Connect your digital persona to real life and differentiate yourself!

This is a quick and simple glimpse of the future. I can't even tell you how excited I am about augmented reality. I cannot wait to have an augmented reality business card. In fact, if there's anybody out there who can help me out with how to start working on one like this, let me know. Check out these awesome augmented reality cards.

In the meantime, are you looking for a way to differentiate your personal brand, be more memorable, and help your personal business card or resume get noticed? A QR code is a great way to link your online persona to your real life persona, and make those paper business cards piling up on your desk of actual use.
First, download a (should be free) tag reader for your smart phone. Here's Microsoft Tag.

Next, decide what info you'd like to share. Do you want to point people to your personal or company website or blog? Maybe you just want to share your contact information? Whatever you want to do, this pixelated little graphic will contain this information.

You can sign in to Microsoft tag manager and create your own tags. This is available through Microsoft and Nokia. You can also create QR codes on Qurify, or Kaywa.

Once you've got your code, share it! Print it up on business cards, company brochures or trade show materials, whatever you can think of. I've even seen these on a t-shirt with the caption "add to friends." So that might be a little too far there...

I think you'll see QR codes utilized during this year's general elections, and more and more on the packaging of your favorite products directing you to become a Facebook fan or Twitter follower.

Girl About Town Top 10 summer beauty & style picks!

To start, (forgive me for the blurry pics) Here are my 2011 Girl About Town summer beauty and style picks! Most of these items are tried and true and field tested by yours truly, and some of them are highly coveted by yours truly.

I'm not forgiving of low quality and expensive products, that are all glitzy marketing and nothing good in the package. Especially makeup. As a busy girl about town, I don't have time to fuss with stuff that doesn't work, so if it's not awesome, I don't bother. You'll notice many of these products are eco-friendly, socially conscious and sustainable; because we all want to do our part, but don't want to sacrifice quality and style. These items are worth the cash and the time to use them! Please feel free to share your favorite summer style and beauty pics below!

1) Josie Maran Argan Oil: This still will change your life, I'm not kidding. Never has my skin looked as good as it does with this product. And it's eliminated the need for other products entirely! I mix it with lotion, use it on my cuticles, and put it on my scalp, and in my hair. Not to mention, Josie Maran works with UNESCO to ensure the women of Morocco who harvest this oil are given the opportunity to earn a fair wage, and the Argan trees are protected. Learn more about these efforts here.

2) Argan Oil Color Stick in Posey: This color is universally flattering and goes on sheer and not greasy. Works great for cheeks and lips and chock full of antioxidants, as well as cruelty free and no parabens. The stick is huge, so it'll last you quite a while. It's perfect for on-the-go "crap I'm not wearing makeup" moments or touch-ups.

3) Naturally Knotty Bamboo Wrap: These are super soft, lightweight and won't pill. Bamboo is warm in the winter and breathable for summer. These scarves are 100% bamboo and so soft you'll want to wear it 24/7. I love scarves like this because in addition to being stylish, they're great for traveling. I don't actually own an NKD one! :( But my dog just ate a hole in my old pashmina (I kid not) So I'd like to replace it soon with one of these.

4) Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Mascara: My eyelashes used to always fall out, but since I started using this mascara it's almost stopped. Of course it has Argan oil in it, but the best part is that for every one you buy, they give one to City of Hope for a cancer patient.

5) Argan Oil Hair Serum: I have a small size of this and I think I'm going to need to upgrade to the big size soon. It smells so good and makes your hair soft and shiny. If you've been at the beach and have sexy beachy waves going on, this will turn them into touchable and yummy smelling sexy beachy waves! :)

6) Josie Maran Eye Love You shadow palette: All-season colors, highly concentrated and just shimmery enough but not too shimmery. They didn't include ugly colors in here either, they're all wearable. I like how they come with a big mirror and the compact itself is really high quality. This compact knocks around in my purse and unlike my old Dior palette, the shadows haven't yet fallen out and made a crumbly mess. This formula doesn't make my eyes itch either.

7) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 70: Before you bawk at the fact that it's SPF 70, to actually get the advertised sun protection you've got to slather it on thick. Nobody wears it like that. So if you want any kind of sun protection, get a higher SPF. This one isn't exactly sustainable, but so far I haven't found an eco-friendly and healthy one that really works, and I don't want to mess around with getting sunburned. I'm fair skinned with dark hair, so I've got to wear it, this one is not greasy, doesn't smell bad, and won't clog the pores on your face, neck and chest.

