My New Blissful Addiction to Canva

I have a confession to make...I'm an addict.  An addict to this site called Canva that is.  I've been tinkering with it for over a week now and I am in LOVE with it.  I've made this graphic - as well - as a few others this past week that I have featured here - as well as some for a few newsletters and websites I contribute to.  It's so easy!  

  Here's just a few things you can do with it...Album and Podcast Covers, Social Media, Presentations, Posters, Facebook Covers and Posts, Blog Graphics, etc.  Actually...my new header for this blog is done with Canva...as is my Google+ Profile Header.

They have some really neat templates that you can use and/or you can tweak them easily to whatever you wish!  I took a few screen shots for you to see what I am referring to!  There are many FREE things you can do with it and there are paid for features, too, if you want something MORE.  So far - everything I have used - has been of the FREE variety!

M-Cell Tower

Several Weeks ago we noticed a significant drop in cell service at our home. We do not have a land line we only use our cell phones.  My husband has a home office and studio and once he's done with his air shift at work he will work mostly out of our house.  In addition to being on the air he's in Marketing & Sales and NEEDS a reliable cell signal at all times!  We were NOT able to get the service we needed due to tower maintenance in our area for about a week.  This was unacceptable.  In addition to his work he was also missing and dropping phone calls from his doctors while he was having multiple issues going on a few weeks ago.  We submitted a Trouble Ticket and I ended up calling 3 times and we went to our local store twice.  The last time we showed up at the store we were finally able to get some answers and move forward with what we were going to do and how we were going to try and handle the issues we were having.  Long story short - we ended up getting an "M-Cell Tower".  That's how it reads on the iPhone when it's hooked up so that is what I have been calling it but the official name is AT&T 3 G MicroCell Wireless Signal Booster.  It retailed for about $199.  When we went in Dale ended up getting a great deal on the new iPhone and I ended up taking his old one - which was still a step up from mine - I previously had an iPhone 4S and now I have his old iPhone 5.  He upgraded to the 5S.  I ended up getting a SWEET deal on mine for turning it into them...they offered me $200 for it because it was in great shape.  They replaced my SIM Card as well which totally made a difference too!  So by getting the $200 Gift Card I decided to spend it on the M-Cell Tower.  They ordered it from a neighboring store and we picked it up the following Monday Morning.  Hubby took it home and hooked it up and we haven't looked back!  It's just what we needed!  I have 4 to 5 bars of service consistently, now!  It's AWESOME! 

In short...The AT&T 3G MicroCell device acts like a mini cell tower in your home, and connects to your existing broadband Internet service. You receive improved cell signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications like picture messaging and Web surfing.

So far - we haven't had a problem with this at all and based on our current Cell Phone Family Plan it doesn't cost us any additional money per month.  It's working like a charm!

Blissful "Techie" Journey ~ XM Devices

Just a quick post to let you know that I got a new XM Onyx Device and Kit for my car last week!  Hubby was nice enough to install it while I was at work!  Here is a photo of what it looks like!  It's MUCH different than my old one which I LOVED.  But I figured it was time to finally move on and get a new one because it fit better in and with my new car - my 2013 Fiat - or as I like to call it "The Wonder Buggy."

I've been a XM (Sirius/XM) Subscriber even before the merge of the two companies.  Mostly because I wanted to still enjoy radio without having to listen to the stations I work for (and listen to for 50 hours a week while working) and/or didn't want to listen to our local competitors and feel like a traitor!  I still get a lot of negative comments from my fellow radio people because most think Satellite Radio will 'kill' local radio.  I don't necessarily feel that way.  This is a PAID service were as local radio is ALWAYS FREE.  But I can see both sides! 

But I don't want to get into a debate about the pros and cons.  I just want to show you my new Techie-Type-Toy!

This is a photo of my old device which was an XM Roady!  It was awesome!  I LOVED it!  I'm sure I will LOVE my Onyx but it will take some getting used to change-wise.  My Roady was reliable!  I had it for nearly 10 years - if memory serves!  I never had 1 problem with it!

