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Just wanted to spread the news that I am working on the Make Magazine Blog bringing you all things crafty, with a technology spin of course! The blog just launched yesterday so check it out when you get a chance. Please contact me if you have any crafty projects or links to share.
And if you haven't done so go to your local bookstore to get yourself a copy of Make Magazine. Better yet, subscribe. Its a great DIY resource and fun read!
Ok I am just way too excited to get my hands on the new Video iPods from Apple. The mobile carriers and manufacturers have something to contend with here. It makes much more sense for me to purchase $1.99 music videos and TV shows that I want to see, rather than have it stream through a mobile connection. Right now, through iTunes there is a bunch of videos you can choose from although TV shows are limited (at least for now) to some top ABC shows (like Desperate Housewives and Lost), various Disney shows, and short films from Pixar. But give it some time, other media execs will give into the fact that the iPod is one of the most widely used portable music players and will be the most widely used video device as well. This could be a great travel companion that will stop you from channel surfing on jet blue planes or listening to the jabbering CNN TV's in the airport. It's also a great alternative to prop it up on the stationary bike at the gym. Whatever you do with it, this is definitely one gadget any gal should not be without.
The new skinny Karl Lagerfeld signaled the arrival of the digital revolution with a larger-than-life iMac emblazoned with the Chanel logo at the Chanel Spring 2006 Fashion Show in Paris. I mean if you are going to make an entrance, forget red velvet curtains and think iMac. Mais Oui!
As for the collection itself, I was happy with the accessories. I liked the delicate clutches and bags that dangled ever so coquettely off the models arm. I did fall in love with this clutch here but I'm afraid to even go out and seek out how much this is for real, so I'll just keep on dreaming. I also liked the continued layering look of necklaces, although that is really what Coco Chanel started herself back in the day.
And now we move onto shorts.....oh yes people....JEAN SHORTS. I almost had a flashback to high school when I cut of a pair of my Guess jeans to make shorts like they way Jennifer Grey had them in Dirty Dancing. Oh but now these shorts are chic according to Karl and you can hear his whole shorts manifesto on the runway video. Don't get me wrong, maybe I don't wear shorts anymore because its never hot enough in San Francisco, but I can't imagine any Parisian woman wearing shorts at all, much less the yellow tweed short suit.
I really don't know what's up with all the numbers that mobile phones seem to have in their names as if having it a few digits off differentiates it. Why can't they make it easy like the way Stila names her lipsticks after famous celebs like Sofia (as in Coppola) and Natalie (as in Portman).
Ok I digress, but I am of course happy to hear a day later after switching back to my Sony Ericsson P900
n P900 that they have announced the launch of the P990. But I'm just not into the name. I typed in P990 into google and the first link that came out was a gun. Scared the bejesus out of me. Do marketing people over at Sony Ericsson know this? I really think we need more fun names like "cherry" or "peach" seems better, no? Calling them number after number is just plain lazy. Still aside from the bad name, the phone seems pretty powerful and pretty awesome. But don't get too excited....it's nowhere near here yet. The phone will be launching first in Europe in Q1 2006 o if you are planning any trips to London you can check them out and maybe buy one. But remember that special services the phones have probably won't be available here in the States because we are still unfortunately dependent on our mobile carriers. I actually bought my P900 back in London 2 years ago as an unlocked phone because it was unavailable here. It's a lot pricier but worth it sometimes when you want to have the latest and greatest. (Don't forget you're never limited to the phone your mobile carrier carries. You can always buy unlocked phones. I often browse the goods at Expansys UK.)
The coolest thing about the phone is the built in keyboard that is now part of the phone and not in the awkward flap where it was at in the P910a. Also the new phone will have a instant email capability much like the popular Blackberry. That could be a real winner.
For more pictures and information check out Engadget and Phone Scoop.
Verizon just released one of its newest "must-have" multimedia phones, the LG VX9800. LG stands for "Life's Good" and even though this phone offers up a bevy of attributes that even I was excited for its release. But after careful consideration, if the motto is "Life's Good" then let me add that "Life Should Be Waaaay Cheaper".
This phone is what they call in techno-land, a "candy bar" shape. The casing opens up to reveal a full screen and full QWERTY keyboard, perfect for emailing, text messaging, taking pictures, and watching Verizon's V Cast Videos. One of the drawbacks is the actual thickness of the phone, not the actual size/height of it. I was over at Circuit City last weekend checking one out and I was trying to picture my daily life with this phone in my handbag. I was on the fence. Surprisingly the phone wasn't as heavy as I imagined. The keypad was nice and as a gal with small fingers, you could type letters easily without bumping into the next one. The model I was checking out wasn't activated so the sales guy let me watch the V Cast videos on his clam shell phone. I have to say I was pretty impressed at how fast the movies played over the mobile connection, but the reality was did I really want to pay 15 bucks extra for watching small clips? When was I ever going to really need to watch video? I sure don't travel as much as I used to and they only place they would make sense would be at the airport.
