HTC Droid DNA Mom Friendly Android Apps from Verizon Help Busy Families With Kids

Technology

This story, my final post in a three-part series, spotlights my fave mom friendly apps that come pre loaded on the new Droid DNA by HTC smartphone driven by Android Jelly Bean from Verizon. In my first post on this wireless product I wrote about 4 Cool Things About the Droid DNA from my 17 year-old son's perspective. This was followed by a second post from the fashionista female perspective called Painting and Pinning the Town Red with the Droid DNA. Actually I am so in love with the crimson color and style of this phone it has inspired an entire Pinterest page called Red Style.

The Droid DNA by HTC is gorgeous and sleek w/ red accents

As a mom of four teens all born within a year, including triplets plus one, life just keeps getting busier. Serious school sports competitions, drama club, guitar lessons, volunteer work, learning to drive and college applications -- to name just a few activities -- our family's to do list never seems close to being finished. If you have kids I'm betting your own schedule is as busy or even more crazy hectic than mine.

Droid DNA Pre-installed Apps, Image from Android Headlines

The Droid DNA comes with 51 apps that will help you get the most out of this smartphone, hopefully giving you more sanity to do the best job possible as a mommy. Obviously, no one will use them all and you'll want to pick and choose the apps that make sense for you and your own lifestyle. You also have the option to delete just about any of the pre-installed ones you don't need and, of course, there are many more great Android apps that moms will appreciate that are available for download that you can always add to your device. 

As I discovered there really is something here for just about everyone to choose from among the apps this smartphone includes -- even for harried mothers like me. 

My top three picks of mom friendly Droid DNA pre-installed apps include Audible, Zappos and Slacker Radio. Here's why I like each of these.

Audible
I love to read but because life is so busy I often listen to books on tape when I'm driving carpool after I've dropped my kids off or before I pick them up. Audible claims to offer the largest selection of digital audio books available. Use this to read or listen to your favorite titles as well as find out about author chats, navigate through chapters and more.

As a mom, I prefer online shopping to stores for shoes & clothes

Zappos
What mom doesn't love shoes and/or clothes? This app is essential if you want to shop online for shoes and clothes for yourself, hubbie and/or the kids. Using Zappos app you'll have everything at your fingertips to search, browse, collect your favorites and most important purchase the latest fashions and accessories.

Slacker Radio
No mom with children should consider herself a slacker because as we all know a mother's work is never done. So don't let the name of the Slacker Radio app make you think otherwise. For sure whether I'm in the car or on the run music is a source of comfort and enjoyment for me as I taxi (or wait for) my teens who many times seem to need to be in four different places at once. This app gives you access to millions of songs and hundreds of expert programmed stations as well as endless options for personalizing your free listening experience. Life is busy with kids, so you may as well sing along or just sit back and enjoy the music.

Me, Hubbie & Four Kids White Water Rafting in Costa Rica, 2012

While it's true that being a mom is never a picnic, I can't imagine living a life any less busy without my children. Come to think of it, I can't imagine a life without a smartphone with so many useful app options to make running a family more efficient and more joyful either.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a Verizon Wireless ambassador serving as a member of the Verizon AIC Blogger Team 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.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week April 7 - 13 Details on Prizes Who to Follow & RSVP Links

Twitter Parties

Updated 4/11/13 - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Monday, April 8

Healthy Essentials Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @JNJNews @TheMotherhood. FIVE (5) Johnson & Johnson prize packs each valued at $125. #HealthyEssentials RSVP

Ring in Spring With OBN's Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Ohiobloggersnet @Ashleythinks2 @Mammahomemaker. Prize: FOUR (4) passes to Castaway Bay in Sandusky, OH. #OHBloggersNet RSVP

