This post is sponsored by Silk’n Titan. I was paid for this post and received the device as compensation. All opinions are my own.
It’s never too early to start investing in your skin. As I get older, I’ve tried dozens of eye creams, multi-step skincare regimens, chemical peels, and facials. I’m even considering Botox. Why? The fine lines around my eyes and mouth are only getting deeper. As I grow more self-conscious about my wrinkles, I look for smart and affordable ways to keep my skin looking young. I was recently offered the opportunity to try the Silk’n Titan, an at-home anti-aging device that provides salon quality results in the privacy and convenience of your own home. Here’s how it works:
How to Use the Silk’n Titan At-Home Anti-Aging Device
To achieve the desired tightening and lifting results, the Silk’n Titan utilizes: Bi-Polar RF Energy, Red LED light and IR Heat Energy. These three potent energy sources repair collagen and elastin fibers from the inside out. 96% of users from a clinical study reported visible wrinkle reduction.
The device does get very hot so make sure you properly test which energy level is comfortable for you. You can always lower the level if the heat to a more comfortable level at any time.
I have been using the Silk’n Titan for a couple of weeks now. You should use it for about an hour twice a week. Results start to become visible after about 5 weeks and optimal results are achieved at 10 weeks. After that, continue using it every two weeks to maintain results.
Benefits from the Silk’n Titan
Tightens skin (Hence “Titan” – catchy right?)
Reduces wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes
Reduces superficial sun and age spots
Improves the structure and elasticity of the skin
Rejuvenates collagen and elastin fibers
No recovery time needed
Most users see results in 8 – 10 weeks. I’m already starting to see a bit of smoothness of some of the finer lines around my eyes and lightening of some of the dark spots I get from acne scars. I can’t wait to see what happens at the end of 10 weeks!
Ever wonder where your paycheck goes every month? Little purchases like coffee and doughnuts can add up. So it’s important to learn how to improve your spending habits. Actually, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to curb my spending to grow my savings. This week I visited the Dapper Doughnut in St. Louis, MO for a quick treat. After indulging my sweet tooth, I entered the purchase on my new mobile banking app, Finn by Chase. By tracking everyday expenses like this, I’m already on my way to understanding my spending habits so that I can save better. Here’s how you can too:
Step 1: Set a specific financial goal and go after it.
I’ve chosen a specific amount to save by the end of 2018. To start, I’ll whittle away at the little unnecessary expenses I feel guilty about without giving up the things I love (like the occasional doughnut). Saving a dollar here or five dollars there amounts to a lot at the end of the year. With enough discipline, I’ll have myself a little nest egg that I can add to my investments.
Perhaps your goal is to save for a big-ticket item like a laptop or a car. Maybe you want to track your spending habits and see what you can live without. Or your wish is to save a little each month to donate to your favorite charity.
Once you’ve set your goal, you can start to reach it by downloading Finn by Chase on your mobile phone and tracking your purchases on the go.
Saving my coffee and doughnut purchase at the Dapper Doughnut with Finn
Step 2: Determine what you really need and focus on minimizing the frivolous expenses.
After reviewing my expenses, I realized that 20% of my budget went to retail shopping and 20% went to eating out. That’s a huge piece of the pie that I can chip away at with some everyday mindfulness.
Looking at my expenses in the big picture is a good wake up call. But overcoming the urge to buy something you want and don’t need is a daily battle. The best way to do this is to simplify things. Whenever you make an expense, ask yourself, “Is it a need or a want?”
The Finn by Chase mobile bank has a special feature for this. When you record your expense, select if it’s a need or a want. Even add an emoji face to visualize how the purchase makes you feel. Once you’ve done this for a while, Finn will reveal trends in your spending habits in an easy to use chart. You can identify your regular expenses and opportunities to improve your spending habits.
Step 3: Automate your savings.
If you’ve got a want that you just can’t part with, certainly feel free to mark it with a smiley face emoji. I plan to mark all my doughnut purchases at Dapper Doughnut with a smiley face. Sweet treats are not something I’ll realistically give up, but I can make them a positive part of my savings plan. (Alternatively, I’ll probably mark my KFC binge runs with a frown face because those make me feel guilty.)
Whenever I make a purchase at Dapper Doughnut, I can tell Finn to automatically transfer $5 from my checking to savings account. Feel free to do this for any of your regular purchase locations and watch your savings account grow.
