let's talk, steve jobs

Is there something you've been wanting to say to Mr. Jobs? Say, "It's nice that I can buy Beatles on iTunes but I wouldn't call that life-changing." Or, "Why would you tease us with a video cam on one version of Nano and then take it away on the next?" And, "Why in god's name can't I get an iPhone insured against loss? Don't you make enough money off all of us buying the damn thing already? Can't you at least help protect us against thieves?!" Ok maybe that last one's just me.

My point is, there's a website now where Appleheads can gather their thoughts on what they want from Apple's products. iWantFromApple.com is a forum for avid users to express what they want to see in the next iPhone, iPad, MacBook and other Apple products. It was created in the hope that if users band together and collectively raise their ideas, Mr. Jobs will hear them. So if you've got some brilliant thoughts brewing in your mind, visit the website and add your voice to the mob. Added bonus: submitting a request automatically enters you in a contest to get a shiny new 6th Gen iPod Nano! The wonderful toy goes to the brilliant request that gets 1,000 hits and an average rating of 3.5. Click here for more info.

And in case my eloquent post still leaves you unclear on what this website is all about, check out their cool ad below:

teenage dream

I apologize for having abandoned this blog for some time. Last week, I ticked off a really major item off my 30 Before 30 List—#3: Run a marathon! In between preparing for that, maintaining the other blog, working like mad, and just living life, there hasn't been much time to spare. So I do apologize to those who follow this blog, and I hope that the other blog is providing apt entertainment while my project takes my life over!

As a mini peace offering, can I show you some YouTube vids that just totally made my day? I wasn't a fan of Katy Perry's song "Teenage Dream" before but this week, Glee and my favorite new YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill have changed my mind. I dare you not to smile while watching these videos!

Will try to squeeze in some more substantial posts soon, but for now, hope I gave you some giggles!

Hugs,

hp mini 110 by studio tord boontje

It's a little harder to blog these days, when all I can seem to think about are the victims of the flood back home. It seems inappropriate to talk about spectacular meals and shopping desires when there are people back home who have literally lost everything ... but the blog can't just freeze, so I guess for now I'll talk about things that I find both beautiful and relevant.

I've been thinking of getting a small laptop since I am hoping to go back to school next year. I'm planning on doing graduate school in the evenings while continuing to work full time during the day, so it would make writing papers and keeping up with schoolwork much easier if I have a laptop that I can carry around in my bag. My top candidate right now is the new HP Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje:

I love Tord Boontje's work, and I've been lusting after this garland shade that he designed for over a year now. Maybe the HP Mini is a more useful investment.

What I like about this product is its environment-friendly slant. The packaging and user guides are made 100% from recycled materials and printed with soy-based ink. The intricate design of the cover shows endangered animals like the polar bear, blue whale and red squirrel, raising awareness about their plight. I have to say that I wish HP would go a step further and donate a portion of profits to a wildlife conservation fund. The environment-friendly angle that they currently have, while still commendable, seems a bit half-baked.

The product does not seem to be available yet, but I saw it on the window of Lord & Taylor two weeks ago because they're doing some promotional thing with HP. It is really lovely in person. And check out how small it is! Just use the sunglasses as a point of reference.

It weighs just 2.68 pounds, and is just a little over an inch thick. The screen measures 10.1 inches and the keyboard is at 92% of the standard size, which is fine by me and my 11-year-old sized hands. HP boasts that this mini uses 3D PC surface technology (a first), which is why the layers of design appear to float on the cover. So pretty. The best part, I feel, is that this version has a pretty good price at $399 (compared to the Vivienne Tam version that I am still lusting over, which was priced at $699). Maybe I'll finally get a Tord Boontje piece one of these days ...

my gorgeous new toy

I made a pretty big splurge last Friday. I got a pretty new toy:

Aint she a beauty? I'd been mildly obsessed with the idea of getting myself a really nice digital camera for awhile now. Last year, I scrimped and got an Exilim through Amazon and thought got a really great deal ... until the damn thing just refused to turn on a few months later. Even while I had it though, I was quite disappointed with the pictures it took and always preferred the ones from Mika's digital camera. His is a Sony point-and-shoot but it's got Carl Zeiss lenses and has just always taken kick ass pics. And he's happily used the same camera for the last 3 years while I blundered about with cheaper ones that I was never happy with. So I splurged, and yesterday I took it out for a turn in Fire Island. I don't have blog-appropriate shots to post this time, but I can say that this is THE BEST digicam I've ever owned. There are several idiot-proof modes to choose from that allow me to take great pictures without ever knowing what the words "aperture speed" even mean. Last night I was able to take great shots at sunset AND pictures on a beach that was pitch black. Needless to say, I'm very happy with my little splurge. I got a pretty good deal at J&R in Manhattan, where the Leica C-Lux 3 is selling for $459 with an additional $75 rebate. Can't wait to post way better photos on the blog!

