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Monday Mix: DIY Photobooths!

Every Monday we give you a mix of links, today we're giving you one of our favorite DIY projects. Any-Girl is currently helping her friend with her upcoming wedding plans and we've found some amazing wedding DIY's, one of the standouts was the DIY photobooth. They're great for any sort of party (not just weddings). Check out some of our favorite DIY photobooth ideas below. Let us know if you try any of these out!

Set Up a DIY Photobooth Using an iPad

Image via Cool Hunting

This is the simplest way to set up a DIY photobooth, you can easily set up an iPad with an app, on a tripod with bright lighting in front of a backdrop. Find out how to set up your own iPad photobooth here.

Suggested Apps

Incredibooth: photobooth app by Hipstamatic

Phhhoto: animated gif photobooth app

Wedding Booth App: exactly what the name suggests.

Set Up a DIY Photobooth Using a DSLR

Image via Photography Concentrate

A little more complicated is the DSLR approach, if you have a DSLR and a laptop you can set up this DIY photobooth. You will also need a lighting tent of some sort (to get good lighting in your photos), but you could easily use bright lamps to light your images (though they won't look as good). Find out how here.

Make Your Own DIY Photobooth Props

Download these free DIY photobooth props from Oh Happy Day. Also, check out her blog, she has awesome DIY's and I love her blog (click photos to download printables).

Looking for more DIY photobooth prop ideas? Click here.

Creative and Easy DIY Photobooth Backdrops

There are some amazingly simple and creative ideas for photobooth backdrops all over the internet. I've put some below but if you want some more click here.

1. Hang a sheet up between two trees, over a clothes line, etc.

Image via Grey Likes Weddings.

2. Make a giant polaroid frame out of cardboard that people can hold.

Image via Yo Photography.

3. Create giant fringing out of crepe paper and hang it from the ceiling.

Image via Oh Happy Day.

4. Fill some balloons with helium and weigh them down so they stay level.

Image via Mike Arick.

5. Create a sequined backdrop from wrapping paper and sequins.

Image via Oh Happy Day.

6. Do you rent? Can't stick anything on the wall? Appropriate a clothing rack and hang a backdrop from or over it.

You can get this Mulig clothing rack from Ikea for $10.

7. Create a geometric backdrop from paper stapled together.

Image via Pizzazzerie.

8. Create paper flowers out of crepe paper.

Image via Lovely Indeed.

9. Cover a hanging rollup map with tinsel (or anything else!).

Image via Good Ideas for You.

10. Use streamers and masking tape.

Find out how to make this at Lovely Indeed.

Make Your Own Instagram Inspired Photobooth

Feeling handy? You can create this amazing Instagram inspired photobooth if you have adequate woodworking, electrical wiring skills and enough time.

Find out how to make it here.

[anygirlblog-blog]

Weekend Fix: Sunday Lazy Sunday

Well, here in Sydney it's absolutely pouring down rain...so in commiseration I thought I'd post some not-so-productive activities to fill a lazy or hungover Sunday.

Make this Prosciutto and Rocket Pizza.

Image via Kris Dhillon.

This pizza is the perfect hangover cure, it's pizza but it's not too heavy or greasy so it's easy on a post-Saturday night out stomach. The recipe calls for you to make your own dough, but throw it on a store bought base and it's easy as...well, not pie...but you know what I mean! Want to try it? Get the recipe here.

Looking for a show to veg out on, scope out Nikita.

This show tells the story of Nikita, a trained assassin gone rogue from a secret government agency called Division that recruits inmates from jail and trains them to kill. In the same vein as Alias or Dollhouse, it's action packed and full of babes (both male and female). You might recognise the lead Maggie Q from Die Hard 4.0 (she played the kick arse baddie in that), Shane West (who starred opposite Mandy Moore in A Walk To Remember), Lyndsy Fonseca (from the Kick-Arse franchise or as Ted's future daughter in How I Met Your Mother!), Melinda Clarke (who played hated mumster Julie in The O.C.) and Devon Sawa (who, amongst other things played the human version of Casper (swoon!) when he danced Christina Ricci around in the air and later as the star in Final Destination). There's three full seasons as well, so you can marathon it if you're sick or hungover and can't get out of bed!