That said, the phone would be ideal if the price wasn't so high. LG is an almost generic no-name brand and Verizon is asking a $299 / 2 year contract or $399 / 1 year contract price for this phone. I know I don't want to commit myself to a 2 year contract when typically Verizon has the least of the hip mobile phones. And knowing myself, I never use the same mobile phone for more than a year. Plus think of all the extra costs with the $15 VCast or added $5 or $10 for text, pix, or video messaging. If you are in the need for a robust communication center phone, better to go with a Treo or Blackberry.
Some other options for you if are set on a candy bar style phone, try out the Nokia 9300. I played with one a couple weeks ago at the CTIA Wireless convention and it is significantly thinner and lighter than the LG VX9800. Besides, I have heard from cellular carriers that Nokia phones tend to have the best reception and sound quality.
As for me, today I decided to take a break from the fast-paced Blackberry life and went back to my trusty Sony Ericsson P900. I was tired of the poor sound reception and found that I really needed to talk on my mobile phone! Plus now I can have better ringtones. I'll use it until something better comes up! Bien Sur! ; )
Flickr Photos from the Sample Sales this Weekend
It was a beautiful weekend in San Francisco and I managed to make it to both Kris Nations' Sample Sale and Blissen's Moving Sale. On Saturday, at Kris Nations, I got this modern style wood pendant necklace in double-stranded silver (gold is pictured). The mood was fun and fresh in the large airy Mission loft, as customers came in one after another to try on all the goods. For many, it was hard to limit themselves to just one item. (I have this gold necklace on order.)
On Sunday, I finally got to meet Jill Blissen, designer and crafter extraordinaire. Jill served us mimosas, showed us her new goods and talked to us about her big move to So Cal. I bought the California poppies t-shirt which is something I know I'll be wearing a lot. (Get one now before they are gone!) I also got to meet fellow crafters Kelly and Nancy who run Rellish At Home.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. It was a fun weekend overall!
Kris Nations
Saturday, October 8th from Noon to 5pm
2948 20th Street, Suite #305
(In the Mission area, b/t Bryant & Florida St.)
http://www.krisnations.com
I always get tons of compliments when I wear my Kris Nations jewelry and here's your chance to get up to 75% off retail. Kris is a real trendsetter and her pieces reflect that Coquette style. Her work this Fall has been seen in Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and US Magazine.
blissen
Moving Sale: Last call for blissen items in San Francisco!
Sunday, October 9th from Noon to 5pm
Doe
629 Haight Street
(b/t Pierce and Steiner)
http://www.blissen.com
I've admired the crafty goods on the blissen site for the last couple of years. Jill Blissen is now moving to LA and this is a chance for us locals to check out the cute handmade goods in person.
Whenever I am in New York (which is usually about once or twice a year), I always have to head over to the Nolita area for some shoe shopping at Sigerson Morrison (242 Mott Street). Then of course after my purchase(s), I tend to get a little hungry for the grilled sweet buttery cheesy corn over at Cafe Habana. Of course, I never remember the name of the place, only that it serves Cuban food, and because I have a sad sense of direction, I just know it is close by somewhere to Sigerson Morrison.
Now my poor feet are saved because I've found these great maps off the superfuture site. With one look at the Nolita distrtict map, I can find my favorite shoe store AND see how embarrasingly close Cafe Habana is to it. No more walking around in extreme humidity and starvation OR extreme freezing snow and starvation. No more calling 411 and saying "I think its on Prince Street.... um...its a Cuban place.....any listing for Cuban? Sigh....Don't you know it?...Lenny Kravitz filmed a video there.... oh you don't know it cuz you are in Ohio?...It's ok. I'll walk around.....bye." Click. Sigh.
The superfuture site is a great resource for all hip resources in the top cities around the world. Planning a trip to Paris sometime soon? Plan your shopping AND museaum excursions in advance by the great visual maps. Plus if you live in one of the cities, its a great personal resource as well as one to send to friends before they come and visit.
Its never been easier to buy ringtones or wallpapers for your phone until now with Flux, a ringtone and wallpaper service brought to you by MTV Networks. The fresh/hip wallpaper designs and the array of top pop songs from Coldplay to Snoop Dogg, are easily searchable by type. You can preview each song by clicking on the "Preview" button without launching a pop up window or new page. Be sure to find out if your carrier supports this service. The cool thing is that whatever you purchase gets added onto your monthly mobile bill. So whatcha waiting for?
As the Spring 2006 Fashion Shows roll through Milan and Paris, the NYC Video Diary on Style.com is now up, showcasing the best video footage with behind the scenes, video commentary, interviews, and highlight clips of the fashion shows.
See the University of Pennsylvania marching band open Marc Jacobs show and play Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as the models take the runway. Catch Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. debut with her hip hollaback girl style. Drool as Zac Posen's cut out dresses flow down the runway like a spring garden. Each video is approximately 5 minutes so sit back and take a mini-fashion break to ease yourself back in to the work week.
