Monthly Archives: December 2012

Droid Incredible 4G LTE Smartphone by HTC for Verizon – Review and #Giveaway | @HTCUSA

Contests, Giveaways, New posts, Smartphones, , ,

A couple of years ago, HTC’s Droid Incredible launched with great reviews and high sales.  The 4G LTE version is the third model in the line of Droid Incredibles, and is a very well designed phone. The HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE is available on Verizon, and is a great family smartphone. The phone itself is sleek and modern, and features competitive hardware. A snappy 1.2 GHz dual core processor powers the phone. It features a 4 inch screen with a 960×540 resolution, and 8 GB of internal memory expandable with an SD card slot.

Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC for Verizon Wireless
Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC for Verizon Wireless

The phone features an 8 MP camera and takes full HD video, making it perfect for capturing special moments. A front facing camera for video calling makes staying in touch with long-distance family easy. Like most smartphones, a built-in GPS provides directions as well as allows location information to be added to online posts, a great feature for bloggers! Integrated Google Maps and Navigation apps give directions and make it easy to find new places to visit around town.

Version 4.0 of the popular Android operating system is included, and has great integration with Google products, including Gmail, Google’s popular email service. The native email app syncs with other popular email services to make most email accounts easily accessible on the phone. Google’s Play Store is another built-in app, and offers a massive marketplace of apps, books, music, magazines, and movies. Verizon loads several of their own applications on the device, including one that easily creates a mobile hotspot to provide Internet access to your laptop, if your data plan supports this feature.

Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC for Verizon
Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC for Verizon

Busy moms will love the Netflix app, which makes streaming movies and videos simple. This app is great for relaxing on the go, or even for a family movie night when connected to a television. Several readers, available in the form of Google’s Play Books, Amazon’s Kindle, or Barnes and Noble’s Nook, allow you to read your favorite novels right on the phone, and connect to popular e-reader platforms if you already have an account with one of these companies.

Facebook is a popular app for teenagers. The Facebook app for Android is free and has most of the social features offered by the full site. The Fandango app is another popular one for teens who love going to movies with friends, and makes it easy to find movie times and other information about popular releases.

Busy moms and teenagers will appreciate receiving this phone as a Christmas gift! It’s slightly smaller than many other similar phones, making it extra portable. It still has all of the features, and is a great way to get entertainment on the go, from books to movies, for when you get a spare moment to relax. The Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC has all of the social features a teenager or busy parent could possibly want to stay connected to their friends and family at a reasonable price, and it can even be helpful for homework.

Both adults and kids will love the Droid Incredible 4G LTE.  I know I and my kids do!

Win a Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC for Verizon smartphone

Want to win a Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC for Verizon?

This is a subscriber only contest.  This means that you must subscribe to our email in order for your entry to be valid.

Use the form below to enter.

This contest is open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over only.  No P.O. Boxes.  Entries accepted through 11:59 December 31st, 2012.  The winner will be contacted by email and must respond to our email by January 3rd, 2013.  If the winner does not respond, another winner will be chosen.

I was provided with a review unit for review purposes and a unit to giveaway. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Pantech Flex Smartphone for AT&T – Review And #Giveaway | @PantechUSA

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Pantech Flex Review
The Pantech Flex is a great new Android smartphone that is available through AT&T Wireless. The device is loaded with a wide variety of great features, boasts a bright touchscreen and sports a wonderfully thin and unique design. It is the ideal smartphone for first time Android users and is perfect for everyone from teens to grandparents and everyone in between. It is well worth looking into the great aspects the Pantech Flex has to offer if you are in the market for a great new phone.
Pantech Flex
Pantech Flex

A wonderful device for moms, the Flex runs on the 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It offers the individual the option of using Easy Experience mode, which makes operation of the Pantech even simpler or the standard user interface can be used. It is a 4G LTE capable phone that connects to the fastest speeds AT&T has to offer, meaning it is a breeze to stream content, download anything and surf the web. It is a slim device at only 0.31 inches and very light at 132 grams.

