Get Lean In Time For Summer With Lean1 Performance Shake
April 1st, 2013 by Christen
It’s time to say goodbye to wintertime layers and say hello to that all unforgiving bikini. Now that your neighborhood gym has died down from the new year’s resolutions rush, many of you may find yourselves “going hard” on an elliptical or succumbing to one of many televised weight-loss programs.
As a girl who loves to eat, there’s not a more discouraging phrase to my ears than these six words “Abs are made in the kitchen!” As true as that may be, simply eating carrots, celery or any other form of rabbit food is not going to be the only thing on my menu anytime soon – thanks to Lean1.
When I was first approached to try out the meal replacement shake, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical (remember, I like to eat a lot of food, a lot of the time). I arrived to the midtown Duane Reade with coupon in hand in search of a product splattered with unbelievable before and after weight loss photos. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered a minimally designed Lean1 canister filled with supplement information and facts instead.
It delivers high-octane fuel that boosts energy levels at all times of the day with 20-30 grams of premium protein, 14 organic fruits and vegetables, 5 grams of fiber and heart healthy phytosterols in every serving. Try getting all that nutrition in one day, never mind one meal!
After incorporating the shake into my daily regime of meals, it actually became a snack that I looked forward to. Lean1 helps you to lose weight quickly without ever feeling hungry. It combines the powerful nutrients you need to lose body fat and tone muscles in the convenience of a healthy meal replacement shake. I take advantage of having a shake for breakfast. It’s quick and easy to make (three scoops and mix with water) – plus I can mix it and drink it on the go.
Trying out the Lean1 healthy performance shake in vanilla and being thrilled with filling results, I’m ready to take on more flavors like chocolate, banana cream, strawberry, cookies n cream and more! I know I’m still early in my journey to becoming svelte and fit but Lean1 is my secret weapon that I’m sure will help me get there in no time.
Want to discover your favorite Lean1 flavor? Check out my Lean1 shopping experience at Duane Reade. For more information on Lean1 visit them online and connect with them immediately on Twitter, Facebook or download your $5 off coupon today.
“I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® , Duane Reade and Nutrition53. #DRLean1 #cbias #SocialFabric”
HTC One X+ – Is This Phone a Plus For You? [Review]
March 7th, 2013 by AnalieHTC had a successful launch last year with the One X. It gave the phones a brand new look and feel and the crowd loved it. Announced at Mobile World Congress last year, and released in April 2012, the HTC One X became the flagship product of the HTC One series.
The original phones for the one series were the HTC One X (AT&T), HTC One S (T-Mobile), HTC 4G LTE (Sprint), and HTC One V (Virgin Mobile).
Given its popularity many were surprised when HTC decided to release the HTC One X+ months later. The HTC One X+ is supposed to be a revamp of the original. It only came to AT&T. I will be comparing the One X+ to the original One X often
What Changed?
The original HTC One X has:
Display: 4.7” display with 1280 x 720 resolution,
Processor / RAM: 1.5 GHz dual-core processor / 1 GB RAM
Battery: 1800 mAh
HTC One X+ – Hardware and Layout
The design of the One X+ is basically a splitting image of the One X. It has the exact same body type except it doesn’t come in white. The body is made of a black polycarbonate plastic. Feels pretty smooth to the touch. It has a raised Gorilla Glass screen. This allows for awesome viewing angles. It’s nearly impossible to notice the pixels on this screen.
On the top border of the phone you have the power/standby button accompanied by the 3.5mm headset jack. On the left and right borders you have the charging micro USB port and volume rockers respectively. On the front face of the phone you have the 1.6 megapixel front facing camera. Like the One X the bottom has three capacitive touch buttons, back, home and recent apps buttons.
The screen is 4.7” 1280 x 720 resolution (Super LCD 2 screen). On the back of the device you have the 8 megapixel camera, LED flash, and speaker. What you won’t find on this phone is a Micro SD expansion slot. That’s because it has 64GB of internal memory. Do you think that’s enough for you? For some it may be a deal breaker. I think it’s a lot more space than the usual 16GB that most Androids come with. On the inside of the One X+ you get a NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.7 quad-core processor. That’s the most significant upgrade to the One X. You also have the 2100 mAh nonremovable battery.
