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Technology

Top Holiday Gift: DJI Global Mavic Mini Drone from Best Buy

November 10, 2019 / Lifestyle, Technology, Technology/Social Media

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been planning to up my photo and video game in 2020 and just found the perfect item to put at the top of my Holiday Wish List: the DJI Global Mavic Mini Drone from Best Buy! It’s so innovative and seems easy to use! Transform any moment into a work of art. The Mavic Mini supports 12MP aerial photos and 2.7K Quad HD videos. A 3-axis motorized gimbal provides superior camera stability and ensures clear, ultra-smooth footage.

Here are some of the unique features:

Stabilized Gimbal Camera –Transform any moment into a work of art.Mavic Mini supports 12MP aerial photos and 2.7K Quad HD videos. A 3-axis motorized gimbal provides superior camera stability and ensures clear, ultra-smooth footage.
Remote Controller – See what your Mavic Mini sees.A dedicated remote controller maintains an HD, low-latency video feed at a distance of up to 4 km. [3] Detachable control sticks can be easily stored inside the remote controller for added portability.
Extended Flight Time – Less battery charging, more flying.Mavic Mini’s weight allows it to stay in the air longer than similar consumer FlyCams on the market. Enjoy up to 30 minutes of flight time with a fully-charged battery.

Cinematic is Simple

QuickShots – Complex shots are easier than ever.Shots that look like they came from a Hollywood film set are just a few taps away with Mavic Mini’s QuickShot modes, which include Dronie, Circle, Helix, and Rocket. Just select your QuickShot and Mavic Mini will execute an elaborate preset motion while recording. Take the automatically generated short video and share it instantly with friends on social media.
CineSmooth Mode – Smoother motion for compositions that wow.Slow down Mavic Mini’s flight speed and movements for an added layer of precision and stability. This mode is especially useful when flying in narrow or complex spaces.
Discover Popular Spots – Find scenic shooting locations near you.The DJI Fly app gives users integrated access to SkyPixel, a social media platform for users to share their aerial photos and videos. Browse work, share your own, and even discover popular aerial photography spots in your area.

Get the most from your Mavic Mini with these accessories:

Two-Way Charging Hub – The Two-Way Charging Hub can charge up to three batteries in sequence. It can also be used to store and transport batteries, and even as a power bank to charge your mobile device.
DIY Creative Kit – Make your FlyCam truly yours with this kit that includes shell stickers and colorful markers.
Charging Base – Show off your Mavic Mini while charging it with this convenient charging base.
DJI Mini Bag – Pack your Mavic Mini and Two-Way Charging Hub easily with this signature shoulder bag that’s perfect for everyday use.
Snap Adapter – Personalize your Mavic Mini with a wide range of compatible accessories when you use the Snap Adapter.
Propeller Holder – This lightweight propeller holder protects your FlyCam propellers from being damaged during transportation. It can also be used to fasten your Mavic Mini to your bag or belt.

The DJI Global Mini Mavic is available at Best Buy either in-store or online. Now let’s get this holiday shopping started!

Images are property of Best Buy and used with permission.

Cut the Cord With the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player

October 16, 2018 / Lifestyle, Technology

I was compensated in the form of a Best Buy gift card in exchange for sharing this news. All opinions are my own.

To “Cut the Cord” or NOT to “Cut the Cord”?
For the past few years, there’s been an ongoing dilemma in our home surrounding the topic of cable. Specifically whether or not to “cut the cord”? You know, ditch cable? Although I don’t always time to watch a lot of TV, I’ve just never wanted to get rid of cable. Because, what if? I mean what if I have a day off and can spend hours watching TV that day? Or what if I am home sick and can do nothing but watch TV while lying on the couch? My husband’s side of the argument is mostly about how much money we’d save by cutting the cable cord. It would literally save us hundreds of dollars each year. But then I go back to my what ifs.

Well, I’m not afraid to do it anymore because there is a way to have access to all of the shows we love without having to keep cable! Yes! With the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player you can now have the best of both worlds! It’s available at Best Buy and allows you to watch movies, shows, live TV, YouTube, look at photos, listen to playlists and more, all streaming on your TV from any your family’s devices. It’s very easy to use, too! You just plug the Chromecast into the HDMI port on your TV to power and BAM! You’re streaming!

