30) Upgrading to the iPhone 8 – Comparison Post + Review

*Disclaimer – this post is based on the author’s personal experience of upgrading from the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 8. Experience may differ user to user. 

Overall Impression – Positive!
Winner: iPhone 8, 5/5 ★★★★★

One of the most exciting times for consumers in the world of fast-paced technological advances comes once every 2 years, when you finally have an excuse to upgrade to the latest and greatest smartphone! That time came for me in Fall 2017. I had had my obviously well-loved iPhone 6s for about two years at that point, and the everyday use was showing on its body. The screen had been shattered for a number of months due to an unfortunate drop, and the aluminum corners of the phone were inevitably chipping, despite having been mostly covered by a case for the duration of its life.

So I headed over to my phone provider’s store a couple of weeks after the release of the iPhone 8 and decided to take the leap and upgrade, and I’ve never looked back since! I would definitely recommend upgrading to anyone who is on the fence, as I have enjoyed using my iPhone 8 even more than I enjoyed the years I spent using the 6s. The physical & aesthetic tweaks, as well as the improved performance, battery life, and camera have made this phone my favorite so far!

Physical Differences – Slightly improved overall

The immediately noticeable difference in features between the 6s and the 8 models were surprisingly few in number; most of the changes were in feature as opposed to aesthetic. This was surprisingly refreshing; after two years of use, the phone you have grows comfortable and familiar in your grip, and even though you might be ready for a change, that doesn’t mean you’re unhappy with the size of your current phone’s body and screen size! In the past, I have avoided upgrading due to the desire to keep the attributes of the phone that they do like. (If you are looking for more upgrades in size, there is always the option of upgrading to the 8+ or the X!)

Material of Phone Body

The main noticeable difference was the back of the phone; Apple chose to ditch the  shortlived brushed-aluminum casing that inevitably picked up fingerprints and dust, along with chipping and occasionally denting and reverted to the glass-backed phone they used in the 4-5s models, using the higher-durability “Gorilla Glass” adopted to prevent the sad, shattered screens of yore. This switch gives the phone a sleeker, more modern and refined appearance and feel, without sacrificing quality of materials.

Color Range

Another aesthetic shift in this model is the color selection. The 6s offered a color range of rose gold, gold, silver, and space gray, and the 7 expanded that to rose gold, silver, black (matte), jet black (glossy), and red. The release of the iPhone 8, however, presented a pared-down selection of only gold, silver, and space grey (a nearly-black charcoal). This small selection of sophisticated hues lends a more uniform and elegant appearance to the range.

I had the iPhone 6s in rose gold and chose gold for my iPhone 8 upgrade. I have to say that along with the addition of the glass back, the muted creme color with gold accents gives the phone a much more weighty and luxurious look and feel, while the aluminum version of the predecessor was lighter and flashier.

The 6s has full metallic color, while the 8 only has metallic accents

Headphone Jack

The removal of the headphone jack might be the only negative difference I see between the two models. Rather than having both a charging port and a headphone jack, there is only one lightning port (for both charging and listening with headphones,) so users cannot listen to music and charge simultaneously, unless one of those is being done wirelessly.

This is, in all honesty, just another tactic by Apple to monopolize the industry when it comes to hardware that can be used with their phones. While they include an adapter for regular headphones so they can be used with the lightning port, the dongle is easy to lose and more hassle for the user than buying Apple-compatible headphones. While third-party hardware was, as usual, introduced fairly quickly, it is well-known that this hardware is subpar and will, sooner rather than later, become incompatible with your Apple device once it recognizes it is foreign.

This is definitely a frustrating inconvenience, but not enough to stray me from using the phone. I rarely use headphones in the first place, choosing to listen via bluetooth or external sound more often than not. For someone who uses headphones more often, this might be a bigger inconvenience than it is for me.

 

 

Note the separate charging point (center) and traditional headphone jack (left)

Note the addition of a dual speaker instead of the headphone jack (left)

Home Button

Another slight difference between the 6s and 8 are the presence of a physical button where the ‘home button’ resides. Whereas the iPhone 6s has an actual button that is pressable, the iPhone 8 lacks this feature, opting to keep the gold ring that surrounds it, but having no physical button, instead using their “3D Touch” feature to customize the home button to a user’s preferences. When the phone is powered off, there is no response to pressing this area of glass on the phone’s surface.

While at first, the idea of this was offputting, it is hardly noticeable in everyday use, and the user is able to decide how they want their phone to respond to their touch, which is a plus!

