Being “Present” in 2017 Using Tailwind For Instagram

One of my goals for 2017 is to intentionally be “Present” throughout each day.

What do I mean by being “Present”?

Digital activities can rob enjoyment of each moment as it happens if attentions are not intentionally focused and prioritized.

Wherever I go nowadays I can’t help but notice the digital-focused hush with a device in hand.

Most people use a smartphone as a business tool and/or personal entertainment.  This is a blessing and a curse to be able to have access and to work all hours of the day and night anywhere.

I am constantly looking for solutions to minimize time spent not engaging in real life be it in my business or personal relationships.

As a digital content curator and courier, I use a variety of social media platforms to achieve my objectives.

I was so excited to learn from Tailwind that they now have a Scheduling and Analytics App for Instagram!

Tailwind for Instagram is an Instagram scheduling and analytics tool built on the same platform as Tailwind’s popular Pinterest marketing tool.  It is designed to enable bloggers, influencers and marketers to schedule their Instagram posts in advance on a desktop computer or a mobile device.

Anything that shaves time off of a task that I am already doing regularly is what I am always on the hunt for. “In time trials, Tailwind for Instagram was 60% faster than the scheduling process that many marketers use today, involving emailing images to themselves and downloading them on their phone.”

I have been using the Tailwind app for Pinterest since 2013.  The Tailwind App has enabled me to be laser-focused on my pinning priorities as well as helping me drill down with my followers and group boards.

I manage many Instagram accounts and am looking forward to minimizing my work time by using Tailwind for Instagram just as I have with my very successful Pinterest account.

Please stop by Katie Shea Design’s Instagram or TakeAway IG Instagram.

I am looking forward to being intentionally more “Present” in 2017 Using Tailwind For Instagram!

To start a free trial of Tailwind for Instagram, visit the Tailwind homepage HERE 

Happy Anniversary With MotoZ Moto Mods

A few weeks ago I became a grateful recipient of the new MotoZ Droid Smartphone with three amazing Moto Mod accessories and a storage case!

Most intriguing to me was the idea of having a projector in my pocket that could project videos and photos up to 70 inches wide onto any flat surface! The concept of having the capacity at a moment’s notice to present a project, idea, document, image, video or view a movie with one or more people was exploding my mind!

I wanted to use the projector for something very special.  I decided to produce a 33rd wedding anniversary video for my husband.

While editing my anniversary video I used the JBL Soundbooth Speaker to play the video through for a preview before surprising my husband.

I played the video on our bedroom ceiling for our 33rd Wedding Anniversary with my Moto Insta-Share Moto Mod projector.

Preparing all the images for this very special video spent lots of battery time. Editing images for hours really tested the MotoZ’s Moto Mod Power Pack Battery life. I went for almost a whole day without having to charge up my smartphone.

I have more creative ideas to use my MotoZ’s Moto Mods in my work and my everyday life.  Stay Tuned!!!

Disclosure: I’m so excited I received a MotoZ Smartphone and three Moto Mods as part of my relationship with Verizon. Thanks Verizon for letting me play with this amazing smartphone technology!! #Droid #MotoZ from @Verizon #VZWBuzz #ad .

 

It’s Here! Applebee’s Wood-Fired Grilled Menu!

Applebee’s new wood-fired grills and the hand-cut steaks and other menu items cooked on them are available at participating Applebee’s restaurants across the U.S TODAY!

Meats and vegetables prepared on the new wood-fired grills will be featured in many other guest favorites – from appetizers to salads – adding the right amount of mild smokiness to each bite.

The Applebee’s #WoodFired menu includes:

• 8 oz. and 6 oz. Hand-cut USDA Choice Top Sirloin Steaks
• Hand-cut Bone-in Pork Chop
• Cedar-grilled Salmon
• Wood-Fired Grilled Chicken Breast

Follow the enticing aroma of American Oak smoke as you enter your local Applebee’s grill and bar.

Love these wood corrals stacked with split oak logs greeting Applebee’s guests.

We dined at the 50th and Broadway Applebee’s NYC, the largest Applebee’s in the world!

Our selections were Shrimp N’ Parmesan Sirloin Steak and Grilled Onion Sirloin With Stout Gravy and Red Potatoes paired with a Sam Adams cold brew!

Applebee’s serves American food featuring vibrant flavors and real, fresh ingredients.