The phone fits comfortably in my hand. It doesn’t feel like it would slip out when texting rapidly or multi-tasking. It was pretty easy to use one-handed on the train. It’s a bit heavier than the One X, but not by much.
HTC One X+ – Experience
My last HTC Android phone was the original HTC EVO 4G. Coming from Android Gingerbread and the original Sense, I was of course going to enjoy the software. I am familiar with Android JellyBean 4.1. HTC Sense remains pretty good for the most part, as I don’t feel that it’s overly intrusive. (The phone has HTC Sense 4+.) You can use app shortcuts on the lockscreen to open apps quickly. For example if I drag the phone icon into the lockscreen ring, it will open up the dialing pad.
I must say that the fluidity of this phone is spectacular. It’s the best yet. It really just flows. I can’t emphasize that enough. With crisp screen and the weather changing widget, is just nice to look at. It’s the little things. I just hate how difficult is for me to take a screen shot. You take it by holding the power button and the volume down button. But the volume button very flat, that it’s difficult for me to get it.
Network and Call Quality
The One X+ is on AT&T’s network. I had good reception most of the time. Streaming content was surprisingly smooth. I had the best reception in Queens. Reception in Manhattan wasn’t a problem either, As always, I don’t talk much on the phone, so I wouldn’t know the difference over good and great. I heard the other party clearly, and they heard me too. The call didn’t drop or cut up. I actually got service It didn’t sound muffled.
Battery Life
The phone surprised me. With a large screen and quad-core processor It won’t be a problem for me since I always carry a portable chargers, and always use power save modes. It barely made it all the way through my commute home with medium to heavy use. Which is pretty good considering all of the tweeting, instagramming, and news reading I do. I also run Spotify on my way to and from work. The phone got warm on occasion.
Camera
Ah, the camera a lot of us have begun to completely rely on the smartphone camera. I am one of those people. According to HTC, the camera hasn’t changed from the original One X. It’s and 8 megapixel camera with auto focus, smart LED flash, and BSI sensor (for better low-light captures). You can record in 1080p HD.
The flash on this camera is amazing! The flash doesn’t “whiten” the picture. It’s just so clear for a smartphone camera. You can capture pictures when recording video which is a feature I need since I am so indecisive as to whether I want to record or snap away. If I forget to snap pictures while recording, I can go back to the video in slow motion and choose which stills I like. But the focus is just wow.
The camera also has filters to make picture taking fun again. If you don’t recall, Divas and Dorks Publisher Christen took pictures at the President’s Inauguration in January. Check those out HERE. Those pictures came out vivid with clear detail. Even with the bright sunlight, the shots were still good.
Of course I took self portraits with the front facing camera. It even has a timer, which works pretty well. Quality was pretty good. But it doesn’t have a wide angle lens like the HTC Droid DNA or HTC 8X.
Music
Like most recent HTC phones, the One X+ comes with Beats Audio. I am not so heavy on the extra bass. But on certain songs, the bass comes in handy. It makes the music sound a lot louder. With my Monster Diamond Tears headphones, it was easy to zone out. You can hear crisp vocals and booming beats. If you don’t need all the extra funk, you also have the option to turn it off.
As for the HTC Music Player, you can now access your stored music, Spotify, Google Music, Amazon MP3. The only downfall is that you can’t make a playlist across all the apps. It’s still a step forward in the right direction.
Apps
Like most phone manufacturers are doing now, the HTC One X+ has a movie streaming service that allows you to buy and rent movies, called HTC Watch. I didn’t use HTC Watch. One preloaded app that I did use was TuneIn Radio. It’s one of my must have apps. An interesting app, is the NVIDIA TegraZone app. This app helps you find the best Android games to play with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. For those who read on their smartphones, the HTC One X+ comes preloaded with the Nook app.
Is the HTC One X+ Really a Plus?
There a few questions you have to ask yourself before considering the One X+ If you have the One X, are the upgrades worth the price and extension of a contract. If you need a smoother phone (if the upgrade to a quad-core impresses you), the lack of a SD expansion slot, and the embedded battery isn’t a problem; you would definitely enjoy this phone.