The home buttons look the same, but the one on the right has no actual button!

Physical Specifications

Other than that, most aspects of the phone look the same. The size specifications remain nearly the same. tTe glass back adds minimally to the size of the phone, and somewhat more significantly to the weight:

• Size –
  • 5.44″x2.64″x0.28″ (iPhone 6s)
  • 5.45″x2.65″x0.29″ (iPhone 8)
• Weight –
  • 5.04 oz (iPhone 6s)
  • 5.22 oz (iPhone 8)
• Screen –
  • 4.7″ Retina HD Diagonal (Both)

The feel of the phone, besides being more weighty and therefore more expensive feeling, does not really differ between the two models, so I was able to keep everything I liked from my previous phone while still upgrading technical features (along with some slight physical ones!)

With the phones stacked on top of one another (top is 8, bottom is 6s) you can see the size is nearly identical!

Technical Differences – Very improved

Camera – clearer, crisper, every time

The improved camera was one of the drawing aspects of upgrading for me. As a self-proclaimed amateur photographer, a lot of my photos are taken on-the-fly on my phone instead of using my DSLR. While some Android phones have superior cameras to Apple phones, I did not want to sacrifice the function of my phone for an improved camera. Apple really delivered with this upgrade; see the difference in the specifications:

Back Camera

• Megapixels
  • 12MP (both)
• Aperture
  • f/2.2 (iPhone 6s, slower)
  • f/1.8 (iPhone 8, faster)

Front Camera

• Megapixels
  • 5MP (iPhone 6s)
  • 7MP (iPhone 8)

While the camera isn’t a hugely noticeable upgrade at first, it results in easier-to-take photos that are, ultimately, more beautiful to look at. Even my tattoo artist, when he borrowed my phone to take a picture of my newest piece, immediately noticed the difference after taking photos with his own iPhone. He asked me what phone I was using and even asked me to send him the photo so he could use it for his own portfolio, rather than the ones he had just spent twice as long taking with his own camera.

Whether you’re someone utilizing their phone in place of a traditional camera, or just someone who like to snap a few quick shots when out with friends, these updates are going to be useful for anyone who likes taking pictures with their phone!

Other Improvements

• Larger pixels
• Integration of Apple’s own ISP (Image Signal Processor)
  • better image processing, noise reduction, low-light autofocus

Performance & Battery Life – so much faster and more efficient

This is one of the iPhone 8’s most widely-lauded features in the upgrade– it’s performance, thanks to a brand new-and-improved chip, is greatly improved in this model!

• Chip
  • A9 Chip with 64-bit architecture (iPhone 6s)
  • A11 Bionic Chip with 64-bit architecture (iPhone 8)
  • M9 Motion Coprocessor (iPhone 6s)
  • Neural Engine + Motion Coprocessor (iPhone 8)

While this difference in specs isn’t going to mean much to most people, what it boils down to is that the iPhone 8 is much faster and more intuitive, and this is going to be important for nearly any consumer that uses their phone as often as I do (which is pretty freakin’ often.)

The increased efficiency of the phone also means a longer battery life; as a society where we always have our phones on-the-go (and it’s a near-disaster if we forget ours, or it runs out of battery) this is crucial, and is an improvement on an aspect that the iPhone has been routinely criticized for in past models. This update leads to approximately 17% longer internet-browsing life (10 hours → 12 hours) and video playback life (11 hours → 13 hours).

I’m able to switch between apps seamlessly and cleanly without the glitchy jumps or restarts that I experienced with my iPhone 6s, when the features were newer and less refined. Even the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is noticeably quicker and more accurate, letting me in within a second and rejecting my fingerprint erroneously  far less often than the previous model. These are features that are going to affect the everyday use of your phone, whether you’re a tech connoisseur or just someone loyal to the Apple brand.

Other Useful Features – subtly improving user experience every day!

There are such an abundance of technical features that improve the user’s experience that it’s impossible to go into detail about them all– here are some other functions of the iPhone 8 that make it the superior choice!

• Wireless charging capabilities (requires additional hardware)
• Fast-charging capabilities (requires additional hardware)
• Increased storage capabilites (up to 256GB from 128GB)
• Tonal changes in display

Bottom Line – I’m glad I upgraded!

Although the physical changes from the 6s to the 8 are minimal, the ones that are made are, in my opinion preferable, and add to the experience of owning an iPhone for me. It feels luxurious and weighty, but is still compact and easy to carry around, unlike the Plus models and some competitors from other brands (Samsung, for example). While the lack of headphone jack is disappointing and, at times, frustrating, I do not personally use headphones often enough for this to make a difference to me.

