Kindle Fire HDX WiFi Issues.


I wanted to blog about an issue I've been having with my Kindle Fire HDX 8.9". My HDX will periodically drop the wifi connection, (but still show it's connected with a perfect signal). Webpages won't load, Apps will say I have a connection problem and to check my wifi. It's completely frustrating because for a few hours it will behave, I can surf the net just fine. But then it will start acting up dropping the signal every few minutes (even though it's still showing it's connected to a perfect signal). I have to manually turn the wifi off/on to reset the antenna. Or switch airplane mode on/off. Which gets old real fast when it does it 5-6 times in a row!

I know it wasn't our home router causing the issue, because the same issue would happen when I used my T-mobile 4G internet through tethering and when I used public wifi hotspots. The HDX would just drop the signal while I was in the middle of looking at webpages. (Just to be sure, a few times I did restart our home router but that didn't resolve the issue).

This has actually been going on for a few months now. It started off as a minor annoyance and I guess I was hoping it would somehow be resolved through a system update. Doing a hard reset, (holding the power button for 20 seconds, then restarting the device) did not help. Restoring the device back to factory settings did not help either, and that was the last resort because it wipes out all your files. I did that last night, and today it was still having the same issue.

I finally got fed up and called Amazon tonight, but the CSR I got had a very hard to understand accent and I don't think either of us was understanding the other. So after I hung up I jumped on the Amazon.com Help page and started a chat session with another CSR. I thought maybe they would understand the problem more if they could see it in writing. After some troubleshooting, they are sending me a replacement device that should be here Monday and I have to send back my defective one.

I think maybe the internal antenna is defective, after doing a search on the Kindle Forums, I've found a few others are having the same exact issue. I really hope the replacement they send resolves the issue or I'm not going to be very happy. I had no issues at all when I owned the Kindle Fire HD, it's only the HDX that I'm now having issues with.

EDITED TO ADD: Replacement Kindle HDX just arrived this afternoon (1/12/14). So hopefully this one doesn't have the same issues. We'll see. Thank goodness for warranties.


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Painted Polish: Effie & District 12

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

I picked up the other two Painted Polish nail polishes I've been wanting. There was a New Year's sale so I ordered Effie & District 12 this time. Last time I ordered 'Girl on Fire' and 'Kiss me Teal Midnight'. (Effie, District 12 and Girl on Fire are all from Painted Polishes Hunger Games inspired collection).

Effie is just gorgeous. It's an aqua green cream with little matte holographic circles and glitter. The glitter is pink, green, blue, orange. It's reminds me of springtime. I did 3 coats with a seche vite topcoat and then I also tried a matte topcoat with NYC Matte About You. (press sample). I think I like Effie even more when it's matte!


District 12 is a black jelly polish with holographic circle and diamond glitter. The holo circles make me think of planets in outer space. I also did 3 coats of this and placed some of the glitter's strategically with the brush. I did two coats of Seche Vite to give it that glossy jelly look. I also tried a matte topcoat, but I like District 12 better when it's glossy.


Which polish do you like? Effie or District 12? Shiny or matte?

P.S. I updated my disclosure page with explanations for the terms used at the top of some of my blog posts. I wanted to make sure it was easy for my readers to understand. You can find the new explanations on the disclosure page underneath the current policy.

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Nubar: Rockin' The Garden

I picked this polish up a few months ago but I haven't really worn it until now. Nubar, Rockin' The Garden. It's a pretty slate blue with green/blue shimmer. The formula is a bit sheer so I needed 3 coats to make it opaque. I used two different stamping plates. Winstonia Store 2nd gen plate W212 for the dandelion fluff and MoYou London Kitty 11 for the bird. Topped off with one coat of Seche Vite.



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Fairy Nails with Zoya Rue.

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

When I saw Winstonia Store 2nd generation plate W208 it made me think of the "Zoya Fairies" who help create all the gorgeous Zoya nail polish colors. So of course I had to use a Zoya nail polish to help create this look.

I used two coats of Zoya Rue (press sample) from the Naturel's collection. Then one coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust (perfect for fairy nails right?) I stamped with Konad special white polish and used 1 coat of Seche Vite topcoat.




