Music Streaming with Deezer

We've come a long way! From good ol' cassettes to burning playlists on CDs to music on iPods and now, we've really arrived in the digital age with music streaming. (I swear I'm not that old)

Seriously though, I honestly can't remember the last time I downloaded a song! I haven't found the  need to - I usually listen to the radio in the car so I can hear some new tracks and when I'm on my laptop, I stream music on Youtube which is quite the pain but I've powered through. I survived and thrived on Spotify when I was living in NYC but unfortunately, it does not work in this region unless you have a Premium subscription.

BUT just recently, I discovered Deezer and I'm a happy camper once again! Deezer is a music streaming service available (yes, legally available) in the UAE (and other countries)! I've been using the service for about two weeks now and have to say - it's pretty great.

So here's the lowdown - I'm currently on the free plan which means ads and being able to play them on only one platform at a time, both of which are no biggie IMO. They do also have a paid Premium+ version ($9.99/month) which has no ads, unlimited plays across platforms and being able to access your music offline as well. It's available on web, PC/Mac, iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry.

They have some cool features like 'Flow' which suggests music based on your current favorites and 'Mixes' which are genre based playlists. You can also make your little playlists and here's my favorite part - you can choose to have people collaborate on your playlists! Fun right? I was even able to import my Spotify playlists quite easily using this website!

The library is quite impressive - I've been able to find all of the music that I listen to including the Bollywood tracks even. The interface is also quite easy to use which is definitely a bonus. So, I completely recommend giving Deezer a go if you're looking for a music streaming option - it's very similar to Spotify if you've used them before.

Here's a little summer playlist of songs I've had on loop for the last few weeks, you'll get a 30-sec preview if you're a not a Deezer member.

What are some of your favorite tracks right now? Let me know in the comments below! :)

Mona xo

April App Favorites

Swackett (Free, Web, iOs and Android)

Swackett is a weather app which keeps it interesting by showing you not just the regular weather info but also dressing up a 'Peep' in suggested clothing based on the readings. I'm traveling to Turkey tomorrow (eek!) and have been using this app to figure what I need to pack! Especially perfect for people who travel.

Image source: Venus Buzz

Riff (Free, iOs and Android)

Riff is an app created by Facebook which allows for collaborative chain videos to be made with friends. So, you make a video and give it a topic or a hashtag, it will show up for public and your Facebook friends on Riff will get a notification. They can then add another video to yours and from there, their friends can add on as well and it keeps going that way. Imagine a Snapchat story with many different collaborators, you get Riff. You can watch chain videos from around the world as well.

I like it, think it'll work great for birthday/holiday wishes, events and even just general fun videos!

  Image source: Business Insider

Hooks (Free, iOs)

Hooks is so simple and so beautiful. The basic and only function of the app is to provide notifications. You can pick whatever you would like to notified about - whether it's a new TV episode, sports scores, stocks, when a new music album comes out from your favorite artist, horoscopes, films etc - and it will notify you. No more missing out on stuff or looking it up every few days, hurray!

Image source: Content Base

DocuSign (Free, Web, iOs and Android)

DocuSign allows you to draw your signature freehand on your phone/tablet, insert it into a document

send it off to whomsoever it may concern. No more faxing, printing, scanning and all that other stuff. You can also send documents to other people to sign using the app. For someone like me who is rarely at a desk or even with access to a printer, this is a life saver! 

 Image source: Torontoism

PackPoint (Free, iOs and Android)

Another travel app favorite - PackPoint basically generates a packing list based on activities and length of your travel. I'm all for making my own lists but packing lists are so exhaustive! This makes life so much easier and also makes sure I don't forget anything (which always happens with my lists). I really like the interface as well, very smooth and cute.

If you would like more flexibility in making your lists, try me PackMeApp (Android) or Pack the Bag (iOs) - it allows you to pick items from categories that you would like to add on your list thus making it easier than making your list from scratch.

  Image source: Next Web

And that's a wrap. As mentioned, I'm off to Turkey tomorrow for a week and safe to say, I'm pumped! If you have any Turkey tips for me and also new app recommendations, let me know in the comments below or tweet me @MonaGir. You can also follow me on Instagram to see pictures from my trip!

Mona xo

January '15 Favorites

The Skimm

These days, we are exposed to a crazy amount of information which makes it quite difficult to sort through all the news (or even read any of) and get to the important stuff. The Skimm helps with just that. It's a daily email newsletter service that reads through all current topics/news, simplifies it and sends a daily update to your inbox in a fun, very easy-to-read format. Best of all, it's free!

