On my iPhone Archives - Strange & Charmed

On My iPhone {July 2015}

On my iPhone is a monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

Long time, no On My iPhone post! I don’t know about you, but I missed this series. For one reason or another, it just didn’t make the cut for my monthly editorial calendar, mostly because I haven’t been using that many new applications. However, I am back this month with some fun updates for you now that my move is over and I am all settled (or mostly settled) in my new place! Here’s what’s been on my iPhone recently!

Currently Playing, Home Design 3D: With my recent move I have been on the hunt for some new decor items for my apartment, and my sister introduced me to this app that you can use to layout and virtually decorate your space. If you want to stay up to date on my home decor journey, I have a recent vlog that went up on my YouTube channel. Check it out!

Currently Reading, The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George: I’ll be completely honest with you, I downloaded this audiobook from Audible.com based on the title and cover alone! It’s not a complicated book, probably my first fiction book in some time, but it’s turning out to be a great summer read!

Currently Watching, Periscope: Last week I introduced you all to my new social media obsession, Periscope. Since then, I have done my very first chat on the platform that you can watch here. I’ve been loving following some of my favorite business gurus and friends as they “scope” as well. You can expect a blog post soon on the specific accounts I’ve been loving!

Currently Surfing, OneKingsLane: As I’ve been redecorating my apartment, I’ve been obsessed with my favorite home decor sites like OneKingsLane where you can purchase unique decor finds for discounted prices. It’s like Home Goods on the web and I’ve already ordered some office furniture for my new place.

Currently Listening, Whitenoise: I believe this was another great app selection from Starbucks’ Pick of the Week program! This sound machine app produces a variety of different “whitenoise” soundtracks that I like to turn on and listen to while I am in the zone working. It’s really been helping to keep me on task!

So, that’s what has been On My iPhone this month! I hope you have enjoyed this installment and perhaps found a new app, book or site to enjoy on your own phone! If you have been using any great new apps or sites that you think I need to know about, feel free to share in the comments!

xoxo,

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {April 2015}

On my iPhone is a monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

April was such a productive month for me! I feel like for the first time ever as an entrepreneur that my life and business schedules are finally melding together so that I can achieve all my goals without feeling like I am compromising one area of my life for another. I can’t say that I think that has to do specifically with these apps and digital favorites that I am about to introduce to you, however, I think that a mixture of some great productivity apps, some hard work on my part and a bunch of great informational content in the form of audiobooks and articles have really been coming together to make my days feel more productive and fulfilling! So here are my digital favorites for April 2015!

Currently Playing, Focus@Will: I recently did a review of this interesting productivity app that claims to help you improve your productivity through the aid of scientifically optimized music. It basically sounds like a spa playlist, but I have to admit, I am much more productive when I’m using the app!

Currently Reading, Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin: I’ve really been getting into Audible lately, and although I am not reading this book the traditional way, I am definitely enjoying listening to it while I work, clean up and even walk the dog! If you’re interested in understanding and changing your habits, this is another great pick, similar to The Power of Habit, but it takes a completely different spin on the concept!

Currently Watching, Penny Dreadful: The other week I was a little run down and spending a lot of time in bed resting, and during this period I stumbled upon Penny Dreadful and basically watched the entire first season in one day. It was right up my ally blending two of my favorite genres, period pieces and supernatural thrillers! Season two just started up and I’m excited to continue the saga!

Currently Surfing, IAmThatGirl.com: I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones is the Paper & Glam Bookclub read for May and I was very excited to discover that their is actually a whole website and blog for the I Am That Girl Campaign which strives to create community, and a support system around celebrating women and girls! Definitely an inspiring place on the internet to read, learn and connect with other women!

Currently Listening, Serial Podcast: I had heard a lot of great reviews about the Serial podcast a while back and I was recently reminded that I had never checked it out. So, I finally did and I can really understand not what all the fuss was about. If you like criminal dramas or mysteries, you should definitely check out this compelling and extremely thorough podcast that was more like a documentary brought to life in audio only form!

iPhone Case, Kate Spade Diagonal Stripped Hybrid Case: Although I have been something of an iPhone case fanatic in the past, I have actually stuck to the same case now since I purchased the iPhone 6 Plus in March. I will admit, however, that I have had my eye on some other cases, namely this gorgeous marble effect case!