We enjoyed our wood-fired grilled sirloin and looking forward to tasting every wood-fired selection on the menu!

America’s first choice grill and bar is Applebee’s!

Visit Applebee’s
Follow @Applebees
Become a Facebook fan
Share your Instagram photos

Disclosure: Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

Getting Excited For The Food and Wine Conference!

I am Getting Excited For The Food and Wine Conference!!!

If you love food, wine and learning then come on down and join us July 17th-19th at  Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.

Attending this conference is a very special experience.  I should know since I attended last year.

Foodies, wine enthusiasts, and bloggers will have so much fun tasting, sipping, learning and networking.  Do not worry if you are shy, the people attending the Food and Wine Conference are so friendly you will be made to feel welcome as I was last year as an attendee.

Check out the full schedule of conference speakers here.

This year I will be speaking with my friend Ann Tran on “How to Rock Social Media” and would love you to join us!!

Please use this Promo code FWC15KDecosmo for $50.00 off on a 3 day Conference pass when you Register for The Food and Wine Conference.

If you cannot attend then you are invited to follow along on Social Media with Hashtag #FWCon: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Several years ago my schedule would not allow me to attend in person but I followed along on Twitter.  I felt like I was there with all the tweets of conference quotes as well as food and wine images.  All of that activity prompted to me attend the 2014 Food and Wine Conference in person.

Hope you can make it this year whether in real life or virtually.

I am Getting Excited For The Food and Wine Conference!!!

I look forward to connecting with you!

You can find me on my social media communities here.

Disclosure: As a speaker, I receive a free ticket, and as brand ambassador for the Food & Wine Conference, I will receive a commission if you use my discount code to purchase a ticket. As always, all opinions are my own.

Photo of the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel was taken by Ashlee Hamon Photography at the 2014 Food and Wine Conference (used with permission from Sunday Supper Movement).

Did You Know?? There is a Skyscraper Museum in NYC!

There is Skyscraper Museum in New York City, the world’s first and foremost vertical metropolis, The Skyscraper Museum celebrates the City’s rich architectural heritage and examines the historical forces and individuals that have shaped its successive skylines. Through exhibitions, programs and publications, the Museum explores tall buildings as objects of design, products of technology, sites of construction, investments in real estate, and places of work and residence. For a description of the gallery and for photos of the space, please visit our Photo Slideshows page.

The Skyscraper Museum in NYC is located in lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City at 39 Battery Place. Museum hours are 12-6 PM, Wednesday-Sunday.

The Skyscraper image was shot with a Verizon DROID RAZR HD Smartphone back in summer 2013 from my hotel window at the Trump Hotel Central Park Columbus Circle courtesy of Trivago.

I have since been upgraded several times with the latest in smartphone technology while I am participating in the #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Program as a Verizon Wireless Influencer and Brand Ambassador.  I am currently testing a Verizon Droid Turbo and also shooting images with an iPhone6 as well this summer.

Stay connected with the latest smartphones

Disclosure **I am a member of  #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team.  I am supplied with different devices to use and test.  All opinions are my own. **

We Viewed the Mayweather-Pacquiao Bout With Verizon Pay Per View

We Viewed the Mayweather-Pacquiao Bout With Verizon PPV

We put in our Mayweather-Pacquiao Bout PPV order with Verizon in the afternoon since we were having a family viewing party at our home that evening.

Millions tuned in to watch Floyd Mayweather Jr. take on Manny Pacquiao in what was billed as the fight of the century.

According to Social Media posts many PPV (Pay Per view) customers hoping to watch the long awaited  Mayweather-Pacquiao Bout  had difficulties ordering the fight due to heavy subscriber demand that  became difficult to fulfill.

We Viewed the Mayweather-Pacquiao Bout With Verizon PPV without a hitch in the delivery of service.

HBO and Showtime tried to slow down the pace of the fights by interviewing A-list stars in the audience and showing footage of the boxer’s training while subscribers were trying to order the PPV bout.

Many Carriers acknowledged the PPV purchase issues and were dialoguing with their customers via Twitter to help remedy what they could.

“HBO, one of the networks carrying the fight, told The New York Times shortly after reports of PPV issues began surfacing on social media  that it has received more orders for this than any other event in its history.”

My recommendation, when a long-anticipated event will be broadcasted via Pay Per View is to place your order for the event hours in advance.

