How to Wear Summer Tops in Winter

It's middle of winter, and I'm longing to wear my summer clothes.  Just because it's cold outside, it doesn't mean you have to pack away your summer wardrobe.  Layering with open sweaters, short jackets, and cardigans are  great ways to vary your outfits and still stay warm. 

Margaux goes to Adorn

I'm in love with the boutique, Shop Adorn, not only because they carry the complete line of Love, Margaux laptop bags but because their store is full of stylish clothes and accessories.  They also understand the importance of supporting the local economy and do a great job of promoting independent designers. 

Check out Love, Margaux bags at their boutique located in the quaint Alameda neighborhood on NE 4759 Freemont St. (NE Fremont and 47th).  For those who don't live in the Portland area, they have an on-line shop too.

Below is a glimpse of their fashion forward clothes. 

  

   Dress it up or dress it down.

Office wear to evening wear.

 

Casual and comfortable dolman sleeve dress.

  Belt it for another look.

Great selection of  Siwy and J Brand denim.  

Wide leg jeans are coming back.

Versatile and functional Fluxus Nomad scarf.

(featured on Oprah)

Evolution of Laptops

I stumbled upon this website, Old Computers, and was amused by the evolution of portable computers/laptops and thought I'd share some of the brands that are still around today.

IBM Portable PC 1975

This was considered the world's first portable computer, weighing a mere 55 pounds!  It cost upwards of $20,000 and only used by professionals and problem solving scientists.

Osborn 1 1981  

The Osborne was the first true portable laptop because it was specifically designed with transportation in mind.  With its rugged exterior and carrying case, it could fit conveniently under passenger seats on an airplane.  The Osborne cost $1800 and was an over-night success but quickly went bankrupt a few years later. 

 Hewlett Packard HP 110 1984

 

With the 'large' monitor, exceptional battery life (up to 16 hours), and a whopping 256K RAM, this 9 pounder was considered the finest portable computer of its days. 

Apple MacIntosh Portable 1989 

This was Apple's first portable computer.  It was faster and more powerful than it's competitors with a 16MHz processor, 1 MB RAM for $7300.  It's ultimate demise was that it weighed 16 pounds which was too heavy to carry.

 

Macintosh PowerBook  1991

2 years later, Apple came out with this lighter, smaller, and cheaper ($2300-$4600) laptop that was a huge success.  Apple sold over 100,000 in the first 3 months and sales of over $1 billion. 

MacBook Air 2011 

Laptops have evolved tremendously with MacBook Air which is designed with travel in mind because of its thin size (0.68 inches thick), long battery life, and light weight (2.3 pounds) for only $1000.  This ultra slim laptop is perfect for on the go.

Margaux goes to New Year's Eve Party

New Year's Eve is celebrated around the world--usually involving parties, music, fireworks, and champagne.  It's the one time of the year where you can play up the shimmer and glitter.  This is a great evening dress, and paired with the faux fur shawl provides warmth and style to ring in the new year.

New Year's Eve is day of endings and new beginnings;  it is a time to reflect on the past year, look into the future, and making new resolutions which is a tradition that dates back to Babylonian times (returning borrowed farm tools was a common resolution back then).

Here are some New Year's traditions from around the world:

• Spanish people eat 12 grapes during the last 12 seconds before the new year
• Polar Bear club members dip into icy waters
• Scottish people march with fireballs down the streets
• Times Square drops a 6 foot, 1000 pound Waterford Crystal ball 
• Other US cities drop a pickle, pretzel, a pine cone, and a caged opossum
• Italians used to wear red underwear and get rid of old items by throwing them out windows (an old tradition not practiced anymore)

Happy New Year!

-

On the Go Gift Ideas

Here are 10 fun, techy gift items for travel:

1.  Brighton Bell Skinny Sleeve:  a slim laptop carrier that is perfect for the airport and other on the go errands.

2.  Trackstick:  not an ordinary pedometer--connect the USB port and Google Earth, and you have your entire trip mapped out (a visual diary of everywhere you've traveled).

3.  Travel Guard Personal Alarm:  ideal for women traveling alone.  This 100db alarm shrieks with the pull of a cord.  Perfect for dark streets and deserted parking lots.  It also has a motion sensor/alarm for hotel rooms and a LED flash light.

4.  Portable Laptop Lock:  whether on the airplane, coffee shop or poolside, this laptop lock is convenient for short trips away from your laptop.

5.  MacBook Air:  razor thin, lightweight laptop that is great for traveling.

6.  12 Language Global Translator:  enter a word in your language and this translator will speak and show the translation.

7.  Reef Stash Sandals:  great for stashing your cash, credit card, or hotel key while taking a dip in the pool or ocean.

8.  iPhone Mini Battery Pack:  a rechargeable battery pack for on the go.

9.  Kindle:  e-book reader holds 200+ books and weighs only 10.3oz.  Does not require WiFi which means no wireless bills or service plans.

10.  Flip:  this no brainer video camera is easy to use and small enough to throw into your bag to document your everyday life or travels.