In comparison to other phones on its level and price range would be the LG Optimus and the Samsung Galaxy S III. When deciding between these three phones, what would differentiate them is the price, and screen preference. Soon the prices for all three will go down since the successors were recently announced. Check out your options for purchasing the HTC One X+ (plus) with AT&T.
HTC One X + – Comparison (Samsung Galaxy Note II, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S III)
I think the HTC One X+ is a great phone. It has a solid weight (light but too light). The camera and fluidity were on par to my standards. While it didn’t feel like it would immediately slip out of my hands, I would definitely get a case for it. The screen is just so big and goes nearly from edge to edge. It’s not a risk I’m willing to take.
If you still have some time left, you might wait for the HTC One. You can find out more about it here. The release date has not been announced yet, but it should be before the end of March.
Do you think it’s worth the upgrade from the original HTC One X? Are you willing to wait for the highly anticipated HTC One?
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- HTC One X + – Camera Filter Options
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- HTC One X + – Comparison (Samsung Galaxy Note II, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S III)
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- HTC One X + – Comparison Apple iPhone 5 , HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S III)
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- HTC One X + – Notification Bar
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- HTC Watch 2.0
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- HTC One X + – Widget Options
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- HTC Music Player – Built-in Apps
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- HTC One X + – Music Player – Built In SoundHound App
Multitasking On The Samsung Galaxy Note 2
February 28th, 2013 by ChristenAs a woman constantly on the go, time is always a luxury that I wish I had more of – so it’s a priority to make the most of my time everyday. Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a amazing when you take advantage of features like Pop Up Play, Pop Up Note and the Multitask Window. Using the Samsung Galaxy Note II has opened my eyes to what multitasking on a smartphone device should be.
A few weeks ago, I announced my new Verizon Wireless mobile makeover and after a week of use – I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised on how the new Samsung Galaxy Note II has improved my life for the better. Check out a few of my favorite ways to multitask with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 below…
Pop Up Play
How often have you been forced to waste seconds or even minutes waiting for a video on your device to load? Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a breeze with the Pop Up Play feature. Using the Pop Up Play function on my Samsung Galaxy Note II has allowed me to watch some of my favorite videos without sacrificing time to do other things. To activate pop up play, simply select pop up play in button within the player and you can easily multitask and do other things on your device while your video loads and plays. If your video gets in the way of your tasks, you can drag it anywhere out of your way on your screen. You can even resize the video by pinching the video using your index finger and thumb. (See step by step directions here.)
Just yesterday, my sister (yes, that’s my sister) sent me a link to preview her upcoming one-woman show entitled “I’mma Do Me” and I was able to watch her video on my Galaxy Note 2 without missing a beat online.
Pop Up Note
If you’ve been on a phone call and needed to take down an important note, Pop Up Note is a God-Sent app for you! Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is easy with the Pop Up Note feature. While on the phone with my best friend, we decided to make a girl’s night out for dinner. Simply removing the S-pen from my Galaxy Note 2 device, the pop up note function appears on the screen allowing me to take important detailed notes. After I finished my note, I just returned the S-Pen to it’s rightful place and the note is saved automatically (allowing me to resume my conversation without skipping a beat). (See step by step directions here.)
Multi Window
One of the flagship features of Samsung’s Galaxy Note line is Multi-Window, which offers true on-screen multitasking by allowing you to simultaneously open two apps on the screen. Multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a super productive with the Multi Window function. Accessing Multi-Window is efficient and easy to do. Simply hold the back button and the multitask bar appears on the right side of the screen. From there you can select multitasking options for email, photo gallery, internet use, messaging and more. (see step by step directions here.)
These are just a few of my favorite features of multitasking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and I can’t wait to discover more. But first, a girl’s gotta locate some stylish accessories for this device asap.
What do you think? Could you use the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for your day to day tasks? How would you use the Pop Up Play, Pop Up Note and the Multitask Window during your everyday activities?
Disclaimer: I am a VZW Ambassador and have received products for use, however opinions expressed are my own.
