Category Archives: lifestyle

Gifts to Give and Get: Roku Streaming Stick

roku-streaming-stick-w_package-1024x768Are you thinking about becoming a cable-cutter?  Do you look at the cable bill with dismay every month?  I found I could save $70 a month by just paying for internet service instead of a full-service cable.  I’m happier than ever with more shows to watch than before and a variety of movies and specials to chose from.  I added an antenna so that I could access 20 local and national channels mostly for local news and sports.  The other essential tool-the Roku streaming stick.  I had an early version of the Roku streaming media center but found the interface to be more trouble than it was worth. The new Roku streaming stick beats the Chomecast and the Amazon Fire on speed and variety of available programming. A win win situation.

The Roku streaming stick allows me to access both netflix and hulu so I had to make a decision whether I wanted or needed one or both of these.  I chose Hulu (unfortunately with annoying commercials) because of the exclusive programming that only airs on Hulu (the show Nashville ’cause I’m hooked).  Accessing either service is easy once to enter your log in and password for Hulu or Netflix.  If you are an Amazon Prime subscriber you can access all of that programming as well as Vevo, YouTube, CBS news, PBS kids, Sling,FX Now, Red Bull TV,  Watch ESPN, and Pandora.  If you subscribe to Showtime or HBO to go,  you can watch all of this programming as well.  Some channels require rental fees for certain programming.

Setting up the stick was easy even for the non-techie me.   The important thing is to know what HDMI slot you put the stick in.  Use your input on your television so that you can see the set up for the streaming stick.  Configure your account and you are finished.

The Roku streaming stick sells for $49.99 and is available at all of your big box retailers as well as from Amazon Prime (free 2 day shipping) here.

 

Living spaces: Some ideas on the cheap

record-wall

Via lovelyindeed.com

I love this idea.  Check out thrift stores that are loaded with old records.  He used command mini hooks to adhere the records to the wall.  Cheap, easy and easily removed when you move.

headboard

from starsforstreetlights.com

This headboard is fabric covered cardboard put up with thumbtacks. f you want to put pillow stuffing behind the fabric you can get an upholstered look.  I’ve actually seen designer versions, really!  If you are handy you can use a saw and wood but for a great short term solution you can try this.

Send us pics of your space and we’ll share.

Tortuga Music FestivalMore than 30 Marine Conservation And Research Exhibits At This Year’s Festival, April 15- 17

tortuga

Tortuga Music Festival is coming to Fort Lauderdale! APRIL 15-17 ON THE BEACH!crowd

Artists include Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and more

The good times are real.  This is a great event.  See you on the sand.

adidas-pop-up-store-adn

Above is a Adidas pop-up store.

No more stores, no more malls, no more pop-ups???  Can you imagine what that will look like?

By 2025 physical stores as we know them will no longer exist. A new study has reaffirmed Millennials’ significant role in disrupting the shopping experience, and the need for retailers to become omnichannel to stay relevant.

According to one expert, early tech adoption is imperative: “By 2025, we will be exposed to a new shopping world in which the value of a physical store will no longer be measured in sales, queuing will not exist, any surface will be a storefront, customers will be able to find and buy any item at any time, and clothing will be shared, tried on virtually, and printed at home.”

Printed at home with our 3-D printer?  I’m ready are you?
(Via Chain Store Age)