I really love my iPhone. I think like most others who own one, it has become such an extension of me. Kind of like a third arm. I know I got along fine before its existence, but some days, I seriously wonder how. When they released the new version (2.0), Apple also officially opened the
App Store, which is where much of the magic really lies. I quickly downloaded several apps back then, and have since been adding new ones occasionally that will either help me with productivity, entertain me, or simply keep me up-to-date on news, resources or networking. I wanted to share some of my favorites "Apps", and ask what applications you guys out there are using and love?
1.
Facebook - I never have to go on an actual computer to update my status or confirm friend requests or write on walls. I use this almost every day. Love it.
2.
Grocery IQ - As a busy Mom who feels like she is
constantly at the grocery store, this app has been a total time saver for me. Now I don't need to write down all the things I need on paper, I just add them as I remember them. The foods are organized in the list like you would find them in the aisles, so it makes checking items off easy. Plus you can keep a "favorites" menu where you quickly add those items you buy all the time. I use this all the time.
3.
SoLuna - I just downloaded this one since I spend a lot of time on the Sunrise/Sunset (www.sunrisesunset.com) website due to needing to know these times for photography. I know I will use this handy little feature a lot during wedding season, or when planning timelines, and recommend this for all photographers!
4.
WordWarp - This is a fun little word scrambler game that is actually quite addictive. Gives you 7 or 8 letters and you need to make as many words as possible out of those. I'm still trying to beat my high score of 4040 and haven't come close in ages.
5.
Camera Bag - Fun camera features like Helga, infrared, Fisheye and more. Adds more pop to those mobile quick pix!
6.
Twitterific - Keeps me up-to-date on all the Twitter tweets of those I follow. If you are not familiar with
Twitter yet, it is a micro blogging site that is catching on about as fast as Facebook. You may hear lately the nightly news anchors now announcing their stations "tweets" on various news related topics... I've noticed a huge surge in businesses using it and it's a great way to inform your followers what you are up to or share business related news or specials in an instant fashion. I can guarantee that social marketing is not going anywhere. Jump aboard and use it to fuel your own business.
7.
Yahtzee - I forgot how much fun this little game is! Great for doctors office waits :)
8.
YPMobile - This application uses the GPS in your phone and tells you where local businesses are (that you search on). For example, when I'm in a new area and am looking for a particular restaurant or type of food, YPMobile (Yellow Pages Mobile) takes my current location and pinpoints the resturants closest to me or in the vicinity. If I wanted only Taco Bells, I could search that and it would show me all the Taco Bells in that area. It's basically like navigation and Google combined in one. Its fast and handy to have on road trips. And I like this much better than Where - another app that is supposed to do the same thing but always crashes on me.
9.
iFlick Bowling - Fun little bowling game that my daughter and I like to play. I think she gets more strikes than I do! Another good one for doctors offices or whenever you need something to entertain your child for a few moments.
10.
Scrabble - The classic game sized for the iPhone. Good times.
Other apps I like and use occasionally:
Ebay (pretty cool that if I'm buying or selling something online, its now accessible from anywhere anytime in the same easy format),
Weatherbug (when I need to track precipitation via radar for weddings or other events this comes in handy), and
USA Today (when I want a quick link to the headlines and don't want to go online to Google other news sources).
Lastly, I haven't had a chance to use Shazam yet -- the one from the Apple commercial that will tell you the name and artist of a song if you place it up to the music source, but if I ever want to know who sings a particular song, I know that app will be very useful!
So which apps do you use a lot and like?
Labels: RESOURCES
Last night I took a break from the Academy Awards to quickly scan my email and see if there was anything urgent I needed to respond to. There wasn't, but I did see the
PPA Fresh Blog contest winners were announced, so I clicked through. Now, I knew in my heart that I did not win anything, but there was still that glimmer of hope as I waited for the page to load. Finally it did and I saw a very familiar face in the top box. No, not mine. Jasmine Star's. If you are a professional photog, you likely know who she is and already follow her excellent
blog. She is a lawyer-turned-photographer who has become very successful in recent years; in large part I would surmise because of how her personality shines through in her blog. She is a beautiful writer (and great photographer) and everyone who has met her or knows her speaks of what a kind and beautiful person she is on the inside. And you can clearly see how beautiful she is on the outside. So, congrats to Jasmine!
But the point of this post wasn't to only compliment Jasmine. It was also to say that because of this contest I just discovered another voice I'm going to love to follow: winner #3
Jodie Allen. I clicked her link and started reading and was immediately hooked. Probably in part because of her witty little diatribes about being a working mom. I can relate to much of what she says and I like how personal it is. She also writes very well, and I love me a good writer! Be sure to check her out.
