Photography & Technology

With a photographer in the house, it’s no secret that we take a lot of photos. I’ve also said before that the majority of those photos remain in the computer or hard drive. However, when we do print them, we prefer to do more with them than just printing a regular photo. We prefer unique methods of printing, like on canvas, metal or acrylic. Plus, sometimes we just don’t feel like buying frames!

There are many photo-printing companies out there, so we do love trying new-to-us companies to see the quality that is delivered. When we needed a very large photo for Aubrey’s nursery (we had a very blank wall to fill), we turned to Posterjack!

We had never tried Posterjack before, and after being introduced to them, we chose to get one of our favorite Cinderella Castle photos from Brett as a metal print. We initially wanted it to be an acrylic print, to give it a more glossy and vibrant look, but chose to get a bigger size in the metal print for 2 reasons: 1) it’s a little cheaper and 2) it offered a unique look that we thought would be great in her room.

I will admit, we had an issue with our initial print. Mr. Photographer noticed something that needed correcting, so I contacted the company and they rushed a brand new print out to us. I was pleased with how they handled it.

Once we got the 2nd print, we were very pleased with how it came out and how it looks in her room.

Printing on metal has several benefits:

- The colors are extraordinarily vibrant and the depth of the coating gives photos a luminous quality that no paper print can achieve.

- Less costly than having to buy a frame and matting. Also, no glare from being covered in glass.

- Provides a modern look and several hanging options.

- Lightweight, but rigid.

We chose one of their hanging kits to come with the print (stand-off kit). It looks ultra flat and almost like it is floating off the wall.

Depending on how you look at the photo, the image seems to have a 3D effect, with various things in the picture “popping” out at you.

We really like how the deep purples and blues are displayed…perfect for her purple and gray room! A large print like this is a great focal point for any room!

All prints are available in a variety of sizes, from 8×12 to 36×48 to panorama to fit your decor style.

Ordering from Posterjack is easy! Simply go to Posterjack.co, upload a photo, choose your print and size, then sit back as it gets delivered straight to your door!

If you can’t find a photo, you can visit Posterjack’s art shop and choose from 1 million photos to create a piece that’s perfect for your home.

Which ever you choose, the end result will always be the same: a stunning piece of photo art that’s unique to your home.

 

To learn more and buy, visit the Posterjack website.

Get social with Posterjack:

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I received a credit to go towards this purchase, but I paid a portion of the total. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!

 

 

One of Brett’s most popular photography packages is the Baby Plan…where parents can get professional photos of their baby as a newborn then at 3, 6 and 9 months, and then finally, 1 year old.

Of course, we are no strangers to personally taking progress photos. I took pregnancy progress photos with Trent and some with Aubrey, and we also took a monthly photo of Trent through his first year. We hope to take a weekly photo of Aubrey!

The possibilities are endless with progress photos! First day of school for each grade, pregnancy months, child months/weeks/years, anniversaries….it’s always so fun to look back on the progress no matter what it is.

Pretty in Polka Dots has just the product to help you take any kind of progress photo for kids…Baby Age Blocks!

What makes Baby Age Blocks from Pretty in Polka Dots different:

1. We PRINT directly on our blocks with a flatbed printer. Our blocks are more vivid, clean, safe, & permanent that any other on the market (no more peeling stickers or chipping paint!). We purchased this printer recently solely for this purpose (though it has opened other markets for us). We do all of the work and printing in our home (myself, my husband and my littler helpers – 3 children under 4… EEK!)

2. We cut, sand & inspect every one of our blocks by hand to make sure they’re perfectly safe for babies and of the best quality.

3. We gift wrap every set of blocks and include an optional hand written note if requested. We are also now branching into the world of wholesale and offering retail packaging when required.

4. Because we print, our blocks are COMPLETELY customizable. On our website, we let our customers select their own colors, font outlines, block finishes & more.

 

Of course, we just had to use these blocks for Aubrey’s progress photos! Look who is 1 week old today!

What we really like about these blocks is that the letters and numbers are printed directly onto the blocks…they aren’t stickers, so that means no peeling! The use of UV stable ink means these blocks will last a lifetime.

