lifestyle Archives - Page 8 of 25

lifestyle

How to Get more Likes on Instagram

The picture above is from my Instagram feed, and was taken a few weeks ago. It is currently my most liked Instagram photo to date. Why? Personally, I think I have taken better pictures, but my opinion isn’t necessarily the one that matters when it comes to the popularity of my photos. So, what does matter when it comes to getting likes? I am by no means and expert on the subject, but I have been using Instagram for a few years now and I think I am beginning to crack the code to a successful IG shot. Here are my tips to getting more likes on your Instagram photos if you are looking to pick up some new followers or just increase your photo sharing skills! Make sure to follow me on Instagram as well by clicking here!

Take pictures that people are searching for

An image like the one above is something I know a lot of people like to look for. It’s essentially a deskscape, showing a workspace and some pretty office supplies. These aren’t just any office supplies, however. These items have been chosen for their popularity and for the application of their hashtags. I will talk more about the importance of hashtags in a moment, but back to the items in the image. They are all pretty items made by popular brands. A Macbook Air, a Kate Spade planner, a Bath and Body Works candle. All these items are things people like and people like to look at them. Now, I’m not saying you should just take pictures of deskscapes and office supplies, but I am saying you should think about the subjects you want to capture in terms of their overall popularity on the internet. People like certain things, it’s no secret. Pictures of pets do well, a beautiful plate of food, composed landscapes and the list goes on. When you take the photos that people are searching for and like to see, your photos will get more likes.

Use relevant hashtags

When I think about crafting my Instagram photos, I think about the hashtags I am going to be able to use to describe it. Hashtags are very important. If you are not already a popular Instagrammer, hashtags are the only way anyone new is going to come across your account and your pictures. So, it is very important that you use as many relevant hashtags as possible to give your image the largest audience possible. For this image specifically, I used 21 hashtags. Some are popular IG tags that everyone uses (#igers #igdaily #instagood etc) and some are specific brand oriented tags that I know are popular. The first hashtag that I used, #filofax, has over 130,000 posts when you search it. That’s a lot of posts, which means there are a lot of people who are using and searching for that tag. Now, I know people say that you shouldn’t use too many hashtags, and I know that sometimes it seems spammy, but the way I look at it is that I am giving more people an opportunity to find and enjoy my picture. Some people think that using too many hashtags can backfire, but ask yourself, when was the last time you saw a picture on Instagram that you liked but then decided not to like it because the user had tagged too many items? Chances are you’re going to get more positive attention than negative attention when you use hashtags. Now, I am not saying to use hashtags that don’t apply, that is spamming the system, but as long as your tags apply, I say use liberally!

Actively like other photos

When I post a new photo to Instagram, I like to go through the hashtags I used, one by one, and like other recent photos taken by others who have used the tag. When I do this, I find that the users whose photos I have liked, come back to my account and like my photo(s) as well. Sometimes I even get new followers this way, and sometimes I find new accounts that I want to follow, too! You can’t expect to just post images to Instagram and focus on your own account without searching around and interacting with other users. Although Instagram isn’t exactly the same level of socialization as Twitter or Facebook, liking photos and leaving comments for others draws people to you in a direct way. The more you do this and interact with others, the more likes you will get and inevitably, the more followers you will acquire.

Have a sense of composition

I have discussed the topic of taking great photographs before, so I won’t go into too much detail here and now, but having a sense of what makes a good composition is important when taking photos that people will like. Instagram gives you the option to use the camera grid when taking pictures directly in the app, and if you don’t think you are good with composition on your own, this is a great tool to use! Remember, composition is more than just about placement of your subject(s) in photos, it’s also about how your subject or subjects interact with each other and within the frame as a whole. Take some time to study the photos of others that you may find interesting and ask yourself what about the photo has drawn you in. Color, size and distance of objects in an image all play a role in the composition so you will want to think about all those things to understand what makes a great photo! Also, feel free to use other apps to edit your IG photos before you post them. I know there are purist out there who don’t believe in using edited photos on IG, but if you are trying to get more likes on your photos, you are going to need to produce the best content you can and sometimes that means using other apps to help you create a stunning image!

