A Few of My Favorite…Photo Apps [iPhone Part I]

Posted by nicóle on May 16, 2012 in Internet & Technology, Photographs | 1 comment

It feels like’s it been a millenia since I’ve done a “few of my favorite” things posts, in fact, I’m not even all that sure it was on this blog where I started doing them. I’m too anxious to write this post to go back and check at the moment…so let’s get to it.

Photo Apps.

I absolutely love photo apps for my iPhone. I have two folders dedicated to them on my phone as proof!

Instagram. It was love at first square vintage inspired filter with this app. Hands down this is my favorite photography/social app. Now that Facebook has bought it I hope it doesn’t alter from what made it so awesome to begin with.

Photos taken with an iPhone 4 edited in Instagram. Collage created on a Mac using the Pic Frame App.

Hipstamatic. I love the unpredictability of this app. Even though it now offers a “you get what you see” option I prefer to be surprised, just as one would’ve been using a camera in a bygone era (like the 1990′s 1960′s).

Incredibooth. This is exactly like having a photo booth in your phone. Complete w/ props with some options. I like that you can send them directly to your social media accounts like Facebook. Another cool feature is the ability to share only one photo from your set. In addition to being able to snap photos of yourself with the front camera you can also take pictures with the back camera. So if all of your pictures are wonky, but you love one you can share the one you don’t look like an alien in-unless that’s what you’re aiming for of course.

Photos taken using Photobooth -collage created in PicFrame.

PopBooth. This is another fun photo booth type of app. What makes this fun is the ability to change from the traditional vertical format to a square and the colors-Andy Warhol anyone?

Camera 360 is a fun app that is full of stuff: editing tools, filters, collage options (you can even change the back grounds). It’s absolutely fun and one I should use a whole lot more than I do.

Photos taken and edited in Camera 360. Collage created inside the app using collage option. Fun!

Harry Potter is Electronic!

Posted by nicóle on May 16, 2012 in Books | 0 comments

The complete Harry Potter series is now available (for the first time EVER) in e-book format!

graphic: Amazon

Star Gazing, A Few Planets, & The Moon

Posted by nicóle on May 10, 2012 in travel | 2 comments

On Saturday night, after a day full of adventure we went to stare up into the night sky.

It was AWESOME!

I totally geeked out….

A lot.

I’m still geeking out.

I got to see saturn, and venus, and the stars. I got to pick some geeky astronomy guys’ brains from the Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association about the stars.

I got to see the “super moon” through an amazing telescope.

To top it all off, this all took place on Pensacola Beach.

The brilliant beautiful moon shining over the ocean absolutely left me breathless.

In the full moons light I listen to the stream
And in between the silence hear you calling me
But I don’t know where I am and I don’t trust who I’ve been
And If I come home how will I ever leave
~”Full Moon” by The Black Ghosts

love & space,

nicōle

Tubing Down The River With Adventures Unlimited

Posted by nicóle on May 9, 2012 in travel | 2 comments

I totally forgot how much fun tubing is. I was reminded this weekend while tubing on Cold Creek River with Adventures Unlimited.

Now if you’re looking for a relaxing lazy river experience you’re not really going to find it…Cold Creek River is riddled with tree stumps. If you don’t watch out for will catch you in the bum! The landscape however is lovely so lean back when you can and look up towards the heavens, you’ll realize real quick what an amazing place your in. I think the absolutely best part of my experience was traversing this obstacle course of a river with thirty three women. The total arm work out I got was also a bonus!

Four miles and three hours later I was ready to be out of the river, but glad for all the laughter I shared with my fellow bloggers!

Things to remember:

• Closed toe water shoes. Don’t think you can skimp on this. I did and won’t again.
• Wear a swimsuit. The property has changing rooms. Hat and sunglasses and UV clothing is also a great idea.
• Sunscreen
• Water and a snack helps put it in a cooler or a water tight bag.

Adventures Unlimited is located about an hour outside of Pensacola in Milton, Florida.

Photos: Photos of our tubing trip (in the water) were taken by Sheri of KidSumers using a Toshiba camcorder. The aerial view of the river was taken by me using a Nikon 3100 18-55 mm lens. Pics were edited using PhotoEffects Studio and Pic Frame from the Mac App store.

Bella Swan’s Got Nothing On Me Thanks to Adventures Unlimited

Posted by nicóle on May 9, 2012 in travel | 1 comment

This weekend I soared across treetops and totally went all “spider monkey” while zip lining during Brandcation-Bloggers Gone Coastal with Adventures Unlimited. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that while I was stories high I didn’t think of one of my favorite stories of all time. I couldn’t help but think of Twilight  or verbally refer to Edward and Bella. Yes I’m a dork, but honestly, I think zip lining is probably the best way to get that feeling of flying through the air Bella describes while hitching a ride on Edward’s back. Though I didn’t encounter any sparkly vampires named Edward during my adventure, I still had an amazing time! I also can’t help but wonder if Stephanie Meyer has ever gone zip lining.

