RealTimes Turn Into Real Memories- How Do You Share Yours? $300 #Giveaway

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde After All These Years and ModlyChic

Momma Told Me: Everything I need is right here.

Momma never fussed much over the thought of chronicling her life in pictures. In fact, 99% of the photos I have from my childhood are of me, alone, or with my father- and all of them taken at his or another relative's request. "Everything I need is right here," she'd say as she tapped the side of her head with a warm smile.

But the purpose of photos, much like a wedding or funeral, are not so much to memorialize an event or moment for the subject, but to share the memories and stories with those who were not there to experience it for themselves. For grandchildren yet to be born, Prince Charmings yet to ride in on their white horse, and friends yet to be discovered.

Growing up all of the photos taken were intended for relatives. We must've had stock in Kodak and the USPS for all of the money spent developing half blurred disposable camera film and shipping padded envelopes. Growing up, and still living in California, I have family in Massachusetts, Louisiana, Texas, and Oregon. That's a lot of mail miles to log before the internet was really a 'thing!' I remember every Saturday I'd get on the phone and play with the slinky like cord while talking my grandparent's through that week's stack of photos. Of course, they'd already be a few weeks old by the time they were developed and in their hands, but it was the speed of the times. (Pssst, I'm the one with the perm above, that's one memory I might not have minded if it was lost to the steel trap!)

Today everything is instant. Nobody wants to wait for anything and sharing memories must be immediate, or we feel as though they have lost value. And, with digital pictures it seems like we have almost lost sight of what photos are for. We snap pictures of our newest duck lips face, the sandwich we had for lunch, and a piece of link we think looks like JFK, and all of them go out into the world through social media, for anyone to consume. But photos are meant to tell stories. How do you share those stories with the ones you love? It's not always easy to filter what can and can't be seen on social media, and most of the time I've lost a folder by the time I start a new one. I simply take too many photos. Wouldn't it be a shame if these moments, above, were lost in the fold of pictures of ice cream and my cat chasing some lint?

A Cloud Based sharing program or app, like Premium RealTimes service, can help you organize all of your photos, audio bytes, and videos for targeted sharing and consumption anywhere in the world. Free subscribers can take advantage of a massive 2GB of cloud storage (+5GB when you enable Auto Upload,) or enter the limited time code COUPONSCOM15 for 30 days of Premium RealTimes service and 25GB of storage FREE.

RealTimes is much more than storage- it's a way to organize moments and memories into living stories, montages and videos with in app editing, filters, touch-ups, labels, and more. Best of all, since it's cloud based you can allow remote users, such as grandparents or family friends access, or pull up your content on any app supported device with WiFi service. Parents will also save time when it comes to organization as RealTimes instantly and automatically creates montages of photos and videos organized by file name and date; never spend time fumbling to find the right photos when the relatives hit town, again! Look for RealTimes coupons  on Coupons.com.

As you know 2015 has been the year of doing for us. All of our expendable (does anyone ever really have expendable income?) income has been going towards travels and experiences. While, ideally, I'd be sharing these amazing experiences with all my friends and family in real time, because they'd be there, it's simply not possible with my network spread so far across the country. However, I can chronicle my adventures without fear of data hoarding thanks to cloud services like Premium RealTimes. I'm starting with the FREE trial of 25GB premium service and considering upgrading to the unlimited cloud storage down the line.

As you know I recently went up to Oregon to visit Momma and, despite being sick with the plague, made sure I talked her into a rare photo. I can count the photos we've taken together in the past decade on 1 hand, so this is definitely a shot I want to protect with multiple storage formats, and cloud storage is just one of them. If you have small children you are constantly reminded that no day is ever the same and the world constantly keeps turning- but this is equally true in all of our relationships and experiences. Yes, my mother's mind may be like a steel trap, but just think how sad it would be if I could never share those beautiful memories with my own children someday?

There is no such thing as a useless photo in a day and sage when photos are instant and infinite in production. Don't let a lack of storage stop you from chronicling all of those magical, and even mundane, moments. Who is someone you know who would love to see your photos and stories on RealTimes cloud storage?

What Daughter Says: Don't keep your memories in a steel trap, share them with those who matter most. Use a cloud storage service.
 

To help you plan and create new memories RealTimes is hosting a $300 Target Gift Card giveaway, enter below!

Stop, Breathe- Scenery From Serra Cross, Grant Park, San Buenaventura

Momma Told Me: Stop. Breathe.

You may have noticed some changes around here lately *points around,* in particular to the blog's face. The redesign I started last year was finally installed by an amazingly patient, and 'on top of it' blogger who offers web design services. (Email me and I will be glad to refer her.) It's a long story but I paid a designer to overhaul my blog last September and ended up having to do all the layout and graphics myself. When the new year rolled around I knew it was time I cut my losses and I inherited some very rough coding of the child that was my new web-face. All's well that ends well, though, what do you think of the new design?

I'm a bit in awe that we are screaming towards February in a new year and I have so much ahead of me to accomplish, but so many wonderful things 'in the works' I can't wait to share. You'll have to stay tuned for the later, as I promise next week will be chocked full of great goodies for you, and Blog POP!'s Spring Fling is just around the corner March 26-29th! Mostly I can't wait to share some colorful recipes like my Circus Animal Cookie Truffles (adorable AND delicious) or my grilled cheese round-up, but there's also some valuable content like out inside peek at #SoFabUOTR Los Angles, and simple tips to maintain a healthy immune system. Make sure you're subscribed to our Mad Mimi newsletter feed (points up top) so you don't miss anything!