You can even stream from your phone to your TV with the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player! How magical does that sound? Stream your favorite entertainment right from your phone with just a tap and you can still use your phone while doing so! Chromecast is designed to make the most of the apps and entertainment already on your phone. Shows, movies, live TV, YouTube, photos and more. The Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player works with over 2,000 streaming apps you know and love like Netflix, YouTube, YouTubeTV, HBO NOW so you can enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, videos, songs, games, sports and more! Some subscriptions may be required to access some content.

“Hey Google, play Fuller House from Netflix on my kitchen TV.”

You can also stream using your voice because Chromecast and Google Home work seamlessly together. Just say what you want to watch from compatible apps and you can control your TV hands-free*! *Google Home, Chromecast, and compatible content required to cast to a TV using Google Home.

Not only do you save money by getting rid of cable and bringing Google Chromecast into your home but it’s like expanding your home entertainment without buying a new TV. It’s so affordable you can get one for every TV in the house. To learn more about Google Chromecast and to purchase yours, please visit Best Buy HERE.

Image is property of Best Buy and used with permission.

Back to School with the HP Envy x360 Laptop from Best Buy

July 24, 2018 / Lifestyle, Technology

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

With the new school year on the horizon, we are in need of a new laptop for my daughter to utilize for both classwork and homework. It’s hard to believe that laptops have taken the place of paper and pen but it’s the reality of this day and age.We are an HP loving family so heading over to Best Buy to upgrade to the HP Envy x360 Laptop is something we plan on doing before school starts. Did you know….HP Envy x360 laptops are 2-in-1 devices that can transfer from a laptop to a tablet in seconds? Versatility is key and being able to change from a laptop to a tablet is a great feature.

These come with a full HD touch screen. The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity and the natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. It’s also energy efficient with WLED backlight!

HP Envy x360 touch screen laptops also come with Windows Ink capabilities and a Windows operating system so you can write on the screen with your stylus. This is helpful for things like note taking and art class.

Their AMD processors make them fast and thin so you can take them with you anywhere you go! This is definitely convenient if your son or daughter already has a lot to carry around at school.

Here are the product specs:

Windows 10 operating system – Windows 10 brings back the Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces new features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on your screen. Learn more ›
Built for Windows Ink – Quickly jot down notes and ideas with ease.
Full HD touch screen – The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. Natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient WLED backlight.
8GB system memory for advanced multitasking – Substantial high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.
360° flip-and-fold design – Offers versatile functionality with laptop, audience, tabletop, presentation and tablet modes.

Have you considered upgrading to the HP Envy x360 Laptop? It’s perfect for the student in your life. Both the HP Envy 13 and HP Envy 15 are available at Best Buy either in-store or online. Now through 7/28, grab an HP Envy laptop for $100 off, too! That’s a great deal!

Connect with Best Buy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Images are property of Best Buy and used with permission.

Cox Communications Creates Smart Home Options for Seniors To Give Them “Connected Independence”

April 26, 2018 / Lifestyle, Technology

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Did you know that more than 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day? My dad falls into that group and comes from the generation that values choices and individual freedom. As he gets older, I often worry about his future and his independence, especially as relating to his ability to stay in his own home.Aging seniors want, and need, accessibility, which is why I’m so grateful for the smart home technologies that have been made available to them by Cox Communications. The senior phase of life encourages people to slow down and simplify but it doesn’t have to mean giving up your independence.Nearly 90% of adults age 65+ would prefer to grow old in their current home instead of moving to an assisted living facility. The want to the ability to “age in place”. With the smart home technology readily available on the market today, this is becoming more a more realistic option for aging Americans. Not only does technology empower seniors to live independently for longer, it is likely a less expensive option than moving.Check out this short video about Cox Communications Smart Home Living for Seniors:

Cox Communications partnered with senior living experts to showcase a new era in digital living that provides older adults with the ability to age in place, and be able to stay in their own homes and recently featured a “Connected Independence” Smart Home in Lake Forest, California, as part of a Cox Communications multi-city tour of its Aging in Place Experience. The home has more than 50 connected devices designed for seniors spread throughout a single-family home. The Aging in Place Experience event included senior living experts and internet-enabled smart devices, demonstrating how seniors can use new technology to live safely, independently and more comfortably at home while providing their adult children and caregivers with peace of mind. Also on hand were national and San Diego-based senior living innovators, businesses and experts. More than 35 interactive demonstrations, powered by Cox Communications’ broadband network, ran simultaneously throughout the home, including:

