APP-Y FRIDAY : BACKIN' IT UP

Last Friday I kicked off a HUGE series called APP-Y Friday and
I shared with you guys my favorite apps that are used to add a little "bling" to your photos.
This week I thought that I would change things up a bit and share with you all what apps I am currently using to back it all up!

  I have a FULL FLEDGED obsession when it comes to apps, that you and I may think that I will need a recovery group once we are through with this series!

When I counted them this morning I have a total of 222  225 (yes I added 3 since last week!) of them things on my phone!

As promised I have them ALL categorized for your convince sanity!

But DON'T be surprised if you find one listed in more than one category along the way

So without further ado...

HERE WE GO! 

(apps are in no particular order) 

VERIZON CLOUD 

Available On:

Google Play and The App Store

Cost:

Notta!

App Includes: 

• SECURELY BACK UP your phone's content (contacts, photos, videos, and more) to your own cloud account
• EASILY TRANSFER content stored on your previous phone to a new one, whether you are a new or existing customer
• SHARE select media content using your favorite native apps
• SYNC the last 90 days of text and media messages on the first sync, and all new messages thereafter
• ACCESS ACROSS DEVICES – Back up content from your PC or Mac's hard drive and/or tablet to your Verizon Cloud account using the downloadable Desktop client and/or Tablet app. You can then access that content on all of your Verizon Cloud-capable devices.

What I LOVE:

I love the fact that I can schedule my back up times. I currently have mine set to automatically back up EVERY NIGHT! I have been there where I have lost SOOO many pictures! NEVER AGAIN! 

What I DON'T Love:

I am not thrilled that the verizon phones don't already have this set up automatically when you get a new device. If you are unaware of the fact that you have to set up this service you WILL LOOSE everything... BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

Copy

      

         

Available on:

Google Play AND The App Store 

Cost:

Nothing!

App Includes:

• Chromecast support! You can now stream any audio, video, or photos stored in your Copy account to a Chromecast-connected television.
• PhotoCopy: A quick, easy way to sync your photos and videos with your Copy account
- PhotoCopy automatically uploads any photo or video you take with your device's camera for a safe and fast backup
- Enable PhotoCopy in your preferences
• On-demand access to all your files
• Easy file sharing without big attachments
• Invite other people to join your folders for even easier sharing
• Upload your photos, videos, or anything from your SD Card
- Now upload a photo straight from your camera!
• Download past versions of any file

What I LOVE:

Copy automatically uploads my images to my "cloud" as soon as they are taken, edited, etc. 

I never have to worry about loosing one! I also love that it is compatible with all my electronic devices!

  What DON'T I love:

I am still fairly new to using this particular one but so far I have no complaints!

Google Drive

 Available on:

Google Play and The App Store

Cost:

FREE!

App Includes:

 * View documents, PDFs, photos, videos, and more
* Search for files by name and content
* Easily share files and folders with others
* Set files or folders so anyone with a link can view, comment, or edit
* Quickly access recent files
* See file details and activity
* Enable viewing of files offline

What I LOVE:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that everything I personally use between my computer and my phone is all RIGHT there and with the other MANY Google apps I am certain to be able to take my work with me on the go! 

  What DON'T I love:

I really have no complaints on this as of yet. I think that with all the many choices and options of back up my data I feel better not loosing the information I will need! 

Lyve

Available on:

Google Play and The App Store

Cost:

FREE 

with in app purchases

starting at $0.99- $1.99 each 

App Includes:

 • Collects and organizes - Lyve pulls all of the photos and videos stored on your desktop computer or laptop, organizes them by date, and creates a single collection on your phone.
• Makes sharing easy - Lyve lets you share photos and videos with friends by sharing directly to Facebook, Twitter, by text, or email.
• Lyve Mix - sharing just got easier and more fun with Lyve Mix! In real time, seamlessly share photos at events and parties with your friends around you. Never again say, “Can you send me that photo?”
• Photo editing - crop, enhance, filter, frame, remove red-eye, and even stickers with Aviary photo editor.
• Tags - group, sort, search and easily find your favorite photos and videos.
• Consolidates your photos and videos - easy automatic transfer of images from Facebook, and cloud solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox.
• Cross-platform - the only service that brings your photos and videos together regardless of device platform.
• Lyve + Chromecast - now you can cast your entire collection of photos onto your TV in stunning HD 1920x1280.

