FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI 8 vs MINI 7S: Take a picture, it'll last longer.

"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."
-The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

I guess that must be true because I've always wanted to have an Instax camera.
Thanks to the generous people of Fujifilm Philippines, I finally have one!

I know almost everyone has a digital camera nowadays and its so much easier to plug and upload photos than having your films developed and photos printed out. But that's what makes an Instax camera so special.. You can take hundreds of photos with your digicam but with an Instax, each photo you take is well thought out and cherished (mostly because it costs 35-40 Php/ 1.00 USD per photo hahaha!).

You might be wondering as to how different the Instax Mini 8 is from the Instax Mini 7s. My sister has the latter so I get to tell you about their differences. :D 

Instax Mini 8

Instax Mini 7S 

The Mini 8 has FIVE modes (Indoor, Cloudy, Fine, Clear and *Hi-Key). When you turn it on, the red light will automatically point to whichever mode is suitable according to your environment, and then you can choose to turn the lens to the suggested mode OR you can just use whichever mode you feel like using.
*The Hi-Key mode is used for when you want your photos to look a little bit brighter.

The Mini 7s has only FOUR modes (Indoor, Cloudy, Fine and Clear) and doesn't have the automatic setting that the Mini 8 has.

I noticed that the Mini 8 is a bit lighter than the Mini 7s. I figured that its because the 7s uses FOUR AA batteries, while the Mini 8 is slimmer and uses only TWO AA batteries.

As for the quality of photos, obviously, its not as clear as the ones taken with a digital camera and deciding which mode to use can get a bit tricky. But I think that once you've mastered the "art of taking Instax photos", that is-- knowing how far you're supposed to be from the subject and which setting to use, then you're all set!

Test shots using the Instax Mini 8.
Lesson learned: Move away (at least 2 feet) before taking your picture. 

The only thing that makes me a wee bit sad about having an Instax is the price I have to pay to buy a new pack of film. The cheapest I've found online is 350 Php per pack and I'm still on the hunt for something a little more cheaper. I'm stingy, I know.. But that's because I love using this camera so much and I intend on taking tons of photos with it!!! 

If you know anyone who sells film that's lower than 350, let me know!!! Hahahaha!

So I guess my planner, my wallet and most of all- my TRAVEL JOURNAL will be filled with Instax photos from now on.. Time to get trigger happy!!!!!

The Instax Mini 8 costs Php 4,100 and is now sold in YKL stores!

Available in White, Black, Pink, Blue and Yellow

With blogger friends during my birthday the Instax party
(Paul Chuapoco, Tin Iglesias, Sarah Tirona, Seph Cham & Trice Nagusara, Marj Sia, yours truly, Valerie Chua, Ana Gonzales and Dani Barretto)

Hope you have a great week and to the kids going back to school today, goodluck and always remember:
SCHOOL IS COOL!
Haha! 

Bloggers United V @ SMX Convention Center

I can still remember the very first time that we had a "bazaar" of some sort together.. We called it "Bloggers Closet" and it was held at my house here in Antipolo. Ever since that day, Pax, Ana and Melai planned to take it to the next level and rent a bigger place, look for sponsors and invite more bloggers to participate.. Then the rest was history.. I'm so proud of them for being able to accomplish all of this despite their demanding work schedule. I was still in the Philippines when the first installment of Bloggers United happened but I couldn't join or help out because I was too busy processing my papers (I was about to leave the country at the time). So I'm really happy that I got to FINALLY be a participating blogger in this event. :)

(*Click here to go back to my old entry about "Bloggers Closet")

Shared the booth with Impulse Co and Kookie Buhain 

My kick-ass boothmate :)

I met a lot of new and old friends that day. One of them was Megann, who I've been "online friends" with for a couple of years now and of course, Seph- who I've known ever since his drag-racing days. Hahaha!

Megann, Niche, yours truly and Seph

 First time to meet Steph in person! So puuurrrrtyyy!! ♥  

Kookie and I with sexy Thysz ;)

I wasn't able to take a lot of photos that day because there was no time (and I had no energy) to take out my camera and go around to take photos of everything and everyone. :( Next BU, I'll be bringing my own photographer na! Haha!

But thanks to the girls who shared their photos with me!!

THANK YOU Rej for this cute gift!!

With Kat and Alex

With Sandra

I am embarrassed to admit that I forgot the names of these pretty ladies so if you're reading this, please do leave a comment so I can follow you on Twitter!

With Joicellene, one of my online giveaway winners :)

Like I said, I didn't have the chance to go around (or even eat) but I just HAD TO take a quick break so I can run to Marj Sia's booth and buy these..

I needed a new set of makeup brushes!

This is my second time to buy false lashes from Catwalk Cosmetics and they're my new favorite!! Who needs freaking Ardell (that costs 400-600 Php) when you can buy TEN pairs of lashes for only 380 Php!!

I love how these falsies have the "natural" look. You can use them during daytime without having to worry about looking like a drag queen. Haha!!

It was SO WORTH IT because guess what? I got all of those for only 900 Php!!! Thanks to the HUGE discount that Marj and Globe G-cash gave me!!

Again, BIG THANKS to everyone who dropped by to say Hello and to all the girls who bought from our booth!

All in all, my Bloggers United experience was stressful but also A LOT OF FUN! It was great meeting some of the bloggers that I only get to see in pictures and also some of the awesome people who visit my blog. ;)
I'm looking forward to BU6 already and I swear I'll be more prepared next time!! Haha!!

In Her Shoes x Bloggers United Giveaway (CLOSED)

They say every ending comes a new beginning... My bag + BU passes giveaway just ended, which means it's time for a new one! :D

This time, I'll be picking TWO winners and each of them will get:

- a pair of flats (courtesy of In Her Shoes) 

- and TWO Bloggers United passes!

The winners will get to choose whichever they want from the Brian Hazy Chevron design. 

In Her Shoes is a new online store created by the same people behind the Impulse Co brand.

Add them up on Facebook and they will email you a discounted coupon that you can use during the Bloggers United Bazaar!

Brian Hazy Chevron flats

Impulse Co satchel + In Her Shoes maryjanes 

How to join this giveaway:

1. ADD / LIKE us on Facebook

 (In Her Shoes  /  Somnia et Vita  /   Bloggers United)

2. Tweet me and don't forget to add the BU5 official hashtag: #BU5 

(ex. "@honeyandrade I want new shoes and free passes to @bloggers_united #BU5 )
3. Leave a comment on this blog entry with your full name, Twitter username and email address.

Don't forget to do all three steps! :D

This giveaway ends on Thursday (May 30, 2013) at 12 midnight.

Goodluck and looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend! :)