CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Get in The LOOP! A Fun Tech Accessory Giveaway

I'm probably in the minority but if you know me, it probably doesn't shock you that I have a HEADPHONES DRAWER. It used to be nice and neatly organized but now I'n afraid it's just a mess of product and cables and chords. 

At work the situation's not much better -- especially because my desk isn't a huge space and when I'm swamped, without time to clean up after myself, it just becomes a mess in there. And frankly, it's not good for my V-Modas --  I use my absolute most prized pair of headphones at the office.

Thankfully, a very simple but brilliant piece of plastic is about the solve a lot of problems.

The LOOP is made of 100% recyclable polycarbonate (granted, that is not ordinary plastic) and for less than $20, you can own THREE of them. It's of no surprise to me that it was conceived and created by an architect, Scott Rodwin, who went through several designs to ensure his device was the best earbud holder on the market. He wanted it to be the easiest and quickest to use, most attractive to look at and easy to hold. As it turned out, it also manages to be both elegant and fun, inexpensive and durable.

The LOOP is simple to use. Wind on. Wind off. The perfect solution for any earbuds and the almost-perfect solution for detachable cables (I'll explain!) -- especially perfect for those earbuds that come with Apple products. Slides nicely into your jeans' pockets, your  purse, your laptop bag or fits perfectly into the bottom of a car cup-holder and protects your buds from damage.

I don't use earbuds 90% of the time but I still have a need for this. And most of the headphones I use have detachable cables so there's still plenty of usefulness here. Just be careful if you have a 3.5mm 45 or 90 degree earphone jack.

It won't fit into the LOOP hole. Make it the side of the cable you put into the ridges. When you're holding the product, that will make sense. And if you have no idea what this means, you probably use earbuds and should just declare me a total snob. ;) 

But COME ON! POOF! Problem solved. Look how tidy this is! 

Whether you spend a lot or a little on earphones, your money is your money, man. If you don't take care of your things, you have to spend MORE money to replace your things more often, right? And headphones get a lot of wear and tear. They get thrown into bags and backpacks, onto desks, into drawers...

Watch this 38 second video that sums it all up and then enter the give away below! I'm going to send TWO of you a LOOP of your own! 

 

 

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Disclosure: These craft devils sent me three loops to try. I tried one and decided to send two of them away to two of you. You're welcome.

Monster Products Getting Me Through

So check this out -- who says we can't think a little outside the box when it comes to using out tech accessories?

This weekend, I had a marvelous time at the Los Angeles Cookie Convention and thank goodness I had my new Monster Mobile PowerCard with me. It's slim and light and didn't add any weight to my purse. Once I was carrying cookies an baking tools that I'd purchased, I was especially grateful for that. It is definitely a tool I'll be adding to my work bag and my work travel strategy! 

It's reasonably priced and also comes in an even slimmer version -- something that would be especially handy at the red carpet events I man as part of my job -- when I wish I could carry a smaller bag but often can't because of all the tech I carry. :)

But that's not all! Because I spent yesterday plugging away on my beloved laptop at home. At three years old it's kind of on its last leg these days and I'm starting to think I might need a new one. It has a massive dent in one of the corners that has made a USB port unusable. And I needed to have my cell phone beside me and it needed to be charged. I just couldn't go plug it into the wall -- I needed to be checking it. So I remembered happily what was in my purse. 

So there I was, in my own home, using the PowerCard on my sofa! Presto! 

CLICK HERE for more info.

Now, before you get all judgey on the selfie case, as I did when I first looked at it, let me tell you some ways it can come in handy! It is NOT just for selfies! Go hands-free for calls, video chat, time-lapse video, GPS navigation and more. That in of itself? Brilliant. For bloggers, actually, it could be GREAT for making quick "how to" videos or make-up demos. I'm probably going to end up keeping mine in the car because I don't have GPS in my car and this will solve the issue of how I currently use my phone for that... And I won't say more cause I don't wanna get a lecture... But anyway, the special gel material the case is made from functions like millions of tiny suction cups so that your smartphone will stick to glass, mirror, acrylic, marble and other smooth, flat and glossy vertical surfaces (for you moms out there, I feel like this is perfect to entertain the kids in the backseat, by the way, if you have something to stick it to). 