What I LOVE:

I love the fact that these take my images from my phone AND any other device that I use and keep everything together!  

  What DON'T I love:

 I really have no complaints on this as of yet

ONE DRIVE

Avaliable On:
Google Play and The App Store

Cost:
Free

App Includes:
• Browse all your OneDrive files and files shared with you.
• Automatically upload photos and videos to your personal OneDrive account using Camera backup.
• Share your files.
• Move, delete, and rename files, and create new folders.
• Open your OneDrive files in other apps, including Office apps.
• Quickly get to documents you've recently opened.
• Search for your files and folders.

What I LOVE:
Again this is another one of those AMAZING apps that link my computers goodies to my phones and vise versa!

What I DON'T Love:
Again this is another one I don't really have a complaint for yet. I am just thankful to have all these files backed up!

Which is your GO TO BACK UPPER? 

**DISCLAIMER**

 This is NOT a sponsored post, I was not asked to plug in any of the apps, all opinions are based on my experience and all options are that of my own. 

Dreaming of...(Subscription) Boxes : Home Edition

Last Thursday I shared with you guys my new could be obsession  with Subscription Boxes. 

If you missed it check out Our Beauty Edition

Since these last couple of weeks I have been working my ass off trying to get my home in order I thought it would only be natural that this week I share with you my Home Edition!

Right now there are 56 home themed subscription boxes and with the costs ranging from 240 a yr to fit into your budget, I have narrowed it down to my top 3  "wish list" so check them out...

 Wickbox

 $29.95 per month

 Choose a medium or large candle to be delivered to your door every month! Fill out a scent profile so we can handpick your candle based on the scents you love. Our brand partners focus on quality like lead-free wicks, superior wax, & beautiful containers.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE candles! These things would be an easy budget breaker for me and I think that out of all the ones that they offer this sounds like to me one that I would enjoy the most. 

Flower of the Month Club

$34.96 per month

In every Flower of the Month subscription receive a professionally designed seasonal bouquet cut just days before you receive it. Also their monthly newsletter where you’ll learn about each featured flower's history, where it originated and how it was grown.

I love fresh flowers, but I will be honest they are not in my everyday decor, flowers get expensive FAST and since I do not have a green thumb, nor the knowledge to keep a plant alive this would be my best bet. I am telling you I am NOT graced with being able to take care of plants... AT ALL... I mean I am the one who killed a Venus fly trap! Who knew...

Box of Chic

$49.00 per month

A subscription box for your home! Each box will surprise you with pretty pieces for your desk, coffee table, kitchen, bar, dining room, bedroom and more! Jennifer personally styles each box's items and includes a gorgeous photo depicting how she styled as well as styling tips so you can easily re-create the look in your home.

I LOVE  styling tips and items that say here ya go stupid! Needless to say I have always had my own sense of style and decor and up until recently I have never really cared. I guess you get to a point in your life when you say maybe it is time to let your style grow up some... After all I was the teenage with my favorite things stapled to my bedroom walls... So yeah...

These were so hard to narrow down since there are so many that are similar but these would be the ones that I would say are a MUST have in my book for our home. 

The list of subscriptions were thanks to Hello Subscription

I REALLY encourage y'all to go check it out! 

I will be sharing more "Wish Lists" in the following categories so STAY TUNED:

BEAUTY
WOMEN

CLOTHING & FASHION

CRAFTS, DYI & HOBBIES

MEN

SPECIAL INTEREST & FAN

FOOD & COOKING

BEVERAGE

HOME

FITNESS

TEENS & TWEENS

BABY

KIDS

PETS

&

REGIONAL, LOCAL & COUNTRIES

Which one are you most excited to hear about?

Are you a Box Subscription Subscriber? 

If so who are you signed up with?

