Walgreens App Review | Collective Bias

26 Monday Mar 2012

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There is a way to make your life a little easier. Walgreens recently launched an application for the iPhone/iPad and Android. Occassionally, I am asked by a social shopper insights company, Collective Bias, to do reviews on products and services my readers would be interested to learn about.  Because I get paid to write these posts, it’s important for me to ensure I’m only selecting ones that make sense to my readers. I really have to say, “Wow! My readers are going to LOVE to know this.” Well, I have to tell you, you are going to love this!

I downloaded the Walgreens app to my iPhone a few days ago and started to explore it’s features. I don’t usually shop at Walgreens that often, but I can tell you the features on this app is going to change things for me.

Why I love the Walgreens App:

The scan feature through the app allows you to scan an item in your house, locate the product information and availability at the Walgreens location of your choice, then add it to your shopping list. How cool is that?

The on-line photo shop allows you to send photos straight from your phone to the nearest Walgreens, or the one with the quickest turn-around time. It will let you know an estimated pick-up time. You can literally take a picture with your phone from the app and send it to the store for print. Or, of course, you can select one from your photo library and send that for print as well.

Coupons from the weekly mailer are available to scan straight from your phone. You can also view the weekly mailer on-line which is great for paper reduction and in case you forget yours once you are at the store.

Prescription refills are done conveniently through your phone using the scan device. Just scan your current Walgreens prescription, and the information is automatically uploaded into the system, giving you a pick-up time at a store of your choice.

The barcode scanner feature on the Walgreens app was so much fun! I went around scanning all the items I purchase weekly, like the Plum Organic baby food and the Happy Baby organic puffs. Those items pulled up with ease, but the ones the scanner couldn’t find, I just plugged into the search feature and it pulled up a plethora of options. I added them all to my shopping list, and proceeded to check-out.

Oh! Did I forget to mention the best part? Walgreens ships all this from your phone to your house! And, right now, orders over $25 ship for free. You can choose other forms of shipping at an additional rate if you need your items delivered faster than the 3-7 day turn-around time. Initially, I had a little quirky issue with the app not allowing me to add items into my shopping cart, but once I removed it and added it again to my iPhone, it worked just fine.

Wow. There really is a better way.

To see more photos from my shop experience with the Walgreens App, please visit my Google+ album.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own. #CBias

 

Nathan Adelson Hospice | Las Vegas Community

19 Monday Mar 2012

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My initial impression was that of fear and mortality. Then after I accepted that, I allowed myself to turn my thoughts towards what we were there for…to celebrate Las Vegas being home to one of the top hospice care facilities in the country.  In fact, during it’s fruition, it was one of only three facilities available in the United States, thanks to the compassion of Merv Adelson, son to Nathan Adelson, a Sunrise Hospital Administrator in the 1960-70s, who passed away from cancer a few decades ago.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for the brand new, larger inpatient facility at the Mountain View Hospital, Merv relayed his personal experience about how his father, who suffered from cancer, did not die a dignified death. Not exactly what you want to chat about on a blog, but it is something our community should be grateful for. Because Merv held his father in the highest regard, and did not want others to experience what he had gone through, he set his sites on offering end-of-life care in a facility that would set the standard for those following its lead in the United States. The Nathan Adelson Hospice was founded and developed based on ideas sought out from similar concepts in England. It was the first of its kind, and is now considered an expert in its field, with many hospise care facilities from around the country reaching out to them for advice and direction.

Merv Adelson Nathan Adelson Hospice Las Vegas

Merv Adelson, son of Nathan Adelson

Though at first my livelihood felt threatened to walk into such a place, as I started a self-guided tour, and listened to the enthusiastic employees, founders and supporters discuss the amenities and the comforts provided to those being admitted, and their loved ones, I felt a sense of gratitude knowing that if ever needed, this place of compassion would be there to serve, as it has served our community for over 30 years.

One of the comfortable rooms at the new Nathan Adelson Hospice location in Summerlin.

Again, as I have been touched so many times witnessing the strength of our Las Vegas community these last few months, I listened, teary-eyed as President and CEO, Carole Fisher, gave a touching presentation of the latest addition to the Nathan Adelson Hospice family as she talked about how her mother and grandmother did the interior decorating, and how her grandmother passed away this January, still deciding the layout of the furniture.  She spoke about how grateful she was that within the walls of not only her home, but also her place of work, her grandmother’s legacy lived on in the colors, art work and furniture throughout the hospice. Longtime supporters of the Las Vegas community, Irwin and Susan Molasky, spoke to their involvement in the hospice and why it was so important to them.

