Life in a Venti Cup. Because life is too short to think small.

January 31, 2012

Clear: The Only To Do List App You'll Ever Need

As you might know, I'm a bit obsessed with keen on organization. A to do list is an absolute must to actually accomplish both daily goals and long term plans. My secret weapon? A fabulous notebook and a blue Papermate pen. However... I find that an app is an indispensable tool that I (now) can't live without. After all, most ideas occur when you're out and about.

Enter Clear from tap tap tap. Not available yet... but one look at this video and you'll agree - iPhone users need this! Look at that sinfully clean interface and the ease of use. It looks like an interactive dream come true.

This is surely on my "must have" list.

Posted at 07:57 AM in note to self, technology | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

October 05, 2011

Apple to the Core

What more is there to say. It's white, bright and essential. Here's to quietly hoping I accidentally run my black one over with the car today. oops!

Posted at 05:48 AM in events, fabulousness, technology | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

April 28, 2011

Venti Girl Gift Guide: On-the-go Glam

Ahhh, Mother's Day. A holiday I once held sacred for those "other moms" and my own family matriarchs. I'm three years into the holiday, though, and now I can truly say I expect a little recognition for the title. I'm proud to say I've earned my stripes. That's right, honey... prepare to make a fuss over me on a special day in May (but please don't forget to honor the special ladies in your own family as well!)

This is the first item in my Venti Girl Gift Guide for Mother's Day 2011. This chic little laptop sleeve is the Lombard from Acme. It safely houses your precious MacBook 13" or 15" laptop. I'll let you read the techy specs here, but let's just say the case is a lot like the modern girl: pretty on the outside, tough inside and designed to carry your most precious cargo. Get yours at Acme.

Posted at 07:08 AM in great gifts, holidays, technology, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 03, 2011

Tools of the Trade

This little post by The Decorista inspired me to do a roundup of helpful online tools for creative pros. It really doesn't matter if you're a wedding planner, graphic designer, fashion designer, interior designer or stylist - you need some method of brainstorming ideas and relaying them to clients or employees. With today's global workplace, the need to translate those images and notes into a workable digital format is even more essential.

Fortunately we have options - and plenty of them. This week alone my inbox was flooded with a handful of new digital versions of design project classics. While this list is in no way complete (have you seen how big the interwebs are?) I thought I'd at least share the new stars on the scene and share a few of my longtime faves with you. I would absolutely love to hear your favorites as well - as I'm always pruning my list of tools.

Mood Boards/Inspiration Boards
There are many ways to make these. Admittedly I still prefer to use Adobe Illustrator then convert to PDF for easy sharing/archiving. If oyu don't have that luxury, these online tools are terrific options.

Sampleboard - The newest on the scene, created by an innovative interior designer to fill a void in the market. Import your own images or use photos already in the system. Very cool 30-day free trial to test out the pro-version.
MyDeco Moodboard - I've been a longtime fan of this UK site. They now have US retailers in their inventory and have many free tools for use online.
Build-a-Board - designed for the weeding industry by Style Me Pretty. A great tool. Don't miss the tiny launch button on the left of the page or you'll miss it!
Polyvore - perennial favorite of mine. It's been around for quite a while but suddenly became popular last year. Mostly used for fashion, but in truth this is a useful tool for any industry.
The Knot - Again, this is flavored for bridal events - but the ability to upload any image you like overrides that perceived limitation. Reviews are mixed, but it seemed intuitive and was beautifully presented.

Room & Space Planners
Ahhh.... the bane of an interior designer's existence if done improperly. Proper space planning is absolutely essential to the success of any design plan - so you'd better master this skill. Thankfully we no longer need a semester of AutoCAD to render fabulous floorplans. Here's a roundup of helpful online tools. Oh, and did I mention free?

AutoDesk Homestyler - the real deal. If you're looking for a quality tool, look no further. Choose 2D and 3D options. Plenty of prebuilt options require less thinking (whew!) and less calculating.
MyDeco 3D Planner - Have I shared how much I love MyDeco? I hope their recent US popularity doesn't kill the cool factor. Those saucy Brits have been guarding this secret as closely as the details for the Royal Wedding. Excellent tool. Excellent site. Lots of prebuilt options. Ability to upload your own images. MyDeco also integrates social and shopping tools into the interface. ** Franki's top pick **
FloorPlanner - as the name implies, this is all this site does. It is excellent and 2.5 million users can't be wrong. One free plan at a time... otherwise you pay to play. If you design for a living, it's worth the cost of membership.

Color Palette Tools & Fan Decks
Color. The foundation of design. This is an area for which I prefer physical hold-em-in-my-hand fan decks... but if you're a digital diva, there are many innovative tools at your disposal.