The improved camera, performance, and battery life are a significant upgrade between the two models, and I’m much happier with the performance and everyday use of the iPhone. As someone who surfs the internet and streams video quite often on my phone, the faster processor and increased battery life significantly increase my experience as a smartphone owner. The camera has definitely increased my photo quality as well, without sacrificing the other uses of the phone (internet, texting, talking, etc.)

If anyone is thinking about whether the upgrade is worth it, or if they should just stick with their older model, I’d say it’s definitely worth taking the leap!

Sources: (specifications were taken from the following sites)

Forbes 
Apple
Apple

 

10 My Wonderful SPITFIRE Teddy Boy Readers

Troubled Sight

For a long time I would suffer in and out of class due to my vision. No, I’m not near or far-sighted and no I do not have an astigmatism (in fact, according to my optometrist I have 20/20 vision). However, I would spend an incredible amount of my time trying to make out what my professors were showing the class.  I didn’t even realize I had a problem until one of my professors was so distracted by my squinting that he asked me if I was “having trouble understanding the material”. It was then that I realized something had to be done, so like any other self respecting millennial I turned to the most reliable troubleshooter there is––Sir Google.

The issue with my vision was this: bright lights––specifically fluorescents, projector lights and computer screens––are just a tad bit too bright for me. After some time my eyes grow weary and overwhelmed causing me to either squint or end up with a migraine. The Talented Mr. Google gave me the solution: glasses…but not just any glasses.

Finding the Right Glasses

My initial idea was to get tinted lenses or shades, so I scoured the web for the perfect pair. Found it! Then I had to check myself––this could be an issue considering the fact that I’m not Stevie Wonder. So I inquired at Sir Google’s sanctuary once more and learned that for glasses to effectively help acute photosensitivity they only had to meet two requirements:

1. They must have anti-reflective coating (which reduces eye strain and glare).

AND

2. They must have UVA/AVB protection (which is the coating they use on sunglasses that protect your eyes from the UV rays).

With this knowledge I went every millennial’s favorite online store: Urban Outfitters. Then I found these. The very fashionable and effective SPITFIRE Teddy Boy Readers.

These glasses are sleek, low-profile and come with a sturdy carrying case. The design is attractive and adaptable––you can wear these with anything. To be honest, I wear these glasses everyday––when I’m working, even when I’m going out. Yes, they’re that good. And more importantly, the anti-reflective coating and UVA/AVB protection keeps migraines and concerned professors at bay.

Now you know all of what I need them for, but what of you? Here are a few of the glasses many features:

• These glasses were intentional crafted for ease of wear. They fit comfortably snug––or comfortably loose––the metal wiring is malleable. You can contort it for a custom fit. And the earpiece rotates alongside the temple so comfort is no hassle to find.
  • The curves on the frames are so compatible. No matter the shape of your face, these Teddy Boy Readers can grace it with ease.
• The lenses are distortion free 100% UVA/UVB safe lenses.
• These come in sever colors from black to red to cheetah/leopard print. SPITFIRE is incredibly innovative!
• The glasses are light in weight, providing for functional, comfortable fashion. You can wear these all day and not even realize they’re on.
• The frames are made from acetate and underneath the acetate they sport sturdy metal wiring.
• The hinges of the glasses expose its metal wiring giving the glasses a retro yet modern feel. It’s daunting yet approachable.
• The glass itself is extremely durable and scratch retardant.

 

01 Perfect Pen for Writing

 

Comparing This Pen to Another Brand

if you’ve taken a look at any office supply store, you would know that there are so many different types of pens that one could choose from. So, the question then becomes, what makes one brand better than another. For this post, I took one pen that was made by PaperMate and the BIC Atlantis Exact Ballpoint Pen. Here are the results:

• The tips of the pens

BIC Atlantis Ball point pen (left) and a PaperMate pen (right)

As you can probably tell from the picture, the BIC branded pen has a skinnier end to it, which makes the writing a lot neater and overall more professional looking( which will be talked about later on). The pen made by Paper Mate is wider, which makes for a more thick writing if it were on paper. Also, another thing to point out is that the BIC pen’s tip is pointer, whereas the pen made by PaperMate is more round, just something to think about.

• The Shape and Size of the pen

How the pens are shaped and sized could also be a factor when picking out the better pen. The BIC pen is skinnier and slightly longer than the other pen, which could make it easier to grasp the pen tighter. Whereas, the other pen is wider. Also, another thing to note is that, unlike the other pen, the BIC pen has a full grip area on the whole pen, whereas the other type of pen only has a small grip area towards the end of it.