S.C. Johnson DisfrutaTuHogar Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @PaulaBendfeldt @Mamacitacupon @Ahorrosconcupon @LatinaMomBlogs and others. Prizes: ONE (1) Grand Prize that includes $100 VISA giftcard and $40 gift basket of branded products. THREE (3) First Place Winners each get $50 VISA GC + $40 gift basket. ONE (1) Second Place Winner gets $25 VISA GC. #DisfrutaTuHogar RSVP

Disney Travel Tips Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Travelingmoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3. Prize: TBA. #TMOM #TMomDisney RSVP

Ultimate Blog Party 2013 Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @5minutesformom @picmonkeyapp @janicecroze @susancarraretto. Prizes TBA. #UBP13 RSVP

Neutrogena Beautiful Inside Out Bilingual Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Clubdelasdiosas @Curvesandchaos @MamaHolistica @MamaXXI @MejoraMiHogar. Prizes: TWENTY (20) Winners will receive Neutrogena's Moisture Smooth Color Stick. THREE (3) Grand Prizes: $100 gift card plus Neutrogena products. #NTGbeautifulinsideout RSVP

Tuesday, April 9

Tyson Meals Together Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @outnumberedmama @turningclockbac @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart gift cards. #cbias #MealsTogether RSVP

Choose Beef Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MomBloggersClub. Prizes: FOUR (4) $50 VISA giftcards and I Heart Beef gear. #ChooseBeef RSVP

Get Pet Clean Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @CharlotteReed. Pet Friendly Prizes. #GetPetClean RSVP

Real Moms Shop JBF Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @JBFPhilly @Joeyfortman @TheStephGlover. $250 in prizes TBA. #JBFPhilly RSVP

Flea Free Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @BusyMommyMedia @PetArmor. Prizes: Pet Armor products for cats and dogs. ONE (1) Grand Prize Pet Armor products plus $100 American Express giftcard. #FleaFree RSVP

Family Savings Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @maritramos @iamthatlady @couponnw @gettingfreedom @valpakcoupons @savings @savingsclasses. Prizes: FOUR (4) $50 VISA gift cards, ONE (1) $50 Utrecht Art Supplies gift card, TWO (2) $25 Amazon giftcards, TWO (2) $50 Amazon giftcards, and ONE (1) $100 American Express giftcard. #FamilySavings RSVP

Ultimate Blog Party 2013 Google+ Party at 9 pm ET with @5minutesformom @picmonkeyapp @janicecroze @susancarraretto. Prizes TBA. #UBP13 RSVP

Safari Dino Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @SafariLTD @childhoodbeckon. Prizes: TBA. U.S. & Canada eligible to win. #educationalplay RSVP

Macaroni Kid Walmart Steak-Over Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @supahmommy @walmart @macaronikidhq @macaronidad @macaronimamma. Prizes: TBA. #MacKidTips RSVP

Wednesday, April 10

Wicked Cool Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Smiley360 @Donal_IRL and others. Prizes: FOUR (4) toothbrush & toothpaste gift packs; FOUR (4) Target giftcards. #Wickedcool RSVP

Pet Brand Twitter Chat at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @Eventbarkers @Rallyin @AllThingsDog @DogTipper @Woofwoofmama. Prizes: TBA.  @5minutesforfido Participate with hashtag #PetBrandChat Details

Pampers Baby Dry Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @pampers @shespeaksup @TheShoppingMama @MomStart @amommyinthecity. Prizes: Sweet Sleep Time prize packs w/ branded products every 10 minutes plus ONE (1) Grand Prize that includes a year's supply Pampers Baby Dry diapers, a 6 months supply of Pampers Baby Wipes and a $300 Pottery Barn Kids gift card. #PampersBabyDry RSVP

3M Auto Spring Car Care Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @askpatty @askpattykaeli @3Mcarcare and others. Prizes: Car Care products from 3M. #3MSpringCarCare RSVP

Sonic Revolution Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @cammipham @wedding_crasher @Clarisonic_CA. Win a Clarisonic system - Canada residents only. #SonicRevolution RSVP