By simplifying the process, Finn actually helps make banking and finance an enjoyable experience. Its intuitive tools make it easier to save on the go, understand spending habits, and make more informed choices.
Bonus!
Find more information or sign up for an account here. Plus receive $50 as a sign up bonus! And don’t forget to visit the new Dapper Doughnut for the best bite size doughnuts in St. Louis. Get the nutella ones – you won’t regret it!
This post is in paid partnership with Chase. All opinions are my own.
Do you feel like you’re never in control of your finances? That you can’t quite save up for that dream vacation? Or pay off your student loans? Maybe you don’t like to think about finances for fear of being judged for your spending habits. Now there’s a mobile bank that encourages you to feel happier and more confident when it comes to saving and spending. Meet Finn by Chase, recently launched at “Food with Finn” pop-up events around St. Louis. I had a chance to demo the new all-digital bank. Here’s how to save money when you manage your spending and saving with Finn.
How to Save Money with Finn
Finn is designed to help you change your attitude toward banking. Built for the digital generation, it offers intuitive tools that help you save, understand your spending habits, and make better purchasing decisions.
The team at Chase did a ton of research and testing, over 15 months to be exact. They asked millennials about their banking challenges and what drives their spending habits. They found that as spending is often based on emotions and short-term gain, it’s hard to keep track of the long-term impact on one’s finances.
Finn offers a few key tools that harness the power of emotions in your favor to help manage your finances:
Tool #1: Rate Your Purchases
Specify if the purchase is something you want or need. Then tag it with the appropriate emoji based on how it makes you feel.
Tool #2: Autosave
Create spending rules that will automatically save money every time you make a certain type of purchase. For example, transfer $5 from your checking to your savings account whenever you buy coffee. Before you know it, you’ll be saving more money.
Tool #3: Monitor
See your spending trends in one easy chart. By tracking where your money is often spent, you can make more informed decisions about where to save or spend next month.
Since Finn is a bank, you’ll also have all the capabilities of a traditional checking and savings account at your fingertips. Sign up at https://www.chase.com/personal/finnbank
I had the pleasure of trying it out at the Cortex Commons over some hearty chicken sliders and cheese fries courtesy of the Slide Piece St. Louis food truck. Local artist John Hendrix provided some amazing on-site custom artwork. And I also caught up with fellow St. Louis bloggers Summer Albarcha and Laura Heying.
While Finn is currently only available for St. Louis customers, Chase will be adding additional cities next year. Check it out here for more information on how to save money with Finn.
Additional benefits:
Get $50 when you sign up for a new Finn checking and savings account with direct deposit
Receive a debit card with fee-free access at 29K+ ATMs
Backed by the safety and security of Chase
This post is in paid partnership with Chase. All opinions are my own.
I recently had the chance to try out the Verizon G Pad 8.3 LTE tablet. For a few weeks, I added another device to my life thinking things might get more complicated. More things to lug around right? But I quickly became addicted and found myself turning on my tablet more often than my iPhone. Here are 5 reasons to try the Verizon G Pad 8.3 LTE tablet.
1. Price: This tablet is recommended as one of the most economical, yet powerful devices in the market right now. You can buy it for only $130 with a 2-year Verizon contract.
2. Comfort: It’s perfect for holding in one hand. The size of the tablet and its rounded corners make it easy for your palms to curve around it. Free up the other hand to hold your other favorite device because you know you love to multi-task!
3. Eye Strain: I don’t normally use a tablet even though we have an iPad at home. But after trying the Verizon G Pad 8.3 LTE tablet, I realized how much damage I have done to my eyes by constantly reading everything on my tiny iPhone. This tablet is just the right size for checking social media, reading a book or surfing the web.
4. Size: Weighing in at 11.99 oz, it’s smaller than most tablets, making it easy to pack in your bag or even a mid-size clutch. That way you can take pictures on the go with a larger surface area to work with. But you don’t look ridiculous holding a giant tablet while taking your photos (hello iPad users!). You can also keep it handy when you’re having lunch alone or need the Internet during a meeting.
5. Dual Windows: Open two windows at the same time! I can watch a YouTube tutorial and browse the web. Or do some Internet research and take notes. I can have my photo browser open while deciding what to upload on Instagram. This is a great feature for a busy blogger!
If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use tablet, the Verizon G Pad 8.3 LTE definitely gives you more bang for your buck. Check it out here.