If I had to choose a word to describe how I was feeling at the thought of zip lining I’d have to use “trepidation”. I’m accident prone and climbing up into the sky, then jumping off into the air made me nervous. However my fears were soon put at ease by the staff at Adventures Unlimited. They’re commitment to safety first was reassuring and it ensured I, and all of their other guests zip lining had a great experience.

My two guides on our tour were Dave and Brooke they were super! Not once did I ever feel unsafe, in their more than capable hands. If you’re ever in the Pensacola area and are in the mood for some adventure check out Adventures Unlimited -the landscape at that height is worth it, the adrenaline rush (and the Twilight fantasy) is just a bonus!

Things to remember:

• You’ve got to be able to climb both regular stairs and ladder types.
• Dressing comfortably and wearing closed toe shoes will help make your zip lining experience a better one.
• Most importantly remember that this is Florida and carry a water bottle, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
• If you plan on taking pictures or drinking water a knapsack is an awesome accessory to have (I totally wish I wore one!)
• Wear sunscreen.
• Carry some cash to tip your guides. Believe me when I tell you they’ll earn every penny!

Photos: I took the landscape views with a Nikon 3100 using an 18-55 mm vr lens. The photos of me were snapped by Blondie of The Blonde Critic. I put them together in this collage using the PicFrame app on my Mac.

Brandcation = A Whirlwind Weekend!

Posted by nicóle on May 8, 2012 in Blogs, Social Networking & Media | 0 comments

As I sit here and type this post I’m still trying to absorb my weekend.

Brandcation -Bloggers Gone Coastal was amazing! Pensacola Beach is beautiful, the people were friendly, and the food was yummy!

The brands I got to learn about were really cool. I wish I could talk about each and every one of them, and I think I will, just not all at once.

I had so much fun, but really what stands out is meeting some amazing women.

‘Night Sky’ by Jolene Perry Book Review

Posted by nicóle on May 6, 2012 in Books | 2 comments

Novel: Night Sky by Jolene Perry

Genre: YA Romance

Published: February 21, 2012

Stand Alone or Series: It’s a loner.

How I Got it: I received a copy in e-book format from the author.

Where can you get it? These books are available in paperback or e-book format. Try Smashwords or Amazon.

What’s it About? 

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums – she’s way more than distraction. Jameson’s falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.

What made me want to read it: Who doesn’t love a book about unrequited love?

What I thought…

I thought it was really good! I absolutely loved the main character Jay. It’s not often you get a male protagonist in young adult literature,  I’m always interested in reading books where there is a strong male voice. Jay is authentic, it’s like I was inside the head of a teen.

Jay has two love interests, but there never really is much of a love triangle. I was seriously worried about Sky there for a while, I didn’t like her right away. I think this seemed for an overprotective feeling for the MC. I think she make my “Mama Bear” come out a bit in the begining-I’m sure it has everything to do with my mothering two boys of my own. This book does deal with some serious issues like, abuse, rape, and divorce. It’s not a dark novel by any means, these issues were handled well, and in a way that wasn’t graphic or that could make a person uncomfortable.

It takes place in Las Vegas and since I used to live there it was cool reading about streets and places I’d visited. This is a great story, I’m sure you’ll enjoy too!

I received this novel as part of the Night Sky blog hop. Please visit the other blogs on the tour.

Brandcation or Bust #GulfCoast

Posted by nicóle on May 3, 2012 in Blogs, Social Networking & Media, Product Reviews | 16 comments

I’m hitting the road today with my ultimate destination -Brandcation!

I’m busy making preparations for my trip, getting my outfits figured out and the stuff for my boys situated. It can feel a little overwhelming especially when I think about the LONG drive ahead of me. However, I’m sure I’m going to have an absolute enchanting time because the lovely people at Kia have generously loaned me the Kia Soul to test drive for my trip. How awesome is that?! Be sure to follow my Twitter feed for updates and pictures on my road trip!

My Wardrobe for #Brandcation

Posted by nicóle on May 2, 2012 in Uncategorized | 20 comments

The organizers of Brandcation over at Brandfluential have put together a very busy weekend for me and the 30+ bloggers. I thought I’d share our itinerary and my planned outfits, so you could get an idea of the jam packed weekend we’re going to have.

Friday - Blog Olympics on the beach followed by a little swag party!

Saturday - Adventures Unlimited is giving us a day of  adventure! First we’re going to go zip lining then we’re going tubing on 4 miles of a meandering river.

Then it’s back to our condos for a shower and a quick change into our costumes for the Mystery Dinner, in our individual condos (what, you didn’t expect all of us to shack up in one condo now did you?)

Later that evening were going StarGazing with a local astronomy group.

If we’re still vertical we can go bar hoping on the boardwalk.

Sunday – It’s an early morning  for all of us, to head out to the high seas for a Dolphin site seeing boat tour, followed by breakfast and then that’s it, we’re done!