NEW LENS | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Boxing Day shopping. I woke up at 5 am on Saturday because it was Boxing Day. I only had my eye set on one item from Best Buy, which opened at 6 am. I was originally planning to buy it online, but it sold out. Every year, my family goes to the same mall, and they have a Best Buy there. First, we decided to go to the Best Buy closest to us. When we got there, there was a line already formed around the store. Although the store would open in 10 minutes or so, we were NOT going to wait in that long lineup. So we drove straight to the mall. We arrived at the Best Buy there a few minutes after 6 am and the line was much shorter. It had already opened, and people had already gone in. When my mom and I went in, we headed straight for the "Camera and Accessories" section, where a line was already starting to build up. I stood in line waiting with the flyer. One of the workers came around asking each of us what we were purchasing, and I told him what I wanted so he went to get it (because they're locked up in a display case). I went to look at something else while my mom stood in line to pay for me (BTW, I did pay her back with my own money). When I got back to the line, my mom wasn't there. Turns out, most of the people in the line were waiting to buy the new Microsoft software or really expensive items, like the GoPro. Since mine was about $150, and it was a lens that not many people were buying in store. So my mom got to pay for it earlier and we were out of that store at around 6:30 am.

Now that I'm done rambling on about my Boxing Day shopping experience, let me tell you about the lens. I uploaded a review video on the lens so click here to go watch it! I am in no way an expert on cameras or lens. Anyways, I got the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens. I've heard so many good things about this lens, even my friend recommended it to me! Here are the first few photos I took with the lens:

I'm in LOVE with the quality. Look at that blurry background!! First thing you should know before purchasing this lens, the focus is a little noisy. If you plan on using this lens for photography, it shouldn't be much of a problem. But if you're using it for video, I wouldn't recommend having it set to autofocus, I would keep it at manual focus. However, from the reviews I've seen on YouTube, the focus on this new and improved Canon 50mm lens is much quieter than the old nifty-fifty. Second thing, it is heavier than the old 50mm lens because instead of having a plastic ring (where you attach the lens to the camera body), the ring is metal. Third, the autofocus, while it is noisy, it is much quieter and faster than the old nifty-fifty. Anyways, I hope you guys had a great Christmas and Boxing Day!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope all of you had an amazing Christmas and spent lots of time with friends and family! I hope you guys got all the presents you wanted! For me, Christmas is a time when my parents and my relatives aren't working and we can actually spend time to reminisce on the finer things in life. But seriously, I love Christmas, it's my favourite holiday! Winter break is coming to an end very soon. And also, there was no snow this year. It's so weird because it actually felt pretty hot today. And I live in Canada, where the winters last till April, and even when there's like 4 feet of snow, we still have to go to school. Dreading going back to school in January because I have an abstract art assignment that's due as well as my business assignment!! 

On a lighter note, I uploaded my Christmas haul to my channel! Click the link here to go watch it https://youtu.be/J5Ei4G2pqY4! This Christmas, we opened our presents later than past years, so that's why I uploaded it later this year. Anyways, I have to go to sleep NOW, because I have to get up early tomorrow for Boxing Day shopping!!! Goodnight, and have an amazing holiday!

- XOXO Alli

Christmas Countdown: 5 days!!!

Christmas is fast approaching, there's only 5 days standing between us and all those presents!!! But honestly, let's just have a little talk. I just watched a Christmas presents prank video, and while it was funny (I have to admit), it made me realize that a lot of children only look forward to the presents.

We're celebrating the birth of Jesus on the 25th. And it's a day for us to spend time with friends and family. It's that time of year when my parents aren't working, and we get to reminisce old Christmas traditions. 

All I want to say is to enjoy every Christmas as if it was the last time you were going to be with your family. All of us are growing up. Before I know it, I'll be graduating high school and moving on to the next chapter in my life. University... Get married... Have kids...? It's all so crazy to me. When I have my own family, I might not celebrate Christmas with my parents anymore. So this is the time to make these moments count. 

Hope y'all are enjoying the holidays! 

(Also, I am officially on winter break! I also uploaded my Christmas wish list video, so go check it out!!) 

PS... Thanks for 90 subscribers on allixx4!!!! Do you think we can get to 100 by Christmas??? ;)

New camera!

On Black Friday, I bought a new DSLR camera! I got the Canon EOS Rebel T5i w/ 18-55mm kit lens!! It came with a DSLR bag and a 75-300mm lens! I just got it Wednesday. I was supposed to get it on Tuesday, but no one was home to receive the package.

I paid for this camera with my own money and I'm so happy to have this beautiful piece of equipment. I'm so excited to start using it and test out different shots with it. 

Here are a few photos I first took with my new camera:

I know they aren't the best, but I'm still a beginner at this. 

Thank you guys so much for 80 subscribers!!!!!!!! Also, I just posted a new video today, check it out! It's a makeup haul!

70 subscribers on allixx4!

I woke up this morning to find that I reached 70 subscribers on my main channel! I'm so thankful for every single on of you!! Thank you so much! Around this time, last year, I had just reached 10 subscribers. It's crazy how far I've come. Yeah, I know it's not 1000 or 1 million, but I would have never thought that I could reach 70 subscribers when I started my channel.


Speaking of my channel, Christmas is coming up. I was thinking of starting my Christmas video uploads next week, but I'm not sure yet. Let me know what you guys prefer! I have also decided that my Christmas series will be called #allixxmas! Get it? "alliXX4"? "Xmas"? I definitely want to blog a lot more during the winter season!


Also, I just found out on Friday that I made the swim team yet again! If you didn't know, I was on the swim team at my school last year as well. Ironic that I received good news (making the swim team) on Friday the 13th.. but. Swim team is basically 90% of my time, and the practices can be tough, but I really enjoy swimming and it's also where I met some of my closest friends. Please understand that I have to make a minimum of 3 practices a week. As well as maintain an average of 60% in school. I'm also in the biggest council in my school and on the yearbook committee. I definitely have a lot on my plate, BUT that doesn't mean I won't be making videos. I just want to let you guys know that from time to time, I may not upload as frequently.


Thanks again for 70 subscribers! XOXO

Fall OOTD!

Tammy and I went out to this nature-y place and filmed a look book type OOTD video there! I tried to edit the video all fancy like with just music playing, and no voiceovers. I did say how I wanted to mature my channel, so I don't know if you guys like these kind of videos. Or if you prefer me sitting in front of a camera talking... Let me know!! But anyways, I really like those kinds of videos, so I might try it out for the next few videos. If any of you are wondering, the song I used in the video is 'Always Be' by Holley Maher. And it may sound familiar because I heard it from Aspyn and Parker's wedding video! I've been obsessed with Hailey Devine's YouTube videos lately, and I really want to get into videography. But, that's a whole other subject to save for another blog post.

Here are some pics we took while filming:

I'm starting a book club?

My book collection has been expanding a lot recently, and I'm actually so excited to start reading them! I had the idea to start a book club! I think it's a great way for me to interact with you guys and discuss what we liked about the book. I also need to read more!

I recently got Tyler Oakley's 'Binge' and I Am Malala'! Two books written by two inspirational people. I am currently reading Connor Franta's memoir 'A Work In Progress'! If you guys like the idea of a book club, let me know!

XO Allison