• The Pen’s writing

Finally, the way that these two pens write are completely different. Though it isn’t obvious from the picture, the writing on the top, done by the pen from PaperMate, is actually darker than the one on the bottom. So, though that pen makes the ink stand out more, it just doesn’t give it that smooth look like the BIC pen, which is on the bottom. The BIC pen gives the writing more of a professional look to it.

Prices for BIC pens and where to buy them

On average, the price for a pack of three BIC pens is about $2.50, depending on the store that you get them from. Aside from the three pack, these pens also come in a 12-pack size which cost a little extra but if you get that pack, you won’t run out of pens for a while. These pens can be brought from any store that sells office supply, such as Target, Office Depot or even a Staples if there is one near you.

What Can You Do With These Pens

This may seem like a crazy thing, but these pens can be used for just about anything you can think of, in or outside the home. You can sign a check with this pen to give your

Example of the writing you can do with pen

signature a more professional look,  the bank will surely thank you. You can even buy a journal and use these pens to start a diary or get a jump start on your creative writing dreams that you might have. This pen can even come in handy for doing a project and wanting the words to really pop off the page, in a semiprofessional way. The possibilities are endless.

 

 

 

 

So, in conclusion, these pens will be perfect for the one person who wants their writing to not only look neat but also have a sleek, professional look to them. Pick them up and you might not be disappointed.

02 Mug In Remembrance of Barb Holland

An Easy Gift

Listen: We all know what a mug is. It’s a cup with a handle. The handle keeps our delicate human fingers from getting burned against the heat of the liquid poured into the mug.

Maybe you’re into mugs. Some can be very beautiful, elegant even.  Some are far from it, imbued with crass jokes and clever insults surrounding America’s drug of choice: caffeine. Regardless, a mug is an easy gift during the blustery winter months; they say to the receiver, “I care about your warming your insides without burning your fingers.”

Mugs can prevent dangerous injuries like the one seen here

A Difficult Shift

What’s never easy is dealing with the loss of a loved one. And that’s something we all faced on November 8, 1983 with the disappearance of Barbara Holland from Hawkins, Indiana. Barb, as she was known to her loved ones near and far, was swallowed up by the Demogorgon and displaced into the upside-down, as chronicled on the Netflix original series Stranger Things. While Barb was used as an incubating-sac for the Demogorgon, Hawkins fell into chaos at the behest of Joyce Byers, mother to Will, who became trapped in the upside-down just days before Barb. Amid the frantic searching for Joyce’s son, the whole world seemed to forget that Barb, a chaste, honest, red-blooded American girl was missing. And while Will returned home to his adoring family and friends, Barb never did.

As any good-hearted capitalist conglomerate, Netflix, in partnership with the retail chain Target, decided to exploit immortalize Barb’s death with this beautiful eulogizing mug.

Emblazoned on each side of the mug is Barb’s saintly visage and the declaration, “Never Forget.”

We won’t.

Design

This mug is just straight up cute, Barb in particular: her glasses are iconic, her wavy bob is making a 2018 comeback, and her sassy parted lips are in the middle of telling Nancy that Steve Harrington is a good-for-nothing loser (we can discuss that later, Barb). The background is delightful light pink with an 80s-vibe teal triangle that makes Barb’s gorgeous mug pop into the foreground. “Never Forget” is dashed above Barb’s head in a mean-looking black graffiti that screams “Stick it to the man.”

Even better, the mug is an official collectible distributed by Netflix, so you don’t actually have to stick it to the man to purchase one.

 

I’ve gotten so many compliments from my friends on the mug, not just because of its colors and retro design, but because the reference is subtle enough to not be in your face. No one likes it when you have a really sweet design:

and it’s all covered with crappy promotional garbage.

Yea, I think we get it.

That’s part of what makes this mug great! It’s not ambiguous; any fan of the show will recognize Barb on the mug and get a chuckle over it, but it’s also not so in your face with the logos that your neighbor’s babushka who just moved here from Siberia will recognize it.