Things I Read & Loved

So now for the second part of this post, a selection of articles I read from around the web that I loved.

So, let me know what you think of these articles and I’d love to hear your experiences with any of the apps, books or sites I shared with you this month! Please let me know what you’re digital favorites were for April by leaving me a comment below or for extra points, tag me in a photo on Instagram telling me about your favorites for the month!

xoxo,

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {March 2015}

On my iPhone is a monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

So this month, I have a bunch of fun iPhone related news for you all. In case you hadn’t noticed, I actually just recently upgraded to the iPhone 6 Plus for my birthday! It was a present to myself and also a much needed tool for my business ever since my iPhone 5 really started taking a turn for the worst. This month I also embraced a lot of fun apps I had always wanted to try and even brought back some oldies that I forgot that I loved so much!

Currently Playing, Headspace: This awesome app was a recommendation from Pat Flynn that I had to check out! It is a guided meditation app that basically helps you manage stress and live in the moment. I actually have really been enjoying the app, which is basically free for the first 10 sessions, but then you have some subscription options to get more guided meditation regularly. I think the plans are pretty well priced, especially for the fact that it really feels like you are in a one to one guided meditation session. Definitely check it out if you want to start meditating or get a little help from your iPhone.

Currently Reading, Flipboard: Okay, so Flipboard is an app, not a book, but I have been loving reading articles from it, none the less. This was actually one of my favorite apps once upon a time but for some reason I stopped using it. Now that I have rediscovered the app I can’t live without it. I try to read a few articles a day in the app, which you can customize to bring you a dedicated feed of articles that fit the topics you enjoy!

Currently Watching, West Wing: My husband and I are always looking for a new TV series to get involved with that is on demand so we don’t have to bother with TV schedules and all that jazz. We were thinking about it and realized that we really enjoyed political dramas, so we decided to start watching the West Wing, which is another throwback show that I used to watch years ago, but to be honest, I can’t remember much of what I watched, so this is like discovering a hidden gem! Definitely check it out if you were a West Wing fan or if you enjoy political dramas!

Currently Surfing, AlexBeadon.com: As you know, I am always on the lookout for great female entrepreneurs online that are hitting it out of the park. I love following them for inspiration, tips and insights, and I recently discovered Alex Beadon through a client. Alex is a photographer turned online entrepreneur who is something of a girl after my own heart. She shares her business tips and tricks via her blog and YouTube channel, so definitely check her out if your looking for great female business role models!

Currently Listening, The Power of Habit via Audible: I really enjoy audio books, but as you may already know, they are pretty pricey! I was actually surprised when I learned how affordable and practical an Audible membership was, for some reason I didn’t realize that once you downloaded an Audible book, its actually yours forever (I previously had thought you were essentially renting the audiobooks with your monthly membership) which really changed my perspective on the service and I just had to sign up! Luckily, I was also able to sign up with an incredible offer of not one, but TWO FREE BOOKS with my trial membership, so if you would like to give Audible a shot and would like to take advantage of this super offer, click here and sign up for free today!

iPhone Case, Kate Spade Diagonal Stripped Hybrid Case: Of course when I bought my new phone I had to get a new iPhone case to go along with it and I found this perfect case from Kate Spade at my local Best Buy! Unfortunately, it looks like the case is currently sold out, but if you’re looking for a similar case for your iPhone 6 Plus, check this one out from Kate Spade, it was my number two choice!

Things I Read & Loved

So now for the second part of this post, a selection of articles I read from around the web that I loved.

xoxo,

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {February 2015}

On my iPhone is a monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

I think I have mentioned before that this is one of my favorite posts to write each month and guess what? Its getting even better! I get asked a lot about articles and inspiration I find around the web and so I have decided that I will also be adding a selection of my favorite articles that I have read this month within this post. So, you basically get it all. All my favorite apps, all my favorite content from around the internet and all my favorite articles as well! So lets jump right in because we have a lot to cover!

