Being Geek Chic is a blog for stylish geeks, sophisticated nerds and people who enjoy the musings of a complete dork. Join us as we dream of driving the TARDIS, cuddle with our eBooks and test out an iPad sleeve. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi and a team of brilliant lady nerds. Meet the team.
1. Animation inspiration
Stuff like this makes me want to run out of the house and make things.
2. Good times with friends
I had a Christmas party with friends last weekend and I’m constantly amazed by how lucky I am to have such a great group of people in my life. Sure, there were fights about DC v. Marvel and a few contentious moments during Word On The Street
3. Gifts that count
I just love, love, loved this video from Vulture where Matt Smith and Jenna Louise-Coleman go shopping for ornaments and tchotchke for one another. As you’ll see, it’s not really the items, it’s the thought.
4. Jerry Seinfeld
He makes me laugh every time. He’s so amused by life. I think that’s a worthy pursuit. Be amused. Be happy.
Things I wrote in other places:
This week, I wrote about an important topic for Apartment Therapy… what the hell to do with old tech: Time to Declutter: Smart Things To Do with Old Cables & Chargers
And some Instructables for this first timer.
Safe travels if you are heading out for the holidays.
I have SO many animated movies to add to my list of “must watch movies” thanks to all your comments on the BGC ParaNorman giveaway! I trust you all have great taste, so I’m looking forward to diving in.
It’s perfect timing, because I’m on my way to my homeland for the weekend. (My stepsister is getting married!) It’s a four hour drive, so I have time to watch and talk and think. Plus, you can keep up with me on Twitter and Instagram (I’m @lizgiorgi on both!), because I’ll be a picture-taking fiend.
But what you really want to know is who won the ParaNorman giveaway!
Please email me at beinggeekchic@gmail.com and I’ll get that out to you.
Onward!
Lately, I’m suffering from extreme TV show withdrawals. Literally. I have NOTHING to watch. No Downton Abbey. No Curb Your Enthusiasm. No Sherlock. No Ricky Gervais Show. No Game of Thrones. UGH. So…
6 Things You Can Do To Tide Yourself Over Until Sherlock Series 3
May I also suggest watching every video of Benedict Cumberbatch on YouTube (especially this one, NSFW!), buying this art print (pictured above) and eagerly reading every detail online for both The Hobbit and Star Trek 2. Moffat, you’re killing me.
Or… you could try the new CBS iteration… I’m skeptical. You?
10 Questions for CBS’ Sherlock Adaptation ‘Elementary’
Still skeptical. But maybe by watching this show I’ll just keep remembering that there is this other great thing out there that is coming back… eventually. At least, it better.
Sometimes I write things and the haters come to the yard. And I laugh. Comments galore and tips you should totally heed ahead:
Why Women’s Workspaces Have More Germs & Where You Should Be Cleaning
It’s a giveaway day today. Who doesn’t love that? It’s also a day where I tell you a deep, deep truth from my inner soul. Like, so deep, I’ve been afraid to speak it aloud for fear that people may laugh. Alright. WOO. Am I ready for this?
I’m deeply, deeply convinced that in another life I directed animated movies meant for children, but totally, deep-down, speaking to adults. I know. It’s one of those things. I’m also convinced that in another life I lived in England. Of the two, being a Brit is far more impossible… right?!
I just GET animated movies. My favorite Wes Anderson movie? Fantastic Mr. Fox. My favorite Neil Gaiman story? Coraline. Largely because of the animated flick. There’s a sensitivity and honesty and clarity required when you’re writing for the animated realm that needs to connect with a human audience AND still meet the expectations of a child that I truly respect.
It’s ALL THE FEELS when I watch Wall-E. Don’t even get me started on Miyazaki. Perhaps, in the future I will create something animated that can play on the same screens as a LAIKA or Pixar film. A girl can dream, right?
Alright, enough blabbering about my wishes and dreams. Who wants to see ParaNorman? It comes out in theaters next week (Aug. 17th) and it stars a misunderstood boy who can talk with the dead.
So you want to win some cool stuff from the movie?
Tell me your favorite animated movie in the comments and you’ll be entered to win:
One ParaNorman Prize Pack, which contains the following:
· Adult T-Shirt
· Backpack
· Keychain
· Notebook
· Nightlight
· Slippers
· Toothbrush
The contest closes Friday, August 10th, 8AM CST. Winner will be announced Friday, August 10th in Being Geek Chic’s This Week in Geek wrap-up.
Here’s the trailer for your amusement.
*The fine print: I was not compensated to run this giveaway. All prizing and samples provided by the publicity team from the movie. The total value of the prize pack is $50. The giveaway also includes the cost of shipping to one address in the continental United States via the United States Postal Service. Only open to US readers. The views expressed here are my own and are not those of LAIKA studios, ParaNorman staff, actors, etc. or their publicists. Please follow the rules and be kind to one another. (NOW CLOSED)
I’m mildly obsessed with illustrations right now. I think it’s been sparked by my recent reading of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making and Anya’s Ghost.
Anya’s Ghost is a comic novel, written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol. The book follows a high school girl with an attitude problem who ends up with a bit of a ghost problem too. In the end, it’s funny, smart and worthy of a second reading.
She now works as a storyboard artist for Laika Studios, which is famed for its stop motion feature films, including 2009’s charming Coraline. Their next film is Paranorman, which also looks eerily fantastical.
But back to the illustration point. Sometimes a beautiful illustration can just lift you out of a funk or inspire you to take on an artistic endeavor. Brosgol’s Draw This Dress blog is that kind of project. She partners with Emily Carrol to interpret “photos of outfits into drawings of outfits.”
Want to see how it’s done? Brosgol put out this cool video a few months back to shed light on how each of the outfits are designed.
Honestly, so much awesome.
(Photo credit: Laika Studios)
A lesson in how to promote an event for Lady Geeks.
I can’t even read it, but I’m intrigued!