Stand Out In The Crowd In The Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones (Review)
February 14th, 2013 by Christen
Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones
Everyday is a good day to stand out in a crowd and the Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones by Logic3 do just that. In a sea of headphone choices, discovering the luxe design of the T350 Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones makes a girl take notice and wonder what’s she’s been missing out on all this time.
Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones Style
The ear cups and headband are trimmed in ultra luxe black leather to ensure ultimate comfort and supported by crafted metal arms and housing to ensure durability and quality. How could you have a Ferrari-branded anything without that company’s iconic logo? The silver horse is centered in the middle of each earcup. The T350 features ultra-soft ear pads constructed from enhanced breathable materials for maximum comfort and come complete with a carry case for additional protection.
Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones Function
Finally a true noise canceling set of headphones! The T350 Ferrari headphones canceled out any ambient noise while on the busy NYC streets and subways. T350 includes a high efficiency 40mm driver incorporated into a close-back design with ANC Technology, which seals the ear pads to prevent loss of music dynamics and reduces unwanted ambient noise. The headphones come with a plastic carrying case that has a carbon-fiber look, as well as three woven cords: One with iOS controls (volume and play/pause/Siri), one for Android devices (a single button), and one plain cord. The two also have a mic built in, which can be used to make phone calls, too. Keep some batteries handy however, because the T350s require two AAA batteries, and will not work without power.
The Ferrari Cavallino T350s are a dynamic duo of style and function. They’re comfortable, stylish and offer supreme audio quality! Like any major electronic that offers quality entertainment, be prepared to pay a quality price. At $399, it may feel like the audio equivalent of buying a Ferrari itself but if you’re looking for a head-turning design that stands out among the crowd the Ferrari Cavallino T350s will make you very happy.
Check out more of the Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones below:
Enter To Win A Pair Of Your Own Cavallino T350 Ferrari Headphones
Case-Mate Crafted Collection iPhone 5 Case (Review)
February 13th, 2013 by ChristenAs our “Best of CES” pick of 2013 – the Case-Mate Crafted Collection offers a luxurious alternative to everyday iPhone adornment. If you’ve ever desired an elegant accessory to accompany your ever evolving style – the Case-Mate Crafted Collection, just may be the be thing created for your smartphone. Recently, I got the chance to check out the Pearls Collection in Black, Silver and Gold as well as the chic Madison Collection case in black.
The Pearls Collection is crafted from genuine mother of pearl. Individual pieces of this exotic pearl are thoughtfully selected and carefully laid into an artistic design pattern that enhances its pigmentation and luster. The additional finishing touch of slowly polished and brushed aluminum creates a stunning contrast and gives the Pearls Collection its chic, refined beauty.
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- Pearls Collection in Silver
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- Pearls Collection in Gold
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- Pearls Collection in Black
The classic beauty of the Madison Collection embodies the iconic trend of quilted fashion accessories (an absolute must-have for any Chanel bag owner.) Adding a touch of bling with Swarovski Crystals to compliment the quilted genuine leather makes the Madison case perfect for the fashionable, modern woman of any age.
Luxury is never cheap, and neither are these Crafted Collection accessories. Case-Mate is moving into a more luxe market of accessories with the Pearls and Madison Collection, starting at $100 these smartphone cases may be a little bit more than what you’re used to spending on accessories. But if you think about it, isn’t your smartphone one of the most expensive accessories you own anyway? Why not invest in an accessory that not only protects your valuable smartphone, but also compliments your personal style?
Stretch And Pose With the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13? (Review)
January 25th, 2013 by Analie
Are you confused about all the Windows 8 devices that are out? Feel a bit iffy about clamshell devices?
When Windows 8 was officially released back in October 2012; we saw a slew of devices come out to support the new OS. As many thought that Windows 8 would work better with a touch screen; these devices tried their best to have both a touch screen and a functional keyboard.
Introducing the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga. I’m sure you have seen it before and probably brushed it off as another hybrid or clamshell. Rethinking the whole tablet / laptop hybrid Lenovo sacrificed a little in both categories to try to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity when it came to Windows 8.
So what did I think about this laptop? Is this another hybrid that will be forgotten?
The first thing you will notice is the name “Yoga”. What an appropriate name for this laptop. When it debuted the promo pictures had the laptop in a few awkward positions; for a laptop at least.
