Holiday Gift Guide - Common Fiber Wallet Cellphone Case - #Giveaway

Finding the perfect cellphone case always seems to be a challenge. Either the phone doesn't fit right and keeps sliding out, or the case snaps after only a few weeks. I must have gone through twenty this year alone. Luckily, I finally found a phone case I can rely on. Common Fibers is the maker of the original carbon fiber wallet.  If you aren't familiar, carbon fiber is the material commonly used for race cars and airplane parts because it has high tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, and high temperature tolerance. What this means in layman's terms is that this case is virtually indestructible.

I found the carbon fibers intriguing, but I also love the sleek design. The color is a nice, neutral black, but the front cover is almost holographic and shimmers in the light.  Inside, you'll find plenty of room for your credit cards and cash.  Our iPhone 8 fit snugly in it's compartment, and all of the buttons were still accessible.  In addition to being a stylish, unisex design, all of the cases and wallets from Carbon Fibers are RFID blocking, which means you won't have to worry about your credit card information getting stolen. The sturdy carbon fiber material protects your phone from bumps and drops, so all your necessities will be protected when you're on the go. As an added bonus, it even comes with a cleaning cloth! 

If you are looking for a great stocking stuffer, a Common Fibers phone case wallet is a great choice. Since it's a wallet and phone case combo, it's like getting two gifts in one. Plus, it's made in America, and has a life time guarantee. If you want to give yourself the gift of quality and dependability, you can grab a case on their website for only $99. Three-day shipping is always free in the US. In addition to phone cases, they also have traditional wallets, bottle openers, sunglasses, and more. Check them out today and see the difference carbon fibers can make in your life.

**Discount Code **

Get 20% Off CF Cases at Common Fibers with code EDC.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Common Fibers cellphone case of their own. An additional five winners will receive bottle openers!  To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will  11/21/17 and is open to the US only.  The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to the sponsor for offering this fantastic prize.

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Holidays Made Brighter with #MoreLumia

Hosting holiday parties can be a lot of work, but the Lumia 1520 smartphone can help things move along a little smoother. From checking the weather forecasts to keeping in touch family, with the Lumia, you can have it all at the tips of your fingers.  I recently hosted a fun family gathering and Lumia helped make it a day to remember.With tons of music, recipe, and photo apps, the Lumia 1520 smartphone is the complete package for holiday hosting.  Before anyone even arrived, I used the Evernote feature to keep track of my to-do list and help me stay organized. You can type in notes and set reminders so you don't forgot all those important little details.

I always say I'm going to plan ahead, but with four kids and a million responsibilities, I often find myself scampering to get things done at the last minute. This week when I had my holiday party, I had the decor, but nothing else was planned. Thanks to my Lumia 1520, that wasn't an issue. You won't even need to use a keyboard. Just ask Cortana, your personal digital assistant, and she will steer you in the right direction every time. Cortana can help with your party prep by reminding you to pick up dinner ingredients when you’re near the store, track flights to let you know when family has arrived to town, and so much more more.   I started early that morning by searching for some recipes.

Because I have Wifi  on my Lumia 1520, I was able to get right online without having to load up my laptop. Within seconds, I found hundreds of simple recipes while I was waiting in line to drop my daughter off at school. Then I just ran over to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients without any hassle.  You can search Big Oven for over 300,000 recipes right on your windows phone.

Next I needed to find something to keep the kids busy so the adults could actually get some quiet time. With a little help from Cortana, I found tons of holiday themed party games that I could make with every day items I already had lying around the house.  Just tell her what you're looking for and she brings up a list of options.

The Lumia 1520 makes setting the mood easy. Holiday tunes are plentiful on MixRadio. This steaming service is free and gives you personalized music with no advertising. The MD-12 wireless portable speaker makes it easy to listen to your favorite holiday tunes any time and any place without the hassle of wires. As an added bonus, you can set up the fireplace app to add a little ambiance to any party.