Specs and FAQ answers

 

• Size: The mug is 4.5 inches in height and 3.63 inches in diameter, so while it technically holds 12 oz of liquid, I’m more comfortable describing it as “one of those sad 10 oz mugs. It will fit in a Keurig, but come on people, don’t use a Keurig.
• Dishwasher/Microwave safe: It’s dishwasher and microwave-safe, but that’s not just to say that it simply doesn’t melt; this mug is one of those remarkable mugs that can be pulled directly from the microwave by the handle, which remains cool. After all, what’s the point of a mug with a handle as hot as Venus?(There isn’t one). The glaze has not faded with many washings either.
• Comfort: The handle is comfortable in my hands, and I have sausage fingers.
• Durability: The porcelain is pretty solid. I’ve dropped it many times and nothing has cracked or shattered yet (not recommended).
• Materials: Machine crafted in China, this glazed porcelain mug is a classy addition to any dining set. Naturally BPA and lead free.
• Heat Retention: There is no special design or materials that will help retain heat better than in any other mug. On a typical day, with low humidity and icy-cold 20 mph drafts whipping through my apartment, the liquid will stay hot for about 3 minutes. I hear other people get better mileage out of it.
• Stability: I have never tipped the mug from it’s resting position. Barb keeps her center of gravity pretty low. The mug will not stack with others, however.
• Portability: The mug will not fit into a standard car cup-holder because of the handle, but it is small enough and light enough that you can carry it, if that was your concern.
• Lid Compatibility: Use a goddamn travel mug if you must take your liquids on the go.
• Oven/Hot Plate use: Absolutely never put this precious Barb mug near an oven or hot plate. It will shatter. The bottom has a ridge and will not be supported by a coffee heater either.

 

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16 C4 Belts – Worth the Hype?

C4 Belts are a modern take on the classic fashion accessory, and despite being made of plastic, they are durable enough to last in most conditions. They aren’t perfect, but they’re worth the reasonable price tag for the standard model.

So, what’s so special about them?

The standard model of C4 belts are 1 1/4″ wide, and come in one length at 50″. To fit them to your desired length, you can actually cut the strap with a pair of scissors. There are other widths available, should you prefer a skinnier belt. I personally prefer the look of the standard wide belt, but hey – it’s all in the name of fashion and customization!

The entire belt is made out of plastic. That’s right – no more removing your belt at the airport for security. Also, the plastic is completely water-resistent, which makes them a great choice for wearing while doing fun outdoorsy stuff, like hiking or kayaking. I wear mine around horses all the time, and it’s really nice not having to worry about my belt getting ruined by all the water, dirt, and general grime at the barn!

If that wasn’t enough for you, you can also choose to donate some of the price of the belt to a charity of your choosing. C4 will donate $1 to a charity of your choosing, out of a specified list. The options given to me when I purchased a belt were Best Friends Animal Society, Human Rights Campaign, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and The First Tee Atlanta. I’m not 100% sure if these campaigns are rotated every so often, or why half of my options were centered in Atlanta, but at least they give you options.

That being said, I’ve never ordered directly off the website before, so I wanted to give it a try and see what happens!

 

 

So, what do you get?

The standard C4 belt package includes one buckle and one strap. The clear plastic case can be reused for whatever you want, such as storing your belts or other small items like jewelry. The company also includes a sticker and an info sheet that explains how to customize your belt. Personally, I wouldn’t use the sticker, but at least the logo is kind of cool to look at.

Some models off of the website come with a pair of socks, but say it with me: $50 for a belt and a pair of socks is not worth it. They’ll try to sucker you in with cute prints of foxes or whales, but the socks are very thin and not worth the $15 extra to the standard belt.

That being said, $34.99 for a belt isn’t bad, especially considering belts are retailing for between $20 and $40 nowadays, based on some quick research on Target’s and Kohl’s websites.

You can, however, elect to purchase just a strap without a buckle, which may be a good option for you if you have, say, a plain black belt with a black buckle and want to order this black lab design. (Who wouldn’t, honestly?)

My experience

So, I ordered this adorable fox print off of C4’s website a couple weeks ago, and it was pretty easy to get through the payment process. C4 accepts Paypal as a payment method, or you can simply purchase directly through their website. The cause I chose to support was Best Friends Animal Society!

The box arrived about a week after ordering, which is fairly standard for ordering off of a retailer’s website.

I appreciated the regular communication via email that the company provided – I got an order confirmation, a shipping confirmation, and a delivery notification. This was great for me as I can use that info if a problem ever were to occur. (Thankfully, it didn’t!)

Nothing was broken when it arrived, and the plastic case for the belt was wrapped in bubble wrap inside the box, which was a nice, albeit necessary touch. The hard plastic case is made of the kind of plastic that could cut someone if it shattered.

So, how do you customize the belt?

