Either way, when I heard that Walmart was introducing a new AR app (that’s ‘augmented reality’, for those of you who are clueless like I was before our resident Chic Dad explained it to me) to celebrate The Avengers coming to a theater near you, I knew the Superhero fans in the house would want to check it out. So today we loaded up the family and headed to our local Walmart where we had an absolute blast taking photos with our favorite superheros. Even the resident princesses in our family got in on the fun!

As you can see, the app has a photo-taking portion which places life-sized versions of the Superheroes next to you in the store. People in the store were looking at us like we had lost our marbles, mostly because to passers-by it looked like we were just posing with a random in-store Avengers display. Luckily, my entire family marches to their own beat and we just laughed it off. The photos are totally awesome and our kids got a huge kick out of seeing themselves with the Superheroes. I did notice that we are a bit blurry in each of the photos, and I wish that there was a way to remedy that within the app (touching to focus as I normally would didn’t seem to change that), but it didn’t diminish the overall awesomeness of taking photos with our favorite Superheros!

The app also comes with a game, which Morgan said was “actually pretty cool”. Apparently when he played it here at home, it looked like there were ships and bad guys trying to attack him in our living room. Check out the video below, which will tell you more about it:

While I think the app is pretty cool overall, there are a couple of things that I feel could be improved – namely that the app is huge, so takes up a good bit of memory on your phone, and that it takes a while to initialize – so if you’re going to use it I would advise downloading it and initializing it before you go to the store. My other complaint is that the download button on The Avengers page on Walmart.com brings you to a PDF with a QR code, which you then use to download the app. To me that entire process is a little clunky, and I’d much rather have a direct link to the App Store. Once you get past the initial download process and initializing of the app, the whole experience is pretty awesome.

If you have gamers or SuperHero fans in your home, you’ll definitely want to check out the SuperHero AR App that is available now in the app store or on Walmart.com.

Read the original ‘The Avengers’ Augmented Reality App Review on Chic Shopper Chick.

What? The HTC One X / HTC and AT&T / $199.99 w/2-year contract

What’s Chic? The big, but not too big, display, quad core processing power, retina-quality graphics, Beats by Dre sound and 8 megapixel camera are all packed inside one eye-catching white frame that should win some design awards.

What’s Weak? There are some questions about battery life and the proprietary HTC Sense 4.0 skin on the Android OS leaves a bit to be desired.

Photo by gdgt.com

Let’s get right to it. Eye candy is important when it comes to a phone, at least for me. I want it to look good. I want it to feel good in my hand, and I want to get some joy out of using it and looking at it. I want people to ask “Oh, what phone is that?” or “Can I check out your phone?” when I pull it out of my pocket. This is where the HTC One X delivers in spades. It’s a great looking phone. Not just passable, but great. It’s beautiful and the white casing is stunning. I have no doubt that this phone gets noticed, and it looks easy on the eyes. So it’s got that going for it, which is nice.

I know, it’s silly, but aesthetic is a big deal to me – so sue me. And really, that’s always been the problem with the Android handsets. They’ve been beating the iPhone on specs for the last year or so, but the overall package just isn’t there. I don’t care if the phone has 8 gagillion megawatts inside of it if looks like it was slapped together or made in the late 90′s. If you’re phone looks like a Star Tac, I’m out. Period.

But it’s not just all style and no substance. This phone packs some serious muscle. It’s got a 1.5 GHz Nvidia quad-core processor which gives it the horsepower of a laptop, along with 32 gigs of onboard storage. A 4.7″ 720p display puts it right in retina display territory with the iPhone 4. Plus it’s 8 megapixel camera and high-quality audio make it the multimedia heavyweight the Chic Dad demands out of his phones.

I’m not expert, but I know good when I see it, and the HTC One X is definitely a phone that I can’t wait to get my hands on and give it a shot. It seems like most of the experts agree. The Verge gives the HTC One X an 8.4/10 and their readers score it 9.5/10. gdgt scores the HTC ONE X an 8.5 with readers weighing in a 9.4. Dare I say it? It might just be the phone that gets me over to Android.

So let’s hear a bit from the experts, who really know what they’re talking about:

And here are the high points from Engadget’s review of the HTC One X:

There’s absolutely no doubt that the One X is a masterpiece of an Android device: it obliterates pretty much all of its competitors by giving even the mighty Galaxy Nexus a run for its money. HTC’s really crafted something special here, with a brilliant combination of branding, industrial design and user experience. This handset looks and feels stunning, with top-notch materials and build quality, the most gorgeous display we’ve ever stared at on a phone, a fantastic camera that’s fast and easy to use and a laundry list of every possible spec under the sun. Sense 4 is thin and light enough to enhance — not detract from — stock Ice Cream Sandwich. Pinch us, ’cause frankly, we’re smitten.

Ultimately, buying a One X is a lot like getting a unicorn — it’s wild, fast, white, beautiful, expensive and fickle.

Does Chic Dad Recommend?

I haven’t even seen the phone in person, so I can’t recommend. What I can say is that here is yet another phone to take a look at when I decide to re-up. We’ve got the Nokia Lumia 900, the HTC One X and I’m anxious to see what the Samsung Galaxy III looks like when it’s announced. The HTC One X isn’t yet available to the public, but if you’re ready to pull the trigger you can pre-order to HTC One X on AT&T’s site. Thanks for taking this phone ride with me. It’s fun to think about the different devices out there and see if there’s one that’s a better fit than the iPhone. Time will tell; but it sure is exciting to see some new contenders on the market.

Featured image credit: The Verge

Read the original HTC One X: The Phone That Makes Me Seriously Consider Android on Chic Shopper Chick.

What? Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland (iOS app) / $5.99 / Frantic Goose Applications

What’s Chic? Over 950 questions and 74 in-line scavenger hunts help your family battle the fiercest lines in Disneyland.

