how to create a .gif outfit post

I've been creating .gifs for my outfit posts lately. I like having the .gif in addition to still photos because you can show movement and (depending on the photos) more of the outfit.

Here I am going to show provide a tutorial on .gif outfit posts so you can do this for your blog too! .gifs are pretty easy to create if you have PhotoShop. (I am using PhotoShop Elements 10 by the way!)

Before we begin - start with your camera.
Make sure your camera is set on the option for shooting continuous frames. Below is a photo of what it looks like on my Nikon D3100. (If you don't have a DSLR read the tip in the first step!)

1. Take the photos!
Have your photographer hold the camera as still as possible while he/she holds down the shutter button as you pose. You can twirl in circle, walk forward to the camera, or do multiple poses. (If your camera doesn't have the continuous shutter option, try having the photographer take multiple shots while you move in extreme slow-mo. It will seem funny in the moment but it might work!)

These are all of my frames:

2. Open all the photos in PhotoShop and start layering. 
Simply drag each new photo onto the first photo in order, with the first photo as the bottom layer, and the last photo as the top layer. Try not to do too much editing unless you can get the photos all to match.

3. Resize the image.
You'll probably need to resize the image to be able to save it in a .gif format.
Click "Image" then "Resize" and then "Image size..." I currently set mine to 500 pixels wide at 300 pixels per inch.

4. Save it as a .gif.
Go to "File" and click "Save for Web." Set it to GIF and check the boxes for Animate and Loop. I set my frame delay at 0.2.

And you're done!

Click here to see the original post from the gif above

Hope this tutorial helped! Let me know if you've created some .gifs - I'd love to see them!

xo-ally

sally hansen salon effects nail stickers

I recently tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail stickers. I received them as a gift about a year and a half ago, and finally decided to try them for Halloweekend! The majority of the sparkles were green and silver, which were perfect with my mermaid costume.

Pros: Easy to apply, no nail polish smell, no mess, no need for a top coat (but base coat is recommended)

Cons: price - they're $7-9ish, the price for one set is the same as a whole bottle of nail polish, and not all of the stickers stuck.

I'm guessing that not all of the stickers stuck because they're so old? This was my first time trying this, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Since I had three "unpolished" fingers, I just applied a beige color to let the sparkly nails take the spotlight. Overall, I've been pretty happy with the nails and have received plenty of compliments on them. Even though they're a little pricey for just one application, I'd consider buying another box.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On another note, I am proud to say that I was able to capture my depth of field (blurriness of the background) perfectly in the photo above! I shot that photo on the manual setting on my SLR camera. I was so happy! Oftentimes, I test the shot and throw my hand in front of the lens to see if my settings are correct (how I got the photo above).

So I tried it to test indoor lighting, and it worked, for the most part....

The subject (hand) is in focus, and the background is blurred! Hurrah!

...and then when I tried having myself as the subject, it didn't. Fail! 

Ugh. The lighting ended up being overexposed in this photo instead of casting the glow it did on the hand test shot. I want to figure this out. I think it would make my photos look much cooler. Sigh. I will continue to try.

Any tips for camera settings to get a shallow depth of field???? If anyone can help a girl out...I would love you forever. :D

xo-ally

stripes and white

I finally, somewhat figured out how to take photos on the manual setting on my camera. I've had my Nikon D3100 for a while now, but have stayed in the Auto setting area...I had tried shooting in manual many times but my photos always came out dark. After reading THESE blog posts about photography essentials, everything became so much clearer! Shooting in manual is a lot easier than you think. I'm still getting used to it, but check out the photo below! No edits :) I am so proud that you can see everything and that it isn't just one giant dark shadow....

See that dial pointed to M?! Boom. Manual setting. I feel so amateur to finally be using it!

Then I had some fun in Photoshop:

Here are some other practice photos from the day:

The "Awk Walk"

It's definitely a learning process, so I'm glad to get some tips along the way. I'm taking a photography class this fall, so I'm excited to keep improving my photos.

Outfit Details:

Hat: Harding-Lane, Tuckernuck Striped top: Forever 21 (old) similar Shorts: H&M Watch: Michael Kors Sandals: Tory Burch (old) similar

xo-ally

outfit x2 - finally!

Shirt, jeans: Nordstrom Sandals: Tory Burch Watch:Michael Kors Bracelets, headband: Forever 21 Red cuff: Velvet Hanger Sunglasses: American Eagle

Tank: Madewell Red cuff: Velvet Hanger Bracelet & charms: Juicy Couture Belt: Forever 21 Shorts: H&M Flip Flops: Havaianas

I haven't posted many outfits lately due to my broken camera. Well, it's fixed!! Kind of. It's hard to explain. But it takes pictures again! So I had a whole lot of fun playing around on Photoshop now that I had new photos to edit...maybe a little too much fun. ;)

xo-ally

coral cuff

On my way out from Lake Coeur d'Alene this Fourth of July week, I stopped with some friends at a boutique - which I am forgetting the name of - and found this red coral cuff! It was only $14 and matches my red Kate Spade ring well. ;)

Camera update: Half-fixed! I can usually take pictures on it (it's kind of hard to explain) but will hopefully be posting more outfits soon now that I don't always have to use my phone!

xo

yellow in photos

I got my Nikon DSLR camera two Christmases ago, and the photo quality is great! I'm still learning how to use it, and I often use the very convenient Auto setting... (Don't worry, I'm taking a photography class this fall!) So far, the camera basically does most of the work for me. One of my favorite aspects of the high quality photos is the color! Blue skies look magnificent and yellow just pops.

Here are three unedited photos that show how great yellow looks!

This photo opportunity was too tempting to pass up! A fire hydrant is basically a bland item on the street, but on the sunny day, I just had to get a shot of it because it is yellow.

I took this at The Colosseum in Rome! This was a random, tiny little sign.

One of the guys from GIF sleeping on a ferry bench...he is going to KILL me if he ever sees this photo on here!

I'm excited to take the photography class in the fall and get more great photos! On the manual setting. Hopefully. We'll see! 

xo

Christmas List 2011

A few mornings ago my dad asked me to send him my Christmas list. It was very surprising news to me - I can't believe Christmas is just a little more than a month away! Seriously, where does time go?

With that being said, I thought about a few things I might want this year and decided to share them! What items are on your list?

Lilly Pulitzer Calendar -- I'm always organized!
Kate Spade Laptop Case -- My new laptop is super light so I take I've been taking it with me to so many places. A sleeve would ensure that it doesn't get scratched!
Sony Digital Camera -- I used to have a small digital camera, but it sadly got stolen this summer! I love love love my Nikon DSLR, but there are plenty of times where a smaller camera is more portable.
Brown Booties -- Well, just brown shoes in general. Other than my brown leather boots, I don't have any other brown fall/winter shoes. So basically any type of brown shoe is on my list!
How I Met Your Mother, Season 5 -- HIMYM is currently my all-time favorite show (next to Gossip Girl, of course). I have seasons 1-4 of the sitcom that I rewatch over and over again, so number 5 is on my list!

I'm also creating my very-first-ever Holiday Gift Guide! Keep checking back within the next few days for gift ideas!

xo

**EDIT** Oops! I wrote "Lily Pulitzer 2011 calendar" instead of "Lilly Pulitzer 2012 calendar" in the image above. Sorry about that!