Currently Playing, Trivia Crack: What is it with people that we get so obsessed with trivia games? I think deep down inside we each think we are the smartest person to hit the planet and we like to show off our knowledge of random trivia. This new obsession started with me because of my husband who one day asked me the following question, “Who was Leonardo DiVinci’s rival?” “Michelangelo,” I replied. “Yes! That’s right!” He answered excited and surprised. Then later that night… “Who coined the phrase, the Iron Curtain?” He asked as we sat getting ready for bed. “Winston Churchill,” I replied. He sighed, “you knew that? I got it wrong,” he remarked disappointed. “Of course, Mike,” I responded. “I know everything!” And thus my obsession with Trivia Crack began!

Currently Reading, Hollow City by Ransom Riggs: At some point in 2013 I laid down to bed, thinking I would read a few chapters of Ransom Rigg’s first novel in this series, Miss Peregrin’s Home for Peculiar Children, and then a few sleepless hours later, I had finished the book. I think this was one of the few times in my life that I was so interested in the plot of a book that I actually couldn’t stop reading it until it was done. So, when I heard that the second novel in the series, Hollow City was released, I waited and waited for it to come to paper back so I could read it in the exact same manner I did the first. Well, I got a little impatient the other day and downloaded the book instead to my iPhone, and I’m very glad I did! If you liked the first book, definitely give this a read, I’m really liking this series!

Currently Watching, Adult Wednesday Addams: Yes, you read that right. Adult. Wednesday. Addams. I don’t know about you, but I love Wednesday Addams. I love the entire Addams family, but Wednesday was always my favorite. So when my husband sent me a link to a YouTube series all about my favorite little creepster, I literally said out loud to myself “there goes the rest of my day!” Of course I caught up on the whole series, which actually wasn’t very long, but I was glad to see it is still in progress, and I have to say, this is probably the greatest series to come out of YouTube in like forever! Just watch it! You will not regret it!

Currently Surfing, Dean Street Society: As you already know from my last installment of this series, one of my goals for this year is to find new bloggers to follow and one of my new reads, Dean Street Society, was a recommendation from a dear friend. The blog is an awesome blend of fashion and business advice from the writer Hilary Rushford, a notable female entrepreneur who is kicking butt and taking names online! Now, I know I said this was something of a fashion blog, but it is so much more than that! You know I am not one for fashion blogs, but this is totally something else. It’s original and fresh, and you should check it out as well!

Currently Listening, The Fearless Launching Show: In my quest to discover new bloggers and awesome business inspirations online, I recently came across Anne Samoilov who happened to be a fan of my YouTube channel. She and I connected online over planners, businesses, and a mutual love of Marie Forleo and I have been listening to her awesome business podcast The Fearless Launching Show, where she discusses aspects of launching and running a successful business. In addition to her podcast, Anne also runs a course called Fearless Launching, where she shows business owners the ropes of launching a product or business online. According to Anne, she will be opening up admission to her Fearless Launching program again soon, so head on over to her site and sign up for email updates if you are interested in her program. That is, after you check out her awesome podcast!

Things I Read & Loved

So now for the second part of this post, a selection of articles I read from around the web that I loved. You will probably notice a theme with these links, I read a lot of business advice and inspirational articles, but I will try my best to branch out in future installments to give you more variety!

Okay, well that was a nice long list! That should keep you busy for a while! But in all seriousness, I hope you enjoy some of these articles and that you find something from this list that speaks to you and helps to inform or inspire you! Let me know what you thought of this installment of my On My iPhone series and let me know if you like the new addition of the links. I’m hoping this can be a monthly occurrence either combined with this series or something that stands alone, so I would appreciate your feedback!

xoxo,

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {January 2015}

On my iPhone is a monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

In case you hadn’t noticed, I actually didn’t post an On My iPhone for December of 2014, so I am very excited to finally be catching you all up on my digital monthly favorites! I feel like I have been on a productivity roll this January with all the great new projects and ideas I have been working on for my business! It should come as no surprise to you then, that many of these awesome favorites may have played a role in that increased productivity!