I'm hoping this new device works just as well if not better!  I like the sleek look and the black-techie color matches everything in my Fiat!  The screen color we currently have set to a reddish color to match the lights on the dash in the "Wonder Buggy".  The only bad part is I have to reset all of my favorites/pre-sets.  But at least there are a few more buttons to store my favorites in as I have MANY that I listen to and switch back and forth to often!

VeganDelish App Review & Contest Giveaway!

***NOTE***My Comments weren't working correctly over the weekend so I'm extending this contest thru TUESDAY NIGHT!  Please re-enter in comments!  Thanks!  Sorry for the inconvience!***

I've had my eye on this iPhone/iPad App for quite some time!  When Carrie from CarrieOnVegan.com and VeganDelish asked me if I wanted to giveaway a few of the apps on my blog - I JUMPED at the opportunity!

Most Vegetarian and Vegan Apps I have tried I end up deleting because they only offer 'so much' and become 'stale' after a while.  LOTS of the veg apps seem to be outdated and never updated!  NOT THIS APP!  This is AMAZING!  Seriously...check this out!


Here you will see a screenshot of the iPhone App which is what I have been using but because I have both an iPhone as well as an iPad and I also have the CLOUD for my devices I will probably end up installing and using them on both devices!

Carrie suggests a great starting point with her easy to read and understand "How To Use This App" section.  I thumbed thru it but I am the adventurous type so I got right to it!

Kicking things off at the Recipe Tab - it gives you a Laundry List of recipes with AWESOME Photos of each recipe and a short title.  You can easily scroll/thumb thru them and with one easy "tap" on one of your choice you are already experiencing something wonderful!

I chose the "Herbed Hemp Dressing".  When you tap on your recipe of choice you will see - such as in this screen shot - it includes a quality photo, description, you are able to add to your faves, rate it, and add ingredients to your shopping list with ease.

I added this one to my favorites!  I noticed the recipe calls for Coconut Vinegar and I recently got some and was looking for the perfect test recipes - this sounds like a "goodie".

A few quick side notes...the BACK BUTTON is easy to find and really handy!  You can SEARCH by keyword - you can also SHARE on Twitter, Facebook, Print, and Email.  This app has a lovely Kitchen Timer INCLUDED, too!

The SHOPPING LIST feature is excellent, too!  Not only can you add right in the shopping list tab - you can also add specific ingredients while looking thru recipes!  I added Cacao, Avocados, Silken Tofu - while looking at a recipe - and then went to the shopping list and it was all there and ready to go!  it even categorized it for me!  It put the Cacao Powder in Grocery, Avocado in Produce, and Silken Tofu in Refrigerated.  You can also print or email it!

When you tap on Categories - it breaks down the recipes in: Breakfast, Desserts, Gluten-Free, High Speed Blender, Juices, Kid-Friendly, Low-Sodium, Main Dishes, New Recipes, No Sugar Added, Oil-Free, Party Foods, Pressure Cooker, Quick & Easy, Raw Food, Salads and Dressings, Sauces, Sides, Slow Cooker, Smoothies, Soups & Stews!  WOW!  I couldn't ask for anything more!

Of course the FAVORITES Section is AWESOME!  You can keep those faves handy without having to scroll thru everything.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE the endless possibilities in this app and the enormous recipe collection AND selection!

Speaking of endless possibilities - that's what I LOVE MOST about this app!  It's the LARGEST - most active, continuously updated Vegan App I have ever seen and I just LOVE it and will treasure it forever!

Now...WHO WANTS TO WIN THIS App?

That's right!  Who wants to WIN this App!?  Carrie's allowing me to give away 3 of them to my readers!  All you have to do is FOLLOW MY SITE and comment on this post!  In your comments please let me know if you plan on using it on your iPad or iPhone and what you found most interesting about it!  good Luck!  I will choose 3 Winners on MONDAY!