Forget HGTV, turn to the interwebs for your home decor porn. Here are some picks of the hottest (coolest?) home decor Instagram accounts that are just crushing it.

Some of us like to do, and some of us like to watch other people do and that is exactly the reason why social media exists. I really don’t feel the need to make my home all bougie and nice. Instead, I decorate the way humans have been decorating for millennia–with stuff that someone else has gotten rid of–and I leave the real decorating to the pros. And in this day and age, the pros are on Instagram and I love to see what’s the latest they have come up with.

Seriously, checking out home decor Instagram accounts is what I do while trying to look busy on my phone. Home decor Instagramming is only second to the time I spend checking out all the cute pets on Instagram. And if you still reading this, I am betting that you spend a fair amount of time on checking out home decor Instagram accounts too.

Home Decor Instagrammers Doing It in Style

1.

working on the bedroom makeover today and making progress. added this vintage church lamp. crazy me.

A post shared by Victoria Smith (@sfgirlbybay) on Dec 15, 2017 at 3:34pm PST

Now living in Los Angeles, Victoria Smith is @sfgirlbybay and is a photo stylist, content creator, and photographer. I have been following her before Instagram was even a thing.

2.

one of my favorite items from the designlovefest furniture line is this sweet little settee. it comes in different patterns too (actually all of our furniture have a few color options!) it adds a bit of pattern and personality into the room. available online only at @target (link in profile!) they are made to order and made in america. #dlftarget

A post shared by bri emery / designlovefest (@designlovefest) on Jan 11, 2018 at 10:25am PST

Bri Emery is @designlovefest and another home decor style icon I have long been keeping up with. She is a creative director, product designer, blogger and has a product line at Target.

3.

??All my moody neutral interiors dreams come true. . . . . #minimalism #minimaliststyle #ckstyleaccordingly #flashesofdelight #clementinedaily #myoklstyle #mydomaine #myhousebeautiful #abmathome #vscocam #dslooking #sodomino #pursuepretty #thehappynow #thatsdarling #darlingweekend #mytinyatlas #beautifuldestinations #cmycalifornia #sharewheretofindme #melroseplace #theapartmentbytheline #interiordesign #whplinemeetscorner #whpmyoasis

A post shared by Anne Sage (@citysage) on Nov 9, 2017 at 9:26am PST

If minimalism is your thing, make sure to follow Anne Sage–another mainstay of my home decor looky-looing, as well as a blogger, stylist, and author–@citysage.

4.

Today on the blog we are back with our “How to Add Character to Basic Architecture” series, and this time we are talking ceilings. If it’s time for you to give some much needed love to that space over your head then hop on over to the blog for our favorite ideas and tutorials. ? @tessaneustadt for EHD

A post shared by Emily Henderson (@em_henderson) on Jan 9, 2018 at 8:07am PST

A newer follow for me is Emily Henderson, who is a stylist, author, blogger, and is also an ‘HGTV Design Star” winner.

5.

One of my favorite bedroom designs to date…these vintage lamps are makin all my NOLA design dreams come true ??| designed for @sonderstays | ?: @jmarquephoto

A post shared by Christina Higham (@sun.soul.style) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:48am PST

Another more recent Instagram addition for me is Christina Higham, an interior designer from San Francisco. I really like her Californian approach to decorating.

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Can Instagram Actually Improve Mental Health? #NowWhat

The post 5 of the Best Home Decor Instagram Accounts to Lust Over appeared first on EcoSalon.

How well do you know your favorite Instagram personality? I recently sat down with Instagram influencer Tim Moore, better known these days to his 183,000 followers as the Vegan Fat Kid, for a simple day-in-the-life profile story. I expected a quick, lighthearted conversation about epic burritos and workout routines, and perhaps a tip as to where to find the best vegan doughnut in Los Angeles. To my surprise, we launched into a two-hour conversation on body image, survival, activism, and self discipline. Read on for an unfiltered exclusive with Moore.