This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Update: This post originally listed the product as the Verizon G Pad 7.0 LTE. I was given the 8.3 version. Price and weight information has been adjusted.
Tap into the coolest beauty apps that effectively help you with health goals and keep you looking your best. Discover why I love these apps and choose the ones that are right for you!
GoodGuide: Wonder if a product you’re thinking about purchasing is actually environmentally safe, healthy or socially responsible? The GoodGuide app rates over 210,000 products and companies on these points. Just scan the barcode to get the rating. Why I love it: The app helps you shop based on your values and offers you alternatives to products that don’t meet your needs.
Klara: Have a skincare problem that worries you, but you just can’t wait for your next dermatologist appointment? Klara brings the dermatologist to you. Share your skin problems with board-certified dermatologists and receive a diagnosis within 48 hours. Why I love it: Diagnose skin problems sooner for better peace of mind. (You still have to visit your doctor for actual treatment.)
iDrated: Are you guilty of not drinking the recommended amount of water daily? iDrated helps you keep track of your water intake. It tells you how much water you should be drinking based on age and weight. Why I love it: It’s a simple way to help you meet your target water goal.
Mirror: Turn your front-facing camera into a mirror. Special lighting and zoom turns your phone into a mirror that can also be used in darker spaces. Why I love it: It saves space in your clutch for other important items. And it provides better lighting than just using your camera phone.
Nevus: Protect your skin with the Nevus app. There is a GPS-located UV index, which reminds you how often to apply sunscreen. The app also explains how much sunscreen should be applied to each body area. Keep a photo record of any questionable spots on your body. Why I love it: Sunscreen is one of the most overlooked aspects of one’s health. This app reminds you to take care of your skin and exactly how, so you don’t have to think twice about it.
How to Do Your Own Cute Nails: Sometimes finding a great nail artist at your local salon is easier said than done. So why not just try the nail art yourself? This app shares amazing nail art videos for inspiration and general nail care. Why I love it: It’s just fun to see all the crazy cool nail art that’s out there.
Have any great beauty app recommendations? I’d love to hear them!
Here are a few of the best new apps in fashion, beauty and lifestyle, which make life a bit easier and the things you want more accessible.
Fashion/Shopping
ASAP54: Find the object of your desire through two foolproof ways – asking their social fashion community, OR use their visual recognition technology. Yup! You can take a picture of a stranger on the street carrying a bag that made you do a double take, upload it to the site and find out what the brand is and how to buy it. If the search is inconclusive, you can ask a panel of expert stylists for suggestions. Why I love it: For that fleeting moment when you see something you have to have, but can’t find it for the life of you – now you know you have another option. Shopaholics beware! This could put you over the edge.
Hukkster: Hukkster lets you know when the item you want goes on sale. No more stalking the website or checking the sale section to see if you can finally afford that piece you’ve been eyeing. You can get sale alerts in your inbox including coupon codes. Save your favorite products from different stores so you can keep track of them. Why I love it: Easily one of my fave best new apps, Hukkster is a great way to curb impulse shopping and buyer’s remorse. You can also comparison shop and save yourself a ton of cash (for more shopping later of course!).
Thirdlove: Calculate your bra size with your iPhone. I know! I know! How can this be anymore accurate than the pushy salesperson at Victoria’s Secret? To use it, stand in front of your mirror to take a few images of yourself in a tight tank and well fitting bra. Once its “virtual measuring tape” determines your size, you can select from their line of lingerie (with the option of burning your previous ill-fitting bras later). Why I love it: With a broad range of sizes (A-E & 28-28), there is a huge chance you will find your match. Plus the clever app is private and embarrassment free.
Whisp: Available only on the iPad, this app is a messaging tool for fashion lovers. Share what you’re thinking about buying with friends & family to get their opinions if it’s hot or not. You can connect with other friends directly on Whisp or send them a private message on Facebook. They have millions of products to choose from and cool fashion emojis to accentuate your personality. Why I love it: You don’t have to share a bunch of long ugly links – just drag and drop the items you need an opinion on in a message so it’s easy for both parties.
