Have you ever heard of an app called Everest? Everest is an app that helps you track your goals, so it’s a great resource to use to help you keep track of your New Year’s Resolutions! When you first open the app, it urges you to enter in your first goal. After categorizing your goal and deciding if you want it to be public (for friends to see) or private (for your eyes only), it then gives you options to add steps to getting to your goal. Each step can be given a specific time frame, where you can set reminders for yourself so that you are keeping on track to complete your goal. This app is a great way to manage your expectations and break down your goals into steps that you can take each day that will make achieving your goals a series of steps instead of a giant feat! After all, you can only climb a mountain one step at a time.
Now, the fun thing about the app is that in addition to creating your own goals, you can also accept challenges from the Everest community that range from health/physical challenges (like doing 50 consecutive push ups!) to personal challenges (like finding a job you love). These challenges are of course optional, however, they are a good constant reminder that everyday you could be taking steps to give yourself a happier, healthier and wealthier life!
So, this year I plan to use Everest to track my resolutions and set small realistic steps for myself to take each week to achieve these goals! Do you plan on using Everest or another similar method to help you break your goals down into small manageable steps and then to keep you accountable for achieving your goals?
So, it’s been some time since I have made a new set of wallpapers for you guys, so I thought I would create a special design for the New Year! This quote “Start Something New” happens to be on the first page of my 2014 Kate Spade Agenda for January and I think it pretty much sums up the start of a new year! This time around I went ahead and created a Mac or Macbook Wallpaper that should fit up to a 21″ iMac, an iPad/iPad Mini Wallpaper and an iPhone 5/5s/5c Wallpaper!
iMac or Macbook Wallpaper {right click image to open in new tab & save}iPad/iPad Mini Wallpaper {right click image to open in new tab to save, or if using your device, tap image to open it in new window and then tap and hold until save options appear}iPhone 5/5s/5c Wallpaper {right click image to open in new tab to save, or if using your device, tap image to open it in new window and then tap and hold until save options appear}
So, how do you all like these wallpapers? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy New Year Everybody! Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to be more organized? I have to say that next to getting in shape, I think getting organized is a very popular wish for the new year! So, if you are looking to get yourself more organized this year, here are a few tips that I find can be very helpful!
1. Get yourself some new supplies: I recently went to Target to get myself a bunch of new office and organization supplies for the New Year. I think getting new notebooks and pens is a very easy way to get yourself excited for the task of organizing so that you will be more likely to stick to it! I would make sure to pick up an agenda, cute pens & pencils, some sticky notes, as well as any bins, file folders or other accessories to wrangle you daily tasks! It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip, but I believe that the act of buying these things signifies a metamorphosis that from now on you will be organized!
2. Develop your own system of organization: What organization means to you and what it means to me are most likely very different things. You have an idea in your head of what organized looks like to you and that’s your goal! So, you need to decide on a system to organize yourself that fits your goals and also the way you work. You can devise a system in which all new tasks are entered into a to-do list in an agenda, so that as you get things done you check off the items and add new items as they come in, or you could use a physical inbox where you organize tasks and papers, or you could use an app on your smartphone to keep track of everything! The possibilities are endless, but the point is, you need to find a system and stick to it!
3. Put new tasks into your organization system first and then go back and take care of the past: I think one of the big issues people have when they start to get organized is that they think they need to organize all the old items sitting on their to-do list first. What ends up happening though is that many people find the old “stuff” too overwhelming because they can’t see any progress for their new “stuff”. I say to start your new organizational process with today forward, making sure everything from this point on is organized, then once you feel like things are under control with the here and now, you can then go back to old items and incorporate those into your new system as well.
4. If you have a hiccup, don’t fret, just reset: Another major issue that prevents people from staying organized is that when they have an issue or they stop using their system for a little while, they give up on it as thought the system as failed! The truth is, even the most organized person in the world has breakdowns in their organization system and routine. People get lazy for a little bit or they assume they can go it without their system for this project or these tasks. Just because you do this, doesn’t mean your system has failed, you just need to recognize what brought you back to that point and get back on the horse and keep going. Organizational systems are never perfect, people are never perfect, forgive yourself and get back into your system if organization is truly a goal for you!