lifestyle Solutions

How to Buy Glasses Online: An Anecdotal Guide

I have worn glasses since I was 13. When I was a bit younger, about 8 or 9, I tried to fake poor vision just so my parents would buy me glasses, but of course it didn’t work. I’m not exactly sure why, but I always associated glasses with being smart or having an education, so I really wanted to wear them, as though they were some sort of fashion accessory that denoted IQ. After I was finally prescribed glasses a few years later for legitimate near sightedness, I went all out searching for the pair that would be mine. After my dad forked over $150+ dollars for my first pair, I began to realize that glasses were slightly more precious than I had first expected and that I wasn’t going to get a variety to use as a new fashion accessory after all. To this day, I still own and use that first pair of glasses. I am apparently one of those rare people who’s prescription doesn’t change much over the years, which is actually quite convenient for me. More impressive than that, though, I am one of those rare people who hasn’t broken or lost their glasses in over a decade. Of that fact, I am immensely proud! So, to change things up a bit for me, before I left for college my father bought me a second pair of glasses. These were frameless and even more expensive ($200+) and I was even more careful with them (yep, still have them too) because I knew they would also have to last me quite some time!

And it was quite some time before I purchased a new pair, nearly six years! But this time around, I wasn’t going to be forking over a few hundred bucks. In 2011, I was introduced to the brand Warby Parker. I was flabbergasted to find out that I could buy nice designer glasses online for under $100 for a complete pair of glasses with the lenses. So I signed myself up, tested a few pairs with their home try on option and placed my order! It’s been a few years since this last experience, and I recently found myself hankering for a new style of glasses yet again, when I came across a YouTube video reviewing some different online options including Warby Parker and another online eyeglass shop called Eye Buy Direct. It piqued my interest, so I went to their website and found a few frames I thought would look good on me and without even giving it too much thought, I went ahead and placed an order for two new pairs, both costing me about $100 total!

I have always gotten a lot of questions asking me about my glasses, but I think people are even more curious when they find out I bought them online. Traditionally, buying glasses has been an in-person experience where you would try on frames in a store but the online landscape has really challenged that system. So, I thought I would go ahead and give you all my tips for buying glasses online, providing insights from my experience and some tips and tricks that may help you if you are looking to buy online and save yourself some money!

Know what you’re looking for

Whenever you’re buying an item online, I would suggest knowing what you’re looking for. The problem with browsing online is that you really don’t get much of a sense of a product or item just from looking at pictures. I think this is particularly when looking for glasses online because if you’re not sure what you’re looking for in terms of color, size, shape, you may end up falling for a pair of glasses that just aren’t practical for you and your needs, no matter how cool they look online. Remember, many online eyeglass shops offer very limited terms on returns. This is how they help keep costs down for the end-user, but you need to be very deliberate about what you’re ordering because eyeglasses are a custom item. Think about the style of frame you are looking for, the color, size and lens shape to help make your search easier and more specific.

Try before you buy

Like I mentioned above, Warby Parker, as well as some other online eyewear shops, give you the opportunity to try on their glasses before you purchase them for free. In these situations, you choose the frames you are interested in, provide a credit card for security purposes, and then the company ships the glasses to you to try on. These home try on scenarios usually have a limited time period for you to try the items before sending them back so make sure you are aware of your time limit before requesting a home try on. I highly suggest using the home try on feature when available as it’s very helpful to be able to test out the glasses before you make a purchase, however, not all eyewear sites give you this option. Some sites instead offer a virtual try on where you can upload an image of yourself and see an image of the glasses superimposed on your picture. Although this isn’t the most foolproof way of testing glasses, it can help you see yourself in the glasses. I suggest if you are going to use this feature that you take a picture of yourself head on in strong natural lighting so that you get the most realistic portrayal of yourself possible. Finally, if you do not have a home try on option and you are not sure about the virtual try on option, I suggest visiting a local eyewear retailer to test out glasses similar to ones you may be eyeing online. Most online eyewear retailers provide a front and side view of their glasses with the dimensions. If you print this out and bring it into an eyeglass shop, they should be able to help you find something similar to try on in their store so that you can get an idea of what the glasses will look like on you. Also, if you happen to see something in store that you like, I recommend taking down the model number and brand information of the glasses. When you get home you can research the dimensions of the glasses and you may be able to find the same glasses or a similar off brand style through an online retailer!

