8 steps to better photos on AUTO {step 8: 50mm lens for gorgeous portraits and low light photos}

This is the final installment of Eight Steps to Better Photos on AUTO. Most people think the only way to really improve their photos is to learn to shoot on manual mode, and it's true that using manual gives you the most control over the finished photo. But what if you don't have the time or energy to invest in learning about exposure and aperture and all the other details of manual? That's where this series comes in. There are plenty of things you can do to greatly improve your photos even when shooting on auto, and every Friday for the next eight weeks I'll share one of them with you. Step one | Step two | Step three | Step four | Step five | Step six | Step seven | Step eight

People want to take better photos, which often leads to buying a better camera and other equipment. Generally, I think improving your understanding of things like lighting and learning to use whatever camera you have will go further toward getting good pictures than any amount of expensive equipment. However, there are a few exceptions, and if you have a dSLR, a 50mm 1.8 lens is one of them. It's a pretty neat little lens, and it's not super expensive. Even on auto, it will make a difference in your photos, especially if you want to take portraits with extreme background blur (bokeh) or you want to be able to take photos inside without using your flash (and if you've read step 1 you know you never want to use your flash). To see how much difference using a 50mm lens as opposed to your kit lens (the one that came with your camera) I took photos in a number of different lighting conditions with both lenses so we could all compare. Keep reading for more explanation of what makes the 50mm lens a worthwhile investment and comparison photos.

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tollhouse cookie recipe printable for kids {illustrated w/photos}

A lot of cookies get made at our house. I try not to keep track of how quickly we go through the huge Costco sized bag of chocolate chips because I have a feeling I'd be embarrassed if I did. It's possible we overdo a little around here, but making cookies is a fantastic activity to do with kids of all ages. Even tiny kids can help dump flour or chocolate chips into a bowl, and older ones can do the entire project by themselves. Making cookies together is not only fun, it's also a great way to start teaching basic math concepts to preschool age kids - you can put ingredients in order, count together as you add eggs or flour, and talk about basic fractions like 1/2 and 1/4. To make the whole process a little simpler for my preschooler, I made a cookie recipe that's illustrated in photos. This way he can be more in charge of the process - telling me what comes next and figuring out how much to put in. It's genius, if I do say so myself :) Keep reading for the printable illustrated recipe.

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DIY gold tipped ballet flats {thrift store rescue}

While at the thrift store about a year ago, I found a pair of scuffed up white ballet flats that looked pretty sad but fit quite nicely (scroll down for before photo) and were only a few dollars. I purchased them with plans to spruce them up somehow, stuck them in my closet, and promptly forgot about them (sound familiar? yep, I've done this with more items than I care to admit). Then a few weeks ago therm-o-web sent me some of their products to try out on scrapbook layouts, and they included their Glitter Dust, which is basically gold sparkle in a spray paint can. And I finally remembered those old shoes and decided to bling them out with sparkly gold tips. In just a few minutes I had DIY gold tipped ballet flats. (Keep reading for more photos and tutorial)

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happy mother's day!

This was my first mother's day gift today - thought I'd share it :)

devilishly tasty chocolate oat krispie bars {homemade granola bars}

I know that every time a blogger posts a recipe (myself included) she goes a little crazy telling everyone how good it is. It's like every single recipe is to. die. for. amazing. Right? I mean, with all the fantastic recipes being posted every day we should have attained world peace because everyone should be too busy eating to argue anymore. I guess we figure no one's going to want to try our recipes if we say something like: well, they probably won't actually kick you out of playgroup for bringing this for treats, but they might consider it...

...So yes, I know you're used to hearing how good things are, but I'm going to say it anyway: these little bars are devilishly good. That's right, devilishly good. My husband informed me last night (after our family ate almost an entire pan of these in one day) that I'm not allowed to make them anymore because he can't stop eating them. I agreed immediately. Of course. We need a break from this highly addictive, incredibly easy to prepare substance. Definitely. Except that I like them, which means I'll probably make them again much sooner than I should. Could I eat the entire pan and have cleaned up all the evidence by the time he gets home from work one day? Likely. (Click through for the recipe)

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the child wrangler & $100 giveaway from Dreyer's Outshine

I'm thinking I should change my job title from stay at home mom to "child wrangler." As you may have noticed, my husband and I have five children, and they're great, fantastic kids. I'm incredibly grateful I get to be home with them full time, but . . . they do occasionally wear me out. Case in point: one day a few weeks ago I was grocery shopping with the two little kids. Grocery shopping with two little ones is certainly easier than grocery shopping with three little ones, which is what I used to do, but still, it can be tough. Especially when enforcing the "you may not run away from me in the store" rule results in making your nearly five your old ride in the cart instead of walking beside you. Which in turn results in him crying, which later escalates into him shouting that he hates you while you're trying to check out (and don't ask me why I insisted on finishing my shopping instead of just leaving the store. I guess I'm as stubborn as he is.) ***Keep reading for a chance to win $100!***

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pretty print blouse & puff pocket shorts {a refashioned wardrobe}

This is the last outfit in my little girl's refashioned wardrobe, and it's definitely my favorite. Her top is made from a blouse I bought for myself at the thrift store - I absolutely loved the print and the fact that it was so light and flowy. But I got home and realized a large portion of the neckline had frayed away from the seam and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. And so it went into the pile to refashion, along with a tan twill skirt that fit fine a few summers ago but is (alas) too tight now. (Keep reading for more photos and tutorial)

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winner! Creating Keepsakes Magazine subscription

We have a winner for the year's subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine. It's Nancy, who said "Love your magazine....would love to win a subscription!"

Nancy, please use to contact button in the upper right to send me your full name and address and let me know whether you'd like a digital subscription or a paper+digital subscription. Contact me by Wed May 8th to claim your prize - congrats!