Adobe Photoshop & Premier Elements 11: That Was Easy!

I am not a photographer. Every day I stumble across amazing photos on blogs, Pinterest, and even Facebook and think “I wish my pictures looked that nice!” Cameras baffle me. I have tried reading up on how to take better photos, but once camera dialogue is turned on (aperture, exposure, white balance) my brain just turns off. You might as well be speaking in a foreign language because I just don’t get it. I am a mom, and as all moms know, we like to take pictures. If you were to tour my home you would not find one painting in my house. I like to decorate my walls with photos of my children, family and friends. Photos help me relive some of my most favorite life events or just put a smile on my face as I pass by my loved ones each day. While they make me happy, I also look at those photos and wish they looked a little more professional, instead of looking like I just picked up the camera, pressed the button, and hoped for the best (which I did). There are plenty of photo editing programs available to help you touch up your pictures, but I have never really gotten the desired look I have been going after when using them. I knew there had to be something better out there to help me edit my photos, but also didn’t break the bank.

 

 

I recently acquired Adobe Photoshop & Premier Elements 11 from Staples. After I placed my order, I started searching tutorials on how it worked. Then I started to panic. I was reading about new words- layers, adjustments, brushes, actions. What does all of that mean?! Maybe I am in over my head? Seriously, if I can’t figure out how to operate a camera, what business do I have trying to figure out something like Photoshop? I ended up just shutting all those tutorials down and waited for my shipment to arrive, figuring I would just wing it once it came. My husband just rolled his eyes and expressed how little his faith was with that plan. Within a few days my PE 11 arrived, and to my relief, winging it was going to be simpler than I thought!

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing I was impressed with was the photo organizer. You load all of your photos into the organizer, then it sorts them. You can tag them by people, places and events, and each photo is placed in it’s own folder. So many times I have wanted to find a picture and spent a ton of time wading through all of my photos looking for the right one. I love the people tagger because it narrows down the amount of photos I need to search through. If I want to find a picture of my daughter, I just click on the “Mariah” folder and voila! There are all of her photos, conveniently grouped into one place for easy access!

 

Click on the person you would like to see photos of...

Voila! They are all grouped together in one folder!

 

The photo editor has 3 different options to work with. This was really exciting for me since I am a beginner. I was able to tweak my photos, all while getting the feel of how the program runs in Quick mode. The Quick option lets you work on simple steps like adjusting color, balance, and levels. The guided lets you play a little more, walking you through more advanced steps with quick click tutorials. 

 

 

The Expert Mode is the most advanced, and where you will get the best results with your photo editing skills. Here the possibilities are endless on what you can do with your photos! You can add textures and layers, backgrounds and actions to get professional quality pictures!

 

 

I have only been playing with Photoshop Elements 11 for about a week, and am still quite the amateur, but I have been having so much fun touching up my photos and seeing the results the program can give me with a few easy steps. Here is my first attempt at fixing a photo. With just adding a simple action, I think the photo looks like a professional quality picture! 

 

BEFORE

AFTER

In this photo, I wanted to attempt editing out unwanted elements. Using the clone stamp tool I was able to edit out the box of sidewalk chalk and grass, clean the street up a little, then with another simple action, I added a vignette border. Super easy, and I love how the finished photo turned out! 

 

My 13 year old daughter even tried her hand at it. She thought it would be funny to turn her sister into a comic book character and came up with this number:

 

 

I think Photoshop is a great program for kids to learn! My daughter is already learning programs like Power Point for her in school presentations, and I think learning how to use Photoshop would only add to the overall appeal of her projects!

 

With Photoshop & Premier Elements 11 you also have the ability to work with video! You can turn your home movies into adventures, adding in special effects, adding in still photos, and even working with your own soundtrack. Since I have only had the program for a little over a week, I have not had the opportunity to really dig into that option, but it is definitely something I plan on exploring soon! I am sure it will be just as fun creating spectacular home movies as it is to create beautiful and fun photos!

 

Overall, I am loving the Adobe Photoshop & Premier Elements 11 software. I think it is a great tool for people who want a great program to spruce up their photos. The price point also can’t be beat! You can purchase your own copy at Staples for $149.99, which I think is an amazing deal! I would never be able to fit the full Photoshop software into my budget, but the PE 11 has a lot of the same features and the ability to help you to turn snapshots into works of art all for the fraction of the cost of the full version! When you order from Staples, not only are you going to get a fair deal, you are also going to get their excellent customer service. I wasn’t home for delivery and they took the time to personally call me to let me know the next delivery date and how it was being shipped, and left me a number to call for any questions or issues. To me, that is fabulous customer service!