Currently Playing, Mind Genius: Since I have been trying to get off on a productive foot for 2015, I have been doing a lot of brainstorming and project planning for my blog, YouTube channel and of course my shop! Although I do love brainstorming on paper, I found that the number of projects I was working on was just becoming a little too much for my post its to handle and thought it would be best if I had an electronic system to help aid me in this process so that I could see all my ideas and order them into a logical flow. Enter the app Mind Genius! I have actually had this free app downloaded on my iPad for quite a while now, but I never used it much until now. It’s basically mind mapping software that helps you to arrange your thoughts and brainstorm through projects or problems you are working on. I highly suggest it if you are craving some sort of digital organization for your projects and thoughts and notepads or sticky notes just aren’t working that well for you!

Currently Reading, May Cause Miracles: I really enjoyed Gabrielle Bernstein’s book, Miracles Now, so much that I recently decided that I wanted to familiarize myself with more of her work. So, I decided to give May Cause Miracles a try and I haven’t been disappointed! I really love how Gabby is such a down to earth, straight shooting spiritual guru of sorts. I know she’s a life coach, but when she communicates, it feels more like a friend chatting with you than a professional. If you are looking for spiritual guidance or just want to get in tune with the universe around you, definitely try May Cause Miracles!

Currently Watching, Paper & Glam: Back in December I came across the Paper & Glam Youtube channel as I was searching for new planner videos to watch. The channel is hosted and run by Lisamarie Landreth, a 20 something professional gal much like myself with a penchant for organization and planners and I was instantly hooked! Lisamarie and I have since become besties because we share an alarming number of similar values and ideals, so if you like my content and my youtube channel, I know you will connect with Lisamarie as well. Her home decor and Erin Condren Life Planner videos are on point and she also runs her own blog and shop with much more interesting and fun content, so be sure to check her out there as well! If you do, make sure to drop her a line and let her know Alexis sent you!

Currently Surfing, Elle & Co Design: One of my goals for 2015 is to really dive deep and discover new sites and blogs filled with interesting and informative content, and I have totally started the year off with a strong start ever since I discovered Elle & Co Design, the personal blog of graphic designer Lauren Hooker! I think you’re going to see a pattern emerging with my latest and greatest faves, but Lauren is not only an A+ blogger, but she also runs her own design company and has a digital shop with awesome printables as well! I love that Lauren blogs not only about her design business, but she also gives really great branding and blogging advice as well! Again, if you like my blog, I bet you will love her, so make sure to add her to your bloglovin feed as well!

Currently Listening, Elise Gets Crafty: One of the things I have also been trying to do more of is find and listen to more podcasts! Since I work from home alone all day (well, not totally alone thanks to this lil guy) I feel like I need to keep my mind engaged while I’m working with more than just music. Because I love business and non fiction books so much, I thought it would be fun to find more business related podcasts and guess what?!? I found a podcast geared towards creative business owners called Elise Gets Crafty! It’s hosted by craft blogger Elise Blaha Cripe (who I also went ahead and added to my regular reads as well once I discovered her) and in each episode of her podcast, Elise interviews and engages in great conversation with another creative entrepreneur to help answer some of the big and little questions and issues that all creative business owners face. Definitely check it out if you have been thinking about starting your own creative business or if you already run one!

Well those have been my monthly favorites, but of course, there is always one final thing I know you all look forward to hearing about and that is which iPhone case I am currently rocking! For the majority of January I have been using my favorite black and white striped case from Kate Spade! I have been on such a black and white kick lately, as you can tell from the picture above, everything from my planner to my coffee mug is black and white! Love it!

So, now it’s your turn to tell me what you have been loving for the month of January! Any new YouTube channels or apps I need to check out? I am always on the hunt for new blogs to read as well, especially if they are centered around creative female entrepreneurs! Let me know your favorites and suggestions in the comments below!

xoxo,

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {November 2014}

On my iPhone is a monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

As I write this, I am in a whirlwind of Thanksgiving prep! The end of November has come, and I would just like to take a moment to thank my lucky stars and all of my readers, viewers and community members for making November a wonderful month for me. As I think I already mentioned, November is an important month for me because of my Wedding Anniversary, my Husbands Birthday and of course, Thanksgiving! But seriously, this month has been awesome for me. The support you have all shown me for my new Shop has been overwhelming and because of you, I am finding myself motivated and inspired everyday to create amazing new content! Of course, with all the work I have been doing, there have been some key apps and digital favorites that have kept me on track for the month, so let me share those with you now!

