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The BlackBerry Z10

Posted on April 25, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I recently received a BlackBerry Z10 and accessories to test out and share ways that I use my cell phone to make life easier. There was no other compensation. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

In March, I was invited to NYC for a Verizon Wireless Life Style Blogger event. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend because it was during Passover. While I was home, I watched the #VZWBuzz Tweets of my fellow life style bloggers as they learned about new items available through Verizon Wireless. The hottest item was the sneak peek at the new BlackBerry Z10 phone.

A short time after this, I received a giant package from Verizon and BlackBerry. It was an amazing array of items to use with my brand new Z10 phone.

This was my first experience with a BlackBerry phone. As someone that is used to setting up other smartphone varieties, there was a bit of a learning curve here. Thankfully, there is a wealth of information on the Z10’s page over at Verizon. In addition to this, they have more videos about phones and services on their YouTube channel. Here is one in case you are not familiar with the features on the new Z10.

The initial set up of the Z10 was not difficult. Once I had my BlackBerry account set up, I was able to view the main screen. From here, I immediately went to BlackBerry World to look for some apps. The first one that I installed was Kindle. You never know when I may want to read on the go, especially while waiting for the kids outside of school.

The Z10 also reminded me about another service that Verizon Wireless offers. If you are not aware, Verizon offers Wireless Workshops. These may be completed online or in stores to help you learn to use your phone features. While I have never done any of these personally, I love that the option is there.

More of my thoughts on the Z10 coming soon, along with some features and apps that I enjoyed using. I would love to hear your experience with BlackBerry, their apps, and whether or not you have used a Verizon Wireless Workshop.

Categories:
Phone Apps Technology

Disney Parks Wild Side

Posted on April 24, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

When people think about Walt Disney World they may not picture the wild side to the parks. There are plenty of rides and adventures that are thrilling for those that prefer them. One of my favorites is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. So many amazing memories of this ride and others over the years. In addition to this, a new item that allowed me to conquer fears and walk on the wild side was the trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Now for a walk down memory lane.

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney travel vacation

Tuesday Tales – Picture Book to Celebrate Motherhood

Posted on April 23, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Sourcebooks. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Mother’s Day is coming and children all around will be drawing pictures, making gifts, and writing poetry for their mothers. Well, the younger kids will be doing that while the rest of us run around buying a greeting card to send/give along with a gift. Now, imagine being able to read a book with your child that celebrates not simply Mother’s Day, but the adventures of motherhood and love that we have for our children.

Oh, the Things My Mom Will Do… (Affiliate link to Amazon) – ISBN 9781402282157 – Written and Illustrated by Marianne Richmond – Sourcebooks Jabberwocky – April 2013 – 32 page Hardcover $16.99

Motherhood has taught me a lot. It has shown me how to be flexible, laugh at situations that may not seem funny at the time, and how truly the love for your child trumps all frustrations of life. Author and illustrator Marianne Richmond tells a story that celebrates the life adventure that all mothers can relate to. We know that there are times that we need to be goofy and sometimes a bit more serious. No matter which is needed the love for our children is always there and shines through when we need it.

One of my favorite pages of the book is when you see a child jump into bed in the middle of the night.

I can not tell you how many nights I have slept teetering on the edge and clutching for some of the blanket. While I may need a little more coffee the next morning, listening to the calm breathing of my little guy laying next to me melts my heart. I know the nightmare he had is gone and he is at peace. Yes, even JSL (5) thought this page was funny and he is the bed invader in our house.

I recommend Oh, the things my mom will do… because she loves me through and through! as a great way to talk to your children about motherhood and how sometimes they may not always think about the subtle ways you are there for them. Once again, Marianne Richmond shows that she is a double threat in the world of picture books for kids with her adorable story and fun illustrations. A year ago, we reviewed her book I’m Not Tired Yet!

Feel free to share some of your motherhood adventures in the comments below. As always, Tuesday Tales is about spreading love for books. Please share what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

Additional Disclosures: An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the book mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to purchase it through that link.