Rendever, which offers a virtual reality platform so seniors can “travel” to favorite destinations
Trapollo telemedicine services so doctors can diagnose and treat seniors from the comfort of their own home;
A voice-activated TV remote control, giving seniors the ability to find their favorite shows without pressing buttons or navigating through menus
Telehealth technology that allows patients to have live, personal interaction with doctors via video while at home. This technology relieves patients from travel to a medical facility for every consultation.
Double Robotics Telepresence Robot – Provides a way to check on older adults when their loved ones can’t be there in person. People can see and be seen as they steer the robot via remote control from anywhere in the world.
Smart Window/Door Sensor – Wireless device detects when doors and windows are opened.
Pill Dispensers – Helps seniors stay on schedule with their medications. Helps prevent forgotten dosages or mixed medications, and sends audible and visual alerts up to 30 minutes before pills are scheduled to be taken.
Extensive home automation and security features, including the ability to see who is at the front door and lock and unlock doors remotely through Cox Homelife, making it easier for seniors to let visitors and caregivers in and out of the home safely.
An automatic pet feeder controlled through an app
Amazon Kindle, giving users access to a vast library of books at their fingertips
Readable Voice Mail – Sends transcripts of voice messages to email
Clarity P300 Handset Landline Telephone – Makes sounds louder and easier to understand. Seniors can call people by pushing a photo button.
GeniCan – Garbage can that scans items as they’re thrown away. The GeniCan app builds a shopping list based on what needs to be replaced, and schedules home delivery through Amazon Dash.
Parrot Pot – Seniors never have to worry about their plants again. The Parrot Pot gives plants the right amount of water at the right time. This smart flowerpot has four sensors that monitor light, temperature, and soil moisture and fertilizer levels in real time. The simple app even has a database of over 8,000 plants to give seniors advice on how to help their favorite flowers thrive

Additional stations at the event included a Wi-Fi Slow Cooker, Wi-Fi vacuum, Wi-Fi cat (Joy for All Orange Tabby Cat), electronic pet feeder, electronic fork that tracks eating habits, smart door locks and video cameras, glass break sensors, water/flood sensors, motion sensors and other safety devices.

Smart home technology can help families avoid the wrenching decision and the expense of moving an aging parent to an assisted living facility. A connected home ensures seniors can continue their daily routine while maintaining, and even enhancing, their quality of life in their own home.” – said Ryland Madison, director of product marketing, Cox Communications.

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Cox Communications continues to aggressively invest in its network as well as new ventures such as healthcare and Internet of Things to better power smart homes, smart businesses and smart cities of the future. Cox has invested $15 billion in its infrastructure in the past 10 years and is investing another $10 billion in the next five years to bring fiber closer to homes, increase speeds and improve products.

For more information about Cox Communications, please visit here.

Some images and video are property of Cox Communications and used with permission.

3 Ways Navdy’s Head Up Display System Will Help Your Road Trip

August 30, 2017 / Automobiles, Lifestyle, Technology

This summer, we’ve filled a lot of our time off with some exciting road trip adventures. Since we live within proximity to great beaches, mountains, and desert areas, a couple of road trips were the perfect way to enjoy the time together.Road trip prep and packing has changed over the years. Gone are the times of loading up the car with pillows, blankets, snacks, and paper maps for a road trip. Do you remember watching your parents use actual map books? (and even squabbling over which route to take?) I do. I don’t even think kids nowadays know what paper maps are. I mean, with technology, the need for those kinds of maps seems obsolete.One thing that was so helpful to have on our road trips was our Navdy HUD (Head-Up Display System). I already have this system installed in my vehicle and use it all the time for city and highway driving. I recently shared about Navdy on my blog and how convenient it is for everyday driving. Now I need to tell you just how useful Navdy can be on a road trip, too.

