Nintendo Art Academy update

Remember the Art Academy learning game I talked about a few weeks ago? See the previous post here. I wanted to give you a quick update and show you how fast our daughter has enhanced her skills, it is pretty neat to see how much art exploring she has been able to do. I'm impressed by how it teaches art skills like drawing a foundational sketch before you paint and how to layer colors. I took these shots throughout the last few weeks on my phone while we were in the car. It has been such a fantastic car and running the errands activity for her, that she doesn't get bored with. Who else has played around with Art Academy?

iPad Christmas Message

The British web-design company Torchbox used iPads to deliver 'A Starry Night' Christmas message. This is fabulous, if you like technology, specifically the iPad, you won't want to miss watching this one!

It was filmed and edited at Torchbox's office in Oxfordshire and the music was recorded and produced at Torchbox by Katie Overbury, Wes West and Tom Dyson. I want that track, don't you? via CR Review

Jambox

Alrighty folks, if you follow along with my posts (especially Music Mondays) you probably know I am a music lover -- but aren't we all? Today I'm digging on some classical tunes, what about you, what are you mixing this week?

I am stoked to share with you some of the hottest technology around that I have tried, it is called the Jambox ... and it blows my mind!


Basically the Jambox is a mini-portable wireless speaker that can talk to anything with a bluetooth connection (ipad, iphone, some tvs, computers etc...) and I am overly amazed at the sound. It truly has the biggest sound in the smallest package! Yesterday I actually put it in my coat pocket, played it in the car, and took it with me literally everywhere -- it rocks, and it can rock out loud and clear. Watch this video to see all of the features. The packaging it comes in is also rad, so I snapped a few shots for you below. I guess I am a really nerdy tech kind of girl when I get super excited about stuff like this. We are putting this on our Christmas wish list for sure. The Jambox runs $199 and you can learn more about it here.

Books I'm Reading with Martha

Today I'm excited to let you know about a new thing that Martha Stewart is launching on her blog called, "Books I'm Reading". As part of the Martha Circle, Jordan from Oh Happy Day, Jane from This Week For Dinner and I will be reading Martha's picks along with her on these awesome little pocket-sized Sony Readers they sent us.

This month, Martha selected the book Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places by Bill Streever. Streever is a biologist who writes about his experiences in the some of the most freezing environments in the world. It makes me shiver just thinking about it! I am fascinated by what he has to say about animal's hibernation habits, and the way the human body reacts in such extreme bitter-cold conditions. So far, it is very intriguing.

The Sony Reader they sent is really cool -- it feels natural and convenient because it is smaller than the size of a normal book and can easily fit in your bag, or even pocket. What differentiates it from most e-readers out there is that it has a full touch screen and you can also download books from participating local libraries and Google to get over 1 million classic books for free, so you really have a lot of options.

Bonus for you readers is that you can enter to win a Reader for yourself here where one winner will be selected each week! Be sure to also tune into the Martha Show on Monday, December 6th where she will be interviewing author Bill Streever. Happy reading everyone!