Favourite Instagram Accounts #2

A couple of months ago I shared a handful of accounts that are some of my favourites to follow on Instagram and I’m back with another installment! Currently I follow around 700 accounts so there’s not just a select few that are my favourites. I’m always looking for new accounts to follow so feel free to leave any recommendations in the comments and I’ll check them out.

1. Elle (Account: missjanebeauty)

Elle is also from New Zealand and I don’t remember how I came across her feed but it is incredibly beautiful! The majority of her posts are makeup flatlays but she does also share empties with mini reviews of each product and FOTD posts. Her feed is #goals!

2. Apartment Edit (Account: theapartmentedit)

The Apartment Edit is the home account of Sam Chapman (Real Techniques) and her boyfriend Ryan. I find with some home accounts they look too staged and the same as each other but this apartment is quirky and has colour and is not just white on white with chrome or gold accents. Sam’s cat Jojo also features in some pictures and Jojo even has his own Instagram account @cattojojo which I also follow.

3. Polished and Inspired (Account: polishedandinspired)

I love to follow makeup and beauty Instagram accounts and support my fellow bloggers. Polished and Inspired also has a blog by the same name – click *HERE* to visit – and is a Canadian beauty enthusiast. Her Instagram captions are thought provoking and informative and her blog posts are well written and well thought out.

4. Nadine (Account: nadine_blewett)

Nadine is one of my oldest blogging friends and such a beautiful soul that I have grown very close to over my blogging journey. Nadine is so supportive and kind and a genuinely lovely girl inside and out. We’re always there when the other needs a chat and is having a rough day or to leave sweet comments on each others pictures. If you love fashion and cute dogs, hit that follow button, you’ll find both of those in abundance from Nadine.

5. Katie (Account: katesvanityblog)

Katie is like the older (hope you don’t mind me saying that), American version of Nadine. Katie is another blogging friend that I have known for years and is one of the kindest, gentlest souls around. Katie is a fellow makeup lover and also posts cute pictures of herself and her boyfriend Ron as well as pictures of her cat Allie.

6. Taylor (Account: taylorjanelifestyle)

I wish I was as stylish and looked as good as this girl! Her accent is so cute and her stories are very entertaining. Usually on a Wednesday, Taylor will post ‘The Wednesday Wishlist Edit’ on her stories and followers pick whether or not they like each item. Sometimes it will be fashion, sometimes it will be homewares and it’s unique and a bit of fun, I don’t follow other accounts that do that. Taylor also has a blog which you can find linked in her Instagram bio.

7. Sophie (Account: sophielaurablog)

Look at all those gorgeous warm tones! Sophie is a beauty and lifestyle blogger from The UK and her photography is seriously stunning. There is often a mini story behind Sophie’s pictures and she is able to fit so much into her images without the image looking cluttered. Sophie is also an avid reader so I particularly enjoy her bookish posts and seeing what she enjoyed. Her stories are an extension of her feed and I love flicking through those too.


Let me know which Instagram accounts are your favourite to follow in the comments!

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

2018 Goals: 6 Months On

I think making goals at the start of a year and calling them goals rather than resolutions doesn’t make you feel as bad if you aren’t successful. Goals normally have more of a measurable outcome and can be assessed and tracked throughout the year. In my first post of 2018 I stated I didn’t have any real goals, I just wanted to be happy, but a couple of days into January I did come up with some. Overall, I am on track with the majority of the eight goals I set for myself.

1. Do one new thing each month – I have been succeeding with this goal. Each month of 2018 so far I have managed to do at least one new thing whether that’s trying a new product or there’s been a new experience I’ve had. I have a page ruled up in my Bullet Journal where I can jot down what’s new each month and at the end of the year I may do a post sharing all of them.

2. Journal everyday – For the most part I have stuck to this. There was the odd day I’d miss here and there when I would stay with my boyfriend as I didn’t take my journal but I am looking forward to having something written down about each day of 2018 and being able to look back at the year in depth.

3. Improve my photography – I am doing okay with this goal but I would like to practice and get out with my camera more in the second half of the year. I definitely think my blog photos have improved since I first got my DSLR a year ago and I’m so glad I switched to manual mode almost straight away – I have a much better understanding of aperture, shutter speed etc. I want to get out in nature and just walk around with my camera or take it with me if I visit somewhere for the day.