If you aren’t familiar with Navdy, it’s a Head-Up Display system you install on your vehicle’s dashboard. Navdy has many convenient features for you to access, all while remaining hands-free and keeping your eyes on the road thanks to hand gestures, voice control, and the dial attached to your steering wheel. With smartphone information like texts, maps and calls projected directly in your line of sight, you never have to look down at your actual phone.Let’s face it, cell phones and distracted driving are a big problem nowadays. Navdy also has these other technological features:

directions
music control
speed limit
read and reply to texts
make and receive phone calls

Watch this brief video that shows how Navdy works:

Just watching that video makes me wonder why I didn’t install one in my car sooner, especially for road trips. Here are 3 ways that Navdy helped our road trips.
Keeping your eyes on the road, especially in a road trip situation, is the most important thing. With the projections right in front of you on the screen, it minimizes the distractions because you don’t even have to look away to do such things as use maps or voice command to call one of your contacts. Navdy is set up to project into the distance with transparent images, so the road stays in focus at all times.

Navdy is projected onto the screen right in front of you and is clearly visible to the driver whether it’s bright and sunny outside, cloudy and grey, or there’s a dark, nighttime sky. There was no need to feel like I was rushing to beat the daylight to still be able to use it. I also didn’t have to worry if it was cloudy or even if it rained outside. Navdy has the capability to be visible to the driver regardless of the lighting situation and the weather outside, and that was reassuring.I already mentioned that maps is one of the basic features on Navdy. However, the part I really appreciated the most about using Navdy on a road trip was the fact that no matter where we were driving, especially in the middle of nowhere, Navdy still had capability to navigate. Thanks to its onboard GPS, Navdy has a clear line of communication with the satellites above. Since its access comes from offline maps stored within the device, it didn’t matter if there was cell reception or not. How many times have you been on a road trip and had your “maps” go out because your phone had “No Service”? That’s scary! Being able to access maps through Navdy, regardless of where we were, was the ultimate win on our road trips.In addition to these things, being able to make phone calls, receive and reply to text messages, and control the music in the car ― all while remaining hands-free ― was very convenient and something that helped our family on our road trips. You can customize your Navdy’s display system ahead of time, too. Whether you’re going someplace local or are out on a road trip, you want to avoid distracted driving at all costs because it isn’t safe and can result in dangerous, unsafe situations for all of those on the road. Navdy technology was an immense help on our road trips and I highly recommend it for everyone! .Now if Navdy could just come up with a feature that stops kids from asking “How many more minutes?”, that would be the ultimate dream!For more information about Navdy, please go here. You can also watch more informational videos on their YouTube channel here.

5 Reasons Why Parents Need the Screen Time App This Summer

June 25, 2017 / Lifestyle, Technology

This post is in partnership with The Motherhood and Screen Time, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Technology is a wonderful thing. It’s brought our world up to light speed and has made many things so much easier and efficient. With that being said, I also feel that technology is a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to kids.Since our children are growing up in the digital age, many of them are using technology to open up their worlds. My own daughter uses her devices for a variety of things on an everyday basis, including communicating with friends, watching YouTube videos, playing games and using apps, doing homework, and going on social media.As a parent, it’s one of my main responsibilities to protect my child and keep her safe from any physical and/or emotional danger – so I’ve always been cautious about her use of technology, especially when it comes to The Internet. Parents 10 years ago never had to consider the added responsibility that comes with having a child in the technology age because you also have to protect them from the dangers associated with being online – and the disadvantages that come from too much time in front of a screen (such as obesity, irregular sleep schedules, loss of social skills and less time for play).Especially during the summer, there’s so much for kids to explore beyond their screens, which is why I’m sharing 5 reasons why parents need to download the Screen Time app (You can click here to sign up now – there’s a free basic version, but the premium is worth the $3.99/month and includes a free 14-day trial).

Here are some of the advantages of the premium version of the Screen Time app:
Time limits – As a parent, I feel it’s important to set time limits on my child’s use of technology. It’s vital when she has things like homework and bedtime, and in the summer, I try to encourage outdoor play and discovery that doesn’t always involve a screen.

App blocking – With that being said, I also recognize that certain apps are necessary (and even required), especially for homework during the school year. Screen Time allows me to free up those apps she needs for homework, or apps we can use together to enhance quality family time, while making the others unavailable until later.

Remote management – I also recognize that technology time limits should be altered for weekends, vacation times and summer, and there are plenty of apps out there that can enhance playtime and outdoor/offline discovery (see a great list of them below). It’s so convenient that I can set the limits of my child’s usage of her iPad from my phone or any browser by just logging in.