Currently Playing, Afterlight: I know I have talked about my favorite iOS photo editing apps in the past, but seriously, Afterlight takes the cake for them all! It really is a powerhouse of mobile photography editors, helping me to brighten, crop, and saturate my images, creating perfect Instagram ready images! Definitely worth the money if you love to edit photos on your phone!

Currently Reading, 365 Style by Nicky Hilton: I heard about this book over the summer and loved the concept of designing and refining your wardrobe to fit your day-to-day needs! As you may have already heard, I am currently in the process of reorganizing and pairing down my wardrobe, and 365 Style has been a major influence and inspiration for managing this rather large life project! Nicky Hilton lays out a very unique plan for organizing your wardrobe by the major events in your life that you dress for, and then breaks those events down by the key pieces you have in your wardrobe for those events! It’s absolutely genius and a must read for any style maven who needs to take control of their wardrobe!

Currently Watching, Peaky Blinders: In October, my husband and I discovered the Netflix Original Series Peaky Blinders. A turn of the century tale of a gang-family in Birmingham England fighting for control of the mean streets where they reside! We finished the first season in record time and absolutely loved it! Then, earlier this month, we were very pleasantly surprised when we discovered that Netflix had also released a second season of the drama as well! I consider this a turn of the century Law and Order meets the Soprano’s, and it is very reminiscent of the BBC series Copper that my husband and I also very much enjoyed!

Currently Surfing, Miss Poppy Design: Since the launch of my Shop, I have been preoccupied with discovering new design inspiration for creating new content and printables! I stumbled upon Miss Poppy Design after following their Instagram account and falling in love with their style! Think ultra feminine, peonies, hot pink, sprinkles of gold and glitter, and a dash of high fashion editorial! I have been loving surfing their site, finding new bits of inspiration with every scroll of my mouse! Definitely check them out if you love design as well, their shop is also lovely!

Currently Listening, Coffitivity: I have been using Coffitivity for a while now, it’s basically an app/site that provides a sound machine that recreates the white noise you would hear if you were working from a coffee shop! I find that since I have been spending a lot of time working at the computer doing my design work, that this app has really helped me to get that feeling that I am working outside of my home, which really helps increase my productivity and concentration. Definitely check out the site and download the app for your computer or phone if you like what you hear!

Of course, I also like to keep you guys informed of the iPhone case I am currently sporting! This month I have still been loving that Festive Flowers case from Kate Spade that I purchased last month from the outlet! It’s it just lovely?

Last but not least! I filmed a video on my monthly favorites if you also care to give that a watch! I have some good close ups of the digital favorites and the apps in case you are curious as well!

Now, its time for you to let me know what you thought about my favorites. Are you familiar with any of the items I included this month? What do you think about them? And of course, what were your digital favorites this month? I would love to know, so please feel free to leave me a comment below!

xoxo,

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {October 2014}

On my iPhone is a new monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

So, it’s officially fall and now, one of the best months of the year is coming to a close. I know I have already waxed poetic about how much I love October, and although I am very sad to see it go, I know that it was a very fun-filled month for me! I made sure to pack a lot of fun fall and Halloween activities into the month and I have plenty of memories to look back on and to celebrate! I, of course, made sure to collect a few awesome internet favorites on my iPhone this month, some of them were old favorites rediscovered, and others were some new releases that I am excited to share with you!

Currently Playing, Snapchat: At about mid-month, I finally jumped on the bandwagon and created a snapchat account. I have been loving sharing impromptu photos and little behind the scenes glimpses of my life on my snapchat story! If you have snapchat, make sure to follow me and I will add you back. My username is MissTrenchcoat, of course!

Currently Reading, The Brief: I know I have mentioned my love for Levo League in the past, but they have recently released a daily e-newsletter that shares a dose of news and pop culture fun to act as a pick me up to your workday, Monday thru Friday! If you could use a simple and short little workday email to help brighten the day or help entertain you during your commute home, feel free to check out The Brief for yourself!