World Market Mother's Day Twitter Party 8:30-9:15 pm ET with @worldmarket @snapconf @taunitweets @sahans. Prizes: TWO (2) $25 giftcards, ONE (1) $50 GC & ONE (1) $100 GC. #MyAmazingMom RSVP

Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @momitforward. Prizes: Toothbrushes. #GNO #ToothTunes1D RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party talking about social networking at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Scotch Brand Twitter Party 9 to 9:45 pm ET with @scotchproducts @snapconf @taunitweets @sahans. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 baskets of Scotch branded craft supplies. Follow hashtag #ScotchExpressions ~ RSVP link coming soon

Thursday, April 11

My Marianos Twitter Party at Noon ET with @kellysluckyyou @east9thstreet @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Mariano's giftcards. #MyMarianos RSVP

King Hawaiian Project Mahalo Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @KingsHawaiian @parentpretty @brandyellen @dagmarbleasdale @ahensnest @blueviolet @tapinfluence. Prizes: TEN (10) $25 giftcards. #ProjectMahalo RSVP

SoFabCon Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @djazzo @sofabcon @CraftyMamaof4 @cbtweetchat Prizes: THREE (3) $50 American Express Giftcards and ONE (1) Grand Prize SoFabCon Conference Ticket + $100 AmEx GC. #SoFabCon RSVP

Design With a Conscience Webcast Event 3:30-4:30 pm ET with @Inhabitat. Prizes: TBA. Details

Shane Jeremy James Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ShaneJJames @WeHeartMom. Prizes TBA. #ShanegingTheGame RSVP

Bikini Ready Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Cravebox @Zipporahs @LisaSamples @JKBeamer @SuuperG and others. Lots of Crave worthy prizes. #BikiniCrave RSVP

Everyday Effect Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Shespeaksup @ProcterGamble @Zipporahs @StacieinAtlanta @LisaSamples @MommyBlogExpert @WICProject. $1000 in prizes; ONE (1) Grand Prize Whirlpool High Efficiency Washing Machine. #Everdayeffect RSVP

Dempster's Grilled Cheese Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Dempsters @sassymodernmom @Listen2lena @Simplystacienet. $1900 worth of prizes including TWO (2) prize packages including a Breville Panini Duo + 52 Dempster's coupons + $50 Grocery Card; EIGHT (8) prize packs incl 6 month's supply of Dempster's bread. #GrilledCheesePlease RSVP

Momiverse Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @themomiverse @hollypavlika @girlslunchout and others. Lots of prizes. #Momiverse RSVP

DIY and Decor Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @momitforward @JenJenTrixie and others. Prizes #gno #RepinReforest #MurphyOilSoap RSVP

Friday, April 12

Healthy Choices Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @cleverhousewife @somedayilllearn @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #cbias #HealthyChoices RSVP

Treat Personalized Gifts Twitter Party with @resourcefulmom @treatcards at 2 pm ET. Prizes: TWO (2) Grand Prizes: One year VIP membership; TEN (10) winners 5 free cards; FIVE (5) Treat Personalized Easels and FIVE (5) Treat Personalized Mugs. #Treatcards RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


More Twitter Parties constantly to be added for This Week to this list as soon as they're scheduled. So stay tuned for updates as they happen by following this blog.

NEXT WEEK

Monday, April 15

Tiny Prints Photo Gifts Pinning Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with at @Tinyprints and on Pinterest. Many prizes plus Grand Prize which is a $150 Tiny Prints gift certificate #Tinyprintsgifts RSVP

Affordable Family Travel at 9 pm ET with @MyChaos @Listen2Lena @Sassymodernmom. Prizes: FIVE (5) Black's Photography $50 gift cards and ONE (1) Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS 12 MP Digital Camera Silver - Canadian Residents Only. #TDFamilyTravel RSVP

Mamavation Twitter Party 8-9:30 pm ET with @Mamavation @Nutiva @Newbalance. Prizes: THREE (3) Nutiva gift boxes, TWO (2) pairs of New Balance Shoes and FOUR (4) Color Garden Natural Dyes. #Mamavation RSVP

