Ok don’t laugh but I am still running around decorating, shopping, and preparing for Christmas this week. I don’t think I procrastinate as much as there is just not enough hours in the day! Thankfully I have an assistant helping me (in the form of Cortana on my Lumia 1520) and I already have my table ready for our Christmas dinner. We host Christmas dinner at my house, and by host I mean we let my mom come over and cook and we all gather to enjoy!
This has been a tradition for the past couple of years and each year I’m adding on to my collection of Christmas table decorations and dishes. This year we are GOING GOLD! Thanks to some place settings we received I am all set and love how it looks!
Ok it is still missing plates, glasses, and silverware but I think we can wait until dinner. I loved that I was sent some Christmas crackers. It is a tradition my mother started many years ago where we open them each year and have fun wearing the crowns and sharing our fun little toys. I also LOVE my Christmas salt and pepper shakers. I could never decide which pair I liked best so I bought them both, after all you can’t have Christmas with out Mr. and Mrs. Clause and I love snowmen!
In the center of the table is the most AMAZING candle and I don’t say that lightly. It is so hard to find a good candle that really gives off a scent that lasts. I haven’t even lit this candle yet and I can smell it when I come into the dining room. Not only that but it has the sweetest smell, it is called Champagne Toast. I asked my daughter what she thought it smelled like and she said strawberries. I said, “Well strawberries do go with champagne!”
I mentioned that I had a new assistant named Cortana. Thankfully she works for nothing, which is my kind of assistant! She lives inside my new Lumia 1520 phone. This is the first time I’ve ever used a Windows phone but I have to say I kinda like how easy it is to get to everything from the front screen.
Meet Cortana
Cortana is like my own personal “don’t forget” and “you need to do this” service. Of course I never forget anything, insert husbands eye rolling here, LOL! Honestly when it comes to Christmas shopping I definitely need someone to help me with my list and checking it twice. With three children, husband, mom, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew to buy for I definitely do not want to forget someone!
You can find tons of great apps to use with your Lumia 1520 but let me introduce you to a few.
Apps on the Lumia 1520
Big Oven: This is more than a recipe app, it is an app for those that are kitchenly challenged. With Big Oven you can find a recipe, check out featured recipes, and my favorite list three ingredients and let Big Oven find a recipe. Talk about a way to use what is in your fridge and pantry!
Mix Radio: This is exactly what the title implies I mix of radio tunes. I decided to give it a try because I love to pipe in soothing Christmas music to my bluetooth speaker while we are eating. This really sets the atmosphere and gets us into the Christmas spirit.
Virtual Fireplace App: I can tell you that here in South Florida you don’t see too many people using fireplaces. We had a fireplace in our old house and we never used it. However I did miss the sound and beauty of a good fire. The Virtual Fireplace app gives you all that, at the touch of a button. I enjoyed it sooo much I sought out an app for my computer so that when I’m not working I can enjoy the fire.
My first experience with a Windows phone was definitely positive. I may have to contemplate a switch!
I received the above products or was compensated for this post.