 (DISCLAIMER: this is NOT a sponsored post, I was not asked to speak about any of the companies involved and all of the opinions are of my own)

Tasty Tuesday: Rice & Sausage

With our fall weather in full swing it's time to heat up the kitchen with some hot meals!
God knows I am not a HUGE fan of standing in front of a gas stove in the dead heat of the summer BUT during the winter I am game!
 Last night I made another family favorite of Red Beans & Rice with sausage and Yellow rice with sausage.
NO this is NOT a made from scratch recipe but I'll be honest I am too in LOVE with this I wouldn't dare trying to screw it up!
I personally use Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice boxes and Mahatma Yellow Rice Pouches.
Here in Arkansas and in Alabama they both can be found at any grocery store.
NOW as for the sausage... I ONLY use Conecuh brand... and the spicier of the two flavors. Downfall here in Arkansas I can only find it at Kroger's verses when we were in Alabama it was also very easy to find.

 

 To get started I follow the back of the rice packages and measure out my water. I personally use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup less water than the Zaterain's calls for inorder to make it thicker.

I then cut the sausage into bite sized pieces.

I typically use one package of sausage when I make it for our family but I use 2 of each of my rice choices. You can add as little or as much sausage as you would like.

The rest is as easy as pie as you just follow the directions on the back. I usually have this meal thrown together in less than a half hour and it's always a huge hit. 

I also usually serve a roll of some sort or cornbread with it.

My personal favorite are the Hawaiian sweet rolls.

Though I am not HUGE on " SOUTHERN " foods I will have to say this is by far my favorite. 

 Have you tried this Southern classic?

Dreaming of...(Subscription) Boxes : Beauty Edition

In 2011 someone had a brainstorm to stick stuff in a box and have people pay for it...

MONTHLY...

My thoughts?

WHY didn't I think of that!

4 years later and there are at least over 1800 DIFFERENT companies following suit.

The first of the year I jumped on the band wagon and signed up with Ispy Glam Bags 

If you are not familiar with them here is the basics...

They are a box subscription company who specializes in beauty products.

Here is my "spread" of bags since I have joined!

When you sign up you answer a quiz that they use as the basis on what products you get sent, shades, etc. 

 Give them your $10 a month and wait with some MAJOR anticipation to see that pink envelope in your mail box!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ISPY mail days!

If you want to join me there use my REFERRAL LINK

As a matter of fact I got my October shipment yesterday.Here is a peak inside my glambag this month!

 which is why I had this great idea that I would share with you about my experience with Ispy being a box subscription based company and then I would put together a "wish list" of some of the other companies out there.

 What is so great about these companies is that they have something for everyone! There are SO many categories out there so I just HAD to make up a wish list for each area! 

What?!

Today I will share with you Box Subscription companies that specialize in beauty, since I am a current subscriber in that area my self.

But there are SO MANY MORE I would LOVE to sign up with..

Out of the 226 companies specializing in beauty I narrowed it down to  10...

The subscription prices range from free to $348 a month...

Here is my "Wish List"

Walmart Beauty Box

$5.00 per quarter

Each new season brings different product needs and a reason to refresh your beauty cabinet. In your Walmart Beauty Box, you’ll find sample beauty products and tips on how to use those and other items sold at Walmart and on Walmart.com. Receiving your Walmart Beauty Box will be another reason to welcome each new season.

Target Beauty Box

$7.00 per quarter

Try your favorite beauty products with the Target beauty box. Receive 5 sample size beauty products each quarter.  Try them, tote them, take them with you – we’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do.

Birchbox

$10.00 per month

Birchbox is a discovery box that will send you 5 samples or full-size products. Earn rewards points by subscribing and reviewing your products that you can spend on full-size items on their site.

 Ipsy

$10.00 per month

Monthly Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Comes with a cute little bag to store your loot.

Glitter Daze

$15.00 per month

Based on box size, get 1 full-sized Polish & 1 hand care item to a full-size plus mini + 2 nail care item and a glittery accessory. Hand-blended 5-free “artisanal” polish.

SquareHue

$21.00 per month

Monthly surprise subscription of 3 3-free themed polishes per month. Donates to great causes, not tested on animals, and made in the USA.

e.l.f. Beauty Bundle

$27.00 per month

Get a hand-picked assortment of e.l.f.’s top-rated products every eight weeks. Bundles feature e.l.f. products for eyes, lips, and face, as well as skin care, nail products, and top-rated makeup tools.

