Tech
this post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of verizon wireless
I spent this past weekend on a quick girls getaway slash reunion with some of my friends from college.
Though the appeal of bringing my real camera was there {gorgeous scenery and historic architecture}, the last thing I wanted to be doing was lugging around a heavy bag with fragile contents as we jumped from beach to bar to tours to eats. Instead I took the Nokia Lumia Iconfor a spin. Plus that way I could instantly share my fun and photos using the Verizon Wireless network instead of waiting to get home. I was a customer of Verizon’s before I started working with them and I continue to love their fast service and broad coverage.
If you haven’t used a Windows phone, they’re kind of fun. At first it seems different than what you might be used to, but it’s super intuitive and easy to navigate. It has all the apps I’m used to using on a daily basis, plus an awesome stock camera. I love that the “live tile” format lets me see what’s happening on any given app without having to open or load anything, but my favorite part is how well it meshes up with my computer since I’m a PC girl. Seriously, Microsoft office and SkyDrive on my phone so I don’t have to email article notes to myself? Yes please.
Pros
5” HD display
1080p with zoom video
Captures audio wherever it’s pointed
Adjust shutter speed, ISO, etc.
Power button placement
Fresh paint
make radio playlists to play offline
Cons
Delayed shutter speed if not using external camera button.
A little big for one-handed typing.
I’m still getting used to it and learning all the little tricks, but so far I’m liking it!
Have you used a Widows phone before?
this post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of verizon wireless
Products
The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Verizon Wireless.
There are a lot of things we’d all love more of, aren’t there?
– More time
– More money
– More sunshine
– More SPRING
– More muscle
– More endurance
– More strength
– More time …oh I said that, huh?
Guess you can’t really buy those thing at a store or pluck them off a wish-granting tree. That’s too bad. But there are ways to make some of those happen.
The only way I’ve figured out how to get more time is to do the dreaded, unrecommended time-management strategy of multi-tasking. Dun dun dunnn. I try to do it with things that won’t suffer from lack of total attention. Example: listen to a report on my phone while on the treadmill at the gym. I know, way less exciting than some good mood-boosting music. {I use the Sol Republic relay headphones I’ve mentioned before. Love that they actually stay in my ears.}
Or perhaps checking and replying to emails that only need a quick, non-indepth response if I’m a few minutes early picking the Kynado up from preschool. {I don’t waste a minute of precious school time. 
}
Or timing a conference call for when I’d be stuck in the car anyways. {Thank goodness for the invention of blue tooth.}
The downside is these things all require the use of your phone, minutes, and data plan. A plus since it’s an on the go option but still a negative because it’s easy to go over all that stuff especially if you share a plan. I’ve told you about Verizon Wireless’ EDGE program before; their newest program focuses on the plan instead of just the product. It’s called… MORE {surprise, surprise}. MORE Everything gives you a way to have more text, talk, and data, without spending more money.
It includes {among other things}:
– Shareable data
– Unlimited texting
– 25 gb cloud storage per user
So until there’s an actual way to really get more time, using technology is the best way I’ve found to get around it.
What to you do to squeeze in more?
Just a reminder, this post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Verizon Wireless. If you couldn’t tell.
Tech
{Name that movie and be my bestie.}
As summer winds down and the school year is getting ready to start, I’ve been feeling awfully guilty about my decision to send Kabes to preschool 4 days a week instead of 2 like most of our friends. This afternoon I was reminded why I made that decision. I’d hung up our wet towels from the pool and had just opened my computer to start working when I heard the telltale scream of nap that was over.
20 minutes.
all day.
husband gone for extended time.
work to do. lunch to eat. showers to take. house to clean. WORK TO DO.
And then I realize what I just said: I’d just hung up our towels from the pool. The pool. In the middle of a weekday. As I climbed the stairs to get my cranky, tired-but-won’t-sleep-more-baby, I think for the 1,000th time how lucky I am to be able to spend my days with him AND work.
I’ve said repeatedly how grateful I am to live in the 21st century and that statement holds even more truth now that I’m a parent. My mom never could have been at home and worked at the same time. I’m a part of the first generation that even has to consider “opting in”- there was never even a choice before.
Ironically, since I’m known for my ability to magically break anything electronic, I owe my gratitude to technology. On any given day I interact with no less than 5 amazing creations: my smartphone, a tablet, my laptop. A dishwasher that I can set to clean my dishes while I’m asleep. A dryer that will periodically fluff my clothes so they don’t get wrinkled while I forget I’m in the middle of a load of laundry. THE INTERNET. WiFi. Public places that have free WiFi. A video monitor that lets me watch my little guy sleep when he finally goes down peacefully for the night.
These crazy once-sci-fi-sounding things let me work from home, raise my child, and not feel alone while I do it. Have you ever worked from home? It’s totally awesome. For a week. Then it’s lonely, isolating, monotonous. Most of the time my entire socialization for the day comes from someone under the age of 2. But with Twitter, Facebook, and group texting, I’m able to connect with my friends at any moment of any given day. If I have a question I can ask people on Twitter {which will likely elicit a better response than said toddler}. I can plan a play date with mommy friends without having to scream over the raucousness of a 19 month old. I can keep up with friends from college in between writing for work. I’m currently looking at a thread of over 250 messages in a group convo on fb messenger with friends that span at least 5 states. I can go to the grocery store in the middle of the day when it’s not crowded and I can see my friends without having to wait until the babe is asleep. My family 2 states away can see our daily adventures on Instagram and witness how fast my little guy is growing. My son can Skype with his dad while he’s away for work, and I can spend time with my husband when he’s not traveling and working remotely from home.
So when I think about it I’m pretty ok with 4 days of school. It’ll let me dedicate time solely to work instead of having to balance running around typing on my tablet while playing choo choo trains and chasing deflating balloons around the yard. Perhaps, if I stay on top of things, it will even let me do something for myself. Me. Just me. {Whatever the heck that means?!}
How has technology changed or shaped your life? How do you use it to connect with friends, family, coworkers…?