Humble Beginnings

Moore grew up in South Auckland, New Zealand, dreaming of the day he would get to take his Oversees Experience, or “OE.” The OE is a right of passage for islanders; it is typically a one month excursion to a mainland taken around the age of twenty-one. Moore flew straight to Chicago, but quickly realized it did not fit his idealized image of America, shaped by his favorite childhood films. A 2 a.m. conversation with a stranger in a bar convinced him to fly to Los Angeles with twenty dollars in his pocket. He ended up in Venice Beach living in a hostel, setting up trinket stands on the boardwalk and eventually washing dishes. Moore credits this as the most eye-opening and exciting time of his life.

“Successes in life don’t come from what you want to do, they come from what you have to do.”

He put his head down and worked with a goal to pursue his passion of making music. Over a period of ten years, Moore purchased enough audio equipment to set up his own recording studio. York Recordings in LA’s hipster neighborhood of Highland Park remains his full-time occupation to this day.

Going Vegan

Five years ago, a knee injury landed Moore in the ER, waiting twelve hours for an MRI. To pass the time, he watched people. He noticed their reoccurring trips to the vending machines and crumpled up bags of fast food, and came to the realization that most had eaten their way into their current situation. After Googling the Standard American Diet and learning about what goes into meat and dairy, he decided to go vegan the next day. “Health is wealth,” Moore explained.   

Living in Los Angeles, the transition to a plant-based diet wasn’t difficult. “Its not that you miss meat; you want the experience of meat.” The burger from Sage Vegan Bistro cemented this idea for him. He distinctly recalled taking a bite, watching a piece of mango “cheese” fall out, eating it, and being hit by a wave of nostalgia that took him back to eating an animal-based burger. Although no stranger to sacrifice, he was relieved to discover he did not have relinquish the simple pleasures of food on a vegan diet. Vegans don’t have to compromise their comfort for the sake of compassion and health.

Becoming the Vegan Fat Kid

Moore never cooks at home. Ever. The only item in his fridge is almond milk in order to supplement his “coffee addiction.” Five years ago, he did not have a problem finding vegan options, but he kept forgetting where he had his favorite meals (he admits to having an awful memory). Per his friend’s suggestion, Moore created an Instagram account to create “digital breadcrumbs so I could remember where these things were.” His first post was a quinoa porridge bowl from Four Cafe in Highland Park. He is now is just shy of five thousand posts and one hundred and eighty-three thousand followers.

When it came to naming his account, there was no hesitation. As a child, Moore attended an all-boys Catholic Samoan school, and he was the “chubby kid.” He unashamedly recalled a physical education class where he was mocked by his middle school peers as he hung to a pull-up bar, the only student unable to do a single pull-up. Being the “fat kid” is a part of him, but instead of letting this bring him down, he works to use it to his advantage.

Dealing with Body Image

Despite Moore’s impressively muscular physique, he still has to work to overcome his insecurities, just like everyone else. He is fully aware of the negative influences around him.

“LA tells you that you are not enough all the time. Its a tough place to be alright about being alright. I see that as a massive challenge.” To combat the barrage of “you are not enough,” Moore actively pursues the best version of himself, not that guy with the washboard abs on the Equinox billboard.

“Being the best me, and being alright with me, is a life’s pursuit.” He believes that taking an objective look at his physical self through his VFK 90 day challenge gives him “an active role in changing [his] physique instead of an emotional ‘I suck’.”

Thoughts on Social Media

“Social media can be as deep as meaningful as you want, or as shallow and Kardashian as you want. You get to control your feed on Instagram. If you don’t want to see some stuff unfollow that shit. I don’t want to feel like the victim of anything. I believe the universe is on our side; you’re either winning or learning. There’s no losing, only learning.”

So what has Tim learned?

“The enemy of your life is not somebody else’s life. The enemy of my song is not somebody else’s song. The enemy of your taco is not someone else’s taco. If you’re feeling that it is, its saying more about you than its saying about that. Its a hard realization to come to terms with, but as much as I think I am looking at Instagram, Instagram is really looking into me. You think you’re looking into people’s lives, but you’re really learning about your own.”

