Family Addition | Nikon DSLR 3200

Hello everyone, I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to our homes latest technological addition because she will be featuring a great deal on this little space here, introducing my new and improved camera, the Nikon DSLR 3200.

 As you guys probably figured I'm not much of a photography whiz, especially if some of the pictures on this blog as of late are anything to go on, truth be told I didn't have a camera whatsoever, with my good old digis having been claimed by natural disasters (in this case clumsiness) I have since been making use of my trusty iPhone 4 and iPad, both of which have worked wonders in keeping up to date with all of you guys, making blogging on the go that much easier and of course reading all about you and keeping up with your wonderful blogging spaces, and of course they will continue to serve these purposes.

It wasn't a spur of the moment decision by all means and I'm not at all implying that you need high quality images on a blog in order to gain readers or be successful in your chosen niche, equipped with a good quality writing style and blogging know how you really can achieve anything, this really has been more about personal preference and a desire to improve upon a much loved skill. With traveling and many many life events on the horizon for the coming year it only seemed natural that I am able to document them on something other than a fuzzy wee screen which has been tried and tested memory wise.

Now when I'm going to spend a great deal of money on something I like to weigh up my options, review, research and discuss every little thing with my family just to ensure I am making the right decision. For example I am a big believer in reviews, and sad as it sounds if I see a product, place or restaruant with one negative review on a reputable site I tend to write them off immediately (especially if a holiday is concerned - shopping for our upcoming Paris hotel was certainly a process I can tell you!)

Nikon DSLR 3200 Features

Having read a lot of reviews on this camera before buying it I found out that it is one of the best entry level DSLR cameras for beginners and admittedly I am a novice. Previously I had taken a photography module in college but it has literally not served me at all in the real world (it revolved around old school film cameras and dark rooms,  not enjoyable I tell you) But the reviews for this camera seemed seriously impressive and the features sounded ideal for my purposes, mainly traveling, documenting memories and of course blogging.

• 24.2 Megapixels
• Auto focus and Manual options
• 9 point auto focus
• Optical viewfinder
• 4 self timer options
• Max pic resolution 6016x4000p
• Video mode with sound
• Wide range of effects and exposure modes

Granted this camera will definitely take some playing around with before I am completely comfortable in shooting with ease but I'm looking forward to toddling along and figuring it out. I'd quite like to build up  a collection of what I call 'investment pieces' this year....step two...designer handbag (maybe) But of course I am looking forward to getting some beautiful shots when we go to Paris this coming May and Tuscany in August  (if weather and my skill set by that time permits) and who knows what in between!

This was really just to introduce you to my new investment piece and the equipment that will hopefully help me blog more efficiently and I do hope you notice a more positive change in the next few months! Of course if any of you have any pointers for handling this type of camera I'm all ears, I always think guides from real people are far better than the written ones especially since you've been sitting playing about with settings and it's really all about what makes you feel comfortable. If you do have any suggestions or just want to say something about this type of camera in general be sure to drop me a comment below, come share your words of wisdom with me on Twitter, or if you'd like to see more from me and this blog be sure to follow me on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, head's buried in the instruction manual.

H.Elizabeth xx

Christmas Gifting | DIY Festive Lip Scrub

Recently I have been experimenting with various scents, flavours, food stuffs and colours in my kitchen, and as odd and potion like and, well, Breaking Bad as that sounds, don't worry it's all in the name of a cost effective Christmas. From a failed attempt at a gingerbread house, too embarrassing to share, to eventually ending with flour, sugar and all matter of ingredients all over my kitchen, living room and my cat, I accepted defeat at the hands of Baking Mad and moved on to something more my speed.

And so with the incredible success (if I do say so myself) of my own little DIY lip scrubs I thought I would share some of  my more festive scrubs with you so you don't have to go along and shell out £5.50 at Lush for Santa's Cola Lip Scrub (not that I am claiming mine are ANY better than Lush but they are tasty!) This is a super easy DIY and I bet you can find most of the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard, the only thing you may have to go on a little hunt for are small plastic containers to hold you lusciously lovely scrubs in.

Christmassy Lip Scrubs

What you will need

3 Tablespoons of caster sugar

3 Tablespoons of conditioning oil (you can use coconut oil, jojoba oil or extra virgin olive oil)

Flavouring of your choice (make sure it won't irritate your face!)

Small amount of food colouring of your choice (optional and remember your face!)

Small pots or containers (depending on how much you make add a bow for decoration)

What you need to do

 Measure out your oil into a small bowl

Add the sugar and mix well

Add the flavouring and colouring (if you have chosen to do so)

Scoop your finished creation into clean containers and you're ready to scrub!

As you can see I opted for the ever so traditional Red and Green, I had pondered going for a yellow food colouring to go for a gold ish scrub... but then I remembered yellow snow is not such a good look especially not for something to rub across your face day to day (good one if you want to give someone a slightly rubbish gift)

If you are looking to make it a little bit more Christmassy I would suggest adding the juice of some cranberries, which will enhance the taste of your scrub and may even give your lips a little bit of a glow (you will just have to add a bit more sugar to get the correct consistency) Flavour wise I chose vanilla (playing it safe following the gingerbread incident) but you could always go for something a little more festive like cinnamon, or dare I say ginger! And if you're feeling a bit more brave you could add some face friendly glitter or dazzle dust into the mix for added sparkle!

I hope you guys have enjoyed this beauty DIY which will hopefully save you some pennies and of course save you from the chaos that is Christmas shopping. I'd love to see your efforts if you decide to tackle this tasty lip scrub or anything that you have been making this holiday season, have you successfully erected a gingerbread house? Of course as you know I love to hear from you so be sure to drop me a comment below, tweet your photos at me on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City antics come find me on Bloglovin

Happy gifting folks.

H.Elizabeth x

February Wishlist

Another monthly features, following on from my end of the month best buys I introduce my wishlist. A collaborative list of products I am dying to try over the next month and aim to review at the end of the month.

 

#1. Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat (Boots. RRP. £25.00)

       Currently my Touche Eclat highlighter is en route via online shopping, the reason this is on my wishlist is that recently my sleeping patterns have been so erratic and all over the place I'm dying to find a something to effectively cover these unwanted bags! I have read and read about it via other blogs I follow, heard some fantastic reviews about it and overall I am a slave to consumerism and therefore I must have it!

#2. Barry M's Classic Matte Nail Paint  (Boots. RRP. £3.99 Per Polish)

      Having tried, and loved Barry M's Gel paint, why not? It's something that little bit different and I hope will offer a Wintery, grungier alternative to the eye popping colours of their gel polish, colour to be determined!

#3. DIY Cat Ear Headband (N/A)

      Less of a purchase, more of a DIY endeavor, I have my headband, pipe cleaners, leather and some decorative embellishments, hopefully by the end of this month I'll have a quirky new headband to rock with my matte polish! 

#4. Urban Decay Cream Eyeshadow (Amazon. RRP. £5.64)

       Another en route purchase from my online shopping antics, as you may have read in my January best buy post, I recently bought Urban Decay's Naked 2 eyeshadow palette, and really I just want more! I've never tried a cream eyeshadow before I'm a sucker for powdered shadows, so this is a bid to step out of my comfort zone and experiment with some new products.

#5. Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Gloss (Boots. RRP. £10.00)

      Not a product I have ever really seen being reviewed too heavily but all the more I love the tingly feeling you get from a lip plumping serum and I also love the Soap and Glory products, it seems so far like a win win!

Fingers crossed I'm able to cross these off of my February wish list by the 28th, you never know Valentines Day is right around the corner! Stay tuned for the end of the month's best buys!

H.Elizabeth