Kravet/Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan Deck - Impossible to go wrong with this collaborative creation. If you're in the business of interiors, bookmark this and visit often.
Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer - answer the dreaded "how will it look?" question without ever leaving your desk
Benjamin Moore Color Capture (iPhone app) - snap it. match it. save it. share it. Color matching at its easiest.
ColorSchemer by Colourlovers - a longtime success in the online color palette world. Still relevant, useful and excellent.
ColorSchemer - terrific tool for rule followers amongst us. Offers Momochromatic, complementary, traid, tetrad, analogic and accented analogic options. Bonus? They offer a color blind tool as well.
myPantone & myPantone x-ref - both are terrific tools for iPhone & iPad. Colors for fashion, home, design - you name it. Impossible to find fault with any of Pantone's products. MyPantone allows oyu to build & share palettes on the go. x-Ref is a handy color matching tool allowing you to find closest Pantone color matching a particular shade.

This list is far from exhaustive. If you have tried some of these or have others you'd like to share, please do!

Posted at 10:34 AM in art, color trends, design, technology | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

December 18, 2010

Venti Girl Gift Guide: The Know It All

He may not have it all, but he certainly does know it all. Settle the score - quite literally - with the Mensa iPhone / iPad app. In just a few questions your brainy companion will confirm what he already knew: his IQ is higher than that of any of his cronies. My suggestion? Don't divulge that you scored seven points higher and are an active member of your local Mensa chapter. If you do, he will predictably explain in great detail how tests of this nature can truly only measure a finite portion of one's intelligence and... *yawn*...

Keep your own high score to yourself and allow him to bask in his own well-deserved genius. After all, you adore his capacity for knowledge and only wish to encourage his mental acumen. Presented properly, Mr. Mental will applaud your discerning gift giving skills. And isn't his appreciation the greatest gift of all?

Posted at 06:05 AM in great gifts, holidays, technology, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

December 17, 2010

Venti Girl Gift Guide: The Stalker

Since her move to LA she's become way too obsessed for your comfort. Her Facebook page reads like an amaetur version of TMZ with all those C-List celeb photos she aaaaaaalmost took. If she isn't going to keep her cool, at least help her make a little cashola (La La Land is expensive, after all) from her stalkerazzi antics. The Nikon D3100 D-SLR is a camera Ashton himself would be proud to use. Your celeb obsessed friend can snap a few quality pics of Miley or a grumpy Jack Nicholson. That should help her cover the rent on her overpriced apartment for one more month. Plus, all that money she's blowing at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf can be written off as business expenses. In time she'll either become numb to rubbing elbows with InTouch regulars or become the next Perez Hilton. If I were you I'd send her this camera, some big sunglasses a ball cap and then keep my distance. I've seen enough E! True Hollywood Stories to know how this story usually ends.

Posted at 06:05 AM in celebrities, great gifts, holidays, technology, venti girl gift guide | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

November 01, 2010

Emerging Minds

If you're an avid trendwatcher, you've no doubt noticed the vast East is innovating like we've never seen before. Truth be told, we are all innovators and always have been. But shifting economies and the globalization of technology and access to information has generated a truly global marketplace. There's a cool report out that shows the top 50 inventions and ideas by our friends in locales such as Malaysia, China, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil and beyond. Some are quirly, but others will soon be household brands. Feeling out of the loop? Sign up for regular scoop on what's new in the world at Trendwatching.com.

Posted at 08:58 AM in entrepreneurs, observations, technology, trends | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

February 09, 2010

Well-Scripted

The beautiful prints above are from MyFonts.com, showcasing some of the year's freshest faces and popular type styles. Show them some love!

Posted at 09:10 AM in designers, graphic design, observations, style, technology | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

December 08, 2009

In the Pink

The fusion of fashion and technology continues to improve. Rather than adorning yourself in LED lights so you can look like a Christmas Tree that's escaped from captivity, Thomas Pink's version of the blend is completely wearable. Meet the Commuter Tie. Business in the front, party in the back. Your guy's iPod nano can fit into the discreet pocket on the backside of the tie. This may not seem novel to you, but if you've ever taken the train to work or even just want a way to kill time during that morning meeting, this little gizmo will come in handy. The thoughtful girl will also load his Nano up with books on audio, his fave podcasts and French lessons so he's well entertained and always has you to thank.

Stumped for worthy downloads, Thomas has a few suggestions...he's also giving away a tie and a nano to a lucky winner. Pop on over and enter to win.

Posted at 01:48 PM in fabulousness, holidays, style, technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 25, 2009

Paint By Numbers

Decorati added a new feature that I just adore! When you're drooling over any one of a number of professionally designed spaces you'll see a large gold button beneath the photo inviting you to create the look on your own. It simply says: Get This Look.

This is one of those genius features that feels like it should have always existed. It's the culmination of of timing, tools and information into one awesome useful tool.

