| (NAPSA)-There's a new way to get a slimmer summer look without counting a
single calorie. What's the secret? Shed those "tech" pounds weighing you down.
In our ever-connected, on-the-go lifestyle, even the most stylish woman can look like a
techno-geek carrying a laptop, a PDA and a cell phone if she's not armed with the right
gear to carry her tech. According to fashion editor and style commentator Mary Alice
Stephenson, being "highly functional" and "highly fashionable" have
been at odds-until now. She believes technology makers have finally gotten the message:
women want to be connected without sacrificing style. Stephenson, a contributing fashion
editor for Harper's Bazaar magazine and fashion consultant to PC chipmaker Intel(r)
Corporation, says you shouldn't let your personal style be weighed down by unnecessary
tech baggage. She believes lightening your load and being fashionable starts with the
laptop. "Carrying a heavy, bulky laptop in a big padded bag can make you feel and
look weighed down," Stephenson says. "Today's fashion-forward women are ready to
banish the bulk," an attitude confirmed by a recent Harris Interactive(r) survey in
which nearly 80 percent of women said their ideal laptop would let them carry less weight.
With the new generation of smaller, more powerful laptop PCs that have recently come to
the market, now women who want to stay connected without sacrificing style have more
options than ever to choose from. By swapping a traditional laptop for a thinner, lighter
system, women can instantly shed up to five neck-straining, shoulder-tugging pounds. As a
result, the black bulky laptop bag-and the extra pounds it adds-can be cast aside for a
fabulous bag created by designers inspired by the trimmer, slimmer laptops. For those who
want a full fashion and technology transformation, Stephenson offers four tips that can
not only lighten your load, but also brighten your mood this season: Be
Light: Swinging a handbag over one shoulder and hauling a heavy laptop bag over
the other is a fashion faux pas. When it's time to turn in your old laptop for a shapelier
model, look for a PC based on Intel(r) Centrino(r) mobile technology. It can weigh several
pounds lighter than other systems. When shopping, take along your favorite handbag or tote
to see if a new skinny system will fit comfortably inside. Once you have a smaller laptop,
consolidate all your technology devices into one bag. The Toshiba Portege(r) R100 or the
Panasonic Toughbook eLite, which is not only light, but comes in high impact colors like
white, red, silver and black, are just a couple of sleek options for women.
Be Bright: Add a splash of color to upgrade your
tech style. Put away your black winter tote bag and carry your laptop in one of this
season's bright "it" colors-turquoise, pink or sun-kissed orange. Retailers from
Coach to Target offer a wide range of affordable options that come with multiple
compartments to house all your devices for easy access. If you prefer to shop online,
www.kolobags.com offers a well priced selection of stylish bags, from backpacks to
briefcases.
Be Free: Take advantage of the growing number of Wi-Fi
"hotspots" to connect to the Internet without the hassle of wires. Check out
local cafŽs, airports, and parks in your neighborhood for cool places where you and
your laptop can be seen surfing together in public. Log onto http://intel.jiwire.com to
look up local "hotspots" by city or zip code.
Be Dazzling: Add a little couture to your life without
breaking the bank. Clip a Chanel charm on your cell phone or invest in some stylish tech
jewelry which is quickly becoming available from a variety of designers. You might also
consider dressing up your tech with accessories from www.laloop.com that allow you to wear
your phone fashionably around your neck. |
