Are you obsessed with Candy Crush? If you are stuck playing the Candy Crush Saga app – you may just love this Pinterest find!

Candy Crush Striped Nails

Ha, you Candy Sugar addict you.  Don’ these look just like the candies??? If you have no idea what I am talking about – good for you! I dare you not to read about the most addicting app, ever… Candy Sugar Saga  – Do yourself a favor – and don’t start playing the game, and for the love of all things chocolate, do not hook the game up to Facbeook!

So despite my obsession with that stupid app, how cute are these striped nails?? The Nailasarus has done it again, this time with Candy Crush striped nails! Okay, well she just calls them Candy nails.

Learn what colors The Nailasaurus uses and her technique for creating this fun nail design!

View Tutorial

Just because your nails look like candy, this doesn’t give you permission to chew on them. I could only wish my nails looks this perfect when I did them!  Practice makes perfect? Maybe?

Tip: Did you know that there is nail striping tape? Obviously I am out of the nail loop because this stuff is too fun.

Looking for more nail tutorials? Check out these posts:

• How to paint your nails like a professional
• How to paint ombre nails
• The best way to remove nail polish
• DIY french manicure
• Newspaper nail art

Digital Mom Blog

With all of the crazy weather, let me urge you to download the Tornado Warning app from Red Cross.  Moore, OK had approximately 15 minutes notice to take shelter before the tornado destroyed their town. In severe weather, you have to be on guard – alert and have a plan.  Often times, the TV may not be on – or you are not in front of a computer and when severe weather is in your area, you need to know.

Tornado Warning App from Red Cross

The Red Cross Tornado Warning app will alert you to potential dangers.  It allows you to setup alerts and even if the app is closed, it will alert you to tornado watches or warnings in your area.

The free app serves multiple purposes.  While the main function is to alert you of potential danger, such as a tornado watch or tornado warning – it also serves as a teaching guide to show you what to do in the event of danger. This app is loaded with information and helpful tools in the event of a tornado or other disaster.

Here is what is included with the free Red Cross app:

Setup alerts to be notified when there is a potential tornado danger in your area.

My favorite feature has to be the tornado alerts.  You can setup multiple locations, so say if you want to know if where your husband works or kids go to school goes into a tornado watch or warning mode you can do so.

• Simple step-by-step instructions to help you know what-to-do even if the cell towers and TVs are down. Prioritized actions for before, during, and after requires no mobile connectivity.
• Red Cross location-based open shelters map for when you need it most.
• Reduce your household’s stress and anxiety should a tornado hit by learning to make and practice an emergency plan.
• Be ready should a tornado hit by learning how to assemble an emergency kit for your family in the event of power outage or evacuation.
• Preloaded content means you have instant access to all safety information at anytime, even without reception or an Internet connection.
• Know the difference between a tornado warning and a tornado alert.
• Interactive quizzes allow you to earn badges that you can share with your friends and show off your tornado knowledge.
• Know how many tornadoes have occurred in your area.
• Learn how to deal with food and water impacted by floods and power outages.

Tornado Emergency Toolkit

In the event of a tornado, there is a built-in toolkit that will turn your smart phone into emergency tools. The included emergency tools include:

Flashlight

This will turn on your LED light, allowing your smart phone to be a flashlight.

Strobe Light

The strobe light function will flash the LED light.

Alarm

The alarm will create a loud pulsating sound.

Test Siren

The test siren will alert you to what the tornado warning sound is that is built into the app.

I’m Safe

Let your friends and family know you are safe.  This app function allows you to add a safe message, add recipients and share via Facebook, Twitter, message or email.

Make a Plan

The Make a Plan feature walks your thru creating an action plan. Determine who will do what, determine a meet-up plan in the event that your family is seperated, add emergency contacts that are out-of-area and an evacuation point.  In teh event that you have to evacuate, where will you go.  Possibly this is a hotel/motel, family member’s home or a shelter.

Download the Free Tornado App

Downloading the app is SUPER easy, free AND available for BOTH iOS and Android.

• From your mobile phone, call “**REDCROSS” (**73327677) and the Red Cross will send you a link to download the app to your phone.
• Download app for iOS
• Download app for Android

Stay Safe and Be Prepared

Stay safe and be prepared!  I know as a mom to 4 kids and 2 dogs – just a few hours south of the Moore, OK tornado damage, I am on high alert.  We’ve cleared out our stairwell closet and have pulled out making old crib mattresses accessible in the event we go into tornado safety mode!