P.S. Sorry Buddha, you gave me very sound advice about getting a Luminex (which also has a Leica lens and costs waaay less) ... but I made the mistake of asking to see the cute white Leica and once it was in my hands, I was a lost cause. There's just no going back when you've had that beauty in your hands! I am superficial. Yes, I am.

friday morning wood

Sounds dirty, I know. Sorry I couldn't resist. Very wholesome post coming, actually. I moved into a new office this week and have been slightly obsessive about nesting there. I'm hoping to stay in this spot for a bit because I'm tired of moving around. Maybe some cute desk accessories will help:

Antheneum tape dispenser at Anthropologie ($20); wood grain folders ($20), wooden pen and pencil by Housei Suzuki and bamboo desk clock by Yusuke Tsujita at the MoMa Store; solid wood stapler at Urban Outfitters ($19.99)

All the pieces together might be overkill, but two or three pieces could make sitting behind a desk a wee bit more interesting ...

totally juvenile but fun nevertheless

I couldn't help it. They're just freakin hilarious. These USB Humping Bunnies from Urban Outfitters are, well, just what their names say. You plug them onto your USB and they start humping your laptop. I don't know if they serve another purpose, other than just being amusing but it's good for giggles at $9.99.

Bedpost

Remember Vickie Miner from Reality Bites? That girl played by Janeane Garofalo who, after the latest shag rolled off her bed, would pull out a notebook containing her list of conquests and add another name to her collection. Methinks she's the target market for this new website called Bedpost, where you can keep track of how often you do the nasty. There's a calendar where you record your latest shag, including details like how long it took. You can create profiles for different partners, or input details on a "solo performance", if you get my drift. There's no social networking aspect to this (thank god); it's meant to be more like your personal record of your sex life.

I don't know what to think, since I'm really not in their target market. But I guess it would be a useful tool to those trying to juggle multiple affairs and whatnot? Keeps all the stories straight? Hmm ... can anybody else think of how this could be useful? Would you use it?

Poladroid Magic

I found out about Poladroid from Bryanboy and have been Poladroid-ing my pics since. So. Much. Fun. I've always loved the look of Polaroids but never bought one and now I guess will never have one unless that project to revive the shuttered film factory works out.

I Poladroided some of my favorite pics from the BF's and my Europe trip last December ...

I wonder what the blog would look like if I Poladroided everything? Hmmm ...

I just had to

DYING to buy this for someone. $18 at Urban Outfitters. There's a version that says Bitch that I'm sure one of my girlfriends would love. But this one's just priceless. Ok enough, going to bed. Night peeps.

No more shopping allowed

Within 2 days of getting my paycheck, I've gotten a couple of big ticket items so no shopping allowed for the rest of the month. I just want to share what I hope is an awesome deal I got on Amazon (I haven't gotten the package yet, so stay tuned). I had been diligently watching the price of the Casio Exilim EXZ9, which I decided I wanted for its slim size, shooting options, and really low price. With Circuit City filing for bankruptcy and Best Buy not in its finest hour, you can imagine that there are price cuts left and right, so it was a laborious process to find the best deal. But I think I found it on Amazon through seller Adorama Camera.

For a grand total of $141.06 with free shipping (taxes not yet included), I'm getting:

- a Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z9 Digital Camera

- 2 GB SD memory card

- mini table top tripod

- carry case & neck strap

- memory card wallet

- screen protecters for LCD screen

- cleaning fluid with cloth

Pretty nifty deal, I think. The camera is sold as low as $109 on some sites but factor in the memory card and tripod plus free shipping, and this deal becomes hard to beat. I admit, I fished out my credit card extra fast when I saw that there were just 2 left! So now there's just 1 left, obviously. But do check out Amazon if you're in the market for a digital camera because there are some pretty good packages to be found there.

Can't wait to get the cam and start taking better pics for the blog!

UPDATE: I got it! Everything advertised was in the box, all in perfect condition. The screen protectors are kinda bleh. Tried attaching one then just gave up (My iPod screen isn't covered either. I need to have the OCD boyfriend around to help me with stuff like that). But the 2GB memory card and tripod are awesome. Yay!

Online Obsessions

Hipster Musings turned me on to this site called Hel Looks. Me being me, it took 3 full minutes of thinking, "Wow hipsters are really tuning into Finnish fashion. They know Marimekko and IvanaHelsinki and all ... " before I realized that Hel stood for Helsinki. Ding ding ding!