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Dutch Windmill Nails.

✯ Press Samples Mentioned ✯

I couldn't resist playing with my new Winstonia Store 2nd generation stamp plates tonight. When I saw plate W218, the windmills immediately reminded me of my Mom in Law. She loves collecting anything with windmills. So I decided to do Dutch windmill china nails.

I started with a base of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Whirlwind White. Then I stamped with Cult Nails in Wack Slacks, then 1 coat of Seche Vite topcoat before I used the NYC Matte About You topcoat (press sample). I smudged the one flower stamp a little, but I still love how they turned out.



P.S. I got an OttLite! There's a been a lot of discussion about them in the Hobby Polish Bloggers group I am a member of on Facebook. The Mercurial Magpie posted a coupon code for this OttLite at Jo-Ann's so I had to order one. Can't beat that sale price either?!

(The free shipping code is: SHJP2012)


This is my setup for taking photos. I have my lightbox on my dining room table when I use it. I'm still using one of the clamp lamps as well as the OttLite. The OttLite definitely gives off a more natural light than the CFL bulbs I use. The nail photo above was taken using the OttLite tonight. Depending on what kind of lighting I need,  I sometimes use one or two clamp lights on the sides of my light tent.


My Equipment List: 

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Dance Legend Chameleon: Sully

I finally got Dance Legend Chameleon: Sully (096) in the latest Llarowe restock. It's been on my wishlist for awhile now. :-)

The other colors in the Chameleon collection look a little too similar to some of the ILNP ultra chromes I already own, but Sully has more aqua green and purple. It's gorgeous. The formula is a bit sheer, so I put two coats over a coat of black polish. Depending on the light shift you see aqua, blue, green, purple, pink. Aqua and purple are most prominent.


Guess what else arrived today... my Winstonia Store 2nd generation stamp plates! Whoo hoo! I can't wait to play with these. Winstonia was my first set of stamping plates, so I'm really happy they've come out with a 2nd generation. So many new designs to play with!


*All items were purchased by myself. 

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Press Release: Zoya Awaken Spring 2014

✯ Press Release ✯

Get Ready for Zoya Awaken: Spring 2014 collection!


Awaken by Zoya - Six new, full-coverage, dew-drenched creams and gold-kissed metallic nail polish colors for Spring 2014. Full of pure pigment, intense color and modern complexity that will take you far beyond the hazy, barely there hues of seasons past into a new world of chromatic joy.
 

Dillon: Green Mint Shimmer Metallic Full Coverage Formula.

Rebel: Blue Sky Shimmer Metallic, Full Coverage Formula.
Hudson: Purple Orchid Shimmer Metallic, Full Coverage Formula.
Dot: Pink Petal Cream, Full Coverage Formula.
Cole: Peach Whisper Cream, Full Coverage Formula. 
Brooklyn: White-Gold Shimmer Metallic, Full Coverage Formula.

These colors will retail for $9.00 USD each.
 
                                         
 PLUS, A SPECIAL EDITION TOPPER...


Create a nail color masterpiece. The multi-colored, holographic flakes of Zoya Monet lend an impressionistic color change option to existing color palettes. Never boring, this artistic topper can be applied as an accent or used as an overall color changer.

• Monet: Multi-Color, Cellophane Holographic Topper.


Monet will retail for $10.00 USD. 

What do you think of the Spring 2014 Awaken collection? I think I'm most excited for Dillon, Rebel, Hudson and the Monet topper!

The Awaken Collection will be available on Zoya.com, early spring.

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Philadelphia Eagle's Nails

✯ Press Samples Mentioned ✯

I'm not much of a sports person and not really a football person... but my family is. So, since I'm also a Philadelphian and the Eagles have a big game tonight I decided to do some football themed nails.

I started with two coats of NYC Color in Precious Peacock (press sample) over one coat of black polish. Then I stamped with Konad special white polish and Winstonia Store stamp plate W103. I applied one coat of Seche Vite topcoat before using the NYC Matte About You topcoat (press sample), so I wouldn't smear the design.


