Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
Lady Geek of the Week Christina Clawson’s Geekyloot.com fuels our most nerdy shopping habits. And we love her for it.
As you can read in her interview with us, she launched Geekyloot.com, a blog and online shop, out of a passion to contribute to geeky culture with a feminine focus. Geekyloot.com is in its early stages, so if you have opinions, thoughts, or would like to share your geeky shopping wish list, get in touch with Clawson! You can find her on Twitter @geeky_loot or Facebook.
Read on; shop on, lady geeks! Because you know that Baymax keychain is already in our shopping cart…
Q: What was your inspiration for launching Geekyloot.com?
A: My inspiration came a few years ago when I was looking for geeky items on some popular websites and dismayed by the lack of items that were created for women and girls. It seemed like geek culture catered more to men, and as a geeky girl that disturbed me. I made a vow that when I was able to I’d found a store that catered specifically to other geeky girls and I do my best to curate and offer items that celebrate the women that inspire me, and the woman that I am. Everything I buy or put on my site is something that I would want if I saw it at another shop. The more that geek culture grows, the more widespread it becomes, and it is my hope that stores and websites will offer just as much female merchandise as they do male.
Q: When did you discover you were “geeky”?
A: At a very young age I was made fun of by my siblings and my peers at school because I’d rather sit and read a book or comic than play a sport (although I later played sports, also). I enjoyed things like Star Trek and Star Wars, science experiments, collecting rocks, and creating art. I loved to dress up as my favorite characters and act out scenes from my favorite TV shows. I was invested in the things I loved, and in our society that illustrates being labeled as geeky. I’m proud to be geeky.
Q: If you could take any fictional character out for a drink, whom would you choose and what would you drink?
A: What a difficult question this is! If I had to choose, I would pick Xena from Xena Warrior Princess. She is one of the strongest women I’ve ever seen on TV. She has had an incredible life, and faced daunting adversity from so many angles and yet managed to overcome every situation using her mind, her body, and her formidable skills. Her story is one of redemption and I find that inspirational. She is the embodiment of girl power and is loyal to her friends. I know I’d hear amazing stories if we shared a cask of temple wine!
Q: What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
A: I’d tell her to be courageous, to study hard but to learn about things outside of school because life itself is a great teacher. I’d tell her to follow her true passion, and not just what other people want her to do. I’d also tell her to wait on dating because its not as important as she thinks it is. Also, to love herself and to keep playing tennis.
Q: What’s the title of your memoir?
A: Overcoming Adversity: Beating Fibromyalgia One Day At A Time
Emma Bauer is a Being Geek Chic Contributor. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, dog lover, tea drinker, art appreciator, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic. Follow her on Twitter: @emmalynnbauer
I’m having a girls weekend this weekend and I’m jazzed. It’s long overdue and probably more likely to be filled with cocktails than serious fashion, but a girl can build up the anticipation of the whole deal by planning out her tee shirt wearing routine a little more aggressively than the usual person.
There is no doubt in my mind that there will be sparkly skirts and high heel shoes, but there’s nothing more epic than a woman that can rock a tank or a tee with a bit of sequins. That’s how I do around here.
So, here’s what I’ve got on tap:
Thou Shalt Get Her Own Money Tee (Tees in the Trap): $30
Margot by Nan Lawson (Society 6): $22
Epic Weekend Tank (Target): $12.99
Here’s hoping you have an epic weekend that is less dramatic than Margot Tenenbaum’s lifestyle, but seriously Beyonce-esque and paid for your with your own damn money.
Going out in the middle of the night to watch the Perseids Meteor shower is one of my favorite traditions. Last night, I did that very thing and it was lovely. Peak rates were about 20 meteors (super dark observatories report double that number), which means about every 3 to 5 minutes, we saw a little activity. It was lovely. It’s not too late though, you can still check out the Perseids tonight.
If you’re just getting started with astronomy and want to get yourself geared up from a technical perspective, I suggest checking out this post we did last year on all the tools, books and apps you’ll need.
Happy meteor spotting.
So it’s Cyber Monday. I know it’s supposed to be about gifts, but in case you’re like me, this is your chance to get some great Lady Geek gear at a reduced price. Here are some of my favorite picks for yourself or your recipients:
ShadowPlayNYC: These lovely ladies are offering 15% to 30% off on their space gear with a variety of coupon codes. The infinity scarves are so soft and wonderful, you won’t regret it.
Rifle Paper Co: I love, love great stationary. For lady geeks looking for wanderlust in 2014, you need to check out their line of travel calendars. And their iPhone cases. I picked up the London one because LONDON! Everything is 30% off with CYBER2013.
LEGO: Amazon cut prices by as much as 40% on lots of great LEGO sets, including Marvel sets for my Avengers loving friends. And yes, the Amazon deals are better than the LEGO store deals today.
BioWare Store: I love my N7 ANGL hoodie wayyyyy more than any other hoodie I have ever owned. That hoodie and all their other hoodies are $10 off. Tees are all $15.
Black Milk Clothing: Overpriced leggings become… less overpriced today. Everything is 30% off. This is one of the only sales they will have all year so it’s best to get on that now.
