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Gift Guide: Le Geek C’est Chic

By |November 30th, 2011|Gift Guide|
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If you can’t beat em… join em.  Since, we’re clearly overly socialized and technology is only going to get more intense from here, might as well look good while we’re surfing the web/catching up on reading/chatting with friends/etc.  You know how I know tech is a big deal?  Go to one of your favorite fashion shopping sites… I’m willing to bet they now have a tab under accessories that says, “Tech Accessories.”  I would, however, like to point out that there are few and far between (if any) accessories for the Blackberry.  Coincidence?  … Anyway, a gift that is certain to delight even your most tech savvy friends is something to outfit her favorite electronic device.  Since it will probably spend more time on the table than hidden in the depths of her bag, it’s going to need to look good too.

1. Jagger Edge The Montana Studded iPhone Case, $99, 2. Jimmy Choo Glitter iPad Case, $495, 3. Juicy Couture Synched to the Stars Ear Buds, $47, 4. Henri Bendel Snake iPhone Cover, $68, 5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Stacked Heart USB, $42, 6. Diane von Furstenberg Heart Print Ear Buds, $25, 7. Jagger Edge Studded iPad Case, $198, 8. Balenciaga Arena Classic Screen, $565, 9. Echo Cheetah Touch Gloves $38

xx,

WhyDid

 

Smart is the New Pretty: E.T. Phone Home

By |October 12th, 2011|Smart Is the New Pretty|
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Oh, our cellphones… They sure have come a long way.  When’s the last time you left home without it?  We basically live our lives on our phones.  Whether we’re emailing, texting, Tweeting, or making an actual phone call, we can’t live without them.

 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to take this call.

xx,

WhyDid

Photo via Life’s Juggling Act

 

Why Don’t You Write? Why Don’t You Call?

By |March 3rd, 2011|WhyDid Wisdom|
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You never write.  You never call.

Sound familiar?  Probably something you’ve heard from mom or dad or maybe even grandma.  Our parents have had to give in to text messaging and joining Facebook just to keep tabs on us.  My entire family is now on Facebook and quite honestly, it’s frightening.  Remember when Facebook was simply a place for people with college email addresses?  Remember when you didn’t have to police your tagged photos? Anyway –not my point.

Our generation relies heavily on the internet and our cell phones.  I bet a lot of you can’t even go fifteen minutes without touching your iPhone/Blackberry. Go ahead, try it… I’ll wait.  While a lot of this is fantastic and we are lucky to have so much technology at our fingertips, we’ve kind of turned into blithering idiots.

Yes, yes, we know how to code and tag and blog and tweet.  Unfortunately, we can hardly compose a sentence anymore and I can’t even imagine what we would do without spellcheck.  Guys ask girls out via text message (lame) and people meet on Twitter (lamer).  No one knows how to even pick up the phone anymore (lamest). When did we become so technologically dependent?  Our grandparents would be appalled by our social etiquette (or lack thereof).  I don’t care if they have invented “netiquette.”  That is just a cop out word created to make us feel better about our social inadequacies.

customizable stationery from Paperless Post

Giving someone a Facebook “shoutout” on their birthday or a “Happy Thanksgiving” mass text during the holidays is just plain impersonal.  Send me a mass text, I dare you.  Newsflash: an e-mail does not = a letter.  Seriously, when is the last time you sent a hand written “thank you” note?  I’m surprised the paper industry is still in business!  We don’t even send out actual paper invitations anymore (unless we’re talking wedding- which is probably single handedly what’s keeping paper stores afloat).  Instead we send evites and Facebook event invitations.  What are we? Heathens?

An ex boyfriend once mailed me a card a month into dating to tell me how much he had enjoyed the past few weeks we’d spent together.  We lived in the same city, there was no need to actually mail me something, but the simple gesture won serious bonus points in my book.  (Step one in Bamboozle 101).  Sure, I said ex boyfriend, but I dated him for another 15 months after that darn card- so it counts for something.

Have you ever been into a stationery store?  It’s like fashion for paper!  Not sure why you wouldn’t take delight in designing your own stationery or picking out beautifully created notecards. OR if you’re really crafty, you could even make your own!

stationery from Retta Le Ritz

You have no idea how much it means to receive a handwritten note, or if you’re lucky, letter from someone.  I mean, how do you plan on scrapbooking an email?  So, I urge you to put down your phone.  Close your laptop.  And pick up a pen.  Perhaps this is one instance where going back in time could benefit us greatly.

xx,

WhyDid

All Business or All Talk?

By |July 31st, 2010|Uncategorized|
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rosemarys-baby-mia-farrow-talking-on-the-phone1

Speaking of cellphones, while sitting at dinner with friends one night, the topic of Blackberry versus iPhone came up. I have always had a theory that New Yorkers are more Blackberry users while LA folks seem to be bigger fans of the iPhone. While it was three of us at the table (myself and a girlfriend having Blackberries) the odd man out was my friend with an iPhone.