Baseball Travel Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando and others. Prize: TBA #TMom RSVP

Natural Parents Network Twitter party at 10 pm ET with @NatParNet. Prizes: TBA. Participate with hashtag #NatParNet Details

Tuesday, April 16

Walgreens Balance Rewards Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @jmanmillerbug @CinnyBBS @Cbtweetchat @Walgreens. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens giftcards.  #BalanceRewards RSVP

Sobey's West Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MommyKatandKids @MommyMomentBlog @MyChaos @FoodMuser. $1000 in Sobeys giftcards just for Western Canada residents. #SobeysWest RSVP

Curious George PBS Kids Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @PBSKids @Momitforward. Win a Curious George prize pack. #gno RSVP

Wednesday, April 17

Do It All Mom Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Msmissy62 @DentistMel @ClubTysonLive. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Sam's Club Giftcards. #DoItAllMom RSVP

Macaroni Kid Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @supahmommy @zoneperfect @macaronikidHQ @macaronidad @macaronimama. Prizes: TBA. #MacKidTips RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, April 18

Walgreens Latino Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @therebelchick @PaulaBendfeldt. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens giftcards. #WalgreensLatino RSVP

PG Most Loved Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @PGEveryday. #PGMostLoved Details Soon

Friday, April 19


License to Spill Twitter Party at Noon ET with @Outnumberedmama @Turningclockbac @Mohawkflooring. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 VISA giftcards and ONE (1) $100 VISA GC. #Licensetospill RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

COMING SOON

Monday, April 22

Moms and Brands Earth Day Twitter Party with @MomsandBrands at 7 pm ET. Lots of family eco-friendly and green focused prizes. #MomsandBrands RSVP

Wednesday, April 24

Grilling is Happiness Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @grillhappiness @sears @theblogfrog @shibleysmiles and others. Prizes: Sears giftcards. Participate with hashtag #grillingishappiness Details

Wednesday, April 27

Mother's Day Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @sassymomchicago @momtrends @savvysassymoms @momsfashionfile. Lots of Prizes moms will love. #MomsFF RSVP


About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated 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.

Air Purification Spring Cleaning for Cleaner Air at Home That Benefits Family Health

Home Keeping

There's nothing like spring cleaning to get you thinking about fresh air and creating a clean and more healthful environment at home. As you vacuum and dust around your house, one of the things to consider while you are sprucing up your home for spring is purchasing one or more air purification systems, if you don't have one already. After all who doesn't like a little (or a lot) clean air?

These practical air purification devices are designed to remove contaminants from indoor air like dust, pollens, allergens, molds, smoke and more, often benefiting the health of adults and kids with allergies, asthma and various respiratory conditions. There are also air purifiers that are built to reduce or eliminate odors and germs as well as humidifiers and dehumidifers to add or remove moisture in the air inside your house.

Honeywell Air Genius 3 Air Purifier is available at Best Buy

Depending upon the air improvement challenges you face, your decorating style and the size of the space you want to purify, there are a wide variety of air purifying options on the market to choose from. Luckily in this product category there are companies like Best Buy which offers a comprehensive selection of almost 150 systems by major brands ranging in price from under $50 to up to $999.99. These are names that you'll recognize like Sharp, Honeywell, Hamilton Beach and others, including 64 models that currently are ENERGY STAR Certified. 

Shopping online at Best Buy is easy and with the Low Price Guarantee they offer you will get the best price possible.  Just select the air purifier you want from the comfort of your home and with the click of a button your equipment will be on its way, shipped direct to your front door. 

The best part is that Best Buy has given me a coupon to share with you so you'll get 20% off when ordering air purification products this spring. Hurry. This offer is good through April 15, 2013.

Get your Best Buy Coupon

Click Here

FTC Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. Opinions in this post 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.