Above
Sofitel Dubai Downtown

Love: Uninterrupted views of Burj Khalifa, fancy but with a no nonsense vibe
Place for: Date night, a chill evening out
Recommend: Falafel sliders and making a reservation (especially for the weekend)

Forest Essentials Advanced Soundarya Age Defying Facial Serum with 24K Gold
Forest Essentials is a luxury Ayurveda brand based in India. I bought this product on my recent trip to India and it's been working wonderfully for me. It's 100% natural, helps eliminate fine lines and pigmentation and the packaging is just gorgeous (I just had to say that, total sucker for packaging). I've seen a very noticeable reduction in pigmentation and my skin feels a lot more hydrated, so two thumbs up! Their products are not available in stores in UAE as yet but they do offer international shipping.

Boohoo 

I'm a big fan of online shopping and Boohoo is my most recent haunt. They have a great selection of styles which are quite young and fresh and they have a plus-size section as well which runs up to size 24. The above two dresses are part of my January haul - I'm totally big on prints.

Two Dots

This game has ruined my life but I'm honestly hopelessly addicted. I'm not usually one to play games on my phone but this one sucked me right in. The basics of the game is joining dots as you can tell but oh, it's so much more than that. Give it a go and let me know how you get on, I've just made my way up to level 56!

Free, Available for iOS and Android

Pure Candles Dubai

Scented candles are a no-brainer - they make the atmosphere so much more relaxed and calm, which everyone could use especially after a work day. My current favorite is the Ginger Lime candle from Pure Candles Dubai. All their candles are made of soy wax and are eco-friendly, made right here in Dubai. 

That's it for my favorites from January! Tweet me @MonaGir and let me know what some of your favorites are from last month! 

Mona xo

Favorite Apps of 2014

Pattrn (Free, Android)

If you like switching up your phone wallpapers every once in a while but can't be bothered to look through millions to find a new one, this app is perfect for you! Pattrn has a huge collection of wallpapers and based on one you choose, it'll change your background daily/weekly with similar colors/patterns. Fun, right?  

    Image source: Droid Life

Chronos (Free, iPhone and Android)

This HAS TO BE my favorite app for this year. What Chronos does is basically log your life automatically - where you go, how much time you spend on the road, how long you sleep, exercise or socialise etc (kinda creepy right?). You don't have to enter in any information, it works with your GPS to detect places. At first, you may need to assign places such as home, work, gym etc but that's about it.

The app quietly runs in the background and doesn't affect your battery too much. At the end of every week, it generates insights for you on your activities for the week. This helps you understand how you can optimize your time better and get more things done.

The iOS version is fully featured and gives you insights on your activities that you can view from your phone. The Android version works as a data collector that just runs in the background and collects information you can review in info-graphic form on your computer or in the weekly email they send out.

  Image source: Chronos

Cal (Free, iPhone and Android)

Cal is a beautifully designed calendar app. The interface is pretty smooth and it integrates with your Google Calendar, iCloud etc. You can view your days by swiping left, view the full month by pulling down on the dates and add events by clicking the plus sign on the top right. 

Overall, it's a simple app to organize your life. It syncs up with their sister to-do list app, Any.do, which is also pretty clean and straightforward.

Image source: Nextweb

Quiz Up (Free, iPhone and Android)

Quiz Up is a seriously addictive trivia game. What sets this app apart from other trivia ones is that you can choose from literally hundreds of different topics to be quizzed on ranging from TV shows to geography to general knowledge and many more. 

It's updated quite regularly which, for me, is the best part. You can challenge friends or you get matched with a player (read stranger). Go get addicted!

Image source: Android Authority

Lift (Free, iPhone and Android)

Lift is essentially a self-help app. You set habits you want to introduce into your daily life into Lift and every time you accomplish your goal, you check in on the app. In that way, it helps you track your progress. 

Whenever you add a certain habit, you'll see how many others are trying to accomplish the same and how many times they have checked in.  This community also supports you by giving props for every small victory you have and also sharing tips on how they accomplished their goals. 

Popular habits include drinking more water, reading twice a week and meditation. There's also some adorable ones such as call mum and dad, read my kid a bedtime story and tell my wife that I love her (aww!). You can choose from the many habits on the app or create your own.

I really feel that this app serves as a challenge to yourself to make that change you always wanted to. It's the perfect time to try it out especially with the new year around the corner!

 

  Image source: Forbes

Hope you find these useful! What are some of your favorite apps from this year? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @MonaGir.