Beauty
Beautylish: Need your own makeup tutor? Have specific questions about how to achieve a certain look or what products to buy? Get this app to be your personal beauty guide. They are step-by-step video tutorials. You can ask makeup artists your burning beauty questions. Use their photos to show your own makeup/hair stylists the look you want to achieve. Read their daily feed for the latest tips and trends in beauty to stay current. Why I love it: Sometimes I feel like I just don’t have the time to incorporate new makeup/hair styles into my repertoire. But with this app, everything is at my fingertips.
Lifestyle
Early Edition: Have trouble waking up in the morning? Do you hit your snooze button several times and wonder if you will every wake up with time to spare? This app tells you to wake up and encourages you to wake up and enjoy the lovely day. It tells you about the weather, why you should get up, what the latest news is and more to prepare you for your day. Why I love it: Rather than an obnoxious beep beep beep, you hear the calm voice (you can personalize your settings) of a person telling you to wake up. This helps you start your morning in a relaxing setting with purpose for the day ahead.
Have you tried any of these apps and want to share? What best new apps have you heard of?
Time to share some of my favorite mobile apps again! Tap into the coolest apps in fashion, food, music, and entertainment. Find out why I love these apps and why I am slightly addicted to my phone.
Fashion
ASOS Fashion Up: If you are an ASOS junkie or are just curious about British street style, check out this app. It’s a mini monthly magazine of what’s hot in fashion, music, entertainment, books and more according to ASOS. They feature emerging artists, fashionistas, and even you. If you’ve got an ASOS look you love, they may post your picture. There are also fun nail art video tutorials and suggestions on how to style the latest fashion trends. Why I love it: The clever and interactive features of the app keep me coming back for more. Plus it has a great pulse on what the next big fashion trends are.
ShopStyle: I often use ShopStyle for my blog and personal shopping to find fashion, beauty, and home decor items. With the app, you have all of this shopping power at your fingertips. On the home page, discover the latest sales, shop trending items, and search by style/size/designer/color/etc. The browsing possibilities are endless. Why I love it: It’s a great way to discover items you may never have known existed. You can discover new brands, retail sites, and trends just by scrolling on your phone.
Entertainment
QuizUp: I am addicted to this app. I love trivia and this app covers more categories than I can list. Love the O.C.? There’s a category for that. Are you a World War II buff? Go to town. Do you know everything about Bollywood? Show ’em what you’re made of. What’s even more addictive are the titles you win after reaching ten levels in one category. Right now mine is Airplane! Passenger for reaching the 10th level of the comedy category. I haven’t discovered how many categories each topic has. But you can play people all over the world. Why I love it: It’s a great time pass while you’re waiting for your next appointment, stuck with insomnia, or just because you love trivia.
DIY
Snapguide: Get user-generated mini guides on how to do things by yourself. Want to figure out how Kim Kardashian curls her hair in waves? There’s a guide for that. Trying to kick start your fitness plan and need to learn how to make a protein shake? There’s a Snapguide for that. The options are endless from learning a magic trick to how to make fluorescent dye. Why I love it: Now you can learn all those things you never actually needed to know, but are so much cooler for knowing, right?
Photo Editing
Rhonna Designs: Boost your photos with these awesome photo embellishments. Write with cool fonts, add banners and doodles, get crafty with vintage add-ons, and more. There are several design packs to choose from which get updated constantly. After a little while of messing around with it, you get the hang of it. It’s fun to add these nifty little doodles and word art to turn a regular photo into something worth sharing. Just don’t go overboard with the embellishments! Why I love it: You can do so much with this app. There are a million and one ways to embellish a photo. I bet you could even create an invitation, baby announcement, and more.
Food
Foodie: Each month, download a new themed guide to recipes you can make for the family, a dinner party, or if you’re entertaining for the Super Bowl. Recent editions include Game Day Eats, Holiday Sweets, Mealtime Masterpieces, Halloween Treats, Summer Harvest, and more. Divided up my meal, the app makes it easy to find the type of meal you want to make with several delicious recipes. Each recipe features a photo, ingredients, and easy-to-follow directions. Why I love it: I have a constant stream of new recipes to try and they all look so delicious.
Music
Dhingana: Love Bollywood music and want to listen to it on the go? Don’t trust Pandora to choose it for you? Try Dhingana’s mobile app. Get the latest songs or the golden oldies you love. Find songs by artist, mood, movie, actor, and more. Create your own playlists and share them. Skip songs as often as you like. There’s even a whole library of Western music. And if you’re looking for desi music that’s not Bollywood, like Bengali, Kashmiri, Punjabi, or Urdu, it’s available. Why I love it: If I want to listen to the entire song before purchasing it, I can do it on Dhingana. Also, it’s a great way to discover the best new Bollywood jams.