Edited: Oh well... just heard the Eagles lost. :-p

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Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

✯ PR Sample ✯

Happy 2014! Today I have some Sally Hansen Salon Effects to share. These were sent to me for review. When I first started getting into nail polish in 2010 I was addicted to the salon effect nail strips. Mainly because you get instant gratification with nail art without all the mess that comes with doing it yourself.


Sally Hansen salon effects are real nail polish strips that last up to 10 days. You can remove them with regular nail polish remover. They are available in 24 designs and you can find them at mass retailers and grocery/drug stores. They usually retail for around $7.99, but I've seen them for as low as $5.00 at Five Below.

Salon Effects are perfect if you don't like changing your polish often or if you have a special event to attend and want to have some nail art on your nails without all the work.


In each Salon Effects kit you get 16 nail polish strips in various sizes, plus a nail file, orange stick and directions. You pick out the nail strips that fit each finger best. You don't have to worry too much about messing up because if you align it wrong, just peel up the strip and try again.

Once you align the strip, press it down with a firm rolling motion on your nail until it's completely covered. You use the included file to file off the excess around your nail tip. Use the orange stick to press down the strip around your cuticle and nail sides (use the flat side), doing this step helps the strips last longer.

If you've never applied the strips before it will probably take you a good 30+ minutes to do both hands. Once you get the hang of it you can do both hands in 10-15 minutes.


Apply 1-2 coats of clear topcoat once you're done applying the strips. This step isn't necessary, but it will help the strips last much longer. It may be body chemistry, but I've gotten almost 2 weeks of wear out of the Salon Effects by using a clear coat. There will be some tip wear, chipping and growth after 1 week, but you can stretch out the wear time by using a topcoat.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Mane Event

 Sally Hansen Salon Effects: The Bold Rush

Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Sweet Marble Floret

NOTE: If you purchase these please check & make sure you have two of the foil strip packs in each box. The boxes aren't sealed & some people have gotten home to find someone stole the other foil packet. This almost happened to me at Walmart once.

What do you think of Sally Hansen Salon Effects? Have you used them?

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New Years Eve Nails & Julie G Texture!

✯ PR Samples Mentioned ✯

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! I wanted to share my New Year's Eve nails with everyone. I really like how they turned out. (This was after several idea fails, lol).

I started with a base of NYC Color: Prince Street (press sample). Then I did french tips with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Style Steel which is a new color I recently picked up. It's a silver/gold metallic color, I stamped with it too. Essie Set in Stones is on my nail tips. I did 1 coat of China Glaze Fairy Dust over everything and I used Winstonia Store plates: W117, W107, W110. I used 1 coat of HK Girl Fast Dry topcoat. I love how festive they turned out! Super sparkly in person!

This was the first time I got to try my new HK Girl Fast Dry topcoat (purchased myself). It is definitely equal to Seche Vite Dry Fast, but it takes a little longer to dry for me than I like. (Sorry... I'm a Seche Vite Whore). :-p



My husband and I are just hanging out at home for New Years Eve. We splurged on sushi from Wegman's and we also have Martinelli's sparkling apple cider to celebrate tonight. :-)


Another thing I picked up at Wegman's was OPI Nail Envy for Dry & Brittle Nails. I really need something to protect my nails because I don't normally use a base coat. Having my nails painted almost constantly has taken a beaten on them. The tips keep peeling lately which is leading to more breaks, so here's hoping Nail Envy can help my nails out. 


A few weeks ago I got nail mail from The Mercurial Magpie! She had gotten a Julie G texture polish in her last Ipsy bag that she didn't love so much & when I was disappointed she didn't swatch it on her blog, she offered to send it to me. She also sent some other goodies which was sweet. I sent her back a little nail mail as well, as a thank you. 


This is Sugar Plum Fairy, my first Julie G polish. Sugar Plum Fairy is a gorgeous deep purple with silver and purple glitter. It's a big rougher than Zoya Pixie Dust texture polish, but still really pretty. I only did two coats for the photos below. I believe you can find Julie G polishes at Rite Aid. 



And last but not least before I go and we say goodbye to 2013. Here is a preview of some more press samples Sally Hansen sent to me. I will be sharing these Salon Effects on the blog soon! Happy New Year!


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