Vivienne Tam HP Mini Day Two

So today I got to put the Vivienne Tam HP Mini to the real test! It was so exciting hearing what clients, and others had to say about the laptop... and it felt really good carrying it around.

First, I met up with Brian Hill (head of Phoenix Fashion Week) and the Phoenix Fashion Week (PFW) iReporting Team at Boston Gourmet Pizza in Tempe, AZ. We are getting ready for our big kick off for October 1-3 and are planning our strategy for getting the behind the scenes scoop with boutiques, designers, and other vendors before, during, and after PFW. I'm actually excited to be joining the team this year along with ASU's fashion writing club. The HP Mini really helped out at the meeting, I used it take notes, browse the internet and bookmark relevant links, and everyone was pretty much amazed.

Brian, Head of PFW

After the PFW iReporting meeting I headed to some local Scottsdale, AZ boutiques for in person interviews for RetailingTogether.com.

Me making sure recorder and HP Mini bluetooth was synced

This is a pretty fun job, I get to travel to trendy boutiques in the area and interview boutique owners about the economy, tradeshows, and fashion. The HP Mini really made my life easier (it even matched with all the handbags). First, I can use it to record my interviews directly, secondly, it's super light and easy to carry around and thirdly, the boutique owners really loved it. Patrice Mann, from Stefan Mann, who sells high end handbags, told me "If you get to meet Vivienne Tam in New York, tell her she really did a great job with this design!", and Danica Coral, from Pink House Boutique, was plotting to snatch it and run as I was leaving her store.


It's was a pretty great day, one thing I don't like about the HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition, the webcam is really dark, but I have a few solutions for that, that I'll share later this week. Stay tuned!

Like This? Love This? Let me know!

Journey of a Pro Fashion Techie and her Vivienne Tam HP Mini: Day One

I've been writing about the Vivienne Tam HP Mini for the last 5 months. First I found out it due to be released, then I found out it was walking down New York runways, and then I started experimenting with gadgets and apps...planning the day when I would get one.

So, like a true fashionista, when the Hp Mini Vivienne Tam Edition arrived on my doorstep, I excitedly thought about how I was going to review it. I mean, I could do those boring laptop reviews like everyone else is doing, but this isn't a tech geek blog... this is a fashion based tech blog, and it's just not our style.

So, many people don't know this, but I own my own business, www.thefashiontechie.com, and I'm actually a full time fashion techie. Everyday, all day, I deal with fashion as it relates to technology, and this is the month long "Journey of a Pro Fashion Techie and her Vivienne Tam HP Mini."

Day One

So the HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition arrived on my doorstep last week and today I took pictures of everything. I can't wait to take it with me to all my meetings, parties, and stuff this month. Of course, I expect some jaw dropping... I mean this thing is gorgeous! Anyway... here's the HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition before I opened it up... look how cute the mouse is!

In the box you the get the HP Mini, a small bag, a mouse, the charger, two Duracell batteries for the mouse, and the battery for the HP Mini.



However, the thing I love the most is the mouse. Inside of it is the small USB reciever. It's so cute and small! You just plug it into your HP mini, turn on the mouse, and voila! I love this because I'm not really finger clicking kind of girl, I like my mouse. It's a must have.

It also perfectly matches the HP digital clutch, so it's fashionable and resourceful.. exactly what I like.


It's really not a difficult device to use. It's simple and easy, Windows XP ready, web cam built in, and microphone built in. Here's a look at some of the basic features.


It also includes a SD Card Reader, 2 USB ports, expansion port, headphone and microphone jack, HP Mobile Drive indicator, and a security cable connector.

So stay tuned.. and we'll def see the response and give a real life road test! Like This? Love This? Let me know!

Top 4 Laptops for Fashionistas

This is a guest post by T.J Aaron from LaptopLogic.com - your guide to find a laptop that matches your outfit perfectly. Don't forget to check out their laptop reviews to get the pro's and con's for your laptop of choice.

Some laptop users care only about the features and functionality, seeing the machine as a tool and nothing else. For such people, there is always the venerable Lenovo ThinkPad which maintains an all-black design with little else on its stark exterior. Thankfully for the rest of us, there are some alternatives.

Lenovo IdeaPad U110


Yes we just picked on Lenovo for their strikingly black ThinkPad line, but their IdeaPad notebooks are thankfully not of the same vein. Sporting a decidedly Asian-theme, the IdeaPads are far more fashion-sensible than the "business-class" ThinkPads. The U110 sticks out here with its textured cover, featuring a highly intricate etched pattern. Even the bottom of the machine has stylish designs and you will find a striking black, glossy keyboard on the inside. Weighing 2.4 pounds and less than 1 inch thick, this 11 inch ultraportable will also probably fit in a medium-sized purse!

