Current Favorite Apps: January 2014

Today's post is a little different, but in today's digital age, we rely so heavily on our phones, tablets, and computers that I thought it might be fun to share a couple current favorite apps: one for productivity, and one for leisure.

First up,

Favorite Productivity App: Pomodoro (25 minutes)

I regularly have bouts where I have so much that I want to do that I get flustered with all of it, can't concentrate on any one thing, and then nothing gets done! I can't remember how I stumbled on this app, but it's a super simple concept and has actually proven very helpful in improving my productivity and concentration!

The timer is set for 25 minutes. So, you tap to start, and then start tackling your task. When time has expired, the app alerts you and then suggests taking a 5 minute break (which it also times). It's helped me focus on one task at a time, work with less distraction, and get things done faster. Sometimes the simplest things turn out to be the best!

And now…

Favorite Leisure App: NextIssue

My mom has been raving about NextIssue for months, and kept telling me to get it. I currently subscribe to a couple of magazines, but I sometimes go to the drugstore and pick up more… you know, for research. When I looked at my shelf and realized how many I needed to take to the recycler, I remembered what she'd been telling me and decided to check it out. Here's the deal --

For a monthly fee (either $9.99 for basic or $14.99 for premium, which includes weekly magazines and some fancier titles), you get access to a HUGE list of magazines, all electronically delivered to your computer, phone, or tablet. I downloaded the free app on my iPad, signed up online, and logged in. Voila - that simple! And my favorites are there - Fitness, Shape, Allure, Glamour, Southern Living, Dwell, Elle, People Style Watch, Real Simple, and so on. (Full list is here.) If I buy 2-3 magazines a month at the drugstore, the combined price is more than the cost of this service, and here I have access to over 100 magazines without lugging them around! I love the interactivity of the mags, too. Some have links and stuff embedded that are really convenient and fun. I'm hooked!

So, those are my two favorite apps. And while we're talking about favorites, I want to give a little shout out to a favorite fellow blogger of mine: Elle Sees! She's a fellow southern belle and dog lover, and I love her positivity and light. Plus, her beauty tips and words of advice are top notch. Rush over there and follow her… you won't regret it. Trust me!

Okay, that's it for tonight. Tomorrow starts the weekend - hope you all have a great one! I am working on a pretty huge home project and I'll be taking you all with me very soon. Get excited! (You can tell I am because I'm using a bunch of exclamation points!!)

Cheers,

Kelly