Sites like Decorati and Designer Pages are aggregating so much quality design information that it's easy to feel sucked in my the pretty pitcurtes and insightful interviews. But with the addition of a simple call to action button like this, anyone can begin to unleash their inner designer. It converts us from bystanders to shoppers. The simplicity of the button (and the information that follows) reminds me that not everyone is as well versed at shopping online (or off). Most bloggers spend an unusual amount of time online and take in copious amounts of info through magazines and the like. I imagine most of you reading this blog do that very thing. But to appreciate a well appointed home, like these from Michael Rosenberg and take the first step towards achieving that look in your own home - that's empowering.

If it all feels too paint by numbers to you, realize that this is simply a step in the right direction for someone who appreciates fine design. Regardless of your taste level, price point or lifestyle, I think it's safe to say we could all use a little help sourcing items and finding the perfect piece. So go ahead... push that button. It'll be our little secret!

Posted at 08:52 AM in design, designers, interior design, observations, technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

What's Your Style Profile?

I don't know of too many things I enjoy more online than a great quiz. The StyleFinder Quiz reveals your shopping AND design personality combined. My results? Depending upon my mood I either arrive at Distinctive Designer or Consistent Connoisseur. (Both sound very glam, don't they?)

Here's the quiz's take on me this time around:

Consistent Connoisseur
When it comes to style, you’ve got enough for your entire entourage. You take some cues from the Paris runways and countless interior design magazines, but express your individuality through your unique style.

When on the prowl for the next big thing, you carefully select fabulous items that meet your exacting standards. A self-proclaimed power shopper, you aren’t shy about making your presence known in stores but prefer to stalk your prey without assistance. Once you zero in on your target, nothing can stop you from adding the latest conquest to your fabulously decorated home. Martinis anyone?

Sounds about right! While I can't take credit for the cool data it spews out, I had the unique privilege of being part of the team that gave the quiz a face. The cool idea and underlying information are all courtesy of Furniture Brands. You can thank them for the fun you're about to have. I'll warn you, it's addictive! Just eleven clicks in your unique identity is revealed to you. You can then tweet it, post to Facebook or add a badge to your site. I'm dying to know what your results are - so be sure to swing back by and share!

Head to the StyleFinder Quiz to reveal your style profile. And keep your eyes peeled for the facebook version to launch next week!

Posted at 08:34 AM in fabulousness, interior design, leisure, style, technology, venti favorites | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

November 17, 2009

Motion = Emotion

Typepad (the platform this blog and Life in a Sippy Cup reside upon) now offers a cool version of microblogging. Sort of like Twitter and Facebook, I can now post updates rather than post. I'll have to tinker with it to see how I'd like those shortened (and untitled) posts to appear on the site - but I immediately like the idea.

As much as we'd like to dismiss our tweets and status updates as random thoughts and data, it's hard to deny that collectively they often sum up our lives. I'm sure there are cultural anthropologists analyzing our tweets much like archaeologists studied the cave drawings at Lascaux. It's less about the micromessages and more about the sum total of thr parts. Both on an individual level and as a collective whole.

Taken on their own, our daily musings on twitter might be seen as personal observations and random thoughts. But take a step back and look at them over the course of a year. Take another step back and look at the thousands of mini-conversations and long-winded exchanges I've shared with those in my stream and you start to be able to draw a larger picture.

If this is all just a social experiment, I'm thrilled to be an active participant in the lab. But it's more than that... it's the current method of choice for sharing, exchanging, gathering and distributing information. Weather your weapon of choice is Facebook, Twitter or some other form of microblogging - you're sure to feel its effects on your life almost immediately. Unlike traditional blogging - where one can blog to an audience of one for a long time before they gather a following worth mentioning - microblogging puts you into the conversation almost immediately.

Where TypePad's newest addition to the tool set - Typepad Motion - takes us has yet to be seen. But coming from a front runner like Sixapart, I'm sure it's going to be a power player in the scene. Get detailed info here.

Not tweeting, facebooking or updating anywhere? I think you're missing out. It's a life enriching experience and one of the best ways to connect with intelligent, interesting people. Whether you use it for friendship, crowdsourcing, business or personal reasons - you're sure to pull value from it in some way. When you sign up, look me up. I'm everywhere. :)

Posted at 02:15 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 23, 2009

Game Hunting

For some reason being busy always drives me to fashion. Call it escapism, call it what you will. It's my comfort drug. True, there are worse vices. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I peruse. I plan. I shop.

In my mind, the web is the Serengeti and Google is my open-back Humvee - making it all too easy to hunt game whenever the mood strikes.

