Not too long ago I decided to swap out my dying iPod Touch for a new device. I was teetering between the new Touch, or the iPad Mini because there was only a $30 difference between the two. Obviously I chose the latter. It's the iPad Mini 16 GB WIFI only. I can do more on it, I can edit my documents while still having the aspects that I loved from my iPod (music and games). The size of the iPad was always an immediate turn off for me. I'm small, and I prefer my stuff to be small. The size of the iPad fits perfectly in my hands, and I also don't have an issue with the think bezel that everyone was complaining about because my hands are small (touching the screen accidentally). Remember, I'm only about 4'11".

So far my experience with it has been amazing, and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a smaller tablet, and like iOS.

My case is from Speck, I bought it at Books A Million. My wallpaper is from the web. I love it! I don't exactly want to go to France, but I love France/Paris themed stuff. It's always so pretty.

Without further adieu, I give you a "what's on my iPad" video slash how I stay semi productive using my iPad.

Up top you have the usual; camera, clock, calendar, calculator (that I downloaded), itunes, app store, settings, and video. Pretty basic stuff there, most came with the device.

Then I have my games.

-The first two folders have my Donut Games (company name). They're a lot of fun, I had   them on my iPod.
-Then YouTube, which is an ok app. It's better than the old app.
-Netflix, which is amazing, love Netflix.
-The Sims Freeplay is addicting, I can't get enough.
-A Smurf game which it's getting old, LogoQuiz (oh my gosh, I love this game), and Kindle (which, I have, but probably wont use).

Now for the social media stuff; Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads- all great apps, and do what they're supposed to do. They're nice to have on the iPad when I don't feel like pulling out my computer. I don't even know why I still have Wunderlist on there. I don't really like it.


The main dock has my most used apps, and personally my favorite section of the iPad:

-Safari is pretty basic, it's a browser.
-I haven't used Blogger yet, but I like that I can edit posts on the go. It will come in handy, I'm sure. The only issue I have with blogging from a device is the lack of camera connectivity. I may look into fixing that situation.
-I can't even begin to explain how much I love Pages. This is the main reason I got the iPad, and the reason I updated the OS on my computer (from Snow Leopard, I needed iCloud). That was more trouble than it was worth.
-Feedly is an RSS reader. I imported my blog subscriptions to the site, and downloaded the app. The site is easy to use, and looks really nice. The app is a bit annoying to get used to. I'm still trying to figure it out. I want to recommend it, but I'm still trying to get a feel for it. Check it out, it's a great alternative to Google Reader as far as I can tell. Especially since Hellocotton has decided to kick the bucket as well, it's becoming harder to find a really good reader. They're even coming out with an app for BlackBerry10. This news made me happy =)
-Lastly, music. I really like the music app on this. I didn't like it on the iPod. The interface was dull, and an eyesore imo. The only complaint I have currently is that I wish it had the "play next" feature that the latest iTunes version has. I didn't realize how useful it is.

Some of the blogs I follow on the Feedly app. It's a very pretty looking app (And the website mirrors this), and navigating is easy. I don't like that i have to hit every blog individually to mark them as unread. Also when I click the "Today" option, it only shows one blog. To see the rest, I have to click "Latest". It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but so far that's the only thing I don't like about the app.

It's easier to navigate online, and everything is right there when you log on. Other than that, I have no real complaints. I really like Feedly, much more than Bloglovin'.

This is the first folder titled "Donut Games". Donut Games is the company that makes these, and there's over 30 of them. They cost $.99, but I didn't buy any of mine. Every so often (usually one every week, sometimes more) they'll put a game up for free. Over the past 3 or 4 years I've been collecting the apps, and now I have 30 of them total. A lot of them are logic based, and just plain fun. Sunday Lawn (top right with the mower) reminds me of the old Mac After Dark Games I used to play when I was little. Nostalgia. A fellow nineties kid can relate.

On the last page I have Wonderly, which I don't even use. It's supposed to help with financial things, to do list, and projects. I haven't deleted it because it could be useful in the future, and so far I like it more than Wunderlist and Evernote. I hope to utilize this app. Productivity apps are one of my favorite ones to look at in iTunes.