BUILD AND SIZE
After all the commotion, I was excited to see the hinges. It was reported that the screen can turn all the way back allowing you to use it as a tablet. The Lenovo Yoga has two hinges. But before we get into that let’s get back to the aesthetics; when looking at the Yoga; it looks simple and shiny. You wouldn’t be able to pick it out from a lineup of ultrabooks.
Simple on the outside, and simple on the inside. The keyboard is black as well as the screen border. The palm-rest is made of some type of leather. It weighs more than my MacBook Air (obviously; it’s not supposed to be air light; and it has an 11 inch display). Coming in at a little over three pounds; the IdeaPad Yoga isn’t the lightest, but it definitely is portable.
The touch screen doesn’t seem to be a big burden on the Yoga’s weight and size. It’s still thinner than some notebooks at 0.67 inches thick.
These are the specs on the model we tested:
1.7 GHz i5 Intel Core processor
128 GB Samsung SSD
4GB DDR3 RAM
DISPLAY
We usually don’t expect too much from a 13” display. But I must say that the HD IPS display is bright and crisp. The 1600 x 900 resolution leaves makes the Windows 8 Live Tiles look well live and vibrant. Let’s not forget that it’s a touch display allowing for more interaction. The Yoga has great viewing angles. It comes in handy when in the “stand” and/or “tent” position. Finger smudges are visible but obviously inevitable.
PORTS
When using it like a laptop you will find the ports on the right and left. On the right border you have the HDMI port, USB 3.0 port and the headphone jack and then the volume rocker. On the right side you have the charger port, which looks like a USB port (color coded in yellow), and another USB port 2.0. If you thought you’d be able to use the adapter from another Lenovo notebook; you will be disappointed with the new charger port. I like it though.
HINGES AND YOGA POSITIONS
I’m happy to report that they are very sturdy. I’m always afraid of hybrids with hinges. I’m always afraid they will snap or break off.
The hinges allow you to use the laptop in four positions; notebook, tablet, tent, and stand. I used the laptop in three out of the four positions. I don’t see the use of the tent position.
I loved the notebook the position the most. Using the Yoga as a regular laptop with a touch screen is fun and useful. You get used it to it, and it’s difficult to go back to a regular laptop.
Using the Yoga in the “Stand” position is great for video chatting and comfortable tablet use. The keyboard and trackpad are disabled. I can’t deal with the keyboard facing down. I always put something to protect it.
KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD
It took me a while to learn to maneuver the glass trackpad. I just couldn’t get used to it. It Is rather larger and the gestures were easy to learn. Pinch gestures were responded to effortlessly. Most swipes were read. I barely had trouble. Unfortunately, the keyboard isn’t backlit.
The keyboard is a bit flat for me. I would have to re-do a few words. Like many others; the small “backspace” key annoyed me. I would make errors when trying to press the “backspace” button. It just let to frustration. But I got it after a while. If you’re used to Lenovo’s other keyboards you definitely have some getting used to.
SOFTWARE
Like most ultrabooks; there is some bloatware from Lenovo. Programs such as Lenovo Transition helps in deciding which apps should run in full screen mode when the Yoga is in tablet mode. It also comes with other programs that I enjoy; such as Skype, and storage programs such as Evernote, and Lenovo Cloud Storage.
EXPERIENCE
The unit I used had an i5 processor and 4 GB of RAM; which resulted in quick response and easy navigating. It can of course be upgraded to i7 and 8 GB of RAM.
I mostly used the IdeaPad Yoga in regular clamshell position. The “Stand” position was my second fave and it worked wonderfully. When using it in tablet position (when sitting down during a flight) it was a bit awkward to feel the keyboard on the other side; even if they were disabled. The HD resolution came in handy in tablet mode, as everything looked crystal clear up close.
This is definitely not a gaming laptop. If you do want to use it for gaming you would have to upgrade the SSD and RAM (obviously). The only game I tried was League of Legends. It’s not heavy on spec requirement though. You can definitely get everyday tasks done easily with the Yoga. The touch screen let’s you be a little more creative of course. It’s just more enjoyable (to me at least).
The Lenovo sleeve cover came in handy as a mat and of course for protection when toting the ultrabook around. I also love that the adapter isn’t super bulky and heavy.