Some days I'm stalking big game, like a quilted Chanel tote. {Extremely rare online and often imitated. It takes a seasoned hunter to tackle game that big. For the biggest game, like the quilted caviar shopper, you'll have to leave the safety of the Humvee and travel on foot deep into dangerous territory. It takes patience, skill and a seasoned hunter to bring one home. If you're not ready for the investment, it's best you leave it be for those who can make such a commitment.}

Other days I'm picking off the smaller, more common creatures. Fashion's antelope and hyenas. Gorgeous, graceful, fast - and a heck of a lot of fun if you can bag them and bring them home. Today on the plains, I spied these L.A.M.B. "Joelle" shooties. Aren't they delicious? Grommets and distressed leather. 4" covered heel and a zippered instep? When this crosses your path it may be difficult to ignore.

And in case you're still drooling over the jacket at the top of the post, it was a tougher to track down. It goes under many names and is sold out in most locations. Yes, over-hunted and risking extinction. It's the Juicy Couture "Lisa"...also goes by the name of the Shrunken Fit or Origami jacket. Worthy prey, if you can find it. Even better if you can find it on sale. But don't hold your breath on that one, it moves pretty quickly.

All I need to find now is a pair of skinny jeans and I'm all set. These are in abundant supply and are usually the last thing I look for when I'm hunting. Plenty of options and the supply seems infinite. So thank you, Google, for being my Humvee. The next time I need a fast fashion fix I know I can count on you carry me into the thick of things safely. If you can get me closer to that elusive Chanel next time, I'll be a very happy girl.

Posted at 09:35 AM in fabulousness, fashion, technology | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

September 20, 2009

Sunday Brunch

Yesterday was a full, fun packed day of play soaking p the sunshine and perfect "pre-fall" weather. We spent time at a beautiful park, played with the Chanel bags at Saks and enjoyed lunch outside - all before 1:00. It was one of those jam packed Saturdays that embodied la dolce vita. Great weather, great company and not a care in the world.

And it's a good thing, too, since today brought with it rain and clouds. The weather, of course, is driving me online so find beauty "indoors" to catch up on my digital life. So it's about time I mentioned how much I LOVE Shopbop's improved shopping experience.

First - the new layout. As a designer - I give them two thumbs up for the improved functionality and the new look. Bigger images, easier surfing, overall more immersive experience. I LOVE the new look. It makes me want to shop, which is clearly the result of good interface design and an expert design process.

Next up, the shop your style feature ROCKS. The "old" shopbop site used to prove a bit challenging for me. The rocker chic look tends to dominate in terms of merchandising. So much of the merchandise is tattered, torn and filled with grommets and studs. My style is somewhere between girly and classic, and the new site pulls together those looks for me. It makes shopping a breeze and introduces me to merchandise I wouldn't otherwise have seen. The result? I start lusting after merchandise I'd never have seen had it not ben for their gentle merchandising persuasion. Nice work, shopbop.

Take that yummy Thread Social dress above. I'd never seen it before yesterday. Today I'm wondering how I can live without it. Yes, it's that pretty to me. And of course... a cute dress is only as good as the shoes. And these Elizabeth and James open-toe ruffled metallic shoes are (OMG!) to die for, are they not? I love this whole ensemble and am pretty convinced I'd wear those yummy shoes with nearly everything in my closet. LOVE them. (Can't you just see Rachel Zoe rocking these?)

So shopbop, thank you for completely reworking your site. Otherwise I'd have nothing to drool over on this rainy Sunday. Much love to you. Mwwwah!

Posted at 09:48 AM in coolfinding, fabulousness, fashion, observations, technology | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

September 15, 2009

Notorious

Thanks in large part to Twitter, Sixapart is showcasing me as one of their featured TypePad blogs. I know many of you adore Wordpress, but I'm a big fan of the TypePad platform and have mentioned this repeatedly on Twitter. The battle between these two blogging platforms is epic. It seems to be the modern version of East Coast rappers versus West Coast rappers. (Let's keep things more civil than Tupac and Notorious B.I.G did, okay kids?)

In the interview I was asked to mention five of my favorite blogs. Five? Twenty-five might have been a start. Fifty might have covered a decent smattering. But five required me to name the first ones that came to mind without blinking, without thinking and without feeling guilty for leaving anyone out. There are just too many marvelous bloggers out there to mention in such a brief list.

But I did mention a few, some of whom are also on Twitter. (Notice a recurring theme here?) If you're curious to see if your fabulous blog was on my mind that morning, check out the full interview.

And for you Wordpress fans out here, more props to you. I know it's an awesome tool for some of you, Lord knows it's just not for me. But don't hate on my penchant for pimping of my big poppa TypePad. Life goes on. In the meantime, keep ya' head up.

Posted at 09:55 AM in fabulousness, interviews, observations, style, technology | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

August 25, 2009

App-etizing

Curious...what are some of your favorite iPhone apps? I adore ShopStyle, eBay, Harvest (for billing on-the-go), Tweetie (for twitter) and a handful of others. I find the Facebook app almost useless. Tell me dear readers...what apps do you love?