Understand your options

In my experience, shopping online for glasses is inexpensive and easy, but you need to understand what you’re getting from some of these online deals. For example, Eye Buy Direct offers glasses as low as $6 for a complete pair, but that includes the frame and single vision lenses with very little bells and whistles. You pay extra for bifocals, progressives and other types of lenses, as well as UV, scratch resistant and water-resistant coatings. Even Warby Parker has upgrades for lenses and certain extras you may get looped into paying if you have a very strong prescription for glasses. These are the sorts of things you need to understand before you make a purchase. Online retailers may wheel you in with an unbelievably low deal, but in reality, most people who wear glasses may require certain extras that will raise the price of the purchase. I’m not saying that online retailers are sketchy and you shouldn’t trust them, I am just saying that you show know this before you go in so you understand the pricing structure and what you are willing to pay.

Have your correct vision Rx information on hand

One of the major parts of ordering prescription glasses online is knowing your current vision prescription! Warby Parker is a great site because you can give them the information for your eye doctor and they will call them up and make sure they get your most current information so you don’t feel pressured or make a mistake filling out your online order form, but not all sites do that. I suggest looking at the sites you may want to buy from and see the prescription information they need so that you are familiar with the information before calling your eye doctor. For most sites you will need your prescription as well as your pupillary distance (aka PD). If you are going to the optometrist before placing your order, print out the order page from the site you are interested in using (or sites) and show them so that they give you all the information you need!

Experiment

Glasses are a necessary tool that many of us need to get through life but they also are a great way to show your personal style, and with the low prices that many online eyewear retailers advertise, taking a risk and going a little outside your comfort zone may be a fun experiment. Don’t be afraid to try a new trend or deviate from your usual frame shape. If worse comes to worse if you don’t like the style they can become a backup pair.

lifestyle Solutions

Pre-Summer Essentials Checklist

Where oh where has the time gone? Next week is Memorial Day and soon enough summer will be upon us. Are you ready? I know I’m not nearly as prepared for summer as I would have hoped. I have quite a bit of shopping to do to catch up, so in the meantime, I thought I would share with you my pre-summer essentials checklist. Here are some of the items that I consider must have’s for the upcoming season. Check out the carousel below for some of my favorite picks!

An awesome beach bag
A big floppy hat
A statement beach towel
Sephora Sun Safety Kit
Caudalie Grapeseed Water
An awesome pair of sunglasses (Prescription sunglasses if you need them)
A cute water bottle
A tablet computer
A signature scent
A backup phone battery charger
A durable video camera (to capture all the fun)

Have a wonderful week and I hope you enjoy Memorial Day Weekend and the summer ahead!
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lifestyle

My Caudalie Skin Care Favorites

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I don’t consider myself a beauty guru by any means, but those of you who have been following me for a while or perhaps are familiar with my YouTube channel know that I am more into skin care than makeup. My philosophy on the matter is that taking care of your skin means your makeup will always look better no matter what brands you use. To me, its more important to invest in my skin care products than to invest in great makeup and luckily for me, I have been blessed with pretty decent skin for most of my life. Like everyone, I went through a rough patch in middle and high school, but I was able to clear up my skin and it has stayed relatively clear for years now. As I have gotten older, I have made deliberate choices with my skin care products and have chosen to purchase higher end moisturizers, serums and skin care products because to me, that’s where my money is best served in the beauty department and one of my favorite skin care brands is Caudalie.

I discovered Caudalie a few years back after watching multiple YouTube Beauty Guru’s sing their praises. One of the first products in their line I was introduced to was their Beauty Elixir, which is toted as being replicated off of Queen Isabelle of Hungary’s elixir of youth. It’s all very romantic marketing, but the truth is, elixirs like this have been made and used for hundreds, if not thousands of years and for good reason- they work very well at clearing skin of blemishes and healing wounds! Why? A blend of natural herbs, oils and extracts that each serve a specific purpose to help heal and sooth the skin. For some reason, however, this long known knowledge has eluded most of the beauty industry and instead of using soothing natural remedies for our skin, we have turned to chemicals and harsh irritants.