BATTERY LIFE
Lenovo claims that you can get up to eight hours of battery life. That is of course subject to use. On light days which include e-mails and web surfing; the battery lasted me nearly eight hours. I of course would lower the contrast and take other battery-saving measures.
When editing and movie watching; the battery lasted me about half the time at four hours and fifteen minutes. That’s not so bad.
WHO SHOULD GET THE IDEAPAD YOGA?
This laptop is great for those who in college and do a lot of work on the go. It’s a great ultrabook convertible. Out of all the styles (sliders, snap-ins), this style has to be the best working in its class.
You can feel the durability of the material; which makes for long-lasting use. You can see that Lenovo took their time when manufacturing the ultrabook (it was originally announced at 2012 CES) and I believe it has paid off. It’s the most popular Windows 8 convertible ultrabook. I actually saw it being used at CES 2013.
For the price point ($1,199 for the mid-range model) you won’t get a better clamshell. You might have to pay a bit more for a better screen and more storage. I was impressed with the sturdiness of the IdeaPad Yoga. I’m sure there are many more Windows 8 touch-screen laptops to come. The Yoga is a great example to follow. It’s responsive, quick enough and right amount.
If it’s still a bit too bulky for you; you can get the new IdeaPad Yoga 11S. You can compare specs here on Lenovo’s site.
Are you into the new touch-screen, convertible ultrabook phase of technology? What will make you finally pull the trigger on a touch-screen, convertible ultrabook?
Celebrating New Year’s Eve In Times Square With Verizon Wireless #My2012Moment
January 9th, 2013 by Christen
Last year (which was technically only 10 days ago) – I had the great pleasure of teaming up with Verizon Wireless for their #My2012Moment celebration campaign. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many visitors from around the world – all with one goal in mind – to ring in the new year with over a million friends, family and more in what many call the crossroads of the world – Times Square.
We chatted about everything from accomplishments to milestones and everything in between that made many #My2012Moment for everyone. Some of #My2012Moment (s) definitely included: (Click here for the entire #My2012Moment list…)
- Attending the 2012 London Olympics
- My first ever Parisian escape to Paris, France
- Being Named “Best In The Blogasphere 2012″ by Black Enterprise
…and even becoming the host for Verizon’s New Year’s Eve celebration video on New Year’s Eve was beyond a doubt one of my favorite moments of 2012 and it closed out the year with a bang!
Want to check out the #My2012Moment experience from Times Square? Check out the video in it’s entirety below…
What were some of your favorite moments of 2012? What are you looking forward to the most in 2013? Share below…
We’re Counting Down Our Favorite Moments Of 2012 #My2012Moment
December 31st, 2012 by Christen
It’s true! This year has had truly been an amazing year of highs (and even higher highs) for DivasandDorks.com. From going to 2012 London Olympics to speaking at the National Black MBA Conference and everything in between. While looking forward to a better year than ever before – 2013, we can’t help but to look back at our favorite moments of 2012. Check out below to discover why this has been an unbelievably phenomenal for DivasandDorks.com.
Black Women in Music / Black Women in Hollywood
Thanks to Lincoln & Essence Magazine, we had the chance to rub elbows, talk tech and mingle with some of your favorite starlets, musicians and Hollywood celebrities. Kelly Rowland, Nene Leakes and more checked out the new 2014 Lincoln MKZ during Essence’s Black Women in Music, Grammy weekend in California. Just a week later, Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross supported and uplifted fellow thespian sisters during the Black Women in Hollywood event during Oscar weekend in L.A.
In The Press – Essence.com, RollingOut.com, BlackEnterprise.com, TheRoot.com, Pose Magazine
This was an incredible year for DivasandDorks.com in the press. As a contributor for Essence.com, I was featured in RollingOut & Pose Magazine highlighting the business behind the blog. BlackEnterprise.com even interviewed an unconventional mentor, (my mother) to reveal the secrets behind successful mentor/mentee relationships. Before the summer was complete, TheRoot.com listed DivasandDorks.com as one of the best blogs of 2012.