Personally, he sees Instagram as a net positive, because he has curated a feed that enriches his life for the better. So what’s on his feed? Food, politics, and fitness. We steered clear of the political rabbit hole, but in regard to fitness, Moore is inspired by bodybuilders, especially Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rock. “Everyone should follow The Rock,” he says.

A Day in the Life

“I believe in repetition; I believe in routine. You get good at what you practice.”

Every day, Moore wakes before 5 a.m. for his first cup of coffee and a quick scan of the news. After a pre-workout shake, he’s in the gym by 6:30 a.m, and lifts weights for an hour. After a pit stop to load up on his “veggie reps,” he heads to his recording studio for a good portion of the day, followed by a hefty vegan meal at a restaurant. His go-to? A burrito; he is “one-hundred-percent addicted.” He wraps up his day with a session of planks, then gets to bed early.

At the end of the day, Moore says he is “trying to help people and change people’s lives for the better.” Vegan Fat Kid has evolved far beyond its digital breadcrumbs origins, and even beyond “vegan Yelp” as he called it. Although he is committed to posting food photos, he has shifted his focus to his workout routine.

“I use the gym to plant seeds. Everyone has to go on their own vegan journey, because that’s how it sticks.”

He leads by example, which is why you will always see in him a pro-vegan t-shirt at the gym. He’s a strong believer in t-shirt activism. Recently, a regular at his gym approached him. He told Moore that he had been vegan for the past two months, because Moore’s impressive workouts and vegan t-shirts sparked his curiosity. He did his research and came to the conclusion that plant-based was the way to go. Moore didn’t have to preach a word. You don’t need a pedestal or a bullhorn to influence people, its consistency and results that count.

To encourage others to practice this t-shirt activism, Moore launched his Train Vegan apparel line last Tuesday, August 15th, in collaboration with another vegan Instagram influencer, Vegetaryn. The Classic Line is now available and includes sweatpants, hoodies, and tees for men and women. This is his second project with Vegetaryn; the first was the “#Vegan AF” collection, which is still one of the brand’s top sellers.

According to Moore, Train Vegan has a more focused message:

“Not only can you be the guy that is vegan that is built really well, you can actually build muscle on a vegan diet. I don’t care if you have big arms, bro. If it costs an animal their life, it ain’t worth it. If it costs you your life it isn’t worth it. Its not enough for you get big muscles. Its how you get big muscles thats important for your health and longevity and for the longevity of the planet.”

Looks like the Vegan Fat Kid has more on his mind than where he is going to get his next burrito.

Find Tanya on Instagram and The Vegan Potluck Podcast. 

Related on EcoSalon:

Animal Rights Activism Meets Street Art in the ‘Vegan Club’
9 Workout Motivation Secrets That’ll Get Your Butt Off the Couch
These 99 Sources of Vegan Protein are Way More Versatile Than Meat

All images courtesy of @veganfatkid

The post Beyond the Filter: Instagram Star @VeganFatKid Gets Candid IRL appeared first on EcoSalon.

With so many things outside of our control right now (like the President’s Twitter feed), most of us probably need some sort of release. For some, this might be regular yoga practice or listening to an audiobook. While for others, passing the time away looking at cute animals on Instagram is the way to go.

No matter your preference (whether you’re a dog person and not a cat person and vice versa), these cute rescue animals on Instagram will be sure to bring a smile to your face and some lightness to your heart. While the focus of our list is certainly weighted towards adorably furry mammals, it also features rescue animals. And we must remember that as cute as they are, it’s not just about being cute. Great photography from human the roommates is key on Instagram!

9 Instagram Rescue Animals We Love

A post shared by Cole and Marmalade (@coleandmarmalade) on Apr 28, 2017 at 6:20am PDT

1. Cole and Marmalade

Two pawsome cats, and their human roommate promoting pet adoption!

A post shared by nala_cat™ (@nala_cat) on Jul 3, 2017 at 7:25am PDT

2. Nala Cat

A post shared by Mr. Bagel the Chinchilla (@chinnybuddy) on Apr 7, 2017 at 3:02pm PDT

3. Mr. Bagel the Chincilla

Mr. Bagel, one chinchilla that is full of personality, promotes pet adoptions from shelters and saying, “no to fur!”

