How I Edit my Instagram Photos

Recently I was asked all about my Instagram photo-editing process, and I realized just how much time and effort I put into each one of my photographs.  Over time I have found some pretty amazing apps that can make any average photo look like a million bucks. 

My favorite editing app is definitely Afterlight.  I love all of the different features this app offers, ranging anywhere from exposure to skin tone!  Though I don’t normally use the filters on Afterlight, they do have some really great options, my personal favorite being “Russ”.  The only complaint I have about this app is the fact that it wasn’t free. I typically don’t spend money on apps, but let me tell you it was COMPLETLEY worth the 99¢

VSCO Cam is hands down one THE best apps for filters that has ever been invented. If you are anything like I am, in the way that you are a bit specific about all of your photos following a theme on your feed, this app will save your life.  There are tons of different filter options for free, and if you so wish then you can purchase even more!  If I’m honest, I didn’t like VSCO at first, it seemed so…strange.  The layout of this app is half editing app, half social media platform where you are able to share your own images! In my opinion anyone who wants their photos to look good, you need a little VSCO in your life.

After I have finished adjusting my photo, and I'm done giving it an artsy filter…I have to fix the basics. For this task I can trust good ole’ Aviary to get the job done.  Have you ever taken a selfie and noticed that your teeth don’t look as white as you would like them to? Aviary’s whitening tool can solve all of your problems my friend.  I personally use Aviary for things such as blurring backgrounds, getting rid of blemishes, and whitening my teeth.  It’s quick and easy to use, and…FREE!

As you can tell, editing Instagram photos into perfection is quite the process.  I personally love using lots of different apps to see what I can create, but these are definitely my favorite three! If you feel so inclined, comment below your favorite app to edit photos with!

DISCLAIMER: The photos shown on this post may be slightly blurry due to me transferring them from a phone to my laptop, but hopefully you will get the idea J

Follow me on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/brooklynklahr

The Struggle of New Year's Resolutions

It’s officially 2016 now, which means I suppose I should challenge myself to become a better person, and to live healthier, and blah blah blah.  If I’m being honest, every year up until this, I have always made the cliché, rather tacky, resolutions.  Resolutions that as soon as I wrote them down I knew I would never follow through with. 

“This is the year I’ll loose 20 pounds!”

“This year I will go to bed every night by 9 pm!”

“This year I am going to travel the globe and solve world hunger, and find a cure for every disease on this planet!”

 As I sat with all of my friends on New Year’s Eve I started to think about what my resolutions for this year were going to be, and I couldn’t think of anything!  What’s this?! Am I actually content with the person I am right now, or am I just becoming progressively lazier as time is going on? I couldn’t believe no ideas even came to my mind, and to think that even now I don’t have any resolutions!

The following morning I made the mistake of opening up my Instagram and seeing every single living human being posting all about their new years resolutions and all about how they can’t wait to “tackle 2016”.  I couldn’t have been more annoyed, I officially felt like a chump that had zero life goals, and wasn’t going to accomplish anything. Perfect way to start 2016 right?! WHY IS EVERYONE BEING SO PRODUCTIVE, NOW I’M GOING TO HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING!

I sat there in pure shock and disgust on my face, and then I realized something incredibly valuable.  What is the point in making resolutions, just because it seems like the proper thing to do? I know myself well enough that if I were to come up with some bull crap resolutions I would never complete them, and then by 2017 I would feel like an even bigger waste of space than I do now! (Don’t you love how I overthink)

So here I am typing this blog post to announce that I have zero new years resolutions for 2016, and I am 100% okay with that.  I think it will be interesting to have a year were I just go about my daily life, and whatever happens, will happen!  If I get to March and decide I want to start running and working out, then I will do that! If I get to June and decide I want to travel, I will do that, and if I get to December 31^st, and I haven’t solved world hunger, THAT’S OKAY!

I hope you are all having a lovely time as breaks are coming to an end, and I hope you all have a lovely 2016 that is filled with wonderful memories and loads of happiness.  Let’s start this year off right with no expectations, lets live in 2016.

5 Tips to Survive Finals Week

I realize that around 7 months ago I wrote a blog post very similar to this one, but I always find them really interesting to read.  So here I am again, in honor of finals week beginning to give you some tips on how to survive finals week. 

            Finals week is something that no matter what you do, you will have to face it.  If you are like me, then finals week is something that you dread all year long.  I am an absolutely horrible test-taker, so finals are about my worst nightmare.  Over the past few finals weeks, I have been able to collect a few tips, along with some tips that according to statistics are promised to ease finals week stress, and even improve test scores!