Categories:
books Tuesday Tales

Shutterfly Best Gift Ever and Giveaway

Posted on April 22, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: I wrote this post for Shutterfly as part of a Global Influence campaign. I will be receiving a 16oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug and shipping as compensation for participating. Shutterfly is also supplying the same item for the winner of the giveaway below.

How do you tell someone all that they mean to you? This is something that many of us often take for granted. I have to admit that I am probably one of those people, especially with TechyDad.

TechyDad and I have been married for almost 12 year and all but two of them have included our boys. Not only does my husband go to work each and every day to provide for our family, he does so much more. He is a supportive husband who did not question my desire to leave the classroom to stay home with our boys. TechyDad is a fantastic father. He loves to play with the boys and expand their horizons in all of the items that he enjoys. Watching the boys all geek out together is priceless. In addition to this, my husband is also my webmaster and 99% of the time he is our cook (he enjoys it – go figure).

TechyDad loves to take photos. When we go out and about, he almost always has his camera in hand. Macro photos and now experimenting on his SLR camera mean we have lots of pictures. The funny thing, he does not have many updated photos of our family at work on his desk.

Over the years, we have purchased items from Shutterfly, including personalized gifts for our kids and other members of the extended family. I loved that they are meaningful and show a but more TLC when selecting the item. Right now, I would love to get TechyDad a mug for tea or a desk top plaque with new photos that he will cherish. Of course, I could also sit down with the boys and make him a new personalized photobook filled with memories (we have made Shutterfly books for the boys before).

With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation season among us, we can look at the fun personalized gift options available via the Shutterfly Best Gift Ever page.

Giveaway Time:

Thanks to this Best Gift Ever campaign with Shutterfly, one reader (US or Canada) will be able to make their own personalized 16oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug plus shipping.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Head over to the Shutterfly Photo Gifts page and let me know in the comments what your favorite item is that you would like to give or receive.

The following Bonus Entry may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comment each time you complete this item.

1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway (may be done twice a day): #Giveaway for a personalized 16oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug from @Shutterfly http://bit.ly/11Bj3hU #win #ShutterflyGifts

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins April 22, 2013 ends April 28, 2013 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 24 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected.

Open to US and Canadian residents only.

If you are on Twitter and would like more chances to win prizes from Shutterfly, join @ResourcefulMom on Monday, April 2^ndfor the Shutterfly Twitter Party. More information on Resourceful Mommy including the RSVP and prize information.

Additional Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign. As noted, we have already purchased several Shutterfly products before, and the opinion expressed is 100% my own.

Categories:
gift ideas giveaway sponsored post TechyDad

A Spark of Inspiration

Posted on April 19, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

A lot of the last few months feel like a blur to me. Thanks to items going on in the background, I was focusing a significant amount of my attention to those areas. During this time, I was able to keep up with blogging and freelance writing. Unfortunately, other projects had to take a backseat. There was simply no time to develop them to the level that was required. Call me a type A individual, but I can’t put partial effort into something.

Yesterday, Christina from Well, in THIS House… and I went to a networking event held by Women TIES. The luncheon included an educational program with a focus. The theme was “How to Get Companies to Pay You to Market to Your Audience” with keynote speaker Shannon Cherry.

I had met Shannon before, but not on a professional level. Her enthusiasm and helpful hints made the wheels in my head start to go a mile a minute. I drove home thinking about ways to dust the project off and twist it to something new and even more exciting. A huge thank you to Shannon and the other women in the room who are leading the way to empowering more of us to try new things, think outside of the box, and get out of our comfort zones.

Of course, I also hope to connect with more of the people that were at the event thanks to the sheet with contacts. The fun part, one of the people there was a seventh grade teacher that I had for Social Studies.

So this week I ask you, what are items that have served as sparks of inspiration in your life? I would love to hear about them and please include a link in the comments if you have written about them.