5. Continue to tweak: Like I said above, organizational systems are not perfect, they require effort on your part to make them work and to fix little bumps in the road and even major bumps in the road. As you come across issues, think about how you can fix them and implement those changes into your routine. And guess what? You may eventually find that the system you put in place in the beginning of the year is not the same as the system you end up with by the summer or even by the end of the year, and that’s okay! It’s okay to change, it doesn’t mean you’re not good at organizing, it just means that people grow and their systems need to grow with them!
So, is getting organized one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you have any other tips or tricks that you find useful that may help others trying to get organized? Please share your tips in the comments!
Since today is New Year’s Eve, I thought it would be a perfect time for me to reflect on the success and growth of this blog in the last year! This morning I woke up to an email from WordPress that linked me to a Stat’s page for the site that gave me all sorts of fun details about my top posts, my commenters, visitors and site views!
Now, although these posts were my most viewed, I, of course, have my own list of favorite posts! These are the posts that were some of the most fun for me to brainstorm and put together. Some took a lot of time behind the scenes in terms of photographing, organizing materials, and/or Photoshop skills, but in the end these are posts I am very proud I was able to bring to fruition!
The final items I wanted to include in this post were the articles I wrote outside of this blog! You may not have even been aware that I have been writing elsewhere this year, so I thought this would be a good time to review and link those posts, as they are all extensions of Strange & Charmed in one way or another!
The first site where I was able to publish a few articles this year was Levo League! You may have seen me mention them a time or two before, but Levo is a great website that I discovered last year, and this year I was given the opportunity to join their arsenal of amazing contributors with these two articles!
The second place you can find me on the web, outside of Strange & Charmed, is GeeksterLabs! GeeksterLabs is a website I have been following for years that focuses on all types of consumer technology. This summer I joined the team as a feature contributor, writing about fun and quirky ways to make the most of technology! Since I have written a steady stream of articles for them, I have included the direct link to my author page here, so you can check out all the articles I have written!
Overall, I would say that 2013 has been an amazing year for this blog! I have seen growth month after month and I hope that trend continues into 2014! So, let me know what you’re favorite posts were from Strange & Charmed in 2013 and the types of articles you hope to see more of in 2014! Happy New Year Everyone!
Hello everyone! I apologize for the lack of posts yesterday! I had to leave the house super early to help a friend before I was able to edit this video for YouTube and then once I got home… optical migraine! So I finally got this baby uploaded late last night, so viola, here is my What I got for Christmas Haul Video!
I don’t want to spoil the video too much, but I decided that I was going to talk about some of my FAVORITE gifts instead of each and every thing! Not every gift is a “big gift”, I was so pleased with many of the little gifts and stocking stuffers I got because it was clear the gifter had put thought into it (and for me, those are the best gifts!)
For the most part, there is one “big gift” that I ended up saving up for and many members of my family ended up giving me very generous gifts of money in order to help me pay for it! That one sneaks it at the end to be sure to watch the video the whole way through!
So, I hope you enjoy this video and make sure to let me know what your favorite gifts were this year! Remember, they don’t have to be big gifts or expensive ones, even the smallest stocking stuffer can be a thoughtful treat!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know I said that today I would be back to the blog with a Christmas Haul, however, I have some slightly bad news… I’m sick! I wasn’t feeling too good earlier this week, and then I sort of summoned all my energy on Christmas Eve because I was having company and had lots of things to do, but after I got home late last night on Christmas Day, I just fell right to sleep and have basically been in bed ever since. I’m glad I really don’t have much to do, but I just don’t have the energy to put up the haul, but I will be doing it eventually once I feel better! So, I hope you all understand and also take some time to rest and relax yourself between the holidays so that you are in top shape for New Years Eve!
