Photobox App - Personalised Christmas photo gifts at the touch of a button

As you know, I'm a massive fan of online photo service, PhotoBox.  Photobox asked me to try out their new iOS App to see just how simple and quick they have now made it to order personalised photo gifts.

 

 

I've used the pre-existing Photobox app since it first came into existence to browse my photos and, on occasion, to link through the main Photobox website but the new free Photobox app, available on the Apple app store, is a big step forward and allows you to order prints and gifts without having to exit the app.

If you have a Photobox account (which is free and easy to set up) then the Photobox app makes a great viewer for photos you have stored online.  You can now integrate the app with other accounts such as your Facebook or Instagram account and you can link it to your photo stream on your iPhone or iPad.  This all means that you can view all of your photos in one place and order prints directly without having to faff about with uploading them onto a specific photo website.

I tried out some of the photo gifts as stocking fillers for friends and family this Christmas.  I bought this set of three keyrings for £5.15 made from a photo I took on holiday this August of my girls looking very cheeky indeed.  I think these are fab and I may well order more of them!

Using the same photo, I also ordered Lara a jigsaw (£9.99).  It was so easy to choose a photo and within two clicks the product was there in my basket ready to go!  Now the jigsaw has arrived, it looks like the pieces may be a little thin for Lara who still gets angry when jigsaw pieces don't snap instantly together but I think the number of pieces looks good.

I took the opportunity to order a couple of 'gifts' for myself too - I love having pictures of my girls on my desk at work and frequently like to update them.  I ordered a mousemat (£7.20) using my current favourite photo of Holly staring out to sea.  Ordering was really easy even though, for a mousemat, you normally have to crop your photo to fit - the Photobox app clearly showed me where the image would sit and walked me through the options of moving or resizing the image as I ordered it.  I'm really impressed with the overall result (although it does smell a bit rubbery still!).

Finally,  I tried out one of their ready-framed prints.  I always struggle to find frames the right size or style once I've ordered prints and end up paying much more than I had planned.  Until now, I'd felt reluctant to order a print with the frame included because I'm very fussy when it comes to frames but I felt it would be quicker and easier to order the pre-framed version of the photo I wanted for my desk.  In fact, I'm extremely happy with the frame size, style and quality and will definitely be opting for this in the future when I'm ordering gifts.

I found the new Photobox app to be one of the easiest and most intuitive apps I have used to date on my iPad.  I loved the fact that I was able to view my account and my past order status (although it did freak me out when I saw quite how many orders I had placed with Photobox... ah well, I do love photos!)

Photobox Photo Gifts - Personalised IPad Keyboard Case Review

I've been a fan of Photobox for years; Photobox are the only photo printing service I use these days and I place an order with them between one and three times a month.  Usually I order prints of my favourite photos but occasionally I develop personalised cards for my family or create personalised gifts and this month I got the chance to make a really beautiful and unique gift for my Mum's birthday.

Photobox asked me to try out one of their brand new range of photo gifts - something really very special.  This is a Personalised IPad Keyboard Case which I designed online and which made a very special gift for my Mum who deserved a bit of a treat after a horrid illness.

Ordering the case was really easy.  I uploaded the photo I was interested in (in fact, I uploaded a few and tried them out to see which looked best).  Then I used their online editing tool to select the picture I had chosen and size it appropriately.

The tool let me choose the keyboard layout that I wanted.  If I had chosen to, I could have embellished my design with further images or text but this time I wanted something simple and mature - the photo is of one of my parent's favourite holiday destinations.

When I order online with Photobox, I usually pay by Paypal.  Checkout is always really quick and easy and there are frequent incentives for me to come back at a later date to buy more!  I received a confirmation email of my order and another one when my item was dispatched.

When the IPad keyboard case arrived, I was in awe.  It really is a great gift that I know will be loved.  When mum opened it, everyone in the room went "wow"!  The colour reproduction wasn't as good as my standard prints (but I am a bit of a print snob!).  Setting up the keyboard was really easy. After charging (using the USB charger supplied) she was able to connect it and was up and running in less than a minute and was merrily typing away!

The keyboard communicates with your IPad through bluetooth.  It attaches as many other IPad cases do, through a magnet, so there is a danger it may slip off if you open the flap vigourously.  The cover flips over to cover the IPad screen and doesn't totally envelope the IPad.  The keyboard is totally removable and there is a long thin slot on it where you can rest the iPad as if it were a monitor.  My mum instantly reported that it was a lot easier to type on than the on-screen keyboard.

The personalised ipad keyboard case costs £64.99 plus postage from Photobox and I think it makes a BRILLIANT photo gift.

Dear Holly...

Dear Holly,

When you came into my life, way back in May, I looked forward to a relaxing summer spent sharing our first days together.  Sleepy afternoons in the sunny garden; me pottering, you chattering.  What better way to spend my maternity leave with you than lying lazily on the grass or playing games in the shade?  Making the most of the summer before my return to work in the dark depths of winter.

