This post about learning photography basics has been sponsored by Best Buy. All opinions are my own. When I started blogging about 8 years ago, my photography skills were pitiful. I was only using my cell phone. and knew nothing about lighting, staging, or creating a visually appealing display. Over the years, I like to think I have improved quite a bit. Of course, I still have a ways to go! Learning photography basics hasn't been easy and I spent a lot of money on a photography class to try and help. However, now that Best Buy has … [Read more...]
How to Make Your iPad Run Faster (a guide for the NON techie person!)
May 25, 2018 by · 6 Comments
Tired of waiting for apps to load and wondering how to make your iPad run faster? I am in the same boat. Mine is an iPad 2 and am desperately trying to figure out how to make my old iPad faster. I live on my iPad...to the point where I can feel the heart palpitations starting when I cannot locate it. It is synced up to 7 email accounts. It also holds 5 years worth of eBooks that I may never read again but don't want to lose. However, my beloved iPad is starting to show it's age. I find myself getting more and more frustrated with it's … [Read more...]
Want to Buy a MacBook Online? Here are a few tips!
April 27, 2018 by · 1 Comment
This post about how to buy a MacBook online has been sponsored by Swappa. All opinions are my own. My house has always been a PC home. We have multiple desktops and laptops and every one of them is some sort of PC. However, in the last few years, my daughter and husband have gotten seriously interested in art, photography, and music. They are starting to make a bit of noise about my computer choices. They insist that an Apple computer is better for video production, photo editing, and music creation. While I am not quite ready to give … [Read more...]
How to Back Up a Computer on an External Hard Drive
April 13, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
Do you know why you need to learn how to back up a computer on an external hard drive? Have you ever stopped to think about what you actually HAVE on your computer? Photos, of course, and maybe your tax returns, wills, or other vital documents. So much of our lives are digital and learning how to back up your computer means that your digital life is protected in case your computer gets fried. Now, maybe you are asking yourself 'What's the best way to back up my computer?' That really depends on personal preferences. I want a physical … [Read more...]
Basic Computer Maintenance Tips and Cleaning Up Your Digital Life
January 2, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
January brings a renewed determination to get organized and simplify our lives. We make lists of things to do, head to Target for assorted plastic storage bins, and then start purging our lives of unnecessary STUFF. These are great goals to have but what about tackling basic computer maintenance tips and the pigsty that lives inside our hard drive? Are you going to deal with the fact that it takes your computer so long to download a website that you could go make yourself a ham sandwich in the time it takes for the site to finally be … [Read more...]
High Tech Holiday Gift Ideas and Shopping Technology for Teens
November 20, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
This post about high tech holiday gift ideas and technology for teens has been sponsored by Intel. All opinions expressed here are my own. When the kids were young, gift giving was easy. They were pretty happy with just about everything they found under the tree. Heck, when they were really little, all they wanted was the empty box and bows to play with. Now that they are teens, gift giving has gotten more challenging. Of course, like most teens, they are constantly tossing out plenty of high tech holiday gift ideas in addition to new … [Read more...]
Teenagers and Technology: Negotiating their Expensive Wish List
September 11, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Teenagers and technology seem to go hand in hand nowadays and it can be a pricey combination. When my children were small, their wish list was relatively easy to handle. They wanted small things that were fairly inexpensive. I bought tons of LEGO (ok, not THAT cheap!) and art supplies (thank you, Michaels coupons!) and they were happy as clams on Christmas and Birthdays. But, now I have teenagers and all of a sudden my gift budget just isn't going to make a dent in the wish list they have in their heads. The primary desire of my teenagers is … [Read more...]
How to Protect Electronics during Summer Fun!
June 1, 2017 by · 4 Comments
Summer is here and we have loads of things planned in the coming months. We will spend plenty of time in the garden and hanging out at the pool. Our visit to see family up north will include kids on trampolines, a trip to the beach, and plenty of time in a hot car. My teens are connected to their phones constantly and knowing how to protect electronics during summer fun can save a ton of money on repairs and replacement. If you have electronics that you are trying to keep safe during summer fun, I thought I would share a few tips that might … [Read more...]
A Cell Phone for Teens Only Works When It’s Charged!
December 9, 2016 by · 9 Comments
This discussion about charging a cell phone for teens has been sponsored by ANKER but all opinions expressed here are my own. Everyone has their own rules for when they think their child is ready for a cell phone. When my kids were in middle school, they had little flip phones that were strictly for calling home for a ride. They were rarely used and the charge on that thing lasted forever. Once my kids hit high school, they were given their first smart phones. Well, all of a sudden, there are a million things they can do on their … [Read more...]
Olloclip Photo Lens for iPhone Macro Photography
November 28, 2016 by · 10 Comments
Since I started blogging, I have become quite a passionate photographer. I seem to take my DSLR camera everywhere to take photos of my family, nature, and (of course) food! My husband recently got me an Olloclip photo lens for my iPhone as an anniversary gift and I have started realizing that my DSLR is only seeing 'the big picture' when it comes to photography. I wanted to share my experience in iPhone macro photography over the last month or so in case you want to delve into the world of macro photography for yourself. If you aren't … [Read more...]