Once your party has ended, Cortana and your Lumia 1520 can still help make it a day to remember. The Movie Creator Beta is a video app that optimizes your editing experience right from your windows smartphone.  You can also edit your favorite holiday pictures using the Afterlight app. This easy to use editing tool will give you the look you want in seconds.

As you can see, the Lumia 1520 Smartphone has everything you need to make your holiday preparations a breeze, but it also makes a great holiday gift.  My teen daughter is already trying to steal mine every chance she gets, so I'm thinking I'll have to grab another one.  Visit the Microsoft website to learn more and to check out all the available models.

Holiday Gift Guide - The VTech Retro Phone with Connect to Cell™ Review & #Giveaway

The VTech Retro Phone with Connect to Cell

Make more than just calls with this retro-inspired cordless phone from VTech. The style is undeniably '60s, but with Connect to Cell technology, a built-in digital answering system, and caller ID/call waiting on the handset and base, this stylish phone is anything but old fashioned.

Key Features

Connect to Cell

By wirelessly connecting to your cellular phone line, this system allows you to make and receive cellular and landline calls on one convenient home phone. Pair up to two cell phones and have up to two devices actively connected at a time to enjoy high-quality calls, with or without a landline.

Contemporary Retro Design

Inspired by the classic corded rotary telephone, the LS6191 is a blend of contemporary and retro styles.

Face-down Charging

The cordless handset rests face down on the charger to maintain this phone's classic look.

Rotary-inspired Keypad

Dial with the push-button keypad, arranged like a classic rotary telephone dialpad.

My Thoughts

I just love this awesome retro phone! It's sleek design reminds me of my youth, but it still has a futuristic look to it as well. When I was looking for a new phone, I thought this one was a great choice. I am one of those oddball people who still prefers my land-line phone over my cell phone. Being a stay-at-home, work-at-home mom, I find it easier to reach for my phone on my desk then  have to dig through my bottomless handbag to search for my cell phone, which is normally dead anyway. My husband is the opposite. He loves his Android and can't live without it. The Retro Phone works as a land line, but also has a "connect to cell" option, making it the perfect choice for both of us.

I was lucky enough  to receive one of these snazzy phones to review.  The handset is very light weight, and the numbers on the keyboard and screen are both large and clear to read.  The back-lit display makes it easy to see even in the dark. I learned almost  immediately that the battery has a long life even when it gets left off the charger--this is a bad habit my tween daughter has so it's an important feature for me.  The volume can be adjusted to the perfect level for each individual's preference.  Another feature I love is the ability to turn off the ringer. When the babies are sleeping or I'm working on my novels, I don't like to be interrupted by a ringing phone. It also has a built it caller ID system so the name, number, and time off the call are all listed on the handset. If you miss someone important, you will be able to go through missed calls and return them with just the click on a button.

Of course, the really cool feature is being able to merge this phone with your cell. This is the first time I've done this and I'm somewhat technologically impaired, but I had no trouble setting it up. It works using wireless Bluetooth, so you never have to miss a call again.  It even works with more than one phone and you can store your records if you download the app.  This is just a really awesome phone that makes everything more convenient for our family. I would recommend to anyone who wants the best of both worlds as far as cell phones and landlines.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a The VTech Retro Phone!  To enter just fill out the Giveaway Tools  form below.  Open to the US only. This giveaway will end on 12/8/14 at 12:01 am EST. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Vtech Phones  for offering this fantastic prize.

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Review: Tech21 Phone Cases

As we enter 2014, people everywhere are making and trying to keep their New Year’s resolutions, but only 8% of people have been found to achieve them, according to the University of Scranton.

Tech21 wants to make sure that people can keep one resolution in 2014 – making sure that their precious devices remain protected from life’s calamities. According to SquareTrade, more than 15 million people damage their phones during the holidays, which can lead to pricey repairs during the most expensive time of the year.

Tech21’s advanced cases and screen protectors are available for a wide variety of smartphones, tablets and laptops, and deliver unrivalled protection without taking away from the beauty and functionality of the device. The company uses patented D3O “goo” in its cases, which locks up upon impact to for ultimate protection.

