Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone Features Stop Motion Camera Family Fun for Every Season

Technology

This is a compensated post

1st in a Series of 3 Posts on the New Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone

Regular readers know that I frequently test and share how I'm using the newest smartphones provided to me as a Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger #VZWBuzz brand ambassador. During 2013 so far, these cool mobile devices have included the Nokia Lumia 822 Windows Smartphone, the HTC Droid DNA, and most recently the BlackBerry Z10. Now I'm going to tell you about the fabulous new Samsung Galaxy S4 that I received at the recent Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger Conference hosted by the company on their Irvine, California campus.

Samsung Galaxy S4 in white that I received, MommyBlogExpert.com

Smartphones should be practical, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 definitely is a workhorse for working professionals like me. 

But this mobile device also offers some of the funnest family-friendly camera features I've experienced yet. Not only can you shoot video and still images using the front and rear-facing lenses at the same time so you can capture your reaction when your child scores on the field. There's something more: a stop motion function that you access via this phone's Drama Mode.

Screenshot of Samsung Galaxy S4 Screen Mode

In the stop motion image shot at BlogHer 2013 below, you can see how this works. While focusing on a still background this camera function tracked my continuous movement, running through the streets of Chicago earlier this summer, capturing a single image with five fluid consecutive action shots of me racing through the Windy City.

Truth be told: this photo was taken indoors over about 5 seconds by the Samsung team at BlogHer against a giant city landscape background at McCormick Center where the conference was held but that really is me running to demonstrate the stop motion action. In fact, I ran and walked an average of 10 miles per day at this conference -- more than any of the other 6,000 women bloggers at this conference -- and won the Coca-Cola Steps to Wellness Challenge!

As soon as I got home from Chicago, my oldest son couldn't stop talking about how he's looking forward to test driving this piece on mobile wizardry on our annual family ski week vacation this winter. I don't want to wait till January, though, so I'm planning on capturing some Drama Mode images this fall at my kids' sports competitions. Come to think of it, this will be great to use on our next family zip lining adventure, too.

This device comes in white and black carries a list price of $599.99 but right now you can snap up a Samsung Galaxy S4 for only $199.99 with a two year Verizon contract commitment. This advanced smartphone is also available for $0 down and $24.99/month on the recently unveiled Verizon Edge plan.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger brand ambassador and that I received the product featured to facilitate this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Koala Kid Anti-Bullying Message Appeals to Kids

Movies

MBE partnered with 20th Century Fox for this post

Koala Kid Kids Movie Review

Despite all the positive messaging in schools and media, according to NAAAS.org, one in four kids is being bullied regularly. Because bullying continues to be such a serious problem, we need to do even more to reach kids early when they are young to help fight it. Rising to the occasion is recently-released Koala Kid, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. This animated action comedy movie is the story of an endearing rare white koala bear that seeks acceptance among his animal peers in the Australian Outback, wanting to fit in more than anything else in the world.

 

Koala Kid DVD, Image from Fox Home Entertainment

My daughter and I had the opportunity to view this charming movie at a fun pre-release screening event hosted by Fox at the Los Angeles Zoo which also included an educational and fun private tour of the koala enclosure with a very knowledgable docent. 

Me at L.A. Zoo Koala Kid Event, MommyBlogExpert.com

We learned lots about Koalas, MommyBlogExpert.com

And saw a Koala, too, MommyBlogExpert.com

Koala Kid, which has a run time of 86 minutes, succeeds on multiple levels. It entertains young kids, but it also teaches them the concept of friendship and acceptance, about how to embrace others who are a little different, rather than exclude them.

View the official Koala Kid trailer to see the cute characters




The film features some big names voicing the characters including Rob Schneider, who plays Johnny the white koala bear, Tim Curry, Alan Cumming, and Jenni Pulos, the voice of Charlotte the Koala. From what I could tell, the movie is rated PG primarily because there are a few hurtful things that are said to Johnny and there's a scary scene or two. I don't any problems with young kids watching this, but each parent needs to decide for yourself if it's okay for your child to view this.

During the hosted Media Day we were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Pulos, who was on hand to talk with a small group of mom and dad bloggers about how Koala Kid gets the anti-bullying message across and some simple things kids can do if they are being bullied or know someone else who is.

My daughter, Jenni Pulos, Me, MommyBlogExpert.com

The Koala Kid DVD, released on April 30, 2013, is exclusively available at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club with a list price of $22.98.

FTC Disclosure: I disclose that I am a Fox Home Entertainment Insider brand ambassador and that I was invited to this Fox-hosted event as well as received the DVD featured to facilitate this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Model Brand Ambassador Influencer Program Verizon Lifestyle Blogger Network #VZWBuzz

Brand Ambassador

This is a compensated post

If you are either a brand or a blogger who has ever wondered what makes a brand ambassador program a win-win for everyone involved, keep reading. In this post I'm going to give you a behind the scenes look at the Verizon Lifestyle Blogger program which is now in it's second full year of operation.

