My favourite IPhone apps – part 2

Following on from my last blog post, here are some of my other favourite IPhone apps:-

Hullo Mail.  The missed called and voice message interface from my mobile carrier 3 isn’t great.  After trying the free version of Hullo Mail, it shows me who has left me a message or I have received a missed call from.

Pocket – Any interesting web sites or pictures/articles I would like to read later I email to my Pocket account.  I can then read these (even off line if updated) on my IPad or IPhone.  Invaluable.

Endomondo – tracks my outside exercise.  Fairly accurate and transfers the data straight into My Fitness Pal which I use daily to track calorie intake and exercise. 

Flipbox – A custom magazine of some of my favourite blogs with pictures. 

Cozi for my FlyLady routines.  I use the free version (can you spot a theme here?) which reminds me of cleaning zones for this week.  If you dislike housework as much as I do, may I recommend you investigate Fly Lady.   

Feedly – As Google Reader is no longer going to be operational later this year, Feedly painlessly transferred all my blog subscriptions from Google Reader to themselves.  Again links to my pc, IPhone and IPad.

Trello – I’ve just started using this for my project management.  I’m enjoying the visual boards approach.

You Tube – I must admit I use this as a knowledge tool.  It is much easier to learn something if you can see what you need to do rather than just reading. 

Would I swap to anything else? Not currently.  My eldest son has an Android phone and whilst it’s ok – the operating system is not as sleek, intuitive and professional as an apple product.  Don’t even get me started on BlackBerry’s!  I have a fairly modern BlackBerry for work and it’s heavy to carry, slow to use and not intuitive.  I cannot currently compare to the latest version of a Windows phone.  However, if someone would like to send me one to test and compare I wouldn’t complain ;)

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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My favourite IPhone apps – part 1

I admit I’m a geek.  I love my gadgets and technology.  I was also adamant I was not going to become an Apple fan girl.  Previously I’ve had a HTC Windows phone running Windows Mobile 7 which I liked but had a few flaws.  However, two years ago my husband bought an IPhone then I bought an IPod and I realised they really are rather good.

Siri and ICloud Reminders and Notes - I’ve grouped these together as they are standard Apple apps and I would struggle to cope without them.  Along with my Bluetooth headset, whilst I’m on my commute to and from work I often remember things I should be doing or adding to.  I just wish reminders could be set for the 2^nd Monday in the month etc rather than just the basic scheduling.

Calendar linked with Google calendar.  I’ve managed to colour code 7 different Google calendars which I can view at an instant on my IPhone.  I immediately know where my family should be and whether my shared treatment room is available or already booked. 

Dropbox – It enables me to share files not only between all of my devices (PC’s and Apple devices) but also shares files with other people.  I realise the security of any Cloud based storage isn’t completely secure so I don’t use Dropbox for anything confidential.

Social Media – Facebook and Twitter are my two main SM apps although I also like to browse Instagram.  I don’t find the Facebook Pages app that useful as I’d like to share other Pages information from my IPhone as I can on my PC.  Hopefully, that will be in a future release.

MyFitnessPal – used daily to track my calorie intake and expenditure. 

Met Office – also used daily to check what the weather is going to be like in the coming 5 days. 

Oops, it’s only when you start documenting your favourite apps you realise how long the list could be.  Therefore, part 2 (and possibly even part 3) coming in a fortnight. 

  

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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Mini madness

I’m not sure which Philofaxy blog or comment triggered my latest Filofax acquiring session (possibly Wallet pockets http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/wallet-pockets.html) or Lime Tree’s guest blog (http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/a-mini-solution-guest-post-lime-tree.html) but I’ve been on a bit of a spending spree!

With the upcoming Spring season here in the Northern Hemisphere, I like to change handbags to something smaller and/or lighter.  Whilst I love my Baroque, where size matters, it’s rather chunky.  Also, most of my handbags have dark interiors.  I use a black purse and a black handbag organiser and I was losing the black Baroque.  I want to open my handbag and my mini Filofax is immediately visible.

A quick look on AdSpot on Philofaxy and I found a gorgeous vintage pink Malden.  A beautiful spring colour and lovely and soft with lots of pockets.  I’ve not taken any photos as there are plenty of mini Malden photos on the web.

However, I was also prowling Ebay and not one but two possible mini’s finished at similar times – and I won both. 

Allow me to introduce my two gorgeous purchases (along with my other mini’s).

As you can see, the Scarlett Piccadilly has no wallet/note pocket but this means it is the slimmest.  The deep red vintage Windsor oozes class and refinement but is a little stiff.  So which of those four has won my heart and a coveted place in my handbag . . .

The Scarlett Piccadilly has temporarily won however, now it is easy to swap and change my Filofax along with the weather, season, occasion or handbag. 

Which is your favourite mini?

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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Quick disclaimer; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Complementary therapies and Parkinson’s Disease

April is Parkinson’s Disease awareness month with UK Parkinson’s Awareness Week 15-21 April this year and this debilitating condition is a neurological disorder that my Dad suffers from.

My Dad has always been fit and well.  He’s never smoked or drank and kept himself fit as a self-employed plumber.  Approximately 20 years ago (yes, he was diagnosed young) his little finger started to tremor and after months of tests he was finally diagnosed with Parkinsons.  Luckily my father has always been a strong willed, determined person and I’m sure this mental toughness has aided his battle against this condition.