Posted at 02:38 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

July 24, 2009

I'd Always Suspected I Was Royalty

Do you remember my results when I last took the MyDeco StyleFinder quiz last July? It told me my taste in interiors was masculine. Listen honey... if there's one word that does NOT describe me, it's masculine. No way. No how. Not happening.

And then it dawned on me... online I tend to choose photos of spaces so clean they are almost spartan in their design. Super clean, super mod, super...manly? (I think not, but you get my drift.)
One look around my house and you'll see lush damask fabrics, silk dupioni draperies, curved legs on tables, rich reds, deep oranges and a host of other decidedly glamorous and (I'll just say it) feminine touches.

The closer I looked, the more I recognized a disparity between my real world possessions and style versus the spaces that I gravitated towards online. Do clean rooms and mod surroundings photograph better? Possibly. Do I lean towards uber-clean designs online because they offer visual order? Maybe. It's hard to say. And it likely doesn't matter. What does matter is that I was always bothered by those test results.

So much like a kid who is unhappy with his SAT scores...I tested, tested, tested again. And this time (some 12 months later) I keep coming up as "Home Queen" (didn't they mean Homecoming Queen?...hard to say, but at least Queen is in the title).

What's the Queen like? According to the site:

You have an almost theatrical approach to interior design, dressing up rooms just as you yourself would for a glamorous night out (or in). The look is opulent and luxurious, but can be equally sexy and sophisticated - just like you!

So far so good... what else does the good doctor, er, test have to say?

You are drawn to all things that combine beauty with adventure. This is a high-octane, unabashed, sensual look that encompasses everything that's luxurious, voluptuous and curvaceous. Think rich fabrics, textured materials and glossy surfaces. While glamour makes a big, bold statement, it also smacks of total comfort and fun. Vibrant, jewel-like colours command attention while shapely and harmonious prints add a polished sense of style. After invigorating exercise, your living room's the perfect place to relax and unwind.

So far I'm seeing vibrant, sexy, fun, glamorous, bold, polished....I like those words. I like them a lot. And so we continue the analysis...

Your bedroom has that classic look that never goes out of style. Sleep is fundamentally important to our well being... Elegance and relative simplicity are keynotes in your bedroom, using classic, neutral colours and textures to create an oasis of calm.

Almost accurate. I definitely have punches of vibrant color in the bedroom. But I do balance those bright feminine touches with a neutral base palette and classic elegance in my furnishings. Besides, this modern girl shares her bedroom with her modern husband. If I femmed it up too much he'd be wildly uncomfortable.

You're a modern maverick, a supremely elegant entertainer. At home, you have a fresh, contemporary dining style that is versatile and achievable on almost any budget... When it comes to entertaining, you're a real foodie who loves eating out in the best restaurants.

I like the word maverick (always have) and do enjoy fine restaurants. I'd say my dining room style is more plush than the results indicate, but again the results aren't terribly unfavorable.

It summed me up by stating quite simply:

Glorious and gorgeous, your home affirms your love of life.

Not bad. Not bad at all. I'm happy I took the test again. Truth be told, I suspect we all love learning about ourselves and our personalities - whether or not the results are perfectly accurate. It gives us a reason to indulge in a bit of "me" time and gain a sliver of an outside perspective on our ever-changing selves.

It seems to me that quizzes like this are comparable to modern day SAT scores for adults, and we're all curious to see how our peers have scored. Only in this case SAT means Style and Taste. So what about you? In the mood for a bit on introspection this afternoon? Can you spare a few moments for the sake of style and self indulgence? Yes. Yes, I think you can. What does your SAT score say about you?

Posted at 02:51 PM in beauty, design, furniture, home accessories, interior design, observations, style, technology, trends | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

July 15, 2009

Yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah

First, let me apologize for this post. It is part of my campaign to entice (coerce?) unblab into inviting me to be a beta tester for their (presumably) awesome email application. You see, I'm a visual girl. But even within that personal categorization, I'm an images girl. Look around this blog. Look up, right, left. You get the gist. I like bits of copy broken up by informative and (hopefully) attractive graphics.

And yet, email applications by their very nature are anathema to this need for "visual" order. Text upon text, folder upon folder, yadda, yadda yadda.... Why can't someone revolutionize the way we communicate? Especially when so many of us are in the creative fields where imagery dominates?
Well....unblab just may be the solution I've been looking for all my email-ridden life. Like your desktop (and your home) you can arrange it as you see fit. You can color code items. You can sort them without feeling like you're hiding them. You can flag things and even resize them to make them visually dominate your vision so you don't forget to follow up, or make the post, or respond.

You see, traditional email is my organizational downfall. No application - until now - has solved this dilemma. So please, unblab...I'm knockin'. Won't you let me in as a beta tester? Pretty please?