Speaking of writing, I started this blog back in early 2007 (my old blog then evolved into this prettier version) and I never really intended for it to become an overly personal "mommy blog." I say that not because I don't like some mommy blogs, in fact there are a couple I read all the time (
Dooce for one); only because initially it was designed to be about my clients, recent work, and photography related info. But then something started to happen. Clients started telling me how they read my blog all the time and would comment mostly on the personal related posts. They would ask about Jordan (and now Alex too) or comment on other things going on with me personally. I would hear through others that people I have never met also read my blog and would receive positive feedback through them. It's as if a blog has a life of its own. My business has grown more successful directly because of my blog and I know most other companies or individuals who keep up on their blogs agree. I don't even update mine daily, although in an ideal world, I would. (Read: ideal world=infinite amount of time.)
Now that I have two kids and my days are significantly busier, not to mention dirtier --my infant son literally just threw up all over my shoulder and into my hair as I was typing that sentence -- I'm going to infuse more of my day-to-day experience as a working mom/wife/business woman into this blog. I'm just giving you a warning in case you are reading this and thinking, "Oh great, another Mom talking about her kids!" I can't promise I will update this blog daily, but I will pledge to try. At least on those days when I got more than 2 hours of sleep the night before. It's pretty hard to do anything on 2 hours of sleep. Note to Alex: please start sleeping in longer stretches!
I'm also going to start a new little
Twitter series called {a day in the life} where I'm going to make daily little random updates about the trials and tribulations of being a working mom. Nothing earth shattering. Just life. If you wish to follow along, you can by
clicking here.
Speaking of people to follow on Twitter, check out
Liene Stevens (Wedding Planner and expert blogger who now teaches
blogging workshops). She has a series on her Smart Planner blog about
balancing work, kids and life. It is interesting to read how others manage all the moving parts of their lives with success. I eat this stuff up since it's always such a work in progress. I had it figured out with one child, now I must reinvent how I approach my work-life-balance with two.
Speaking of, I need to stop writing since I must get Jordan to dance class and Alex to the doctor. And I really really need a shower before we leave this house. But before I part, did you watch the Academy Awards last night? I must say it was one of the more entertaining shows in years. That Hugh Jackman is so darn good looking and talented! Do you think Jennifer Aniston felt really awkward presenting in front of Brad + Angie??
Labels: PERSONAL
Allrighty, I am shamelessly asking for your vote for the
PPA Magazine "Fresh Blogs" contest. There are many great ones on there, so it's very stiff competition, but you can't win if you don't try, right?
The credit for my blog design goes to the awesome Ryan Brannen of
One Red Key, whose designs are one-of-a-kind and tailored specifically for you, the client. Nothing cookie cutter about his approach at all. (The backend of this blog, in case you are wondering, is currently Blogger, but I think we are moving to Wordpress soon.)
So if you are willing to hop on over today and vote for #0164 (see top left corner to filter), I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks everyone! :-)
Labels: NEWS
I am
soooo excited to announce a new partnership with the exclusive
Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix! Erin Stremcha, the marketing director, contacted me last summer to say they were in the process of creating a new
Babymoon Bliss getaway package --a pampering experience designed for expectant moms and dads at the resort -- and as part of that package, wanted to incorporate "baby bump" maternity photos taken by yours truly!
To say I feel honored to participate in this and partner with the Royal Palms is an understatement. The resort is one of my favorite venues in town and always has been -- and of course, I love taking newborn and maternity pictures. I am so excited to be a part of this fabulous new package and only wish I could have taken advantage of this while I was pregnant! It sounds like a fantastic deal. In addition to all the pampering the resort is including, the package also contains a well stocked gift basket by
Moonbeams, an upscale baby boutique in Scottsdale.
Click here to read all the details.
So for all you parents to be, here is the scoop...
The "Babymoon Bliss" experience includes:
*Two Nights of Luxury Accommodations
*Jennifer Bowen Photography, "Baby Bump" pre pregnancy photos at the Royal Palms with optional discounted "Bundle of Joy" newborn photography (Based on availability)
*Stylish Moonbeams® Bath time tub filled with goodies- Cleanwater Bathtub, elegant baby - modern rubber duck (stripes/polka dots), Erbaviva - organic "Nighty-Night" lavender aromatherapy for baby's bath, Under the Nile - organic hooded towel and cute wash cloth (neutral color) Angel Dear or comparable brand - cute baby slippers
*$50 gift certificate to shop at Moonbeams®
*Whatever your craving in-room amenity
*Cigar and cognac for dad-to-be
*Mom-to-be prenatal massage and pedicure at Alvadora Spa*
*Dad-to-be 60-minute therapeutic massage
*Candlelight drawn bath for two
*Selection of complimentary in-room movies such as Expecting Moms, Looks Who's talking, Three Men and a Baby, including a variety of gourmet popcorn and sparkling water for mom-to-be and chilled beer for dad-to-be.
Click here to book your package. Labels: MATERNITY, NEWBORNS, NEWS, PORTRAITS
Today I discovered that I have been chosen to receive the 2009 WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award. How exciting!
WeddingWire is a great website for couples getting married to find well recommended vendors -- from the experiences of other couples who have hired them in the past. Be sure to check them out!
Labels: NEWS, WEDDINGS