If you are a Verizon Customer like me; Verizon has a Support Page to help troubleshoot if you encounter any difficulties placing your On Demand and Pay Per View Order.

Disclosure **I am a member of #LifeOnFiOS – a selected team of influencers for Verizon who love the FiOS service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

National Wine Day

National Wine Day is celebrated annually on May 25.

Each year, on this day, people enjoy a glass of their favorite wine with dinner, for dessert, with friends, at a restaurant, at home or at a wine-tasting event. The wine has a rich history dating back thousands of years!  (There is also a separate, yet similar, National Wine Day which is celebrated each year in February).

We are celebrating National Wine Day by sharing some of the Wines we tasted and Vineyards visited while traveling in Northern California’s Wine Country.

 O’Brien Estate, Napa Valley CA

 Ceja Vineyards

 Trinitas Cellars

Chimney Rock 

DUCKHORN VINEYARDS

Castello di Amorosa

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Passaggio Wines

Ledson Winery & Vineyards

Kendall-Jackson

 Silver Oak Cellars

Kenwood Vineyards

Cakebread Cellars

MKT Restaurant-Bar

When visiting California’s Wine Country we recommend to either begin or end your visit with a MKT Restaurant-Bar dining experience that can be paired with some of the finest Vineyards/Wineries.

You are Invited to Visit Katie Shea Design”s National Wine Day Pinterest Place Board.  Pinterest Place Boards can be used as a tool to plan your next Wine Tour!

Disclosure **I am a member of  #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team.  I am supplied with different devices to use and test.  All opinions are my own. **

Images by Katie Shea Design shot with a Verizon iPhone6  #VZWBuzz

Applebee’s “Taste the Change”

Applebee’s Hosts Time Square Takeover “Taste the Change” to Celebrate New Menu!

On Wednesday, May 13, 2015, Applebee’s hosted  a street party “Taste the Change” in Times Square to celebrate it’s new menu.  The festivities included free samples of new menu items, such as the new Triple Hog Dare Ya sandwich, a takeover of twelve of Times Square’s famous billboards, complete with social media integration; live music featuring performances from Jason Derulo, X Ambassadors and DJ Fitz (of Fitz and the Tantrums); games and activities for guests to enjoy.

The tagged tweets #WatchApplebees of those who could not make it to New York on May 13 appeared on a massive Times Square billboard during the event between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EDT. Applebee’s shared live photographs from the event and the digital displays from the Times Square billboards at www.applebeestastethechangefest.com, where guests whose images appeared on the billboard were able to share via Facebook and Twitter with the headline, “Applebee’s threw a party in Times Square and I was there!”

Hosting a  live Periscope video broadcast was Vincenzo Landino, who with more than 40,000 video followers is among Twitter’s leading live video personalities.  Landino broadcasted live from Times Square in 30-minute segments throughout the event.

Later this month, the nearly 2,000 Applebee’s locations across the country will update their menus with eight new or improved sandwiches and appetizers, including the Triple Hog Dare Ya, Brew Pub Philly steak sandwich and Maple Bacon Chicken Piadini.

“An over-the-top sampling party at the Crossroads of the World is the perfect way to introduce and celebrate our new menu,” said Applebee’s Senior Vice President of Culinary and Marketing Darin Dugan.  “We’re proud of our new food and we’re inviting the world to give it a try.”

American Kobe Style Meatballs made in house, cooked really slow in Pomodoro sauce (chunky tomato sauce), parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley on top.

Maple Mustard Chicken Piadini  

Piadina is a wrap, it’s like a tortilla but it’s made from a thin dough, very trendy right now.  Piadina is almost like a really thin flat bread dough that applebee’s cooks on the grill.  They  roll cedar grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, bacon and a maple glaze on the inside with some fresh greens rolled up nice and hot off the grill.

Triple Hog Dare Ya

Three Hogs in it:  Black forest ham, bacon, and slow roasted pulled pork tossed in a chili salsa verde on a toasted ciabatta bread with cheddar cheese, crispy frizzled onions, and Applebee’s homemade steak sauce. My Favorite is the Triple Hop Dare Ya!

