Top 5 iPhone Apps

With every iOS update comes a time to re-evaluate the apps on my phone.

It's a simple process- I go back through and think about the apps that I use on a daily basis and keep those. Any others, I delete. I don't worry about deleting them because Apple has made it so incredibly easy to hop on the App Store and re-download it in a pinch. And looking at a crowded home screen gives me anxiety, so delete-spree it is! 

So, here is my actual home screen post-cleanse. Yes, I only have one screen and I don't plan to get many more than that. The bottom row of apps houses my most commonly used apps, since they're easiest for my thumb to reach while cradling my phone in my hand. Anything involving typing or two hands I put in folders. It's really a very complex, thought out process. But it works and so I will accept that I might be crazy. Putting apps like Facebook and Twitter aside, I've narrowed my favorites down to a top 4 most frequented apps:

Flipboard gives you news you want in a simple, attractive format. I love that it allows me to bypass the humongous papers with lots of information that I don't want or need. The app compiles the types of news stories that I've chosen and it puts them in a magazine or flip-book format in which I can quickly read the articles, get what I need, and get done. If I want more information, I must only search a little harder. I find it extremely beneficial since I'm at college in what they call the "bubble". After only a couple of weeks at school I felt alienated from the current world, so I went on the hunt for a news app that would work to keep me updated without me having to search Google every morning for the headlines. Flipboard does a perfect job.

Pandora. It's been on my favorites list since the first day of having a smart phone. iOS7 tries to compete with the app with their iTunes Radio, but they don't quite get it. There are aspects of the Radio that I do like more than their Pandora counterparts, but Pandora is still winning out. I already have my stations and they know what I like. I also use Pandora on my computer and I have yet to update iTunes on my computer so it's still the universal music player for me. Spotify, on the other hand, has seen its final days on my phone.

Oyster is a tech startup that I am loving! I'm already reading the books and loving that I can pull up any book I want at any time. With the mornings being chillier, I've been taking the bus into campus and I love to get my seat and read a chapter or two. I can imagine that this app is going to get a lot of use from me, and at $9.95 a month I'd recommend it to anyone!

I use the Nike + Running app for... well, running. There's not much explanation needed other than the fact that it's changed so much in the last year and has become my #1 choice in running apps. I used to have 3 others but they were all deleted in this app. When it comes to workout gear, I'm a Nike girl all the way so I've been loving the challenges and developments they've made to the app.

Banking. So this isn't on my home page, but it is 100% necessary and used daily. I track my spending and saving here as well as budget for nights out, etc. I use the ELFCU app, just because that's the credit union I use. Most banks and unions have apps now and they're fantastic for checking your account on the go or cashing checks without waiting in line at the bank. 

Each person has their own group of apps that they love or use on a daily basis, and it's 100% dependent on your schedule and place in life. I'm not one of those people who is glued to my phone, but I like to have the technology right at my fingertips and it's extremely convenient to have everything organized and easy to find. If you're planning to "cleanse" your phone or home screen, one magnificent video I've run across shows you how to hide your apps- perfect for that Stocks app that you've never opened or the apps that you just don't want everyone getting into. They're still 100% accessible through your Spotlight Search, but don't have an actual icon. Perfect, right?

What are your favorite apps?

The Future of Education

See a more in-depth video on Apple's Education page

Heading into higher education right now is so exciting! 

Technology is rapidly changing to make information more readily accessible and more interesting to learn. Watching this video about the Essa Academy in the UK literally gave me chills- it's so awesome to see success at such a high level with just a few tweaks. Like the flipped classroom idea, bringing extensive technology to education can drastically increase the success rates of students all over the world! 

Seriously, the ability for a teacher to set up a book of lessons and change it as your focus of study changes is incredible! Even more, the teacher can create their own "textbook" that follows the basic agenda and include multimedia such as movies in it. Talk about lightening a load- an iPad and MacBook and you're good to go? Sign me up!

I am hesitant to move to virtual textbooks, though. My class was part of an experiment freshman year where we all had netbooks and used them in our classes. They weren't Apple and the classroom didn't fit together as seamlessly as they would have had all of the technology been made to work together. With that fact out of the way, I hated and I do mean HATED the textbooks online. They were so hard to use as a reference tool because you couldn't just flip through the pages quickly to find an image or reference an idea. In college where you purchase your textbook, a virtual one keeps you from being able to hilight and make notes in the margins. So... I'm still not sure how I feel about virtual books, although I said the same thing about my good ole Kindle and now I'm in love.

Regardless of any bit of hesitance right now, I think that technology is progressing in a great way all over the world. Human culture no longer has to evolve physically; we evolve technologically. We're at a point now where new technology is available at rapid rates and will continue for the whole spectrum, from education to economics to health care. 

I'm so excited to see where we will be in the next 5-10 years.

also, congrats to the Essa Academy! So great to see such progression in a short amount of time.

Tech Savvy

Is it wrong that I want an iPad just so I can buy cute accessories for it?

definitely lust-worthy

Okay so that's totally not the only reason but seriously! Look how cute this Kate Spade case is!

If you follow the blog, you know that I've been lusting over an iPad. I know, it seems like old news but I really just can not decide if it's worth the money! I just got a beautiful new MacBook, I have an iPhone... I don't really know how much I'll use an iPad. But, at the same time, I know that I'll use it if I get it. 

It'll probably come down to how much money I get for graduation and if I can afford to buy one. And then, if I can... the question is do I get the full size or the mini? 

Apple is killing me with all these choices!

I need help! Would an iPad, mini or full size, be of use to a college student?

