Kinect and Clothes

I'm a big fan of new technology and am very excited to see how the Kinect interface continues to evolve. I really think it has the capability to be one of the greatest innovations we've seen.  This Kinect "dressing room" is one fun example but it could evolve to helping you decorate a whole room all they way up to walking through a architecture schematic.

I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Managing Media

I know that things have been a little quiet around here.  We went off for a mini-break (it means true love, you know) and then on the way back my car had an ominous warning light come on which lead to my car being in the shop for days.  That, plus getting back to work and catching up has left us a bit frazzled.

In the midst of all of this time off and time back, I've been feeling the desire to make some changes in my life.  Some long term goals, some immediate needs - basically everything from where and how we want to live in 5 years to finances and a wardrobe overhaul.

No biggie.

And all this while, I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of content (books, movies, shows, articles for work and personal) to keep up all the social media sites I need to manage for my job and for the site and for personal.  Because this is my job as well as my hobby.  And even if I don't use every site personally, I need to understand the technology to help educate my agency and clients.

And frankly, I'm getting a bit overwhelmed.  Let's break it down. How I use it, how I value it and how can we make it all easier. What's expected to be shared and what can I just keep for myself. These are in a "my priority and preference" order.

Disclaimer - I heavily back up all of these online tools with their mobile apps or access them via my iPhone & iPad, equally if not more so than on my computer.

Twitter - @ShoeDaydreams

Twitter is frankly #1 to me.  I'd give up everything else before I give this up.  I love all the information I learn on there, the companies, brands and publications I follow and all of the friends I keep up with there.  I talk about them with my husband and probably interact and keep up with these people's lives as much as my offline friends.

I generally have the main Twitter site open in one browser tab, select people posts texted to my phone and keep Hoot Suite open in another tab to track the multiple accounts I use for the multitude of streams I manage.

But for fun I keep Trickle open on my iPad next to my computer so I can have the Tweets scrolling by and then jump on one that catches my eye.

Blog - www.ShoeDaydreams.com

The blog is what got me started in this whole madness (now multiple blogs including The Daily Coop) but there times when I think it may stop.  Will I do this forever, probably not, but I like having a forum for sharing thoughts, inspiration and ideas.  It's not about opening certain doors as it is about connecting with friends. That's what keeps it going.

I have 2 computers and the BlogPress app for the iPad so I really should be writing more, right?

Facebook - Poochie and Shoe Daydreams pages

Facebook... I was coerced to join.  I do this to keep up with the folks not on Twitter.  Sadly, there are some folks I know who I'm trying to get on to Facebook just so I don't have to email them.. and those that I wish would actually get on email.  Yeah, really.

Flickr - PrincessPoochie Photos

I like Flickr, but as with YouTube, this is all about cross-utilization of content for me.  Gives an extra traffic and stats boost.  I don't want to know what it's doing for some of my followers (Flickr, home of questionable groups, you know)

Tumblr - Living in Fashion Exile

I actually like reading Tumblr more than adding to it. There are some great sites on there, especially for activism, politics, feminist issues and news.  I wish I had more time so I could keep up with it as much as I like.  The visuals shared on there are great too.  I add to it but mostly through Istagram and reposting.  I'm no Tumblr star I guess.

Instagram - @Poochie

I know there are those that are over Instagram but I love it.  It's fun and gets me to take more pictures with the camera I have out all the time.  I really should almost stop carrying around my real camera.

I usually check it out on my phone but Instaview is great to keep open as well for a quick glance at what's going on.

Pinterest - Shoe Daydreams

Sites like We Heart It, etc., are not my favorites mainly because it seems like a bunch of unsourced images posted up my teen girls... but I think Pinterest will be a bit different.  I don't plan on doing tons on here but so far I'm using it to remind me of stuff I'd like to DIY, to buy and images to save instead of in my huge Inspiration folder.  I just started on there so maybe this will evolve. The Pinterest app is pretty easy to use too.

Google+ - Poochie Cooler

Google+... is it just me or is this still confusing as all hell or so redundant that I can't get into it yet.  I'm just not ready I think.  But, hey, I'm giving it a shot and getting spammed my Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton and Laughing Squid.

YouTube - PrincessPoochie's Channel

YouTube is, again,  cross-utilization of content.  If it's good, it'll be on the blog. Maybe vlogging will be a good application for a later project I have planned but right now it's not my medium.

Honorable Mentions

FourSquare - Poochie Cooler Shoe Daydreams

Who's still doing this a lot?  I was hopeful for more from companies but it's not evolving as much as I would like.  Right now the most fun is stealing the mayorship from someone I know.  Ha!

Spotify - Shoe Daydreams

Love it for me.  Don't really care about sharing my playlists etc. 

I also love Instapaper (so great for reading a web article I don't have time for), Flipboard iPad app, Zino for magazines and multiple paper notebooks to make all the lists I like to make.

How do you prioritize your media in this crazy age?  Anything I'm missing (please, I hope no)???