Pause & Play – We all know how kids can become entranced by their devices – just one more video, one more game. Screen Time can help break that cycle by allowing you to pause onscreen activity without endless nagging or bargaining, so you can sit down to dinner as a family, take a walk through the neighborhood, enjoy your summer together. On the flip side, play, you can also add bonus screen time without changing any settings.

Daily web and app use reports – I’ve had a couple of months to test out this wonderful app in my own home, with the use of my iPhone and my daughter’s iPad. Since she spends time on her iPad on a daily basis, I’d always tried my best to monitor and supervise what she was doing – but when I was introduced to Screen Time, these daily reports enabled me to better keep track of her activity and set reasonable limits.

Screen Time is already running on over 1 million devices, and it’s obvious just how that came to be. It’s a great app that households everywhere should be using to keep control over their own children’s usage on devices. To try it now, visit screentimelabs.com.

Reduce the Distracted Driver in You with Navdy’s Head-Up Display System

June 7, 2017 / Automobiles, Lifestyle, Technology

This is a sponsored post. I received promotional products in order to write this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

As a super busy mom, I find myself packing lunches, ironing school uniforms, driving carpools, making phone calls, returning texts, paying bills, and doing just about everything for my family, all throughout the day. On most days, it feels like I spend about 99% of my time in the car trying to do a lot of those things.
Overall, Americans are spending more time than ever in the car—45 billion hours a year to be exact—so I guess I’m not alone. In doing so, they’re accessing the power of their phones while driving because it’s become a necessity and that’s how most are connected to the world. According to a study, about 75% of American drivers admit they need a better way to integrate their mobile phones with their cars.

I’m sometimes distracted while driving. You’ll never find me putting mascara on while driving with my knee or brushing my teeth in the car, and I don’t text and drive. However, because I’m such a busy mom, I am forced to “multi-task” and do things while I’m on the road. Some of my distractions include: drinking my coffee, eating on-the-go, or making phone calls (using Bluetooth, of course). Regardless of the type of distractions, no distractions are the ideal situation when it comes to being safe while driving.

Have you heard of Navdy yet? When the company reached out to me to try their portable head-up display (HUD) in my car, and explained that it was created to help you focus better with fewer distractions while you’re driving,

I was all over that opportunity. Navdy sits on your car’s dashboard, right in front of you, allowing you to stay connected to your network, your car, and the road, all at the same time. It’s the first device of its kind, projecting information into the distance so the road remains in focus.
Watch this video that demonstrates how Navdy works:

Navdy was very simple to set up and install in my car, with the HUD installed on the dashboard and the Navdy dial, your main tool for interacting with the device, easily accessible on your steering wheel. The system is compatible with both iPhone and Android, and you begin by downloading the Navdy app. Using the app, you walk through installation, in addition to looking through the illustrated installation guide.

Since the system connects wirelessly with your phone, it allows you quick and direct access to your phone apps as well as your contacts. Once Navdy is set up and installed in your car, it enables simple, gesture-based access to the phone functions drivers need most and projects everything directly in your line of sight over the road ahead.

You can customize the display to include info such as speed limit, MPG, fuel range, directions, RPM, compass, calendar alerts, and more. They system is a comprehensive eyes-forward solution allowing drivers to manage all their phone necessities while keeping their eyes on the road.

Some of the things drivers can do with Navdy include:

Receive calls and texts without touching your phone
Control your favorite music apps
Get directions and beat traffic with navigation powered by Google Maps

And much more…Not only do I feel like Navdy is the best new solution for busy adults like myself, but it also seems like something I would insist my teenage driver utilize in the car. Don’t you agree? We want the safest possible scenario for our children, especially when they are new drivers and there are so many possible distractions that might take away from their eyes staying on the road.Navdy is a truly effective way to minimize your distractions in the car and complies with all of the new hands-free driving laws. This award-winning technology system is currently offered at the great price of $499, or as low as $28/month for 18 months at 0% financing and includes free shipping to the U.S. and Canada. It’s a great price for something that’s helping to ensure the safety of you and your family in the car.
For more information about Navdy or to purchase, please visit their site at http://www.navdy.com.