 

Using Adobe Photoshop & Premier Elements 11 and ordering from Staples = That Was Easy!

 

 

 

 

Full disclosure: Staples provided me with the Adobe Photoshop & Premier Elements 11 for the purpose of this review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own and no other compensation was received.

#BetOnYourBaby New TV Show & Giveaway!

                          

One thing I have learned as a mother is kids have a way of saying and doing shocking things. When you least expect it, something crazy comes flying out of their mouths or they do something so out of character that make you eat the words "Not My Kid!" We all think we know our child's every quirk, thought, and what action they are going to take. But, how well do you REALLY know your child? Would you be willing to Bet On It? There is a new television show that has parents doing just that. Parents play fun games with their toddlers, and try to “bet” on what baby will do next! If they guess correctly, the family wins $5,000 in college tuition money, and the chance to play for $50,000! All of these heartwarming and hilarious games are played in a toy-filled room called the Baby Dome. Do you think that you could predict what baby will do next?  

Bet on Your Baby airs Saturdays 8/7c on ABC, in partnership with Luvs!  

Use the app below to test how well you can predict the behavior of toddlers and view the cutest clips of the stars of the show! Visit the Game Gallery to watch the babies and parents in action, playing awesome games together such as Toy Time, Stack 'Em, and The Sound of Moo-sic.

 
                        

WIN IT!
                         

One lucky Theresa's Mixed Nuts Reader is going to win a three-coupon pack for Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Pack Diapers! Luvs® Super Absorbent diapers give your baby the protection they need at the low price you’re looking for—complete with a money back guarantee. New Luvs® Super Absorbent Jumbo Packs have an everyday low price of $6.97 at Walmart!

Giveaway is open to residents of the US, 18+. No PO Boxes will be accepted. Giveaway will run through 6/6.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or a new winner will be selected. Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure- I did not receive compensation for this post. ABC is supplying all materials for purpose of promoting Bet on Your Baby, airing Saturdays on ABC at 8/7 c. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours. 

OraMD Review & Giveaway!

Some of you may not know this, but I am terrified of the dentist! After a bad experience with one years ago, I take the health of my teeth and gums very seriously to avoid anything more than regular dental cleanings twice a year. I am always on the lookout for the latest products to help improve my families oral health, so when OraMD asked if I would like to review a bottle of their all natural toothpaste, I gladly said yes!

OraMD is a 3 in 1 toothpaste, mouthwash and breath freshener. It is an all natural product, containing 100% pure peppermint, spearmint and almond oil. It kills the 22 bacteria that can cause decay, gum disease, gingivitis, bleeding gums and bad breath. OraMD does not contain fluoride or added preservatives. It is a liquid product, and while it is cleaning your mouth, it is also getting below the gum line and between teeth and stays there to prevent bacteria from building up again. It can also help with a host of oral health issues such as:

- Swollen and Receding Gums

- Periodontal Disease

- Canker Sores

- Dry Mouth

- Denture Pain

- Gum Infection and Sores

- Trench Mouth

- Thrush

- Mouth Sores
- and more!

When I first received OraMD I was a little surprised at how small the bottle was. I thought we would go through it in no time. However, the directions said to use 2-5 drops at each brushing, and at that pace, the bottle should last about a month. I actually put 5 drops on my brush the first time I used it, which I probably shouldn’t have done. The flavor was so strong and left my mouth really hot, with a slight burning feeling. In all fairness, the package does state that the flavor is overwhelming at first, but will decrease with continued use. I almost didn’t want to try it again, but decided it deserved a fair chance. I decreased the drops to just 2 over the next week and eventually I did get used to the flavor and found I actually really enjoyed the cool minty taste it leaves behind. The liquid does not foam and that took me a bit to get used to. That was actually the selling point for my husband. Every time he brushes his teeth he gags on all of the foam. With this toothpaste, I haven’t heard him gag or hack once! After years of listening to him gag daily, I am so happy he has found a product that works for him! My teeth feel super smooth and clean after brushing, and where the overall clean feeling I get from other toothpastes is gone within a short amount of time, I find that using OraMD keeps my teeth feeling polished and my breath minty fresh long after brushing. As for the bottle, I now actually like how small it is. It doesn’t take up a lot of room in my medicine cabinet, and it comes in a dark colored glass bottle that helps preserve the ingredients. Overall, I am impressed with the results I am seeing with the use of OraMD and will continue to use it for my oral care needs.

