Mommies With Style

The newest Palm Web OS update, 1.4,  is here — and now the Palm Pre Plus has video, among some other great functions. Disclosure: I am taking part in the  Verizon Palm® Pre™ Plus Mommy Blogger Program and will be testing out the phone for the next month on Mommies With Style.

Now, I can easily shoot video from my new Palm Pre Plus. but I can also make edits and upload my footage to YouTube or Facebook (or send them via email or MMS). It was really easy to shoot the video — here’s one of my first attempts.

Another feature of the update I liked were enhanced notifications: LED in the Gesture Area now lights up (and pulses) if I have a notification (even when the screen is off). I can also customize my notification sounds in messaging, email, and calendar. And there are new notification sounds in the ringtones library.

See more details of the Palm webOS 1.4 update in action here.  The Update will automatically happen once Palm webOS 1.4 is available on your carrier, but you can also trigger the update using the Updates app (which is what I did).  It will take a little while to upload and install.

Verizon supplied me with the new Palm Pre Plus and are paying for 1 month of service, including internet access. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mattel/Fisher-Price introduced many cool new products for 2010 at the recent ToyFair. As I walked around Mattel’s press section, I actually got overwhelmed. Broken down into sections and by sub-brands, they had so many products to show (and super-enthusiastic demonstrators)

Here are a few of my favorites.

The iXL (shown in picture above) is a story book, game player, note book, art studio, music player and photo album. It looked amazing and I would love a closer look! It will retail for $79.99 and was named the hottest toy for this holiday season by Mattel’s President.  It features and attached stylus pen, an SD card slot for expanded memory, and a USB cord to connect to the computer. Users will be able to add their own photos and songs (MP3s and WMAs)! It can store multiple software titles, songs, and pictures. While you won’t need cartridges, you will be able to purchase licensed software CDs ($24.99 each/sold separately). Ni-Hao Kai Lan, Disney Princesses, Handy Manny, Batman^TM, Toy Story^TM and SCOOBY-DOO!^TM software cds will be available June 2010; Shrek^® and SpongeBob SquarePants^TM software CDs will be available Sept. 2010. It will come in 3 colors – pink, blue and silver. Requires 4 “AA” batteries.

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I picked up the Palm® Pre Plus last week at the Verizon Store and was really wowed. I am taking part in the  Verizon Palm® Pre™ Plus Mommy Blogger Program and will be testing out the phone for the next month for Mommies With Style. While the phone is terrific, I admit I’m little overwhelmed.

They’re called smartphones for a reason — and I was so excited I was able to turn my phone on and automatically see my missed calls, email, twitter and Facebook notifications at the bottom of my screen. It makes this SAHM feel in touch with the world!  I love the touchscreen and also like that it also has a slide out keyboard. It also features multiple calendar syncing and a 3 mega-pixel camera with a flash.

Phone: I was impressed with the quality of the sound. It was much better than my basic Motorola Flip Phone model. The speakerphone can be accessed right from the touchscreen. In future posts, I will test it out with a bluetooth headset.

Use the touchscreen to select your contacts and to dial numbers. The cool thing is when you take the phone from your ear to hang up, the screen lights up and you can touch the screen to end your call. The phone locks when it’s not in use, so when you get a call, slide your finger up the touchscreen to unlock and answer.
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I’m very excited to announce that I have been chosen as a Verizon Palm® Pre™ Plus Mommy Blogger. I’ll be testing out the new Verizon Palm Pre Plus and blogging/vlogging about my experiences with it from now until the end of March.

The Palm Pre Plus is wonderful for moms (and dads) on the go! It features multiple calendar syncing, a notification panel right on the main screen that will let me know if I missed a call, or have a voicemail or text message. I’ll also be able to add my two email accounts, surf the web AND check my Facebook and Twitter (I’m Nancy_Horn on Twitter).  I spent a lot of time ferrying my four year old to school and to OT and PT — so having a second to check my email/FB/Twitter while I’m waiting for him will be terrific! The Palm Pre Plus also has a great 3 megapixel camera with a flash built in –think of all the great pics I can upload to Mommies With Style!

Click here to see a demo of the Palm Pre Plus. There are a lot more terrific features on this phone — stay tuned for more info!

Verizon supplied me with the new Palm Pre Plus and are paying for 1 month of service, including internet access. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are my own.