Me w/ friends at Verizon TimeShift Party, Chicago, Image by WellconnectedMom.com

Organized by Monica Vila, TheOnlineMom, I'm proud to be a charter lifestyle blogging member of this growing network of influencers which started in 2012. 

Our eclectic group includes celebrity bloggers like Ann Tran, tech savvy mom bloggers like me representing MommyBlogExpert, Robyn Wright of RobynsWorld, and Jacqueline Cromwell of NerdMom and others; dad bloggers such as Paul O'Reilly, TheTechDad; as well as men and women bloggers without children.

The BlackBerry Z10 I reviewed for Verizon, MommyBlogExpert.com 

Monica Vila, foreground, w/ Twitter Party team, MommyBlogExpert.com

We bloggers serve a kaleidoscope of different readerships, for sure. But what we all have in common is a deep passion for Verizon, a love of technology, and a driving desire to keep up to date on the company's latest wireless mobile innovations.

Me with Ann Tran at our Irvine conference, MommyBlogExpert.com

My latest Verizon smartphone, MommyBlogExpert.com

Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers do lots of different things to learn about Verizon's wireless products and services. We get scoops on major company news before it goes public and have many hands-on experiences testing the coolest smart phones, cameras, tablets and other new wireless products and accessories. But our network also gives us the opportunity to get to know the brilliant minds at Verizon (as well as to be a sounding board for some of their new ideas), have access to the company's top executives, participate in Twitter parties, to interact with fellow brand ambassadors IRL and online and so much more.

MommyBlogExpert.com

MommyBlogExpert.com

Among my favorite aspects of the #VZWBuzz program are the periodic face-to-face meetings with the brand and blogger team including both the Lifestyle Blogger conferences we've had at Verizon Wireless Irvine, California West Coast Headquarters and the Verizon Application Innovation Center in San Francisco. 

MommyBlogExpert.com

MommyBlogExpert.com

MommyBlogExpert.com

In just the past few months alone, we've also gotten to socialize and learn from the brand at intimate events at mega conferences like BlogHer and International CES.

MommyBlogExpert.com

MommyBlogExpert.com

MommyBlogExpert.com

All of this has lead to a wonderful synergy that has enabled each blogger in our group to create great content for our individual blog audiences as well as to develop some deep and lasting friendships with some of the smartest people I've ever met both on the brand and blogger sides. 

MommyBlogExpert.com

That, in a nutshell, is an overview of what the Verizon Lifestyle Blogger program is all about. It's a model I think that a lot of other brands might consider emulating to successfully reach and engage consumer audiences through social media.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger and serving in this capacity I have received various products as well as all expenses paid trips to attend Verizon blogger conferences. However, opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

50th Anniversary MLK I Have a Dream Speech - Dr. Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963

History

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's historic and inspiring I Have a Dream speech at the March on Washington addressing every American.

MLK Delivering I Have a Dream Speech, Image from National Geographic

Dr. King opened his speech on that sweltering August 28, 1963 day on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC by saying, "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." 

Today, in 2013, I have no doubt that Dr. King is smiling down at us all from heaven seeing how his dream has turned into reality and how far Civil Rights have come. 

To commemorate this important day in American history, I invite you to watch and listen to the original I Have A Dream in it's entirety right now. I know I'm even more moved by those words today than I was when I was 7 years old watching this speech live on my family's black and white TV back in the summer of 1963.



This is the ultimate example that dreams can and do come true! Thank you Dr. King for touching so many generations with your passionate and heartfelt words.

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation in exchange for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Nestlé Crunch Reinvents Girl Scout Cookies As Retro & Modern Chocolate Candy Treat

Good Food
Giveaway details below, Ends 9/1/13

This is a compensated post

Have you tried Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars yet?  Better hurry, because these limited edition candy bars – a modern interpretation of the iconic Girl Scout Cookie merged with the classic Nestle Crunch candy bar – are only available during the summer at participating retail stores. That means fans have less than a month left to enjoy them.

Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Thin Mint Candy Bar, MommyBlogExpert.com

I'm a Baby Boomer with many fond memories as a Girl Scout and of selling Girl Scout Cookies door to door back in the day. When I tried these delicious wafer cookie-candy treats recently it brought back sweet memories of my three favorite Girl Scout Cookie varieties which in the 1960s were known as Thin Mints, Savannahs (Peanut Butter Creme) and Samoas (Coconut with a ripple of chocolate). Luckily today, these three personal picks are also the public's most popular, which is why they were selected for the contemporary product line.