Help Moore, OK Tornado Victims

Learn how you can help Oklahoma tornado vicitims.

Digital Mom Blog

Oklahoma Tornado victims are living their worse nightmare right now. Over 51 confirmed dead after a tornado, at least an EF4 tormented south of Oklahoma City, OK – primarily hitting Moore, OK.  An elementary school took a direct hit. Rescuers are searching for bodies.

No matter what channel you turn on, it’s horrific. Story upon stories of loss and sheer horror. At times like this, I ask WHY GOD?

While we will never know why, what we can know is how to help.

Here are 5 Ways You Can Help Tornado Victims in Oklahoma

Give to the Red Cross

It’s super easy to give to the Red Cross.  Text REDCROSS to 90-999 – to donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief

Or for other ways to donate

Give to the OKC Food Bank

323-33 FOOD- to donate $10 to the Oklahoma City Food Bank

Or for other ways to donate

Give to HopeMob

Via Twitter #PrayforOK I came across HopeMob an Convoy of Hope.

Our plan is simple. We’re partnering with Convoy of Hope and are going go raise $20,000 in 7 days. Why 7 days? In these first 7 days the town of Moore, OK will be consumed with clearing out destruction and accessing their needs. Once those needs are known we want to be able to give them the funds to help them rebuild in the long term.

Learn more on HopeMob

Give Blood

If you are in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma Blood Institute for more information.

Dallas and Texas residents, while I am not sure they are specifically helping the Oklahoma tornado victims, there is ALWAYS a need for blood – visit Carter Bloodcare for more information.

Give to World Vision

While World Vision does amazing work overseas – they also respond here on our home turf. They have crews out to help tornado victims.

Learn how you can donate to World Vision’s disaster response in the U.S..

Pray

No money, no problem – just pray. There are lives changed forever by this force of nature. Pray for those who are hurt, those who are helping, those who are lost, those who are grieving and those who are no longer with us.

This is a before and after photo of the Plaza Towers elementary school in Moore, OK following the deadly Oklahoma tornado.

Read:  Red Cross Tornado Warning App Review

source: dailymail.co.uk

Digital Mom Blog

It’s Giveaway time here on Digital Mom Blog. This go round we have some great items that 13 of our fans will receive (I wish I could give you all something, but 13 of you lucky chickens will win!)

Giveaway Time

Without further ado, here are the prizes for our May Giveaway.  We will select a total of 13 winners to receive 1 of the following giveaways!

$75 Visa Gift Card – compliments of Digital Mom Blog

Digital Mom Blog (yes, that’s us!) is giving away $75 Visa gift card giveaway – money to spend however you would like!

$25 Microsoft Store Gift Card – compliments of MSN

Thanks MSN for offering Digital Mom Blog readers the chance to win $25 credit at the Microsoft store. Someone please buy a Microsoft Surface and let me play with it!  To enter the MSN giveaway and click here.

My Princess Bible Purse – compliments of Tommy Nelson

Teach your children about the Fruits of the Spirit (gifts God gives to us such as love, joy, peace and patience). This fabulous book with a fun little handle is fun for both parents and children. Learn more at Tommy Nelson.

Hawaiian Tropics is Giving Away 10 sets!

That’s right, 10 of you will win a set of sunscreen. If you are pale like me – with the summer weather approaching quickly, you can never have enough of this stuff!

Hawaiian Tropics is looking for a woman who best embodies beauty, confidence, style, enjoying the sun AND keeping skin healthy. The winner will appear in new, national Hawaiian Tropic advertising, receive an all-expense-paid tropical vacation and serve as an official brand spokesperson. Learn more on the Hawaiian Tropics Facebook Page.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Digital Mom Blog

What geek girl wouldn’t want her tech accessories to sparkle? Glitter and glam up that plain white drab iPhone cable and make it pretty. Steve Jobs was a brilliant man and all – but he was basic. (seriously, see Baby Steve Jobs attire). Who wants to be basic when they can be FABULOUS (sorry I just had an Oprah flashback!)

How to Make Your Tech Accessories Sparkle!

