Month: March 2014

K-9 Mail Android App

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Ok, I’ll admit it. My Galaxy Note 3 isn’t perfect, but I’m still enjoying my Note 3 more than I did my iPhone. I even view the Note 3 on different terms than I did my iPhone 4s. The iPhone quickly became a necessity that I needed to communicate and occasionally surf the web or play with a few apps. The Note 3 is my “do-everything” companion. I love discovering new features and just plain using the phone even after a month of use (I believe my original iPhone 3G may have seen 1 week of this type of use, and the 4s… Ha!).

The previous being said, I will now admit the native email client on my Note 3 was a little less than desired, so I searched the internet for options. The solution I chose, K-9 Mail. This Android app is wonderful. It syncs my email instantaneously, offers color coded organization, and unlike many apps, a combined email box for all email accounts.

Other cool features of K-9 Mail (that I’ve discovered so far) are the customization of notifications using the LED light of the Note 3, manual selection of folders to auto sync, and it’s instantaneous sync abilities (the app notified me of new mail at the same time the GMail app did, and sometimes before!).

I highly recommend you try this app if you are feeling disappointed with the native Note 3 email client. The K-9 Mail app has become my new best friend (just don’t tell my dog Bernie 😉
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My ipsy Glam Bag for March 2014

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I received my March ipsy Glam bag filled with wonderful goodies 🙂

My first love in the bag was the Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer. This primer comes in a nice shade with a soft glimmer to it (not to shiny). It gives my facial skin a nice smoothing effect and helps to tone done a the tiny bit of redness I experience after a deep cleanse.

The next product I love that came in my bag was the Nicole by Opi nail polish (I’m an Opi polish junkie). The color is a nice spring blue called “On What Grounds”. I carry my own color to my nail salon, so this polish will be used (I carry my own polish because if I chip a nail or similar nail mishap I’ll have the color on hand for quick fixes. This is especially ideal for travel out of town.)

The Be a Bombshell eyeshadow is third on the list. It features darkly rich colors in its Bora Bora compact. The colors are different from my normal pallette, so I definitely have to find the right occasion to wear them..I’m thinking they could create an awesome look when I chaperone prom this year.

Last on my list, and probably won’t receive much wear, the Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie lipstick. Unfortunately, my skin tone is not ready for the “Get Ready” sample shade I received 🙁

Did you get an ipsy bag this month? What were your favorites?

#ipsy

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Update to Jawbone Up Android App Now Supports Up 24 Band

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On yesterday I got a pleasant surprise… The Aliph company finally updated the Android version of its Up app to support the Up24 band! This is great news since I own an Up24 band and I recently purchased a Galaxy Note 3. What is the Up24 band or even a standard Up band? It’s a product that falls in the same fitness accessory category and is similar to a FitBit and Nike Fuel band. The Up24 band, via a bluetooth connection, will sink your daily activity data with the app on your smartphone or tablet. Activities include step count (first and foremost), sleep tracking, and timed exercises (running, power walking, etc.). For more information about the Up24 band click here.

What do I like about the Up24 band versus similar products? THE Up24 band is stylish and lightweight.  It is barely noticeable. It carefully tracks sleep. The app allows you to log meals, so you can dump apps such as “Lose it!” Unlike many similar products, the app displays the number of steps you take and not “points”.

If you are in the market for an exercise “companion” and tracker, I would absolutely suggest you try the Up24 band. You will be motivated to meet your health goals!

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Current Hair Care Routine

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My hair isn’t very porous, thus I leave nothing to chance. Sooooo… Here’s my current routine:

  • Co-wash every 3 days
    • I section and wash my hair with a co-wash cleanser such as Shea Moisture’s Co-wash Conditioner Cleanser or Eden’s All Natural CoWash. I also use conditioners such as Shea Moisture’s Curl & Shine Conditioner or Alaffia’s Everday Shea Moisturizing or Coconut Super Hydrating Conditioners.
    • After the wash I will deep condition if this is my second co-wash for the week see below in the “Shampoo” Wash section for more info about deep conditioning).
    • I follow with Shea Moisture’s Yucca & Baobab Thickening Growth Milk (hair) and olive and coconut oils (scalp and a little on hair)
    • Finally, I use Numa’s Honeysuckle Kiss Leave-in Conditioner
    • I usually twist-(out) using Camille Rose’s Almond Jai Twisting Butter (just a little for hold) or Numa’s Sweet Honey Loc & Define Pomade
  • “Shampoo” Wash every 2 weeks or when necessary
    • Pre-poo with olive and coconut oils (a lot on scalp and hair) and a conditioner such as Shea Moisture’s Curl & Shine Conditioner or Alaffia’s Everday Shea Moisturizing or Coconut Super Hydrating Conditioners. After I apply the oils and conditioner I put on a conditioning cap and sit under a cap dryer for 20-30 minutes.
    • I rinse my hair and wash with a natural/organic ingredient (mostly) shampoo. Shea Moisture and Alaffia are the brands I’m currently using. I also have a little bit of Taliah Waajid Clean and Curly Shampoo (gifted by a friend) left.
    • Depending upon the type of deep conditioning I plan on using, I may follow the shampoo with a standard conditioner.
    • A deep condition is completed after my wash. I currently use Shea Moisture’s Deep Treatment or Anti-Breakage (I use a standard conditioner after my shampoo if I use this as a deep conditioner) Masques. I apply the product and sit under my cap dryer for another 20-30 minutes
    • After I rinse the deep conditioner, I massage my scalp with olive and coconut oils (I rub a small amount of the oils on my hair).
    • I seal everything in with  Numa’s Honeysuckle Kiss Leave-in Conditioner and style (see twist-(out) above).
  • Other things I believe help …
    • A good multivitamin. I take food/plant based vitamins because other vitamins, such as Centrum, make me nauseous 🙁 Currently I take Whole Foods‘ Women’s Food Based Multi
    • I also try to properly manage stress and exercise.

I feel like I’ve cheated on my “boyfriend” of 6 years …

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Two weeks ago I made “the switch”. After six years of using an Apple  iPhone(s), I “upgraded” to a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I must say, I am impressed. The Note 3 obviously has more features than an iPhone:

  • Larger screen size
  • Multi app views (while this is restricted to certain apps, it is still very nice)
  • Customization features (I really love the widgets!)
  • LED indicator
  • Stylus (I love to write notes and doodle during meetings 🙂 )

The only problem I have with the Note 3 is the large/long learning curve. I’ll admit it has taken me the entire first two weeks that I’ve owned the phone to totally acclimate myself to it. That being said, if you purchase, make sure you have a few days to review all of the features, even simple ones such as making a phone call 😉

So, why did I switch? Simply said, over the past 6 years, the iPhone has remained “simple”. If you like “simple” then by all means stick with the iPhone.

Definitely no regrets in switching… Now if I can just decide whether to divorce my “husband” the iPad 😉

The Good Hair Shop

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I did it! I finally found the perfect salon and stylist to fit my hair care needs. I really love The Good Hair Shop and the stylist/owner Mrs. Kiyomi Rollins. She has wonderful styling products that are handmade as well. If you live in Atlanta (or visit) or if you want to try new wonderful hair care products visit the shop online for appointments or to create your order at: http://www.thegoodhairshop.com/