My 1960s Vintage Girl Scout Sash w/ Badges, MommyBlogExpert.com

Whether you are hopelessly nostalgic like me or have never enjoyed a Girl Scout cookie before, you are going to love these if you are a cookie and candy afficianado. No wonder these delectable treats were awarded the 2012 “Best New Product” by Better Homes & Gardens and "Best Brand Extension" by Adweek when they first were introduced. I'm not surprised that they were certified this year as a “national treasure” by the American Collectibles Museum shortly after they became available again in May 2013, either.

Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Shipping Box, MommyBlogExpert.com

Cutest USB media kit (top) I've ever received, MommyBlogExpert.com

Following those dubious honors, Nestlé Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars -- which are certified kosher OU -- became the focus of a fun National Treasure Trade competition this summer which ends this week. You won't believe what some people would be willing to trade for these rare little gems. Fans have literally gone wild, offering to exchange everything from a St. Augustine beach vacation, collectible cars, engagement rings to even their precious family pets just to get their hands on some of these candies.

GIVEAWAY

Here's your chance to win these yummy products just for helping to select the winners. 

You can check out the 40 National Treasure Trade finalists and vote for your favorite on the Nestle Crunch Facebook page until September 1, 2013. The winning trade entrants will win Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars and other fun prizes. Best of all, just by voting YOU are entered to win three boxes of these scrumptious cookie candy creations!

Vote NOW for Chance to Win!

Nestlé Crunch® Girl Scout Candy Bars Collection, Image by Nestlé

About Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA, founded in 1912, is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

Nestlé Crunch Supports Girl Scouts, Image from Nestlé 

About Nestlé USA

Named one of “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for 16 consecutive years, Nestlé provides a wide variety of quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. Nestlé USA, with 2012 sales of $10 billion, is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2012 sales of $98 billion.  For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I received the products and USB featured to facilitate this review. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Retro HiFi Stereo Wood Cabinet System

Giveaway

Enter to WIN A Complete Home Audio System 
Valued at $379 that plays 

• Old-fashioned vinyl records 
• CDs 
• AM/FM Radio
• MP3s via USB

Features classic retro styling, built in hi-fi speakers and handcrafted wood cabinet.

Entry Deadline 
September 30, 2013

FTC Disclosure: See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

From Summer to Back to School SAT Prep

Teen Tuesday
by Rebecca Elspas, Teen Blogger

Bittersweet. Just like the chocolate, but in this case, bittersweet is how I feel about school starting. It's all great to see your school friends again and learn new things, but freedom and leisure is not an option anymore.

Me in San Diego on last day of Summer Camp

This fall I am entering what many people call the most prestigious grade: 11^th. Having an older brother starting college this fall, I already know this year is going to be all about the SATs this, the SATs that. Really, I’m in for the ride, to do my best while also enjoying my high school years before they end. 

So I have some helpful lifesaving academic, beauty and health tips for other high schoolers -- from incoming freshman on up -- that helped me get this far.

First, and I cannot stress this enough, always be prepared.

That means get your binders and books in advance to beat any last minute rushes. Unless you have a uniform, you should also always pick out your outfit the night before. That's because in the morning, if you are a night owl like me, you will be cranky. Trust me -- you'll end up feeling so unhappy with your last-minute wardrobe choices at some point during the school day. You might even suddenly realize your outfit doesn’t match at all or fit the day's weather (been there, done that).

Image from CollegeBoard.org

If you are planning on taking the SATs anytime soon, of course you'll want to get an SAT test prep book and maybe sign up for a online or in-person review course. But I also highly recommend visiting the CollegeBoard's free Official SAT QOTD Page which you can access directly or via @SATQuestion on Twitter and answering the daily multiple choice questions they post like I've been doing.

Another academic tip—procrastinating sucks, and so many people say you just need to “stop,” which is easier said than done. Like smoking, you can’t just stop all of a sudden, it’s a gradual process. So if you feel like joining the procrastinators club, hold off and do a little bit of the assignment every day, don’t do it all in one sitting. When the night before the due date comes,  your assignment will only have a little left to do.

Beauty. Okay, this one sounds impossible, but my tip is just do your best to stay clean. Stress, heat, P.E. class, and puberty make you sweaty, so I suggest bringing a travel-sized deodorant (spray might be easier to apply discreetly) during the day when you’ve worked up a sweat. And don’t forget your to pop some other essentials into your backpack: a small bottle of perfume (I have Fantasies) and dry shampoo for those “oily hair days but no time for a shower.” Definitely, also carry some sort of antibacterial -- a small bottle of Purell or a little pack of baby wipes works great -- because truthfully, you never know.

Work your hardest, eat healthy, exercise, maintain good hygiene, reduce stress, have a social life, (but limit Facebook), and be grateful for what you have.

