I've Joined The Big Reboot and YOU can too! Just by voting, you can win a Tosiba Portege Ultrabook!

My medical scare this year has been making me crave change, not just any change however, something focused, impactful and meaningful. With career being first and foremost on my mind. I've been providing Life Coaching for about 10 years now, it started as purely Career Coaching as an off-shoot of my work when I worked for a high volume staffing agency. And has transformed to Life Coaching throughout the years. When people read my blog business card which does not even mention my Life Coaching, they immediately associate the name to a Life Coach.

I'd like to integrate my offline and online worlds and I feel The Big Reboot will help me do it, I am hoping this Technology Makeover will help make both my worlds a bit more efficient, which would make me a much better coach!

So if you want to vote for my entry and learn more about how you can enter too, please click HERE! <- Did I forget to mention that just by voting, you get an entry to win a super hot Toshiba Portege Ultrabook. (But I'm sure you would have voted for me without the extra incentive, right?) ;-)

Forgot to mention, this is a DAILY VOTE, and I need 50 votes to even qualify for the grand prize, which I must do before 09/23!

  ˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I was not required to post about my contest entry and all opinions are 100% my own. I do feel this Technology Makeover would be amazing for my brand!

Kodak MY HERO!!!

Technology hasn't quite been my friend this year, shortly after my laptop died, my printer died too. Like many people do, I vented via Social Media to my dead printer manufacturer, sadly to no avail. So I reached out to a few other printer manufacturers and the first to answer my plea for help was Kodak! We are a three generation loyal Kodak Camera family but had never tried out their printers before. I have actually used only 2 printer manufacturers, one at work and a different brand at home, but we are talking over 10 years using those 2 brands exclusively.

This year has been thrusting me head first into change of all kinds, some I was ready for, others not so much, but this time around I will say it's been a phenomenal change!

Kodak was kind enough to send Ascending Butterfly their KODAK HERO 7.1 All-in-One Printer!

KODAK HERO 7.1 All-in-One Printer in retail packaging!

ABOUT THE KODAK HERO 7.1 All-in-One Printer:

Print specifications
Print speed	photos: borderless KODAK Lab-Quality 4 × 6 in. photos in as little as 28 seconds documents: 8.5 ipm in black / 5.5 ipm in color automatic two-sided printing
Print resolution	9600 optimized DPI for high-resolution color photo printing / 1200 × 1200 DPI for highest monochrome text resolution (default)
Paper size	borderless photos from 4 × 6 in. up to 8.5 × 11 in. documents from 4 × 6 in. up to 8.5 × 14 in.
Paper capacity	100-sheet paper tray (20 lb) and separate 40-sheet photo paper tray
Mobile printing	print on the go from your smartphone, computer, or tablet using Google Cloud Print enabled apps  send emails and attachments to your printer from anywhere, using any email capable, web connected device with KODAK Email Print Service  print photos directly from your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BLACKBERRY, or ANDROID device with the KODAK Pic Flick App
Copy specifications
Copy speed	first copy output time (FCOT): 25 seconds[8]
Copy features	copy up to 99 copies at a time on a 20–500% scaling or fit to page range adjustable brightness and quality
Document size	copy up to 8.5 × 11.7 in. or to 8.5 × 14 in.
Scan specifications
Resolution	2400 DPI optical scanner (CIS), 24-bit 9600 interpolated DPI
Scan features	scan multiple photos simultaneously and get separate files automatically scan and edit documents with optical character recognition (OCR) Perfect Page scanning technology[9]corrects your scanned images so they look better than the original scan to PC, Google Docs, email, memory cards, USB flash drive, network folders
Document size	scan up to 8.5 × 11.7 in. or to 8.5 × 14 in.
General specifications
Connectivity	built-in Wi-Fi, 802.11 b/g/n Google Cloud Print ready[10] KODAK Email Print Service ready[11] iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, BLACKBERRY, or ANDROID device with the KODAK Pic Flick App[12] USB 2.0 High Speed DPOF / USB / PictBridge port
Supported memory card formats	print without a computer using memory card slots—SECURE DIGITAL (SD)/SECURE DIGITAL HIGH CAPACITY (SDHC), MULTIMEDIA CARD (MMC), MEMORY STICK (MS)/MEMORY STICK PRO (PRO), and with adapter: MS Duo, miniSD, microSD/SDHC
Display	3.5 in. color LCD touchscreen
Power consumption	ENERGY STAR qualified
Dimensions	[W × D × H]: 17.5 × 17.0 × 7.5 in.
Weight	16.5 lb (includes power supply, ink, paper)

