Being Geek Chic is the yammerings of a Midwestern nerd named Elizabeth Giorgi. My vision impairment is real, which is frustrating because I really would like to see a 3D movie.
Send questions, requests and ideas to [email protected]. Please put your complaints on a napkin and toss it.
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15th August 2012
Geeky at Work: Back to Basics on Tops
I’m doing the basics! Here’s a reminder of how we got here. A very lovely reader named Amanda emailed me a couple weeks ago and said:
“I am starting a job where I need to dress in business casual for most of the week (I am entering a Ph.D program and will be working as a TA). The problem is that I do not have a lot of the staples for a diverse business casual wardrobe and—as a graduate student—I do not have a lot of money to spend. I have the “geeky” part down, but the “at work” part could use a little work. What are some business casual wardrobe staples that go well with a touch of geekiness?”
So this week, I’m doing tops. Or at least the tops that go on top of tops.
Here’s your shopping list:
1. A simple, versatile and well-made black blazer. I like this one from Madewell ($98). Of everything on the list - this IS your investment piece. It will go with literally everything in your wardrobe. If need be, get it tailored. Make it perfect. Get it dry-cleaned. Take care of your well-made black blazer like it’s your child. I mean that.
2. A cotton jacket that can be dressed up or down. This is something that I like because you could easily pair it with a skirt and some blingy jewelry and be ready for a meeting or you could dress it down with jeans and wear it on casual Friday. This nice grey option is from Target ($27.99).
3. Color or pattern blazers are a trend right now, but I think they’ll last. Much like last week, this is your fun piece. Something to make you smile. It’s also something that you could dress UP or down. Pictured is from J.Crew ($78).
4. A couple good cardigans are a must have for the working girl. In the winter, they go with everything. In the summer, they protect you from over-air-conditioned offices. Ahem, mine. I think it’s great to experiment with more color with a cardigan. Hence, this neon pink choice from J. Crew ($39).
5. It’s probably because I live in the Midwest, but I believe a good pull-over sweater is a must have. This neutral taupe one from Gap ($39) works with dress pants and jeans. Throw a button up underneath and you’re preppy chic. Again, I love items that work with LOTS of pieces.
6. This one is an outlier, but I’m going there. I think every girl should have a super long cardigan too. It’s highly trendy, but highly warm. Plus, these super long cardis work really well with sheath dresses - which can always be hard to pair. This one from QuikSilver ($48) is SUPER trendy, but I like the color combination and I think it would look great with a bright pink pencil skirt. If you don’t like the pattern, this basic long cardigan from Old Navy would also flatter many shapes.
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13th August 2012
Geeky at Home: the most important piece of furniture you will ever buy
No, it’s not your bed. It’s not your desk. It’s not your office chair.
Let it be known: the most important piece of furniture in your home is your couch.
Why?
For me?
It’s where I write when I can’t stand sitting at the desk anymore.
It’s where I cuddle up and read.
It’s where I watch new movies and old movies.
It’s where I play video games with my brother.
It’s where I eat when I’ve filled my dinner table with too many crafts.
It’s where I call my mom and gram-mama to chat for hours and hours about life.
It’s where I sit with my girlfriends to discuss boys and have a drink.
It’s where I page through old photos.
It’s where I fall asleep watching crappy TV virtually every Friday night.
Yeah, you probably didn’t think about it, but the couch is freaking important. If you’re a Big Bang Theory fan, you know Sheldon is totally on my side with this one.
So what the hell is the point of all this? In part, I just want to share my strong feelings for my couch. I love that couch. I bought it in 2007 when I got my first bonus ever and it’s been the best $1800 I’ve ever spent.
The other major reason I want to share this is because I feel like when I was in my early 20s, no one ever gave me advice about where to spend my money when I was setting up a nest. Here’s my new theory: invest in pieces that you will use everyday. Skimp on the items that are decorative or short-term. For example: bedside tables and coffee tables. Later in life, you’ll buy art or invest in a nice china cabinet - but in your 20s, it’s all about the couch.
And when I think about all the things my couch and I have done together - I get sentimental! All the books I’ve read on it. All the movies I’ve seen. It’s stupid, but it’s true.
How to pick the couch of your dreams? It should be:
1. Comfortable, but not too cushion-y. You should have a fair amount of back support.
2. Versatile. Stay away from trendy couches. Go for neutrals.
3. Easy to clean. Certain fabrics just hold up better than others.
4. Long enough to lie down if you ever want to nap.
5. Large enough for multiple sitters. Go with a friend to ensure that multiple people to can sit comfortably without the couch losing shape.
6. Smell it. Seriously. Many cheap couches are made from materials that keep the cushions firm, but certain foams are just stink-hell. And how do you air out a couch?
Do you agree? What’s the most important piece of furniture in your home?
(Photo above is not my couch, but it’s remarkably similar. This is Room and Board’s Holden Sofa with Chaise.)
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Note
8th August 2012
Geeky at Work: Back to Basics on Bottoms
A very lovely reader named Amanda emailed me last week and said:
“I am starting a job where I need to dress in business casual for most of the week (I am entering a Ph.D program and will be working as a TA). The problem is that I do not have a lot of the staples for a diverse business casual wardrobe and—as a graduate student—I do not have a lot of money to spend. I have the “geeky” part down, but the “at work” part could use a little work. What are some business casual wardrobe staples that go well with a touch of geekiness?”
She’s right! Sometimes, the basics are harder because they are not as fun to shop for as the geeky stuff. So, over the next couple weeks, we’re going BACK TO BASICS! Today, I’m covering your butt.