I got a tad obsessed because I'm "preparing" (read: obsessing over what to pack) for a Helsinki trip in December. So I wanted to see what people there wear. I realized they all dress like people from Williamsburg. Got it.

I recently discovered Jak & Jil blog, and since seeing this picture of stylist Caroline Sieber have not been able to navigate away. I want everything she's wearing. So simple but so chic. Giant black hobo, skinny leather pants, tailored blazer.

Ready for a Spook?

Ok venturing into un-chic territory here, but Halloween is a very very very important event in New York so I've been thinking of what costume to wear this year. My Starbucks barista costume has been very good to me but has been used for a Halloween and 2 German Karnevals, so it's gotta retire.

Criteria:

1. Characters that make sense with my hair color, because getting dressed up is tiresome enough without wondering if blond hair goes with my complexion (it doesn't, not any shade)
2. Not too slutty because New York is full of crazies!
3. No Lolita costumes cos I would probably look like the real thing and I don't feel like hearing "Me love you long time!" all night long

So here are my choices:

I have been IN LOVE with the Rainbow Brite costume since I saw it on this girl in Jersey in 2006. I totally heart it. It's the priciest at 64.99 but it does come with those super cute legwarmers, while other costumes don't come with stockings.

I thought Snow White would be cute too since I already have the uber pale skin and dark hair. And its an excuse to wear the beribboned thigh highs (sold separately but less than $7). And she has a cape!

Then I realized why not dress like Strawberry Shortcake when I look like her all winter long anyway. I wish it really came with those striped tights though cos they're awesome.

The Madhatter costume? Cos the hat's cool.

Costumes 1, 3 and 4 all at buycostumes.com. They have some really cute accessories too if you want to go the extra mile. Costume 2 at Target.

What are you wearing for Halloween? Only 25 days left people!

UPDATE: I just ordered my costume! Was gonna post the photo but that's no fun ... I'll show y'all on Halloween! For those hunting down costumes and not wanting to spend over $30, try Amazon. Mine cost $27.69 and ended up being around $32 with shipping. Good luck kiddies!

Thinking Pink

I've been itching to buy a camera but since I've been on a spending spree, I came to the conclusion that I shouldn't spend over $150 on one. So today, I landed on Buy.com and saw the cutest camera ever for $124.99! It's a Casio Exilim EX-Z9, and my co-worker Ludette who owns one totally vouches for its quality. I was extra enamored because it comes in a vivid shade of pink, which I found way too cute! But then, I realized ... who's gonna be taking pictures with my camera? Not me. I'll be handing it to my boyfriend to take pictures of ME! And he will NOT be happy at all about holding a pink camera. He's metro enough to wear a pink shirt (so cute!) but methinks a pink camera is pushing it. So too bad for me ... back to the hunt ...

Goin' Lomo

I have loooong been intrigued by Lomo cameras, but am still quite intimidated about buying one. I'm no photographer after all and have zero understanding of apertures and all that fancy stuff. But the über hipster Urban Outfitters website got me thinking when I viewed the entries for its Urban Nomad Lomo Contest. I love taking pictures as much as the next chinky eyed Asian, but it gets a little tiring to look at the same faces with now very practiced Facebook-ready angles just pretty much cut and pasted onto various settings. So ... I'm thinking maybe I should go Lomo?

I'm infinitely intimidated by the idea still though ... I truly have no idea what I'm getting myself into. I just think Lomo pics look cool, that's about it ...

Oh and of course, I know that I wanna Lomo because I found a Lomo cam on Amazon in the color scheme I've been dying for:

So yeah, the idea is to use that pile of gold fabulousness to take pictures like this:

Ideally. I wonder if I'll manage. I think I'll take the leap and do it while there's still gorgeous NYC summer light and fun stuff to take pictures of. If it flops, well at least I only spent $29.95. And there's still my trusty iPhone ...

To find affordable lomo cams visit Amazon.com

Fun Finds for the Day: Urban Outfitters office supplies

The (not so hidden) dork in me has always adored supplies. As a wee little girl with an apple-cut bob, I loved going to National Bookstore and buying colored pens and brightly covered notebooks. As a working adult, I still love digging around Staples (and um, the office supplies closet at work) for color-coordinated files, Post-Its and labels to make my personal hellhole a bit more heavenly.

So I was overjoyed to see some uber cute and kitschy supplies on the Urban Outfitters website. Those allergic to mundane electonics will love these cute finds.