OraMD runs for $22.97 for a 1 month supply. While that may seem a bit high, since it is a 3 in 1, it is meant to eliminate the use of your toothpaste, mouthwash and breath freshener, all of which add up to about the same as you would pay for 1 bottle of OraMD. If you purchase OraMD and decide you are not satisfied, they offer a full 1 year money back guarantee! How’s that for customer satisfaction?

If you would like to learn more about OraMD, you can find them on their Website,  Facebook and Twitter.

Win It!  

3 Lucky Theresa’s Mixed Nuts readers will win a bottle of OraMD!

The giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada, 18+. It will run through 6/2. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or a new winner will be selected. No PO Boxes will be accepted. Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Disclosure- I received the above stated product complimentary for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours. 

#Copperhead Movie Coming Soon! + Giveaway!

I don't want to admit it, but I hated History class when I was in school. Really hated it! I didn't pay much attention to what I was learning, and now my history knowledge is sorely lacking! If I could go back and get a do over, I would certainly pay more attention now. I find the older I get, the more fascinated I am with our countries history, and try to absorb as much knowledge as I can now. Did you know that this year marks the 150 anniversary of the Civil War and The Battle of Gettysburg?  To commemorate, there is a new movie coming to theaters on June 28 called Copperhead. This is a movie the whole family can watch together!

                            

We were all taught about the Civil War in school, but how much do we really know about the challenging stories of the brave families during the era? Mothers, fathers, and children all experienced intense hardship as family members left to fight in combat. 150 years later the timeless stories of families affected by war still remain especially pertinent. 

From director Ron Maxwell, (Gettysburg, Gods and Generals) Copperhead is unlike any other Civil War movie. Far from the Virginia battlefield, it’s the exciting story of Abner Beech (Billy Campbell), a peace-loving but stubborn dairy farmer in upstate New York. He detests slavery, but opposes the war for the sake of the “union.” Abner is neither a Yankee nor a Rebel. He is a Copperhead. This is an extraordinary story of family and community. Learn more: http://www.copperheadthemovie.com

 
Check out the official movie trailer!



After you have watched the trailer, be sure to check out the Copperhead app below. You can go behind the scenes, test your Civil War knowledge with the trivia (mine = not so good lol) and get some great recipes too!




Win It!

One lucky Theresa's Mixed Nuts reader is going to win a #Copperhead Prize Pack which will include:

- Official Copperhead Movie Poster hand signed by Director/Producer Ron Maxwell (Gettysburg, Gods and Generals) (27 X 40)

- The Copperhead Official Companion Book [Author: Harold Frederic]

- Movie Theater Cash [Valid for 1 Movie Admission]

The giveaway is open to residents of the US, 18+. Giveaway will run through 6/8. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or a new winner will be selected. No PO Boxes will be accepted. Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday~ Caterpillars

It's always fun to find nature like this in your own back yard!

10 Things I Like About You

Jason and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary on Sunday! So, today I am sharing 10 of my favorite things about my husband :)

Look at us 16 years ago. We were babies!

1- He pumps my gas. I HATE putting gas in my car. I think I only do it about once a year myself because I forget to remind him.

2- His Loyalty. Not just to me, but everyone in his close circle.

3- He's not afraid to call me out on my BS, but he knows when not to argue.

4- His work ethic. He started at the bottom of his company, and worked his way straight to the top in less than 10 years.

5- Where I fail in parenting, he picks up the slack. He is an awesome parenting partner!

6- He picks up the dog poop. He also gets up at 4 am to let the dogs out. (However, I should subtract a point here because I was the one who did it with our kids.)

7- He has never raised his voice to me. There have been some mighty quiet days over the years, but never one where shouting has taken place.

8- He lets me sleep in.

9- He watches stupid girly movies with me like She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You and doesn't complain. He even sat through a few tv series like Gilmore Girls and Sex and the City.

10- His blue eyes and the fact he passed them on to my girls ♥