Earlier in December I took a 3 day break to Lisbon and despite only carrying hand luggage decided to bring the new camera on its maiden trip. 
This was my first time really playing around with the camera and where better to try than in Lisbon! I am still using the "Auto" settings but I have used the touch screen a bit to focus in further on subjects:

The camera bag I purchased with the camera proved to be more than a bit cumbersome. 
While it holds everything, is well padded and keeps the camera really safe, it's too big for walking around with. 
It has a zip and a catch so whipping out the camera quickly to take a shot is impossible. I tried putting it in my (massive) handbag and in my gear bag (I was on a surf trip) and it took up the whole bag. 
I was very mindful of the warnings I received when I purchased the camera: "Keep well away from sand and water" so I was afraid to not bring the full case with me each day at the beach. 
At night in the city I wrapped the camera in a scarf in my handbag or wore it around my neck and left the camera bag in the hostel.
So it was onto the google I went for my Santa wishlist. Christmas morning saw this beauty under the tree:

 
Of course it is available in other colours but I like the pink. Evecase is the brand and I believe Santa found it on amazon here.
As you can see, the camera fits in a different way. It's easier to pull out of the bag and only has a zip. 
It's well padded and has plenty of pockets. The charger also fits in neatly. We'll see how it goes!

.After years of wandering the world happily pointing and shooting and hoping for the best, I decided to take the plunge and get a "proper" camera.
DSLR to be specific. So after googling and googling and reading about Canon v's Nikon, Mirror-less v's Mirror-with and a hundred more choices inbetween, I decided this purchase had to be made old-skol- in a shop.
​On a trip to Limerick I called into Whelans Camera Shop where a lovely man patiently answered every one of my questions. The Nikon v's Canon debate was won by Canon by a small margin, namely touch screen. I was fairly sold on the Canon EOS 100D and it had everything I needed, except maybe wifi...
Back home, I visited The Galway Camera Shop and again looked at the EOS 100D but I had seen the EOS 750D on their website. Same features but the screen flips out and it has wifi!
Lucky for me there was also a Canon representative in the store also on the day.
This camera came with:

• ​€70 cashback after online registration
• Half day Canon camera course worth €150 
• Free SD card worth €25 (special promotion on the day)
• Free rugby ball (World Cup!)

You can also download two apps which I am finding really handy:

1. Canon Companion
2. Canon Camera Connect 

The Canon Companion is like a user manual on your phone. It has 3 main sections: Learn, Expore and Inspire. I plan on following the tutorial videos and trying some of the challenges while I'm waiting for the Canon photography course in February. 
The Canon Camera Connect is an app which connects your phone to your camera via wifi. You can then use your phone to browse your cameras' photos, shoot from your phone or change some of your camera settings. I have found it really easy to use and I think it will work really well when I'm traveling and want to put a few photos on my blog. 
I plan to blog my DSLR journey over the next few months. Follow my practice pics on Instagram @mstreacyloves2travel