Currently Watching, Gilmore Girls: This month has been an epic TV month for me, ever since I discovered that all the seasons of Gilmore Girls are now available on Netflix! I loved Gilmore Girls when I was younger and I am very excited to be catching up on one of my favorite shows. So, if you were a big fan of Gilmore Girls in high school and college, definitely add the show to your instant queue!

Currently Surfing: Facebook Groups: Specifically, I have been getting back into the Filofax and Planner groups on Facebook ever since my love and obsession with my planners was reignited with a few new planners I was sent to review! If you are interested in joining any of these groups, I will go ahead and link a few of my favorites below, but I must warn you that these groups are incredibly addictive and I suggest you don’t join any of these groups unless you are super serious about participating!

Currently Listening, The Raven: One of my favorite October and Halloween themed activities is listening to the audio recording of The Raven, narrated by Christopher Walken. It’s available via YouTube and I love spending a quiet fall evening at home listening to Walken’s creepy but festive voice, reciting this creepy yet festive literary classic!

On My iPhone Kate Spade Case and Filofax Planner — My new Kate Spade iPhone case as pictured with my awesome Fluoro Pink Filofax!

Oh and of course, one final little thing on my iPhone… my new Kate Spade iPhone case! I picked this up at the outlet the other week and I think it’s absolutely adorable for fall!

Don’t miss my On My iPhone video for this month as well! I know I missed making a video last month due to scheduling issues, but I do go into greater detail during my videos than I do on my blog posts, so if you want to know more, click through to the video!

So, now it’s your turn! What have you been loving on your iPhone or iPad this month? Any great new apps that have caught your attention? Let me know in the comments or better yet, send me a tweet to let me know!

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {September 2014}

On my iPhone is a new monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

September came and September went, or really it just flew by pretty much unnoticed. From the weather we have been having in PA, you would think that September was just an extension of August and not the transitional month that heralds us into the fall. I did do some typical “September” things this month. I went apple picking with Mike, enjoyed my first official #PSL, and made some other pumpkin spiced treats! I spent some time outside under the trees, reading on blankets and learning more about photography on my DSLR. But September was a pretty productive month for me. I finally buckled down and opened up my Shop! I also spent a decent amount of time searching for inspiration for future projects and collaborations that will hopefully be coming down the pike soon! As I am apt to do, I spent a good amount of time searching for new digital content to share with you as well, so here is what I have been loving On My iPhone for the month of September!

Currently Playing, Lumosity: I have seen ads for Lumosity for years and years now, but I never actually bothered downloading their free app until (surprise, surprise!) it was offered as part of Starbuck’s Pick of the Week program via my Starbuck’s App! I will say though, that even though I am constantly online and in the know, I have been feeling a little mentally sluggish for some time now, and I decided to give the app a go in an attempt to see if I could sharpen my mind a bit! I was actually quite shocked with how I scored on my first attempt at the game, but I am getting better. I feel like this must be a struggle with most people, because ever since I graduated, I have felt my brain slowly softening, and I’m glad I finally decided to give this game a try because I’m hoping it will help improve my memory in the long run!

Currently Reading, Chesapeake by James Michener: Okay, by reading I mean listening to the book on tape via my iPhone! Chesapeake isn’t a new book for me. In fact, I first listened to the book on tape years ago after it was recommended to me by a friend who knew I grew up sailing with my family on the Chesapeake. Lately, I have been thinking about that time of my life a lot and have really been missing it. For some reason, when I was younger, I firmly believed I would have a sail boat of my own one day, and now I find myself contemplating it seriously for the first time in a while. But back to the book- for anyone out there who loves historical fiction, and maybe grew up in the mid atlantic or enjoys American History and/or boating, you need to read this book! Michener is a complete genius at historical fiction and I am absolutely enamored with this lengthy tale that spends decades of history surrounding the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Currently Watching, Frankenstein MD: I feel like a broken record when it comes to these digital short series’ based on classic novels, but I found another one, and I bet you can’t guess which book this one is about? It looks like this time around Pemberly Digital (of Emma and The Lizzie Bennett Diaries) has teamed up with PBS to produce this new series which follows the video diary of medical student, Victoria Frankenstein, as she guides her viewers through the mysteries of the human body! This series is awesome because so far there is a lot of extra content outside of the show that really add dimension to the story. So if you’re a Shelly fan, you may want to check it out!