So, I began to research more of Caudalie’s products and found that they really seem to be at the cutting edge of skin care science. What make’s Caudalie so unique to me, is their reliance on grape vines as a basis for their products. Did you know grape vines can live to be over 100 years old? Yes, they can! They survive season after season, resisting all types of weather and harsh conditions because they produce unique substances that help keep the plant alive and rejuvenated. It’s from this scientific research that Caudalie was born, developing products that derive from nature and keep cells living long, healthy lives (I guess this also gives us an excuse to drink an extra glass or two of wine.) So, after learning about all this, I began to geek out over the Caudalie line because something told me they were doing things right in the beauty industry. I began experimenting with their products and I really do believe my skin shows marked improvements when I use their products. So, here are my favorites, in no particular order:

Beauty Elixir: This is an amazing product that I like to spray over my face after I have washed and cleansed. You can use it everyday or during breakouts to help calm the inflammation and aid in the healing process.

Vinoperfect Radiance Serum: This serum is great for evening skin tone and correcting dark spots. You can use it everyday (after the Beauty Elixir) or during or after breakouts to ensure the skin returns to its normal tone.

Grapeseed Water: This is an awesome daily toner, also a staple in my beach or gym bag!

Hand & Nail Cream: My number one hand lotion, period.

Lip Conditioner: I use this at night and wake up with moisturized, plump lips (also the taste/scent is amazing).

Vinoperfect Day & Night Cream: These are awesome daily moisturizers that really help my complexion and create glowing skin.

Premier Cru The Creme: This luxurious moisturizer is a day/night cream duo and I think it gives instant results. It is not your typical day/night moisturizer like the Vinoperfect Day & Night Creams, its more of a restorative anti-aging cream, so if you are dealing with wrinkles or trying to prevent signs of aging, this is probably the one cream you want to have!

So, you are probably wondering why I chose this exact moment to share my love for Caudalie. No, they didn’t call me up and ask me to talk about them, although I would totally be open to a sponsorship with them, so feel free to email me, Caudalie, if you would like to work with me! Actually, this entire blog post was a spur of the moment idea because I woke up this morning to an email from Caudalie (I’m subscribed to their email newsletters) announcing their Friends & Family Sale! I have been holding off on repurchasing some of my Caudalie favorites that I am running low on, so when I saw the 20% off online coupon code I immediately ran over to my computer and placed an order for the items I needed! Like I said, Caudalie is a bit pricey, but I do consider it money well spent, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to save money! So, I thought I would go ahead and share the coupon code with you guys and let you know some of my favorite Caudalie items and my experience with the brand. I coupon code is SHARETHIS and is active on the Caudalie website through Tuesday May 20th! I have made purchases through the Caudalie online store before, so I can attest that they provide great service and timely shipping (which is free if you spend over $50).

So, if you have been curious about the brand or if I have perhaps piqued your interest, I highly suggest trying out an item or two from their line. I have gone ahead and added a little carousel below filled with my favorite items from Caudalie, and the image above also has clickable links to their site where you can learn more about the products!

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lifestyle

What’s in my Bag? 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli

In case you don’t follow me on YouTube, I wanted to let you know that I recently posted a What’s in my Bag video for my new 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli! I will link the video below, but I know that I am going to get a lot of questions asking me where I purchased certain items and if they are still available, so I will also be linking below a carousel to any items I mention that may be difficult to find, or similar items if those are not available! I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to leave me a comment linking your own What’s in my Bag video or written post so I can check it out! I know I am not the only one obsessed with these, so sharing is caring! XOXO!

Here is a roundup of some of my handbag favorites seen in the video!

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lifestyle Solutions

Seeing the Future

I am certainly not the only one who wishes they could see the future, but there are moments where I really wish I had a magic ball that could show me what was right around the bend. Usually, I feel this way when I am stuck in some sort of limbo, which could pretty much sum up my current state of mind. Do I move forward through my issues and take a risk or do I avoid them and stick to the familiar and safe. This has been on my mind as of late. I usually pride myself on being a person who can see the big picture, make hard decisions quickly and then make the best of what’s to come, but right now I feel paralyzed and unable to make any choices. When I get like this, I often think of these lyrics from one of my favorite songs.

