Month: December 2013

Capturing Perfect Moments with the Nokia Lumia 1020

I have always loved the arts. Painting, photography, sketching – they all bring me so much joy and help me unwind. There is nothing more satisfying than capturing that perfect moment in a photograph! My husband recently purchased me a new DSLR (which I have affectionately refer to as my third baby!) which I adore but because of it’s large size (and my fear of damaging it) I do not bring it out as much as I would like to. I tend to rely on my smart phone camera more than anything else. Up to this point I can’t say I have been really impressed with my smart phone cameras (in the past two years I have owned a BlackBerry and an iPhone). The quality has been grainy, blurry and very rarely can you ever actually have them printed out in a decent quality. 
I have been testing out the Nokia Lumia 1020 for the past month and I can honestly say it has blown the competition out of the water. The quality of the pictures I took were incredible. I could not believe that those photographs were coming from a smart phone!

To give you a little bit more background information on the phone, the Nokia Lumia 1020 has an incredible 41 mega pixel camera sensor, Pure View technology, Optical image stabilization and high resolution zoom. The device is powered by Windows Phone 8 and has the ability to create action shots, blur out objects (or even remove them!) or shoot in full HD video.
The Nokia Lumia 1020 was a bit larger then any phone I have ever used but I also found that was to my advantage when I was taking photos and editing on the actual device. Because of the lens it feels heavier on the one side so I would completely recommend purchasing the Camera Grip (which also adds to the phone’s battery life – something I learned at the Telus Learning Centre).
 I am pretty comfortable with technology and I have a super savvy tech husband at home if I ever have questions but the Telus Learning Centre session was very much worth the time to head in store for. The Telus rep that I met with was incredible. He was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable in his field. He taught me so much about the smart phone (things I was even able to show off to the hubby later with!). The Nokia Lumia 1020 also has an amazing battery life. I took it up to three days before having to charge it! This is coming from a person who needed to charge her Blackberry after six hours and the iPhone after twelve hours daily!

My favourite part of the Nokia Lumia 1020 was how versatile it was. Not only was it perfect to bring along to snap family photographs, I could bring it to work and use it for my day to day activities but I also challenged myself for the past month and a half to use ONLY the Nokia Lumia 1020 to take and edit photographs for my blog. To my surprise it cut down on my editing and uploading time! I was able to take photos and edit right there and then. No more taking my photographs, waiting for the kids to go to sleep, uploading to my desk top, editing the photos, putting my blog name on it and then uploading to the blog. The Nokia Lumia 1020 allowed me to increase my efficiency for my blogging and allowed me to spend more time with the ones I love.
I was able to capture so many bodies of work that I am quite proud of. I am posting a few of them here in my post but you can find the complete album in my Google + post here.
I found it so hard to believe how beautifully it captured the rain drops on this leaf while I was out hiking!
And then all the prickly ends on this bur!
Here is an example of how I was able to put together photos for my blog post.

Over the past month and a half I have fallen in love with my Nokia Lumia 1020. It makes my life as a mother, photographer and blogger that much easier! Not to mention it looks pretty darn cool in that bright yellow shell of its! It is definitely a smart phone worth looking into!

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above to help facilitate my review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Continue Reading

Weekly BlogLovin Hop with Journeys of the Zoo!!

I am so excited to be co-hosting this week’s BlogLovin Hop! Are you ready to meet amazing new bloggers and friends? Then get ready to link up!

Here is our lovely host:
  Sarah is the author at Journeys of The Zoo. She brings to you the daily life and international travels of the Zoo: Ed, Sarah, The Kids, two rescue dogs and a geriatric cat!! Sarah is an incredible person who loves to support her friends. She is always there to share and support fellow bloggers and share product reviews. Her posts are full of her humour. Sarah became a mother for the first (and last) time when she had Triplets in 2009 – sadly, Alexander passed away. These are the Journeys of the Zoo.

Your co-host is me, Carla:

I started my blog while off on maternity leave with my second son. I wanted (and needed!) an outlet for my love of cooking, photography, baking and meeting other parents. I have two young boys who definitely keep me on my toes as I try to balance my work life outside of the home and my family life. My blog is a reflection of my life and in it you can find recipes, photography, product reviews and so much more! Welcome to my story!
Make sure you link up with your direct link to your BlogLovin account. Looking forward to getting to know you all! 
You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google +!
Continue Reading

Up It Goes! w/linky #WW

We finally were motivated to put the tree up! It was so much fun as our youngest helped out as much as he could putting the decorations on the tree. His big brother was right there helping him out the whole time. I thought this would be the perfect #WW link up this week! Do you celebrate Christmas and if so is your tree up?
Link up below so I can visit your #WW posts too!
Continue Reading

Mia Mariu Holiday Shopping Spree!

Mía Mariú is an innovative company that stands for beauty and health in harmony and above all, for happiness and balance for all women. With nature’s finest forces, they offer a full line of health and beauty products designed to help you illuminate your beauty from the inside out.
The Mía Mariú product philosophy is that beauty and health go hand in hand. Everything you want. All you need. Beauty and health in harmony.
With Mía you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get high quality botanical skin care, mineral cosmetics and nature’s nutritionals that you want and deserve. That is what they are all about. Mía Mariú offers real health, beauty, balance and harmony for real women.
Mía‘s natural health and beauty products are available exclusively through an Mía Mariú Independent Adviser or online here: http://miamariu.com/.

One lucky winner will receive a $400 Mía Mariú Shopping Spree.

Event hosted by Mom to Bed by 8. Giveaway ends December 23rd at 11:59pm, open to US residents only, ages 18+. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. To enter please use the giveaway form below. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:Working Mommy Journal is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact [email protected] with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!
Continue Reading

Dora the Explorer Live!! Hamilton Place: December 11th at 3:30

Calling all Dora fans (and their parents of course)! Get ready for an incredible, singing, dancing and fun event with Dora.

 Dora is crossing the country in the much anticipated Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys.  Dora loses her teddy bear and must go on the search for him. Dora will need the help of her friends Boots, the Map, Backpack, Diego, you and many more friends! Join Dora as she passes through the Number Pyramid, through the mixed up Jungle and to the City of Lost Toys (were you singing along with it too?!).
Dora puts on an incredible live theatrical production that draws the audience in through singing, movement and playing along. Dora has been a family favourite for the longest time and our youngest is in awe of Dora!

Are you ready to win a family pack of tickets to see Dora the Explorer Live!?
This giveaway is open to residents of Canada only, 18 years of age and older who will be able to attend the show on December 11th at 3:30pm at Hamilton Place.
Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue Reading
Working Mommy Journal
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.