Dell Studio

In a bid to differentiate themselves from the competition, Dell recently began offering a new product line known as "Studio" and with them, a highly customizable design. Dell offers 7 different colors and a unique pattern with 4 trim color options, or a choice of over 100 artist designs which will adorn the back of the screen. You can even get these designs on a number of laptops ranging from a 13 inch ultraportable to a 17 inch multimedia powerhouse. The price varies mostly on the system, but expect the design to add about $75.

Tulip E-go

Tulip's line of style conscious laptops may not be specifically for fashionistas, but rather those who already have everything else. Their website looks nothing like your usual computer product website, instead reminding me of the website of a high end fashion designer. Starting at $5000, the E-go line of laptops offers something from everybody. The base model supports removable skins to customize to your taste, or you can up the ante with diamond-studded models that reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Do you own a Bentley? Then they've got you covered with a Bentley model as well.

Lenovo ThinkPad Reserve Edition

Wait, didn't we dish Lenovo in the beginning for having mainly plain black laptops? The ThinkPad Reserve is another of those plain black models, based on a high end ThinkPad X61s, but with an "exclusive" leather cover surrounding the machine. It was originally launched with intents of being an exclusive, executive-class machine with the appeal of a high end piece of luggage, costing $3000. But with the flop in sales, you can now find this rather capable laptop at bargain basement prices under $2000 from various e-retailers. At launch in mid-2007 it was also touted to have "executive-class" services that went above and beyond the standard warranty, but we're not sure if that is still valid considering the line was dropped.

Like This? Love This? Let me know!

Fashionista jewelry at Silicon Valley

It's funny how you find the cutest and most surprising things while browsing online. I stumbled across really cute technology based fashion jewelry collection called "Silicon Valley". The collection was from capitola girl on Etsy.com. Here's a few of my favorites:

Next Generation Glass Tile Pendant

Next Generation Glass Tile Pendant

Refrigerator Magnet: Reboot - Three Finger Salute

Very 'Tech Geek Fashionista'. Especially the refrigerator magnet.. how cute was that? Like This? Love This? Let me know!

Links à la Mode IFB Round Up

• 39thandbroadway.com - How can a half-naked Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton win you a free gift?


• A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops found something for the girl who has everything!



• a sense sublime - Hair Today. The dilemma of a new hairstyle for a new year.


• All Chic - Loving Scotland - from “The Three Lives of Thomasina” to “Thistle and Broom”


• Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy - Time to get some lovin with Longchamp…


• Breakfast at Saks - Bleached-Out Jeans: a trend you can afford to buy into



• Consume or Consumed - Don’t we all remember events by outfits, these days? Here’s my year in outfit memories:


• Couture Allure - Staying stylish in cold weather


• Debutante Clothing - Debutante Clothing bids Aloha to the late Alfred Shaheen


• Dirty Laundry - Recreating the style of Agyness Deyn posing with The Paddingtons


• Dogmom’s Dish - Thakoon for Target (part two): The Dark Side


• dramatis personae - Dramatis Personae: Etsy Designers– Friends of Plus-Sized Gal!


• eye4style - Designer Ronit Genik talks about her favorite pieces from the Reverie Spring 2009 collection.


• Fashion Birdcage - Liria Pristine, Rebel With A Cause


• fashion fille - Fashion Fille analyzes boyfriend blazers, from who to how!


• fashion in my eyes - Clothes that charm


• Fashion Pulse Daily - Fashion Pulse Daily’s Editor tests mineral powders and eye makeup that cost only — are they just as good as mineral makeup?


• fete a fete - indiDenim custom jeans beta Intellifit Design Studio program:


• In Life and In Fashion - Seven Style Resolutions: What are yours?


• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Design Usability tips your readers will love


• Iole in fashion - Mix ‘n Match


• Iwanttowearit - Fun With Etsy! Take a site seeing tour of Etsy to scope out the emerging, home-grown modeling talent.


• Jewelry Gal - Five Style Tips For Dressing Well On A Budget


• lace & leather - playlist 1.0 fashion inspired music!


• Little Black Book - Aspiring Designer: I’m Your Present and some of her designs from the new “eBay” known as Etsy


• Mademoiselle Robot - An interview with Mister Dreamboat aka Matthew Gray Gubler.


• Market Publique - The Intrigue is Over! Find out when Market Publique is all about, and when it will launch!


• Or False Glitter - Made up to look like a Dame- MAC’s latest collaboration with OAP drag Dame Edna


• Parkas & Petticoats - A glance at the new Spring line from Rogues Gallery!


• Retro Chick - 5 ways to shake off those New Year Blues


• Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info found some amazing boots by Robert Clergerie and Loeffler Randall on sale for 70% off.