4. Read 50 books by September – Technically I started this goal in September 2017 and I am proud of the progress I have achieved. I’m going to be honest and say I don’t think I’ll be at 50 by September 2018 but I’ll be near.

5. Watch 20 movies – I have achieved this goal already! I didn’t want to set an unrealistic target but I do enjoy watching a good movie. I only had one rule, the 20 movies had to be ones I hadn’t already seen before. Now I’ll be seeing how many I can get to by the end of the year.

6. Declutter – I have been successful with this goal too. In January/February I had a small makeup declutter and last month I cleared out some clothing from my drawers and wardrobe. By declutter I don’t just mean get rid of things but I want to use up what I have and not buy things for the sake of it. Decluttering also relates to cleaning and simplifying.

7. Lose weight – I don’t go by the number on a scale, I go by how clothes look and feel. Over the past few months I have been sick numerous time so I haven’t been able to exercise as much as I would like but I did lose a little bit of weight after the breakup and I have had a few comments saying I look like I’ve lost weight from mum and a work colleague. I accept I’m never going to be a size 8 but getting back into a regular exercise routine for the rest of the year and being able to keep up with it would satisfy me.

8. Don’t spend unnecessarily – I go through stages of spending and then not spending for a little while. I do save most of my money and am generally pretty good. Probably the most expensive thing I’ve purchased so far this year is Shania Twain concert tickets! This goal kind of goes along with #6 – use up what I have before buying more and research and look into things before buying them on a whim.


Did you set any goals for 2018? How are you progressing?

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

Follow me:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Instax Lovin’

Instax instant cameras have become very popular in the last couple of years and owning one is pretty much every little girl’s dream (and mine!) I bought a pink Instax Mini 8 one late Saturday in November last year and I have been in love with it ever since!

Why I Bought the Camera

As with most of my purchases, I thought to myself, “do I really need this?” and justified it by classing myself as a casual photographer. I had been considering investing in a fancy DSLR but while photography is something I enjoy, I don’t do it often and I’m no expert. I didn’t want to invest a chunk of money in a gadget I might not use regularly. I like the instant element and slightly retro feel. You only get one chance to take each picture which makes you think about lighting, composition and how the picture is going to turn out. You can’t go back and edit, you can only take more pictures which uses up more film. You begin to get selective because you don’t want to use film unnecessarily. I use this camera to create memories and capture important moments. I don’t use it every day, I tend to use it to take photos on special occasions and things I want to be reminded of.

Using the Instax Mini 8

On the whole, the camera is simple to use. The camera takes two AA batteries and comes with these and a wrist strap in the box. There is a manual but in all honesty, it’s not the most useful.

instax-mini-8-diagram

  • Lens: Where you look to take pictures.
  • Flash: The flash always goes off; something to be mindful of when thinking of lighting.
  • Picture Button: This button is molded to fit the shape of a finger.
  • Brightness Dial: The cameras feature five positions:

1. Indoors, night
2. Cloudy, shade
3. Sunny, slightly cloudy
4. Sunny and bright
5. Hi-key

  • Power Button: Located at the bottom of the brightness dial. When the camera is powered on the shutter pops out. To turn off the camera, gently push the shutter back in.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Once a 10 pack of film has been inserted, don’t open the back of the camera as you will expose the unused film and you will be unable to use it.
  2. To diffuse the flash and give pictures a softer effect try placing some yellow masking tape over the flash.
  3. When taking a photo tilt the camera to the right slightly and up. The centre of the lens is not the centre of the image.
  4. The brightness dial recommends which setting to use. The majority of the time it is correct. However if you want a brighter photo, use a darker setting and if you want a darker photo use a brighter setting.
  5. Store any spare film out of sunlight to avoid overexposure.
  6. Contrary to popular belief, don’t shake pictures to develop them faster.
  7. Have fun!

Experience and My Photos

I am still learning how best to use the brightness dial myself but most of my photos have turned out okay. The photos aren’t blurry or pixelated. I have a few favourite pictures of the 10 I’ve taken so far:

My first picture, December 2016 – the Christmas tree.

Balloons for my 22nd birthday!

Valentine’s gifts for my boyfriend ft. my cat.

Stickers and Accessories

Since purchasing my camera I have also become the owner of some cute bits and bobs to store my photos and make them look pretty.