This morning, I was in an odd bind. You see, right now I don't have a mirror in my bedroom. And the lighting in my bathroom is horribly unforgiving. The joys of apartment living, right? And I was trying to get something out of my eye. So again, PRESTO! That selfie case went right onto my closet door. I got the gunk out of my eye and then did my eye makeup. 

Good, right? I was pretty pleased with myself. Despite the look of cynicism on my face. :) 

And I wanted too show you how it stuck to things so I used my hall closet and my iPad....

It's pretty cool, right? Like an amused child I spent a little too much time putting it onto surfaces all over my apartment to see where I could make it stick. CLICK HERE for more info.

I always enjoy testing out new products and take special pride in finding new ways to use them in routine parts of my life! A touchdown for these two new favorites. 

Disclosure: I'm a card-carrying member of Monster Nation but thankfully, they do not require me to lie about such things. Hence while they provided me these products gratis, the opinions are all my own. 

 

Sol Republic Shadow Wireless Earphones - Review & Giveaway!

Maybe you couldn't put your finger on it but when Christmas morning came, something was.... missing. 

Or perhaps with a new year staring you in the face, you're feeling the pressure of making diet resolutions or executing a new exercise regimen. 

But then, you may just be someone who likes shiny objects and new toys. We all know I fall into this third category and so I was very excited to try out some new earphones over the holidays, the Shadow Wireless Earphones from Sol Republic.

(I think in 2016 I am going to have to work on my Selfie game.) 

These are pretty sensational, in fact. They are super light-weight and even though they have a snug fit in the ears, they don't feel uncomfortable around my neck (a style I typically avoid in earphones for that issue). I did a little dance and they didn't fall out of my ears and when I wasn't listening to anything, they just stayed put comfortably like so:

That will be so great for travel so I can put them there and not have to fuss with getting something out of my bag and putting them away.

As with all things Sol Republic, the audio is clear and bright. The noise cancellation is on point - especially for earbuds. I popped them in and even without music playing, the world faded away and that was quite lovely! 

The packaging? Sleek and on fleek:

A couple brief notes of caution, though. I will only say that the blasted sticker on the side of the box was a pain in the tush to peel off. I WANTED IN ON THOSE EARPHONES! And the sticker was making my life challenging. And otherwise, I'd only advise that they do take about an hour to fully charge so if you plan to use them right away when you open them, well, you can't. So just plan accordingly. The good news is, they are very simple to charge with a hidden port on the earbud and a cable that comes with them and charges on any USB port like your phone would.

It's a great time of year to come into some wireless earphones I love! In 2016 plan on seeing me sporting these on walks and during vacations. You can order your own from the company's site but I recommend Amazon, where they are priced the same ($99.99) and you have a few color options. 

But first, stick around! I'm going to give someone a pair to kick off 2016! Enter the giveaway below and keep coming back daily to increase your odds:  

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Disclosure: Like two hours after I finished this post I remembered I had to tell you guys that Sol Republic gifted me one pair of these to review honestly for this blog. But I'm paying for the giveaway pair. Because I'm just like Santa Claus. 

Music Motivates - Revisiting Sol Republic and an Exciting Giveaway!

This weekend, I had pre-scheduled in my actual calendar that on Saturday, I was absolutely not make any plans and get my act together. My apartment, where I've lived for nearly a year now, is still lacking in organization and as I've been busy at work, chores around the house have fallen by the wayside. In fact even though I finally bought a vacuum, it had been in the box for weeks. 

 

Well, a couple weeks ago, my friends at Sol Republic sent me a care package of sorts.

 

  

 

So when I woke up Saturday morning, needing a little extra inspiration and motivation to enact the great "AJ gets her life together" plan, I tore open a pair of new headphones. 

 

It was like Christmas morning! (Ok, I'm Jewish but I have imagination.)

 

It was a GREAT boost to my spirit! Music HEALS! And I kicked butt. I was emptying boxes, including the one my new vacuum was in -- and I USED IT! My floors looks fantastic. I'm so ecstatic.

 

And, as I do all Sol Republic products, I love these Master Tracks. So much so that for the very first time, I had to bring you guys an "unboxing" video because I really wanted to convey how great they are:

 

 

I mean, I think this counts as vlogging, guys. And I hate vlogging. 