Here’s your checklist for shopping for bottoms:
1. Something swingy or with an A-line shape that creates volume on the bottom for the ladies who want to fake or accentuate curves.
2. Something trendy that makes you feel good. It could be a body con skirt, a peplum style (like above) or a maxi skirt. Whatever the trend you choose, just make sure the fit is flattering. Never buy something trendy because it’s “in” - instead, buy it because it’s trendy AND flattering.
3. A pencil skirt that goes with everything. Seriously, a high quality pencil skirt will last you years! Here (above, far right) I picked something a little saucier, but you could do something in a neutral and keep it for decades. This is an item that you want to invest in too, because you’ll have it forever.
Side note: A good rule of thumb for length: your skirt should be 1 inch longer than the end of your fingertips when you put your hands down at your sides.
4. A pair of simple black trousers that fit your shape perfectly. For example, if you’re tall, get something long and lean. If you’re curvier, get a nice boot cut.
5. A pair of pants that can be dressed up OR down. I also call this the: “something that makes you insanely happy rule.” It could be a pair of super skinny neon pants or something like these polka dots. If it makes you happy and fits well, then buy it.
6. A pair of cropped pants for spring, summer and fall. Cropped pants are great on lots of body shapes and can be worn with both flats and high heels and look great.
Want to buy the things above? Here’s the list from top left in clockwise order: Mossimo High-Low skirt ($17.99), Peplum skirt ($14.99), No. 2 Pencil Skirt ($49.99), Asos trousers ($24.90), AG Dot Jeans ($99.95) and Cafe Capris ($59.99).
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20th June 2012
Geeky at Work: Neon arrows on the run
I’ve had a crazy, crazy week. Between video shoots (can’t wait to show you!!) girls night and planning a vacay with the boyf, I’ve been overloaded with things to do. So that means no super awesome photos with Photoshopping whiz-bang this week. Sorry. But I did want to share what I wore today while running around like a loony, so I snapped these pics while I ran out the door.
You can’t see them very well, but I’m wearing those Sally Hansen nail effects in polka dot. I instagrammed a pic just in case you can’t seem them well. I recommend them. They’re cute. They’re the closest thing to anything objectively nerdy in this quick outfit.
I’m wearing:
Theory black combo dress (similar here)*
Kate Spade New York Gum Drop Earrings ($34)
Black arrow scarf from Target (super old!)
J. Crew belt (Spring 2012)
Black bow heels from Target (super old!)
Rebecca Minkoff Mac clutch (green version no longer available, but this is similar)
*Black shirt dresses are basically the staple of my entire wardrobe. I own a bunch in different lengths and necklines. Let me tell you, it’s my vice. This one is about three years old and it’s made by Theory, but there’s a similar one here. The best thing about this dress is that it looks like it’s a shirt and a skirt, so you look like a tucking in ninja master. And then you only have to pay for one garment at the dry cleaner!
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18th June 2012
Geeky at Home: Nerds go shopping
Normally I wouldn’t blatantly shill products, but this week I’m making an exception because my daily email from Fab.com included not one, but two dork-tastic sales. It seemed like some kind of weird, karmic shopping intervention, so I best not ignore it.
First, let me point you to these Limited Edition Marvel Comic Book prints. The limited edition prints from the Marvel Fine Art collection feature members of The Avengers and Fantastic Four. Here’s the best part: A select few are even signed by Stan Lee! For reals.
Each print will run you $120 or so, depending on which you choose. Here’s some of my personal favorites:
Captain America 109
Fantastic Four Pair
Hulk Vs. Thing 92
Clearly, I’ve got a thing for the vintage comic book aesthetic.
As for the other sale: I’m not much for figurines, but Pop Vinyl Kermit could seriously make me change my mind. I’ve long played with the idea of getting a figurine or two for my desk. Today’s sale features characters from The Muppets, The Simpsons and Disney, among others. My heart does got pitter-patter for this sassy Stormtrooper. I mean, look at that expression!The figurines range between $7.99 and $9.99.
This concludes me talking about things you can buy without any real, helpful commentary. But let’s be honest… this stuff is totally worth it. And I assure you this is not a sponsored post. I genuinely like this stuff. If you haven’t joined Fab.com before, here’s the deets. -
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7th May 2012
Musings of a mighty nerdy weekend
Sometimes I’m shocked by how much nerd shit I can pack into one weekend.
Despite the rainy weather, I had an excellent weekend. The Avengers was delightful entertainment. I laughed, I *almost* cried and I swooned. Based on the box office totals, I’m guessing others felt the same. A great movie has a way of sticking with you for several days afterward.
I visited Twin City Comics on Saturday for Free Comic Book Day. Did you visit your local comic book shop? It struck me that comic book stores may be one of the only business models in the United States that hasn’t been incorporated. As a result, they each have their own unique local angles and personalities. My local shop has this incredible mural, which impresses me even in instagram form. It just furthers my belief that we all need to shop local and prioritize our spending when we can. Yes, Amazon is convenient, but it’s slowly killing small bastions of beauty on our streets. I’m not ready to lose that.
As I mentioned last month, I’ve never seen Doctor Who. Well, not until this weekend anyway. Rainy weekends are the perfect time to cuddle up with the boyf and a blanket and go on a tv series binge. So far, I’m enjoying it. I started with the 2005 reboot and I’ve got the old series in my queue. The quality of the special effects is sometimes shockingly bad, but perhaps it was a case of bad timing. After experiencing the seamless beauty of The Avengers FX, it probably ruined it for me by comparison. Either way, I’m charmed.
I just wanted it to be noted that this weekend might be tough to top.