She nearly chucked a bowl of edamame at us when we proclaimed that Blackberry users are actually using their phones for “work” and iPhone users are just having “fun.” I, personally, can not imagine trying to peck out an email to a client on that creepy touch screen. (I’ve seen what autocorrect is capable of). I can understand that “creative” people need a phone with more “graphic” capabilities, but in the grand scheme of things, I think iPhones are just fun and flash and Blackberries are all business.

Tip #1: Consider a Second Phone for Business
As the old adage goes, it’s not good to mix business with pleasure. For some of us, we have difficulty switching off, a second phone may help. It can be a great way to create work-life balance, as you want to really focus and investing in yourself is important so you won’t want distractions. It may also help you avoid distractions like games and your personal social media accounts while working. You can also minimize security risks that could happen when you have only one phone for work and personal use.

Tip #2: Secure your iPhone
iOS is a pretty secure system, but it’s not totally bullet-proof. A clever and relentless hacker will always find a way through your iPhone if you’re not careful with its security. Explore your phone’s security features and adjust them to be suitable for your business needs. At a very basic level, you should make sure that your iOS is always up to date. It’s also wise to avoid keeping sensitive files on your iPhone.

Tip #3: Use Multi Platform Apps
Apps that work on a variety of platforms can improve your work flexibility and efficiency. When your tools sync across platforms, you can work continuously, whether you’re using your iPhone, laptop or computer, and whether you’re using Mac or Windows. These apps also allow you to stay connected with your team wherever you are, allowing for improved collaboration.

Tip #4: Keep Things Simple
There are thousands of apps out there for addressing specific needs and improving the flow of your business. It’s tempting to fill your phone with a multitude of apps providing the work solutions you think you need. Try to limit your usage to a handful of apps that can perform multiple functions. Too many apps installed on your phone can slow it down, destroy your battery, and is likely to lead to inefficiencies. You can waste a lot of time switching from app to app just to get your work done.

Tip #5: Establish Communication Protocols
One of the advantages of running your business through your iPhone is you get to be connected to your team 24/7, look for the benefits provided by business phone systems uk to adapt your company to the best phone provider network. Just because you’re always connected, doesn’t mean you should contact them any time of the day, and vice versa. You need a healthy culture for your business. Answering endless messages can be distracting and a drain on your time and energy. It can also affect the work-life balance of your team. To make your team communication more balanced and effective, you should establish protocols on how you can connect with them and how they should connect with you. For example, you can use Slack for non-urgent matters, text for urgent issues, and calls for emergencies.

Tip #6: Augment Your Phone with Tools
There are plenty of accessories and tools that you can use with your iPhone to extend its capacity and usability. If you select the right tools and accessories for your business, you can make your workflow easier and more efficient. One example is the Bluetooth earphone—it allows you to call and receive calls hands-free and keep using your phone for other tasks. Another is the Bluetooth keyboard. You can pair this device with your iPhone so you can type longer messages or work with documents even when you’re away from your computer.

Tip #7: Set a Time for Switching off Your Work Phone
Earlier we mentioned how staying connected 24/7 can affect your work-life balance. With this in mind, you should set a specific time for switching off your work phone. This means you’re off the clock. With your phone off, you can rest and relax. You can focus on personal things, such as spending time with your family or engaging in your hobbies.

What I really want to know is what you think? Do you have an iPhone or a Blackberry? Is one more serious than the other? Tell me!!!

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid Wisdom: WhyDid Unplugged

By |July 29th, 2010|WhyDid Wisdom|
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blackberrytoilet_540

Once while home visiting my mom in West Virginia, she nearly threw my Blackberry at my head a la Naomi Campbell because I just would not/could not put it down. She was frustrated that I was constantly tapping away on it and not listening to her (little does she know that I am capable of two things at once!). I do, however understand her concern. I was being a bit obnoxious about it.

So when my phone conveniently fell into the toilet the last time I was home, my mom was secretly elated. (I wouldn’t be surprised if she paid off that toilet to trip me so I’d drop my phone). After that whole “rice” suggestion not really panning out, I was sitting around without a phone until my replacement was shipped. As mentioned, her computer is from 1999 and her home is not equipped with Wifi. Sigh. What’s a girl to do? How on earth was I going to keep up with Twitter updates and update my Facebook status?

We are an incredibly overstimulated society. There are far too many distractions for us. Family dinners are nearly non existent and the ones that are usually are drowned out by the garble on TV. Kids are being diagnosed left and right with ADD when they really are probably just overstimulated with all the Hannah Montana and Dora the Explorer going on. No one remembers how to pick up the phone anymore let alone pen a handwritten letter. We don’t even use full words anymore. “C U L8R!”

It’s so very easy to get caught up in our little social bubbles that we forget to just be totally quiet. When’s the last time you really had a moment to yourself? Complete peace and quiet?

I suggest taking an entire afternoon or even a weekend if you can muster up the courage to completely unplug and disconnect with the outside world so that you can re-connect with yourself. I’m willing to bet that the world will carry on as normal with or without your BBM’s.

xx,

WhyDid

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