I consider one of my greatest blessings that of having amazing friends. Sure, I have just a few I would consider my besties – but I’m also fortunate to be surrounded by countless amazing people who aren’t necessarily my closest chums, but their examples really have an impact on my life. I’ll come back to that in a minute.
One of my dearest friends is Jen. Everyone needs a friend like Jen. She lights up the room. She’s hilarious. She’s genuine and as real as they come. She honors her role as wife and mother. Her heart is made of gold. And she’s rocking some new bangs.
So part of our road trip last week was spent with Jen and her family. There were a few things around her home that I wanted to share with you – because who doesn’t love fun ideas?
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{ idea no. 1: best flip flops }
I asked Jen what must-have flip flops I should check out for Summer. She’s my fashion-go-to friend. She recommended the Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops. I ordered these in orange, received them from Amazon this week, and I’m in love. For sure they’re the most comfortable flip flops I’ve ever had, next to my beat-up Reefs that I’ve been wearing for like 8 years and can’t find them in red online anymore. And by the way, they have these for guys too. David just ordered these for himself.
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{ idea no. 2: instagram memory display }
When Jen and I first met 10 years ago while our families lived near Cleveland, Ohio, Photoshop was becoming a huge part of our personal photography and documentation of life. Fast-forward to her most recent Photoshop project: This display of recent favorite instagram shots. She didn’t use any sort of template for this, but rather created a 16×20 canvas, reduced the size of each image to 2″ and manually placed each one on the digital canvas. She saved the final draft as a .jpg, uploaded to Costco.com and had the 16×20 printed for $6. The frame is from Hobby Lobby. I’ll also mention that Persnickity Prints is an awesome online photo printing service and if I ever get around to making a print like this again (I did a similar project a couple years ago – remember Doors of Tallinn?) – I would try Persnickety for sure.
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{ idea no. 3: lockers }
I have mud room envy. Okay – so I don’t really have envy because I don’t believe anyone should be envious of anyone or anything. Right? But – if I were to be envious of a mud room (we don’t have one and I just don’t understand why they’re not including these in most homes) – it would be Jen’s. Cubbies and lockers? Dreamy.
This is her system: Whenever she finds something that belongs to one of the kids (she has 5), she throws it in their locker. Every Saturday the kids are responsible to clean out their lockers and put stuff away. In case someone is sooo going to do this, I think some garage cabinet companies and closet companies offer them. Sometimes High Schools might even be getting rid of old lockers. You and Google can research that together. ; )
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{ idea no. 4: family photo grid }
You know I’m a sucker for grids. So between the grid format and the gorgeousness of these photos (taken by Collin Kartchner) and the fact that these are people that we adore … I could stare at this display all day long. Jen had them made at whcc.com and they’re called “stand-outs” or something like that.
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{ idea no. 5: counter top quote }
This little chalkboard is cool; Jen picked it up at One Kings Lane. So much fun potential for keeping a favorite quote, a note between family members, what’s for dinner, or whatever you want.
Plus – I firmly believe with what Oprah said. I don’t necessarily agree with everything she thinks and says – but she absolutely nailed this one on the head. Life is too short to spend precious time with those who bring you down. You are better than that. I attribute much of my happiness to being very intentional about who I spend my time with. I aim to surround myself with people who uplift, inspire, encourage, and set a positive example. I am so grateful for my dearest friends. I am also so grateful for awesome people in my larger circle, my community, and those that aren’t physically nearby but have a lasting impact on me and my family.
Part of cultivating a good life is surrounding yourself with people who are going to lift you higher. Thanks for that one, Oprah.
Tags: collin kartchner, flip flops, Instagram, jen, lockers, sanuk
I miss my Becky! So thankful for you and all you share. You inspire me more than you know. Hope to see you soon.
I love this post! So much good ideas! I love the locker idea, even though I only have one it is amazing how much stuff makes it out of his room and into the rest of the house! If only it were bigger, this would be great@!!! And I am totally saving the idea of the instagram collage. That is amazing!!!
I love this post! So many good ideas! I love the locker idea, even though I only have one it is amazing how much stuff makes it out of his room and into the rest of the house! If only it were bigger, this would be great@!!! And I am totally saving the idea of the instagram collage. That is amazing!!!
Awesome ideas! So much goodness. Love the locker ideas! Wish I had a mud room to incorporate that in! =o) Thanks for sharing, as always!
What a great post! I love all these ideas! Photo grid, amaze! Lockers, so cute!