Presenting Presents

As much as I'm a shoe fiend, I'm also a technology junkie.  Sadly, I have an enabler in the form of my husband who gifted me with an amazing gift this year - a shiny new 64GB Wi-Fi/3G iPad.  I didn't drop hints or anything, honest!

Since I've been planning on getting one, I have a ton of links to cases that I've also been thinking about too.  I don't like the gel cases or skins, okay, more like I don't trust myself that those are enough protection.  I ruled out a sleeve or envelope style.  I think it would be awkward to take the iPad out and then have to deal with the case.  I'd rather it remain all together.  So I want a more protective piece.

Here are the three I'm really thinking about. 

First of all, I'm totally loving this nautical, school-boy style from Dunhill.  Sadly, it won't be out until Spring, but even if I get another case, I may still get this.  It's lovely!

But a part of me also likes the more book style of the DODOcase.  Not that I'm alone, since this Moleskine-looking, handmade case was ranked as the #1 case of the year.  I'm thinking of the pink interior.

But I like the more fashionable InCase convertible book jacket.  This will match my AcmeMade laptop case that I use for work and the case also allows you to watch or work with the iPad at 3 angles. 

Heck, I may get all three!  But now I'm off to check out some apps and think about accessories!

Hope you had a fund Christmas too.  What'd you get???

A Tempting Trio - Bergdorfs, Shoes and my iPhone

Not that I need it to be any easier to spend my money on shoes at Bergdorfs (one of my very favorite stores!) but now there is a great, and free, app for the iPhone that allows you to have exclusive access to a featured shoe.

Each day one shoe will be selected which will only be available via the app and in the store. And if you order via the app, you recieve expidited delivery! Whoo hoo!

You can also share the finds with friend and get complimentary returns. And on top of all that, Bergdorfs is currently making a $5 donation for City Harvest for every app downloaded.

So go! Download it now! I have it so I'm all ready for my trip up to NYC. But if you are already there, I've heard rumor that there are hotspots in the store where you can download it asap.

I'm hoping you'll soon see me in the store having tea and browsing for shoes but until I'm there, I'll be having fun online.

Learning

So I've created a Tumblr account for myself - http://princesspoochie.tumblr.com/

I'm not really sure how much I'll customize it but I guess I needed a home for stuff like this:

If you are a Tumblr Pro, please feel free to give me some tips and send me links to your pages. I need more ways to distract myself apparently.

Picture Perfect... and Pink!

As I've done more with the sites here I've been wanting to upgrade my technology. I swear, it's not just that I like new gadgets... it's for valuable work reasons! And since I don't work on a MAC and have been wanting to do more video, I decided I needed a recorder of some kind. I've had my eye on a Flip for a while now and thought, with the upcoming trip to NYC, that now would be a good time to get it.

There are 4 levels of camera you can get but I ended up getting the Flip Mino. It has great quality, plenty of storage, and just as important... you can customize it!

Not only do they have cute colors and a huge amount of designs, a pattern generator or you can use any image and have it added to create a true one-of-a-kind look.

Guess which route I took?

First I was looking at the pink and Hello Kitty designs but then I saw you could upload a unique picture for no additional cost! I decided on adorably delicious, pink macarons for mine.



How adorable is this? Well, in person it's even more adorable because it is teeny tiny! I need to take picture of it for scale. But it's smaller than my iPhone or iPod and lighter too. Which is great because I now will be carrying around 5 or 6 different electronic devices in my bag!



It's also amazingly simple to use - just turn it on and record. Using the simple touch screen, you can zoom in and out, delete videos right on the spot. And then when you plug it into the usb, you can edit, create stills and save to YouTube, AOL, for emailing, etc.



It took less than a week to arrive and I also added on the extended warranty (since I'm going to carry this around in my purse everyday) and bought the pack of usb cables so I can have one in my cord case, one at work and one at home. If you want to get really fancy, you can get a flexible tripod or even an action mount.



So, it's simple, pretty inexpensive and adorable. But does it take good video? I say yes! I res'd this down to the emailable level and it still looks great. When you look at it at the standard level it is even better.

By the way, this is my pup and he was with me at the office together having, obviously, too much fun!



Now, I can't wait to get to NYC so I can shoot a ton more footage.

Beware!

Yes, I am a Geek

Yes, I admit it, I am a geek (nerd?). I try not to make it totally obvious but:

1. I like Star Trek: Next Generation
2. I went to the first midnight showings for Star Wars I, II, III
3. Heck, I remember when and where I saw the first Star Wars (IV - to you Lucas-ites) and I have an opinion on Greedo shooting first (not right. Duh!)
4. I've actually been watching the CES recap.
5. On G4
6. I don't play video games... I watch my husband play video games... and comment on what he should be doing.
7. I bought a full price iPhone
8. I beat my geek husband in Star Wars Trivial Pursuit
9. I really like guys who wear glasses

AND....

10. I want a Kindle and am (possibly) willing to spend shoe-money to get it.