A few of Tech21’s newest products include:

- Impact Shield Self-Heal Screen Protector: This multi-layered screen protector, which includes an advanced BASF Impact Absorption Polymer that is also used in bullet proof glass, delivers an unrivalled combination of features that make it the world’s most advanced screen protection product on the market today.

- Impact Trio: This slim fitting, colorful case utilizes an intelligent multi-layered protection structure and features an easy “snap on” design for the iPhone 5s.

- Impact Band / Impact Mesh: Available in a wide variety of colors, both of these cases feature patented D3O polymer, which locks up upon impact for ultimate protection, while also giving full access to all of a device’s ports and buttons

Our Thoughts
Back in September, I went from an iPhone 4s to an iPhone 5s.  There was a huge difference in weight and thickness. Honestly with my iPhone 5s I feel like I'm going to snap it in half just because I'm still not used to having it be so thin. Don't get me wrong, I love that it's thinner than the iPhone 4s but this feeling lead me to try numerous cases.

Between my husband and I we are very, very picky when it comes to cases for our phones. We want something that is sleek, not bulky, but protects the phone as much as possible. The only cases that I have found that I like are the Tech21 cases! The Tech21 cases keep the phone sleek and not bulky but they also protect the phone as well in my opinion as something that you could easily pay twice as much for!

We have the Impact Band (hubby has it on his phone) and the Impact Shell. What I like best about both of these cases is they both let you see the phone itself. While I like the colored cases and cases that have funky designs on them, I really like the ones that allow you to see the phone itself. I mean, I did purchase the iPhone 5s in silver for a reason, not to mention that I wouldn't be able to see the True Blood sticker I have on the back if I don't have a clear case. So for us, we LOVE the clear case of the Impact Band and Impact Shell that we have now.

If you're looking for a case for your phone, check out Tech21. They have cases for other brands, not just iPhone. They also have cases for your MacBooks, iPads and Kindles as well!

Follow Tech21 on Facebook and Twitter too!

Hydro EDGE - Waterproof Cell Phone by Kyocera

"Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review."

Whatever life throws your way, Hydro EDGE is the waterproof* and reasonable way to stand up to it all.

Geared for moms, teens or anyone braving rugged conditions they are THE BEST waterproof cell phone brand in the world- (google you tube videos of Bear Grylls with the phones in the extreme conditions-amazing) Under $50 for a waterproof cell phone that works like any leading phone out there and available through many different carriers they make a great gift item! Operates like any other smartphone but works under water so all of life’s uh-oh moments are now ah ha opportunities! Kids dropping phones in a puddle this winter, the toilet, sink or even moms with messy hands while baking and cooking and want to check a quick text- these are THE BEST!

Water Tested.
Life Approved.

Sudden spills, thunderstorms, the shallow end of a pool.

The cure for aquaphobia.

Hydro EDGE has no fear of water. From a few raindrops to full-on cannon balls. In fact, it can sit under three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.*

*Certified waterproof for IPX5 and IPX7. Immersible for up to 30 minutes in up to 3.28 feet (1 meter). Phone should be dried as quickly as possible when wet. To ensure that your phone is waterproof, make sure the battery door is properly sealed

My Thoughts

I am really, really happy with this Hydro Edge waterproof Android smart phone by Kyocera. This phone is durable and very dependable.  The battery life lasts me all day, which is a major plus due to I am constantly on the phone. I don't plan on dropping this phone in the water, but its a great feature for a beach-goer like me. It's also dust and waterproof. Since I am always snapping pictures, I love that this phone has a five megapixel rear facing camera with flash and video recorder.  I can take video of my son playing basketball or daughter playing her piano.

I have not had any issues with dropping calls, or no service. And since I am always on the go with my two kids, I needed the security of a safe, reliable phone. This phone runs on Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean system, which is great with playing games on.

From clear connections, taking pictures and video, texting friends and family and able to play some fun games, this is a great phone! It has everything I need plus more. 


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***