• Experiment with different methods of studying

Sometimes it’s easy to just skim over old notes that you have, and to call it good.  I challenge you to try a new way of studying.  Read flash cards while hanging upside down, put on classical music and sing your vocabulary words, whatever works for you, do it!

• Silence your social media accounts

I am one of the worst about turning my phone on “do not disturb” mode, and then always tapping my phone to see what notifications are there. Try putting on your “airplane” mode instead.  You won’t get any form of notifications while on this mode, therefore taking away the option for extra distractions.

• Review old tests

Most teachers base their midterms and finals on previous tests they’ve created. This is also a great way to go back, and see things that you struggled with earlier in the year!

• Manage your anxiety

This can be a fairly difficult task, seeing how anxiety is second nature for some of us. There are so many simple things that can ease test stress.  One of my favorite things to do is listen to really calming music.  If you log into Spotify, you can search “stress free” and there should be several playlists full of calming music that are available!

• Create a study schedule

This seems like a really strange thing to do, but it helped me SO much last year.  Get a piece of paper the week BEFORE finals, and create the amount of time per class that you will be studying.  If you feel compelled, even plan out where you plan to do your studying, and the time span you need to study for each of your classes. This helps you not stress nearly as much about all the studying you have to do, instead you already know exactly what you have to do, and how much time it will take!

I hope these tips helped at least a few of you with easing those horrible finals stresses!  Remember that it’s only a week, and remember that hundreds of other students have gone through the same thing, and they all survived!  You can do this friends, good luck!

Let it Snow

I decided it was the perfect time to sit down by the fireplace, and to simply enjoy a good book. As I sat there, I realized it would only make sense to read a Christmas book, which I immediately knew which one I would dive into for the second time.  I reached for “Let it Snow” by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.

I know what you’re thinking, “How can a book be written by 3 people?!” This book is crafted in just the right way; it would be weird if it weren’t! The book is actually a compilation of 3 different short stories, each story slowly and ever so slightly tying into the last. (It’s truly only something that certain authors could do)

I would be the world’s biggest liar if I didn’t admit to you that I only got this book for two reasons. 1) It was a Christmas book and 2) JOHN GREEN, DUH! John green is hands down one of my favorite authors, the way he writes just makes me laugh! When I read this book for the first time, I really thought I would just like John’s part of the 3 stories, because I had no idea who the other authors were.  As I began to read I was so disappointed to see that John’s chapter wasn’t the first story, but the second. Which if any of you are big readers like I am, you can’t break the sacred code; I was actually going to have to read someone else before John.

 I dove right in, and fell in love with the characters that Maureen Johnson created. She wrote beautifully, and it was truly one of the best short stories I had ever read. Of course, John’s story was equally amazing, and the last story by Lauren Myracle was the icing on top of the cake. It was a wonderful Christmas book; that would make you laugh, and make you feel all warm and fuzzy.  I would definitely recommend this book to ANYONE during the holiday seasons. 

I realize that this seems like a really strange book review, seeing how I didn’t even mention the story line, trust me I know.  I went to try and fit into words just how the stories worked, and realized there was no good way to tell you about the three short stories, without giving away the best parts!  Sadly, you will just have to take my word on how wonderful this book is.  I hope you all get the chance to curl up by a fire, with some amazing spritz cookies and get drawn into this brilliant holiday book. It’s a book I plan on having become a yearly Christmas tradition for me!

Christmas Movie Night

Big fluffy blanket, crackling fireplace, cup of hot chocolate and the perfect Christmas movie playing in the background.  Sounds nearly perfect right?  I started to mentally prepare myself for one of my cozy Christmas movie nights the other day, and realized just how monumental these moments were.  I never realized how much I actually looked forward to these nights!  There is just something about curling up and watching a good ole’ Christmas movie.  Below are some of my absolute favorite Christmas movies that are perfect for one of these nights.  I also might add that some of these movies have amazing soundtracks along with them! Depending what kind of Christmas movie you are looking for, I have them categorized for you! J

Nostalgic:

•        The Grinch
•        Disney’s A Christmas Carol
•        The Polar Express
•        Prancer
•        The Santa Clause

Humorous:

•        Elf
•        National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
•        Four Christmases
•        A Christmas Story

Romance:

•        Hitched for the Holidays
•        It’s a Wonderful Life