Carole Fisher Nathan Adelson Las Vegas

Carole Fisher, President and CEO, Nathan Adelson Las Vegas

The Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Northwest Inpatient facility is located at the Mountain View Hospital, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 350, Las Vegas, Nevada. To learn more about the facilities provided for our community, visit the Nathan Adelson Hospice website. You can also follow inspiring stories and learn more about the people and lives Nathan Adelson touches on their Facebook page.

For more photos on this event, please visit my Google+ story.

 

 

Las Vegas Fashion | Spring Trends from Neiman Marcus

15 Thursday Mar 2012

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I was invited to a Spring Trends fashion show directed by Neiman Marcus Las Vegas personal stylist, Lindsey Bernay. Man, did I feel totally out of season once that was over. My black ballet flats, jeans and black and white top with black scarf in no way reflected the fun, punchy, color block styles headed our way for Spring. Fortunately (or maybe not so fortunate), Vegas weather gives us the chance to shake off those drab winter colors sooner than later. Lindsey shared some really great tips on how to mix and match patterns, pull pieces together so you can go from Day to Night, and what accessories are a must have this season.

Everything has to have color. According to Lindsey, blue jeans are out, unless of course, they are turquoise, and we are only allowed to wear skinny jeans with bold colors or patterns. I especially loved the selection from designer Rag and Bone, and their price point was on-trend for me. Make sure to dress them with a fabulous pair of heels to go from day to night.

Here’s my list of Top Spring Trends as suggested by Lindsey Bernay of Neiman Marcus Las Vegas:

  • Metalics…silver shoes is a great way to be on trend this season, while still being neutral.
  • Nudes…keep your heels a nude shade to give your legs length. Also, a nude, vintage-y lace top looks great with all the color blocking happening on the run-way.
  • Long skirts…LOVE. I especially love the sheer long skirts with the mini skirt or short shorts underneath. Another suggestion was to take your patio dresses from last Spring/Summer season and make them look like long skirts by pairing them with a top. Forward thinking fashionistas will be happy to know that long skirts with pants underneath are already being seen on the runway for Fall.
Neiman Marcus Fashion Show Mall
  • Blazers are rocking the styles this season. Match them up with your patio dresses, long skirts or short shorts with heels to dress up your day look and take you into the evening. Perfect for an outdoor wine and jazz event at The Smith Center.
  • Seriously, mix it up. Mis-matched patterns are the look for Spring. Wild and crazy, you would never wear those together prints, are being pulled together with a black skinny belt and a blazer. Keep a common color or tone happening in both pieces, and don’t go overboard with the accessories. Keep the eye on the fun stuff happening with the print.
  • Color blocking and punches of color… think bolds like yellow, turquoise and coral matched with gold jewelry, or muted shades like mint and blush look awesome with a hit of orange.
  • Yellow is the color for Spring. Sunshine. Bring it.
Neiman Marcus Spring Fashions

Accessories always need their own space because they are just that important. Here are some tips from Lindsey about how to incorporate those fabulous pieces that seal the deal:

  • Any flats you buy for Spring need to have jewels!
  • Both snakeskin and silver (not necessarily together) are great ways to make your outfit a little edgier, but also are considered neutrals. Consider a great pair of silver shoes, or a snakeskin belt or bag to keep you looking on trend.
  • It’s perfectly fine to mix and match silver and gold jewelry.
  • Speaking of gold jewelry…Rose Gold is it for Spring. Go get some!
  • And, finally, my favorite…wallets on chains, to be worn either across your shoulder or over your shoulder. Don’t let the term deceive you, up-close, they do actually fit your phone, make-up and lipstick.

Drive it home with bronze tones in your make-up. Bobbi Brown has a great pallet out right now, that I’ve been using, and was featured at the event. It’s perfect for travelling as it’s compact and houses eye shadow, liner and a brush.

Finally, anything that sparkles rules. Channel had some fabulous sunglasses with glitter right in the lenses. They were pretty clutch. (Am I too old to use that word?)

Now that you’re inspired, get shopping! The Current Event at Neiman Marcus is running from now through March 18th, featuring this cool clutch with purchase. Visit their website for more details.

Have fun…would love to see what you put together with your new Spring pieces. Post your pics on my facebook page!

What’s your favorite Spring Trend?