Categories
Fabulous living

MacBook Air Review

Hey guys!

Happy Tuesday!

I hope your week is off to a great start. This is my midterm week so it will be a busy week, but luckily I will be heading home for fall break at the end of the week which will be well deserved.

Today I am going to be reviewing something that I can’t live without, my laptop. As a busy college student, I don’t go anywhere without it, it’s in my backpack, in my purse, on my desk in in various study places around campus.

***This post is not sponsored or is an advertisement. I’m just sharing my personal thoughts on this product. ***

Hard at work

I got a Mac Book Air at the start of my Junior year of college. Now, I do have an iPhone and iPad, but this was my first MacBook product. In the past I used a PC, Lenovo, which I really loved. However, as I was getting older and needed my laptop for more things, I realized the MacBook Air was the way to go for me. I have loved using my new laptop. I got it on a back to school sale through Apple which gave students a discount which was great, in addition to the discount I also got a free pair of beats with my purchase. The bundling program through Apple made it affordable and useful for back to school students everywhere.

Unboxing it for the first time

I got my new laptop the day before I headed back to school, so it was a busy last ay home. However, Apple made it easy to transfer my files from my old laptop to my new laptop with just a simple app. It did take several hours to transfer all my documents, pictures, and videos, but when I did it was so helpful to have them all on my new laptop ready to go.

Some of my favorite things about my laptop include the fact that all my devices are connected. I can check my text messages, emails, see my pictures, and use my favorite apps all on my laptop. It makes connecting with people so much easier with everything in one place.

I got my nw laptop the day before I left to go back to school, talk about nerve racking

Another feature that I really like about my MacBook Air is the software, it is easy to use, and although it may take some getting used to after being a PC user for so long, it has really been helpful to have an easy software to use.

The Macbook Air is lightweight and has great battery life. With my old laptop, I always had to bring my charger with me and constantly charge it, now I can go several hours without having to charge it, this comes in handy when I am on the go.

Getting it all set up

I have only had it my Macbook for a few months, but I have loved every second of it. Not only is it easy to use and great to have all my devices connected along with photos, videos, and messages. Yes, this was an investment, but It has been worth it. I had my last laptop for 6 years, so I knew I needed a change, especially when it was practically falling apart. I am looking forward to seeing what other features I can take advantage of with my laptop.

If you have a MacBook Air or Pro what are your favorite tips, tricks, uses for it? I am always looking for new ways to use my technology to simplify my life.

Categories
Fun Ways to Organize

What’s on My Phone?

Hi Guys!

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had restful weekends! My weekend was pretty busy between homework, work, and the semester full underway, it was hectic to say the least. I am looking forward to this coming weekend as it will be filled with activities, family, and some R&R!

On today’s agenda, I wanted to share how I organize my phone and some of my favorite apps on my phone that make my life easier and more efficient. Now, as 20 year old, I do use social media a lot on my phone both for my blog and for my own personal use. However, I am just going to focus on apps, that make my life easier and more organized. This post is not sponsored or an advertisement, I’m just sharing what apps work best in my life and how I keep my phone organized.

What’s on my iPhone?

On the first screen, I keep most of my apps in their original place. I don’t like to move my apps around too much because I like to keep it simple and not complicated. My phone, safari, mail, music, messages, and notes are all near each other so I can access them easily.

First screen

On my second screen are the more speciality apps.

Second Screen

My first row are my apps for social media which include Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and the E News app where I get all the scoop from Hollywood. I use these every day even multiple times a day.

The second row are apps that I use that are clustered based on use. (minus pinterest- another form of social media but I ran out of room on the first row). My first cluster is for school. Outlook is great for collecting my school emails, GroupMe is so helpful for group messages, Schoology keeps all my assignments in one place, Cam Scanner is great for copying notes, and Remind is a great Reminder app.

School Apps

My second cluster is for work which include Linkedin, Facebook, and Messenger all used for work purposes not fun.

Work Apps

The last cluster is all the other apps that I don’t use all the time including Contacts, Stocks, Files, Compass, any other apps that I don’t use all the time.

Extra Apps

The third row includes my personal apps which include my online banking app, my Fitbit that tracks everything on my Fitbit, my Countdown app for important days, and Sprinkle of Jesus, a great app full of inspiration.

My last row includes three clusters.

The first for entertainment; which include Amazon Music and Video, Netflix, Pandora, and Podcasts, they are tucked away so I’m not distracted.

Entertainment Apps

My second cluster  has my favorite shopping and food apps which include Apple Wallet, Amazon Prime, and Panera Bread and Chipotle, my favorite eateries.

Food and Shopping Apps

Lastly, photos and videos which includes Layout, VSCO, Followers, and Repost all important for blogging.

Photos and Video Apps

Now onto my favorite apps.

–       Notes

Everyone with a smart phone has some kind of notes app and it is so helpful. I use my notes every day. I keep To-Do lists, Reminders, Movies that I want to watch, and Books I want to read, Passwords, and anything else I need to be accessible at all times. I use my notes all the time and it is so helpful to have it be synced with laptop and ipad to I have all my notes with me on any device. Notes keeps me on top of anything that gets thrown my way through the day.

–       GroupMe

This is one of my most used apps. It is an app just for group messages. It is so helpful to keep all my group messages in one area and not mixed in with all my other personal messages. For my job at school, we use GroupMe to communicate fast and efficiently. GroupMe is also super helpful when it comes to group projects, work meetings, or just friends making plans.  This app is free and can be found in the app store. Overall, GroupMe has made my life at school much more organized

–       Sprinkle of Jesus

Not an organizational tool but this app sends you positive reminders and mantras throughout the day. Whenever, I need a pick me up, Sprinkle of Jesus is always there. Some of the quotes hit close to home. They also have great content too. This is free and found in the app store.

Whew, that’s a look into my phone and what apps Im totally hooked on. Also, I keep my background fairly simple so I’m not distracted with a busy background. What apps are you hooked on and what tips do you have when it comes to organizing your phone?

Categories
Fabulous living

Pinterest: Success or Fail?

I love baking, and trying new things. I was home for Fall Break a few weeks ago and besides being home and seeing my family, I wanted to try some new recipes. I hit up Pinterest and a few of my favorite blogs for some ideas.

Here’s the first one I tried. You can see the full recipe here. It was a delicious fall treat for October.  Here’s a quick recap:

All you need are some apples, crescent rolls, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, all spice seasoning  and butter.

You are going to lay out all your crescent rolls all spread out on a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet.

Slice your apples and peel the skin off if you so choose.

Apples and butter mixture

In a bowl you are going to melt your butter and mix in the sliced apples.

Crescents with the mixture on them

In a second bowl you are going to mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice and then you are going to spread it over each crescent roll.

Rolling crescent rolls with the apples and mixture

I used the large crescent rolls so I put two apple slices per roll, in the future, I am going to put more than two because I found while eating them there was too much pastry and not enough apples.

Ready to be put in the oven.

You are going to roll the crescents up, put one coat of the melted butter over top each roll and put some of your mixture on top of each crescent. Bake it for 28 minutes at 350 degrees.

Ready to eat for delicious fall treat!

Take them out and cool. Eat them warm for a delicious fall treat.

I hope this gives you some ideas for fall treats. I ate this as a dessert but they would also be great as an appetizer or lunch snack. Give it a try and let me know what you think of it. What are your favorite fall snacks?