Please note: Some images, logos, and video are property of Navdy and used with permission

I Got A Peek Inside The Smart Home in Rancho Mission Viejo (It’s Amazing!)

October 9, 2016 / Lifestyle, Orange County, Technology

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to visit the Cox Smart Home in Canopy in Esencia, located the in the new, master-planned community of Rancho Mission Viejo. One of the model homes in the Canopy neighborhood was designed as a “Smart Home“. Warmington Residential and Cox Communications worked hand in hand to design this home to be inclusive of several “smart” features that are powered by Cox’s gigabit internet speed.Residents of Rancho Mission Viejo are lucky to be the first in the area to have access to Cox’s G1GABLAST service, which is 100 times faster than the average U.S. Internet service! Since Cox is the first broadband communications company to deliver gigabit-internet speed service to Orange County business and residential customers, residents in Rancho MIssion Viejo are basically living “The Gig Life”.

Watch this visual comparison of Internet speeds:

Why We ALL Need G1GABLAST!
Let’s look at a digital snapshot of my life. There are 3 people who live in my home. Between the 3 of us, we have 3 laptops, 1 desktop computer, 1 wireless printer, 3 cell phones, 2 iPads, 1 mini iPad, and a gaming system. That’s a whole lot of devices! We aren’t always using all of them at once, but there are times when someone is telecommuting from home, while someone else is doing homework, and a 3rd person is on their phone or even blogging on their laptop. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to stop and ask others in your home to get off their device so you can have decent service!

I am so fortunate to live in the neighborhood of Esencia in Rancho Mission Viejo because we have G1GABLAST high speed internet and don’t have to worry about how many devices are running at once. Truth be told, we’re really spoiled now and I hope I never have to go back to “the old way”. I don’t think I would’ve survived with dial-up internet! Getting back to the Smart Home though…it was beyond cool to see the demonstrations they had going on, showcasing the capability of the home’s high speed internet and how it can handle more than 10 interactive, visually stimulating demonstrations at once.Some of what was going on included a Wi-Fi cooking with a food blogger, telehealthy sessions with CHOC Childrens (via InTouch mobile robot), online music lessons that were streaming, a Wi-Fi pet and Wi-Fi pet feeder, virtual educational instruction, and more! With everything happening at once in the home, the heavy bandwidth was really put to the test! Here are some of my favorite features from that day:

WiFi Pet and Pet Feeder
It was fun to be greeted by Chip, the Robot pet, right when I walked through the front door. There’s nothing like coming home from a long day at work and having a pet there waiting for you. I realize that chip is a robot dog, but isn’t he adorable?

These are some of the hottest toys that kids are asking for nowadays. The home also has “Feed and Go” Smart Pet Feeder set up, which has a built-in webcam that connects via Wi-Fi to the home network. Not only can you set it up to feed your four-legged companions, you can also keep tabs on them via your Smartphone.Cox Contour Service With Voice Remote
Ryland Madison, director of Product Marketing, Cox Communications was on hand in the family room to talk about Cox Contour Service, which is available to all Cox customers. The remote offers a variety of features, which you can access from the couch. I know, firsthand, what an amazing set-up this is. You can even do everything with the “voice” button when you speak into the remote! No more searching through 1000’s of channels to find your show!

Wi-Fi Enabled Cooking
If you’re a foodie (like me), you may already know of Internet Chef Whitney Bond. She’s best known for her YouTube videos, demonstrating how to put together recipes in 30 minutes or less. Whitney was in the kitchen demonstrating how she prepares some amazing appetizers using a Wi-Fi enabled WeMo slow cooker, which was functioning on the gig-peed internet. She also treated us to some of her delicious cookies! For someone who relies on the internet for her job, having super fast speeds and capabilities within her home is essential. Whitney also showed us how she controls the slow cooker from her smart phone using the free WeMo app, even when away from home.This could be a game changer for a working mom like me who spends time driving to and from sports practices, but somehow needs to prepare a meal that’s ready immediately after practice, when I have a starving kid! Having the ability to adjust cooking time and temperature from the and and a smart device delivers the ultimate convenience and peace of mind.

