More Sustainable Life
Living a sustainable lifestyle is extremely important to me, both at work and in the home. In celebration of International Happiness Day on March 20, I encourage everyone to make simple renewable lifestyle changes to live happier, while protecting our planet.
Here are 5 ways to live a more sustainable life…
1. When grocery shopping, choose renewable packaging. Help preserve our precious natural resources by looking for products with renewable packaging, such as cartons. Tetra Pak's Tetra Recart (the packaging featured below) is the first carton package designed for shelf-stable products traditionally filled in cans, glass jars or pouches. This innovative carton package is mainly made from paper, a renewable resource that can be naturally replenished, and takes up 30-40% less space in your pantry.
Don't just stop at what the items are packaged in, take it one step further with how you bring these products home. At checkout, skip the plastic bags, which are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. As an animal lover, banning the bag in our house is a no brainer. When the the lightweight plastic bags end up in the environment, they pose a serious danger to birds and marine mammals that often mistake them for food. Keep a stash of reusable shopping bags in the car so that you’re always prepared for the next grocery trip.
2. Take shorter showers. Taking a nice long, hot shower can wake you up and make you ready to tackle the world. The problem is, they can also do a real number on the planet’s freshwater supply. I’ll be the first to admit, taking a shorter shower is a real challenge. A few things to help reduce your shower time are to set an alarm on your phone for the desired shower length, creating a playlist that's as long as your desired shower time and keeping tasks such as brushing your teeth, etc. for outside of the shower. Remember, the only water we will ever have is what we have now.
3. Bike or walk whenever possible. Living in a big city, walking, biking and even carpooling and taking public transit are heavily relied on to get to and fro. For me, I take the subway to and from work every day. Trains are relatively energy efficient modes of transportation, using far less fuel per passenger mile than cars. Not only do I avoid traffic and the pain of having to find a parking spot downtown, my subway time is a chance to relax, catch up on the news and people watch.
4. Swap your paper coffee cup. For me, this is one of the easiest challenges because making coffee at home and taking it to-go in a reusable travel not only saves resources, but also money and time when you’re in a rush to get to work. Don’t just stop with your coffee, keep hydrating throughout the day with water in a reusable bottle or Tetra Pak carton. Need a mid day caffeine boost? Make sure to have your own ceramic coffee mug at work.
5. Take the Tetra Pak Happiness Quiz. Protecting the planet means protecting natural resources—and that’s sure to make you happier. Do your habits make you happy? Take Tetra Pak’s short quiz to find out how your daily choices impact your mood and the planet.
Challenge yourself! By adopting simple lifestyle habits, like those above, you can make a big impact on your life and the world around you. It takes approximately 28 days to form a habit, so what are you waiting for?!
How do you live a more sustainable life?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
March 16, 2016
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease your muffin tin, or add liners.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer) mix together white sugar and butter until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Continue to beat on medium speed until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder and milk. Combine.
- Add half of the batter to the muffin tin (only fill about 1/3 of the way).
- Cover the dough with chopped apples. Using clean fingers or the back of a spoon, pat the apples into the dough.
- Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Repeat steps 8 & 9 so that the muffins are layered.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before eating. Enjoy!
Note: If muffins aren't your thing, this recipe can also be made as a bread. To make the bread, simply sub the muffin tin for a 9x5 inch loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes.
Is this a recipe you would make? What's your favourite kind of muffin?
March 14, 2016
Me Time with Essie Nail Colour
March 11, 2016
Home Stretch: 38 Weeks
March 9, 2016
Things I Can't Live Without
March 7, 2016
S'mores Indoors
Enjoy this quick, easy and just plain delicious recipe for s'mores, indoors.
- 2 cups milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 bag large marshmallows
- graham crackers
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- In a cast iron skillet, add a layer of the chocolate chips. Arrange the marshmallows on top of the chocolate chips.
- Bake in the oven for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the marshmallows are lightly toasted.
- Serve with graham crackers for scooping.