These blocks come in a variety of color options.

We chose blocks in Primary Colors, but because of their special printing process, the blocks can be customizable to match décor, favorite colors, etc.

The blocks are made from solid “poplar” hardwood with permanent UV Printed letters and numbers. The two smaller number blocks are 2.5 inch cubes. The larger word block features the words: weeks, months, years, and grade. It is 2.5in x 2.5in x 5in.

What you get on the blocks:

• Word Block: weeks, months, years, grade
• Number Block 1: 0,1,2,3,4,5
• Number Block 2: 0,1,2,6,7,8
• Expansion Block: 3,4,5,6,7,8 (optional)

NOTE: The number 6 is also number 9 when turned over

With the expansion block, your options are endless! It allows for extended number combinations with the Baby Age Blocks from 0-99. The typical Baby Age Block set without the expansion blocks can only go from 0-32 before begging to skip number combinations such as 33, 34, 43, 44 and so on.

Pretty in Polka Dots sends these Baby Age Blocks in the cutest wrapping, making them ready to given as a gift – perfect as a baby shower gift, for a photographer or for parents, to name a few. Shipping was incredibly fast, too!

Pretty in Polka Dots also offers some other unique items:

Personalized Name Blocks

Baby Announcement Blocks

Wood Plank Picture Frames

 

To learn more about Pretty in Polka Dots and to Buy, visit their website here.

Get social:

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**Special Promo Code**

Use Code THEPHOTOGRAPHERSWIFE for 10% off your order of Baby Age Blocks (valid for 1 month)!

Giveaway!

***GIVEAWAY!***

Lucky you! Korie, the owner of Pretty in Polka Dots, has kindly offered for one lucky reader to win a set of Baby Age Blocks in the color of your choice!

Prize: 1 set of Baby Age Blocks in your choice of color

Eligibility: Worldwide

Ends: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST

How to enter: Use the Rafflecopter form below!

Good luck!

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I received this product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!

 

Whether it’s for your daily workout, a trip to the beach or just having fun at home, music makes everything better and Best Buy has everything you need to make the most of your music experience during August Audio Fest!

Best Buy helps you enhance your home entertainment experience and upgrade your sound with additional components, speakers and headphones.

August Audio Fest is taking place across all Best Buy stores from 8/3/14 – 8/30/14

• Beginning 8/3/14 through 8/30/14 Best Buy will feature one month of deals audio specials, events & more.
• Best Buy is gathering the best offers on the best audio products throughout the entire month of August.
• Visit a Best Buy store to test & try the latest & greatest in audio – from portable Bluetooth speakers and headphones, to home theater solutions and car audio.
• Best Buy has the best selection of audio products – come in and let Best Buy teach you how to upgrade your sound; LOVE THE WAY YOU LiSTEN.

 

Two items you can get during August Audio Fest were sent to me for review.

 

JBL Reflect Sport Headphones:

Sport headphones from JBL to drive you closer to your goals. The ultimate workout partner, the Reflect combines cutting-edge style with innovative features. Providing legendary sound in a workout-ready headphones design, it puts you well on your way to achieving your athletic goals. Designed to stay secure in your ears, these ergonomic, stay-put ear-buds are engineered to withstand the rigors of your most energetic workout, delivering on the soundtrack to push you to drive harder.

I definitely am not a fan of typical ear phones…they just fall out with any type of movement, especially running. SO I’ve always used the kind that wrap around your ear. These provided a new option for me. They have an extra piece that fits in your ear to prevent it from falling out. I also like how there is a clip to attach them to your clothes so they don’t bounce around. They are reflective, giving you an extra level of safety when you can’t run during the day. They are even magnetic, so you can keep them together when not in use without them getting tangled!

With these headphones, you also have the ability to control your music with the buttons attached to the wire…no more fumbling to answer your phone or change the volume! I look forward to utilizing these more when I start working out again in a few weeks! Brett was also a fan!

