Nikon D3200 Review

Oh my lantas.
It's been so long since I've posted; Stevie convinced me to write a review on my Nikon camera, so here we are. This past Christmas, I begged my parents to buy me a Nikon camera. I wanted a DSLR with interchangeable lens and all the fancy shmancy adjustments. I did my research and stumbled upon the Nikon D3200.
God's gift to photographers, I'm telling you, is this model of Nikon DSLRs.
Adjustable apertures? Done.
Fantastic focusing (even on manual)? Psh, yeah.
Clarity with every photo? Boo-ya.

If you like light-weight, get-up-and-shoot cameras with a nice grip, crystal clear quality, and tons of features you can adjust (no flash, capturing children and pets, nighttime friendly settings, etc), then the Nikon D3200 is a model you should consider purchasing!


Of course, the content of your photos are all your doing, but the Nikon D3200 has a way of guiding you in the right direction. With 24.2 megapixels, this camera does not disappoint. The clarity of the photos will definitely impress you, as well as the bonus 1080p video recording feature. At local Best Buy retailers, the Nikon D3200 ranges from about $500-$800, depending on whether or not you'll be purchasing the starter kit!

My parents bought me the starter kit, which includes the camera itself, standard 18-55mm lenses, as well as an additional 55-200mm Nikkor lenses.



For more details regarding pricing, technical features, and general overviews of the Nikon D3200, click HERE or HERE.

I've included some sample photos below to give you a brief preview of just how great this camera is.

My Maine Coon, Plymouth, awakening.

Stevie embracing the sunny weather we've had.

A patch of dried plants in a hidden canyon we visited.

My little black Ming being adventurous.

Hopefully, this review has helped you in your decision to purchase the right DSLR for you! Until next time.

Xx

Shelby Alice

The Head and the Heart, She & Him, Snowmine, and More.

I like music.
You like music.
Have you ever met a soul in this world who didn't feel personally drawn to it?
Music is universal.
Music has saved cultures entirely. Music preserves aspects of communities for generations to come.
Music is saving us from forgetting the perks of simply being, every day.
I am here to share some of my favorite songs (of all time) with you.
I've color coded them for your accessibility.

Classic

Instrumental

Soothing

Fun

I recommend you stop what you're doing, redirect yourself to the YouTubes, and start searching these titles.

The Absolute Favorites

Bloom by the Paper Kites
Martina Martinez by Girls
Brand New Shoes by She & Him
Winter Song by the Head & the Heart
Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da by the Beatles
The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson



The Recent Favorites

Let Me In by Snowmine
Strings by Young the Giant
Heart Attack by One Direction (I admit it)
Kinder Bluemen by Real Estate 
Boys with Girlfriends by Meiko



The 80s Favorites

So in Love by OMD
Just Like Heaven by the Cure
Heart of Glass by Blondie (okay, I know it came out in 1979 but let me have this)
Ask by the Smiths
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley (just yes)
She's Always in My Hair by Prince
Karma Chameleon by the Culture Club


I hope you enjoyed my brief little list of some of my very favorite songs.
Enjoy.



Xx
Shelby Alice

December

Oh, goodness. December has thrust itself on us, ensconcing us. I'm sorry for all the sappy text, but I really do love the final month on the calendar. I've recently discovered a tree, a little ways down from my block, that has the most beautiful leaves I've seen in California. The trees don't really change down here, and I've always wanted to enjoy the "true," essence of autumn. I took some shots and I would like to share them with you! I'm also sorry for the lack of posting, as you can see, it's been my turn to post for a couple weeks now! I'll have some reviews coming soon.

I hope you all have a lovely week.

Xx

Shelby Alice

Love Prevails

Today, while sitting on a bed of pebbles in my backyard, I overheard my four year old neighbor tell his father something that I don't think I'll be able to "unhear," for quite a while. As the 11-o'-clock sun beat down on me, with my matted hair and pajama pants, I heard little (we'll call him) Daniel exclaim, "I hate you!" His father paused for about half a beat, before laughing and saying, "no, you don't, Danny." Daniel didn't have to think twice about it, because he simply said, "yes, I do."
Now, whether the boy meant it or not, I was still unable to register that this toddler actually thought that he felt such a distain toward his father. I'm not sure how their relationship will work out as Daniel matures, but I wish them the best. I would like to dedicate this post to the people, places, and things I love.

In the meantime, here are some photos that represent one of my favorite months. 

Have a peaceful Thanksgiving. As Ellen says, be kind to one another. Thank you for reading, and please remember to be thankful and appreciative. 

Xx
Shelby Alice

Taylor Swift: Red and A Fine Frenzy: Pines

This is a duo album review, analyzing the newest released records of Taylor Swift and A Fine Frenzy. Both albums were released in October, and although the month has recently passed, these reviews have been long over-due.