8) "Hannah" Aviator from Send the Trend: I love a pair of sassy aviators. These are only $29 at Send the Trend.com. These are more of a fashion accessory than a utility item though, if you're going to be in super strong sun, these don't have UV protection and aren't super dark. So opt for UV protection if you'll be in strong sun, by the pool or at the beach.

9) A neutral wedge: I am not recommending a certain pair, just because the heights and styles vary, but a neutral wedge will take you from day to night, casual to dressy. You'll wear them with everything! I bought a pair of Nicole neutral wedges back in 2005 and I wore them so much. I finally replaced them this year with a pair of Franco Sarto's. If you're going to splurge on some shoes, these will give you some real mileage.

10) Naturally Knotty Tote: I am so in love with this tote, and the funny thing is I don't have one :( But boy do I covet! They are made of upcycled fabrics and recycled plastic water bottles. But that's not the best part, the best part is that they are huge, have tons of pockets, can hold your entire life, are durable and can be wiped out and easily cleaned. They are perfect for the market, school or work, a travel carry-on, or a beach or pool tote. I'd use it as a travel and beach tote to our destination wedding, as a carry-all bag for work travel, and as a travel tote for our March honeymoon in Peru!

What are your favorite pics? Share them below!

xoxo

Overhaul your wardrobe for Good!

Do some items in your closet make you feel like this?

Or maybe they don't fit correctly?

Everybody has done it, you bought something because it was on sale, or because it was a designer brand. Maybe you wanted to keep up with the Jones' or your best friend. Whatever the reason. Many people have a bursting closet full of clothes they don't or can't wear. We buy things that don't look good on us, work with our lifestyle, or make us feel great. Even worse, we're in debt. Wonder where your money goes? A lot of it is likely in your closet.

Saving, being frugal and paying off debt doesn't mean you have to wear sweatpants or shop at thrift stores (unless you want to!) But it does mean you need to shop better and smarter. And even more importantly, get down to the bottom of your reasons for buying all the items you can't or don't wear. This worksheet from Real Simple will help you purge, sort, and determine what holes you need to fill in your wardrobe to get you on your way to a fabulous, easily maintained and workable look. Never Buy the Wrong Thing Again Worksheet

But Susie Orman also has some great questions to ask yourself when you're out shopping and suddenly find yourself considering a non-predetermined purchase. These questions work for any major purchase, but shopping in particular.

Is it kind? - Is it kind to you? Kind to your body? Kind to your wallet?
Is it necessary? - Is it something you need to work in your closet or function in your life?
Is it true? - Why are you buying this? Is it to impress somebody else? Because it's a good brand?

That last one is the biggie. As Susie says, if we feel less than, we spend more than. Why did you buy these things? Once you realize the reason you're buying it, it's so much easier to put it down and say no.

Happy closet purging!

Jet Setting

Photo credit young married chic

Today we're heading off to San Diego for a quick weekend visiting family and knocking off some wedding to-do's. There is nothing worse than seeing somebody schlumping through the airport disheveled in some sort of sweat suit ensemble they picked up off the floor that morning. I'm not saying we should return to the 50's and fly in nylons and pumps, but come on people, get it together. Here's a few of my tips for traveling:

Don't check bags if you can help it. - Once I land, I want to be there, not stand around at a baggage carousel while the new world beckons outside. Not to mention the hassle if the bag gets lost.

Pack a protein snack - I think the Trader Joe's refrigerated section was made for things like this. The day before I like to grab a small packaged salad, a wrap and maybe some nuts to hold you over when those peanuts don't cut it. If you've got the fixins at home, make 'em yourself! Just don't forget a fork.

Moisturize - Do you feel gross when you get off planes, and can't quite figure out why? It's partly because you're parched. I love these mists. They're refreshing and moisturizing and do wonders as a pick me up. Here's an Evian one and one of my personal favorites is by Caudalie.

Wear a pashmina, and bring some fluffy socks - I love these bamboo wraps from Naturally Knotty. They're sustainable and a great bargain. When I travel in the spring and summer I always wear sandals, they're easier to get through security in. But it's nice to slip on a cozy pair of socks on the drafty plane and get cozy underneath your bamboo wrap with a magazine.

Keep nausea at bay - For those of you who get woozy on take offs and landing, Peace of Mind On the Spot from Origins works wonders. Just put it on your pulse points, or just smell it. The peppermint and eucalyptus really helps with nausea.

I'm a little bit weird about germs when I fly. I'm normally not a germaphobe. But when I think about all the germs from across the country (or the world) that have touched my tray table, I get a little eeked out. This is not an official tip. But I also always travel with antibacterial wipes :)