Posted at 11:32 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

June 02, 2009

"You Don't Backup?" "Why Does Everyone Keep Asking Me That?"

I love it when life imitates art. And... for the record, I actually do back up - I even use Mac's Time Machine. But it had been a few weeks since I had done so when l'incident de café occurred. This meant that as the days ticked by and "Demitri" had my computer I began to realize all the magical, fabulous, irreplaceable files, emails and photos that hadn't been backed up. There had been an odd series of weeks where life got in the way, and that little black hard drive was neatly tucked in an office closet. Clearly not doing its job (nor was I, while we are being honest). In essence, I'd backed up all of my work but none of my play. (And isn't they play the best part of our computer use?)

Fortunately, she's alive! My Mac comes home today. She seems to be working fine for the moment. This means she'll be attached to that little black portable hard drive Mr. Venti bought me specifically for such purposes.

Unlike Carrie and Aidan, we are compatible. he wanted me to avoid this fate...

But I do want to say... I felt a lot like Carrie this week as even non-computer users casually said, "well of course you back up." Insert eye roll and low growl here.

It's safe to say I had my Carrie Bradshaw moments during these agonizingly long six days. So these videos are for all of you. My Twitter peeps who helped me recall the now classic episode, My Motherboard, My Self. My blogger pals who rallied in support, and Demitri for bringing her back to life and not once asking why a full cup of coffee had entered the aluminum chassis. Some things, you see, are better off left unasked.

But I do want to add this SATC observation: we should have known their relationship was doomed when she berated him for buying her a new laptop. One that looked like a "purse" - and a backup. Aidan "got" her. he understood her. he may not have been her Mr. Big...but those episodes had me shaking my tiny fists of fury at the screen in frustration. Watching him try so hard to find a place in her life. Ahhh.... those were the days, weren't they?

Posted at 07:27 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)

May 28, 2009

Yep. It Feels A Lot Like This.

Yesterday morning the unthinkable happened. A steaming fresh mug of perfectly good coffee spilled.... over my fully powered up 17" MacBook Pro. Mr. Venti and I calmly dried her off, shook out the excess drops of wasted caffeine, removed the battery and attempted to dry her off. Through it all, I was eerily calm. Not a glimpse of panic. She'll be okay... right?

I powered her up last night, rubbed her glistening aluminum chassis and silently prayed she'd come back to life as if nothing happened. The lights were on, but no one was home. Just that Apple icon and loading indicator in a perpetual "loading" loop. Signs weren't looking good, but still I retained my sense of equanimity. Things will be fine. I'm certain of that.

Today we dropped her off to be worked on. Maybe they can pull the bits of perfectly Splenda'd coffee from her circuitry and resuscitate her. Bring my lovely machine back to life. I'm undeniably optimistic. She'll be fine. I'm sure of it.

So if things are a wee bit quiet for a few days or if I don't respond to your email right away it could be because I'm operating now from my old PowerBook and my iPhone. (Yes, we've got a veritable mountain of juicy good Apple equipment here, I'm not ashamed to admit that. Should I be? Nah.) If you're waiting for a note back from me or just want to be absolutely positively 100% certain I have your email address (or simply want to share a similarly horrifying story of a wasted cup of coffee), shoot me a note or drop a comment. I'll just be here tapping my toes and drinking my fresh cup of coffee. Far, far away from all of my glistening computer equipment. And yes, I'll be twittering like crazy in lieu of my big laptop's presence.

And Lord, if you read my blogs, I learned my lesson. Drink first, blog second. I get it. I really, really get it.

Posted at 02:16 PM in events, life, technology | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

May 22, 2009

Loud & Proud in LA

Hey, peeps... if you're blogging (or desperately wish to begin blogging) in the LA area, be sure to show your pretty face at the Blog Out Loud event coming up June 4th, from 7:30-9pm at Patio Culture.

Naturally, there's a blog with all the deets you'll need. But I know what you want. You want to know who's on the VIP list, right? You're in luck. The panel of five of our beloved peers will boast Rebecca, Richele, Megan, Audrey and Jonathan. They'll dish about their experiences and help facilitate a lively discussion about the current state of blogging.

Still need motivation? Seats are limited... so be there or be square.

Posted at 02:02 PM in events, technology | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

April 20, 2009

Sink Your Teeth Into This

Well get ready to get your smile on. Pure Dental is one of the country's very first eco-friendly practices. How, you might ask? The office is paperless and stocked with recycled, natural materials. Better yet, you don't have to wear Birkenstocks or forget to wash your hair to feel at home, because this joint is outfitted with a sleek interior that features a Mac bar in the lobby and iPod docks at each patient chair. Um, yes. It's just that cool.