Next I have a folder for all the apps I wont be using, but can't delete. Then I have the annoying Newstand. I added the links to magazine subscriptions so it didn't look bare. I can't get rid of it, and I can't stick it in a folder. Might as well make it nice to look at.

The Weather Channel, for obvious reasons. It's a good app. I miss how it was on my old phone (BlackBerry 9700). The app always kept the current temperature visible on the app itself, so I didn't have to click on it. Beggars can't be choosers, though.

Target app to view the weekly add (Target is my favorite store). IMDb to look up those actors that look soooo familiar, but I can't figure out where I know them from. I know I'm not alone on this. Pandora, I don't even use it. I'm probably going to delete that one and Wonderlist.

Last two games: 4 Pics 1 Word (which has become boring, so that one is probably going to go as well), and Scrabble which I play with my husband.



That's it! I do want to reiterate that Hellocotton is shutting down. So, Google Reader and Hellocotton are going to be no more. So, right now Bloglovin', Feedly, E-mail subscriptions (until Google decides to get rid of Feedburner, which honestly I wouldn't be surprised if they do), and GFC are the easiest way to follow a blog that I can think of. Bloglovin' and Feedly both have an easy way to import from GR, and Feedly has apps for iOS (phone and pad) and Android, and plans for a BB10 app in the future. Bloglovin' only has one for iPhone.

Also I now have an Instagram account! It's very sparse, I haven't gotten out much lately, but I hope to become active on it very soon. Follow me if you want, I would appreciate it so I don't feel lonely =)

Enjoy your Easter Sunday tomorrow. Stay safe, and be happy.

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FTC updates their regulations

Since this is a more serious post, please enjoy this picture of a bunny. This is Gemma, and she is a nutcase.

For those of you who haven't heard, FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has updated their rules.

If you haven't heard about the FTC regulations for bloggers, or maybe you've seen it but don't know much about it, it's basically a set of rules that intend to make bloggers (and subsequently YouTubers) disclose how the product being shown to you was purchased.

These rules apply to US bloggers only. Although it is still good practice, and builds a trusting relationship between the reader and blogger.

What does this mean?

-This is good for you, the reader. You should know when a product was sent to the blogger, or if they bought it with their own money.
-It's trying to do away with the shady aspect of blogging, and allowing you, the reader, to know when a post was sponsored.

What do we have to disclose?

-If a product was sent from a PR company, a company themselves (i.e. indie brands).
-When a post is sponsored (paid to post, paid to talk about a product, or if a company provides products to use in a giveaway is called a sponsored giveaway).
-When affiliate links are present.
-This also includes paid Tweets, Facebook posts, etc.
-Anything that was not bought with your own money or was paid for must be disclosed.

What has been updated/How to comply?

-Well, they don't think it's fair that some bloggers wait until the very end to add the disclosure.
-The disclosure now has to be placed before the product is mentioned, and at the end.
-"Sample" is not a proper disclosure anymore. "Product X was sent by Company X for me to test and review" is much closer to what they want.
-The idea is that the intention to disclose is clear, not sneaky sneaky shady stuff.

What will happen if the blogger does not comply?

-They risk being blacklisted by companies
-FTC has the right to slap the blogger with a hefty fine, and the blog may be taken down.
-Relationships with fellow bloggers may be severed.

How Adore A Polish will comply:

-Even before the update I said within the review how I came across the product, and I will continue to do so.
-My disclosure at the end will be more obvious (worded more clearly).
-If I bought the product, which occurs most of the time, I wont say anything. I may still mention where I bought it (I went to X), but I won't be plastering "I paid for this with my own money" all over the post, because it simply isn't necessary.

For a more in depth explanation, please check out the this link:

beautyandfashiontech.com

If you have any further questions, you can ask me. If I don't know the answer, I will ask for you.