Telemedicine sessions with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
In one of the bedrooms, there was a demonstration of a telemedicine session. Michelle Jones, the telehealth manager for CHOC Children’s and Dr. Jack Winkle with In-Touch Telemedicine. Dr. Winkle was speaking from the In-Touch Express Robot because he was off-site at the time.. The capabilities of telemedicine are amazing, allowing the doctor-patient connection at any time to be possible. It’s basically going to be the house calls of the future!

Streaming Online Music Lessons With Skype
I was so impressed to be able to watch world-renowned violinist, Jason Yang, give a violin lesson via Skype. His student was actually in Canada and Jason explained that he relies on Cox G1GABLAST to provide him with the necessary bandwidth to stream while he’s working.

With the increased digital needs of people living in the 21st century, Cox has recognized that gone are the days of having just 1 or 2 devices running in a home. Not only is technology a way of life, it’s also necessary for students and their homework, adults who telecommute form home, families streaming shows and movies at home, and using devices in the home that help make life easier overall. It seems like everything relies on internet speed and service.

Canopy at Esencia is located at:

100 Vasto St.

Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif. 92694My experience inside the Cox Smart Home was nothing short of amazing! To learn more about Cox Communications and the services it offers, visit here.

Family Travel Made Easier With the New Cars Daredevil Garage App! #DisneyPixarCarsToGo

August 5, 2015 / Apps, Travel

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyPixarCarsToGo #CollectiveBias

At the beginning of summer, when we were making our “Summer Bucket List”, we thought it would be fun to add some family travel, like a little road trip for our family of 3, to the list. I love road trips. I love exploring new areas. I love driving in what seems to be the middle of nowhere because of all the beautiful nature. I just love the idea of getting away (but still having our own car). There is one thing I don’t adore about road trips though…the questions that come from the back seat!

I’m almost sure the Road Trip Fairy timed the release of a new app called Cars Daredevil Garage to coincide with our road trip this summer because it came out right before our trip!

My daughter LOVES watching the Disney Pixar Cars movie and anything Cars related! The Cars Daredevil Garage app is fun for kids (and moms like me) because they get to join Lightning McQueen, Mater and all of their favorite Cars characters to power through virtual worlds of heart-racing stunts. There are over 160 cars to choose from in the new Cars Daredevil Garage app! The app is now available as a free download and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It’s optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6.

How cute does it look?

undefined on Disney Video

Go to the App store on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone. (I have it downloaded on more than one device).
Search “Cars Daredevil Garage: App. It’ll look like this.
Click “Get”. Be sure to have your Apple ID ready because it usually asks you to enter it when you download a new app.
Click “Install” and wait for the app to fully download.
As soon as it’s fully downloaded, it’ll look like this on your desktop.

Before we left on our road trip, we made a special trip to Toys “R” Us to check out some of the Pixar Cars toys they had and found some exclusive Cars Die-Cast vehicles like Hudson Hornet, Antonio Veloce Eccellente and Green Ramone that are exclusive to Toys “R” Us. They also had a bunch of the Radiator Springs Story Sets on the shelf, so I grabbed one to bring with us for the hotel room.

You can find all of these fun Cars toys in the toy section. I didn’t refer to any of it as a “Boys Toys Section” or “Girls Toys Section” because I’ve always encouraged my daughter just to play with anything and everything!

When you first open the app, this is the screen you’ll see. *Cue the fun music As you navigate through the game, you’ll be given choices for things you can play.

I appreciate that the app informs users, right away, about in-app purchases. It’s always important for kids to get permission from parents before adding on these kinds of things, especially when they know the password to easily download things on their own.

The app also gives you tips on how to scan in some of the Die-cast vehicles to add to your own garage in the game. It’s important to note that they must come from specially marked packages to work with the scanner. After you have them scanned in, you can actually play with those cars in the app. It’s really cute! We’re kind of partial to the Green Ramone.

Although I don’t encourage my daughter to be on her device for hours at a time, it was nice to have her engaged as we set off on our road trip. It was also so cute to hear all of the sounds coming from the game in the backseat. I can’t get enough of Lightning’s voice! The Cars Daredevil Garage app is such a fun game and I loved the Ultimate Piston Cup Speedway Set we bought for the hotel room because it kept her occupied.

What do YOU do to keep your kids occupied on a road trip or when you’re on-the-go?

In-Store at Toys “R” Us 25% Off All CARS Die-Cast $9.99 And Under (7/26 – 8/22)