Induction in Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top Of The Blogosphere’s Best
One of my favorite moments by far included kicking off this year’s Black Bloggers Month as being revealed as the first inductee in the 2012 Blogosphere’s Best for BlackEnterprise.com.
Kayaking in the Pacific Ocean
During an exciting west coast excursion with Toyota, I had the best time camping and even kayaking, (yes, I really kayaked) in the Pacific Ocean all by myself.
Diva, Dork and Actress?
This year marked a year of firsts in front the camera, as I starred in Ford’s Escape To New Orleans web series and Samsung’s SmartTV informercial series.
Panelist, Host & Keynote Speaker
“When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.” – Michelle Obama
This year has been filled with a lot of hard work, blessings beyond belief, and I was more than excited to share my experiences as a speaker/host/keynote speaker at the Financial (App)titude seminar, Style Bloggers of Color Conference, National Association of Black MBA, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and the Tom Joyner Family Reunion.
Mentorship & Inspiring Young Lives
As an active mentor for The Young Women’s Leadership Schools in NYC and host of D&D’s first “Social Girls Night” – we at Diva And Dorks believe in investing & encouraging young women to pursue their dreams, passions and more (and because of those beliefs, the Divas and Dorks Foundation was officially formed.)
Global Ambassador at the 2012 London Olympics
As Samsung’s official ‘Global Ambassador’ – I was privileged to represent Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics. I got the chance to meet Olympians, take in a few of the Olympic games and experience all the unique sights of London, England.
Last Train To Paris…
For the first time ever, I experienced a dream getaway to Paris, France from the United Kingdom (during the Olympics). The Effel Tower, The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysée all were seen and conquered by the diva!
Divas Love To Travel & Love Their Cars!
This has been an amazing year of travel and automotive adoration on DivasandDorks.com. So much so, that our sister sites DivasOnDestinations.com and DivasDriveInHeels.com were born and slated to launch January 2013!
Here’s to a wonderful 2012 and an even better 2013!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Trend Report: Seasonal Style With Sears Carlie Riding Boots (Review)
December 16th, 2012 by Christen
If you’re looking for a pair of boots to diversify your stylish collection, might I suggest the Trend Report Carlie Riding Boots in Cognac from Sears? These boots not only offer the height or sophistication, but they’re also super comfortable and can virtually be worn with any ensemble imaginable. Looking to change up the look of your everyday-office wrap dress? What about traveling this holiday season? With a half-inch heel and a rounded toe, these comfortable Carlie boots are as functional as they are stylish.
Don’t be fooled by their classic, streamline look; these boots are easy to wear and go with everything. The Carlie women’s cognac tall shaft riding boot has no unnecessary hooks, buttons or extra zippers, which means they are easy to slip on and off and fit like a glove. The tall leg makes these the perfect boot to wear with dresses, over tights, or over or under virtually any pair of jeans. Perfect for vegan fashionistas, this man-made leather alternative not only lends itself to easy styling & accessorizing but easy cleaning too.
Also available in brown and black these Sears Carlie Riding Boots won’t even break the bank this holiday season. At only $19.99, you can add a pair of stylish boots to your wardrobe for less than the cost of dinner and a movie. That’s more than 67% in savings! Who says you can’t treat yourself while embarking on a season of savings? When it comes down to finding a pair of wear and go boots, these Carlie Riding Boots are as easy to wear as they are to find at your nearest Sears or online at Sears.com.
Are You Ready for The Windows Phone 8X by HTC [Review]
December 14th, 2012 by Analie
The largely talked about Windows 8 launch has been here for several weeks already. There are new devices (laptops, computers, and tablets) to maximize the new Windows 8 experience. The same can be said about the Windows Phone 8 software. There has been a lot of talk and hype over it.
Ever since it was announced back in September; one of the most talked about phones was the HTC 8X. Now that it’s finally here; we’ll see if the 8X along with Windows Phone 8 can deliver a winning device.