  • I received a pink backpack from my boyfriend for Christmas. The backpack also contains a neck strap.
  • I redeemed a free gift pack from Instax when I purchased the camera. The gift pack features a scrapbook, a sticker sheet, photo corners, washi tape, a photo board and a mount board.
  • My work was selling accessories for 50% off so I picked up some stickers, 3D embellishment stickers and frame/border stickers.

I keep these in the backpack along with my spare film so I know where everything is and it’s all together.


I hope you enjoyed this post and seeing how I use my Instax camera. Do you have any tips and tricks to share? Which colour camera is your favourite?

signature_59rnt66ifetkuap2w9

The Instagram Tag

The Instagram TagHey everyone!

I came across this tag last week as I was browsing on Bloglovin’ and being the Insta-fanatic I am, I just knew I had to do it! 🙂

1. What’s your Instagram name?

My Instagram name is chanellehayley_

2. How many people do you follow?

208

3. How many followers do you have?

119

4. What are your favourite hashtags?

#Selfie – I’m not being vain but I’m still learning to accept the way I look and it’s a big thing for me to post an image of myself. It’s really helped me grow in confidence. Pictures of me also help followers put a face to the account.

#Nails – This is a great one if you’re looking for ideas for nail art or if you want to buy a new nail polish and don’t know which one to go for, just scroll through until you find a shade you like.

#Redhead – I’m super proud to be a redhead and I use this hashtag if my hair’s looking particularly good one day.

5. What is your favourite genre of pictures?

I don’t really have a favourite genre of picture and I think that’s the beauty of Instagram. There are so many pictures and people out there taking pictures that being able to share them in one place is pretty special in itself. What makes me double-tap or hit the like button? Images that I find beautiful, inspire me or make me smile.

One of my favourite accounts to follow is Ellie Goulding’s. Her pictures are always cool and interesting and she’s incredibly beautiful! ❤

6. How often do you post?

It varies. Most of the time I try to post every few days but I like my Instagram posts to be about quality rather than quantity. I’m not going to post a picture everyday just for the sake of it or to try and get more followers. Similar to the last question I post when I feel inspired or when I have something to share!

7. How often do you check Instagram?

A couple of times a day. Most mornings I wake up and do a big scroll through to see what I missed overnight and then another one before I go to bed.

8. What’s your favourite filter?

It used to be Amaro but honestly I’m one of those try every filter on a photo girls! These days I quite like Valencia 🙂

9. iPhone only, purist or rebel?

Well considering I don’t use or have an iPhone and use my iPod touch you could call me a rebel. I have sent digital camera photos to my iPod by email before though. It just depends which device the image is captured on.

Hope you enjoyed reading this tag! I’m not going to nominate anyone in particular but feel free to attempt this tag as I would love to read everyone’s answers. Also, if you’d like me to follow you on Instagram leave your name in the comments below!

Chanelle x

What Does Your Instagram Filter Say About You?

With more than 75 million users daily, Instagram has become one of the most popular apps over the past few years allowing professional and amateur photographers to share their snapshots. Many celebrities use Instagram as a way of connecting with their fans and sharing snippets of their lives.

Personally the app is one of my favourites and I use it everyday. On days I don’t upload a photo I use it to scroll through photos and videos from people I follow.

When deciding on a filter for a photo I generally go through all of them to see which I think looks best but if I had to pick a favourite I’d choose Amaro. Amaro gives photos a light, airy glow and lightens dark photos.

Buzzfeed infographicIn March 2013, Buzzfeed featured an infographic detailing the habits of Instagram users and the top 10 most used filters. Click here to view the infographic in full and read what these filters say about you.

I have also been looking online and researching more into each filter. I have compiled a list of useful links for Instagram newbies or regular users who want to see their photos in a new light.

  1. What Your Favourite Instagram Filter Says About You – Hannah from Technology Tell breaks down each filter and suggests photo ideas for each one.
  2. Every Instagram Filter, Definitively RankedHuffington Post rank each filter from best to worst.
  3. How To Choose the Best Instagram Filter For Your Photo – Stephanie from Mashable.com breaks each filter down into three categories: techniques, effect and when to use it.

Reading these articles taught me a few things and I’m definitely going to think how I can incorporate more of these suggestions into my photos.

Follow me on Instagram @chanellehayley_

Please feel free to leave your Instagram username in the comments below if you’d like me to follow you and be sure to tell me what your favourite filter is!

Chanelle x