Shredded Brisket Nachos

Beautiful tender, slow roasted brisket tossed in salsa verde sauce on top of chips.  Three different cheeses: white cheddar, yellow cheddar and a white queso dip.  It has roasted poblanos, roasted jalapenos, caramelized onions, pico de gallo, all in a beautiful white silky sauce layered with the beef brisket on top of that with Applebee’s nacho lettuce (cabbage and shredded iceberg, pico de gallo, scallions, cilantro and fresh sliced jalapenos) and then chipotle lime seasoning on top.

Michael Slavin, the corporate executive chef for Applebee’s product development (developed all these recipes)  gave us all the details in a special live interview at Applebee’s Times Square New Menu Tasting Event May 13th.

The event was a huge success with so many participating all across various social media platforms.

The use of the live streaming app Periscope  by Vincenzo Landino brought the experience of the “Live” event to the masses!

When in NYC stop by Applebee’s and taste!!

The Applebee’s Brand

Applebee’s is the world’s largest casual dining chain, with more than 2,000 locations in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Applebee’s takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® restaurants are franchised or operated by DineEquity Inc.’s (NYSE: DIN) wholly-owned subsidiary, Applebee’s International, Inc. and its affiliates.

Disclosure **I am a member of  #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team.  I am supplied with different devices to use and test.  All opinions are my own. **

Images by Katie Shea Design shot with a Verizon iPhone6  #VZWBuzz

Cooking and Katting with Chef Franco Lania

Since live streaming Apps Meerkat and Periscope (owned by Twitter) were launched last month they have been highly publicized in the news and online.  Both apps, currently available only on iOS, let you broadcast live video from your smartphone to the app’s other users or to a private group of friends and followers.

***Update** Meerkat App now Available also for Android Smartphone Users!! We introduced Chef Franco Lania to the Meerkat App as the perfect venue for his brand and personality.

“Ever since Meerkat captured the imagination of this year’s SXSW audience, it has become one of the most hotly-discussed new platforms in recent years among marketing industry experts.” “It’s been claimed by many that Meerkat is the biggest SXSW breakout product since Twitter in 2007” read more here

Chef Franco’s enthusiasm and passion for cooking is contagious and can be caught by watching him cook and engage with people. We chose to showcase Chef Franco’s magnanimous personality using the Meerkat App during a cooking session.

Most Meerkat users are aware that the app offers an option to save their video streams on their mobile devices but does not save to YouTube for you. We decided to use the Katch App.

Katch allows you to simplify the process of preserving your memories while passing off the storage and distribution concerns to YouTube’s servers. By adding “#Katch” to your Meerkat video stream description, you’ll immediately alert Katch, which will then save your video, upload it to YouTube and then send you the link via your Meerkat comments.  read more here We added  #Katch to our Meerkat Video Title to capture our video for posterity.

When we reviewed the “Katch Video” we discovered that the last 10 minutes of our saved video was out of sync.  We had lost video view for a few minutes during our meerkat broadcast and that must have disrupted the recording. Chef Franco was able to have the video put back into sync then placed up on YouTube. Chef Franco’s Mission is to inspire people that have hit hardships and adversity in their lives using the invigorating energy of cooking. His passion for the kitchen and its potential to heal the soul have made him a grassroots sensation, inspiring culinary professionals and novice foodies alike. The Master Chef has appeared on HTTV and The Food Network, where he served up delicious recipes garnished with his famous joie de vivre.  Now Chef Franco shares his joy of cooking, his recipes, and the story of how he found happiness in the kitchen with people around the world….and how you can do the same.

The following is a three-minute clip from Katie Shea Design’s Meerkat Video summing up Chef Franco Lania’s Cooking Mission:

Some Cooking Tips from Chef Franco Lania: 

Tip 1: Boil the pasta nice and easy to keep the integrity of the shapes.

Tip 2: Large sweet onions do not make you cry as much.

Tip 3: Remove the onion root before cutting to enable the onion to easily fall apart into half moon shapes. 

Tip 4:  Undercook your pasta by about 3 minutes.This allows the pasta to cook the rest of the way with the other hot ingredients.

You can find the Spring Pea and Pancetta Pasta Mista Here

While using the Meerkat App to video this cooking session; we used a Verizon WiFi Hotspot since “Live Streaming” devours Wireless Data.

What is a WiFi hotspot?

