by Sharm | Mar 17, 2014 | Home & Living, Lifestyle & Technology, Products & Reviews
I was recently loaned out the Mini Jambox by Jawbone to review from Verizon Wireless and have to say it is quite nifty.
This tiny wireless Bluetooth enabled speaker has a trendy design with a single aluminum enclosure and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
I had a blast trying out and thought it sounded great! The Bluetooth capability allows it to pair with a smart phone, tablet, iPhone and other Bluetooth enabled devices and becomes a speakerphone that will receive and make calls all with the touch of a button.
With not being much bigger than a cell phone, the Mini Jambox is easy to take along anywhere you go or sit seamlessly anywhere in the house. It can play music and audio that is already on your device or if you prefer using one of the many music apps, those will play as well. It can be connected to gaming units, laptops and televisions and enhance the sound of anything you may want.
If Bluetooth is not available, a speaker cord comes with the Mini Jambox that can be connected to any device that has a speaker output. I tend to watch a lot of Netflix and found connecting the speaker wire to the laptop while watching gave me much better volume control and clarity.
Connecting the Mini Jambox to a computer via the USB cord and installing the Jawbone updater allows the speakers firmware to be updated and allows a number of voices and languages to be used for the voice prompts that notify you of the amount of battery life left, incoming and outgoing calls and more.
Speaking of battery life, the website claims to have 10 hours of continuous play. I never tested it or ran the speaker that long as it seemed my phone needed charging before then. The Jawbone app available in both iTunes and Android format allows users to control the Jambox’s options.
Although, the Jambox was only on loan and I have to give it back, I wish to thank Verizon Wireless for allowing me to test it out. I did not think I was in the market for a wireless speaker, but after using this Mini Jambox, I may reconsider. I will admit I am not as tech savvy as some others out there and with the Mini Jambox; you do not need to be! It was easy and simple to use, had great sound and the sleek designs will fit any personality.
Additional information on size, specs, compatibility and any other questions you may have can be found at Jawbone.com or Verizonwireless.com.
by Sharm | Jan 9, 2014 | Home & Living, Lifestyle & Technology, Products & Reviews
The cool folks over at Verizon lent me the Ellipsis 7 tablet to try out and I have to say it was quite nifty. I currently have an android phone and an out of date laptop that weighs a ton so having to send this tablet back makes me a bit sad. If Verizon’s goal of letting me borrow this tablet would convince me to buy one they have succeeded.
In compared to my phone the android operating system is similar but the features are much better. I loved the larger screen, the faster surfing and the pre-installed apps such as iHeartRadio and Redbox Instant by Verizon. 
The Flipboard feature is great. The 7-inch screen is clear and makes it much more enjoyable to read on, play on or watch content while still being small enough to take it on the run. I am avid Daily Plate user on Livestrong.com and this tablet made it easy to log my food on the go!
The Google Maps system is up to date and since it is small enough to take along anywhere, I enjoyed using the navigation system on it separately from the one on my phone, as it does not interfere if a text or call comes in.
At home, when I was in the need of a quick Google search or email check the tablet easily became a replacement for my laptop. I am also an avid cook and using it in the kitchen with all the amazing food apps was a dream!
For me this tablet far exceeds anything I already own and has more features than I will probably every use. As far as specifications go, I am not tech savvy enough to give you the pros and cons of the operating system so you can get all the details of that here if you in need of certain information on features or specifications.
The price on the tablet varies on whether you get a contract or not but is still affordable for a tablet these days. For more information on pricing and plans for the Ellipsis 7 check out Verizon’s website.
by Sharm | Oct 12, 2013 | Decedent Desserts, Food & Drink, Food Finds, Hotels, Products & Reviews, Restaurants, Travel & Resorts
With over 70 locations in the United Kingdom and Europe and 2 locations in the U.S. in Boston and New York, the British Cocoa Grower and Chocolatier Hotel Chocolat is now launching their USA website.