Memebox

$30.00 per month

K Beauty in a box! Not a subscription, purchase each box separately! Do not forget to check out the Superboxes and Lucky Boxes! The original Memebox comes packed with 4 – 8 full sized products and deluxe samples, carefully curated from experts in Korea to give you the opportunity to experience the widest selection of beauty products. Boxes in each Memebox series always contain the same products, and contents vary from hair and body products, to skin care and cosmetics.

Wantable Makeup

$40.00 per month

Makeup boxes have 3-5 full-size premium makeup products selected by a makeup artist or stylist and application tips. Your first Collection is $40 and after your “keep all” credit, every month afterwards is $36. You’ll receive 3-5 items and a happiness guarantee. If you love them all, they’re yours to keep at no additional cost. If you’re not in love, returns are easy and free for domestic customers.

Peach & Lily

$49.00 per box

$150+ for only $49 and includes full-sized cult favorite beauty products, travel-sized items, and free shipping. Discover the latest Peach and Lily favorites before they hit the website. Note that these are one-time boxes and not always available. Search the site for “box” or sign up for emails.

The list of subscriptions were thanks to Hello Subscription

I REALLY encourage y'all to go check it out! 

I will be sharing more "Wish Lists" in the following categories so STAY TUNED:

WOMEN

CLOTHING & FASHION

CRAFTS, DYI & HOBBIES

MEN

SPECIAL INTEREST & FAN

FOOD & COOKING

BEVERAGE

HOME

FITNESS

TEENS & TWEENS

BABY

KIDS

PETS

&

REGIONAL, LOCAL & COUNTRIES

Which one are you most excited to hear about?

Are you a Box Subscription Subscriber? 

If so who are you signed up with?

 

(DISCLAIMER: this is NOT a sponsored post, I was not asked to speak about any of the companies involved and all of the opinions are of my own)

Meet Alora!

Well you guessed it!
My sweet Alora is the middle girl and so she is second up for introduction...

So everyone...

Alora came into this world exactly ONE week before my 19th birthday.
On September 27th at 8:04 am she made her appearance and joined Dakota and I in this crazy world I now call my beautiful chaos.

(I will share more on her birth story also later)


As of today Alora is 12 years old, a 6th grader and in Middle School.

Alora has always been my little accident prone daredevil and out of ALL 3 of my girls I am pretty sure she has top rank for trips to the emergency room and surgeries.

I asked her the same questions I asked Dakota for her introduction and here is what she came up with:


Favorite Movie:

Avengers: Age of Ultron

This is ACTUALLY a family favorite, we have all been so excited over all the recent super hero movies but I think the Avengers series has got us hooked the most.

Favorite Color:

Blue

So I SWEAR the other day it was purple...
Since I have struck out 2 for 2 with the kids favorite colors MAYBE I should do this more often..smh

Dream Job:

Chef

This I TOTALLY get for her! She has always been a foodie and honestly the less picky of the family. She has NEVER been afraid to try new foods.
I know a few years ago this was narrowed down to being THE TOP chef in the White House...

Animal:

Hawk

Yeah so these animals are shocking me left and right...


School Subject:

Science

Her reasoning... because she gets to dissect animal parts... my response...
GGGRRROOOOSSSS!!!


Holiday:

Christmas

A kid after my own heart ;)

Thing to do in Arkansas:

Skate

She recently learned to roller blade and there hasn't been a day gone by she isn't outside with them things on her feet. I am just thanking God she hasn't tried to do it in the house yet... but I am sure when there is ice and snow on the ground this WILL become a reality.

Food:

Potato Soup

Not just any potato soup though! "The kind you make mom" was her exact answer. Though I would LOVE to take credit for it I will have to give a shout out and a HUGE thank you to my ex brother in law Shaun for sharing his recipe with me!

Drink:

Hot Tea

What can I say she has an old lady spirit to her some days


Vacation:

Disney World

We were lucky enough that when my brother graduated high school (he was the only one out of my mom's 3 kids) that my grandparents and dad took him, his girlfriend (at the time), my sisters older two kids (her other two weren't born yet), my sister Samantha, my brother Dominick, my three girls, Ant and myself all to Disney World. My kids LOVED it, and it made me miss being in California where it was SO CLOSE to go visit. That trip was one for the record books to say the least!