 

It’s actually pretty easy, and I figured it out without having to use the how-to guide when I purchased my first C4 belt about 3 years ago. The buckle has a little lever in the inside that lifts up, exposing a channel for the strap to slide into. Closing the lever back up once a strap is fitted inside the channel allows the teeth of the buckle to sink in.

Okay, that seems like it’ll break in one use. How can it be durable?

I don’t really know how to answer this question, except for explaining my personal experience. I currently own 4 of these kinds of belts, and not one has broken on me. My oldest C4 belt is 3 years old, and it looks almost brand new.

I can say with certainty that the plastic they use for the belt is incredibly well-thought out, because it’s fairly scratch resistant, water resistant, and the teeth of the buckle do not tear holes into the strap at all.

Amazing, right? But surely it’s not perfect.

No, unfortunately it isn’t a perfect design. The pattern belts especially have a tendency to wear over time, as the design is printed overtop the plastic.

You can see above that there’s some wear on the jump design, especially around the buckle area. I’ve had that particular belt for approximately 8 months, for reference. I wear it about 2-3 times a week depending on what outfits I wear.

The plain colors I find do not have this kind of wear. I’ve had my plain black C4 for 3 years and it looks almost brand new. But if you prefer patterned belts to solids, keep a note of the wear in mind if you hate the idea of your belts not looking perfect.

Being plastic is a double-edged sword as well. While its water resistance is handy during some aspects of a camping trip, wearing it around a campfire may not be the best idea, as plastic is liable to melt in the heat. Now, if you weren’t tending the fire, you would probably be fine, but I would still play it cautious if presented with that kind of situation.

Also, $34.99 is still a lot for a plastic belt. But it’s up to you as the consumer to decide whether the design is worth investing in.

 

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I prefer these belts to any other belt I own. They’re so easy to wear and customize, and the design is both smart and fashionable. I highly recommend C4 belts to anyone. Try one – you won’t be disappointed!

Do you own any C4 belts? If so, which one(s)? Let me know down in the comments!

 

 

03. Wallflowers Work Wonders

No space is too small or too large for the refreshing scents of Bath & Body Works Wallflowers. With so many scents and stylish models to choose from, your room won’t ever smell the same again!

Top Highlights:

• Comes in many different shapes and sizes
• Assorted colors to choose from
• Some styles are equipped with night lights
• Sleek design so they fit in small spaces
• Scent refills are priced at $6.50 ea. (and are often on sale)
• Plug-ins are $4.50 and up
• 0.8 fl oz/24 mL

How do they work?

Wallflowers consist of two parts: the plug-in and the scent refills. The plug-ins come in a variety of shapes and designs so that you have options to pick which one works best for your space. The scent refills are designed to fit into any style plug-in you choose, making it easy to change between designs. Once the scent refill is inserted into the plug-in, the next step is to insert the plug-in into the wall. After that, the Wallflower will work its magic and your room will be left smelling like a dream.

What makes them different?

Wallflowers have some of the most unique scents in comparison to other brands on the market. What makes them so different is that they include the standard scents that we all know and love, such as: Lavender, Fresh Linen, Cotton, and Vanilla. Some of my favorite scents from Bath & Body Works Wallflowers are: Watermelon Lemonade, Vanilla Cupcake, Almond, Sweet Pea, Peach Passionfruit, Avocado Coconut, and Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla. Now don’t those sound delicious? Another difference between brands is the shape and size of the plug-in. Other brands are bulkier and have an overall heavy appearance, whereas the Wallflowers are slim and don’t take up too much space on the wall. I also really enjoy the design of the flower on the top, it adds a nice flare and style to any room.

My current collection:

I have started to become a little obsessed with Wallflowers and recently found them on sale for $1.60 each, so of course I bought 20…the scents are so amazing and they make my room smell so good. I also have one in my bathroom, which always keeps it smelling great. One thing I can say is that the scents last for a really long time, usually over a month. I have also used plug-ins from other brands, but I do not think they last as long. I also think the scents are too concentrated and overpowering from other brands, while the Wallflowers provide a comfortable and inviting aroma.

Don’t settle any longer for unwelcoming smells in your home, let a Wallflower work wonders!

18. A Happy Hand’s Fidget Cube

My hands usually need a distraction whenever I am doing mindless work or if I need to chill out for a while, so I pull out my trusty fidget cube to get the job done. Similar to the fidget spinner, the fidget cube is made to keep your digits happy so you can be stress-free.