Amazon e-tailer Hubbagames has it listed for $34.79 (plus $3.95 shipping), which is better than the $49.99 Amazon and everyone else has it listed for.  If you’re looking to purchase, snatch it up at the discounted price while it lasts.

jill-e makes designer camera bags for women.  At first I was thinking, what would I use a camera bag for?  I have so much to tote around on a daily basis (and I’ve been out of the diaper bag stage for over a year).  But when delved into my bag, I realized that much of what I carry is electronic. 

Currently in my purse:  wallet, iPhone, iPod touch, Flip (camcorder), digital camera, bag of Animal crackers, a pair of sunglasses and a couple of sticks of lipstick.  Such is the life of a Mommy blogger.

So I became kind of excited to check out a jill-e small red leather camera bag when they sent me one to test out.  We’re headed off to Disney shortly and I’ll certainly be carrying a lot of electronics – it fits all of my daily items, plus some.  I’m able to use it as a camera bag and purse as I didn’t want to be carrying two bags.  I would imagine that those of you who use the big SLR cameras would be thrilled with this kind of bag. 

jill-e is also running a special for the entire month of February.  Any of the red and pink bags that carry the above 14% off tag are on sale for the month.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale will also be donated to the American Heart Association.

My kids received a lot of games under the tree. And you know my love of games. Some highlights (with quotes from the kiddos):

Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage When Big opened this one my 27 year old sister let out a sigh, “I really wanted that one!” Well, too bad, so sad, Big loves this game and he’s not giving it up. This game isn’t just fun, its creative fun.

Players mix up fancy jumps and moves to score points. But the creativity comes in as you learn to create your own jumps. Says Big, “its fun because you can do tricks and practice so you can be a good snowboarder.” He doesn’t like to use the Wii balance board for it, and its only an option when you play. Middle says the balance board slows him down (which, probably, is a good thing to do tricks, but they’ll learn this in time.) (By the way, Big tells me this game requires Wii Motion Plus to make it really work for him.)

My sister’s jealousy over Shaun White Snowboarding didn’t last long because she was quick to open Just Dance. And she squealed. Seriously. I had no idea but this was on the top of her wish list. Score one for the big sister! She says its “great for friends to just laugh and have fun but also a great work-out.” (I wonder how the neighbor below her apartment likes this one.) Apparently, this was a very hot gift this season amongst the teens and twenties. They love to jam to the music and are playing it with their friends. I’ll have to remember this one for babysitter gifts for the future.

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I have the hardest time blogging every year during the holidays.  Besides the fact that I’m busy with holiday stuff like the rest of the world, I think somehow my mind decides its time to take my online hiatus for the year. 

After five years of blogging, I’ve finally figured out my pattern.  Me + Christmas = no blogging for two weeks.  Apparently I’m slower than the average bear.

That said, hopefully you all understand why I’ve been so quiet and it won’t come as a surprise next year.  This week it’s back to the grind and I feel like I’m overflowing with reviews I want to do and share with the world.  So without further ado, thought it would be only fitting to give due to the products we had under the tree this past season that ended up being the greatest hits in our house:

Barbie’s Pink Glamour Camper.  Yes, I have two boys and I already reviewed this to explain why it was under the tree.  Now that it’s been opened and played with, I had to mention what a success it’s been in our house.  I won’t go into the details of how boys play a little bit differently with Barbies than girls (the inner girl in me almost had a cow when Barbie hung out the camper window by her beautiful since-turned-into-crows-nest hair) but overall, they are having tons of fun playing with this toy.

The Quadrilla Marble Run. I got it from Nubius Organics and while it’s an expensive toy, I can see why it’s worth the cost.  This is a quality, solid product.  The pieces are made of wood and the marble run itself allows for endless building possibilities.  It’s seriously fun for the whole family – we’ve already spent many hours building (and knocking down) various marble runs.  Even the cats love this one.  And I heard through the grapevine that my 6 year old told his Kindergarten class yesterday that this was his favorite Christmas gift. 

It’s looking like it’s out of stock at the Nubius Organics site, but if you bookmark it or see something else there, be sure to use coupon code MWS15 to receive 15% off your order.  Otherwise, they have it on Amazon with free shipping.

And while I’m not one for perfume typically, I love my new Reese Witherspoon In Bloom Body Mist from Avon.  I received a bottle awhile back as a sample but hadn’t checked it out.  As Santa went light on hubby and I this year, we wrapped this up to stick it under the tree.  I finally got to using it and love it.  It’s a very light scent – just enough for me.  The price is right too – $15 for a 3.4 oz bottle.

