Author: Julie Meyers Pron

Looking for a gift that plugs in and entertains? Whether you’re springing for a PS5 or you’re going for a hobby-related gift like the Aeros, there are plenty of ways that you can ensure that your family and friends are entertained over the holidays. Here are a few best bets for your giftee’s hours of enjoyment. Bonus! Check out the awesome giveaway below. Disney Classics Box Set Product Description: “From The Studio’s earliest days, music has always been an integral part of the Disney creative process. But when ‘Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf’ debuted in 1933, it began a…

Chills. I promise you. If you’ve ever enjoyed Disney animated movies, if you’ve ever sung “A Whole New World” or “A Circle of Life” at the top of your lungs while driving cross country, if you’ve ever connected in any way, at all, with Disney Music then you’ll just absolutely fall for this Disney Medley featuring Alex G and Peter Hollens. [You know how this works… if you can’t view the embedded video, get out of your mailbox and onto Julieverse.com! Or, just click here to view.] So, you watched it? You listened? You felt? Come on… fess up… who melted? Who…

I can’t believe I’ve made it through the Shooting 101: First Steps with a DSLR class through Clickin’ Moms. I am amazed at the differences I see in my photography. I’ve truly become a hobby-ist… bringing my camera everywhere, taking a million snapshots, and evoking eye rolls from the fam for too many pictures of things in nature. And, you know what? I love it! Here’s a brief recap of weeks 2 & 3, as well as samples of my work. I have a long way to go, I know. But I am so excited with my improvement. View Week 1 here. Week…

This summer, we took a quick trip to Disney World, which, as you know, is the most magical place on Earth. Adding to the magic this fall, we were one of the families to test the new MyMagic+ MyBands, Disney’s newest big deal. The bands are rolling out through the fall, with their official debut scheduled for February. If you’re lucky enough to be staying in one of the testing resorts, you’ll receive an email from your travel agent or Disney Parks to let you know you qualify. It’s still optional to participate, but, trust me, you want to. We…

A few weeks ago, I shared my excitement: that after years of having no idea how to shoot out of auto, I was offered an opportunity to participate in an introductory class at Clickin’ Moms University. I shared photos that showed that I had no idea how to take pictures at all–there was little clarity, little care for composition, and light never played into my mind. I’m facing it; I was a point-and-shoot girl. In just one week, I’m already noticing that I’m looking at pictures differently. The class instructor provided us with the goals of learning about light this…

This summer, I looked closely at my interests, hobbies, and talents. I took time to reflect on what I enjoyed doing and made a goal of learning more (as you may know, I love learning… so there’s always something out there for me to want to learn.) I made a few short-term “happy” goals and a longer goal: to become a better photographer. I don’t need to be a professional, but photography skills don’t come naturally to me, and my husband’s big DSLR, which spends too much time in the camera bag, is itching to be used correctly. So, I…

It’s amazing the things I’ve never done but need to. Somehow, until last week, I never knew that one is supposed to actually clean her computer once a month. And, by clean, I don’t mean viewing your cluttered desktop and trashing all those extra photos and filing your documents. Nor do I mean spraying Method on a rag and taking the rag to the plastic pieces surrounding the computer. (Though both of those are necessary, too.) Last Monday, my friends at West Chester Computer Doctors shared this message on their Facebook page: Desktop computer maintenance 101… Keep it clean! Every few months (or more frequently…

Hello party people! Be sure to subscribe to Julieverse by email, like the Facebook Page, and follow along on Pinterest, so you don’t miss our next summer drink recipe. Also, check out our favorite drink round-up featured here.  Last weekend, the plan was sipping Vodka-Lemonade on the deck. Except when I opened the cabinet, I found an amazing lack of Vodka. (what is up with that?!) But mistakes happen and, often, lead to incredible inventions. Luckily, I did have Malibu Rum! Introducing… Rum Lemonade (which might be even better than the Vodka version.) Lemon Raspberry Swirl Recipe (or lack thereof) (Added 5/2013) This post is always…

Dear Julie, My 4th grader has writing assignments for school on a fairly regular basis. I check his work, but he pulls away every time I tell him corrections to make. Am I right to correct his spelling and punctuation and make him do better? I don’t want him handing in incomplete work. Thanks, Sylvia Another great question this week. In a nutshell, yes, you should be concerned and encourage him to do his best, but no, it’s not your job to correct it. In elementary school, your job as a parent is not to be his teacher. You should…

As you may recall, my iPhone was stolen this summer, and Samsung slid right in as my hero, lending me the Samsung Galaxy Note II to try out for a few months until my contract was up for purchasing a new phone. This phone, which I like to call a mini-tablet, has lots to highlight, and you’ll be able to tell from my review below that I just love the vibrant, crisp screen. It’s everything I’ve learned to expect from Samsung. Favorite features from the Samsung Galaxy Note II [if you’re unable to view the embedded video, please click here]…