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Valentine’s Day is the best day to show the person dearest to your heart how much you truly care for them. Romance is in the air, and it’s nearly impossible to resist the stores selling flowers, cards, and stuffed bears. Maybe your significant other has even dropped hints as to what they want to get on the 14th–in that case, your search for the perfect present just got way, way easier!

But Valentine’s Day shouldn’t have to be all about material gifts. Sure, presents are nice to receive, but there are many other ways to express your love. Here are other ways to spread romance!

Serve your lover breakfast in bed.

This is a simple way to make your loved one feel special. Rise early, cook some pancakes and bacon, chop up some fruits, and plate them artfully. Place it on a tray, add a small vase with flowers, and bring it to your loved one. Trust us, waking up to the delicious smell of bacon is the best way to jumpstart your day!

Take them on a surprise adventure.

If you’ve got some vacation leaves to spare, use one on the 15th to have an extra-long Valentine’s Day celebration! Whisk your lover to a destination you’ve always wanted to visit, be it a sunny beach or a cosmopolitan hotspot, and have an itinerary planned out. Only got one day? Make the most of it with a visit to your favorite amusement park or hiking trail.

Compile your most precious photos.

Rekindle your most precious memories this Valentine’s Day by compiling photos of your favorite moments! You can create a photo book of your most memorable photos, adding love notes, tickets, and other small artifacts collected throughout your relationship. Another option: Display your favorite photos on a Nixplay Frame! Set up a playlist just for Valentine’s Day and place it somewhere your lover will easily see.

Don’t have a Nixplay Frame yet? Take advantage of the ongoing Valentine’s Day Sale to get up to 25 percent off the Nixplay Iris!

Prepare their favorite food.

It’s said that the way to most people’s hearts is through their stomachs. Judging by the neverending flood of food photos, videos, and content on social media, this seems to be a universal truth. That said, make your date’s tummy happy on Valentine’s Day by preparing their favorite food! Just don’t forget to take into consideration their dietary preferences, and don’t serve anything they might be allergic to. Going to a restaurant may be par for the course on Valentine’s Day, but you have to admit that a home-cooked meal prepared with love will be more memorable.

Your Valentine’s Day 2019 Checklist

By Nixplay Team

On February 11, 2019

In Holidays

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us! Are you all set for the big V-Day? Granted, it can be extremely overwhelming—there are so many things to do, and just a few days to go.

Fear not: We’re here to get you revved up for romance. In fact, we made you a checklist to get you on track for Valentine’s Day. Read on and take note of what you should prepare for February 14!

__ Buy flowers.

Even if you’re defiantly anti-romance, you have to admit: Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without some lush blooms! Make sure you know your lady love’s favorite blossoms, and place an order for a bouquet a few days ahead. You better hurry, as flower shops tend to get overwhelmed with orders for the 14th.
If you’re a happy singleton: It wouldn’t hurt to have some flowers delivered to yourself, right? 😉 go on and get yourself a nice bouquet—you deserve it.

__ Secure dinner reservations.

As cliche as it may sound, wining and dining is a crucial part of Valentine’s Day. Make sure to choose the restaurant wisely: It doesn’t have to be at a Michelin-starred restaurant, though if this is what you fancy, then do go all out! The important thing is that the place you dine at holds significance to you and your significant other.
If you’re a happy singleton: Dining out alone or even with friends on Valentine’s Day—when it seems like everyone’s out on a date—can suck. The solution? Make a reservation for another day. You can go out on the 15th, or even the weekend after.

__ Get a date.

Of course, what’s a Valentine’s Day celebration without someone to spend it with? That’s what the day is all about, after all: A day you ought to celebrate with the person (or people) you love most. So make sure the love of your life knows quite clearly that you want to spend the day with them!
If you’re a happy singleton: Well, it’s not yet too late to look for a date! Download a dating app and start swiping, or sign up for a speed dating event. Maybe you might find The One—or at the very least, you’ll meet interesting new people! And if your friends offer to set you up with someone interesting, say yes! There’s no harm in expanding your horizons and going out of your comfort zone, relationship-wise.

__ Take pictures!

Now that you’ve got all the ingredients of a perfect Valentine’s Day celebration, don’t forget the most crucial thing: Photos of your day! You’re making so many memories on the 14th—you might as well document every precious milestone by snapping away. Display your photos on your Nixplay Frame, and take advantage of Nixplay’s Valentine’s Day sale to get up to 25 percent off the Nixplay Iris, only until February 14!

How to Make a Great Photo Book

By The Blurb Team

On February 8, 2019

In Photography

Many people who dedicate their time to making photographs also devote time for printing those images. Photo books have always been considered the ultimate final statement when it comes to showing off one’s images. But how do we make great photo books? What are the main ingredients? What about tips or secrets?

For us, it all begins with having fun. Compiling a photo book is one of the most entertaining things you can do, but the idea of doing so can sometimes seem daunting. This thought can lower the activity’s level of fun. In this case, remember to focus on the spirit of print, even if you aren’t entirely sure about every single detail.

What Do You Want to make?

Do you want to create a travel book? A portfolio? A catalog? A cookbook? Defining your project is a quick way to establish your basic needs in terms of size, page count, design, and other aspects.

Next up is the edit. Editing is truly an art form and something that can take a good book to greater heights. Think of editing as doing a giant puzzle: Start with the edge pieces first, those images that contain critical moments or information, and gradually allow the reader to fully understand what it is you wish them to experience.

Organize Away

Once you have chosen the images, it’s now time to arrange them in order. Sequencing images for a photo book is the secret step that many beginner bookmakers overlook. This of this step as the construction of the roller coaster ride you are asking your readers to undertake.