Hi
Are the sandals true to size? I want to order a pair, I take a size 8.5 usually, would you order an 8 or9? thanks!
Bronwyn
I normally wear a 5 and I got the flip flops in size 6. I found that they ran a bit small.
Oprah Wimphrey? LOL
Oprah WIMPHREY? LOL (Winfrey)
Well as usual, I do whatever you tell me to. Just ordered the flip flops
. Would love to follow the adorable, talented & inspiring Jen on instagram…would she share her IG name? Thanks you two cuties…love online girlfriends!!!
Holly
I love my Sanuk yoga mat flip flops! I got them last year in a yummy turquoise (I almost got the orange too, so pretty). I usually wear an 8.5 and got them in an 8 and they are perfect. More comfortable than my Reef flip flops.
I think I was going into Becky Blog withdrawal this past week. Glad you’re back and thanks for sharing all your pics, and hope you were able to relax and unwind while away.
Such great inspiration as always!!! Would you happen to know what size those standout prints are that she has on the wall? Definitely have to find a spot for that somewhere ~ awesome!
Sanuk yoga mat flip flops are Awesome! I wear mine as often as possible…..Oh so comfortable.
I LOVE the grid family pics and want to do it. I think the prices are even better than Costco’s gallery prints. HELP! How can I do the text print? The “our happily ever after”?
Oh my goodness I love every one of those ideas!! I bought reefs last year ( thank you becky ) I’ll have to keep the yoga sanuk’s in mind for next time….the instagram shots in the frame is so cool….red lockers, wow…love the grid. what an awesome idea and that quote is sooo true! ( I agree with you Becky…don’t agree with all that Oprah supports but wow she has some quotes!) Love that holder for the chalkboard. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tour…haven’t made it to Jen’s new place yet but I hear it’s great. Love the lockers…they are just like her brother Michael’s and I used to drool over them as well. Some day I’ll clear out my laundry room, make it into a mud room and have Michael hook me up.
As for the flip flops, saw them a few different places recently and thought that if they are made out of my favorite exercise materials (in love with Bikram Yoga) then they have to be delightful. Enjoy!
Just a few translation issues to check on…. I’m from Australia….
“She’s rockin some new bangs”?? I’m guessing something to do with hair. A new colour maybe??
A mud room?? Is this like a kids play/games room?
Flip flops…we’d call those thongs.
Love all the idea’s.
Hope it’s ok that I answer for Becky – just in case she doesn’t see your post. I love hearing the names of different things in other countries… thought I’d help with what we call some things here in the US.
Bangs: Perhaps ‘fringe’ where you are (or is that just in England) – but it refers to the shorter hair on the forehead, above her eyes.
Mud Room: An area/room/hallway between the door to the outdoors and the main area of a home. Generally where family members drop off/take off their shoes, coats, etc. Alot of mudrooms are near the laundry area, so you could take messy clothes straight to the washing machine
Flip Flops: Yes, like your thongs. Thongs in the US are panties/undergarments with very little material, typically having just a thin piece of fabric on the backside (that is rarely seen, if you know what I mean) LOL!
Had to smile at this! In my day (I’m 57), flip flops were called thongs also. Several years ago, I told my daughter that I liked her thongs! My grandson who was around 11 at the time, said, “Grandma!” I didn’t know what I had said, and so my daughter explained that they were now called flipflops and thongs were the panties with VERY LITTLE material! Needless to say, my grandson was embarassed!
I also love hearing the names of different things in other countries! Thanks for sharing!
Just ordered a pair of Sanuks in Aqua. Love them! Thanks for all the photo ideas, too.
I can totally relate to the “old” Reefs. I have a pair that I LOVE and they don’t make them anymore! The soles are so worn that I have about fallen down several times for lack of grip. Appreciate the tip and just bought me a pair to try out. Cheers!
Here is a link to the “This Is Our Happily Ever After” free printables that I created for our family photo shoot last month. Now I’m thinking I may need to create a family photo grid too! Darling! http://pinterest.com/pin/265290234270059403/
Thanks for the link! These are great! I am still trying to figure out how to do that kind of stuff myself
Thanks for sharing. Does Jen have a blog?? I would love to see more of her ideas and tips.
Does anyone know what size the standout prints are on the photo grid?
I just orered those flip flops in Blue from ebay for $31 and free shipping!
[...] those Sanuk flip flops true to size? I want to order a pair. I take a size 8.5 usually. Would you order an 8 or 9? [...]
I would order the 9 for sure!