Pantech Flex Easy vs. Standard Experience User Interface
Pantech Flex Easy vs. Standard Experience - User Interface

The display of the Flex is a Super AMOLED 4.3 inch screen that boasts a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels and 256 pixels per inch. Internal storage clocks in at 8GB, and the phone has a slot for additional storage, supporting microSD cards of up to 32GB.  My son is one who never thinks a device comes with enough interval storage.  He prefers devices that allow for additional storage via a microSD card.   1GB of RAM and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor allow it to pack a powerful punch. The Flex also provides the user with access to plenty of useful quality apps courtesy of Google Play. Facebook is one of the top free apps, and checking email is straight forward. Key Ring, an NFC enabling app, is pre-loaded in the Flex and makes shopping far easier as coupons, loyalty cards and other items can be stored within and scanned at various places.

Pantech Flex review
Click to enlarge

There are plenty of wonderful features that any mom would appreciate, such as an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera that is perfect for shooting photos of the kids. For all of the videos you’ll shoot with the Pantech Flex, you’ll be happy to know that it is capable of capturing 1080p video at 30fps. The secondary front-facing camera is a 2 megapixel shooter that is ideal for engaging in video chats with family and friends. Whenever I’m away on a business trip, I chat with the kids via video on my phone.  I can’t imagine going on a trip and not being able to see them!  The built in calendar allows the user to set up reminders for important events in life.

Overall, the Flex by Pantech is a great device for people of any age. It serves as a phone, organizer, camera and so much more. It also received the 2012 Red Dot Design Award, and with good reason.

Learn more about the Pantech Flex:

Would you like to win a Pantech Flex for AT&T?

This is a subscriber only contest.  This means that you must subscribe to our email in order for your entry to be valid.

Use the form below to enter.

This contest is open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over only.  No P.O. Boxes.  Entries accepted through 11:59 December 31st, 2012.  The winner will be contacted by email and must respond to our email by January 3rd, 2013.  If the winner does not respond, another winner will be chosen.  The winner is responsible for all services related to the phone.  Service is not included in the prize.  The unit used for this review is the unit the winner will receive.  A SIM card is not included in the box.

Win Pantech Flex Android Smartphone for AT&T

Oscar de la Renta Knows How to Dress a Child for the Holidays!

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13,

Oscar de la Renta..a name I grew up familiar with.  Not because I wore Oscar de la Renta clothes as a child but because the store my mother shopped at sold Oscar de la Renta and I would play in the isles while she tried on what seemed to be endless amounts of clothing and shoes.

When I cam across their winter children’s wear line recently, I fell in love in an instant.  The designs are gorgeously classic and the pieces are timeless fashion statements.

Here are two outfits I put together for my son and daughter:

Oscar de la Renta children's clothing
My Favorite Oscar de la Renta Children's Holiday Outfit for my daugther

This outfit’s main piece is the Plaid Gathered Sleeve Dress – $325

The ballet shoes are the icing on the cake.  The Sabrina ballet flats are crafted in Spain with luxurious velvet, leather soles and finished with a dainty bow. With styling so classic, your daughter will be able to wear these flats with jeans, a tutu, or her favorite dress.

Did you know that Oscar de la Renta has coordinating outfits for little girls and boys!  Maybe that’s the stitch that will bind my two together.. finally?

Sebastian, my 13 year old son, likes to wear stylish button down shirts but he pairs them with cargo pants most of the time.  That’s a little painful for me to see.  Better than basketball shorts to school every day though, isn’t it?

Here is the outfit that I picked out for my son:

Oscar de la Renta children's wear - Boys
My pick of Oscar de la Renta clothes for my son

The small check plaid shirt is right up Sebastian’s alley.  He loves checks and plaids.  I would totally wear this Cashmere V-Neck Sweater when he’s not wearing it but seeing as how he loves soft sweaters, I think my opportunities would be slim.  And don’t these shoes look so cool.. and comfortable?

 

What I love about Oscar de la Renta’s pieces is that they can be passed down from generation to generation.  It’s not just the classic designs of his children’s clothing, but the quality that make the pieces timeless, don’t you agree?  Some parents may wonder if they will get their return on investment if they buy their child an Oscar de la Renta dress or sweater.  Remember, that dress or sweater will be worn many times, and will likely be handed down or given to a family member who’s child will also wear it many times.

