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Easy Macro Lens for Smart Phone

February 14th, 2012

Another great product from photojojo.com. I previously blogged about photojojo’s attachable lenses. While I still think those are a great addition to your camera phone, I also like the Easy Macro Lens for $15.

It is a sturdy rubber band with a built-in macro lens that works with any smartphone.  The lens will transform your cell phone photos from blah to awwwww by giving you stunningly sharp details. When not in use, the band will fit around your wrist, or on a plastic card that comes with the band to keep in your wallet. But if you are looking for more detailed lenses, go for the attachable lenses from photojojo.com.  Check out photojojo’s site for variety of photo gifts and gear.

 

App of the Week: Pandora Radio

February 13th, 2012

Pandora Radio is free personalized radio app that only plays music you’ll love. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs or classical composers and Pandora will create a custom “station” that plays similar music.

My husband loves Pandora and listens to it while he is at work. I bought some really good headphones for him to be able to listen while he works. It’s sort of like whistling while you work.

Pandora is a great way to discover new artists also.  When you pick a genre of music you like, you will get a range of different artists, and usually I find some new favorites. The way they pick what you like is different than just a cookie cutter approach.

From Pandora’s website:

At Pandora, we have a single mission: To play only music you’ll love. (OK, we’ve added comedy as well so we’re also up for playing some jokes you’ll love.)

To understand just how we do this, and why we think we do it really, really well, you need to know about the Music Genome Project®.

Since we started back in 2000, we have been hard at work on the Music Genome Project. It’s the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken.

Together our team of musician-analysts has been listening to music, one song at a time, studying and collecting literally hundreds of musical details on every track – melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics … and more! We continue this work every day to keep up with the incredible flow of great new music coming from studios, stadiums and garages around the country.

With Pandora you can explore this vast trove of music to your heart’s content. Just drop the name of one of your favorite songs, artists or genres into Pandora and let the Music Genome Project go. It will quickly scan its entire world of analyzed music, almost a century of popular recordings – new and old, well known and completely obscure – to find songs with interesting musical similarities to your choice. Then sit back and enjoy as it creates a listening experience full of current and soon-to-be favorite songs for you.

You can create up to 100 unique “stations.” And you can even refine them. If it’s not quite right you can tell it so and it will get better for you.

The Music Genome Project was founded by musicians and music-lovers. We believe in the value of music and have a profound respect for those who create it. We like all kinds of music, from the most obtuse bebop, to the most tripped-out drum n bass, to the simplest catchy pop tune. Our mission is to help you connect with the music YOU love.

Free app. Enjoy!

Consumer Cafe: Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken

February 10th, 2012

You know I love a crock pot recipe! I have used this recipe for years and years. I know you can pick up a Rotisserie Chicken at any grocery store but this one is better because you can know and control the amount of oil and salt you use. I use olive oil flavored cooking spray because it’s no calories, but you can also brush lightly with olive oil. The most important thing is to sit the chicken on top of the foil balls, so that it doesn’t sit in the juices while cooking. It is easy and delicious! If you want to make baked potatoes to go with the chicken, just wrap them in foil and use them to sit the chicken on to cook. Did you know that you can wrap potatoes in the crock pot, go to work, and come home and have the yummy baked potatoes that have to cook for hours in the oven to come out right? I do that all the time too. I hate microwave baked potatoes!
Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken
  • 1 whole roasting chicken
  • olive oil flavored cooking spray
  • seasoning salt, to taste
  1. Make 4 or 5 loose balls of aluminum foil and place in bottom of crock pot.
  2. Clean chicken inside and out. Spray with olive oil spray.
  3. Sprinkle generously inside and out with seasoned salt.
  4. Put chicken back-side down in crock pot (on top of foil balls).
  5. Cook on high 4-6 hours.

 

Glam Alert: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer 70 SPF Sunscreen

February 9th, 2012

I have always had freckles. My mom called them angel kisses. I remember once in my 20’s, at a bar, some guy told me I was so cute. I told him I wanted to be sexy, not cute. He said that when I was 50 I would still be cute because of my freckles. Well, here I am in my 50’s, still cute. LOL. It has been a blessing in a way though because my age spots just blend in with the freckles. I of course know the difference; they are the size of quarters! Okay, maybe I exaggerate. I lived by the beach when I was in elementary and junior high age. I used to use baby oil as tanning lotion. Sunscreen? Who needed that? I remember we would use tape to put our boyfriend’s initials on our backs so when we tanned the initials t have been very good about using sunscreen in those days. I was a lifeguard and my brother and I rented floats on the beach. I don’t think I’ve ever made as much money as I did when we had our little business. And I could still save your life if you needed me to.

I’ll get to the point. You have got to protect your skin. I wasn’t so good at it when I was younger, which is probably why I have the age spots now. I have found something that seems to be getting rid of them, but I’m waiting to blog about it until I’m sure. I seem to be rambling today, sorry. So, to finally get to the point, I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer 70 SPF Sunscreen. I think they actually have a 100 SPF but I like the Ultra Sheer because it goes on great under makeup or can be used on a bare face. I’m giving you the link to amazon.com to look at it and read comments, but I think you can find it at any drugstore. I refuse to get any new age spots!

Do you use a good sunscreen? What is your favorite? Share with me in the comments section.