Looking for something a little shorter? Watch This Is 40.

Toted as the sort of sequel to Knocked Up, this hilarious comedy takes a look at the lives of Pete and Debbie (played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann) a few years after the events of Knocked Up. It's kind of in the same vein as Funny People, hilarious with a few serious moments. I liked this one a bit more than Funny People, this could be the lack of an Adam Sandler role or just a funnier role for Leslie Mann. Mann is always hilarious and I can see why her husband (Judd Apatow) uses her in all his movies. Her car scene with Steve Carell in The 40 Year Old Virgin cracks me up every time and this movie has some seriously funny scenes throughout (and some kind of graphic ones which is to be expected of a Judd Apatow movie). If you're generally a Judd Apatow fan you will probably like this one, though it seems like it's might be a bit better for the females. You can rent it for $6.99 on iTunes.

Want to curl up and read a book? Try The Name of the Wind.

The Name of the Wind is the first person story told by Kvothe and is the first in a planned trilogy by Patrick Rothfuss. It tells the tale of a boy from his childhood travelling with a troupe of players, to being orphaned, to living on the streets until he attempts admission to a legendary school of magic (not Hogwarts!). If you like Game of Thrones or True Blood, then you will most likely love this series of books. It's richly told and has amazing character development, I found myself in tears numerous times because of Rothfuss' ability to make you really feel for the character (despite some of his more annoying attributes). The second book came out a while back so you know you will have something to move onto when you finish (trust me, you'll want to read the second one too) and the third instalment is planned for later this year (yippee!). You can get it on Kindle here.

Gaming more your style? Try Super Meat Boy.

This game is awesome. That's about all I have to say on it, if you don't try this game you are missing out...and if you have tried this game then you no doubt know how awesome it is. An oldie but a goodie, it's definitely a nice change of pace from your first person shooter games that flood the market these days. You will find yourself screaming at the tv when you get stuck though, but isn't that the sign of a good game?! It's available on numerous platforms, you can get it on steam here.

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Friday Agenda: What are you doing this weekend?

Got some time of this weekend but don’t have any plans? Don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted. Here are a tonne of things to do, for any type of mood you might be in this weekend.

Hungry? Whip up this Portabello Mushroom Burger.

Holy cow doesn’t that look good! Want to try making this at home? You’ll find a recipe for this beast over at Delightful Delicacies.

Feeling Handy? Put together this DIY Dressing Table on Wheels.

Lolalina has an amazing tutorial on how to make the dressing table above, along with an Ikea hack coffee table and DIY trash can stools. They look amazing and are good for the environment (hello?! recycled!).  Find out how to make them here.

Craving Some Sugar? Make These French Almond Macaroons.

Image via The Austrian Rose.

Om nom nom! Who doesn’t love macaroons, seriously?! Head on over to Taste and find out how to make these bad boys.

Got a Green Thumb? Plant your own herb garden out of mason jars.

Super quick and easy herb garden, out of recycled mason jars. Old mason jars? $0-$20 Fresh herbs? $20 Feeling like you did something productive this weekend. Priceless. Find out how to plant these over at Dimples and Pigtales.

Feeling lazy? Get comfy and settle in to watch The Newsroom.

The Newsroom tells the story Will McAvoy, a news anchor who’s life is stirred up when he’s forced to work with a new team of colleagues. It’s a bit on the drama/serious side but it’s done by Aaron Sorkin (of The West Wing/Moneyball/The Social Network/A Few Good Men fame) so you know it’s going to be good. It also stars Jeff Daniels (that guy from who played the Keanu Reeves’ partner in Speed that one time), Emily Mortimer (who (obscure factoid coming up!) voiced the younger Sophie in the English dubbed version of Howl’s Moving Castle), the guy from Slumdog Millionaire (OMG! You mean Anwar from Skins!), plus Alison Pill who is famous for this #twitterfail but also for playing Kim in the movie adaptation of cult-comic Scott Pilgrim.

It really is a pretty awesome show and with the second season premiering on July 14th, you’ve got about a month to catch up on the first season in the meantime. Watch it! Doooo it.