{Maybe they also have cards as cool as these.}

Posted at 11:43 AM in coolfinding, design, interior design, technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

April 11, 2009

I'm Lovin' Bloglovin'

Months ago someone from bloglovin.com sent me an email announcing the service. Why on earth did I wait so long to make use of this app? I've grown so tired of my many RSS readers. They just take the life out of every post. (Am I the only one who thinks so?)

Bloglovin' lets me see your site and get a bit from each post and - from the main screen - save a post to go back and read. This way I can clear off that screen to see new posts without forgetting which ones I wanted to go back to for further reading. Smart. I'm just too visual for a traditional reader. All that lifeless text without a mental picture of your blog. It's a personal thing, but I'm not a fan of any reader I've ever used except (apparently now) this one.

Anyhoo, check out the site. And please, follow my blog with bloglovin´ to see what all the fuss is about. I'm no where near done completing my list of blogs to follow. So if I've missed yours, I hope to be adding it soon.

iPhone users: it even looks & works great on our phones. I created a shortcut to my account and put it on my main screen as a shortcut. Now I don't even have to log in. It's right there with all my fave blogs. *sigh* I'm very, very happy.

Posted at 08:31 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)

November 07, 2008

24 Hour Party People

So yes, I've been spending a lot of time at cocktail parties. Daily, actually. At least, that's the best way I can think to describe my Twitter experience. Imagine a 24-hour cocktail party online, where you can jump in or out at any time... partake in as many conversations as you like (or as few as you wish), meet new people, make new friends, and generally keep your pulse on the finger of the societal vibe. Yes, Twitter has become my new found addiction.

Who's there? Let me introduce you to a few of my fellow soiree attendees...there's Anna of ShoeSmitten, one of my absolute favorites, Brett, author of a brand new, must not be missed interior design blog Design Babylon, Grechen (who has personally saved me hundreds of dollars over the past few years) of Grechen's Closet, Carlene the newlywed who authors of the most amazing wedding & style blogs I've read: It's Heavenly, Valentina of Lady Ventino, Rick of Wall Glamour (and whom I owe a dedicated post about his impeccable wall decal designs) among countless others.

Let's just say the fun never stops since attendees join in from all over the world. And while you may be tempted to leave your Louboutins at home, I don't recommend it. The crowd I roll with online still knows how to turn it out for a good party. Come join us, we'd love to see you there.

Posted at 07:41 AM in coolfinding, technology, trends | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

July 10, 2008

Candied Apples

Clever. Part pad, part case...entirely useful. The Apple Sleeve.

Posted at 03:42 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 01, 2008

Coming soon to a handbag near you...

Better. Faster. Cheaper. I'm drooling. If you don't have this on your 'must get' list, you must not have enough information. Get your guided tour of this new bad boy here.

Posted at 12:14 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

February 11, 2008

Where Technology and Style Intersect

One of my closest girlfriends just scored herself a new laptop. While she longed for a Mac for months, she finally decided to buy one of the new sexy Sonys. I ran into her as she was shopping on Sunday right before she snapped up this lovely pink metallic laptop. As many of you know, I'm a Mac girl now. But what you may not know is I had a love affair with Sony for many, many years. If it wasn't a Vaio, I didn't use it. And after seeing her lovely new sliver of technology I'm guessing she's developed a brand crush of her own. And just in time for Valentine's Day. Congrats on your new toy, KK!

Posted at 06:07 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

January 15, 2008

You Can Never Be Too Thin

Yes, I'm a Mac lover. I'll admit it. I'm drinking the Steve Jobs Kool-aid and I'm proud of it. Today they released the newest in an ever expanding collection of sexy laptops. Hot. Hot. Hot. Get your Mac fix on here...

Posted at 06:31 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

December 29, 2007

A Little Freshening Up...

You might have noticed a bit of spring cleaning around here. Much like the interior of a home, sometimes I just like to rearrange the pieces to see if they'd look better someplace else. Thanks to my need to move things around, the site is now wider, there's a new column on the right to aid with navigation, and I've sprinkled in a few new features here and there.

I should add, this is just the beginning. In 2008 I'll be launching the Venti Cafe. More on that later (shhhh....). But in the meantime, if things seem a bit buggy or if you're having any technical difficulties, drop me a note to let me know. :)

If I don't catch you before next week, Happy New Year, everyone!!! 2008 is your year to shine!

Posted at 12:01 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

September 17, 2007

What's In a Name?

I'll admit it. I love my name. I can't tell you how fun it is to show up at someone's office or speak to them for the first time on the phone and catch them off guard. Frequently they expected me to be a short Italian man (their words, not mine). It seems somehow the name "franki" conjures up images of a Danny deVito look-alike. So imagine the surprised look (or absolute silence) when a small energetic woman comes through the door. The experience is always memorable. In fact, it's such a guilty pleasure that if I ever have a daughter I will be sure she enjoys the same unique experience of having a boy's name. Why rob her of the same daily excitement?