Currently Surfing, Mermaid Gossip: I have been following Bristol based alternative fashion blogger and Photo Booth maven Emily Fisher for some time now. We were acquainted through mutual friends/bloggers via the Blogcademy and I was instantly taken with her colorful hair and personality! She recently launched her new style blog, Mermaid Gossip, which chronicles her colorful lifestyle and awesome nails!! She also wins a special place in my heart for also being a YouTuber, and you know how much I love bloggers who make the transition over to video! If you love colorful clothing, unique accessories, rainbows and unicorns, I would go check her out!

Currently Listening, Spotify: As you may have seen, I recently began using Spotify to create My Productivity Playlists! I have been loving this service and I can’t believe it took me so long to start using it. Scratch that, I am not surprised it took me this long, I am always the last to the party because I refuse to believe the hype. But trust me, the hype is real and justified. I am so used to working within the confines of Pandora that I didn’t even realize how freeing it would be to be able to dictate my own playlists. So, if you love music, want to discover new tunes or just need some motivation to get you through your workday, go check out Spotify!

Oh and that one final thing of course- the iPhone case I have been using this month! Well, to be completely honest, I have been switching it up between a few different cases in September. Something about wanting it to be fall but it still feeling like it was summer had me all over the place with my case choices, but I did pick up this new case this month from Garance Dore for Rifle Paper Company and have been loving how super protective it is!

So, now it’s your turn! What have you been loving on your iPhone or iPad this month? Any great new apps that have caught your attention? Let me know in the comments or better yet, leave me a comment over on Facebook!

On my iPhone

On My iPhone {August 2014}

On my iPhone is a new monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

To be completely honest, I look forward to putting together this post, each and every month! I love giving you my recommendations for digital content, while also sharing with you my online favorites in such a format! August has been a hot month, and I have to say, I am so looking forward to fall being here already. Summer is nice, don’t get me wrong, but when you’re no longer in school, it sometimes feels meaningless. I am a grown up now and I can go on vacation whenever I want! I’m not on anyone else’s schedule, thank heavens! But the end of August always makes me miss going back to school, whether or not you agree, I believe it was one of the best times of my life, although at the time I would have said otherwise! So, for me, August is like a transition month between summer fun and buckling down, a mix between trying to enjoy what’s left and looking forward to the future. I’ve been doing a lot of that this month, and perhaps, in some way, that’s reflected in the items I am about to share!

Currently Playing, Splode: Splode has been one of my favorite iPhone/iPad games for a while now, but one that I often forget about when I am downloading the latest and greatest! I rediscovered it this month while doing some much needed organization in a few different areas of my life! It’s a quiet, calming game that reminds me of summer and always manages to put me in a good mood! And for only a buck, it’s worth a try!

Currently Reading, A Course in Miracles: What can I say about this book that would even do it justice? I know its not a read for everyone, although I do believe that everyone would benefit from reading it. Its a book about spiritual awakening and reaching your fullest potential, which is exactly what I am going for these days! If you are into new age philosophy, this is a must read, or if you are just a lost soul trying to make the best of your life, this may be worth the download!

Currently Watching, DigitalRev TV: Ever since I bought my new Canon DSLR, I have been an absolute photography junkie! In my quest to learn as much as I could about my camera and its functions, i came across this awesome, and very popular photography channel on YouTube and I have been laughing and learning ever since! If you’re a photography geek or just want to learn more about how to take better pictures, you should definitely check out some videos from these guys!

Currently Surfing, BlogLovin: My blog has been on my mind a lot this month. How to make it the best it can be, which sort of content I should be focusing on, and just the best ways to get myself and my writing out there! So, it’s important for me to make sure I am reading as many other blogs as possible! If you also use BlogLovin as your default blog reader, make sure to follow my blog as well!