What’s Weak? The graphics and user experience could use some polish.

As Southern California residents, the Lehmann/Brown clan tout four, heavy-duty, annual passes to Disneyland (including parking, thank-you-very-much) and spend a decent chunk of our free time at the park. As kids who grew up no closer than a plane ride to the nearest Disney park, Erika and I take great joy in being able to take the kiddos whenever we feel like it. And while Disneyland is a magical experience, the biggest complaint we have are the lines. Particularly on popular days and during breaks, these lines can get north of an hour for the popular rides.

That’s where Lots To Do In Line comes in to save the day. With more than 950 questions across every conceivable Disneyland ride, the Lots To Do In Line app allows families to challenge one another to trivia about the ride and the line that they’re in. Part “I Spy” part trivia, these questions are fun and appropriate for every age member of the family. My favorite part? Everyone can play. Too many iPhone apps are one-person experiences. But this game is made to be played like a board game, with everyone playing together. Instead of isolating each other in their own worlds on their devices, Lots To Do In Line puts fun together at the heart of it all.

The game comes with a full-on park-wide scavenger hunt as well, and other challenges that add another layer to your Disneyland experience. If you have some adventurers in your clan, the scavenger hunt is a great way to learn more about what the park has to offer.

The app boasts:

• Over 950 questions that can only be answered in line at Disneyland
• 74 in-line treasure hunts and a park-wide scavenger hunt
• Collections of things you’ve seen in the park

My only complaint is that the design and user experience could use some help. The fonts, navigation and other elements are inconsistent, and lack polish. The way you track and keep and see scores is a bit confusing as well, and spelling and grammar issues that take away from the overall experience. But while it’s not the most polished app in the app store, these issues don’t take the fun and value out of the app. It still provides a great way for families to enjoy their time together in line.

Does Chic Dad Recommend?

I do. Even with the design nits that I mentioned above, the app seems like a great way to make lines a part of the experience instead of just dead time between the attractions. After playing with it with Erika, we can’t wait to give it a run for its money in the park. We think it’ll be a great way to keep the kids engaged and entertained while waiting in line. Lots To Do In Line is a refreshing app in its approach to entertainment. Instead of sucking one individual player into their own world, Lots To Do In Line brings the whole family together. I’m excited to try it out line, and I think you’ll find it a great addition to your Disneyland experience too.

Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of the app to review. All opinions are my own.

Read the original Lots To Do In Line Turns Long Disneyland Lines into a Game on Chic Shopper Chick.

Here’s why I’m impressed. Time and time again, Android handsets and Windows handsets have said that they finally were ready to challenge Apple, and time and time again they were wrong. But it just might be starting to come true. Android finally put real a challenger in the market with the Samsung Galaxy, and now Windows has a horse in this race. And it is in the form of the good-looking Lumia.

Nokia Lumia 900 / Photo Credit gdgt.

What? The Nokia Lumia 900 / $49.99 or $99 Amazon or AT&T w/2-yr contract / Nokia & Microsoft Windows

What’s Chic? The Windows Mango operating system, big 4.3” display, 8 MB camera, and a sleek low-profile form factor.

What’s Weak? The Windows Phones can’t come close when it comes to the number of apps available.

Look, the Chic Dad is not the Uber-Geek Dad, so I can’t run around spouting of specs and processing speed, lumens and pixel counts. If you want those, read two great reviews on the Lumia here: Lumia 900 review by Engadget, Lumia 900 review by CNet. But here’s what I can tell you: when I picked up the phone to play with it in the Microsoft Store it felt like the real deal. The screen was clear and bright. The bigger screen size was compensated for by a thinner body that kept the phone feeling manageable, like something I wouldn’t mind carrying around all day. But the best part? The user interface.

The new Lumia is running the new Windows Phone Mango OS. Mango is the latest version of Metro, a complete re-imagination of the Windows environment, with an eye towards usability on phones and tablets. And let me tell you, it impresses. It might even be easier than the user interface on my beloved iPhone. I know, it’s blasphemy, but it might be true.

I’m not the only one who thinks that Nokia and Windows might finally be on to something. The gadget and tech blogs that routinely pan Windows phones (and usually rightfully so) all agree that this is the strongest Windows phone to date. gdgt readers score it a 90/100 (for comparison the Apple iPhone 4s scores 94/100 and the Galaxy S II scores a 89/100) and CNet rates it as an excellent phone with four out of five stars. Time and again they recommend it as the best Windows phone to date. They all have their caveats of course, mainly around the screen resolution which is lower than most of its competitors and the lack of apps in for the Windows Phone software. The Verge was only site that I checked that has major reservations with the phone, which gives it points for its style, but says that the phone underwhelms once you really get into it.

Here’s the review from The Verge:

And CNet’s summary of the Nokia Lumia 900 captures most of the sentiment about the phone nicely:

The good: The Nokia Lumia 900′s eye-popping unibody design sets a new direction for smartphone style. Its LTE speeds, vivid 4.3-inch screen, and 8-megapixel camera are high points.

The bad: Problems with call quality and minor design flaws like some gaps in the construction and weirdly placed buttons get in the way. The designer camera optics are good, but they don’t live up to the hype. The phone shoots 720p video rather than 1080p video.

The bottom line: The Nokia Lumia 900′s unique design and high-end features make Windows Phone look fantastic, and the $99 price is extremely fair. Despite some flaws, this is my favorite Windows Phone yet.

Does Chic Dad Recommend?

So while I can’t recommend it yet (I only played with it for a few minutes), I can say that it’s worth checking out, especially if you’re in the market for a new phone that doesn’t have an “i” in front of it. Remember, I’m not a specs junkie and definitely not an expert in choosing a cell phone; but the Chic Dad definitely liked what he saw when he picked up the Nokia Lumia 900.