HARDWARE AND LAYOUT
On the top border of the phone you have the 3.5 mm headset jack on the left and the power /standby button to the right. When going down the right border you have the SIM card slot (use the key to open), the up/down volume rocker, and farther down the camera button. The bottom border houses the MicroUSB port for charging. On the top left of the phone is the 2.1 megapixel front facing camera. (with ultra wide-angle lens). The bottom of the phone hosts the back button, home button, and search button (from left to right). The back of the phone has the 8 megapixel camera with LED flash. At the bottom you’ll find the speaker. Inside you’ll find a dual-core 1.5 Ghz processor and 1 GB of RAM. There is no Micro SD slot for additional storageThe 8X is powered by a non-removable 1800 mAh battery. It allows for wireless charging.
Let’s start with the design. All the phones seem to be following a very similar bar design pattern. It’s hard to distinguish phones because there are all so similar. HTC seems to have taken a different turn when designing the 8X. The Verizon 8X is a stunning red. The phone is just nice to look at. When holding it; it gives you a quality feel. At just 4.5 ounces; the 8X is lightweight but sturdy. The unique shape of this HTC phones fits comfortably in your hands. At 0.4 inches thick; the body feels even thinner due to it’s strategically curved sides. The soft curved corners house a 4.3″ super LCD with Gorilla Glass 2 display. The phone’s long bar design reminds me of the new iPhone 5 design; sort of looks like a chalkboard eraser.
From Left to Right: Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC 8X, iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy Note II
EXPERIENCE
This would be my first time really dealing with Windows 8. While I had a phone that Windows 7.5 Mango, and got a quick hands-on at the demo event; this is my first time in-depth. The phone goes well with the Windows 8 OS. It’s a bold, clean, and simplistic look.
The screen is very bright and vivid (1280 x 720 resolution). The constant changing tiles are very inviting and invite you for interaction.
Network
The 8X I’m testing out is on the Verizon 4G LTE network. With the great coverage I get in Queens and Manhattan (New York); I had full bars most of the time. With this came quick and easy social network updates; email replies, and my fave of course; texting.
Battery Life
The phone lasted me hours. From 8 AM to the end of my day at 8 PM; I was at 15%. Not bad at all. Given the screen size and features; I was more than pleasantly surprised. Phone charges rather quickly. It didn’t take more than 2 hours to get to 100%.
Call Quality
Call quality is never a big issue for me since I barely speak over the phone. I am more of a texter. When talking to someone else; I heard them clearly. No muffling at all. Again, with Verizon’s service I didn’t have any dropped calls; even on trains and in different parts of the city.
Camera
One of my favorite things bout the 8X is that it has a physical camera button. I really need that to get those great pictures.
The 8 megapixel camera on the 8X has great shutter speed. If you enjoyed the camera on the HTC One X series; you will enjoy the 8X camera. The LED flash is bright. You might find some yellowing; but it’s difficult to point out.
The front facing 2.1 megapixel camera gets more in the shot; thanks to the wide-angle lens. I love that!
Music Listening
The HTC 8X has that “b” that we all recognize. The Beats Audio “b”. The 8X has built-in amplifiers for Beats Audio. It gives a great boost when listening to music. I don’t have an extensive music library on this phone; as I prefer to listen to music on a separate MP3 player. That might have to change.
Apps
I’m sure you’ve heard this before. Windows 8 is promising; it just need more apps. I need to feed my addiction to Instagram. I do wish that Gmail was handled better. I am used to the flawless experience on Android.
My favorite app is the SkyDrive app. I am a big fan of the people tile on my home screen. It’s amazing at how it quickly updates. The Facebook integration is great. It will ease the transition for some.
OVERALL
Windows Phone has come a long way since Windows Phone 7 a couple of years back. It definitely takes a bit of getting used to. It’s different from iOS and Android; where it takes a bit of work. The simple Windows Phone 8 OS is great for those entering the smartphone world. HTC did a great job with the 8X when it comes to hardware. With Livetiles being accepted more, I hope there is more app development. It will help boost the popularity.If you’re into features like wireless charging, NFC, and Beats Audio; this phone will definitely suit you. This phone is just a beauty to look at; as you don’t see the pixels. Running on Verizon’s 4G LTE network is also a plus. There’s also a version for AT&T. It’s also priced competitively at $99.99 (with a 2 year contract. Are you ready to make the transition to Windows Phone 8? If you are; the HTC 8X is the ideal device!
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- From Left to Right: Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC 8X, iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy Note II