• Specifications
• System Requirements

Package Contents

• KODAK HERO 7.1 All-in-One Printer
• KODAK Black Ink Cartridge, 10B
• KODAK Color Ink Cartridge, 10C
• KODAK 3D Glasses
• Power supply and adapter cord
• Setup Guide
• User Guide
• KODAK All-in-One Printer Software CD
• NOTE: USB 2.0 cable sold separately and required for non-Wi-Fi PC/MAC printing

Warranty

Product one year from purchase (with proof of purchase)

System Requirements

WINDOWS

• MICROSOFT WINDOWS 7, VISTA Home Basic, or XP-Home (SP2 or above)
• INTERNET EXPLORER 7 or higher
• INTEL CELERON 1.2 GHz or compatible processor
• 512 MB memory
• 500 MB available hard disk space
• CD-ROM drive
• USB port

MACINTOSH

• MACINTOSH OS 10.5 or higher
• POWERPC G4, G5, or INTEL-based MAC
• 1.2 GHz clock speed
• 512 MB memory
• 200 MB available hard disk space
• CD-ROM drive
• USB port

KODAK HERO 7.1 All-in-One Printer - Lid up to show scanner in use!

My Take:

I took the time to really put this printer through it's paces and it has not let me down in any way. I love that I am no longer tied down to a computer to print, I can print from literally anywhere, including Google Cloud, which is pretty awesome for me, because a lot of my contracts and NDA Agreements come to me via Google Docs or DropBox, I can scan my emails while on the bus or train and set anything that needs to be signed to print, and they are all waiting for me when I get back, which is super convenient. I don't even need my computer on to print from a device or memory card, how SWEET is that?

Another reason I love this printer is the crisp Kodak Print Pictures. And here is a tip for you: If you find yourself at an event or traveling and your device runs out of memory but you need to keep snapping away, don't worry, send the existing pictures to your printer! You can scan them later to make yourself a digital copy, but still keep your memory card clear to take more pictures and not miss a special moment because you are out of memory. This printer has certainly saved me at a few events, I was able to send photos to my printer and then keep shooting!

And because I'm in a tiny NYC apartment that is cramped for space, I love being able to eliminate another cord/wire!

I also love that it keeps track of supplies for me, it let me know that I am currently running low on paper, and that was my last ream, so it's off to the office supply store for me!

It comes with a great trial version of ArcSoft Scrapbook, here is a page I created for the #windowstyle contest during #BlogHer

I have also used it to restore old photos, and I've been impressed with how much better the pictures look when I scan them in with my new Kodak HERO 7.1! To show you a specific example, check out this post from July 13th - Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride! Is it because I avoid the bouquet toss? <-The photos used in this post were scanned in with this printer, and they were in pretty bad shape in terms of being  bent when I removed them from the photo album with a small bit of yellowing on one of the photos also. The scan brought back details I honestly can't see in the original picture! And this has been the case with older photos I have scanned in to both restore and preserve them in a digital format.

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -Twitter @KodakCommunity  @kodakCB @KodakPrinters

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like on Kodak on Facebook

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Be Pinterest Friends with Kodak!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: While Kodak did provide me with a Kodak HERO 7.1 All-in-One-Printer, no monetary compensation has been received in exchange for this review and all opinions are 100% my own!

What do we want? Low Prices! When do we want them? NOW!

I'm probably the most weird woman on the planet, I HATE to shop. There I said it. Nothing bores me more. I hate the endless walking up and down aisles. I hate trying on clothes. If I could do all my shopping online I would.

This always drove my sisters crazy. Unlike me, if they could shop all day everyday they would. And the concept of window shopping, drives me crazy and my sisters, well they live for it.  I wasn't the teen trying to hang out at the mall. Fitting rooms plain make my hairs stand up on end.

Now when my sisters shop, I hang with my brother-in-laws. We check out electronics stores, sit on massage chairs and watch the room size televisions or play video games while we wait for everyone else to finish up their shopping so we can go eat!

Unfortunately I can't avoid shopping all together, and me being the tech nerd that I am, I figured there had to be a way to make shopping, faster, shorter, just plain easier, and thankfully there is! I personally enjoy marking decades by their commercial catch phrases (remember 'Where's The Beef?). This decade will be probably be best known for 'There's an App for that!', because usually there is! I actually found an app that takes the chore out of shopping, and I figured you'd want to know all about it too!