Will it replace my precious iPhone? My iPhone 4 is probably safe for now; but the folks at Apple shouldn’t rest easy. With the new Nokia Lumia 900 and Samsung Android phones making advances in technology and design, the other options get more appealing every day. One of these days that new gadget itch is just going to be scratched. I wonder what phone will have the honor of knocking off the reigning champ? My money’s on iPhone 5, but it could be the Galaxy III or some other contender. We’ll just have to wait and see.

But what about you? Have you tried the Nokia Lumia 900? What did you think?

Read the original Nokia Lumia 900: Can it Replace Chic Dad’s iPhone? on Chic Shopper Chick.

What: Motrr Galileo / $85 until 4/20/12 on Kickstarter, $129.95 retail / Motrr

What’s Chic: Remotely control your iPhone so you can see more over video? Where do I sign?

What’s Weak: The software still has to be built. There’s no telling when Skype or FaceTime will support Galileo gesture controls. But good news, there is an SDK already.

Galileo Makes Video Calls So Much Better

As you can see from the video, there are literally dozens of reasons why this could come in handy; but for us we have two: Audrey and Banks. As a family with relatives scattered across the country, and our two small, adorable children here with us at least 1,800 miles away from any of them, there’s a big demand for Face Time and Skype video chats to stay in touch. And Skype and FaceTime are great, to a point. Nana and Grandpa can say hi to the kids and really connect face-to-face; but five and six year olds can only sit still for so long before they’re squirming out of their seats and are back to running around. Plus, for bigger events like Christmas and birthdays, there’s no one place to put a phone or laptop to capture the entire scene so that our relatives can watch along from across the country.

The result? A laptop that constantly needs to be moved and frequent pleading for the kids to please, just stay in your seat for a few more minutes. Or worse, an iPhone left staring up at the ceiling or face-down on the carpet, or an abandoned laptop on a coffee table and two kiddos giggling, just off screen and out of site. And trust me, there’s nothing more disheartening for relatives who just want to be a part of their lives to have them so close, yet be unable to keep up with them as they move around the room.

This problem disappears with Galileo. Now, the grandparents can control the camera with their iPhone or iPad and swivel to keep up with the munchkins as they scurry across the family room. When I saw it I bought it instantly and plopped down $95 for the limited edition Kickstarter green version. I can’t wait to see the delight on our parent’s faces when they can finally keep the camera in Banks and Audrey and really feel like they’re part of what’s happening at our house.

Galileo is a Kickstarter phenomenon. It’s raised over $500,000 for development to date, well over its funding goal. And with just three days left before it’s Kickstarter campaign ends, it’s the last chance to grab a Galileo for just $85. Once they launch, they’ll retail at $129.95. If you’re like us and video chats are part of your every day world, or if you’d like to use video more; but need something more versatile, Galileo might just be the ticket.

Does The Chic Dad Recommend?

Absolutely! If you can relate to any of the above the Galileo is going to change what video chats mean to your family. And for the next three days you can grab the Motrr Galileo on Kickstarter for $85, instead of $129.95 at retail. I picked up one the moment I saw it, and I can’t wait to see the look on our relatives’ faces when they can finally keep the camera in front of the kids. I can’t wait for ours to arrive.

Read the original Grab Galileo Before it and its $85 Price Tag are Gone from Kickstarter on Chic Shopper Chick.

From Audrey Grace dancing to music on Spotify to Banks racing around on Mario Kart for his Nintendo 3DS, to Erika and I on the tablets and phones, technology is part of who we are and what we do. Because it’s so core to our lives, we’re always on the lookout for the new gadgets, apps, tech-based toys and learning opportunities. My goal is to help you sift through everything that’s out there to find the best technology for you and your family. I’ll be reviewing and sharing our experiences about the different new technology, apps, games and toys to hopefully help you decide what to pick and what to skip. So without further ado, let’s get started…

What? Wonders of the Universe iPad app / $6.99 / Apple AppStore / BBC & Discovery Channel

What’s Chic? 20 hours of video, stunning photos of the universe, easy-to-understand and beautifully-shot video explanations

What’s Weak? Not much, but if I had to find one, its lack of audience focus makes content tough on kids and leaves adults wanting more

Wonders of the Universe

The new iPad app, Wonders of the Universe, delivers a self-guided tour through our Universe including our solar system, galaxy and beyond. It’s the follow up to the very successful BBC/Discovery Channel mini-series of the same name. Professor Brian Cox returns to guide us through the wonders of the universe, from the sub-atomic to the galactic. The app has over 20 hours of videos and hundreds of images taken of the cosmos that accompany text that explains everything from sub atomic particles to the largest black holes to the beginning of the universe and time itself. Think of it as the space version of the BBC’s The Planet with you in the driver’s seat. The app is available in the iTunes App Store and costs $6.99.

What I love about this app is that it makes space and the concept of our universe accessible and manageable. By breaking out each piece of the puzzle, and then drilling down in greater detail to specific topics it puts the user in control of where and how much time is spent with each subject. Fascinated by nebulae but not sub atomic particles? No problem, get the overview on the quarks and then go nuts learning all about the different nebulae in our galaxy. It’s also easy to pick up and put down. So you can learn a bit about the Andromeda galaxy and then move on to something else.

The content itself is excellent as well. Each video snippet is a compelling nugget of information and Professor Cox, located in various settings to demonstrate his points, is engaging and compelling. He’s like the Mac persona if Bill Nye was the PC Science Guy. Combine those video vignette with amazing captures from space and thoughtful motion-graphic demonstrations, and you have a powerful new way for anyone to grasp the enormity and beauty of the universe we live in.

What’s Chic?

