— Jane Hudson

 

“I love my HTC merge phone from U.S. Cellular. I love all the applications on it such as news, Google search, weather, books, Facebook, GPSD, etc. It makes my life easier because if I need to look up a restaurant or business, all I have to do is quick search and it appears!” 

— Zulena Staton, 29, Greenville 

 

“My go-to items these days are the rotisserie chickens that are available in most grocery stores. I can make two or three meals from them! I use them to make a quick chicken stir-fry, an easy chicken salad, BBQ Chicken or Lettuce Chicken Tacos, in a blink! There’s no heating up the oven, no long prep time and the chicken can be adapted to most anything. My favorite is to zap a cup of prepared barbecue sauce in the microwave and then use it as a dipping sauce. (Makes it summer time even when it is cold outside!)

“I make Lettuce Tacos by pulling off the chunks of chicken and adding toasted sesame seeds and teriyaki sauce. I tear away the larger lettuce leaves fill them with chicken mixture, then roll it up or fold it like a taco or burrito. Served with black beans and rice and a “Skinny” Margarita, this cures my Mexican food cravings. Sooo good!” 

— Nanette Ryan, 56, Winterville

 

“Cupcake Moscato wine. It tastes great and refreshing and suddenly gives me the boost to finish my late-night coupon clipping!” 

— Evelyne Billingslea, 34, Winterville

 

“At the Inner Banks Artisan Center, Dottie Anne Walker makes beautiful silk art products. One of her items I purchased that I absolutely love is a Tissue Pouch. It is a beautifully painted silk pouch which you fill with facial tissues. I have allergies and have to keep tissues on hand. I hate using the travel packs since those tissues are usually rough. With the Tissue Pouch, I can fill it with the tissues I prefer to use.” 

— Susan May, 39, Washington, N.C.

 

“I could not live without my Android Phone! I have the US Cellular Samsung Galaxy. I was certain to get the one with plenty of memory and now it keeps my schedule, has a great camera that can substitute for my high-end camera in a pinch, posts pictures to Facebook, allows remote access to my email and the Internet and entertains my children! You will have to take some time to learn how to use it, but it is worth every minute. Be certain to ask the salesperson for a few tips to get you started. Now if it would just cook dinner! What’s that? There’s an app for that? I’m not surprised!” 

— Erin Pierce, 42, Grimesland

 

“I thought the computer was the tip of the iceberg when it came to making life better, but after I got an iPhone, that became the one thing that has made my life wayyy easier. It keeps me connected, PERIOD! Phone, Internet, instant availability to look up ANYTHING without having to wait until I get to the computer. Just an amazing gadget! I know it will, but I can’t help but wonder how that can be topped!” 

— Jeri Jackson, 67, Greenville 

 

“For the ladies in their 40s and 50s, a luxurious product for around our eyes is Avon’s Anew Ultimate contouring eye system. The product goes a long way and helps with a youthful look. I use it every day.” 

— Sandy Yannarella, 48, Grifton 

 

“My day planner! I get mine from Staples in November of every year. I am visual, so it is easy to open and see what is on tap every day!” 

— Connie Corey, 56, Greenville

 

“My iPad has become my new 'right’ hand. It has virtually replaced my laptop. All of the apps keep me up-to-date on everything I could possibly need and want to know and it’s all portable (fits in almost every hand bag I own). My apps include Facebook; my email; the New York Times, the New York Post, the New Yorker (clearly I’m a New Yorker); “60 Minutes,” NBC, TBS; TripAdvisor (a great travel site); all my magazines; and a few books that I’m reading. My only advice is to spring and get the one with the most memory so your iPad will support your ever-increasing app needs.” 

— Michelle LaMare, 44, Greenville