Let’s get to it. Not only will you be making your accessories unique, just think – you will always be able to identify your cord!  My husband and I both have iPhone 5s and well one of us tends to lose her charging cable… often. By making it pretty, I’ll be able to say “hey that’s mine! go find your own!” Okay, I wouldn’t do that because I am the one ALWAYS losing my cables… I digress… 

If you are looking for a great gift idea, how fun would this be for a geek mom or friend?

Let’s Get Started

Here is what you will need.

• Your tech accessories that you are wanting to sparkle
• Glitter - choose your favorite color
• Mod Podge – any kind will do – you can even DIY it, learn here.
• Scotch tape
• Clear nail polish
• Newspaper or old poster board
• Paint brushes or foam sponge brush

First things first – wrap the ends of your items such as the prongs or silver usb metal pieces in tape. You don’t want to prettify the inside of your devices! This will keep them from sparkling.

Layout your newspaper or old poster board as your work surface.

Let’s Get Sparkling!

Sprinkle a small puddle of glitter onto your work surface.

Take the paint brush and cover one side of your tech accessory that you want to sparkle with Mod Podge.

Lay your accessory into the puddle of glitter. Another way to do this is just sprinkle the glitter on – your choice.

Allow each side to dry before starting another side.

All Glittered!

Once you are all glittered – and the glitter and Mod Podge has dried, it’s time to do the finishing piece – clear nail polish!  Paint the clear nail polish over the glitter. You may want to do several layers to ensure that the glitter is sealed.

Complete!

You did it!  Enjoy your sparkles!

Stay tuned for a video tutorial!

Good news – you don’t have to limit this technique to just tech accessories – think of the things you could make sparkle? Contact case, eye glass case, computer monitor (ha! I don’t know about this but if you try it, I totally want to see!). 

h/t the luxury spot

Digital Mom Blog

Looking for the best headphones for running?  You look at me, and you don’t think runner. I could only wish I had the body of a runner – someday people, someday. I actually love jogging, it’s just that I am so inconsistent maybe I should fix that because I totally need more things that I can just zone out and do.  When I run there are a few things that come with me….

My Labradoodle and running partner Mister

My Dog

Meet Mister. He is a 6 month old Labradoodle. We’ve had him for 4 months and this week he finally learned to like the leash. While I would love to say he can walk on a leash – it’s more along the lines of … he can run on a leash. I got the run of my life the other night being led by this 40+ lb lug of hair.  This is him laughing after our outing. Not cool Mister, not cool.

My Toddlers

Occasionally I’ll have my toddlers – but I try to not have to bring them. I recently purchase a Schwinn double jogging stroller used so they could come along when needed. They love it – and their 60+ lbs does add to the workout.

My iPhone

Music is what keeps me and on pace. I crank up Pandora to Pink and then start C25k app -  I’ve been using the C25K app to keep me motivated.  I am only on week 3, but will give a review once I complete. So far I am loving it.

While I can totally run without the toddlers and the dog, I can’t be without my iPhone. Me and silence, just don’t work. Low and behold the Apple earpods that came with the iPhone 5 have gone missing. While I liked those so much better than the cheap headphones I have now – I wanted to see what headphones for runners options are out there. Based on reviews, here are what people are rating as the best head phones to run with.

Best Headphones for Runners

MEElectronics M6-BK-MEE Sport Noise-Isolating In-Ear Headphones

With 4 out of 5 stars and 1,480 reviews – these headphones for running are affordable and noise-isolating, what kids? I can’t hear you.

Yurbuds Ironman Sport Earphones

These earphones provide a personalized fit and are guaranteed never to fall out!  Yurbuds are made of a medical grade silicon giving the Ironman Inspire an ultra-soft and comfortable fit, while allowing for sufficient ambient noise, so you always stay aware of your surroundings.

Arriva Leo Bluetooth Sports Headphone

I may have LOL’d when I saw these. Don’t they make this dude look robotic?  Well these Arriva Leo sports headphones are highly rated and mega bonus… they are bluetooth! That’s right bluetooth headphones = no cords to fight with. I would love to be able to just put my iphone in my pocket or on the stroller without the worry of cords while running.