What’s chic about his app is that it’s packed with fascinating photos and videos that are divided up into bite-sized chunks of information, perfect for shorter attention spans of young minds. And by covering a topic as expansive as the universe there is no shortage of interesting topics to dive into for yourself and for your kids. We have a five and six year old, and we’ve watched some of the videos together. It’s great for inspiring the awe and curiosity that makes learning a ton of fun. Plus it’s written in plain English, so it’s easy for even younger readers to work through.

What’s Weak?

The app is really well done; but if I had to nitpick here’s what I’d say: it’s not clear who this app is designed for. Is it for adults? Is it for kids? Is it for teenagers? The content kind of shoots for the middle, so you might find it a bit over the heads of younger kids, and also find it a bit lacking in detail for yourself or high school kids and up. The navigation is a bit tricky too. I’m an experienced iOS user and the multiple swiping, chapters and up/down motions got me turned around the first few times I used it.

Does the Chic Dad Recommend?

I do recommend! At $6.99 it’s expensive as far as apps go, but hey, anything that gets the kiddos interested and excited about science is a win in my book. The stunning photos and explanatory videos, compiled with the wide range of content make it a great primer to the mysteries of the universe and the budding astronaut in your home. If you’re looking to pique your kids’ interests in the cosmos this is a great place to start.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this app to review for free. All opinions are my own.

Read the original “Wonders of the Universe” Delivers Wonderment on the iPad on Chic Shopper Chick.

I remember the day that I discovered picplum very clearly. It was August 19th, and I was flying back to Louisiana for my 29th birthday after having spent 3 weeks in Southern California with my fiance’ and his son. It was actually the last time I would ever fly “home” to Louisiana and I knew that it would be – because 11 days later my daughter and I would officially become residents of California.

I had spent nearly 30 years as a Louisiana resident. My entire life. My 4 year old’s entire life. I was excited for a new adventure. My family was excited for me too, for sure. Even so, there were a lot of tears. Like, a lot. A ton.

I think it was mostly over the fact that my daughter was going with me. Not that they don’t love me or anything, but if you are a parent, or a grandparent you understand the joy that a grandchild brings to a family. You also understand that if said grandchild lived with you for a good year of her life and also came over for dinner at least once a week then that loss hurts even more.

But back to my story. I was sitting in the Dallas airport, waiting on yet another delayed flight, when I saw a tweet from my fiance’ – suggesting that I check out picplum. The idea behind it was that you can upload photos throughout the month – from your phone, your computer, and via email – and on a certain day each month picplum will print and ship that “batch” of photos to addresses that you had previously specified.

I literally read the tweet, went to the picplum website, and pulled out my credit card to sign up. I was totally sold – I could think of no better gift and surprise for my family back home. The idea is simple, 50 cents per print, and starting at $2.50 shipping per recipient. So for under 10 bucks a month, I can print and ship photos to my parents of my daughter, my soon-to-be-son, and occasionally myself and my fiance’. They get everything from photos of the first day of school, to sleepy morning photos, to photos of us all at the pumpkin patch.

Here is what one of my upload pages looks like:

You can see in the top left hand corner that I sent 3 different recipients 19 photos each. I love me some picplum.

As I sat in the airport uploading my photos, I found myself with a few questions. I sent a tweet to @picplum and had a response almost immediately. At other times I’ve been on the site and the live chat has popped out and one of the founders has said “Hey Erika – let me know if you have any questions!”. The customer service is amazing – and the team really cares about building a great product with a clean customer experience. I love to feel special – and the folks at picplum have a way of doing that for me without even trying.

My family loves getting the photos each month – they really look forward to it and I always get elated text messages and phone calls when a new batch arrives. My fiance’ has signed up with his own account and sends photos to family back in Connecticut, Maine, and Florida – and just this month he wised up and added me to his account! I got my first batch in the mail a few weeks ago and I was so impressed! Check it out!

They come in a pretty purple envelope (excuse the iPhone photo – but awesome packaging ftw!):

And the photos are just gorgeous!

Can you tell I just think picplum is the coolest thing since sliced bread? Cause I do. I have nothing to gain from shouting from the rooftops that I love this company – I just think they’re awesome! I am a happy paying customer, and I know that will continue for the foreseeable future!

Because the guys over at picplum know that I’m a happy customer, they offered to giveaway some photo credits here on Chic Shopper Chick – which I thought was a super idea! So, if you want to try out picplum for yourself, enter to win $50 in credit – which should get you several batches of photos printed and shipped!

Don’t want to wait to get started? You can sign up for your picplum account now (and the first 5 people who sign up for picplum through Chic Shopper Chick and print and ship a batch of photos will get $10 in credit towards their next order) and if you win the giveaway, then they will just apply the credit to your account!

One last thing. I want to do a little reverse disclosure here. I am not benefiting through this write up whatsoever. I am not getting any free product, and I am not being paid by picplum. The link that you click above is not an affiliate link – it’s simply a tracking link so that we can keep track of the first 5 orders (and know who to credit the $10 to). The guys at picplum simply offered this to do this though my site because I am a crazy fan and have been vocal about my support of the company from day one.

Ok, so now the good stuff. To enter:

• Go over and click like on the picplum Facebook page. Leave a comment letting me know that you did so.

Read the original Picplum: The Perfect Gift For The Holidays {A Giveaway} on Chic Shopper Chick.

Thanks for checking out my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! Be sure to check out Our Ordinary Life and Mommy Mandy for more great gift ideas!

* * *

I am engaged to the world’s hottest man. He also happens to be a bit of a tech-geek, which to me, makes him even better looking.

So, when RCA approached Kristin, Amanda, and I with this cool little slice of awesomeness for consideration in our Holiday Gift Guide, I knew we just had to include it. In our house we have 2 iPhones, 2 MacBook Pros, 2 Kindles, a Nintendo DS, a MiFi port, a PS3, and XBox 360 with Kinect, a Motorola Xoom, and an iPad 2. Can you tell we have a few things that need charging?