A post shared by The Dogist (@thedogist) on Jun 3, 2017 at 8:53am PDT

4. The Dogist

The Dogist is a photo-documentary series about the beauty of dogs. The Dogist has created the Give a Dog a Bone program to support and promote organizations that shelter dogs.

A post shared by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Jun 27, 2017 at 6:28am PDT

5. Pumpkin the Raccoon

This Instagram account features Pumpkin The Raccoon, a rescued Bahamian raccoon, and her friends, named Toffee and Oreo.

A post shared by J U N I P E R (@juniperfoxx) on May 21, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

6. Juniperfoxx

Juniper is a rescued tame fox and her owners are working toward a worthy goal of becoming a sanctuary for mistreated and unwanted exotic animals.

A post shared by Rosenberg The Dog (@rosenbergthedog) on Jan 14, 2017 at 5:59pm PST

7. Rosenberg the Dog

Rosenberg is a mix of Australia Sheepdog and Poodle. Both he and his human friend are campaigning for world peace.

A post shared by Jill The Squirrel (@this_girl_is_a_squirrel) on Jun 16, 2017 at 7:21am PDT

8. Jill the Squirrel

Jill, is a furry-tailed Hurricane Isaac rescue who seems to be living a pretty cozy life these days!

‪The water quality in my pool is questionable today, and I’ve been waiting over 7 minutes for a Pina Colada. I think I need a new cabana boy.‬

A post shared by Esther The Wonder Pig (@estherthewonderpig) on Jul 7, 2017 at 8:19am PDT

9. Esther the Wonder Pig

If you haven’t yet read Esther’s amazing story, get on that book right now. In the meantime, you can follow this adorable rescue pig and her fellow sanctuary buddies on Instagram.

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The post The 9 Cutest Rescue Animals on Instagram You Need to Follow Now appeared first on EcoSalon.

We all know terrible stories about how social media can diminish a sense of identity and well-being, especially among young people or those already suffering from self-esteem issues, depression, etc.

Well, there’s a silver lining. It looks like social media can also help those impressionable teens and young adults feel better, too.

More than selfies

While there’s nothing wrong with taking and posting selfies—we love doing it ourselves—people, specifically teens, can get caught up in trying to look perfect. In addition to striving for the perfect look, teens also can become obsessed with living the perfect life. All this “competition” can increase depression and anxiety teens may already have.

So, when Instagram launched its May campaign, #HereForYou, people—specifically teens—took note.

It’s safe to assume that Instagram executives knew that its now-active campaign would work. After all, Instagram users have been talking about their mental health for a while.

“Through Instagram I was able to connect with other girls who were going through similar things,” Elyse Fox, famous Instagrammer, says.

Fox started @sadgirlsclubpbg, “an in-person group to show girls with mental illness that they aren’t alone,” Teen Vogue reports.

Although Fox feels free to share her feelings now, she didn’t always have that confidence. But because of her bravery, she’s helping other girls on Instagram become more vocal, too.

Why hashtags work

There is an inherent vulnerability with mental health.

Opening up about mental health issues means talking about something that culture typically deems “wrong and bad”, Nancy M. Mae, psychology expert, energy medicine expert, and author, says

Keeping conversations about mental health open and honest is the only way people can face their illnesses.

“It can often be very helpful to talk with others who are further along the path than where you are,” Mae says.

“They can give you the courage and inspiration to move forward on your own path. This is an element of social proof whereby we see someone else taking action, which in turn can propel us to take action as well.”

Mae explains that Instagram’s visual aspect can help build trust. So, hashtag campaigns are more than just a trend—they actually help users fell like they are part of a community.

“This gives you the opportunity to find your tribe, the people who you feel understand you, who can ‘see’ you and hear you,” Mae says.

A person’s life gets easier when she is heard and seen…That’s how she knows she isn’t alone.

Related on EcoSalon
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The post Can Instagram Actually Improve Mental Health? #NowWhat appeared first on EcoSalon.