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Sally Hansen for Easter

I used one of the Sally Hansen strips that I picked up on clearance last year. I originally intended on wearing some with butterflies imprinted on them (also picked up on clearance, yes I've been holding onto them for this long), but these were such a pain, I decided to stick with these for the week. I used the gel from the insta gel strips to make them last longer, and so far they're holding out. The pattern reminds me of a picnic blanket.

I don't know if they got old, or I got a bad batch. The first pack I tried gave me the biggest headache. The clear strip that you're supposed to pull off kept getting stuck to the nail polish strip, causing me to rip about 7 of the 10 strips. One of the ones I did manage to get off lost it's stickiness almost immediately. Basically my pointer finger, and my pinky are the only ones that have the strips from that pack on them (left hand), and my pinky I had to fight with to save it. The other pack was fine, no issues with it at all. It worked normally. I want to say it was a bad batch. Logic tells me that both packs would be ruined. I'll let you all know if the butterfly one is like this. This means that the strips could have an expiration date, but I personally don't think that's the case.

I fought way too hard to just let them come off after a few days. Taking them off is not going to be fun..

Anywho, I hope you all have a fantastic Easter! I'll probably blog before then, I haven't had much to say lately. Nothing to review, no beauty hauls, nothing really. I have a book haul that I could do, but I'm trying not to bog the blog down with book stuff. I've been good with two a month, and the occasional review.

What are your plans for Easter? Anything special going on the nails? Last year I did a little layering manicure.

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Google makes things a little bit more complicated

I wanted to share this bit of information with you all. As you can tell by the screenshot above Google is going to retire Google Reader on July 1st of this year. I don't know why, but this bothers me for several reasons. I use GR to follow my blogs, and know that there is about 110 of you that read this blog via GR.

So, if you want to continue reading my blog you can follow on Google Friend Connect or e-mail subscription, links to the left, or on hellocotton or bloglovin'. I wouldn't trust GFC, I've been hearing rumors about them wanting to get rid of that too, but don't quote me on that. I'm not completely sure yet. From what I've read, GFC is powered by GFC, so that may be on the outs soon too. If I get anymore information I'll edit this post, or something. Or if I hear about GFC being taken away completely, I'll make a new post.

Don't forget to do this with any other blogs you follow. Most have multiple ways to follow.

In the meantime, I would trust the following sites the most to receive content from me. I personally will probably be switching over to bloglovin' unless I can find a different RSS reader.

Follow me on bloglovin'

I know I haven't been updating at all this week, I wont until next week. I'm not even home, to be honest, so don't expect anything from me until Monday at the earliest.


What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Google is digging a hole for themselves by making things more difficult for users to access content, therefor pushing them away into using a different outlet? I know some people will use the loss of GFC as a reason to switch to Wordpress, so that should be interesting.


EDIT March 29, 2013: Hellocotton is shutting down. I recommend using either GFC (I've heard that is staying),  Bloglovin' and Feedly (which both have a way to easily import your GR feed.

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Julep Instant Warming Foot Scrub | NotReallyAReview

Claims that it's a foot scrub that warms up on contact.

It's a scrub, you know, like a normal scrub. It does the job and does it well. That's not the part that I wanted to review. This is going to be a brief review, but it's not really a review. I mainly wanted to talk about the warming part of this scrub and share my thoughts.

It doesn't warm on contact, like the back of the bottle claims. It does warm up when it's rubbed into the skin. Now, this warming is a weird sensation. I didn't feel it so much on my foot as I did on my hands, and the warming sensation only lasted for a few seconds. Not very long. The sensation is similar to the water being a bit too hot. It doesn't burn or hurt, is basically what I'm trying to get at, but warm is a bit of an understatement. Especially that first time it's used. I was shocked when I first tried it out. I wasn't expecting it to be so warm.

The smell is amazing. It's that spa smell of cucumber mint, the one I love.

It's really expensive. I don't know why Julep's products cost so much. It bugs me, because I want it to be more affordable. I don't want to say they're not worth the money, but in a way, I feel like the money could be used on something similar for less. I guess it's personal preference.

Overall, I like it, but I wouldn't run out to get it. I got in a Maven box, and I'm glad I was able to try it. It's so different.

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