The first of these two awesome products is the RCA USB Wall Plate Charger which effectively converts any standard outlet into a USB outlet. It allows you to have 2 USB ports as well as still have one of your regular outlets.

RCA USB Wall Plate Charger:

• Turns any standard outlet into a USB outlet
• Allows access to the other standard power outlet via pass through
• Charges quickly
• Charges 2 smartphones or 1 tablet at the same time
• Optimized 2.1 amp outlet for iPad

The second of the two products is the RCA USB Wall Charger. This genius product charges super fast, with full-speed charging for 2 smartphones at the same time or 1 tablet. My favorite part about this one is that it is portable, but also provides a spot for you to rest your gadget on. The clip rotates so that it will fit almost any outlet (how frustrating are the ones that are installed sideways, or upside down?!) and still hold said gadget while it charges.

RCA USB Wall Charger:

• Converts any 110V AC outlet into 2 USB charging outlets
• 2 Amp USB power for full-speed charging of 2 smartphones or 1 tablet
• Holds your gadget with ease
• Charger rotates 90 or 180 degrees to accommodate any plug orientation
• USB charger includes cover so it is perfect for home or travel

Read the original Holiday Gift Guide: RCA USB Wall Charger and Wall Plate on Chic Shopper Chick.

When it arrived in all of its shiny, new, sleek glory, I felt myself get all tingly. I carefully read the instructions, and then pressed the power button and watched my Xoom spring to life. The honeycomb (the Android 3.0 operating system – which has been optimized for tablets) is pretty incredible.

I’m a heavy user of the suite of Google products, so an android-based tablet was definitely the way to go for me. I was thrilled to see that my Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Docs, and ahem even Google + were all easily accessible from the Xoom. I manage almost all of my editorial calendars this way, as well as share ideas with colleagues, access information on various campaigns, and keep track of all of my invoicing with the Google suite. Accessing them all with the Xoom has made my life even easier.

Of course, the Xoom isn’t all business. It kept my busy social calendar organized while I was at BlogHer11, making sure that I knew exactly where I was supposed to be at all times (and also giving me an excuse to politely duck out of conversations that were taking a bit too long – the calendar on my Xoom would pop up and I’d apologetically show it to whomever I was speaking with as I said my goodbyes and dashed off. My apologies if you were one of those people – let’s just say I am not good at exits.)

I’m also obsessed with the app “Pulse” which was recommended to me by the good folks at Motorola. Pulse is a customizable news aggregator and it ROCKS. It makes it so much easier to keep up with the important things in life – you know like the upcoming Kardashian wedding, for one.

Of course, my daughter and future step-son have found their own use for my Motorola Xoom. So much so, as a matter of fact, that my fiance’ looked at me the other day and said “We’re going to have to buy another Xoom”. He may be right, because there is lots of Cutting of the Rope, Fruit Ninjaing, and Angry Birds flying across the screen on a daily basis. Oh and air hockey. And pool. And yes, I let our 4 and 5 year old play pool on the Xoom. I consider it a part of our preschool aged college-prep program. ;)

Also, this may sound cheesy but I was so very thankful for our Xoom on a 4-times and 5-hours delayed airport layover – mostly because it kept my 4 year old daughter happy. Which, in turn, makes me VERY happy.

Did I mention that the Xoom has some pretty cool video capabilities? Check out this adorable video of my daughter singing happy birthday to me – all shot and uploaded in under 5 minutes on my Xoom.

Gosh I love that kid.

So anyway, as you have probably realized by now, I’m a huge fan of the Xoom, and not just because it showed up on my doorstep, but because it really does rock. I am certainly the envy of my tablet-less fiance’ as he sits on the couch in the evenings with his big, bulky laptop and I flick through the latest celebrity gossip, tweet, and answer emails from my slim little Motorola Xoom. Come to think of it, I think he’s right, we will need another Xoom…I just don’t think it will end up being for the kids. ;)

Disclosure: I have a working relationship with Motorola and this was a sponsored post.

Read the original Xoom, Xoom, Xoom with Motorola on Chic Shopper Chick.

So this year, skip the mall, head online and make your Dad beam with pride. Oh, and if you have any other great suggestions share them in the comments. The more ideas Erika has the better, right? ;)

FitBit – If the Dad in your life is an exercise fan, a geek or just needs to be motivated to get off the couch and regain a little spring in their step, the FitBit is the perfect gift. Clip it on your belt and you get the number of calories burned, the steps you’ve taken and the mileage you’ve traveled. Plus, wear FitBit at night and it’ll track your sleep efficiency. But wait, there’s more! The online dashboards, goal setting modules, friend connections and community are really where FitBit starts to shine. At just under $100, it’s a great gift for Dad – just be sure he doesn’t throw it in the wash!

Dyson Air Multiplier Bladeless Fan – Our family is a fan family, and to this day my Dad can’t sleep without a fan on. So if you’re looking to geek out on the latest in fan tech, skip the Vornado and head straight for the Dyson. It’s the first bladeless fan, which means it has a beautiful design and an even better wind stream to keep Dad cool while he catches some deserved mid-afternoon zzz’s.

Netflix Streaming Subscription – Some, ok me, might say that the gifts that keep on giving are the best of all. Because while a new gadget or shirt is nice, a subscription service gives Dad the ultimate – choice – every day of the year. Netflix streaming packages are less than $10/month and give Dad instant access to tens-of-thousands of movie titles and TV shows straight from his iPad, Xbox, iPhone, Android phone, Internet-enabled TV or computer. If you think your Dad will scratch his head at the gift, just tell him he can now watch every episode of Cheers ever made, back-to-back. Trust me, he’ll get it.