“Well, something’s lost, but something’s gained, in living everyday.” – Joni Mitchell, Both Side’s Now

Joni Mitchell is right, everyday we have new experiences, learn and grow and because of that we loose that old part of ourselves. What’s done is done and can never be undone. We can’t move backwards, we can’t stand still, even if we wanted to. Everyday we have to make choices, some easy and some hard, but we can’t just stand still. I know this. But sometimes I want to skip through the hard parts to get to the end just where all the tough choices have been made and everything is resolved. I want instant gratification and its not always possible. I want things to happen without having to do the dirty work. It’s ironic because I read a lot of metaphysical books and they always tell you to think positively and let the universe guide you, and I really really wish I could let go of the reins and let someone or something else take over trusting that everything will turn out right, but I’m deathly afraid that if I loose control I will end up someplace I don’t want to be. I want control and I want to give up control both at the same time, how’s that for messed up paradoxes.

As I’m writing this I am getting that sense that I am supposed to wrap up this rant with some sort of lesson so that my readers aren’t left with an uneasy feeling, but honestly, I have no clue how to wrap this up because I too am uneasy. I don’t have the answers yet and maybe that is the answer. Maybe the lesson is you never know until you know. I have a gut feeling thats leading me and that’s about it. Perhaps, one day, if I ever resolve this matter in my mind, I will go ahead and write a follow up to this rather cryptic piece. But for now, you’re left in limbo, with me.

I apologize if this post seems weird or out of place here. I’m sorry if I am coming off vague and not being specific, but the problem is, there isn’t just one specific thing going on that is the catalyst for this, its like multiple different things mushed together to add complexity on top of complexity so its not something I feel comfortable discussing publicly on my blog right now. I would ask, however, that if you could, please send positive vibes my way. Thoughts, prayers, chants, whatever you do to get the positive mojo flowing, send it in my general direction please.

lifestyle Productivity

25 Things to Do when You are Bored

I am so accustomed to being busy and having a never ending to do list that when I do get down time, my mind blanks on how I should be spending it. Inevitably, I end up wasting time planning out what I should do and then, there goes half my free time down the drain! Does this ever happen to you? Well, if it does, I think this post could be a helpful reference when you have nothing to do or find that your struck with boredom but still want to do something productive. I suggest printing this out or book marking this page and rereading it whenever you have extra time that you don’t want to waste!

Choose a room or small area of your house to clean and organize
Create a new playlist from your existing music collection
Take pictures of all the valuable items in your home and save them in a file in case you one day need to file an insurance claim
Go through your makeup and throw out any expired products
Lie in bed and do stretches and meditation
Start a gratitude journal
Pin a simple workout routine and give it a shot (then schedule yourself time a few days a week to repeat)
Look up YouTube videos on how to give yourself a new hairdo like a fishtail braid or sock bun
Write yourself a todo list of all the fun things you want to do or try in the next few months
Take an online class from iTunes U
Find a healthy recipe for your favorite comfort food and add the ingredients to your grocery list
Break out your tool kit and tackle a minor home repair yourself
Plan out some long term or short term goals for yourself
Write someone a letter
Send a thank you note
Unsubscribe yourself from random email subscriptions or mailing lists that annoy you
Subscribe to a free inspirational email service
Clean our your handbag or switch to a different purse
Say a prayer for someone who needs it
Write down your favorite quotes on sticky notes and put them all around your workspace or planner
Develop a cleaning schedule for your place
Think of a topic you have always wanted to learn about and google the heck out of it
Collect all the loose change around your home and start a change jar
Read the entire front page of a news website or newspaper
Find things around your house that you are no longer using and take them to be donated

Okay, now go forth and be productive! Did you like this list? If you would like me to do lists like these more often, leave me a comment and tell me what sort of list you would like?