It’s looks to be 11×13 or 13×19.
I love my Sanuks! I have two pair – black and brown. I wear them all the time. Wish I could wear them to work
My hubby just bought a pair too finally, and understands why I was so excited about them!
I LOVE her paint color on the walls! (beige, greige, taupe?) Any chance you know what paint was used? It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!
Hi… Wondering if the White Grid part of your instagram piece is part of the white frame? a matt? or a border that you added on the print via photoshop. Its hard to tell from the photo…. I absoulutly love the clean lines of the grid.
Natalie
Hi-
Do you have more information on what program was used to create the digital canvas for that fantastic instagram print? I would love to make one but don’t really know where to start.
-Melissa
[...] Becky Higgins: Instagram Memory Display {DIY} [...]
[...] bits of inspiration from a personal friend in my life. Some recents: Inside the homes of Lisa and Jen, my brother Kevin with his weight loss success story, and even my mom with a great tip for corn on [...]
Can anyone buy from whcc or is it only for professional photographers? Thanks.
Hi ! love all of these
how did you create the 16 x 20 canvas with all of the little pictures?! is there a certain program to use? I would really love to do that!
Wish there was a direct link to the instagram idea. It doesn’t really help those of us who are not technically savvy.
Wow! She sounds like a great friend to have
I’m not very Photoshop savvy (nor do I own it), so I’m going to have my graphic designer friend help me create the Instagram canvas. What a fabulous idea!
What a great friend and blog. Enjoyed this post and looking forward to reading more of your blog. I love the instagram idea but don’t have photoshop, but I think there is a company who will print them out for you.
I am new to photoshop and don’t use instagram. However, is there a way to create that on photoshop? I believe you said there is no template for it….you said she placed them each and then saved? but not in a template? I guess I am just confused because like I said I am new to photoshop. Thank you for the idea. I hope somehow I can figure it out. I love what you have done on this page. Very awesome stuff!
I would love to make the instagram photo collage. How do I do that? Can I do it from my iphone?? I need step by step instructions plz. Thank you!!
K, so I too was enamored with the idea of making an Instagram collage, and I am computer-illiterate, so I just google my way to a solution, and I thought I would share! There’s a free website called pic monkey (www.picmonkey.com), where all you do is upload your pics and pic which grid you want th in, then save them to your computer! It took me ten minutes! Now my picture is being developed at Costco, and will be ready for the wall by tonight! Lol…just had to share
Happy collage-making!!!
[...] is a Pinterest find that is proving to be very popular. The original post with DIY instructions is here; it’s fairly simple, a little time spent in Photoshop, a print job at Costco, a frame, and [...]
[...] me a kitchen scale. SO EXCITED. Does he know me or what? (I got him noise-canceling headphones, a framed instagrammed poster of our relationship (since I got my iphone) and a set of cereal bowls (he’s always running [...]
[...] so far: Sources: 1. Makely School for Girls 2. Uploaded directly to Pinterest from Natalya O. D. 3. Project Life by Becky Higgins 4. Unknown source, from [...]
Just a quick question.
For the Instagram Poster, how did you get the photos from Instagram to Photoshop?
Thanks!!
[...] [...]
[...] Favorite Extra: If you designate a hashtag on Instagram for your guests to tag their photos with, use this trick to grab them and create a 16×20 print at Costco for under $10. [...]
Hi,
hopefully you can help me & fast! I have been trying unsuccessfully for the last week to create a grid photo poster with individual pics of my son’s class. I have 36 pics in all & just want them to be spread evenly out throughout a square. I have found ways to create a 3×3 grid, etc but I need that times 4. what you did above with the 16×20 canvas & shrunk the pics to 2″each would work fabulous. From your info I thought maybe instagram would have the template but I couldn’t find it. I’m probably making this ridiculously harder than it has to be but I’m already way past the deadline & nowhere near having a clue how to accomplish it! I spend $179 on a new ps download that couldn’t get it done & my hubby is at his wits end with the money I have thrown away on this QUICK, CUTE, & EASY project! Please please please help me if you can. I am pretty much illiterate when it comes to computers so try to explain things to me step by step like you would a 2 year old or I can’t understand!! I hope to hear from you or ANYONE who can help me out ASAP! THANKS FOR ANY HELP!
[...] tidbits of everyday life. I plan on including my Instagrams in our family photo book. I also love this idea to frame your Instagrams! So if you’re on Instagram, you can follow me @amandamartin26! [...]
[...] via Becky Higgins via Pinterest [...]