Category Archives: Geek Chic

One of my favorite parts about #2013CES? Learning about #personalTV and chatting it up with #Panasonic

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As part of my official Cox Communications’ CES Social Correspondent duties I had the opportunity to jump on stage at Panasonic’s Live@CES stage. Hosted by the uber smart and talented Cali Lewis (@calilewis) and joined by panel guest Amber Osborne (@missdestructo), we talked CES, women in tech and our favorite innovations. My favorite part about CES was learning more about the future of television from Cox and Cisco and just how personal it’s becoming. Here’s a clip from the interview where I share my thoughts on the personalization, synchronization and socialization of TV:

 

You can watch the interview in its entirety, here:

“Yes I’m taller, skinnier and lighter than yours,” new #iPhone5 case makes a statement

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What’s the point waiting in a long line for the new iPhone 5 if you can’t show it off? These cases from InspireMyCase will make a statement about your mobile phone choice.

Choose from these pre-mades:

  • “Yes i’m a new iPhone5. Jealous?”
  • “Yes you can have a play with me”
  • “Yes I’m taller, skinnier & lighter than yours”



Or, you can make your own. If you design something even catchier, let me know and I’ll update the post.

These iPhone 5 pre-made cases retail for $34.95 are available for pre-order at www.inspiremycase.com.

 

New book offers advice, practical tips to help those with big ideas and little #reframe

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Let’s cut to the chase. Don’t have a ton of extra time, but like to read? I wrote [RE]FRAME for people like you (and me). It’s practical advice for those who want to accomplish more and need a little extra kick start. Thank you to the team at SlimBooks for believing this is something people might just want to read.

Your time is valuable. I wrote [RE]FRAME with my publisher SlimBooks‘ philosophy that less is more. Each chapter averages one-and-a-half-pages making it a quick read for those with big ideas and little time. [RE]FRAME is one part personal journey and another part prescriptive steps to help people reconnect to their purpose. It reminds us all that in order to achieve something, you must first do. I’m kind of the queen of stating the obvious, but I believe, sometimes, it’s worth repeating.

Whether you’re getting ready to graduate college or are at a crossroads in your career, it’s my hope that [RE]FRAME offers you that extra boost to keep you going.

Unique to [RE]FRAME, each page is paired with a motivational image called an emoti-quote, perfect for sharing or posting on your favorite social networks. You can view a few emoti-quote teasers on Instagram or Pinterest. Of course, there’s Facebook page for that, too.

There you have it. That’s [RE]FRAME.

Want to buy a copy now? (It will be available in hard copy shortly.)

I’m also giving away three copies at midnight, tonight. Here’s how to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s time to [RE]FRAME, reginite and reconnect.

#reframe

3 geek chic fashion trends to keep you at the top of your game

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Keep up your geek chic cred with these six trends hand selected by yours truly. Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments, below:

Arm bling and super tech watches

My faves of the moment? For both men and women, Shocking Goat and Pebble  win in the watch category. They’re completely different ends of the tech spectrum, but both make a unique, geek statement.

Shocking Goat lets you put together any combination of watch bands and faces. In fact, they’re so affordable ($45-65) you can buy several to mix and match with all of your vintage T-shirts; all bands and faces are interchangeable. The watches are waterproof, with all stainless steel parts and the bands are silicone/rubber. I ordered this one for my husband (it was his Father’s Day gift). Use the coupon code mywatch to get $15 off.

If that’s not enough tech for you, there’s always the Kickstarter sensation, Pebble. It’s much more than a watch, it’s an an e-paper smartwatch that syncs with iPhones and Androids. Don’t have your phone readily available? Pebble provides vibrating notifications for things like:

  • Incoming Caller ID
  • Email (Gmail or any IMAP email account)
  • Calendar Alerts
  • Facebook Messages
  • Twitter
  • Weather Alerts
  • Silent vibrating alarm and timer

Like the Shocking Goat, it’s also waterproof and is designed to fit most 22mm watch bands. Priced at $150, it’s value is in the technology and customizable face. The Pebble is available in three colors: white, black and red.

GEEK CHIC TIP: Pair your watch with a pair of complimentary plastic, oversized frames and a T-shirt from your fave startup. 

Fashion dust covers for your audio jack

That open hole in your smartphone or tablet could be collecting dust if not in use. This trend is pretty simple and somewhat functional. To plug yours up in style, check out the growing trend of headphone jack covers. Here’s one of my faves:

 

If you enter the handmade world of Etsy there are more covers than I could hope to review. Here’s a link to the best, ready and waiting for you.

That said, I’m pretty boring and actually use a cover that doubles as a stylus.

GEEK CHIC TIP: Work a larger or real life version of your fave plug into your wardrobe or as a patch or sticker on a piece of tech equipment.

 The statement piece

As one of my fashion icons Coco Chanel said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” I interpret that as meaning don’t OVERDO IT. Whether it’s a stunning pair of geek goggles or a lime green bow tie, pick something that people will remember and associate with you.

Here are three of my fave ideas:

Nike custom designed Google shoes

Geeky glasses USB drive

Superhero nail art

FAVE OFFICE: The ultimate dual screen set up that works for both home and mobile offices

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For those who don’t know, I’m a gadget geek. That’s my sweet spot. I love bright, shiny objects. If I could have bluetooth installed somewhere on my person, I would. What? Who said that?

I’ve been on a quest to create the perfect work environment both in the office and when I’m mobile. In my line of work having dual monitors is essential (and not just because it looks cool). Setting up a dual screen in the office is no problem. In fact, I’ve had many (MANY) dual screen set ups and they’ve all functioned well. But, it’s not a set up I can pick up and easily move. That means when I’m outside the office (which is a lot), I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.

No more sad trombones for this gal. I have discovered the perfect set up (for me). It works in the office and I can take it with me wherever I go. What is this magical dual screen recipe of goodness you ask? I’ll share it with you, my fabulous faves readers.

Here’s what you need:

  • Laptop or desktop (if you want to be mobile, go for the laptop)
  • iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
  • If you’re using an iPad, I highly recommend the Twelve South Hover Bar ($79.99) for display. If you’re using an iPhone or iPod Touch, get a stand to put next to your computer.
  • Air Display for Mac or Windows
  • Air Display for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch ($9.99) NOTE: You can also use Air Display to connect two Macs or one Mac and one PC.
  • Wireless access

My current setup looks like the photo above. My MacBook Pro is set up next to my iPad which is attached to the side of a desk (but it could attach to any table, really) via the Hover Bar. It took all of five minutes to set up. If I need to get up and go, takedown is about 10 minutes, but only because I need to pack my preciouses in protective gear. (You may notice an Apple bluetooth keyboard near the iPad, but it’s not in use during this set up.)

Using the iPad as my second screen I typically keep my email, calendar and Tweetdeck open at any given time. I also use my second screen it if I need to Skype and want to keep my main desktop free to use. I can easily drag and drop between screens, making my workflow more efficient. Oh yah!

By the way, if your office workstation includes an iMac you can actually attach the Hover Bar to the side of the iMac, making your second screen extremely easy to maneuver and use.

 FYI: I am in now way compensated or affiliated with Twelve South or the makers of Air Display. I’m merely an excited geek who wants to share her gadgetry with the masses.