Aftershokz AS300 Wraparound Sport Headphones

AfterShokz Sport headphones are lightweight, sweat and water resistant, and feature an in-line control and a standard 3.5mm connector that fits all smart phones, iPhones, iPods, iPads, and MP3 players, and a lifetime warranty. These don’t actually go in your ear, rather than sit outside of your ear so that you can hear your surroundings… hello honking car while you are running or neighbor talking to you and you have no idea what they are saying….  

Bose SIE2i Sport Headphones

Bose sport headphones – I know what you are thinking… expensive. Yes, they are. But I will say, anyone I know who owns Bose speakers raves about them. The sound is impeccable – and by the reviews of these Bose sport headphones – looks like these live up to the Bose brand.

These headphones come with a Reebok fitness armband to use with the headphones for an optimal workout music experience.

What Headphones Do You Run With?

Digital Mom Blog

There are certain things that I must KNOW NOW. Do you know what I’m talking about? It’s those things you are antsy in your pantsy to know the answer.  So what do you do? You grab your phone and start searching.

With 4 kids, KNOW NOW moments are often.

We need to KNOW NOW what pediatricians are open on Saturday.

We need to KNOW NOW what the school year calendar is.

We need to KNOW NOW where kids eat free on Thursday nights.

We need to KNOW NOW the quickest route to volleyball practice.

We need to KNOW NOW if we should plan for a tornado or if we can go to sleep because it’s just a thunderstorm (we are in Texas.)

Know Now

You get my drift! For your KNOW NOW moments, , grab your phone and visit msn.com and get the answers you need NOW.  Microsoft has reimagined the all-new MSN to be 4x faster than other top sites so you can always get in the know. 

Win $25 Microsoft Store Credit From MSN

MSN is offering a Digital Mom Blog reader $25 Microsoft Card. 

For your chance to win, leave a comment with your KNOW NOW moments. We will pick a winner at random on June 11, 2013 at 12:00 am.

This post was created in partnership with MSN. Find out more about the all new MSN experience at allnew.msn.com or see it in action on Windows 8, Android, or on iOS at msn.com

#MSNKnowNow

What Are Your Know NOW Moments? (Make sure to leave a valid email for your chance to win!)

Digital Mom Blog

Moms, you must download the ArtKive app! My kids love to draw, write me notes and make kid art – which I LOVE. There is nothing better than a sweet little note from my daughter, or a photo or what my son thinks I look like. The problem comes in, well I have 4 kids. 3 of which are budding artists. While I am no means organized – there isn’t enough room in the world for all of the kid art my kids want to keep!

*Cue this APP!*

ArtKive App

The ArtKive app is your God send!  ArtKive lets you snap photos of all of your kids art and saves it in an account. The photos save to your phone, as well as to your ArtKive account.

Simple, easy, but why use ArtKive?  Not only is it great having all of their images in one place – the ArtKive app allows you to create products from the kid art, such as a mug or photo book!  Plus, I don’t know about you and your phone’s photos – but mine are anything but organized. Finding all of the pictures I took of my kid’s art would be a nightmare.

My favorite thing about this app is my kids love it. Now as I am clearing out the papers from their backpacks, they say “Mom, take a picture of this!” meaning ArtKive it.

No More Mom Guilt!

Gone is my guilt for throwing their beloved art away, and my kids don’t hate me now knowing that their works of art are stored somewhere digitally.

App Details

The ArtKive app is free to download and available for iOS and Android.

• Download for iOS
• Download for Android

Digital Mom Blog

Last week our family of 6 headed to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX.  It was my husband and my son’s birthday so after school on Monday, we surprised the kids by telling them we were all going to the store as a family, which they HATE. Little did they know, the back of the Enclave was packed with luggage and we were just stopping by the store for snacks and swim suits.

Fortunately, the Grapevine Great Wolf Lodge is just about 45 minutes from our home. We managed to keep the surprise up, until we were about a block away.  We then told our son E of his birthday surprise. He went crazy, my daughter went crazy, the babies were confused – needless to say the kids were excited.

Side note: In lieu of birthday parties, we have started doing family birthday dinners and then doing an outing of sorts. This saves on a birthday party and excessive gifts which we don’t need and end up not being played with and littering our playroom. 