Other Honorable Mentions: 

Suits: a college drop-out lies his way into a job working for one of New York city’s best lawyers (2 seasons in, 3rd coming out in July)

Scandal: a White House Communications Director starts her own crisis management firm (2 seasons in, 3rd coming out later this year)

Revenge: a young woman returns to the Hamptons to exact revenge on the people who killed her father (2 seasons in, 3rd coming out later this year)

Want some new tunes? Listen to Disclosure’s debut album, Settle.

Due out on June 4th, Disclosure’s debut album is highly anticipated and if their singles (like the one above) are anything to go by, should probably be filed under “music to groove to”. Get it from iTunes here.

Live in Sydney? Get social at Vivid Festival.

Image via An Australian Life.

Get yourself down to the Vivid Festival to check out all the amazing light installations and a slew of special events including concerts, exhibitions and workshops. Find out what’s going on at Vivid here.

Stressed Out? Pamper yourself with this DIY hand scrub.

Perfect if you’re planning on giving yourself a weekend mani+pedi, use this on your hands and feet before you do, moisturise and you’re ready to go! Check out the recipe at The Beauty Department.

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Thursday Beauty: Our Fave Hair How-To's

It's almost the weekend! It couldn't come quick enough for Any-Girl, this week has been busy and I've been fighting off the flu so I'm looking forward to some much needed R&R. To celebrate the impending weekend, here is a bunch of our fave hair how-to's from some of our fave blogs (we've put the sources below each image so you can check them out!).

The Fun Bun via The Beauty Department

A Moisturising Scalp Treatment via Renewed Style

DIY Crystal Wrapped Headband via P.S. I Made This

Using a Hair Bungee (no more ponytail crimps!) via Divine Caroline

Want to buy your own hair bungee? Get them here.

How to Get Big Bouncy Curls via Vogue

How to Get Rid of Helmet Hair via Primped (image via 79ideas)

How to Your Fringe via Gems Macquillage

[anygirlblog-blog]

Wednesday Wants: Winter Warmers!

Any-Girl is currently preparing for a ski trip to New Zealand in June, so why not fill you in on some of the awesome winter buys we've come across recently (there are some just for the girls and some that are unisex).

Aerobic2 Wedge Hi Tops, £45.00 at Topshop

Owen Trackpant, $19.95 at Cotton On

River Island Bobble Beanie, $20.06 at ASOS

Billabong Navigation Travel Bag, $139.99 at Surf Stitch

"Real" Hot Chocolate, free recipe at Taste

Touch Screen Gloves, $13.37 at ASOS

Huf Plantlife Socks, $12 at Huf

Eivor Throw, $29.99 at Ikea

Boostcase iPhone 5 Wallet Case, $40.00 at Urban Outfitters

[anygirlblog-blog]

Tech Tuesday: Use RSS Feeds to Tailor Your News!

With Google announcing recently that they were shutting down Google Reader, I found myself looking for a new way of keeping track of the websites I wanted to keep up to date with...which lead to me researching and finding out about the numerous apps and tools that are on the market.

So, I'm going to share with you my findings..lucky you!

Firstly, a basic overview of RSS feeds for those of you who are as of yet, unaware of the amazingness and complete personalisation that RSS offers (for those people in the RSS know, skip this paragraph!). They can make your life infinitely easier and allow you to track updates from an unlimited amount of websites, which means that you can tailor the news you're getting, from wherever you want to get it from (as long as they offer RSS feeds) and you can use apps that allow you to keep, access and share news across a multitude of platforms.

So, how can you jump on the RSS bandwagon?! After looking into RSS trackers Any-Girl's favorite was Feedly. Feedly is an RSS tracker that you can use to organise, read and share content. It's available on numerous different platforms which basically means that you can access it from anywhere with your content synced over all devices. It doesn't hurt that it offers an intuitive and easy to use interface, that presents your RSS feeds in a really nice interface that allows for personalisation. The Feedly app (which Any-Girl currently has on her iPhone!), is just as easy to use and nice as the web interface, I use it every day to catch up on news when sitting on the bus in the morning. You can group your feeds into categories and can then view each category in a feed, which helps you weed out the not-so-relevant stuff when you need. It has social integration, so you can easily share stories you want to...and it automatically marks the stories you've read (so you know which you haven't read yet!) and you can bookmark your favorites. Want a quick guide to using Feedly? Check out the slideshow below.