So when Kristen gave me the chance to see my name in lights (or pixels, as it were) I couldn't resist. It's just a little bit of tech fun someone created using images from Flickr. Talk about a fun way to blow a few fast minutes at the end of a Monday.

Enjoy yourself!

Posted at 05:53 PM in technology | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

August 10, 2007

Housekeeping

Did anyone else feel that? We've just moved from trusty Blogger and have now become a TypePad blog. Voila!

You may run into a few kinks for a day or so (images are still coming and going). Feel free to drop me a note if you have any challenges or questions. Have a fabulous weekend!

Posted at 03:38 PM in life, technology | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

June 29, 2007

Float On

Normally your desk area isn't rocking much mojo. Am I right? But if you're sporting an Apple laptop on that desk, I'm about to show you a new device that will (quite literally) turn your de rigeur office setup its head. Enter, the Floater, as described by Gadget Lab:

"Milled from one block of metal to increase stability, the Floater also has drilled channels for cable management, and silicon pads inside to grip the body of the Mac safely. There's a cheeky little dig at Apple in the product blurb: Balmuda, the manufacturer, claims that they make the stand to a tolerance of one tenth of a millimeter (0.004 inch), while at the same time saying that "since every MacBook Pro is unique, we have left 2mm room for adjustment where the panels join". Snap!"

For those not living in the Applesphere, you have been saved the discomfort of the searing hot laptop that threatens to melt your fingertips. Surfaces hot enough to fry an egg. The Floater is designed to hold your MacBook vertically, to allow the extra airflow and aluminum construction to cool the computer (keeping it 3º-6ºC cooler). Used in conjunction with an external monitor and keyboard, it saves valuable desktop real estate and adds a touch of mod style to your otherwise staid office.

It does, however have one glaring flaw: a $305 USD price tag. Touche.

Posted at 10:04 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Hello, Gorgeous

Today marks the official start of the iPhone era. We can't wait to get our grubby paws on this sexy piece of hardware. Technology has just reached a new level of appeal today.

Posted at 06:22 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 27, 2007

New Day. New Opportunity.

One of my favourite rituals is cleaning out my RSS reader. I have about 150 blog feeds I am currently subscribed to. I plan to delete all but about 21 of them and start fresh. That may sound dramatic, but it is the only way to continuously seek new information and find new ideas.

But there's a catch. I would love your help finding new inspiration.

Let me know your favourite blogs and why you love them. Whether it hits on design, style, travel, fashion, finance or just good living, I could use some new juice. And I know you have just what I need.

Start inspiring!

Oh, and if you've been lurking and/or have a blog you author that I should be reading, please let me know. I'd love to discover what you have in store.

Posted at 10:11 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 18, 2007

A Match Made in Heaven

As if the CL550 Coupe wasn't already enough of a temptation...

Mercedes-Benz has reportedly partnered with Apple for an upcoming in-car computer system. Are you ready for details? Stylish readers, I think you are.

Let's begin with the report by TechCrunch:

"A German Magazine is reporting that Apple and Mercedes Benz have signed a deal whereby Apple will design an in-car maintenance, communication and navigation system for inclusion in Mercedes Benz vehicles from 2009."

I have long joked that if Apple designed an automobile I would be driving one. My love of Apple runs deep, dear friends. It appears that my day in the sun is closer than previously thought. Think of the implications...your iPhone and iPod will integrate seamlessly with your iCar. Allowing you to flow seamlessly from work to play without skipping a beat or missing a moment of an important confeence call. Not to mention, you'll never be lost again with its onboard navigation system. Whether or not it will rely on Google maps is yet to be determined.

As for the style factor? This is about as chic as it gets in my book. I never thought my next gadget would have to be parked in my garage, but I think I can adapt to the idea just fine.

Posted at 10:08 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 13, 2007

It's In The Bag

Witness this little modern marvel. Guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows at the office. GeekSugar shares:

"Russian designer Dima Komissarov has created these fashionable USB sticks that can store all your pictures and documents - while taking the shape of a teeny handbag at the same time.

What's unique about these bags is the fact that they will slowly inflate as you add more data, so you know just how much memory is left."

Did I read that right? It inflates at deflates based upon capacity use. What a riot. Something tells me these little drives border on absurd when seen in person, but I love the innovation behind redesigning such a utilitarian storage device.

Maybe they should have designed it to look like the Paddington, padlock and all. Emphasizing the security of the device. Not as chic as some I've seen, but more fashionable than anything offered at OfficeMax.

Posted at 11:02 AM in technology | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 06, 2007

iWant

Fabulous. What more can I say. For the uninitiated, see these television ads to better understand this gorgeous marvel of modern technology at its best.