“Imagine a gadget that’s smaller than a deck of cards, as easy to use as a light switch and powerful enough to provide a super-fast Internet connection to numerous devices. That’s a mobile hotspot, which lets you take Wi-Fi with you. Wi-Fi hotspots—or Verizon Jetpack mobile hotspots—keep multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices connected to the Verizon 4G LTE network. Unlike a USB modem or wireless modem, which can be used only with your laptop, a mobile hotspot can easily connect your laptop and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously.” We keep a sharp eye on  Data usage since the business smartphone has a 2GB plan. By using the Verizon Hotspot we did not consume a chunk of the Data plan for one “Live Streaming” session.

The following image illustrates an example of a possible Verizon Wireless Customer’s Monthly Data Usage:

Please Click on the following image to calculate your Monthly Data Usage:

After calculating your estimated Monthly Data Usage stop by Verizon Wireless and check out all the latest Wireless Plans available for your wireless devices.

The scale is tipping in our personal and business lives to a more “Video Usage” world.  Ensuring we have a “Data Plan” that can accommodate our lifestyles and budgets is essential.

A Verizon iPhone6 128GB was used to shoot Katie Shea Design’s images and Meerkat Video in this post.

Disclosure **I am a member of  #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team.  I am supplied with different devices to use and test.  All opinions are my own. **

Game of Thrones Season 5 Sneak Preview at HBO with Verizon FiOS

 An Invitation to the Game of Thrones Season 5 sneak peak preview at HBO New York City was not to be missed!

I was not anywhere near up to date on what was happening regarding the Game of Thrones Series so what could I do?

Introducing HBO GO

HBO GO® is The streaming service from HBO that lets you enjoy your favorite HBO shows, movies, comedy specials, sports, documentaries – plus behind-the-scenes extras and more. It’s every episode of every season of the best of HBO, free with your HBO subscription—now available on Android smartphones and tablets!

It’s HBO Anywhere!

Free with your HBO subscription through participating television providers.

With the New HBO GO App You Can:

• Keep up with your favorites. Watch everything you love about HBO, including HBO original programming, hit movies, sports, comedy and every episode of the best HBO shows, including True Blood®, Game of Thrones®, Boardwalk Empire®, Girls, Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm®, Entourage®, The Sopranos®, Sex and the City®, The Wire® and more. Plus, get bonus features and special behind-the-scenes extras!

When it comes to streaming HD video, you’ll need a broadband speed, or bitrate, that’s capable of handling a progressive scan rate of 720p. Since your HD-capable screen is refreshing the screen 60 times per second, this means ensuring that all those video frames are received and ready to play before they’re needed. Your computer or other device will cache all the incoming data and queue the video frames so they’re ready for smooth playback.  Read more here

There were a lot of episodes to watch in order to catch up to Game of Thrones Season 5 so I needed my broadband speed to be extremely fast when using HBO Go!

Why Your Broadband Speed Matters:

Powering Multiple Devices

The more Internet devices you use at one time, the greater the drain on your connection. FiOS Quantum Internet has the extra speed you need to stay  fast.

Faster Downloads and Streaming

FiOS Quantum Internet connection means faster downloads of movies and TV. Cable “boosts” only work on a small portion of large files – less than 1% of a 5G HD movie download.

Virtually Lag-free Gaming

With radically faster speeds, gaming on FiOS is virtually lag-free. No more hiccups or breaks in the action.

Uploads in a Flash

People often think of Internet as download-only. But if you like to post pictures or videos, you’ll love the lightning-fast upload speed of FiOS.

100% Fiber Optics

Fiber optics offer a smoother, more reliable connection. With FiOS, enjoy ultra-fast Internet on 100% fiber optics, delivered straight to your home.

FiOS Internet Speed Comparison Tool

Use this interactive comparison tool to discover for yourself why FiOS Quantum Internet rocks the competition. No wonder PC magazine hails FiOS as “the king of Internet Service Providers.”*

My household has 75/75 Mbps which is best for 5-7 devices at the same time.

This speed works well for uploading and sharing videos on YouTube and serious multi-user gaming.

I can also stream up to 7 HD videos simultaneously with my Verizon FiOS Internet Plan choice.

Use Verizon FiOS and HBO Go to get Caught up and prepared to view the Game of Thrones Season 5 Premiere April 12th, 2015!

 

**I am a member of #LifeOnFiOS – a selected team of influencers for Verizon who love the FiOS service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.