You know those typical stress balls? Fidget cubes are better because:

• Six sides equals six different activities
• Each side makes a clicking noise
• Comes in unique colors
• Less distracting

Description of the Side

1. Joystick: Move it back in forth while enjoying the clicking sound it makes

2. Push: Push the buttons down individually. Buttons that are diagonal from right side make a clicking down

3. Indent: Press a finger over the indentation and feel the smooth texture of the cube

4. Flip: Rock the switch from side to side to hear the clicking

5. Spin: Spin the circle as slow or as fast as they want to

6. Roll: Roll either a silver ball or three ridged wheels

FAQs

How much are they?: $3 to $5 usually

What can I use it for?: Anything from stress to fun! They aren’t too noisy for work or in class!

Where can I get one?: Anywhere such as Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc.

A fidget cube will help with stress-related activities, but it can also be used for fun, so try one today!

 

21 Lokai bracelet

Everyone knows that there is a balance to life, good things end so better things can begin. Maybe you’re the kind of person who has no qualms about tackling life’s challenges head-on. Or maybe you find yourself lost during the lows of life and need a bit of a reminder. Everyone needs a little help now and then, and the Lokai bracelet is a daily reminder to stay optimistic during the rough patches and staying humble during the high points in life.

• Made from lightweight, durable silicone
• $18 at mylokai.com
• Comes in S, M, L, or XL
• Very comfortable, can wear all day
• White beads – water from Mt Everest (highest point on earth)
• Black beads – mud from the Dead Sea (lowest point on earth)

If you’re not into the plain classic Lokai, fear not! They also come in stackable, single wrap, triple wrap, glass bead bracelets. There is even a game day collection so you can represent your favorite college team while watching the big game.

         

(pc: mylokai.com)

My favorite part of the bracelet is that the company specially designs bracelets to support different nonprofit causes and donates 10% of proceeds to charities. Right now, Lokai is offering a limited edition split purple bracelet benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association.

(pc: mylokai.com)

Some charities Lokai has supported:

• Alzheimer’s Association – advancing care, support, and research of Alzheimer’s
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation – funds research to eliminate childhood cancer
• Pencils of Promise – builds schools and promotes educational opportunities in developing countries
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – support and advocate those affected by mental illness

 

05 Onewheel+, a new way to ride

What is the Onewheel+?

The Onewheel+ is a simple and flexible way to commute or enjoy some fresh air. It utilizes a powerful electric motor located inside the hub of the large central wheel, and for power two large batteries are housed underneath the foot pads on either side of the wheel. It is made from a sturdy aluminum frame with laminated wood making up the foot pads. This board is no plastic toy and can take a beating. With a ride that will be familiar to those who have experience with skateboards or snowboards, and even those without experience can easily pick it up with a little practice. This board feels both familiar and like nothing before it.

The specifics

• $1,499
• 20 mph top speed
• 4 to 6 mile battery life
• 20 min charge time
• head and tail lights
• comprehensive companion app
• multiple riding modes with varying speeds
• available warranty

Is it worth it?

honestly riding this is the most fun iv’e had on any kind of board. Speeding up hills without any effort is liberating and the battery life will get you where you need to go while enjoying the ride. It’s fun to learn and progress and the app took literally 5 minuets for me to figure out. All in all I think this thing is well worth the price, and if you aren’t convinced please read further down the page for more particulars about the experience.

Battery life (top bar)

lights on/off (sun icon below battery life)

miles in current trip (below lights)

cumulative miles ridden (below trip miles)

current speed (circle to the left below battery life)

riding style (bottom picture)

(companion app)

(Included charger)

That wheel tho

The Onewheel+ has a large tire that maximizes surface area to the ground. depending on the pressure, optimal being about 20 psi, it can give a decent bit of cushion over bumps. Also, you won’t need to worry about replacing it any time soon as it has roughly a 3000 mile lifetime. when the time comes though you can take it to an auto shop and they should have the necessary know how and machinery to do it for you.

How’s the ride?

In general the Onewheel+ is versatile and easy to learn. The idea of balancing on one wheel may feel daunting, but in truth the board does most of the work for you. Once you get confident with balancing, moving is as simple as leaning slightly in the direction you want to go and to stop just lean back.

Maneuvering is intuitive and relies on the same mechanics as a skateboard. to turn right, lean right, and to turn left lean left, however this leaning should begin in the body, not the ankles. Think of your ankles as simple pivot joints that only join your body to the board, the less you stiffen them the less wobbly you will be on the board,

The final and more advanced way to maneuver involves tight turns. To turn sharply you have to tilt the board up onto the edge of the tire and hold it there. It sounds simple, but involves more balance than any other turn done with leaning alone, however once you master this it will make you much more confident and capable while riding in tight spaces.

pavement

On pavement the Onewheel+ can only be described as buttery. Carving back and forth is reminiscent of snowboarding as your weight shifts and the board follows suit. This is where you’ll feel the confidence to push for high speeds.