Filofax lifestyle

5 Things I ♥ about the Filofax Community

If you have been reading my blog for a while, as in before March, you have probably been wondering what the heck is up with me and being obsessed with Filofax planners and stationery! Seriously guys, I am feeling you if you have been a little confused about this whole new world I have decided to incorporate into my life and into the blog. I know it’s hard to explain personal obsessions to those looking in from the outside, but being organized is sort of my thing, or at least it used to be my thing back in college, high school, middle school and beyond! Life after college changed the way I organized myself. I stopped being hyper organized and became more strategically organized, spending time on the things that mattered and not everything as a whole. But as life progresses, I find that more and more things become important enough to need a specific place in my life and I need to keep track of it! So, enter Filofaxes, Kikki K planners, washi tape, etc. Once I started researching planners, I uncovered the whole online Filofax and planner community that is down right amazing! I even started using Facebook again just to be part of the groups (and that’s saying a lot because I have not used Facebook for like two years!) I know its not for everyone, but I like the sense of community and sharing of ideas because all that jazz really makes me feel supported and helpful, so I gave some serious thought to why I love the Filofax community so much as a way to give you all an understanding of my obsession. This is what I came up with!

1. RAKs: I know some people may see me use this term on my blog or on twitter/instagram, but RAK stands for Random Acts of Kindness. Within the Filo community, this term refers to people send others a small letter or package with positive words of encouragement or gifts of stationery supplies. It is also known as Happy Mail and it can be anonymous or not. There are a few groups on Facebook dedicated to this precious act of giving and it is definitely one of the big reasons I like to participate in the groups. It’s not that I am looking to receive things from others, but I am obsessed with sending out RAKs and sharing with people I have never met. I honestly think it’s a beautiful example of the human spirit and an example that the internet can really help to bring people together from all over the world.

2. Pen Pals: Another popular activity within the Filofax community is pen paling. Now, I do not have a letter writing pen pal (although I have more than a few people I message and email with) but many people in the stationery groups are involved with it and I think its amazing! The act of letter writing is such an ancient and lovely practice that I am glad to see its resurgence in these communities. You know how I feel about hand written thank you notes, and in so many ways this is again an amazing way that the internet is bringing people together.

3. Positivity: I cannot get enough of the Filofax groups, pictures and posts because they are bursting with positivity. This community is one of those few places online where I truly feel safe and protected from the dredge of the internet. That’s not to say that everyone is always happy and upbeat, but the general culture is one of inclusion, support and self-betterment. The community members are always promoting each other, sharing ideas and always have kind words to share. It has such a positive vibe!

4. No lack of content: From the multiple Facebook groups to the Instagram hasthtags to the endless blogs and websites to the YouTube videos and the Pinterest boards, there is such a wealth of content within the Filofax community that you can immerse yourself in it and always find something new. This is probably why I am so obsessed, because the more you dig the more you find and uncover and suddenly hours have passed and you walk away feeling like you have learned so much and felt all the positive energy!

5. New Friends: Out of everything I have dabbled with online, nothing has yielded so many personal connections as this community. I have made a bunch of new online friends, some bloggers, some just enthusiasts, but all of them wonderful. It really is amazing how a subject like a planner would draw people together in such a profound way, but it has and I am so glad that I discovered this little pocket of the internet where I truly feel at home!

books lifestyle

Oyster: The Dawn of Enlightenment 2.0?

I have been following the progression of the internet’s soon to be newest obsession, OysterBooks.com, for quite some time now. In the vein of Netflix, Spotify and Audible, Oyster is a site/app that allows users to access thousands of ebooks through a monthly subscription based service that right now costs only $9.95. Not bad, right? For the cost of about one ebook, you can access a nearly unlimited supply of reading material that the site boasts includes over 200,000 titles and growing. To be quite honest, I have been wondering how a site like Oyster would fare in our modern digital age. How would a subscription service for full length written works manage in an internet age culture where we communicate through pictures and video, skim news headlines and have a collective attention span of five seconds? We’ve replaced solid magazine articles with short blog posts, and instruction manuals with a Pinterest board. I definitely knew Oyster was something that would come around eventually, we have subscription services for everything from games to movies to TV shows to music, not to mention the hundreds of subscription boxes for toys, clothing, food and grooming supplies, so why not books? But how many of us actually read books anymore, or at least enough to make a subscription worth the money? Initially, I think many people are going to think like I did that paying the price of a book per month is a little silly when we have library’s where you can borrow all these books and more for free, and that’s essentially what you are doing with the app, renting books. Of course, these are ebooks so its much more convenient for you to download a new book than to drive to the library to pick one up physically, and even libraries with ebook selections available online still have a significant barrier to entry and in most library systems only have a few “copies” of ebooks available for lending. This does not seem to be the case with Oyster. All you need is a credit card and an iOS device which gives Oyster a reasonably low barrier to entry. I get it, not everyone has an Apple product, but think about the number of iPods, iPhones and iPads out there in the world. That’s a potentially huge market to sample from, and if anyone were going to pay $10 a month for a book, it would be an iOS user who has been conditioned over the last 7+ years to pay for their content.