Should I go for it?

p.s. is this not the cutest flash drive? and in Purdue colors, no less?

Top 5: March 13

It's that time again! A new month means looking back at what all has happened in my life the last month. Good and bad, March is one month closer to warmer weather so I can't complain. This month I got into a few new habits, as well as rekindling my love for a few new ones! Here it goes, my favorites for the month of March:

1. Lilly Pulitzer

I've been a Lilly fan for a while, but this month has taken my interest to a new level. I love reading the brand blog and looking at new arrivals- either I don't look close enough on a daily basis, or new stuff is added almost daily! I also began reading a biography on the one and only Lilly P., and have gained so much love and respect for the woman that is known so well in American culture! She was such an inspiration in the 20th century, and also seems very humble and kind. I'd absolutely love to meet her.

2. Country Music

As I've stated many times before, I've become a huge fan of country music! I love Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, you name it, I probably like it! On a completely different note, the new OneRepublic album is great too!

3. MacBook

This month, my parents bought me my MacBook- more affectionately called my baby- which could be one of the most convenient presents for the whole family! My stuff stays out of their way and they stay out of mine. perfection. One thing that I haven't quite gotten used to is the function of apps on the computer... I guess I don't have the need for them at this point. I am looking for some apps (preferably free for now) that may be useful! Send them my way!

4. Running

I've been a regular runner for the past couple of years. I run for enjoyment and exercise, but I haven't been running lately because it's been such a cold winter! I have outdoor running clothes, but I just hate being cold. Anyways, being on vacation has given me the opportunity to run in shorts and t-shirts on the beach, barefoot. Can't beat that, and it'll be way too cold when i get home if it's anywhere between 70 degrees! I've ruined myself. But, hopefully I'll get in shape to run a few half marathons this summer!

5. Soda Water

Yes, a bit random, but my dad went shopping and there must have been a great deal on Perrier, because he came home with 10 cases of it! I'm not the person to demand "fancy" water, but it's been enjoyable while we've had it! It reminds me of being in Europe- since water is more expensive than beer and so you might as well get the fancy kind- and it just puts a spin on the ever important staying hydrated. 

So, there we are. These are the top 5 new additions to my life since the beginning of the month. I've had a great month of school, which ended with two weeks of vacation! No room for complaints, and the best part of the year is quickly approaching! 

What will you remember from March?

Beautiful Simplicity

There is something so beautiful about the simple things in life. 

The coming of spring has made me appreciate the little things in life.

Like a family dinner or a walk with my dog.

Hearing the birds chirping while I read and sip tea in the morning.

One way that I love bringing beauty to everyday is by small pops of color. I love colorful outfits, but I'm one to stay with a common theme. I'm not too out there. But, there is one way that I love bringing fun colors to my day: this is with nail polish! 

Nail polish is such a simple and fun way to wear a color that maybe intimidates you. Or, like me, maybe you have a favorite color but you don't like how that color looks when you wear it. Pretty nails make me feel girly and fun... bright nail colors remind me of the sunshine and summer.

My favorite color for this spring is Essie's Mint Candy Apple. I've actually had it since fall, when I found it in a makeup store in Paris! It's the prettiest Tiffany Blue, but it was just released in America this season. Of course, you can never go wrong with a red, or more fun, coral!! 

Put some fun in your life, with a simple change of nail color! 

Xoxo, Gossip Girl

So, don't laugh at me when I tell you my plans for tonight. While it's Friday and I could be out doing just about anything, I'm going to relax on my couch, do some online shopping, and watch Gossip Girl. I know, most lame senior ever award belongs to me! But, after weeks like this one, the couch and Netflix are just sucking me in!

I am well aware that Gossip Girl is in no way a reality for the majority of the world. (a girl can dream, can't she?) I don't like that I like the show. Trust me, it sucks up so much of my time! But, I think it might be a slight addiction. Even since I found GG on Netflix, I've been watching the show from the beginning season. It's incredibly different from the books, which I loved. That's not to say that I don't love the show. I might have a slight crush on Nate Archibald. eek! No matter what I do, I live for these 45 minute episodes that allow me to escape the hectic world that I live in and live vicariously through Blair and Serena... or B & S. :-)

I absolutely hate the cold. Big cities, while I love them, creep me out a little bit. And I'd hate living in an apartment (although the penthouses are quite lavish)... But Gossip Girl has me wanting to try out living in the Big Apple and taking prep to a whole new level- prep school. 

How can you resist this?

All That Glitters isn't Gold

I have a confession to make: I'm easily convinced that the "latest and greatest" is worth my investment. My weakness? Apple products.

I don't know about you, but I find all of their products to be so visually aesthetic that it almost hypnotizes me. Their goal, I am sure. It' s all so pretty that I want everything! So, I was surprised when they introduced the iPad and I wasn't really that interested in it.

I'm not sure if it's the fact that, between my MacBook, iPhone, and Kindle, I have the bases covered or if it's more that I just haven't used one enough to understand it's appeal. Either way, I wasn't thrilled when it came out. And then the iPad mini... I thought that was the least climactic release yet! (more so than the iPhone5, even.)

That is, until my sister asked "Santa" for an iPad ( the big one) this past year. She uses it for internet, movies, netflix, games, normal stuff. But I can see myself using it as a planner, a book (with the Kindle app) and as a way to carry my Mac without it actually being my Mac. I'm still being convinced, but I could very well be purchasing the iPad or iPan mini in the near future.

Your thoughts on their usefulness?

By the way, is this not the cutest picture? They might have sold me just on this!

I'm such a sucker for Valentines anything.