Check out this adoooorable sushi 1GB flash drive priced at $50. The price is steep, I know so I wouldn't buy it for myself, but would love it if my colleagues chipped in to get me one *hint hint*

It would be awesome to have one of these babies by my side: a retro USB standfan for a mere $15. (Update: I saw the real thing in the Urban Outfitters store, and it's a tad too big for my taste. Just a shade smaller, skinnier and dainty would've been just perfect.)

This next one is TOO. FREAKIN. CUTE. I really want one, especially since Mika is soon off on one of his long travels and it would be nice to see each other while we Skype. This is THE most adorable webcam I've ever seen. Unfortunately for MAC-heads, it is only PC compatible (niner niner niiiiiner ... ). I've never felt so fortunate to still be PC-bound! This Retro Web Cam will set you back $35. Worth it I think!

Fave New and Shiny Toy for the Day: Tastebook.com

I have a new toy!

After chowing and boozing down my entire salary a few weeks ago, I realized that maybe I should make a real effort to cook and eat more at home. My ever reliable recipes are quite limited though, and even I am getting tired of my oft-referred to "crack spaghetti sauce" (it's that good, I swear!). So on my downtime, I troll the Internet for quick and easy recipes to fill up my tummy on weeknights. But it's been a little annoying to try to keep recipes from various sources together for easy use. I cut and paste most of them onto Word files, but it is a little demotivating to read from these sad looking pages.

Well today I found the answer to my conundrum! Tastebook is a web service that allows you to collate your favorite recipes onto an online recipe book. It's super adorable! You can pick a cover, put in your own title, and all that fun stuff. Best of all, you have the option of having your recipe book printed for just $19.95! I think that it is a great way for mothers to pass on recipes to their kids, for friends to share each other's no-fail dishes. And it would make such a great gift! Most of all, it satisfies severely OCD people like me with the beautiful formats and tabs. Can't wait to fill up my book and have it on my kitchen countertop!

Gossip Girl Anytime, Anywhere!

I am beside myself with excitement that Gossip Girl is gonna be back on air in about 2 weeks! The racy ads have got conservatives' panties all up in a twist, but I personally love 'em!

GG is the one show that I will give up a night out for, and it annoys me to no end when I miss an episode. So my ears perked up when my co-worker Ludette mentioned this contraption called a Slingbox. What it does is allow you to watch the cable TV that you have at home at another location using the Internet. So you can watch, say, Gossip Girl, on your laptop or mobile phone whether you're stuck at the office or in Timbuktu (they have WiFi there, no?). For those of us who are here in the US but have family in another country, we can hook up our loved ones so they can watch American TV (which let's face it, just rocks!) from their hemispheres. Another cool feature of this thing is, you can also hook it up to your TiVo and DVD player. So you can watch shows you've recorded or a DVD you've popped in even away from home! UH-MA-ZING. There are no monthly fees; you just need to purchase a Slingbox, which costs anywhere from $129.99 to $229.99. I'd get it ... maybe after I remember to upgrade my cable ... heehee ...

Click here for more info.

On the Hunt for a Point-and-Shoot

I've been digicam-free since New Year's Eve, when I tragically discovered that I had broken the LCD of my Canon a few hours before the clock struck 12. It's not so bad when I'm around the Filipino crew because everyone seems to carry a camera and take 5 pictures per minute. But the kodakan gene runs in the Filipino blood, and I am now starting to feel that I MUST get a new one! My Belgian friend Celine has an adorable gold and black digicam that I tried in vain to find a replica of. Tough luck. That exact combo is now non-existent, it seems, so I will have to settle for gold with silver details. My choices so far from the B&H website:

Nikon Coolpix S210 with 8 megapixels, 3x optical zoom for $159.95

Canon Powershot SD1100, also 8 megapixels and 3x optical zoom for $209.95

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150, 8.1 megapixels, 5x zoom wide angle Carl Zeiss lens at $249.99

The Nikon is the most economical and aesthetically pleasing choice. I love that it is a skinny b*tch, and the reviews on it are good. The Canon isn't as pretty as the other two, but I've always liked pictures taken on a Canon camera. I had a Cyber-shot for a long time and would sadly look at the much more vibrant pics taken by Canons. BUT I think that this particular Cyber-shot is in a league of it's own. First of all, it's rocking Carl Zeiss lenses! And according to reviews, this little baby can take good pictures of fireworks, which really got my attention because too many cool fireworks displays have passed me by as I helplessly tried to capture them on my camera, to no avail. However, the Cyber-shot is $100 more expensive than the adorable Nikon ... I'm so torn between the two. Do I pick style over substance? What to do? What to do?