There you have it: an awesome year of high school, You can do it!

A dog reading at LA Times Book Festival

Shoutout to all the incoming freshman. BTW, Yes, the movies are true. The entire school really does sing and dance in sync during lunch—jk. Actually high school lunches are a bit calmer when Sharpay and Ryan aren't around. 

Comment & Connect

Have some thoughts about the back-to-high school routine or the SAT prep grind? I'd love to hear from you and so would all my readers, so feel free to please share what's on your mind with a comment on this post or Tweet me @RebElspas. If you're not already, I invite you to follow me on Twitter.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was exchanged in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Avoid Back-to-School Working Mom Meltdown

Family Work Balance

Surviving the September Meltdown 

Guest Post By Teresa Taylor 

Author of The Balance Myth: Rethinking Work - Life Success

How to Avoid a Back-to-School Mommy Meltdown at Work

Summer is coming to an end, and the kids are going back to school. As a working mom, you would think this would be a relief and allow the family to go back to a familiar routine. Order should return to the household. Right?

Teresa Taylor

MBE partnered with the publisher, post contains affiliate links

Balance Myth Nope. In fact, it is the beginning of a month long meltdown that I unaffectionately call the “September Meltdown.” Once a year, like clockwork, I failed to keep it together when the simultaneous pressures of fourth-quarter work and back-to-school collided. 

At work, by September, we were always behind in our financial commitments. In order to get the fourth quarter in line, we needed to make expense cuts. The pressure was unbelievable and unpleasant. How was I supposed to figure out how to reduce my budget with two weeks notice? Why did we have to go through this exercise every year? How am I supposed to forecast the next year’s results when I can’t even figure out next week? 

At home, September’s back-to-school time brought another form of pressure. Paper work, school supplies, registration, new uniforms and new expectations – everything at once! And, who came up with this ridiculous school supply list … how many boxes of Kleenex and dry eraser markers can one classroom hold? Why are there so many “mandatory parent meetings” communicated with a three-day notice? On top of all that, the fall sports begin with a heavy game schedule. 

Yes, work and family schedules are busier than ever during this time of year.

 

BUY Balance Myth: Rethinking Work Life Success on Amazon

5 Tips for Family Work Balance 

This Back to School Season

The following five “meltdown” tips will help you survive the back-to-school adventure and the fourth-quarter pressures at work. They are written from my personal and professional experiences and shared in my book, The Balance Myth: Rethinking Work-Life Success. 

1. Wear the game face. It is not necessary to let everyone know how miserable you are. It is not productive and only creates more chaos. It is ok to cry but find a place that you can cry alone – mine was the women’s bathroom in my office. 

2. Third grade only comes once. Each school grade comes with unique characteristics that shape your children. Try to rise above the details and look at the bigger picture. Treasure – don’t dread -- this busy back-to-school time. 

3. Manage your time more efficiently. Be present in what you’re doing, finish it and move on. I have my list of things to do, and I’ll assign time slots to it. If I have one hour to work on a presentation at work or one hour to shop for school supplies, I do the best I can for that one hour. 

4. Combine your work and family schedules. I used to keep two different calendars – one for home and one for work; but, I was missing work deadlines, my kids’ activities and other events. So I combined the calendars, which caused me to start talking about my family at work and integrating my two lives. It’s one life and one calendar! And,now, I don’t miss a thing. More than ever, back-to-school time is the right time for combining. 

5. Stay in the moment. When you’re at work or in a meeting, be there. When you’re at home, be there. If you’re in a business meeting, don’t be wishing to be somewhere else. Be present where you are, and don’t feel guilty about where you’re not. 

At the end of the day – or at least every time September came around – all over again, I learned a valuable lesson about adversity, setbacks, disappointment, difficulties and everything else that came rolling down the pike. It takes faith that things will work out, and they always do. 

So enjoy and savor September. It might be back-to-school time, but you don’t have to welcome back the “mommy meltdowns” – leave them behind. 

About the Author 

Teresa Taylor is not only a mom but also former Chief Operating Officer of Qwest, a $12 billion telecommunications and media company. She is a nationally recognized, Fortune 200 executive who brings integrity, focus, vision and agility to corporate leadership, while advising companies, government agencies and others on a successful business model. Her book, The Balance Myth: Rethinking Work-Life Success, now available on Amazon in your choice of either Kindle or Hard Cover, is inspiring women to succeed professionally and personally.

NOTE: MBE participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. This allows us to earn a bit of compensation -- without any extra cost to consumers -- for including referral links within our posts like this one to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

FTC Disclosure: Content for this post provided by Teresa Taylor, author of The Balance Myth. This allows us to earn a bit of compensation -- without any extra cost to consumers -- for including referral links without our posts to Amazon.com and affiliate sites. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.