Do you already have your children’s holiday clothes picked out?

Nordstrom Marks Select UGG Styles Down + Free Shipping

Fashion & Style, Gifts, , ,

New UGG markdowns at NORDSTROM are going to make for some happy gift recipients this Christmas.  Or, maybe you will just buy a pair of UGG’s for yourself.  You know you’ve wanted UGG’s forever!  Or is that just me?

For those of you who would like to buy me a pair of marked down UGG’s, I’ll take the Caspia boot, the bottom right in the image below.  Rawhide laces style the front of this cozy short boot and it is lined with supple leather and plush genuine shearling.  If I was a bit taller I would like the Twisted Cable Over the Knee Boot but seeing as how I’m just over 5 feet tall, they would come up to my thigh.  That would not be so cute.

UGG Markdown at Nordstrom
UGG Markdown at Nordstrom

I really like the UGG® Australia ‘Elen’ Flat too!  I am not a fan of heels which means that my shoe collection is made up of flats, flats, and more flats.  These are cute and look super comfortable.

Plus Nordstrom offers free shipping & returns!

Order by 3:00 EST on Friday December 21st for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

Do you have a favorite pair of UGG’s?

 

Help Change the World with these Holiday Gifts + #Giveaway from @WorldVisionUSA

Contests, Gifts, Giveaways, New posts,

I remind my kids often that they are lucky to have a roof above their heads at night, two cars to travel in, food to eat, and clean water to drink. They look at me like I’m crazy.  I can’t emphasize enough to them that their life is easy.  This holiday season I will have something in my hands to show my kids that is connected to a community somewhere in the world that is not as privileged as we are.  I will have hand-carved serving spoons to help tell the story of orphans in the Kamba tribe of Kenya.  The serving spoons are made to benefit orphans of the Kamba tribe in Kenya. Each one is unique—just like the children they help.

This holiday season, let the scarf around your neck, the ornaments on your tree, or the wooden serving spoons on your table be conversation starters. What’s the topic? Children and families in impoverished communities and solving the challenges they are facing, such as access to food, clean water, education, and more.

World Vision’s Maximum Impact Fund gift catalog

How can a clothing accessory or table decoration contribute to this dialog? When gift-givers make a holiday donation through World Vision’s Maximum Impact Fund, the gift is used where it’s most needed, tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges. With a donation of $25 or more the donor receives a free gift (a few listed below) to wear, carry, use or give to a loved one.  Most of the Maximum Impact Fund items available in the catalog are made by micro-enterprising artisans around the world and the sale proceeds directly benefit their communities.

With a donation of $25 or more, the donor receives a free gift to wear, carry, use or give to a loved one.  Most of the Maximum Impact Fund items available in the catalog are made by micro-enterprising artisans around the world and the sale proceeds directly benefit their communities.

Here are a few gorgeous gift ideas from the catalog:

  • Tie the beautiful beaded ornaments to napkin rings as a vivid tabletop decoration. The set includes three handmade Zakale wire and bead ornaments from Nairobi. Meaning “reuse,” Zakale crafts are made from recycled materials by a group of Kenyan artisans reclaiming their own lives from poverty.
  • Dish up a holiday salad with unique hand-carved serving spoons made with care to benefit orphans in Kenya.
  • Accessorize for a holiday party with a silk scarf from the coast of Thailand. After the harvest season, the women of Thailand’s Surin Province put down the farming tools and take up the loom to hand-wove the beautiful Sabai scarves.
  • The BPA-Free 16 oz. eco cold cup comes in handy when on the run. Every sip is a reminder of those who’ve been helped.
Watch this YouTube video to learn more about how the Gift Catalog works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPlK9ILxEAs

Win Hand Carved Serving Spoons

One lucky reader will win these these hand-carved serving spoons.

Entries accepted through 11am December 26th.  Open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over only.  No P.O. Boxes.