We are definitely living in an instant gratification society, and while I am not here to debate the pros and cons of it, I can tell you that when it comes to low prices, we can all agree we want it now! I want to know the lowest price on an item before I even step foot in the store, no one wants to waste gas driving around searching for the lowest price on something, especially when it comes to high end items like electronics. I for one am currently searching for a new laptop as I will be Live Blogging this year at the BlogHer 2012 Conference. (and I don't just mean as a blogger who will be there, I am live blogging at panels FOR BlogHer! I am super excited!) Here is the app I am using to help me take the choices I've narrowed it down to and find the best price for it:

About RedLaser:

RedLaser is a free app available for download for iPhone, Android and Windows phones. Downloaded over 20 million times, RedLaser is a secret weapon for the smart shopper – allowing you to scan or search for items to make sure you have all the information you need, including product details, ratings and price comparison.

Features:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scan and search for products using the bar code scanner

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Compare prices online and at local retailers, so you’ll know you’re getting the best deal

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Find out which stores stock what you’re looking for by searching for a product locally. No need to drive around town searching for what you need!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Browse product reviews and rating

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Buy directly from your phone using PayPal mobile express checkout and you can pick up your item in a nearby store.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Create shopping lists (or wish lists!) and easily share them with friends and family via email, SMS, Twitter and Facebook.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scan a food item to get allergen and ingredient information

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - To see RedLaser in action, check out this video, which shows how you can use RedLaser to find a last-minute gift.

I know know where the three specific laptops I've narrowed my choices down to are the cheapest. The app gave me just the info I need, the only thing I need to do now is decide which of the three I want! (of course if any laptop manufacturers are reading this and want to send me one, I'm totally open to it!).

RedLaser App in Action

My Take:

The app is free, easy to use, and tells you exactly where to go to find what you are looking for at the best possible price, it's instant gratification at its finest! For me it takes the chore out of shopping, and makes finding what I want at the best possible price, quick and painless. I for one read reviews on everything before making a purchase (minor or major) so I especially love that I can also browse product reviews!

Get Social:

You can get social with RedLaser on both Facebook and Twitter @RedLaserApp and don't forget to use the hashtag when you let them know just how much money you've saved, #RedLaser

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: I am participating in a sponsored post campaign for RedLaser in conjunction SheSpeaks, however all opinions are 100% my own.

{Not So} Wordless Wednesday: See how Appliance Envy + Patricia Heaton = @SamsungUSA

My name is Tracy and I have appliance envy. Serious Appliance Envy.

As a long time apartment dweller, I've been relegated to a ton of sub par appliances, many of which have long needed replacement, but that's certainly a story for another day. I recently attended a product demo for Samsung where various appliances were set up and press were given a walk through of each model and it is then and there that I learned I have 'Appliance Envy', while probably not as deadly as my summer 'travel itchies' disease, it's painful none the less. In a very brief time I learned I have been working way harder than I should in the kitchen and in other rooms. I had no idea just how far Household Appliances have come. But I now know just how far behind my particular kitchen is. Whether it's a future appliance overhaul or a complete move that fix remains to be seen (both sound equally appealing to me right about now!).

SAMSUNG AND PATRICIA HEATON LAUNCH GROUNDBREAKING NEW LINE OF SMART HOME APPLIANCES TO HELP MOMS WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER

The new 32 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator has enough room to fit up to 32 bags of groceries!  

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., America’s fastest growing home appliance brand and award-winning innovator, take organization and efficiency in the home to a new level with the launch of its line of 2012 smart home appliances. Samsung is dedicated to using its technological expertise to create moments of wonder for today’s busy moms. Its line includes a Wi-Fi-enabled LCD refrigerator with apps that redefines organization in the kitchen, a smart phone-controlled washer/dryer for more freedom from the laundry room and a 5.9 cu. ft. large capacity oven that can be divided into two separate ovens for unparalleled meal preparation flexibility.

I'm not sure how they heard me when I was praying to the Twitter Gods about the ability to conduct and participate in Twitter Parties from my Refrigerator as Twitter Parties invariably make me hungry, and somehow they heard me. I wanted to stand and play at that refrigerator all day but unfortunately other people seemed to want to see it too, (How dare they? It's MINE all mine!) so I had to admire it, drool and move along!

SO WHERE DOES PATRICIA HEATON COME IN YOU ASK?

“Make Your House Work” Panel Discussion, Left: Actress/Panel Moderator Patricia Heaton

Patricia Heaton, America’s favorite high capacity mom and the star of The Middle joined Samsung for the official unveiling of the new product line. In addition, Samsung is teaming up with Patricia and a team of top experts to launch “Make Your House Work,” an online program that will provide ideas, inspiration and recommendations for Samsung home appliances to keep your house operating at peak performance.