But I'm mainly typing this post today because, while keeping it real is something I pride myself on, here at Momma Told Me, its nice to just 'blog' without a particular purpose from time to time. I've noticed many of my friends, family, and fellow bloggers have become caught up in the tasks of the new year and are a bit frazzled and overwhelmed. We have a spot locally that's sort of a make-out point for young lovers, but also a very important historical and scenic lookout- The Serra Cross at Grant Park, Ventura, CA. This SoCal spot is stunning no matter the time of day or season, with a 360 degree view of the Southern California beach-side city below. The Cross itself was a marker planted by Father Junipero Serra upon the foundation of California's 9th mission, but remains the city's most prominent landmark to this day.

I post these photos not for a religious tie-in; in fact, whether you follow a faith or not, the natural beauty of the lookout, coupled by the hundreds of people who flock to this point daily is enough to inspire the soul. Every day, so far, this year I have stopped what I'm doing to send a simple message, perhaps an inspiring photo, maybe an email telling those around me to take a breath. Life moves all too fast, and it's easy to get caught in the deadlines, the social statuses, the news, and the grind of simply living. So, today, stop and take a moment to just live- no other task, no goal, just be in that moment, and breathe. :)

What Daughter Says: I can't argue with this advice, it's a gem I use often.

Blog POP! $150 Canvas N' Decor Giveaway

We received sample services for the purpose of this feature. Regardless, all photos and opinions contained below are original and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.

Momma Told Me: A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words.

Some of you may or may not be aware that the past couple of months, leading into the holiday season have been a bit rough- Our family was separated when Sabrina and her family had to move to Texas this past October. As they lived quite literally across the street up until then, it's been tough to adjust to the distance with texts, emails, and chat. Thankfully, we had about a month's notice to prepare ourselves for the move, and planned on taking plenty of photos the day before they drove out. So, this year, one of the most important gifts on my list were photo canvas prints. Not only did I have several made for our own living room, but I am having many more done for gifts to be sent as well.

You may recall, last year, I used Canvas N' Decor to have one of my favorite photos from The Color Run printed. It arrived quickly and with beautiful, vivid, color, so I knew I wanted to return to them for my 3 piece focal point project in our living room. Canvas N' Decor (as it's known in the US), and Canvas And Decor (Canada) each have beautifully redesigned websites with intuitive shopping displays. You can truly envision your photo with edits and framing before placing your order.

One of the things I especially love about Canvas N' Decor (and I order about 10+ canvas gifts throughout the year) is the speed and care in which they process my orders. Our mail tends to arrive banged up and broken, so I especially appreciate the extra sturdy shipping boxes with reinforced plastic corner protectors and individual plastic wrapping. These simple packaging touches even extend the protection and life of my prints prior to hanging, when they are subject to multiple viewings and potential wall placement. I arrange mt canvases several times before we ever place holes in the wall and that's a lot of fingers on my canvas!

The pricing is also always competitive, with the current featured sale at 50% off all canvas prints when you use the discount code MYPHOTO50. Be sure to head on over an order now, with a 7-10 day lead time heading into the holidays, there's still time, but don't delay! During 'off season,' I'll see orders arrive in less than a week from initial purchase, so I am confident they will do everything to get those holiday gifts out with extra wrapping time. Of course, I'll be putting mine on the wall with a bow, instead of wrapping!

If you have some photos that may not be the highest quality or are on the more candid side, Canvas N' Decor can turn even Instagram snapshots into works of art with small size prints, or photo art styling. Customize your canvas with their online Photoshop inspired editor to turn photos into brilliant Pop Art pieces that really create a focal point in your home. You can even create a collage from several images to help tell a story, chronicle your family, or capture an event. I'm especially excited to announce the company will also be launching a Canvases For Charity program in 2015, where you will soon be able to decorate your home for a good cause! There's no doubt I miss Sabrina and family every day, but having them up on my wall in this photo tribute really does make the distance easier!

What Daughter Says: Turn your photos into memorable works of art with canvas prints.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a $150 Canvas N' Decor Gift Certificate! Enter below and click the banner above to be taken to the official event Giveaway LINKY!

Less Words Wednesday: Down On The Farm + Instagram

Every week there are so many photos taken in our home, or outside the home; you get what I'm saying. It's hard to weed through thousands of snapshots and cut it down to the 5-8 that end up in each post. Just last week we went to the local Underwood Pick Your Own Farms and had a fun day out, thanks to Allegra. While the tractor slide and wooden vehicle play sets were a big hit, it was the petting corral that truly won Sabrina (10) over.

There are some minor attractions, mostly geared towards the younger (K-5) kids, including a hay bale ride, cow barrel train, and pedal tractor racing. I was surprised to see Jay squeeze into one of the 'larger' cow barrels, but not surprised to hear how he felt every little 'bump' through the mud around the fields- ouch!

Lately it seems like everybody is grabbing a camera; Jay has become addicted to Instagram, where he can adjust filters to his heart's content. While I was trying to snap a good shot of Sabrina and the baby goats he captured the slightly haunting goat portrait above. When we got home Truffles proved her strawberry addiction was not an isolated incident; rolling and rubbing all over the berry baskets for near a half hour.

(Left)Around the house Truffles(cat) and Nora(dog) have been getting a little more acquainted. Nora likes to pretend she doesn't notice Truffles lurking below the ottoman, then she springs up and growls when Truffles turns to walk away. (Right) Nora, Sabrina, and Jay watching The Brave Little Toaster Goes To Mars one lazy afternoon.