Today I wanted to take just a moment of your time to share with you a useful little tech tip to make sure you are prepared for your winter vacations, holiday travel and basically the rest of the winter days ahead of us! Did you know that during the winter, batteries drain at a faster rate than they do in warmer weather? Yep, they do! So, it’s very important to make sure that you are keeping backup battery sources with you while you are out and about and away from chargers and electrical outlets to make sure your most important gadgets stay safe! This is obviously important all year round, but even more so in winter months when accidents and emergencies are more common! So, I recently stumbled upon this adorable little backup battery charger for the iPhone 5/5s/5c at Anthropologie! It’s a very convenient little size and can pop right into your lightening cable port while you are still using your phone! Don’t let battery drainage ruin your holiday and winter season! Be prepared so you can have a fun and safe winter!
Now, everyone, back to your figgy pudding and I will see you again with a Christmas haul on Thursday!
Merry Christmas Week Everyone! I am so excited for Christmas this year and I hope you are too! Now, I know I have had my Christmas shopping all wrapped up for a few weeks now, but I know that last minute gifts and stocking stuffers are always popping up. So, I decided to share with you today a video I posted for Vlogmas on my YouTube Channel that covers 25 Gifts Under $25! Many of these gift ideas are simple to get ahold of, so I thought this may help you finish crossing gifts off your list! Enjoy!
If you are someone who knows me personally or has been following me and my blog for a while, you know I am a gadget person. Not only do I like to own a lot of gadgets, but I am also just interested in them in general. Tech is a language I speak, so its no surprise that friends, family members, co-workers and even acquaintances often come to me with questions before they make a major tech or gadget purchase. Recently, the question I have been asked the most is “Alexis, you have both, which is better, the iPad (Air) or the iPad Mini?” Now, this happens to be a very loaded question because of the way its phrased and completely subjective, but really all I am being asked is “Alexis, which iPad should I get?” Now that’s a question I can help you answer!
If you have never owned an iPad before, the choice between the iPad Air and the iPad Mini is difficult! In fact, I couldn’t choose myself, so I have both! So, as someone who owns both devices and uses both of them in very specific ways, let me point out some factors that I think are important to understand in order to help you decide which model to buy.
Internal specs
I want to cover the topic of internal specs of the devices for one sole purpose, and that is to explain that if you are planning on purchasing the latest iPad model (either air or mini), this point is moot! Now, if you are trying to decide between models of iPad’s, your options are currently iPad 2 vs iPad Air and iPad Mini non-retina vs iPad Mini Retina. Out of those choices, my opinion is clear, if you are worried about money, just buy the cheaper model. The non-retina screens aren’t going to be noticeable to you as an average consumer, so if you can’t afford the recent model or just don’t want to pay the price for them, go non-retina and proceed with your life!
Size isn’t just a number
When it comes to the two iPad sizes, you may think an inch or two wouldn’t make that much of a difference, but it does! In fact, to me, my iPad and iPad mini are like completely different devices. The truth is, you can do everything you do on an iPad Air on an iPad Mini, but a certain size screen may feel more natural with some activities. For example, if you are someone who wants to use your iPad as an ereader, the iPad mini is the perfect fit for reading. Yes, you can read on the iPad Air very successfully, but the smaller screen is better suited for the task and more closely mimics the size of a book. Conversely, you can take handwritten notes and sketch on your iPad mini, but the iPad Air or other full-sized iPad feels much more natural and less cramped because it’s about the size of a sheet of paper! When it comes to activities like surfing the web or gaming, however, I will have to say, both iPads do an excellent job!
Storage space & connectivity
When it comes to choosing an iPad, not only do you have two sizes to choose from, but you also have to choose the amount of storage space you want in your device and whether or not you need to connect via cellular data networks. When it comes to storage, I suggest buying a model with the most amount of space you can afford, especially if you intend to have your iPad for numerous years. There is nothing worse than buying an iPad and then in a year, realizing you have filled it up and must either delete files and apps or upgrade to a model with more storage space. Now, as for connectivity, usually a Wifi only model will suffice for most users unless you know you do not have access to Wifi in the places you plan to use your iPad.
If I had to choose one
Now, in the interest of being completely honest, I think its only fair that I explain to you which iPad I would choose if I could only have one! That would be the iPad Air or any full-sized iPad. Why? Because I am more than just a casual iPad user and the full-sized iPad, in my opinion, is the place I feel most comfortable doing everything! I don’t always feel like I want to do everything on my iPad Mini, mostly because the screen is smaller and harder to use in certain circumstances.