Hubby loves his Nike+iPod running device and it’s already encouraging him to get out there and run more.  A great one for helping New Years resolutions and just a cool product for anyone who likes to chart progress.  Read my review from December to check out the details.  $19 or $29 at the Apple Store, depending on which version you need.

Caution: this post involves my boobs, make-up and my penchant for John Hughes films. Consider yourself warned. What does Virgin Mobile’s Rumor2 phone have to do with all this? Let me explain.

I should start by saying, I’m not giving up my iphone. Not a chance. I love that thing. I love it so much that I love it to DEATH. On a regular basis. I’ll be crafting a live story on Whrrl or using it for an emergency tarot card/horoscope reading when a bird poops on me. I’ll be competing against my 5yr playing Flick Fishing or taking pictures of stuff, like uh, you know, my own cleavage. And then poof. That battery goes from 10% to R.I.P. in six seconds flat. Right when I was supposed to do a conference call.

This is why I leapt at the chance to review an LG Rumor 2 phone from Virgin Mobile. Virgin’s model is pay and go and a good value at $50/month for unlimited calls without a contract. It’s a great phone with all the bells and whistles, at a great price. No contract needed. This is a good thing for a backup phone, or phone you give to your tween or teen part time, or to a sitter or grandparent while watching the kids. They sent me the phone, prepaid for a month. I had to swat away my teenaged daughter’s twitching texty fingers and find a safe place to secure my emergency back up.

I found that place. In my bra. Laugh if you will, but a bra is a great place to carry your cellphone in a pinch!

Virgin is currently running a Sexiest Mouth in America contest where you can take a picture of your smoocher and win cash and a free phone and a year of free calling. They’ve partnered with E.L.F. on this effort. Here is my segue way into the John Hughes thing. I was at an ELF Makeup at Home Party last night, talking about the phone in my bra thing, and trying on lipstick. I started to reminisce about Claire/Molly Ringwald from the Breakfast Club and attempted to recreate the lipstick application scene. The color was Trendsetter from the mineral line, by the way. Love that color & collection! Click the link above to see the party.

If only I could phone home AND apply lipstick from my cleavage. Then I could win this “Sexiest Mouth” contest for sure.

For Him:
Does he like to run?  Consider getting him the Nike+iPod device.  I’ve been coveting one of these myself for so long that I did what any sane woman would do, I bought it for my running hubby and plan on borrowing it when I can.  (Good thing he never reads this blog, otherwise the cat would be out of the bag there!)

This product comes with a device from Nike that sticks to his running shoe.  It communicates with the runner’s iPod, giving them audio cues and taking down data along the lines of how fast and how far they are running.  He can sync up when he gets home and keep track of his running in a log on his computer.  Pretty neat.  I got it at my local Apple store.  You can find it at your local store or buy it at Apple online.  And be sure to check out which one you need – there’s one for $19 for newer iPhone and iTouch devices, some of the older ones will need the $29 version that comes with an add-on widget for the iPod.  $19 or $29 at the Apple Store.

For Her:
I became a big fan of e.l.f. Cosmetics last summer after attending a cocktail hour they hosted at BlogHer, a women’s blogging conference.  In short: their make-up is cheap and it’s awesome.  I’m no make-up expert but what I’ve tried, for the cost, is great product.  My favorite is the Mineral Booster, but I also use the Mineral Blush and several of the eyeshadows.  Guys – this is a great one for her stocking this year.  Troll the web for coupon codes because they often have sales, but even not, how can you argue with $3 eyeshadow and $1 lipsstick?  Right now they have a coupon code to receive a free mini-make up kit, use coupon code LOYAL to do so.

For the Kids:
So I got these Glow in the Dark Stars in-store at the mall for my kids for their stockings, and now see that they are 80% off on Amazon!  I’m too lazy to return them but you guys can take advantage.   They stick to the ceiling and I just know my kids will get a kick out of having these to look at.  They’re normally $19.99 marked down 80% to $3.99 on Amazon and ship for free.

I love this Christmas version GoFish from Alphabet Alley that you can buy on Mom4Life.  Use the special Mommies with Style link to get an automatic 8% off your order and then search on “Go Fish” and it will come up.  It’s $5.51 by the discount.  But hurry – you have to order by December 16th to ensure delivery for Christmas.