PhotoJoJo: Virtually everything in their store will be some percentage off today through one of their flash sales. Follow them on Twitter and keep checking back for good deals. I’ve got my eye on the Digital Holga Lens, which is $5 off today.
Stickygram: One of my favorite gifts I bought for someone else last year was a set of Instagram magnets of my adventures with my Mom. The magnets are the right size and super fun. The sheets of 9 are 25% off today.
I’ve always really really loved makeup. In 7th grade, I started saving up my allowance to raid the Jane cosmetics section at Target. In 8th grade, I bought my first non-drugstore makeup in a Korean mall in Los Angeles. Today, Sephora and LUSH are my favorite brick-and-mortar stores (really, one of the few reasons I ever drag myself to a shopping center any more).
So, the theme of today is “Pretty Nerds are Nerds Too.” I’m friends with tons of lady nerds. Some of them never wear makeup. Some of them look like they fell off the cover of a magazine. They’ve all been judged for it, no matter what side they’re on, which is sucky.
But, I say, embrace your beauty. Wear makeup if it makes you feel pretty. Don’t if it doesn’t (so I’ve included some skin/spa-type products for those who don’t wear makeup).
And without further ado, here is the first-annual Nerds Are Pretty Too, Best of Beauty list (just in time for the holidays):
Things We Discovered and Fell in Love with in 2013:
Benefit Stay Don’t Stray
This is probably the most amazing primer I’ve ever used (and it doubles as a concealer) – and I’ve pretty much used them all over the years. If you aren’t using a primer under your eye shadow, you’re pretty much throwing your makeup away by having to re-apply throughout the day. This is thick enough for blemishes and really helps even out your eye tone – and of course holds your eye makeup forever and ever.
Lush Karma Kream
Is this what heaven smells like? I certainly hope so. Pretty much everything at the Lush store smells amazing. This moisturizer is so thick and creamy and it smells absolutely amazing. After spending most of my life avoiding skin-irritating scented products, Lush holds an extra appeal to me, because their ingredients are all natural. Karma is one of their signature scents and this stuff is absolutely worth every penny.
Aveda Blue Oil
Living down the street from an Aveda Institute has it’s benefits, one of which being easy access to discount-priced facials. Blue Oil is the last step in their services, and the mix of peppermint and camomile is incredible: both refreshing and calming at once. I keep this in my bag at work and bust it out when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Minis at Sephora
Nice makeup is expensive, I’ll give you that. But the worst is shelling out for a product that either 1) you aren’t crazy about or 2) comes in a size that you will never use up before it’s expiration date. Sephora has tons and tons of miniature products and kits, which I think is a great way to try new things and add colors and options without breaking the bank. Two sets I picked up this year are Too Faced’s Tan Without The Twinkle (perfect matte bronzer), and Benefit’s Gettin’ Cheeky (minis of three of their cheek stains).
Lush Tea Tree Water
Another pick with some aromatherapy attributes. This is great when I want to kind of balance my skin out (I have a lot of oil and dry spots, often caused by the prescriptions I used to manage my acne). It adds a little moisture back to my skin without slathering on a cream and it smells amazing. I usually use it at night, so the scent kind of helps me to fall asleep. It’s also great to help you cool down or to use at 10,000 feet to combat the deadened airplane air and perk your skin up.
Clarisonic Mia
This is a bit of a splurge, but it makes a really nice gift (I tell you this truthfully, having received it as a gift last Christmas). It’s like giving someone the ability to have a facial any time he or she wants. There are also interchangeable brush heads for different skin concerns (deep pore, acne-prone, aging, etc). I’ve found they are often much cheaper to purchase replacement heads on Amazon.
Urban Decay Naked2 Palette
Lots of the eye palettes I buy are limited edition, one-off products (which is how I came to own a gorgeous set of Tarte shadows that were packaged to match a “True Blood” theme). But Naked and Naked2 (and, rumor has it, soon to be Naked3) are signature products from Urban Decay. This is the kind of palette that looks gorgeous on anyone and you can build out simple day looks, elegantly professional eyes for work and a fancier, more dramatic look for going out. Naked2 also has a simple, slim case, which makes it awesome to travel with.
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Curviest Caramel
This is the perfect nude lip color! This line (Intense) is, as you would imagine, slightly more pigmented than the original Chubby Stucks, which went on more like a colored balm. This is a gloss/lip color cross, but goes on smoothly and actually is quite moisturizing. I’m in love with this color and would have one of these in every purse, jacket pocket and desk if I could.
Honorable mentions: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, NARS The Multiple in Orgasm, Smashbox Master Class Palette, and Lush’s Cupcake Fresh Face Mask.
Tell us about your best beauty discoveries of 2013 AND let’s talk more where you believe beauty products and nerdiness intersect.
Recipe by Emma Carew Grovum. She is a data journalist working at the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as the Digital Editor for The Cooking Club of America and blogs at kitchendreamer.blogspot.com Emma loves Star Wars, pandas and all things Joss Whedon. Find her on twitter at @emmacarew.