March 5, 2016
Iditarod: The Last Great Race
Visiting Alaska in the winter may not be everyone's cup of tea, but in my opinion, it is one of the best times to visit the Last Frontier. Sure it can be cold and dark, but it is also the time of year when the animals are decked out in their winter jackets and loving life, the Aurora shows it beautiful face and the Last Great Race on Earth has everyone cheering.
This weekend marks the start of the 44th Iditarod. Beginning in 1973, the Iditarod, also known as the "Last Great Race on Earth", is an annual sled dog race running from Anchorage to Nome, AK. Every year, an average of 65 teams take part in the ceremonial start on 4th Ave, downtown Anchorage, on the first Saturday in March, with the official start taking place the next day in Willow, AK, about an hour and a half north of the city. The race ends approximately 9 to 12 days later when the last musher and his/her team of 12-16 sled dogs reaches Nome.
Did you know? The word "Iditarod" comes from the Ingalik Indian word "HaIditarod", which was the name for the river on which the town was built. It means distant place.
Did you know? The word "Iditarod" comes from the Ingalik Indian word "HaIditarod", which was the name for the river on which the town was built. It means distant place.
The Iditarod trail is composed of two routes: a northern route (run on even-numbered years) and a southern route (run on odd-numbered years). The total distance of the race is officially set at 1,049 miles, which honours Alaska's status as the 49th U.S. state. Along the route, there are several checkpoints where mushers must sign in. Some mushers prefer to camp on the trail and immediately press on at the checkpoints, while others may chose to stay and rest. Items such as food, extra booties for the dogs, batteries, tools, sled parts, etc., are repurchased in Anchorage and flown ahead to each checkpoint.
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Teams frequently race through blizzards causing whiteout conditions, sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds, which can cause the wind chill to reach −100 °F (−73 °C)! The tough terrain and conditions the racers face along the way definitely gives you a deeper appreciation of this sport and the great state.
Interesting fact: Anchorage is so snow-starved this winter that they had to bring in 7 train cars of snow to line the streets for the ceremonial start. On top of that, the usual 11 mile start will be reduced to only half the distance.
Interesting fact: Anchorage is so snow-starved this winter that they had to bring in 7 train cars of snow to line the streets for the ceremonial start. On top of that, the usual 11 mile start will be reduced to only half the distance.
Dog mushing has been part of life in Alaska since its earliest days. Today, dog teams are not just used by Iditarod racers, but also by rural residents who rely on teams to hunt and travel and by weekend hobbyists who enjoy exploring the backcountry with man’s best friend.
And if you're at all concerned about the care of the dogs during the race, The Iditarod Trail Committee takes great pride in its role of providing excellence in dog care, not only during the race, but through an extensive program of pre-race veterinary screening. Basically put, the level of screening and health care these dogs receive is better than the majority of the human population! Before entering the Iditarod, a musher must complete approved qualifying races. Generally, it takes a minimum of two years to prepare for the experience as it simply is not possible for someone to participate in the Iditarod without having made a substantial investment of time, effort and understanding of how to properly manage and care for their dogs.
And if you're at all concerned about the care of the dogs during the race, The Iditarod Trail Committee takes great pride in its role of providing excellence in dog care, not only during the race, but through an extensive program of pre-race veterinary screening. Basically put, the level of screening and health care these dogs receive is better than the majority of the human population! Before entering the Iditarod, a musher must complete approved qualifying races. Generally, it takes a minimum of two years to prepare for the experience as it simply is not possible for someone to participate in the Iditarod without having made a substantial investment of time, effort and understanding of how to properly manage and care for their dogs.
Experiencing the Last Great Race on Earth was something on our bucket lists from the day we moved to Alaska, and now, having stood at the ceremonial start, cheering on the racers with thousands of others, is something we'll never forget.
To follow along with the Iditarod, check out the standings here.
For more on planning a visit to Alaska, check out my travel planning resources and how to pack.
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