You know how the right Instagram filter can make your skin look picture perfect? C’mon, we’ve all done a bit of selfie enhancing at one point or another. What if you could walk around IRL looking like your complexion had undergone your favorite Instagram filter? You can! And it’s called “blurring”.

Yet another Korean beauty trick in the books. This one goes by the name of “blurring” and it is the art of diminishing flaws, in a natural looking way, with a few makeup tricks.

Gone are the days of thick layers of foundation and highlighter used to mask pimples, spots, large pores, and redness. This cool procedure utilizes makeup and skincare products applied with a light touch, to sort of blur imperfections out of sight. Think: Taking the spotlight off of zits, wrinkles, and redness, rather than completely covering them up.

Originating in Korea (where beauty geniuses are born, apparently), the makeup trick has made its way stateside in a big way. If you walk by department store beauty counters you’ll likely encounter several blurring products. Try one on the back of your hand and you’ll see it creates sort of an air brushed effect that is super soft and smooths skin tone.

If you want to try blurring without the synthetic junk ingredients, and we know you do, here are some natural products for achieving the blurred look.

The Korean Beauty Blurring Technique in 5 Steps

1. Start with clean, moisturized skin. Soft and supple creates the ideal canvas for this look. Juara Sweet Black Tea & Rice Moisturizer

2. Primer will create a smooth finish and give skin a luminous look, and help makeup to stay put. Vapour Organic Beauty Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector

3. Choose a foundation that creates a dewy look rather than a matte surface. The key to blurring is patting makeup onto skin instead of swiping. ILIA Beauty Vivid Foundation

4. Now, before makeup has completely soaked into skin, go over with a soft brush. This will give the complexion that blurred look. RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Foundation Brush

5. Skip the powder. It can make skin look dry, and draw attention to wrinkles and imperfections. We are going for bright and glowing, here.

That’s it! Five steps to your best-looking skin. No filter needed.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Image of woman using brush on face via Shutterstock

The post Blurring: The Latest Korean Beauty Trick for Perfect Skin appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who doesn’t love a good selfie? If you are on Instagram, and here’s betting you are, you’ve probs doctored an image or two. Are we filtering and #nofilter-ing our way through life?

These days of reality TV overload and insta-public documentation of our every move, location, and meal has left us feeling the need to be camera ready at any given moment. But what non-reality star without the hair and makeup people has the ability to pull that off? No one. That means a little handy camera work has to take place, and take place often. You know how some women have that ethereal glow no matter what time of day they are posting and, yes, even on those “look how horrible I woke up” shots? It’s a filter.

Leandra Medine recently penned an article on an Instagram lashing out over an image she posted of her bare face. And she’s the Man Repeller, people! If she can’t get by with posting a not-so-perfect pic, who amongst us can hope to? In the article Medine goes on to say this inspired her to seek the help of a makeup artist who taught her how to diminish her flaws and highlight her attributes via contouring.

The question is … why do we have to look so freakin’ perfect all the time? Why is it not ok to post a pic where you look human? Is it because it is forever immortalized on the interwebs? Is it because an old boyfriend, rival or potential client may see you with a zit or dark undereye circles? Or is it because everyone else online seems to be flawless? Even when we happen to get a shot of ourselves that looks good, no manipulation, it has to be announced with a #nofilter tag. And even then, does anyone really believe it hasn’t been enhanced a little bit?

It leads us to wonder what we are doing to our young girls. They see teens on Nickelodeon or Disney Channel leading their daily lives in full makeup, done hair, and heels. Every Instagrammer or YouTuber they follow is picture perfect. Our society is inundating girls with the image of faultless looking people who are really just like them, zits and all. Can this really be good for anyone’s self esteem?

Then there are those of us who are decidedly unphotogenic. No filter, contouring, or app can do the justice of a mirror or real life because we can’t seem to take a good pic to save our lives. What’s a camera shy girl to do? That’s where those hand, lap, and feet shots come in handy. I speak from experience.

If you are simultaneously wagging your head in dismay over the horribleness of the filter generation and wondering which of those filters, exactly, would make you love your selfie more, here’s a list of which filters and apps to use to enhance your selfies.