 

JBL Clip Portable Bluetooth Speaker:

With Bluetooth technology, this JBL Clip speaker enables wireless music streaming and phone calls when paired with a compatible device. The built-in carabiner creates a ready-to-wear design, making it easy to take the speaker on the go.

As the name implies, the Clip is meant to be mated to your backpack, bike, pants – pretty much any clip-able locale – with an integrated carabiner, so it can throw down a soundtrack for your travels. And with summer on the way, hopefully you’ll be going a few places where having a bit ofmusic (or, you know, audio books, if that’s your thing) might make a pleasant addition to your journey.

For times that you don’t want to wear headphones, this clip speaker is perfect! It attaches to plenty of things, making it a great on-the-go device for playing music. This little device produced big sound!

With both of these products, I’ve got my workouts and fun events covered when it comes to music!

 

Be sure to check out all the amazing audio products you can get at Best Buy during August Audio Fest!

 

The reviewer received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. Thanks for reading!

Two summers ago, over the course of several weeks, we often found ourselves unusually hot or cold, even though we had the temperature set to the same degree we always do. This was right after Trent was born, so we needed to constantly adjust the thermostat to keep it at a comfortable level for our new baby. After seeing a higher than average electricity bill, we decided that something wasn’t right. Since the main unit was fairly new, we figured there was a problem with our thermostat not being able to accurately detect the temperature of the house.

We purchased a replacement, but just as it arrived in the mail, our local electric co-operative announced that they were giving away Nest thermostats to the first 1,000 people in our area to sign up for one in order to improve efficiency and reduce usage. Free stuff - Woot!

We signed up and returned the thermostat we had just received (Thank you AMAZING Amazon return policy!). Within a couple of weeks, someone came out to install the thermostat (even though most people could probably install it themselves relatively easily, they just wanted to make sure everyone’s units were properly connected).

We absolutely love it. Not only does it look sleek and modern, but we haven’t had any issues with temperatures in the house ever since we got it, other than the occasional disparities between the first and second floor, which is typical for a 2-story house anyway. It’s easy to program and offers some pretty neat features.

-It learns your habits. Over time, the Nest learns what temperatures you like at what time and will adjust itself automatically. For example, if you turn the temperature to 70 degrees around 10pm before you go to sleep every night, the Nest will learn that and turn to that temperature automatically. You can adjust what the Nest has learned if you want it to do something different (like if you wanted it to change at 9:30pm instead of 10pm). You can also pause the learning if you are going on vacation or changing your habits temporarily so that it doesn’t learn a random schedule.

-It senses when you walk by and the screen turns on so you can see the temperature and current settings without having to press a button. Yep, I’m lazy.

-You can set a range of temperatures, not just cool or heat. Florida temperatures are super wonky, especially in the winter. One day it’s 55 and the next it’s 80, I love it and hate it at the same time. You can set the temperature to a range, such as 69-75, so that the heat kicks on if it goes below the range and the cool kicks on if it goes above the range. You don’t have to flip the switch from one type to another. Score another point for us lazy people!

-You can set an Away temperature. We like to use less heat or a/c when we aren’t in the house, whether it be a trip to the grocery store or a week-long vacation, we set an away temperature that we are comfortable with given that time of year. You can either set the Nest to Away, or it will set itself to Away if it hasn’t sensed any movement in some time. You can turn this feature off if needed.

-You can view everything and adjust anything from your Apple or Android device. This is one of our favorite features. If we forgot to set it to Away and we don’t want to wait for it to set itself, we can go onto the app and set it to Away, or we can change the temperature when we know we’ll be home soon. We are extremely forgetful, so the app gets used quite a bit, and this saves us money because we would have otherwise had to let the temperature remain where it was instead of using less while we’re gone. And yes, we have changed the temperature from our phones on the couch or in bed with the thermostat just a few feet away. Don’t judge me.

-You get emails detailing your monthly usage and efficiency. Instead of just relying on what the electricity bill says, we get to see what the Nest reported, including reasons for why we might have used more or less than usual, as well as suggestions for improving usage next month. They use a “leaf” to signify if you are being efficient given the outside temperature.