What other types of apps would you like to hear about? Any apps you love that you’d like to share?
Tap into the coolest new apps to boost productivity, manage spending, switch up your style, or shoot fancy videos. Learn about how each app may change your life and why I love every one of them. The last one will blow your mind.
Productivity
Buffer: This app makes life easier by scheduling the content you want to share. Space posts out so you do not bombard your followers. Make sure you are engaging followers on a regular basis. Fill your Buffer queue once a day or a few times a week and Buffer will automatically post for you. When your queue is empty, Buffer will let you know it is time to fill up again. Why I love it: Posting for multiple clients has never been easier with Buffer.
IFTTT: Use a simple statement to tell this app what you want it to do: if this then that. Wait…what? For example, if (I post to Instagram) then (share my post on Facebook). It automates popular tasks for you so you do not have to manually carry them out every time. IFTTT calls these actions “recipes” that you whip up and command the app to execute. You can browse their list of popular recipes from other users like “send me an email when Netflix updates its new releases,” or “say ‘Bye’ to Twitter unfollowers,” or “back up my contacts to a Google spreadsheet.” Choose from 68 social media channels to organize your productivity. Why I love it: You don’t even have to think about all these little tasks anymore. It’s done for you like an invisible butler.
Shopping
OneReceipt: Organize all of your receipts with this app. OneReceipt will track your online purchases through your email accounts and your offline ones by scanning your uploaded receipts. Then you can toss those pesky paper receipts out if you want. They also offer a monthly spending report, shipping updates, and return alerts. Security is guaranteed with special encryption technology. Right now they are in the beta phase so I will say that scanned receipts take a long time to process. Why I love it: You realize how much you have been spending so you stay accountable.
Tingo: Finding a good deal on travel accommodation can be tough. Especially when you reach your destination and realize your friends snagged a better deal than you. Tingo finds you the lowest rates. If you find a lower price, they will match the price and give you the difference. Umm…is this for real? If prices change on other rooms, they will let you know and help you trade up for free. Book a “Price Drop” room and if the rate drops, they will refund the difference to your credit card automatically. Why I love it: You can find the best deals worry free. If your deal can get better, they will make it happen.
Fashion
Figr: Figr splits street style photos into four parts. Swap each section with a new one from another outfit photo. That way you can recreate style photos to find crazy, fun, and exciting new ways to mix and match your wardrobe. You work with a head shot, two body photos, and a shoes photo. Reimagine styles from runways, blogs, online catalogues, and more to find your next outfit inspiration. Why I love it: It’s the Sartorial Twist at your fingertips.
Video
Switchcam: Don’t have a huge budget for a videographer at your next event? No problem. Get your guests to shoot your event for you including pictures and video! All they have to do is download Switchcam, take their footage, and upload it to the site. Then you can go in and edit the video together to create your own personal story. Or get Switchcam editors to help out. It’s great for weddings, concerts, and other events. Why I love it: For the true DIYer, Switchcam will allow you to see your wedding through the eyes of friends and family who love you (rather than an unknown videographer).
8mm: Filters aren’t just for your photos. Now your video can get that retro vibe too. Filters include 1920s, Noir, 60s, 70s, Sakura, XPro, Siena, Pela, Indigo, and Tuscan. Plus try multiple lenses or add jitter. When director Malik Bendjelloul ran out of money to shoot his Oscar nominated documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” he was able to complete his project with the 8mm app. The video footage was indistinguishable. Why I love it: Now I can shoot that low-budget indie movie I’ve always wanted to…or maybe just a short.
Cycloramic: Okay this is truly remarkable. When I downloaded the app, I was mesmerized. There is some voodoo going on here. Basically, it spins your iPhone 5 to shoot 360-degree photos and videos. If you have an iPhone 4/4S, then you can only use the Guided Mode (i.e. you spin the camera yourself) to take a panoramic picture and then convert it to a 24-second video. Watch the video below to see it at work. Why I love it: Did I not mention that it’s magic?
With the exception of Buffer, IFTTT, and Tingo, all apps are available only for iPhone right now.
What do you think of these apps? Have you used any of them before? Let me know if there are any you love or any you would steer clear of and why!
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