CreamCam: Maybe the only retouch app any of us really need. This free app turns skin from real to flawless in an instant.

ModiFace: A free photo editor with reshaping and feature enhancing basics.

Perfect365: Hailed as the “one-tap makeover”, this free app lets you zap any spots, resize, and reshape.

Photo Wonder: This free app mixes serious with fun. Your basic retouch functions with creative background and collage choices.

Pixtr: A fancier retouching app that gets you picture perfect in one tap for $2.99.

Facetune: Fix your smile, skin, coloring, shape, hair, and just about anything else with this effects app for $3.99.

These are all fun and even kind of addictive. So what’s the harm done? Unless you are sending retouched pics out as headshots for paid modeling gigs, I can see none. But how great would it be to see a trend in posting real, unadulterated images of ourselves? You go first.

Related on EcoSalon

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Image of girl taking selfie via Shutterstock

The post Selfie Made: Is Looking Better On Instagram Than Real Life Worth It? appeared first on EcoSalon.

We all love our Instagram eye candy. Why not do yourself some good while getting your daily insta-fix? These pretty green beauty Instagram accounts are must-follows.

Instagram is a great source for the latest in, well, anything. And green beauty is no exception. Latest products, news, reviews, tips…it’s all there.

If you like your natural beauty inspo with eye catching appeal, and who doesn’t?, check out these Instagramers who know how to mix the good green stuff with some mad aesthetics.

9 Green Beauty Instagram Accounts to Follow Now

1 Abel Organics // There’s natural perfume, and then there’s natural perfume. This one made my list of top clean scent picks. And with good reason. It’s free from nasties and smells delightful. Perfume creation is not their only talent. These pics have that earthy feel down pat.

2 A Night for Green Beauty // Heard of ANFGB yet? It’s a hot, and getting hotter, annual green beauty event that brings top brands together for a night of meet ups, sampling, and fun. Event creators are the lovely ladies behind top organic beauty brand, La Bella Figura. Follow along for the latest on the event and some supreme connections.

3 Fig and Yarrow // Girly apothecary is what I’m calling this vibe. Fig + Yarrow makes fine natural beauty items, but their images alone will make you feel all kinds of pure.

4 Gressa Skin // This luxe natural beauty brand is not just expert in creating high quality skincare. Their account boasts the perfect mix of beauty tips, celeb spottings, and fem-power.

5 Lotus Wei // Flower power is behind the lovely products of this brand. So it makes sense that floral images abound on this account. A true beauty and another on my list of fave natural perfumes.

6 Lurk Beauty // It seems natural perfume makers also have a knack for creating beautiful images. Clean and bright, this account offers natural beauty info with equal parts happy living inspiration.

7 Mun Skincare // If you have yet to try Mun Skincare, do yourself a favor and get some now. Their facial oil is the bomb and celeb makeup artist, Kristen Arnett, agrees. Stop by this Instagram for product picks with sparkle and splendor.

8 Thoughtfully Magazine // We introduced you to Thoughtfully founder, Brandie Gilliam, earlier. Now I’d like to present her naturally perfect Instagram account. Stay abreast of anything Thoughtfully, plus some cool behind the scenes adventures. Let’s just say gorgeous pics are one reason Brandie now runs a mag.

9 Yuli Skincare // The labels on these fab natural skincare products were the first thing to catch my eye. But their Insta pics certainly don’t disappoint. Clean, modern, and totally unique, not unlike their product line up.

Don’t forget EcoSalon’s Instagram while you’re at it! Now go get your follow on.

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Image of woman looking at phone via Shutterstock

The post 9 Prettiest Green Beauty Instagram Accounts to Follow Now appeared first on EcoSalon.

Holidays (for most of us) bring clean, silent, and peaceful snowfall along with the spirit of giving. Here are the most beautiful and best of Instagram photos for this week, based on the popular hashtag, snow.

No matter what climate you are in, the holiday season reminds us of the warmth giving to others can bring. Let go of the pressure and stress this holiday season, and be aware of the simple joy of the now. Accept who we are, what we can give in this minute, and be grateful. We will find we give more than material things, and our presence becomes the real present.

