This & That: No. 67

Helpful travel apps, decor secrets, a book by a much loved author and a speech that will inspire . . .

~Apps for Travel

1. Viber

While traveling abroad anywhere in the world, be sure to download the free app Viber as it allows you to make free calls, send texts and video without charge to anyone as long as they too have a Viber account. My seatmate on the flight to Paris brought this to my attention. A must-have for travel to save a bit of money and still remain connected.

2. Visit Paris by Metro

While you are in Paris, the simplest and most frugal way to travel around the city (and save your feet) is to use the Metro (I will be sharing a guide on how to Master the Metro later this week). And while Google maps accurately gives you the lines you need to take to your destination, so does this map without needing to be online as well as sharing sites to see depending upon where you are located.

Simply make sure you’ve downloaded the map prior to arrival, and it will be able to pinpoint where you are and give you exact information on how to get to the destination within Paris via the Metro you wish to go. And it’s free to download.

3. Word Lens

While on my Paris by Mouth tour, one of the gentleman from New Zealand introduced the group to this fantastic free app – Word Lens. Amazingly enough, you simply hold your camera over the sign, menu or foreign message wherever you may be, and it translates it into your language (more than English is available and translating can be done off-line). The fewer words, the better, so attempting to translate a book is not its best use, but metro signs, menu items and nearly anything a tourist would need, it translates magically. Watch the short video demonstration below to see what I’m talking about.

~Book

4. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)

Love J.K. Rowling’s writing style? Well, you’re in luck. Released in April of this year under the alias Robert Galbraith, J.K. Rowling wrote a well received mystery novel involving private investigator Cormoran Strike, a super model and compelling story-telling without letting anyone know she was behind the prose . . . until now.

~Decor Ideas

5. Tray Styling 5 Quick & Easy Steps – Small Shop Studio

I don’t know about you, but I’m always impressed with the chic arrangements on trays that involve what look like oodles of items that fit perfectly into such a tiny space. This past week This is Glamorous shared a post she discovered on the simple tricks (it comes down to math and an eye for knowing your style) on how to create your own magnificent tray decor.

~Speech to Hear

6. Malala Yousafzai’s Speech at the UN

On Friday July 12th, Malala Yousafzai’s 16th birthday, a birthday some hoped she would never see, this brave Pakistan teenage spoke in New York City at the United Nations. An advocate for education for all, young girls especially due to their inability to attain this opportunity as readily as their male counterparts, Malala stated "I don’t want revenge on the Taliban, I want education for sons and daughters of the Taliban."

While there are many memorable quotes, this statement has remain predominantly in my mind, "The extremists are afraid of books & pens. The power of education frightens them."

Read the transcript of the speech her or listen to the 19 minute speech below.