• Solo Lisa y Nada Mas - A night of drunken mischief leads to an infatuation with Goorin Bros. men’s fedoras.


• Studio Purpura - Key Fashion Trends for Spring Summer 2009 that you shouldn’t miss!


• Style Amor - Like Fairies, Unicorns and Pre-Scientology Tom Cruise?


• Style Discovery - Stylish vs Trashy. How would you compare old stars with modern day celebs?


• Style Symmetry - Eyeliah goes GODDESS for The Year of The Rockstar!


• Style With Anna - Permanent Makeup MUST KNOWS


• Stylish Thoughts - What Shopping your closet truly means


• Summershoes - Milk and Sugar Peeling for Baby Smooth Skin


• Swell Vintage - New jewellery from Swell Vintage and hopes for the year ahead!


• The Bare Skinny - Take a Walk on the Wild Side


• THE COVETED - Relaxing bath tips that will make you beautiful.


• The Life and Times of a Problem Child - Male fashion that challenges the ideals of masculinity by means of Walter Van Beirendonck:


• the musings of ondo lady - Whitney Port made her debut in The City last week, read my review on it.


• THE STYLE HOUSE CHRONICLES - SASSY VS.CLASSY


• The Style PA - Find out what is on The Style PA’s bookshelf.


• Trendology - Unexpected Inspiration: Young Hercules starring a young Ryan Gosling.


• Your source for all things wicked and awesome - Majo Fruithof’s latest jewelery line has one very stylish campaign

Like This? Love This? Let me know!

Fashionably Smart Clothing

A comment from a reader on The Tastemaker's Diaries led me to Wiser Smart Clothing and I thought it was cool enough to share. Looks like a regular t-shirt right?



Would you believe that this t-shirt keeps you protected from UV sun rays, incorporates anti-odor technologies that neutralize sweat, includes moisture control to dry perspiration quickly form your skin, dries 4 times faster then your normal t-shirt, refuses to peel or shrink or loose shape, and feels like cotton...

Hmm, could you imagine the things you could get away with in that shirt... Like This? Love This? Let me know!

chicBuds' Lovers Having Fun & Crashing Festivals

As you all know, chicBuds is one of my favorite listening accessories, and we recently had a great contest here where we gave away chicBuds to a few readers and StyleFeeder users! It was a fun contest that ended 2008 with a bang and a product that I enjoyed giving away...and of course I kept one for myself (read more about contest winners here).

To bring the New Year in I wanted to share a video with you guys entitled "Festival Crashers" which is a "two-minute whirlwind through Chicago showing off ChicBuds headphones". It's a great start to the New Year and the evolution fashion and technology.



Want a pair of chicBuds for yourself? Here's a great deal, if you purchase them from Dillard"s website you can get one for $11.25 only until Sunday January 4. That's a great deal, these things are usually $45 plus dollars! So what are you waiting for? Like This? Love This? Let me know!

Links à la Mode IFB New Years Round Up

• Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - A little New Year’s bling…


• Consume or Consumed - Gabriel Brothers Shopping: A Retrospective with Tips!


• Couture Allure Vintage Fashion - Couture Allure looks at an evening gown produced from a 1954 sketch by Valentino.


• Dogmom’s Dish - Review of the Thakoon for Target collection


• dramatis personae - Lime Crime Review & Tutorial!


• fashion in my eyes - To Russia with Love from Natalia Vodianova


• Fashion Ivy - The Best & Worst Dressed For 2008


• Fashion Pulse Daily - We gave the latest Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart collection a test run - read on to find out what we thought about it!


• Fasshonaburu - Some tips on how to avoid going nuts on all the post-holiday “OMG we didn’t sell enough stock” sales


• Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - A thwarted obsession leads to a shoe customization project.


• Independent Fashion Bloggers - The 2009 Calendar of Fashion Events


• Mademoiselle Robot - Shoes vs trainers


• only style remains the same - only style remains the same gets dressed for five different kinds of dates.


• SMG - Keep your eyes on a new fresh faced model from Helsinki, Finland


• Solo Lisa y Nada Mas - Lisa receives a delightful parcel in the mail a week before Christmas.


• Style Discovery - Have you been to Shanghai Tang?


• Style Symmetry - Eyeliah wants you to check out Fluffy’s Blog.


• Stylistique - JOLIBE: New American Based Designer Crush


• Summershoes - Preparations for the last night of the year, grooming yourself to be extra fabulous!


• Technology Starlet - When Robot USB Memory Storage Behaves Badly


• THE COVETED - They might be resolutions…


• the musings of ondo lady - Ever wondered why Kate Moss is such a genius when it comes to fashion?

Like This? Love This? Let me know!