In any case, once I started using them, I was instantly aware of the quality audio which is rich and full with these headphones. These are over-the-ear headphones so if you crank the volume up, you're really not going to hear anything else. They are totally the rockstar, sports car of headphones. And even though they are heavy for headphones, they are super comfortable and easily can be worn for long stretches. They could very well become my new travel headphones, especially because they come with a travel pouch -- always a plus. They don't fold up, but that's really not a big deal -- they take up however much space either way, and I applaud them for a unique design. You can also use them with an iPhone or iPad; the volume controls and mic are compatible. 

 

 

 

 

Let's also not forget how I loved their earbuds. If you're more of an in-ear headphone wearer, definitely consider Sol Republic's Relays Sport. If you buy those, or the Master Tracks, or ANY of their fantastic products (don't forget, you can also customize any purchase by switching up the color of your headband, chord, etc.!), please feel free to use this discount code: LOVEMUSIC01. That code is good through July 31. 

 

And in the meantime, I am more than happy to give away a pair of Sol Republic Tracks (value $99.99) as well! Enter below and help me spread the word about this terrific brand! 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclosure: Like I said, these came to me via "care package" from Sol Republic. All opinions are my own and I'm even popping for postage on the giveaway pair. Because I'm just that awesome. You're welcome. 

Get Charged (at a Discount!) For the Holidays

Oh Jackery, you have always been there for me.

Remember these guys?

My Jackery external battery is my lifeline. It's the BEST. They are exxtremely affordable, compact - it fits right into any bag you're already carrying, is light-weight, and is incredibly durable.  This is the Christmas or Hanukkah gift to get the iPhone or Android obsessed friends or family member. Consider it for a business traveller. How often do we busy professionals find ourselves low on power during a conference without a place to plug in? (And hey, if you own a business, this is SCREAMING to be a gift for your staff!) 

The Jackery Bar charges ALL OF THE PHONES. Basically whatever you charge via USB cable.  It provides 2-3 100% charges to the phone before you need to plug the Jackery itself back in for more juice. It is super easy to use and it even has a little flashlight feature that has been surprisingly handy for me in a few tight situations.  

So basically, since this was the BEST Hanukkah gift I got last year (thanks, Mom!!!) I thought I would hook you all up for this year. So simply visit Jackery's online shop, load up your cart (minimum of five items for this deal), and use the code HOLIDAY1, and get 25% off! 

Valid til 12/23

The New Vibrating Device in My Top Drawer

I've always wanted to try one, you know. 

I guess I was intimidated. Would it.... tickle? Would it... get the job done?

So when Cenoire asked me if I'd like to review their new line of electric toothbrushes, I simply could not resist.

The sleek and surprisingly hip Eluo Sonic Toouthbrush from Cenoire is an ideal stocking stuffer. It's compact and just $14.99! It's super easy to use (I mean, why should an electric toothbrush be complicated?!) and while it's designed for people on the go in mind, it's probably pretty kid-friendly, too. In fact, since it's a rather small brush size, it would - I imagine - fit well over kids' teeth. (I'm a kid expert.)

But as for the on the go aspect... It's battery powered (no chords), it's built into its own casing, it's aerated so it won't get gross or anything in your carry-on bag. You could even throw it in your purse! It would be terrific to have handy at the end of the work day if there's an after-work adventure ahead. 

And all the designs -- LOVE!

 

I guess I''ve always been put off by price and the prospect of it feeling weird to have a vibrating toothbrush in my mouth but I'm won over now. You can't beat the cost or efficacy. Plus, the backside of the brush is a simple tongue cleaner. (Do you brush your tongue? If not, you should. It's actually a habit I took up a long time ago and always practice. So I was delighted to find the second use for this device.)

The Eluo Sonic Toothbrush’s sonic vibration does all the work for you; just add toothpaste and you’re good to go. A simple on/off button gets your toothbrush going and then approximately 23,000 brush strokes per minute work to keep your pearly whites clean – faster and more effective than normal toothbrushes. The electric vibration strokes do the work for you, freeing you from the back and forth motions of traditional toothbrushes. Once you’re done, just rinse the brush, pop on the protective cap and toss your toothbrush back in your bag (or, you know, into the top drawer). Weighing less than an ounce, your brush will never be a burden. When used twice a day, the toothbrush head will last up to 90 days and it comes with two more so at $14.99? A genuine bargain, I say! 