Audible.com – Another great subscription, especially for dad’s that are on the go. Remember books on tape? Well, imagine the Amazon for audio books that you play on your phone or iPod. In fact, Amazon owns Audible, and with a subscription you can guarantee Dad a new book title every month. There are thousands of books including the top Amazon and New York Times Bestsellers. It’s a book, a month, all year. To a bibliophile there is nothing better.

Apps for the iPhone – Sure Dad has the iPhone, but when you stare at his home screen and see that he only has the basic apps and Angry Birds you die a little on the inside. There is clearly a whole world of apps out there that are waiting to bring his iPhone to life. The easiest way to do this is to buy an iTunes gift card, and then sit down with him and pick a few out to get started. Then he’ll have some cash left over to buy a few on his own. Here are a few of my favorites: Path, Instagram, AutoStitch, Plants vs. Zombies, QuickOffice, MLB At-Bat, Skype, Simplenote, NBA Jam. Get him started with those gems and then get ready to hear “I didn’t know it could do that!” clear on through to next Father’s Day.

The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun – Thanks to Erika, I own both Geek Dad and the latest from Ken Denmead, The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun: Cool Hacks, Cutting Edge Games and More Awesome Projects for the Whole Family. Denmead, who writes for Wired’s blog of the same name, has assembled a collection of geeky projects that dads and kids can do together. The projects are fun, inexpensive and range in difficulty, making it perfect for any dad with kids 5 – 13. My son and I have made LED fireflies and are working on PVC Nerf blow dart guns next. I can’t wait till he’s a bit older to break out the soldering gun and bring our Legos to life. If the dad in your life is a geek, and you want to inspire the inner-geek in your kid, pick up these books. They’re tons of fun.

Bonobos Clothes – Walk into most retailers and the men’s section is roughly the size of a half-bathroom with few, if any, selections that really inspire. So instead of choosing from slim pickings, head on over to the online clothing store MADE for MEN, Bonobos, and pick up some stylish threads built to fit dad to a T. I particularly like the vintage sports tees. But everything they have is amazing – pants, shorts, suits, you name it.

Nook Color – I’m a Kindle guy, but I can’t help but jealously eye those Nook Colors. The Nook Color is more like a tablet than a stand alone e-reader. You can send email, surf the web, play Angry Birds, oh yeah, and read! At $249 it’s half the cost of the iPad and still a great geeky gift for your gadget-loving Dad.

A Magazine Subscription – Whether it’s Wired, Rolling Stone or The Economist, you can’t go wrong with a subscription that keeps Dad in the know. Grab a copy off the news stand so you have something to give, and tell him it comes with at least 12 more just like it. Thoughtful, easy, inexpensive. Win.

iPad 2 - Its predecessor topped my Dad’s Day list last year, and now, more than ever, it’s the ultimate gift for a geeky dad. You’ve seen the ads, you know the deal. If you’re looking for a true statement gift, this is it. I shouldn’t need to say much more.

Tickets to a Ballgame – There’s nothing quite like being at a ballgame with your Dad. Remember the first one you went to? Kind of felt like magic, right? But with ticket prices so high, who can afford it anymore? Well you can if you use ScoreBig. Like a Priceline for sports, concert and theater tickets, you save up to 60% off the retail price. With ScoreBig, you decide how much you want to pay for tickets, plus there are never any fees and every ticket is 100% guaranteed. It’s members only right now, but luckily I work there, so here’s a special invite to skip the waiting list and get in now. Why not grab a couple of tickets to the game for you and your pops? And if he’s more of a rocker, you can rock out at a concert of your choice instead.

L.A. Noire – If you have a gamer in the house this is one of the two must-have games on the list for this year. Made by the legendary game shop Rockstar Games, this title takes you back to 1940’s Los Angeles, where you play a detective in a giant game of ‘who dunnit?’ where things aren’t what they seem and characters change allegiances and stories at the drop of a hat. Definitely one to play after the kids are in bed. The stunning graphics, expansive world and nuanced stories make this a winner.

Portal 2 – The other blockbuster game of the year. If your Dad is more of a problem-solving puzzle master, ditch Sudoku and get him this mind bender. In a game that is more mind power than fire power, your Dad’s smarts will be put to the test as he tries to defeat the evil GLaDOS. It’s been called the most anticipated game of 2011 – trust me, your Dad will thank you for it.

Xbox Kinect – And while we’re speaking of games, we can’t forget the next-gen sensation that is the Xbox Kinect. Ditch the controller and get off the couch with Kinect’s body-controlled interface. If your Dad liked Minority Report, he’ll love this. Use your hands and body to navigate characters through games, truly putting you in the middle of the action. With titles for him and the whole family, Kinect takes the idea of the Wii to the next level.

Adidas Rod Laver – I love Zappos. With free 48 hour shipping and 365 days to make a return, you can’t go wrong. Add on top of that the world’s largest collection of clothing and shoes and you’ve got a winner in my book. I’m a fan of the Adidas Rod Laver. Classic, understated and cool. They work just as well in the office as they do on the weekend. Keep Dad young and hip with a pair of these. You’ll see a spring in his step in no time.

A Cool Watch – Nothing adds geek cred like a conversation-starting watch. But skip the Timex and grab one of these cool watches. While Hipsters may go for the calculator watch, add a bit more class and go for the subtle nod to geekdom with the Cadence 4-bit Chronoraph. With a July launch you’ll need to let him know it’s coming, but it’ll be worth the wait. It’s clean design says “I know what’s up” rather than “I’m a follower”. After all, that calculator watch lost it’s cool when it ended up in Urban Outfitters.

Altec Octiv Mini – I’ve been using this since last Father’s Day and it’s been my most used gadget ever since. Part iPhone charger, part alarm clock, part sound system, this little gem is where my iPhone goes at night, and wakes me up with tunes of my choice. The small footprint doesn’t take away from the great sound it gives music on your phone. So toss that old alarm clock and upgrade to the Altec Octiv Mini.