In celebration of the launch, Hotel Chocolat graciously sent me some samples to try and I must say they were quite a treat. The samples were amazing, which included The Sleekster Everything Collection and Caramel Cheesecakes. The Everything Collection was a delightful array of luxurious chocolates made with bean to bar chocolate and the highest quality of ingredients including whole macadamia nuts, buttery shortbread cookies, rich caramel and more. The Caramel Cheesecakes were creamy and delicious. The elegance and quality of these chocolates made me curious to find out more about this Hotel Chocolat.
Turns out, they are one of the world’s few chocolate makers that actually grow their own cocoa. In addition, they also own a few restaurants and the Hotel Boucan in Saint Lucia, which is now on my bucket list. Who can resist a vacation in a tropical rainforest surrounded by chocolate, not me!
For serious chocolate aficionados you might be interested in the Hotel Chocolat Tasting Club, where you can sign up to have new and different tasting selections sent you every few weeks.
With over 20 years of experience as the UK’s largest online chocolate retailer, those of us in U.S. can now enjoy the luxury chocolates and stylish gifts Hotel Chocolat offers. Visit the Hotel Chocolat website for more information on ordering chocolates or one of the many other ventures Hotlel Chocolat is famous for.
by Sharm | Aug 16, 2013 | Food & Drink, Products & Reviews, Restaurants
Chi
potle is our families favorite fast casual restaurant and I would say we frequent it at least once a week and sometimes more. So when I got word that they now offer catering and then an email asking if I would like to try it out, I was ecstatic.
The timing was perfect as we had some family coming in town for the weekend.
Chipotle sent me a coupon to try out the “Big Spread” which feeds 20 people. It includes 3 meats of your choosing and all the accompaniments just like at the restaurant which includes; white and brown chilantro-lime rice, vegetarian black beans, pinto beans, fajita vegetables, salsas ranging from mild to hot, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and lettuce.
Then to wrap all that goodness up in, crispy taco shells, soft flour tortillas and a huge bag of their amazing tortilla chips are included as well. Chipotle also supplies all of serving supplies that include bowls, utensils, napkins, serving spoons and tongs. Also included are stands, chafing dishes, fuel and matches to keep it all warm!
Placing the order was super easy! I just called 1-800-Chipotle and the operator on the other end took care of everything. Knowing that most of the family would not eat the hot salsa but that we love the corn salsa, I asked if they would sub out the hot salsa for corn salsa and of course they were happy to do so.
Picking up the order was a breeze as well and everything is packaged up in awesome reusable tote bags.
There were 14 of us that ate and all though we finished off the guacamole and sour cream there were plenty of leftovers that we broke out the next day. There were still beans left so I made a yummy black bean and pinto bean soup in my handy dandy Vita- Mix!
Although, I was able to try this spread out courtesy of Chipotle, I am hooked and will definitely be using Chipolte catering again using my own dime, because everything you need is included, the food is delicious and clean up is a breeze!
If you don’t have a group quite large enough to put on the “Big Spread”, Chipotle catering packages also offers a two meat spread, burritos by the box and a chips and salsa package that comes with chips, guacamole and 4 kinds of salsa.
I have yet to return my catering stands but will be doing it soon because if you choose to return the catering stands back to the location where you picked up your catering order, Chipotle will give a coupon for a free burrito! Currently, Chipotle Catering is only in the following areas*, but are expanding, so keep an eye out for your area. Visit Chipotle.com for further information on all catering and menu items Chipotle offers.
| • Colorado |
• New Mexico |
| • Delaware |
• Oklahoma |
| • Idaho |
• Utah |
| • Iowa** |
• Wisconsin*** |
| • Kansas |
• Wyoming |
| • Missouri |
• Nashville Area |
| • Nebraska |
• Philadelphia Area |
| • Nevada |
|
*Burritos By The Box is available everywhere.
**Excludes Davenport, IA.
***Excludes Eau Claire and Hudson, WI.