We have definitely noticed a difference since the Nest was installed. We feel like the temperature is what it says it is and not unnecessarily turning on or off like our old one. Of course, with Brett home all day instead of away at work, our bill has stayed slightly increased, but has decreased from us being able to utilize the extra features, like the automatic adjustments and away feature.

Also, since I have been extremely hot this pregnancy, I want to reiterate how much I love being able to turn the air down from my phone while laying in bed at 2 in the morning.

Here’s their official video which gives you a preview of what it has to offer:

 

Buy a Nest Learning Thermostat on Amazon!

 

I was not paid or perked for writing this review. I did receive the product for free, but as part of a local resident efficiency program. I just wanted to share our honest take on a product we personally have and love.

 

Trent and I walk to the park all the time. It’s about an 8-10 minute walk from our house, which is just enough time for me to get a good bit of exercise in and for him to stay put in the stroller before he’s itching to get out. It would be nice to listen to music while walking, but I wouldn’t dare use head or earphones while walking or running with Trent. I like being able to hear any cars coming our way or any sounds he makes.

This was also true when Brett and I would run together with Trent. We liked listening to music, but we also wanted to be safe and be able to communicate with each other without headphones blocking the sound.

We have found a great product to help with that and so much more…the iFrogz Tadpole!

The iFrogz tadpole:

• Convenient: Ultra-small and powerful, the Tadpole delivers big sound everywhere you go.
• Long-Lasting: Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers over two hours of continuous play.
• Versatile: The Tadpole is compatible with all Bluetooth 3.0 devices

The iFrogz Tadpole is the ultra-small, super-portable solution to mobile music. It delivers big sound from a tiny package; and with its ability to clip onto keys, purses, belts, and more, the Tadpole brings the party where no other speaker has gone before. Its lithium-ion battery can power over two hours of continuous play and a simple micro-USB charging port makes recharging a snap. And with a variety of fresh colors to choose from, there’s a Tadpole that’s perfect for every style.

It uses Bluetooth 3.0, allowing up to 100 meters of distance before disconnecting from your smartphone. But if it does happen to disconnect, you can just press the button on the Tadpole to reconnect and your smartphone automatically does the rest!

In contrast to a larger bluetooth speaker that would be great for parties and larger spaces, the Tadpole is perfect for a more personal listening experience…because not everyone wants the world to hear their music. It’s battery provides up to 3 hours of music, allowing plenty of time for many uses:

-Working out: Perhaps you are working out with a friend and want to be able to hear each other, or you want to be safer while running in a neighborhood or with a child, or you just want the music as background noise but still want to hear what’s going on around you. It’s definitely a safer way to workout outside…hiking, cycling, running, etc. You can clip it to your clothes or your jogging stroller.

-Cleaning: I can bring it from room to room and still be able to hear it no matter what I’m cleaning. When I use the large stereo in the living room, I am not able to hear it when I’m cleaning all the way in the bathroom with the water on.

-Yard work: Clip it onto you and you’ll be able to hear your music all over the yard and while using lawn equipment. It has a 1-watt speaker inside, so it is loud enough to be heard over the roar of a lawnmower if you have it clipped close to you.

-Listening while baby is asleep: You can keep your music close and low while relaxing without waking up those around you.

-On-the-go: The Tadpole can clip to your purse or keys and go with you anywhere!

-Pranks: I’m not sure if I’m the only one who is this bad, but you could hide the Tadpole and play tricks on people! I’ll let you come up with your own creative ideas for that one!

-For kids: Trent has enjoyed walking around with the Tadpole and dancing to his favorite songs, while Brett or I control the music from our phones!

At just $19.99, the iFrogz Tadpole is an affordable and fun device with so many uses!

To learn more, see color options and accessories and to Buy, you can visit the iFrogz website.

***GIVEAWAY!***

FIVE lucky readers will win an iFogz Tadpole!

Prize: 1 iFrogz Tadpole

Eligibility: Worldwide

Ends: Sunday July 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST

How to enter: Use the Rafflecopter form below! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I received this product in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and honest. Thanks for reading!