Also, only ONE more day left for your chance to win the Entertainer Mobile Dubai 2015!
Enter now: http://bit.ly/1rS739K

Mona xo

September '14 Favorites

It's been a month since I launched this blog and I've received such a great response so far. Thank you to everyone who has shared, read and commented on this blog. (I mean it)

It's October already! One thing I'm thankful for is that the weather is going to get so much better very soon, so +1 for that. I thought it might be fun to do a monthly favorites post and so I did - presenting my September favorites!

Duolingo

Duolingo makes it super simple to learn basics of languages such as English, Spanish, Danish, Irish, French, Dutch, German, Italian and Portuguese. The interface is almost like a game and while that's fun, it's also addictive. There, you've been warned. Try it out - it's free and available for iOS, Android and there is a web version as well. 

Red Shoe Trekkie
Movie reviews, recipes, travel
I came across this fairly new blog (based in the UAE) through Myla (Find Me A Break) and really like what I've read so far. He/she is only a few posts old but definitely go check it out.

Organix Tea Tree Mint Shampoo
This shampoo is the bomb (dot com). I have super greasy hair and this product really keeps my hair fresh and alive all day. It also leaves a nice minty tingly feeling on your scalp (which I'm clearly into)
Available at Life Pharmacy and Carrefour

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
So, I don't really face major acne problems but as and when I do, it's dark spot central (for many many weeks). I bought this product about 2 months ago and have been religiously applying this every night. I have seen a great change - visible reduction in dark spots and evened out skin tone. I have combination skin and this product has worked well for me. I have seen otherwise for those with dry skin.
Available at Kiehl's Dubai Mall 

Book Munch Cafe

Wasl Square, Al Safa, Dubai

Love: Cozy interiors, great staff, lots of peace and quiet 

Place for: Meetings, working, reading, coffee with friends 

Recommend: Eggs Benedict, Pomegranate Fizz

Hudhuds 

This is the Instagram account of Emirati artist, Hedaya Al Rahmah. She has great pictures of some really cool fashion and art pieces (some of which she designs) among other things, total eye candy on my Instagram timeline. 

Tweet me @MonaGir and let me know what some of your favorites are from last month! 

Mona xo

Twitter Comedy - #AppleLive

It was that time of the year when Apple launched something and it was EVERYWHERE. There was just absolutely no escape from this event. Don't get me wrong - I love me some Apple products but I really don't care to know every single detail of this live event through multiple channels.

In any case, instead of partaking in the mania that was the live stream, I took to Twitter to keep track of what was going on and came across some seriously hilarious tweets (see below!)

As for the event, I'm sure you already know this (REPEAT: NO ESCAPE). They launched iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the Apple Watch. See more info here: http://bit.ly/1wcoszQ

I’m not watching the #AppleEvent, but I imagine it started with a bunch of people in white robes ritualistically sacrificing an iPhone 5S.
— waitwait (@waitwait) September 9, 2014

I don't know how I've lived my life thus far without knowing the correct moon phases. #iWatch #AppleEvent
— bowler hat bear (@bowlerhatbear) September 9, 2014

"It's amazing what you can do with your wrist." Jesus, Tim. There are children present. #AppleEvent
— Curious Quail (@CuriousQuail) September 9, 2014

You get a free U2 album, but there’s a Chinese translation running in the left channel. #applelive
— Rob Marquardt (@someToast) September 9, 2014

"To get to the clock, tap the Clock app icon." Kevin Lynch is dropping knowledge at the #applelive event.
— Cameron Sinclair (@casinclair) September 9, 2014

They should call this event the iCantWatch #applelive
— Robbie Abed (@RobbieAb) September 9, 2014

can we just talk about the fat shaming of the term "6 Plus"? #AppleLive
— RICKY (@_RickyMinaj) September 9, 2014

"you can't determine a boundary between a physical object and the software" SHUT UP YES YOU CAN IT'S CALLED THE SCREEN #applelive
— Nathan Grayson (@Vahn16) September 9, 2014

So excited for the Apple Watch. For centuries, we’ve checked the time by looking at our phones. Having it on your wrist? Genius. #AppleLive
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 9, 2014

Breaking: Apple's new wearable is a scarf.
— Josh Clark (@globalmoxie) September 9, 2014

Appearing at an Apple event was not going to stop him wearing his new scarf pic.twitter.com/oZSrvzhX4F
— Mic Wright. (@brokenbottleboy) September 9, 2014

And of course, HTC came along and did this:

Happy To Congratulate #Apple on joining the world of big screens! pic.twitter.com/7nLUYAr4Nd
— HTC UK (@HTC_UK) September 9, 2014

Real talk - I'm not really excited about any of the products announced. What about you? Can't wait to own one of them? Caught some more funny tweets? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @MonaGir!

Mona xo