My favorite apps

Now that I have an iPhone, I don't know what I did without it. It's become an extension of my body, and I love it with all my heart. Today I thought I'd share some of my favorite apps with you and also ask you which ones are your favorites.

 HootSuite

When I got my iPhone, I immediately started having issues with Twitter. The feed wouldn't update on my phone, and my Tweets weren't always visible to my Followers. After asking for recommendations, I first tried TweetDeck, but I had the same issues. I then installed HootSuite, and (KNOCK ON WOOD) it's been clear sailing ever since. It's nice to be able to read Tweets during lunch instead of having to catch up on hundreds of them every evening. I feel more connected.

Settlers of Catan

Many years ago, our friends Doug and Honor introduced us to the board game Settlers of Catan. It has won many international game awards and is a lot of fun. Come to find out (again, from Honor), there's a Catan app! I downloaded it, and now our whole family is obsessed with it. (Jake: "NO, VINCENT! I WANNA KEEP MY SHEEP!")(That will only make sense to you if you have the app.)

I think if you've never played the game, the app would be hard to understand. But if you've played the game, you'd be able to pick it up effortlessly. So much fun!

Instagram

Instagram is a great photo app. I've had a lot of fun taking pictures with it and then applying one of the filters to them. It makes the pictures look more customized and "pop" a little bit. The only thing I dislike about it is that when you post an Instagram photo to Twitter, it doesn't provide the thumbnail of the picture as part of the Tweet. Followers actually have to click through to see it, and for some people that's just too much trouble.

Hanging with Friends/Words with Friends

 I'm lumping WWF and HWF into the same category because they're both word games and both fun. I rarely win at either of them, but I enjoy the challenge. I play with a lot of Twitter and blog friends that I don't know in real life, so if you're interested, start a game with me! My screen name is grass_stains. And don't miss this really funny piece Jon Acuff wrote about Words with Friends.  *snort* 

Around Me

I don't use Around Me too much in Birmingham, but for traveling it's a terrific tool! It uses GPS to identify your location, and it will tell you where any business is within range of you. If you stop at an unfamiliar exit to get gas while you're on a roadtrip and you want to find out what restaurants are close by, just ask.

If you're at the beach and need the nearest ice cream shop or Pizza Hut, plug it in. It returns results quickly and with maps and phone numbers. A life-saver for traveling families! (Chuck E. Cheese's, anyone?)

What apps do YOU recommend? What am I missing out on that I need?

Tools that I simply must have

Pyranna Plastic Package Opener
Good Housekeeping says, "Pyranna Plastic Package Opener zips through clamshell cases in seconds. Clamp the gizmo on an edge of a package (a blade will pierce the plastic), and slide it along the seam. It may sound gimmicky, but in our tests, the Pyranna worked almost 40 percent faster than scissors and left no jagged edges."


OK, $10 for a tool that will cut through that dadblasted hard plastic packaging like it's butter? SOLD. Christmas morning will be fun again! Buy from Pyranna directly; also sold at Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond, if you didn't already throw away the 20% off coupon that came in yesterday's mail, as I always do the day before I come across something I want to buy there. $10

Hang and Level Project Helper

This little miracle marks the spot exactly where your nail should go, regardless of the type of hardware that's on the back of your picture. You place your picture on the tool, then put them on the wall at the height you want to hang the picture. You press a button on the Hang and Level, and it marks the spot on the wall where your nail should go. MARRY ME.


Available at utrdecorating.com for a very reasonable dowry. $20

Belt Bucket

I will not even bore you with tales of how many times I've tilted on my chair or ladder and dumped paint right out of my Solo cup onto my carpet. I will just tell you that I need a Belt Bucket like nobody's business. It has a 52-inch belt that holds a small paint bucket with a liner, and you can dip your brush in and paint to your heart's content.



It's sold at Paint Belt Pro, and I am smitten. $25

Handyman's Helper Magnetic Wristband

Along with spilling my paint, I have also been known to drop nails and screws while accomplishing my latest DIY task of the week. Typically I pinch them between my lips until I need them, but I've also tried cupping them in the hem of my shirt. (Doesn't work well.) So when I saw the Handyman's Helper Magnetic Wristband, I knew it was for me.



It's sold at Spoon Sisters and comes in several colors. Be still my beating heart. $19.95


P.S. It should go without saying that I don't own any of these things, haven't been given any of these things by the companies represented here, nor do they know I've written about them.

It's practically Christmas already

I'm not one of "those people" who starts preparing for Christmas before Halloween even arrives, but I AM always on the lookout for wonderful Christmas gift ideas and beautifully decorated homes.

As we enter November, I thought I'd share a few things I've seen in magazines and on the Internet over the last month or so -- things that I'm either going to buy or -- at the very least -- drool over during the next six weeks. And if people sometimes lump you into that "hard-to-buy-for" category, you might want to direct them to one of these things!

Christmas stockings in designer fabrics

OMG. Why didn't I ever consider this as an option? These make my red and green stockings look downright DOWDY.

She has tons of fabrics, and you can customize yours to your own style. BRILLIANT! They're not cheap, but you could add one to your collection each year, and when your set was complete, you'd have some heirlooms. $40 each

Calling cards for moms, bloggers, single ladies ...

I bought a batch of these to give out to people who ask for my blog URL or to give out as calling cards to women I meet at blogging events. I am completely in love with them! I purchased them in this design:

... but there are so many cute ones from which to choose.

And each set comes in a cute little tin with a clip that allows you to attach it to your purse or diaper bag.

A great gift for your wife, babysitter, teenage daughter, teacher ... you can customize them to include her name, e-mail address, Twitter tag, home, work, cell phone numbers. The sky's the limit! $15 for 24 cards

Absolutely anything from lettergirl

In preparation for return-addressing 300 Christmas cards in a few weeks, I bought a return-address stamper that is going to do a beautiful job on my envelopes! I purchased one in this style:



but she has many, many from which to choose, and they are ALL irresistible! $38 each


The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Ree's cookbook is finally here! One of my favorite bloggers published a cookbook of her favorite recipes this Fall. It's been fun reading about her journey over the past year or so while she's been getting it ready for publication.


Before the cookbook was even a glint in her eye, though, I'd tried three or four of the recipes she'd posted on her site. I give them all high marks! $17 each

Currently loving ...

Some of these I've been enjoying for years, some are new to me, courtesy of links on other people's blogs. I've found all of them entertaining!

http://www.onesentence.org/
True stories told in one sentence.

http://coolthingsinrandomplaces.com/
A little refreshing randomness from around the globe.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/
News stories in photographs.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
When professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong.

http://crummychurchsigns.blogspot.com/
Critical analysis of critically bad church signs.

http://www.postsecret.com/
Secrets mailed on postcards anonymously for posting. Updated every Sunday.