So now that I've given it a go and it was ever so satisfying, go out and get your own. They're available right on Cenoire's website and if you're an Amazon die-hard, it's available there for $1 more.

Disclosure: In case you didn't gather as much from my post, Cenoire sent me a device to try in exchange for my review, which is honest, I promise, and rather amusing, if I do say so myself. 

Best Buy is the Holiday Shopping Destination You Can't Miss

Oh happy holidays. I MUST HAVE ALL OF THE TOYS! 

I never thought I'd care about the TV picture. I waited a rather long time to upgrade everything to HD. I held out. But my parents and brother chipped in one year to get me a small HD flat screen for my bedroom and that was it. Watching my first hockey game in HD -- I could actually follow the puck! I feel in love. 

So as soon as I could afford it, I bought a big, ol' HD flat screen and mounted it to my living room wall. Happiness!!!

And now, enter the stunning LG OLED TV -- just 0.21" thick at its thinnest point. The picture quality is spectacular, with Infinite Contrast that ranges from the most blazing whites to the deepest blacks. And, LG's exclusive 4 Color Pixel technology delivers bright, vibrant colors. 

Some things in life defy all explanation and must be experienced to be believed. Such is the case with LG's latest display technology. Images come alive! With deeper and richer colors, stunning contrast and ingeniously curved screens, it is unlike any technology you've ever seen, and it delivers a picture that exceeds your wildest imagination.

It's also a Smart TV, of course. A feature I've come to be rather obsessed with. For example, with my new living room television, I'm able to access streaming video with a single button. Then I can select from Netflix, Amazon Instant, Vudu and more. We live in a glorious age, guys. Embrace the technology, love these advances, get the gadgets. My decree! 

More:

• All the details can be found at LGOLEDatBestbuy.com.
• Do you love twitter parties? Best Buy is hosting an LG OLED Twitter Party on Thursday December 4th at 7PM CST. Feel free to join this party for a chance to receive Best Buy gift cards and other great prizes. Tweet #HintingSeason with your top gifts that you want this Holiday from Best Buy. Randomly selected participants will wine prizes! 

Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. Opinions and creative genius contained within? All me, baby. 

Is That the Holiday Season I Hear?

Hark! The holiday season is upon us! Even earlier than last year, I'm afraid, as some cable networks out there did us all a favor and kicked off holiday programming on Halloween. That gets a humongous thumbs down from me, people. I love Halloween and I love Thanksgiving. I don't need Christmas any sooner than November 30 on my TV, but for whatever reason, they won't let me run the TV industry. 

A lot of bloggers put together gift guides but that's never been my style. Hell, it's too much work. What you can count on from me, though, is an occasional gift recommendation. And as I am a huge audiophile, I decided my first one needed to be in that vein... AND this is a giveaway so pay attention! 

Here's why I love the SOL REPUBLIC PUNK bluetooth speaker. 

• It's small. You can hold it in one hand. As evident in the photo above.
• Subsequently, the Punk is light-weight and you can easily pack it or put it in your purse/work-bag/backpack, etc.
• But don't let the size deceive you! The sound is amazing -- it gets pretty loud! There is no reason you couldn't use it to play music at a holiday party with it, bring it to the park, the beach, and so on. I wanted you to experience it a little, so I took video:

 

• The exterior shell is essentially rubber. And while I'm not saying you should throw it into the floor, I imagine it will survive a few drops. 
• It comes in a few colors, so while I always buy black everything, you are welcome to get it in blue or red as well. 
• Sleek packaging. Because when I give someone a gift for the holidays, I want it to look expensive and chic. This certainly does. 

• And hey, it looks pretty cool outside the box. No wires necessary except to charge it (or if you want to play the music with a wire for whatever reason, you can). BTW, the charge lasts eight hours. 

You may recall I'm quite a Sol Republic fan in general so I had high expectations for this device and am pleased it met and exceeded all of them. I think any music lover would be thrilled to unwrap this so add it to the list! It is available now for $69.99 from Best Buy or directly from Sol Republic.

I know I mentioned a giveaway. Don't worry, I'm not a fibber:

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