But Mother Nature scuppered our plans and those balmy days were few and far between.  Once we had found our feet and, when the sun decided to put in an appearance it was, to be honest, too hot for tiny arms and legs like yours.

And so, it was not until late September that we had those chances to lie down next to one another in the garden and stare lovingly into each other's eyes.  Playing tickling games, jumping games, singing games and silly songs - who cared what the neighbours thought?  This, Holly, was when I truely understood what everyone means when they tell me you are the "mellow baby".  Smiles as sunny as the sky itself and giggles that I find totally infectious.

It may have been short and sweet but thank you Holly for bringing a smile to my face on this bright, funny, sunny September day in our own back yard.

With love from Mummy.

This blog post has been written as an entry into the Tots100 competition in association with Boots Mother and Baby

The Sunday Review - Canvas Dezign : Canvas Photo Prints

I recently told you that my holiday photos ARE my holiday souvenirs and there is nothing that I like more than choosing a few special images and getting them enlarged to display on my walls as little works of home-grown art. With an imminent house move ahead of me, I'm on the lookout for new wall coverings.

Canvas Dezign approached me to try out their printing service. I was a little dubious, not only because they approached me completely out of the blue, but because I've always thought that a canvas print might highlight the flaws in my photos, rather than enhance them.

Anyway, it turns out that Canvas Dezigns just wanted a chance to show off to the world what they can do! The print I ordered is their most popular size – a 12 inch square stretch canvas print made to order from your own photo. They produce prints of sizes – their standard prints range from 6x6 inches (just £8.99) to a MASSIVE 40x40 inches (at £119.99). They have a flat rate of postage of £9 so the bigger your print, the better value the postage.

My print was delivered by courier within 48 hours of sending them my digital image (they have a virtual ordering system on their website where you can prepare your image before ordering your print and even see what it will look like on the wall!). when the print was delivered, it was incredibly well packed to avoid any damage to the finished product. It arrived while I was at work and it took all of my willpower to stop myself from tearing it open there at my desk! As soon as I got home I tore it out of its packaging like an excited child. And here it is...

The image pleasantly surprised me. The colours are bright and vivid and there is no loss of detail at all, in fact when I look closely I can see all of the stones on the ground and each of the individual leaves on the trees. The wrinkly, dusty skin of the elephants looks amazing.

I particularly liked the fact that my canvas came with a set of wall fixings (and a spirit level to help me hang it straight!). It also came with a leaflet with some handy tips on how to keep my print looking as good as new.

So now I am won over and will be decorating my new home with all of my favourite photos! A canvas print makes a great souvenir, an ornament or a stunning gift so why not take a look at Canvas Dezign's website and see if it inspires you too.

Use the code EKOTULHOUQIE to get a 5% discount at the checkout

A Self-Indulgent Cute Picture Post!

Thursday would normally be my day of the week to get stuff done, including writing blog posts. But, as it was so sunny, I trekked into the centre of London (a story I shall tell you about some time soon) and had a picnic in the sunshine. Top Stuff. And so, having had no time to write, I thought I'd just indulge myself and post some more scrumptious pictures! Enjoy.

Fun in the Sun

Hello!

I have decided to take the lead from Heather at Young Mummy UK and go for a relatively wordless week. The great weather has given me a chance to spend some quality time with my little girl in the sunshine. So here are some of my favourite pictures from the last few days...

7 (am) - My Favourite Photos

This picture was taken in late summer 2002. I was on holiday in Cornwall, staying in a B&B in Penzance. I couldn't sleep – those goddam seagulls! I woke up and tiptoed out of the building and just started walking. Trusting my instinct (and my distant memories from childhood trips to visit my Grandfather) to direct me into the town centre and down onto the seafront, I strolled through alleyways, across parks and among the deserted streets of Penzance.

It was seven o'clock in the morning and there was barely a soul to be seen. At the harbour there were fishermen lazily packing their gear away after a busy morning – they wolf-whistled as I went by. An early ferry to the Scilly Isles had just finished boarding and was preparing to depart. It was quiet, quite eerily so, only the screech of seagulls breaking the silence. Then the unmistakeable sound of a helicopter rang out across the bay, whisking its passengers off the isles – a lone shape in the otherwise empty skies.

I remember taking this photo before walking back along the promenade. I remember thinking how warm the sun was given that it was only 7am and how calm and inviting the water looked, disturbed only by a single tiny fishing boat. I felt privileged to be able to witness this peaceful, untouched landscape before the rest of the world woke up, and I felt pleased with myself for having remembered to bring the camera! I have always found St. Michael's Mount mesmerising – I find it hard to take my eyes off it. In the distance I can just make out the silhouettes of one or two of the huge satellite dishes on Goonhilly downs.

This post was written for Tara's Photo Gallery with the theme, 'Numbers'.