Next up is the cover. But don’t feel pressured to create the cover first. Sometimes the book needs to play out a bit before what makes sense on the cover becomes apparent. and just because you have a favorite image, doesn’t mean that picture should be on the cover of your photo book. What if your favorite photograph carries more weight when placed at the end of the book?

Be Consistent

Borders, number of images per page, image size–staying consistent with these small details allows the reader to engage with the flow of the book. You can throw in a surprise now and then, but overall consistency leads to readability.

When your masterpiece is complete, get a second opinion. Another set of eyes can save you from yourself. That image you love in your heart might not resonate with anyone else, and a trusted friend or editor can add insight and offer suggestions without damaging your feelings.

Hit Print

Don’t be afraid. Use a reputable printing service like Blurb so you know your photo book will be in good hands. The beauty of Blurb is that you can order ONE copy at a time, and that copy can remain private until you are ready to unleash it on the world. Now, all you have to do is wait–and trust us, there is still nothing more exciting than receiving a new book on your doorstep. Good luck making your photo book, and have fun!

Moments by Facebook Is Shutting Down–Here Are Other Apps You Can Use

By Nixplay Team

On February 8, 2019

In Photography

In case you missed it, Moments, Facebook’s proprietary photo-sharing tool, will be shut down for good on February 25, 2019. Moments was created in 2015 as a means for Facebook users to privately share photos outside the social media website.

“Syncing photos with the Moments app is a private way to give photos to friends and get the photos you didn’t take,” reads the app’s press release. “Moments groups the photos on your phone based on when they were taken and, using facial recognition technology, which friends are in them. You can then privately sync those photos quickly and easily with the specific friends, and they can choose to sync their photos with you as well.”

Moments by Facebook

If you don’t know what the app is all about, don’t worry—we’re not very familiar with it either. In fact, Facebook is pulling the plug because of low download numbers. From a high of 10.7 million downloads in June 2016, the app’s adoption rate plummeted to around 150,000 in December 2018—an unacceptable rate for the social media conglomerate.

If you’re an avid user of Moments, there are other apps you can use to store and share your favorite photos in a secure manner. Here are three of them.

Google Photos

Google Photos is a photo-sharing service developed by—you guessed it—Google in 2015. It gives Google users 30 GB of free storage, with the option to pay extra for up to 30 TB of space (that’s a LOT of pictures). Google Photos uses facial recognition and machine learning to identify the subjects in your images and automatically sort them into smart albums, letting you navigate your collection of memories with greater ease.

Nixplay

If you’re here, chances are you have a Nixplay frame. And while our smart frames are amazing, did you know that our app is pretty neat, too?

The Nixplay app works with Google Photos, Instagram, Dropbox, Facebook, Amazon Alexa, and Flickr, letting you display your images wherever they may be. Nixplay Frames have 8 GB internal storage, which you can fill up with hundreds of your favorite pictures. Display your chosen photos on your frame by creating playlists, and share them with your loved ones with a few clicks. Easy, right?

SmugMug

SmugMug was born from its photographer founders’ dream of having a suitable channel for their work. “Photographers needed a place online that was tailor-made for them—a place where they could stand out, shine, and share,” says our website. This cloud-based photo storage system lets you keep your treasure trove of memories—everything from scanned photos of your grandparents to your dog’s pictures–easily accessible online, without compromising security and image quality. The catch? It’s not a free service—plans start at $47.88 per year. If you’re a hardcore photographer, this is perfect for you.

5 Date Ideas For Valentine’s Day

By Nixplay Team

On February 6, 2019

In Holidays

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few days, and we’re beyond excited. We love celebrating love. To us, it’s not just a saccharine hallmark holiday, but an excuse to show those near and dear to us how much we appreciate their presence in our lives.

If you haven’t made any plans for V-day, fear not: We’re here to help. The best part is that you don’t have to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day. As long as you’re capable of loving, then you’ve got a reason to revel in romance. Here are some ~*date ideas*~ you can try with the people you love on the 14th.

With your significant other

For those in a happy relationship, a Valentine’s Day celebration wouldn’t be complete without a little fanfare. And while a fancy dinner, complete with wine, flowers, and sweets, is par for the course on the holiday, going the sentimental route wouldn’t hurt either!

Surprise your S.O. by recreating your first date. Book the same place, order the same food (or go for the dish you wish you tried), and play songs that speak to your hearts. Trust us—they’ll swoon.

With your parents

Your parents—your first loves—deserve all the best, especially on Valentine’s Day. Spoil them by serving their favorite breakfast in bed, and let them enjoy the day by doing their chores (or get someone to do it for them). You can also spoil them with a day at the spa for some well-deserved pampering. Don’t forget to surprise mom with a lush bouquet of her favorite flowers!

With your kids

Time goes by so fast these days, and before you know it, your kids will be all grown up and leaving the nest. Relish each moment you can spend with your little ones, and take every chance to create fond memories with them. Take them out to the park for a fun afternoon—prepare a picnic, bring a kite, and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t forget to take lots of photos to display on your Nixplay Frame—you can get the Nixplay Iris at 25 percent off, only until February 14!

With your best friends

Celebrate V-Day with your closest pals, the ones who have stood by your side through thick and thin! Plan a night in with your all-time favorite movies, food, and drinks (VERY important!), and spend the day reminiscing on the good old days. Got more cash to spare? Plan a trip to a destination you’ve always wanted to visit. Wouldn’t that be so much fun?

With yourself

You can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day without showing love to the person who needs it most: Yourself. You have to learn to love yourself, flaws and all, before you can love others. So go ahead and spoil yourself a little on the 14th: treat yourself to your favorite pastry, get that thing you’ve been eyeing for a long time, book a massage. Trust us: You totally deserve it.