Grass

Riding on grass takes a bit more concentration and management of the ankles, however it handles it well. The bumpier the ground beneath the grass, the more difficult the ride will be but this board is still much more capable of off road riding than any skateboard. with the ability to power up hills and control your decent down them, this board gives you the confidence to hop off road if the need arises.

Dirt trail

A nice flat dirt trail is a playground for the Onewheel+. The even, yet shifting surface allows for more pivoting than rough pavement which gives an advanced rider more control over their direction. Power slides can even be done if you’re up for it.

Here is a great video showing it’s capabilities

Snow and wet

wet pavement Isn’t a problem, however water and electronics is never a good combination. The onewheel isn’t immediately going to die if it gets wet however you are taking a risk by using it in wet environments.

Wet grass and dirt is difficult due to its slippery nature, and the fact that the system balances you by using torque from the wheel, if the wheel is constantly slipping it won’t be able to balance you.

Snow is the worst combination of wet and slippery and it might be fun to mess around with but you’re definitely maximizing risk of water damage and control will be at a minimum.

 

15 Mophie Phone Case – A Lifejacket for Your Lifeline

Ever been somewhere (far, far away from a wall outlet) only to realize you are about to be stranded with a dead phone. Notice how especially after a new Apple update your iPhone battery will be at 80%, and two minutes later it will be down to 40%? After spending one too many times up town trying to get an Uber home, only to have my phone tragically die on me, which then forces me to make the freezing trek home, I decided it was time to invest in something that I now cannot imagine life without.

A rechargeable phone case seemed to be the answer to all of my technological problems.

The Mophie phone case is a colorful, convenient addition to my “Can’t Leave the House Without It” list. The case comes in two detachable parts, with the bottom half being the part that does the charging.

Size

The case only adds .3″ to the bulk of my phone, and still easily fits in my hand and the pockets of my pants.

Battery Life

Although I rarely allow my phone to die before I turn the Mophie on, I have noticed that it definitely provides enough power to get you over a 100%. Mophie offers different versions of the phone case, each with varying battery powers, depending on the price. The higher the price, the more battery life the case provides. This particular case is the Juice Pack Reserve priced at $59.95. Some of the higher-end versions are priced at $99.95 and $119.95.

Types of Cases

Right now, Mophie offers their rechargeable phone cases for iPhone 7/7 plus, 6s/6, 6s/6 plus, SE/5s/5, Samsung, Moto-Z phones, LG G4, and the HTC one M7. Each type of case offers different versions like the amount of battery life/ waterproof capabilities.

How to Use It

The case doesn’t automatically start charging your phone as soon as you put it on, which is great since the case is small enough to function as an every day one for your phone. A small switch in the back turns the case’s charging capabilities on or off.

The case also shows you about how much battery life it has left with four small lights on the back next to the on/off switch, a great way to gage how many more pictures you can like on instagram before your stuck walking home in the cold again. You simply press the button to the far left of the case and it shows how much battery power is left.

Charging the Case

The case comes with its own charger, a usb which can easily attach to your iPhone charger. You can also charge the case from a computer if you don’t own an iPhone charger. I actually recently broke my iPhone charger, and have just been using the Mophie as a way to charge my phone. If you leave your phone in the case while its on the charger, it will charge you phone along with the case.

Accessories

You can still access all the buttons you would need to (volume, power, speakers) with the case on. 

The only thing about listening to music with traditional wire headphones is that you have to add this accessory to the headphone jack because the headphones are not long enough to get to the phone without it. Personally, this does not bother me because I use bluetooth headphones.

Overall Impression

I’ve owned my Mophie case for a year and a half now and it never disappoints. Not to be dramatic, but I honestly don’t remember how I got through my pre-Mophie days. The case has protected my phone through the multiple drops, and still holds it’s charge as well as it did when I first purchased it. It’s something that has saved me during concerts, to my days at work where I’m always on my feet away from an outlet, to my current situation with my broken iPhone charger. I definitely think the case is a great investment for anyone who is always on the go, or someone who’s phone generally doesn’t hold a charge that well.  I am due for a phone upgrade soon and am 100% certain I will buy the Mophie case to go along with it.