Images via Feedly.

For those readers who were as devastated when they announced the end of Google Reader!!! Feedly is a perfect substitute, it started out as an add-on to Google Reader so it already has seamless integration with Reader...what's more, after Google Reader's impending doom was announced, Feedly made switching to their service completely intuitive. You can sign in with your Google account, they will automatically pick up your Reader categories and feeds and when Reader goes down in June you will still be able to follow those feeds within Feedly. Awesome right?!*

xx Any-Girl 

*We just wanted to note that no, we don't work for Feedly and we aren't being paid by them to advertise their service, we just think it's awesome and want to tell as many people about it!

Post Revision!!!

Thanks to Tarryn for commenting, she asked what my favorite feeds were so I've added a list of the categories I organise my feeds into and my favorite feed for each category. 

Let me know if you start using Feedly and what your experience is like by either commenting below or hitting me up on Facebook or Twitter (@heyanygirl). Hate being social?! Send me an email using the link in our nav (over to the right at the top of the page!).

My feed categories and some of my favorite RSS feeds:

Art + Design: Design Milk

Beauty: The Beauty Department

Comedy: Aziz Is Bored

Home + Lifestyle: Apartment Therapy

Fashion: A Pair and a Spare

Food: Smitten Kitchen

Entertainment: Cinema Blend

News: New York Times

Music: Rolling Stone

Photography: Picsy

Pop Culture: Buzzfeed

Tech: Lifehacker

Travel: A Luxury Travel Blog

Video Channels: Vice on YouTube

xx Any-Girl

[anygirlblog-blog]

Monday Mixup

Every Monday we're going to give you a bunch of links that we love, to help make your Monday just that little less painful and give you some procrastination material when you're struggling this week!

Watch This: The latest instalment of PBS's Off Book series, The Beauty of Space Photography will take you behind the scenes of how amazing images of space are captured.

via Gizmodo.

The Beauty of Space Photography via the Off Book series by PBS on YouTube.

  Read This: 10 Tips to Make Your Phone Photos Amazing, a How-To by photography aficionados Photojojo.

via Photojojo

Image from the Photojojo! book, available on Amazon.

  Make This: Make your own time-lapse film from Google Maps images using Teeham Labs' Hyperlapse web app. 

via The New York Times

Google Street View Hyperlapse via Teehan+Lax Labs on Vimeo.

Eat This: In celebration of the new season of Arrested Development, premiering on Netflix tomorrow, here is a list of 11 Arrested Development food scenes with Bluth approved recipes including the Wicked Witch Martini, the Bluth Frozen Banana, the Cornballer and a Roasted Butterflied Chicken inspired by the clip below.

To watch four clips from the new season via Gizmodo click here.

via Food52.

Chicken Dance by Arrested Development on YouTube.

See This: Star Trek Into Darkness hit theatres this week, it's currently got an 89% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes and speaking from personal experience, it's pretty awesome and has some pretty mind-blowing FX (if that's your jam). Go see it!

Once you've caught it, read this Buzzfeed article "10 Classic Star Trek References in Star Trek Into Darkness"*.

*spoiler alert! read at your own risk.

Drink This: This Buzzfeed article shows you how to make your own almond milk, which might save you some coins on that expensive store-bought stuff. Print the recipe here.

via Buzzfeed.

Image via Hannah Queen.

Buy This: New York Drawings is a collection of illustrations and comics from the New Yorker cover artist and award-winning cartoonist Adrian Tomine. You can buy it from Amazon here and visit Tomine's website here.

Moonrise Kingdom illustration via Adrian Tomine.

Listen To This: This is our weekly playlist, featuring some recently released tracks and some golden oldies to keep you company on your daily commute.

  Follow This: Subscribe to this blog by Guillaume Kurkdjian featuring a colourful isometric gif every week.

Download This: Keep track of your life with the Days iOS app, the first visual diary app that let's you capture your life as it really is. Download it from the iTunes store here.

via TechCrunch.

Image via FastCompany.