My feelings towards Great Wolf Lodge before we went were that of hate. The commercial resulted in our kids screaming wanting to go. I had actually made plans to bring them here a few years back, but backed out and took the kids to San Antonio. I’m not sure why I was so opposed to this place, but as you’ll see my heart has softened – greatly…

Another side note: If you are taking toddlers, read my post: 12 Things to Know About Toddlers and Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge Resort Review

I guess I should educate those not familiar with what in the world Great Wolf Lodge is… Great Wolf Lodge Resort is an indoor waterpark resort.  There are several through-out the country. The idea is, you buy a room and the waterpark admission is included. The resort is totally geared towards families offering a plethora of activities in addition to the indoor water park.

Here is a review of our stay:

Kid Cabin Suite

We stayed in the Kid Cabin Suite which will sleep up to 7 people. There was a queen size bed, a bunk bed and a twin bed, also a pull out couch.  Zeke decided jumping on the bed was more fun than sleeping (he typically sleeps in a crib), the staff kindly brought up a pack-and-play in the wee hours of the night.

The room had the typical small refrigerator, microwave, sink, bathroom and while not fancy, it was most definitely CLEAN!  There was just enough room for our family of 6.

Food

We ate at the restaurant and overall it wasn’t bad! The pina colada was super yummy but strong (I’m not a huge drinker.)  It was priced fairly, I think we would eaten at Chili’s for the same amount and the food was actually good!

Indoor Water Park

Great Wolf Lodge is known for it’s indoor water park.  It’s kept at a cool 84 degrees year round. Overall, it was fabulous. It was just big enough for our older kids to be able to run around without us having to watch them constantly.  There were PLENTY of things for the toddlers to do and the life guards were super attentive.

Resort Activities

Great Wolf Lodge offers a ton of resort activities for the family. There is Magiquest, an arcade, a spa just for girls, an ice cream parlor, laser tag and more.  If you don’t want to spend money, you can enjoy story time and crafts.

Perfect Staycation

We had a fabulous time and while our time there was short, only 22 hours – we had the perfect staycation.  Our boys enjoyed their birthdays, we had at least 8 hours in the water and everyone was happy! Fortunately for us, Grapevine, TX – the location we went to – is close. Even if it was a few hours away, I would definitely say it’s worth the drive.

Great Wolf Lodge Photos

We went as a family staycation, I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own. 

Digital Mom Blog

A Beautiful Mess photo app for iOS has launched this week and this if you are a iPhone photo lover like myself, this is a must download app!

Read: 5 Photo Apps to Use with Instagram

The creatives over at ABM, Elsie and Emma are all about taking fun photos (if you aren’t, make sure to follow them on Instagram).  They’ve taken that love and made an app that is perfectly branded to their funness. And yes, I don’t care if funness isn’t a real word, it is to me.

A Beautiful Mess Photo App Review

A Beautiful Mess photo app review… what we love and what we loathe… 

The photo app from A Beautiful Mess is the easiest way to make pretty photos and to share them with friends.

Add new life to your favorite photos with custom filters, fun fonts, and hand-drawn doodles by Elsie and Emma, creators of the award-winning lifestyle blog, “A Beautiful Mess”. Then share your creations with friends through email, or by publishing them directly to popular social networks — Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

App Price: 

99 cents – do note there are several in-app purchases if you want to buy more backgrounds, fonts or borders.

What Does It Do?

It cutifies your photos, oh another word I created. It makes your photos fun with all kinds of fun widgets, fonts and words.

You can choose a photo from your library or you can start with a fun background. Then just choose the add-on items you would like to add and BAM, hello cute photo.

Is A Beautiful Mess Available on Android?

Not at this time!

What We Love…

Great fonts! Finding a photo app that can put words on photos with great fonts is hard to come by!

What We Loathe…

While overall the app is super fun and hey an app that puts fun fonts of photos is always good – but the editing kind of sucks. I am sure that this will be fixed in future updates and it’s not necessarily with every features, I can’t pinpoint which functions you can edit and which ones you can’t so it’s not a total issue.

The other thing is on the in-app purchases, it isn’t clear how much the add-ons actually are. Other than that – I am loving this app.

#ABeautifulMess

Here are a few examples from A Beautiful Mess Photo App:

Download a Beautiful Mess Photo App

Available to 99 cents in the Apple App Store

Make sure to check out the girls at A Beautiful Mess, they do some AMAZING stuff!

Digital Mom Blog