Beats by Dre – Not only do they carry the name of the most influential Hip Hop artist of our generation, they also get rave reviews for their clear highs and clean bass. I recommend the Solo HDs. They sound great and they just look cool. They’re not cheap, but if your dad spends a bunch of time on the train, subway or plane, hook him up with some sonic enjoyment.

Countertop garden – Bring a little Zen to Dad’s life with a desk or counter top garden. Trust me, he’ll love playing Daniel-son and reliving the hundreds of times he watched the Karate Kid. These cool planters are clean, easy to maintain and bring some natural beauty to any cubicle or counter top.

These Guys Have All the Fun – The ESPN Book – Give Dad 700+ pages of the inside scoop to his favorite network. This tell all includes the sometimes sordid and messy details of life at ESPN behind the scenes of SportsCenter. From the writers who brought you the New York Times bestselling look behind Saturday Night Live, this book will give Dad all he ever wanted to know about the Worldwide Leader and more.

So that’s a wrap for this year’s gift guide. Have any great suggestions? Add them in the comments. And remember, every one of these gifts is better when it comes with a big hug and an “I love you Dad.” Trust me, we’re a sucker for those, every time.

Read the original Father’s Day Gift Guide 2011 Edition on Chic Shopper Chick.

Here is the story, in short form.

I already have a large upright vacuum that I use on my rugs and the carpet in the bedroom. The DC 35 was chillin’ and charging in the corner and I had 2 hours until I had to leave to pick up my fiance’ at the airport. Time to vacuum, right? Wrong, My upright vacuum cleaner would just NOT work. I couldn’t get it to recline. Out of desperation, I put the extension on the DC 35 and turned it on. I vacuumed my entire house with it in 13 minutes flat with full-blow suction the whole time. And we’re not just talking a so-so vacuuming experience, we are talking SERIOUSLY clean.

It even sucked up a few rogue cheetos from under the couch. Remind me to thank my 4 year old for that one.

Check out the video, and tell me that you aren’t dying to have a Dyson Digital Slim DC 35 of your very own? I thought so!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Walmart as a part of my role in the Walmart Moms. All opinions are, and always have been, my own.

Read the original Dyson Digital Slim DC35: A Lifesaver on Chic Shopper Chick.

Not long after they came to me yet again with the Dyson DC28 Animal – which has become my go-to vacuum cleaner to this day. The problem is that as much as I love it for it’s power, it’s a whole lot of machine to drag out of the closet for the little jobs – the baseboards, the kitchen floor, etc.

Enter the Dyson DC35 digital slim vacuum – a powerful vacuum that doesn’t lose suction and is both cordless and portable – but yet does so much more than a run-of-the-mill handheld vacuum.

I’m going to be reviewing the DC35 more in-depth as a part of my role in the Walmart Moms, but in the meantime check out this video made just for the Walmart Moms by an engineer at Dyson – this is one sweet little machine! Bonus: the engineer in the video, Jo, has the cutest accent in the world, so it makes it even more fun to watch!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Walmart as a part of my role in the Walmart Moms. All opinions are, and always have been, my own.

Read the original The Dyson DC35: Digital, Slim, Powerful on Chic Shopper Chick.

An update on the cooking part: last week I tried to make Spaghetti Squash as a part of an asian-noodle inspired dish. I did everything properly, and I think the squash turned out ok…but the dish was a disaster. Horrible. Smelled up my entire kitchen. Trying again for something healthy this week, but with a bit more trepidation.

An update on the health stuff: I started taking vitamins for my hair, nails, and skin because my nails have been so brittle lately and my hair is definitely suffering from this cold winter! For snacks, I have bought some of the Yoplait light yogurt (you HAVE to try the red velvet!) to have every day as well as some Frigo Cheese Head Light Cheese Sticks, and I’ve been sticking to my whole-wheat english muffins with Smart Balance peanut butter on them or a bowl of Cheerios in the mornings. The rest of the day I’m usually out and about, but if I’m home I enjoy some of the Marketplace Organic Salad with my homemade dressing drizzled on top.

Oh, and I’ve lost 3 lbs this week! I’ve been drinking a lot more water and I noticed that it always comes off the fastest in the first week. I’m looking forward to meeting my 15 lb goal sooner rather than later! I’ve been using the health and fitness tools from Walmart, and they have really helped to keep me on track and keep me away from candy and cookies.

Thanks to my friends at Walmart, I’m able to workout more frequently thanks to the Kinect and Xbox 360. What suggestions do you have for me as far as games go? I hope to share with you my fitness progress in the next post! Share your ideas with me in the comments!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Walmart as a part of my role in the Walmart Moms.All opinions are, and always have been, my own.

Read the original New Year’s Heath Goals – An Update on Chic Shopper Chick.

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I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but my daughter is perfect.

And no, bias means nothing to me. She is simply perfect.

My sweet baby girl is growing up so fast – she’s well past three and a half years old and I can hardly believe it. She is my only daughter, my only child and that very well could be a final count. When she was born, the poor thing probably though she was being attacked by the paparazzi. I took over 1,000 photos of her first week alone. Sometimes I would just lay her on a blanket, or prop her up on the sofa for impromptu photo shoots – I wanted to remember every single moment of her life and I was so afraid it would all slip away so quickly. Of course, now when I look at the photos of the first few months of her life, I can barely remember those days so I feel like all of the time spent behind a camera was probably worth it.

Then my iBook crashed, and it crashed hard. It started throwing out kernel panics like they were candy and before I could do anything to recover – it was all over. When my Mac crashed, it took all of my photos and documents with it. I lost so many precious photos of my sweet baby girl – moments that I worked so hard to capture that still managed to slip away in mere seconds. Honestly, I was heartbroken in a way that I thought was reserved for lovesick 16 year olds. I had backed up my computer 2 months before, but I had lost the 2 months of photos that I had taken in between backups – two months out of the 18 that my daughter had been on this earth – and to me, that was significant. The external drive that I was using for backups was big and bulky and I was sharing it with multiple computers; backing up my computer seemed tedious and pointless – my computer would never crash like that, right?