How I think you should choose
Below I have listed out a bunch of different points that reflect the use of the iPad Air and iPad Mini. If you are choosing between the two devices, I suggest reading these lists and tracking how many of the points apply to you, your lifestyle and your needs. Tally up which device checks the most points and hopefully that will help you better understand which version of the iPad is right for you!
iPad Air
I plan to use my iPad for everything I possibly can or want to replace my desktop or laptop computer with the use of an iPad.
I will most likely use my iPad at home or carry it in a case when I am outside the home.
I am used to writing in large notebooks or have large handwriting.
I want to use my iPad for work or school, taking it to meetings, saving materials to reference or working remotely without my desktop or laptop computer.
I want to use my iPad to draw, sketch, design or write.
I want to use my iPad to access apps that will help me create content, like iPhoto, iMovie, or Garageband .
iPad Mini
I will use my iPad mostly for reading or in place of an ereader.
I need an iPad that is very portable and can fit into a small bag or can easily be carried or stored.
I want to be able to hold my iPad in one hand and use the other to navigate.
I want to use my iPad to entertain my small child.
I plan to use my iPad for browsing the web, email and playing games most of the time.
I use my iPhone or other smartphone for apps and internet more than I do a desktop or laptop computer.
So, what did you come up with?
Did you find this post helpful to you in deciding which iPad to purchase? Do you own an iPad and have any other points you think are important that I may have missed? Let me know in the comments so we can help everyone make the best choice to suit their needs!
I happen to be a major fan of the J. Crew Pixie Pant. If you have never heard about them or worn them before, let me explain that they are like the ultimate leggings! They are slim fitting like a legging, but made from a thicker material that is similar to a pair of black pants, which means you can wear these guys places where you wouldn’t normally wear plain leggings because of the casual factor. They also have a stretch waist band and an overall stretch to the pants that make it easy to get a nice fit in them despite your shape and also make them incredibly comfortable. I live in my Pixie Pants for work because they are so easy to wear and easy to style that it makes dressing for work a breeze!
Now, the one thing about the Pixie Pants that I am not in love with is the price tag! They retail for $98 a pair and although I can see the value in them, it is hard to justify purchasing multiple pairs which is pretty much a necessity since these guys are dry clean only! So, since its holiday time and loads of retailers are having amazing sales, I decided to run over to my local J. Crew Factory Outlet to see if I could get a few pairs of Pixie Pants on sale. After looking around for a while, I came across a pair of pants that was a near duplicate for the Pixie, except they had a side zipper instead of the back zipper. I spoke to an employee about whether these were Pixie Pants and she explained that they are the Factory duplicate of the Pixie Pant. Many times, Factory Outlets do not like to sell the exact products as their retail counterparts, so similar items are made with slight differences just to be sold exclusively in the outlet and the pants I had found were actually called the Gigi Pant, a dupe for the Pixie! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find any Gigi Pants in stock at my outlet in my size, but the employee that assisted me explained that their online store was having a 50% off sale with an additional 10% + free shipping deal right now and that deal was better than the in-store deal! So, I promptly pulled out my iPhone and ordered myself 2 pairs of these Gigi pants online and they were about $35 dollars each!!!
So, if you are interested in the Pixie Pant, but are afraid of the price tag, perhaps you should give the Gigi Pant a go! If you shop soon, you can even take advantage of the awesome sale going on at the J. Crew Factory Online Store as well! Oh! One more little tip for you on the pants! For some reason, J. Crew Pixie & Gigi Pants run large, so make sure to order one size smaller than you normally wear! I almost didn’t believe it when I was told to get a smaller size, because that’s never how my luck runs with clothes, but it was true and I wear one size smaller than normal in my Pixie Pants!
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”43652″]
Do you wear the J. Crew Pixie Pant? Do you love them or do you think they are overpriced? Do you know of any other more affordable alternatives? Let’s discuss it in the comments!