MORE FUN FACTS:


She is a social butterfly and meets NO strangers!


She LOVES musicals


She plays softball

She is the next runner up for braces
(You can follow her progress here on the blog)


She eats ranch dressing on EVERYTHING normal people put ketchup on

BOTH of her BFF's live on our street
(as a matter of fact they both live catty-cornered from us, one left, one right)

She plays the flute


AND this girl can shoot a bow and arrow!


Wanna catch up on the meet and greets?
Check them out!

Our Story

Meet Ant

Meet Dakota

Up next... Aaliyah!

Tasty Tuesday: My Homemade Chili & Corn Bread

A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE RECIPE:
This last Saturday the weather was almost the perfect definition of fall. Cool breeze, leaves and trees dancing around you,  barley reached over 70 degrees here and I was L-O-V-ing it! Though I love the beach and would rather live near one my favorite season as always been fall and my favorite month is October!
Since the weather had finally gave us full swing fall and the scene was set I figured it would be a perfect night for one of our family favorites homemade chili and cornbread. If you personally know my family you know it is an almost impossible task to find a meal we ALL agree on.
This recipe is the one that my mom shared with me and I remember loving it as much as a kid. I did however take out one ingredient but if you make it my way or my moms your looking at 5 ingredients or less! My mom ALWAYS did her chili in the crock pot first thing in the morning as us girls ate breakfast. I USED to do it the same way (I personally prefer it that way) but one time several years back I FORGOT to start it that morning before leaving for work and opted to go with this version instead when I got home and dinner wasn't cooked and  I had some HUNGRY babies . I PRAYED to God I didn't fuck it up and it was eatable... well it was and Ant swore it was the best batch yet and ever since then my chili never saw my crock pot again... :(   Men...smh...

OKAY SO HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

HOMEMADE CHILI

Ingredients:

Hamburger Meat
Pinto Beans
Salsa
Chili Seasoning Packet

THAT'S IT! 

My mom's recipe she used kidney beans also but I omitted them when Dakota and Alora were toddlers so I could get them to eat the chili and it just didn't grow up with them I guess.

For our family of 5; I use:
about 2 pounds or so of the hamburger meat
between 3/4 to a full jar of salsa, I buy the store name generic Mild Chunky salsa, but you can use whatever brand or heat you like bit I would REALLY reccomend you stick with the chunky consistency
one 15 ounce can of the pinto beans, again this is usually the store brand generic can unless a name brand has it cheaper
I usually use one of the McCormicks Original Chili Seasoning packets but the dumb ass walmart here is ALWAYS sold out of it. So I have settled with having to use the mild.

If you decide you want to add the kidney beans you can choose either light or dark red or even both. I still just use one can of them.

This recipe is really flexable and you can add as little or as much of each ingredient as you wish!

HERE IS WHAT YOU DO:

You of course will want to brown your hamburger meat and the drain it well.

Once the meat is fully cooked,
add your can of pinto beans. I drain about half of the juice out; but that is just personal preference.
Then I dumb in about 3/4 of the jar of salsa into the mix
Then I add the seasoning packed.
I some times add the rest of the salsola or a very small amount of water depending how thick it is looking
Once they are all in the pot I mix everything real well and I crank the heat up and let it hang out for a bit. Be sure  to check on it from time to time though. 

While browning the hamburger meat I take the time to preheat my oven and get the corn bread ready to be placed in the oven. I personally use the classic Jiffy Mix and add a little sugar to make it just a little bit sweeter to off set any spice from the chili.

I usually keep my pot of chili on low to medium heat for the length of time it takes the corn bread to bake so I would say between 20 and 25 minutes or so.Once the corn bread is done your chili will be as well. 

Serve your chili and top it as you please:

Dakota, Alora and I are all about the sour cream and cheese  combo with ours.

Aaliyah will ONLY eat hers with "sprinkle" cheese aka parmesan cheese

and as for Ant it's the classic plain with saltine crackers...

The posiblities are endless with this recipe! 

How do you eat your chili?