“Samsung really understands the challenges and needs of moms like me,” said Patricia Heaton

The panel which included Patricia Heaton on the very left (in the photo above the solo shot), and to Patricia's right Julie Morgenstern (aka 'The Queen of Putting People's Lives in Order and author of  'Organizing from the Inside Out'), Liz Pryor (Good Morning America's parenting 'Advice Guru'), and Christina Stanley-Salerno (Blogger for Rachel Ray Magazine Online).

"They have really cool ideas and are showing day-in and day-out how smart home appliances and technologies can make a big difference in your life.”  said Patricia Heaton

Samsung’s new product line for 2012 includes more connectivity, capacity and convenience than ever before to help moms stay efficient and organized.

Patricia Heaton in Samsung Demo Kitchen at Milk Studios Gallery in New York City

A new national consumer survey of over 750 moms conducted by Samsung with Blue Suit Mom, an internationally recognized resource of work and family balance information for working mothers, highlights the challenges that moms face in organizing their lives and managing their households. For the vast majority of moms (85 percent), housework is a frustrating activity (not sure we actually needed a survey to determine that one right ladies?), and 76 percent never feel caught up on it. And although 69 percent recognize the important role that technology can play in making their lives more organized, 59 percent don’t know where to start to make housework easier.

Patricia Heaton in Samsung Demo Kitchen at Milk Studios Gallery in New York City

The Samsung survey was conducted in May, 2012 via an online survey fielded to the following networks: BlueSuitMom.com, MomsMindPool.com and MomSelect.com. An ending sample of over 750 Moms completed the online questionnaires. The demographics of the respondents varied in income level, marital status and household make-up.

Samsung Wi-Fi enabled WF457 laundry pair

Connectivity

• The new Wi-Fi enabled WF457 laundry pair is making laundry smarter and less time-consuming by allowing consumers to start, stop and pause the machine from an app available on smart phones. It also reduces the normal cycle time by up to 15 minutes with new SpeedSpray™ technology by shooting water and dissolved detergent directly onto clothes so that cleaning begins faster.

• The LCD Refrigerator with apps has been updated and refreshed with the Grocery Manager app, which tracks the expiration time of perishables. This new addition is a direct response to consumer feedback for more efficient ways to control the waste and cost of spoiled food.

Capacity

• The new 32 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator is the largest in its class and has enough room to fit up to 32 bags of groceries. That means fewer trips to the market for mom.

• The 4.5 cu. ft. king-size capacity High Efficiency Top Load Washer does 2.4 laundry baskets (or 32 bath towels) full of clothes at a time, reducing the amount of time spent in the laundry room. Mom can also rest assured that her clothes are being gently washed by foam and water jets.

Samsung's Flex Duo Oven and Gas Range

Convenience

• The Flex Duo Oven can split from one large capacity oven into two separate 2.7 cu. ft. and 3.0 cu. ft. ovens, giving cooks the option and convenience of preparing two dishes at two different temperatures.

• The new Induction Range with Flex Cookzone™ makes cooking easier with a flexible cooking surface which accommodates pots or griddles that would not fit on a standard-sized heating surface. It also features a boil sensor which helps eliminate boil-overs by alerting the user or automatically reducing heat to a pre-set level.

• The company’s new canister vacuums, available in the U.S. for the first time, come in three models – Champagne, Electric Blue and Black colors – and feature reduced noise levels and innovative ergonomic design, allowing busy moms to vacuum anytime of day or night even when the room is filled with family members watching TV or snoozing on the couch.

To learn more about Samsung Home Appliances and “Make Your House Work,” visit the Samsung Home Appliance Facebook page. Beginning June 21, fans will have the opportunity to ask questions of the experts and to enter a series of fun challenges in parenting, cooking and home organization to win prizes, like weekly housecleaning for a month, professional window washing, or a new vacuum. Now that my dear butterflies, is a total win/win! (Readers you may also want to tell them on their facebook page that you saw them featured here, and would love to see an appliance giveaway!)

  
So Butterflies, What do you think of these futuristic appliances? Ready to have your home resemble the Jetsons? I for one would also love a Rosie Robot!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I attended a product demo and walk through of the products referenced above as a member of the digital press. No monetary compensation has been received in exchange for this post. All opinions about the products, demo and panel discussion are 100% my own. However I do daydream about owning each and every single one of the products referenced above and should Samsung ever consider sending them over, I'll be happy to disclose that! :)