Currently Listening, Nat King Cole: True story, I finally just transferred my entire iTunes library from my old Macbook Pro to my new Macbook Air. Yes, all 86+GB of data! Now that I have access to all my music, all I have been doing is listening to music! Especially, one of my absolute favorite jazz musicians, Nat King Cole! If you’re not familiar with that name, here is a link where you can catch up with his music. I highly suggest it as it brings me to my happy place!

Oh, and one last thing, in case you were curious as to which iPhone case I have been loving at the moment, check out this link! She’s a beauty, ain’t she?!? Oh, and want a closer look at these apps including a little play through of the game, Splode? Check out my YouTube video below!

Moment of truth! What have you been loving on your iPhone this month? Let me know in the comments below or feel free to leave me a comment on my Facebook page! We can make this a group discussion!

xo Alexis

On my iPhone tech

On My iPhone {July 2014}

On my iPhone is a new monthly feature on Strange & Charmed where I give you a peak into what I have been loving on my iPhone for the month! Covering topics like apps, games, podcasts, music, websites, books and more, I hope this series helps you all discover new and exciting content out there that can be enjoyed from your iPhone! To stay up to date with this series, make sure to follow the On My iPhone tag!

I had such a great time putting together my first installment of On My iPhone last month that this month I was pumped for this post! This month has been a lot of fun for me and I have been trying to make the most of my summer while it still lasts. I’ve been watching more TV than I think I ever have (thanks to a cable upgrade) and I feel more creative and inspired than I have in a long time. So, without further ado, here is what I have been loving on my iPhone this month!

Currently Playing, LYNE: Puzzle games are some of my favorites, especially when they are meant for a relaxed, enjoyable pace of play like LYNE. The basic premise of the game is to create an unbroken line from start to finish on the triangular tiles of the game board. With no annoying timer and a mellow soundtrack of ambient sounds, this app is a nice way to pass some extra time. I was lucky enough to get this app for free from Starbuck’s Pick of the Week, but you can grab it for $2.99 on the app store!

Currently Reading, Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1: In July, I finally got my act together and watched Game of Thrones on HBO. All four seasons in two weeks (I know, I’m hardcore!). Now that I am all caught up, I want for more! So, I started reading, err, listening to the audiobook of Game of Thrones on my iPhone. I know this is sort of cheating since I am not actually reading it, but I thought it would be more enjoyable for me if I listened to the audiobook instead of reading it since it is a rather lengthy series. You can pick up the audiobooks via iTunes, but I will warn you, they don’t come cheap!

Currently Watching, Nicole Matthews: Recently, I have been watching a lot of videos from my new favorite YouTuber, Nicole Matthews, and I have really been enjoying her channel. She has only been making videos for about a year and has a little over a thousand subscribers, but she has great quality videos and I can really see her channel going places! So, if you are interested in fun beauty videos, tutorials, OOTDs, hauls and the occasional TAG video, you should head on over to Nicole’s channel and subscribe!

Currently Surfing, Yoga Studio: Okay, so again, I cheat, this is an app, not a website, but I have been pretty obsessed with Yoga lately and I am really into this app! I have a few Yoga apps, but this one is by far my favorite. Again, I got this one for free from Starbuck’s Pick of the Week (seriously, they give away some of the best apps ever!). It’s basically like having a yoga instructor on your iPhone/iPad with pre made routines as well as an option to design your own. It’s a clean, easy to use app with wonderful step by step instructions and soothing narration. If you are into yoga or would like a great app to help you get started at home, pick it up for $3.99 on the App Store!

Currently Listening, Lana Del Rey: There is something about Lana Del Rey and her album, Born to Die that is so quintessentially summer to me! I am a major fan of hers year round, but I get get enough of her music lately. Something about her sultry voice and suggestive lyrics has me listening to her songs on repeat, so if you haven’t checked her out yet, I suggest you check her out or pick up her album on iTunes!

So, how have you been liking my new On My iPhone Series? Have you been looking forward to it as much as I have? Let me know what you think about this month’s picks, and of course, let me know what your tech and web favorites have been this month!