Alright.
We knew this was coming, the album was recently released on October 22nd, and Taylor Swift has been all over the media. Between her infamous songs (in which the lyrics not only spotlight her ex-lovers, but highlight each and every one of their mistakes) and her disgusting, failed relationship with Connor Kennedy, Taylor Swift just loves attention.

Her album, Red, is filled with dance-inspired songs (a new addition to her Wikipedia "Genre," section), reminiscent ballads, and annoyingly screechy anthems. Her first single, "We Are Never Getting Back Together," not only rattles through the depths of your mind, but brings you to the conclusion that at 22, Swift really shouldn't be focusing on juvenile relationships. These kinds of relationships, however, seem to be the only thing keeping her from being another lost country star.

Red is a poppier, more repetitive side of Swift's musical career. "22," and "I Knew You Were Trouble." are quite a jump from her previous singles. Personally, I don't like this new sound Swift has experimented with; her songwriting abilities seem to be lacking throughout the album, with uninspired beats and immature choruses. Expect the usual pining for her ex-lovers on each track.

"Starlight," is one of my personal favorites, despite the ho-hum tracks on Red. Although the painfully raw lyrics we're used to hearing from Swift are not present throughout the album (at least not as much as I'd like them to be), "Starlight," and "Everything Has Changed," (a duet with Ed Sheeran) really stand out on Red. "The Last Time," (a duet with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol) is a beautiful ballad between Lightbody's rugged voice and Swift's haunted notes. 


Because the majority of Swift's songs revolve around her unsuccesful relationships, her tracks are the perfect remedy for a bad breakup. Red switches things up a little, replacing yearning verses with "mainstreamed," whoa-oh-oh chants.

All in all, Red is not a total blow. The album is not as insightful as her previous album's, the lyrics seeming a bit forced and repetitive, and the guitar is evidently missing throughout Red. It isn't Swift's usual sound, and she should probably go back to her folksy Speak Now jingles. For you die hard Swift fans, try not to be too disappointed. But who knows, you might just like it.

Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars
View Red HERE.


Be sure to check out Swift's bonus track, "Come Back.. Be Here."

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Pines, by A Fine Frenzy, takes Alison Sudol's voice to an entirely new level. Sudol's previous hits include "Almost Lover," a daunting, reminiscent ballad, and a personal favorite of mine, "What I Wouldn't Do." Pines, however, is not quite the case. As reviewers on iTunes have speculated, Pines seems to be more of a self-indlugent album, rather than the long awaited masterpiece that her fans anticipated.

As a long time fan of A Fine Frenzy, I approached the album with an open mind. Sudol's opening track jumps into a peaceful, yoga-esque, beach soundtrack. For the first minute or so, Sudol entrances her fans, as always, with her soothing melodies. This, however, is not at all short lived, as the album continues at the same pace for the first third of the album.The first six tracks are solemn, calming, and all together boring. 

If it is Sudol's signature, upbeat tunes you are looking for, promptly skip to the seventh track, "Sailingsong," before switching to, "It's Alive." "Now Is The Start," concludes Sudol's uplifting tracks on the album Pines. 

Pines is nothing more than a disappointment, as her fans have waited a total of two years for her next release. The songs are more meant for background eulogy music, rather than a sing-along in your room playlist.

Sudol, ultimately, should stick to heart warming ballads paired with poetic verses, rather than the strained, upsetting record she has presented us. Unless you enjoy aching for the lover you never really had or watching paint dry, Pines is not for you.


Verdict: 2 out of 5 stars View Pines HERE.




Xx
Shelby Alice

Dog Is Dead: All of Our Favorite Stories

Shelby here! In our earlier post, we mentioned that we would be writing reviews and sharing our personal works of art on Peculiar Curls.

Today I wanted to bring everyone's attention to a bitchin' band, by the name of Dog Is Dead. Their innovative, catchy, and "indie-pop," tunes on their newest release, All Our Favorite Stories, will have you hooked.

All Our Favorite Stories opens with a down-tempo "Get Low," before picking up speed with its typical Dog Is Dead sound, "Do The Right Thing." All Our Favorite Stories is a collection of jazzy, poppy, and folksy rhythms, including the dancing-down-the-street jingle, "Glockenspiel Song," and the summer nights anthem, "Talk Through the Night." "River Jordan," is perhaps the darker side of All Our Favorite Stories, with a daunting melody. "Ricochet," transitions the album to a slower, more mellow pace, before slightly picking back up again with "Burial Ground." The album finishes with "Talent Show," and despite the 10% popularity bar on iTunes, the closing track really brings the album to closure.

Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars

To sum it up, All Our Favorite Stories is a beautiful treasury of songs you won't be able to shake out of your head. Be sure to pick that up as soon as you have the chance!

Buy Dog Is Dead merchandise HERE,

Have a wonderful weekend, lovelies!

Xx
Shelby Alice