So, if you are in a snowy zone, grab yourself a hot chocolate and cozy up to these beautiful pictures. And if you aren’t near snowfall, here’s a look into this week’s winter wonderlands around the world. Because it is also the most wonderful time of the year for remembering the warmth within us all, even amidst ice and snow.

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer” -Albert Camus

cessmontalvo

snakemorris36

legrandere

marii1267

carissaphotography

tkarkora

veronicabellino

ninja_ninjin

alex_olti

shadowbyjo

liftopia

photo_active

kenzie_m_johnson

bryoniouz

scobopro

treycw23

instaearth_

kittykatismylife

elsarose_xxxx

calidre

_football_fanatic_

ceciliebie

_lifethruthelens

serhandemirozer

ariella_xox

mohammadmesgar

gk_amber

Erinncoventry

See Also: 

Holiday Eggnog Recipe: Sip on Vegan, Alcohol-Free, Creamy Treat

30 Gorgeous Photos of Winter Snowscapes

Environment as Art: 15 Beautiful Photos of Nature

11 Absolute BEST Holiday Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List (Under $89)

Metallic Holiday Fashion Trends 2013: On Trend

featured image: luiseb24

The post Best of Instagram This Week: Peaceful Simplicity of Snow appeared first on EcoSalon.

Welcome to a new series in which we round up the best Instagram photos of the week based on a theme.

We love photo sharing, and now we are sharing our favorites with you. Each week we will pick a theme, and bring you a round up of our favorite Instragram photos under that theme uploaded from users around the world.

This week we are exploring street art. Street art can be sprawled onto a building’s side or squeezed into the unlikeliest of places.  We especially love thoughtful street art that is a little quirky or comes with an inspiring message, but always brings something brighter into our day.

kcole716

lafemme_boheme

mrjohnson612

stephaniepresavoine

ryannworld

dymagate

sergiobang

sgsatd

bonbonlight

trinibad84

heathermariejewell

streetartnyc

paul3057

skevalley

jack_mochan

just1titus

featured image: bigpicturestuff

Have an idea or theme for next week’s Instragram roundup? Tweet to @spadesandsilk

See Also:

Graffiti Art Turns the Museum Inside Out

The Gentrification of Graffiti

The post Best Instagram Photos of the Week: Thoughtful Street Art appeared first on EcoSalon.

The Instagram Video platform made Internet history this week, and not just because of a shirtless Ashton Kutcher (but, we’re not complaining about that part). Netflix made history, too. Twice. Looks like the Internet is here to stay.

Jobs, the forthcoming biopic (due in theaters August 16) about Steve Jobs, the late Apple co-founder, made Internet history as the first movie trailer to air exclusively on Instagram Video, the social medial platform for pictures and video clips.

“For the first-time ever, a movie studio has created and uploaded a trailer specifically for Instagram!” Open Road Films announced. “You’ve never seen an HD trailer on Instagram like this before.”

Instagram Video was added to the popular smart phone app on June 20^th, presumably to compete with Vine, the Twitter video app. But users haven’t had as much luck with Instagram Video as they have with Vine. Unlike Instagram’s main focus—well filtered photos—the video quality coming from most of the users’ videos looks raw, shaky, unedited. The professional movie trailer just underscores how bad the rest of the videos actually are. “[I]t’s clear that pretty much everyone is bad at Instagram Video,” reports Vanity Fair.

Still, releasing the Jobs trailer on Instagram shows where the audience is—and, not surprisingly, they’re on their phones, taking pics, or at least, looking at them, especially when a shirtless Kutcher is involved. Besides, we wouldn’t even have Instagram if it weren’t for Steve Jobs and his iPhone, right? The least we can do is watch the trailer…

And just days after the Instagram Video trailer aired, the Internet made history again when two Netflix-only series were nominated for Emmy’s. Both House of Cards and Arrested Development received 2013 Emmy nominations despite the fact that neither are viewable on network or cable channels, just the Internet. Yes indeed, the Internet is here for good! (Take that, 1981.) But, if you’re reading this, you already knew that.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image clip from movie trailer

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