For an explanation of Parkinson’s Disease and further information, may I suggest you visit the Parkinson’s UK website www.parkinsons.org.uk

My father didn’t believe Reiki would help and this is just our personal experiences.  However, he was willing to give something different a try.  We find during a Reiki session that Dad’s tremor become less pronounced, his breathing becomes regular, pain relief increases and it helps alleviate any stress he may be feeling. 

Massage has also helped with his muscular tension and stiffness.  Relaxing oils such as Lavender, Chamomile, Neroli and Frankincense also seem to help. 

Here are some links to some of the websites I have found who provide information relating to Parkinson’s Disease:-

http://www.baseformula.com/blog/2012/08/qa-aromatherapy-advice-for-parkinsons-disease/

http://pdpatient.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/april-is-parkinsons-disease-awareness-month/

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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Quick note; I am not a medical practitioner so therefore I’m not prescribing.  All of my blog posts are based on complementary therapies and not as a replacement for conventional medicine.  

Just in case . . .

This is another ‘bare my soul’ style blogs where I talk honestly about habits or actions I take that may appear a little bizarre to some people.  This week’s post could also be name ‘Be Prepared’.

I admit I am a Guide/Scout through to the core.  I loved being a Guide (many years ago) and I’m delighted that both boys are active in our local Scout movement.  I frequently use some of the skills I learnt at Guides and along with organisational issues, I also like to be prepared.  Sadly this means I tend to carry around with me lots of items; ‘just in case’.  I remember my Mum showing me her Guide Uniform along with belt, whistle, penknife and compass and I realise they are all relevant (in some way or another) in today’s society.

Several months ago via Twitter @RoriRants introduced me to a You Tube video entitled Female OCD/EDC Bag which sparked my imagination.  Not only did I think this video was amazing but I started investigating EDC (Every Day Carry).  I became interested in what other people carry in their handbags and on their belts/pockets.  This brought me along to the amazing TheUrbanPrepper and his Urban Altoids Survival tin. 

Needless to say, I’ve now purchased an Altoids tin and here’s a list of the current contents:-

Emergency money

Emergency phone numbers

Needle & thread

Duct tape

Variety of medicines (ibuprofen, zantac, immodium, strepsil, allergy tablet, cold & flu tablet)

2 x plasters

Alcohol wipe

Piece of pen and pen refill

Piece of gum

Victorinox card

Calpol 6+ sachet

Nail file / match striker

Mini post in notes

Tampon

Safety pin

Paper clip

Rubber band

Matches

Along with the mini pen knife (Victorinox Classic for those who are interested) some of the contents have already come in extremely useful.  Sewing clothes at work, sticking a broken toy together at Beavers, ibuprofen for pain relief, plasters/wipes & calpol – I am a Mum of two boys after all and the scissors for a variety of uses. Oh & I carry the above penknife and a mini torch on my keys. 

I’ve also read you should have a Grab bag ready in case of emergencies.  Most local councils have an Emergency Plan which you can print and personalise along with a suggested list of items for your Grab bag

How many of you have a Grab bag and emergency plan?  What’s in your handbag or what’s in your EDC?  Please let me know in the comments below.  Do I have an OCD issue?  Have I given you something to think about?

As always, thank you for reading this blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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Friday ramblings

Just a short and obscure blog this week.

Initially I thought about discussing aesthetics; specifically those relating to human beauty.  You see, sometimes I am guilty of not noticing when someone has a new hair style or has lost a few pounds.  I don’t believe I’m being ignorant but I notice people as a whole – not just their body and image but their soul.

For example, as a child I had a crush on a high school teacher.  This teacher certainly didn’t fill the category of what most teenagers called attractive but his personality shone through.  I saw the teacher holistically. 

In TV programmes, I tend to admire, respect and am attracted to those characters who appear wise, kind, humorous and caring.  My home-made pin-up calendar at work (don’t ask why!!) raised a few eyebrows.  Not because of their body or good looks, entirely the opposite. 

Perhaps this is why I enjoy holistic therapies.  I look at the person as a whole; not just the physical but the spiritual and emotional.

Any guilty crushes you’d like to admit?

As always, thank you for reading this blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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Valentines Self Love

It is coming up towards the time of year where people partner off and it seems like the whole world evolves around couples.  However before a successful relationship can start or for an existing relationship to survive, there needs to be a certain level of self esteem.

So this brief blog post is to encourage you to celebrate you, in all your wonderful glory.

Ideas to help you celebrate you:-

• Take a leisurely rose quartz bath with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil
• Go out for a stroll/walk/run in nature
• Cook yourself a wonderful nurturing meal and eat slowing, savouring every mouthful
• Start a daily affirmation in front of the mirror and tell yourself you are a beautiful, loving, gorgeous person who deserves only the very best
• Put yourself and your needs first.  Whether this means booking yourself in for a facial every month or treating yourself to those new shoes.  You only have this one life, go out and enjoy it.

If you find any of this difficult, why not involve outside help.  Whether this be in the form of counselling, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Reiki or similar forms of spiritual empowerment. 

As always, thank you for reading this blog and have an amazing Valentines Day.  If you have any questions or comments, please chat to me below.

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