Wrong. Lesson learned.

Collective Bias recently offered me the opportunity to review the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro – a 750 GB external hard drive for both PC and Mac. After my photo snafu, and because my iTunes/Gossip Girl addiction has totally filled up my computer’s hard drive, I JUMPED at the opportunity to take one of these sleek looking drives for a ride. Let me just say – I LOVE it. Here’s why:

1. At 750 GB, it has more space than the hard drive on my computer, meaning I can hopefully extend the life of my Mac (save for any Kernel Panics like above) by freeing up space on my hard drive.
2. It’s super portable (unlike the giant bulky one I had used in the past) – it fits nicely in the neoprene organizer that I carry all of my power cords and accessories in when I travel, so I never have to travel without the data and photos on my external drive – so it really works like an extension of my computer, which is wonderful.
3. It comes with a USB 2.0 dock plus a USB 2.0 cable to sync and backup my data, but I can also upgrade it to use a Firewire cable, a USB 3.0, or eSATA just by pairing it with the proper cable. For my fellow tech geeks, you know I’m now speaking your language.
4. It’s sexy! Yes, external hard drives can be sexy and the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro is proof. After all, the name of my site is Chic Shopper Chick – you didn’t think I’d get away without pointing out how sleek this looks sitting on my desk, did you?
5. It’s easy. Encryption software comes pre-loaded on the drive, as well as a driver for the Mac. It’s also compatible with a PC, if that’s what you’re into. :)

Plus, it allows me to store all of the documents for my business, as well as 3.5 years worth of photos from Audrey Grace’s life – like these:

Those are definitely memories worth preserving, right?

Thanks to Collective Bias and Seagate, I have a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro to give away to one of my lucky readers. To enter to win, all you have to do is leave a comment saying why you’d like to win (“I wanna win” and “pick me” don’t count!) in the comments below. For an extra entry, feel free to subscribe to my email list (box at the top right hand section of my site), subscribe to my YouTube Channel, or tweet out this contest to your Twitter followers by clicking the button in this post!

This contest will run from October 19, 2010 to October 31st, 2010 and will end at 11:59 pm CST. No purchase necessary to win, and a winner will be chosen at random. If the winner does not respond to emails within 72 hours of notification, then another winner will be chosen.

Read the original Seagate Makes Hard Drives Chic {Giveaway CLOSED} on Chic Shopper Chick.

* * *

With Father’s Day right around the corner it’s always fun to dream of those ideal gifts that you’d love to get as a Dad. Us dads love to think of all the gadgets and toys we’d rather get than the inevitable new tie – that safety blanket for loved ones who think that “Dad is impossible to shop for.” Well, I’m here to speak for all dads when I say we’re not that hard to shop for. Especially the geeky kind, like me. And to prove it I’ve listed the top five gifts on my wishlist for this Father’s Day. Hopefully you’ll find some inspiration for your gift to Dad here. If I can save just one dad from getting another tie, my work here will be done. So with that, let’s get started!

The iPad (varies $499 – $729)
This is the priciest item on the list, but let’s face it, it’s the coolest gadget out there at the moment. If you’ve got a dad that travels for work consider the 3G version which gives him Internet access no matter where he is. It’ll be a gift for the whole family too, with games, books and video, there is something for everyone on this thing. Now that I think about it, you might need to pick up two.

SuperDad T-Shirt ($9)
We love to feel loved. And nothing says love like this SuperDad t-shirt in the original Superman font. It makes us feel super-cool, and at $9 you can’t go wrong. We don’t want to pat ourselves on the back, but it sure feels good to know that the people that we love think the world of us. (Note: Tee Fury t-shirts are only available for a day at a time. So, if you miss out on the SuperDad shirt you can always give dad this awesome 1-Up shirt and pay homage to his childhood superheros, Mario and Luigi.)

Geek Dad Book ($8.80)
Let’s face it, we all spend too much time in front of the TV, computer or video game system. Geek Dad is a book filled with fun ideas that dads can do with kids. They’re fun and educational and create some great bonding moments between father and son or daughter. Some of the activities include building the best slip ‘n slide ever and how to transform any room into a spaceship. Good times!

MAKE Magazine Subscription ($34.95)
If you’ve got a dad that’s the handy type consider getting him a subscription to MAKE magazine. Filled with tons of DIY (do-it-yourself) projects, this magazine will keep even the biggest tinkerer occupied year round. And the projects are cool too, like building a cat toy that updates Twitter when the cat pounces. It’s really the gift that gives year round.

National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There Pledge (FREE)
The NWF’s new Be Out There pledge is a pledge that families can take to spend more time outside with their kids. Plus they have great activity suggestions for the outdoors and a free newsletter you can sign up for to receive tips and ideas throughout the year. Take the pledge together and pair it with a season pass to your local parks and you’ll have a year’s worth of adventures awaiting you on any given weekend.

Bonus – Star Wars Cookie Cutter and Pancake Molds ($19.95)
Here’s a bonus idea that you can buy and use on Father’s Day. Grab these cool Star Wars cookie and pancake molds and surprise Dad with breakfast in bed. Nothing says love like Darth Vader and Yoda pancakes. Plus they’ll make for cool cookies and pancakes for the rest of the Star Wars fans in your family year round.

So there you have it, 6 ideas for dads that go above and beyond the traditional (and tired) tie. I hope these give you some inspiration for this Father’s Day and make your SuperDad’s day.

Read the original Father’s Day Gift Ideas: For The Cool, The Geek, The Superdad on Chic Shopper Chick.