Rainy Day Remix

Well, October arrived, and I'm beginning to realize what the words "wet season" really mean.

That being said, I'm devising plans for oodles of things to do when I'm confined to the indoors due to the weather. Before I get all blabby about my goings-on this past weekend, here's little overview of what's on my plate during this particularly dark and gloomy rainy day: 

Adobe Stuff!

I had to update/change my Adobe account to a UK one, so I re-subscribed to the Creative Cloud. The good (amazing) news here it that there is a new "Photography" subscription option, which includes Photoshop and Lightroom (more on that in a minute), and costs LESS than a single-app subscription! Woo! Here's to saving money AND getting new software. Whoop whoop!

That being said, I've spend -most of the morning waiting for said software & updates to download, hence why I haven't posted pics from this weekend (yet).

Lightroom

I've been bingeing on YouTube tutorials all morning. I've never used Lightroom before, but I'm excited about having the mobile version to edit pics on-the-go. If anyone else out there is a first time user, like me, I really like this guy's video tutorial series. Pretty easy to follow and covers all the basics, if you ask me.

Mixed Spice

I found this while grocery shopping yesterday - it's simply called "Mixed Spice (for baking)" over here, but it's pumpkin pie spice. The exact same thing. Yep. Heaven. I'm on my 6th cup of coffee, let's just put it that way. And I bought a pumpkin. So, stuff's going to happen in the pumpkin spice/pie department this week. 

Bagels

I have no shame over this one, particularly because it's been so damn long (2+ months) since I've indulged in a bagel. A fresh, stinky everything bagel, perfectly toasted, with Philadelphia cream cheese, onion, tomato, and black pepper: one of life's greatest pleasures. An everything bagel was literally my last meal in America. I have suffered intensely the past two months, but when I found them in Costco's bakery yesterday (!) I went berzerk and now have tons of bagels to consume. Sorry, love handles. 

Anyways, I'm playing around with Lightroom for the rest of the afternoon, and probably watching a few more tutorials in that department, so here's a little preview of this weekend: A before/after I quickly edited on my first try, featuring the greatest furniture found at a car boot sale (flea market, in American speak) this weekend, as well as the most terrifying Chuckie-esque doll. This was taken on my phone, so I'm pretty thrilled that it was so quick/easy to edit. Also loving this before/after display in Lightroom; I'm a big fan of instant gratification. Whoop Whoop!

Diary of a Diet: Two Grand

This is not a sponsored post. I legitimately love this app and want to tell everyone I know about it. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you're probably pretty aware that I love to document everything I cook and eat. It's sort of an obsession, but I'm also too lazy to use two accounts, so I also post everything for my food blog Street Cred on there, too. So when I discovered the app TwoGrand, I was in heaven. 

It's an Instagram-meets-food-diary (same basic layout, and easy to jump right into), and it's the perfect place to connect with people who have similar diets or dietary needs (paleo, plant based, gluten free, vegetarian, or simply trying to eat healthy). The bonus is that it sort of doubles as a dieting app (if you're on a diet), just because it helps you keep track of everything you eat without that tedious calorie counting. So sign up, get inspired by other food and health lovers, and follow my handle @danidisowned. Wooo! Stay motivated, people. 

Fall, Finally

My favorite time of year finally feels like it has arrived. I've been [impatiently] waiting for those telltale hues of orange and gold to light up the trees and skies. The lack of dramatic seasonal changes here had almost discouraged me from believing I'd see a true colorful autumn anyway... but I'm so glad that I was wrong.

This week while walking, I came across the first little shrub/tree of the season to be decked out in full flaming foliage. I just stood there and smiled for a minute or so. I wanted to buy a pumpkin and just sit under that tree, drinking something pumpkin-related and eating something containing pumpkin.

It finally feels like fall is here. Those brisk dewy mornings that soon will turn to frost on the windows, the crunch under my feet again as I walk, the smell of damp leaves after a rain. It's so simply perfect.

I've managed to get my hands on a can of Libby's pumpkin puree and a pumpkin spice candle this week, so that was just the icing on the cake. Time to bust out the cozy sweater/legging combos!