So, will Oyster do for books what Netflix did for movies and TV? Will Oyster bring the good news of the written word to our attention deficit population? I think the two platforms are actually incredibly similar when you think about where Netflix was 5 years ago in comparison to where Oyster is right now. Both were flying under the radar, both had a good selection of content although void of new releases or epic blockbusters and both had a reasonable price point. Of course, we all know what happened to Netflix, even I wrote about it, but in the end Netflix made it out of all their troubles and still dominates the at home streaming market, albeit with significantly more competition. I think we could see a pretty similar situation for Oyster in the next few months and early years until the brand Oyster becomes more of a household name.

So the big question is, will you be signing up for Oyster? To help answer this question I have created something of a litmus test to decide if an Oyster subscription would work for you.

1. Do you read or begin to read at least one book a month at your leisure?

This is important because if you are not currently a reader, signing up for a subscription service for ebooks certainly isn’t going to turn you into one.

2. Browsing the main pages of the Oyster site, can you find 3 books you would be interested in reading?

Although Oyster boasts 200,000 books and counting, they promote their most popular works on their main pages. If you don’t see things you want to read while skimming their site, you probably won’t find much else better once you have full access to their collection.

3. Are you the type of person who would cancel your subscription if you were not getting use out of it?

Oyster, like Netflix and other subscription services offers a one month free trial, but you still need to sign up with a credit card, which means if you are not pleased you need to cancel before your card is charged.

If you said NO to any of those three questions above, this subscription is probably not for you, unless you also said YES to question three. I’m all for giving things a try and taking a look around, especially when their is a free trial associated with it, so if you know you will stay on top of your trial and cancel before you begin getting charged, by all means, give the app a whirl if you’re curious! If you happen to be an avid reader, or at least someone who likes to pick up a new title or two every month, perhaps Oyster would be a good way for you to save some money and get a variety of leisure time reading material, so long as you are not addicted to new releases.

Okay, moment of truth, will you be signing up for Oyster? If you have already joined, let us know what you think about the service in the comments below. I would love to hear more from those who have joined and understand more of that experience!

lifestyle Solutions

5 Unique Bridal Shower Gift Ideas

Spring inevitably means one thing, wedding season is here! I’m sure I am not the only one with some wedding related events on the calendar for the next few months, and with the fun of wedding celebrations also comes the stress of having to pick out gifts. Although a traditional couple will usually provide a gift registry, not all of us are the buy off the registry types. Whether it’s because the bride or groom is a significant person in your life or perhaps you would prefer the surprise of picking out an item yourself, I have assembled a few gift ideas that you may not find on your average registry!

1. Kate Spade “MRS” Necklace ($75): This lovely piece is dainty and timeless and will surely win over the heart of the bride!

2. Paper Source Custom Stamp Gift Set ($39.95): Once the bride and groom get back from the honeymoon they are going to have a lot of thank you’s to send out. Make the process a little easier and much more personalized by giving them a custom stamp gift set that they can have made with their address and name to reflect their new life and home together.

3. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child ($22): Whether or not the bride and groom are already knowledgable cooks, this timeless guide to cooking is like a cooking school in paper form. Let them learn the basics or unleash their inner chef with this cookbook staple!

4. Glitzy Glam Initial Wine Glasses ($15 each): Although the happy couple may be registered for some fine china wine glasses, this unique and personalize gift will be a welcome treat, and well, you can never have enough wine glasses! Am I right?

5. Jonathan Adler All Occasion Note Card Set ($15): Beautiful stationery is one of those things most people don’t register for, but it makes a classic and very affordable gift. This set is a great staple to have around in case a last-minute note is needed or someone forgets to pickup a birthday card!