September | 2013 | Trendy Techie

September 23, 2013
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Microsoft DreamSpark

If you are a student and you don’t use DreamSpark, you’re missing out. Microsoft offers thousands of dollars worth of software packages for high school and university students - for FREE. There are two types of DreamSpark subscription: Standard and Premium.

Microsoft Dreamspark

DreamSpark Standard is free for any and all students, and includes software like Visual Studio and SQL Server. DreamSpark Premium is only available to students in technical programs - Computer Science, Engineering, Graphic Design, Math, etc. - and includes more software including Windows 8, OneNote, Microsoft Project, and Visual Studio Ultimate. A Premium subscription costs $400/year for the entire technical department to use.

In addition to giving you access to thousands of dollars of free software, DreamSpark also lets you publish Windows 8 and Windows Phone apps for free! This is the ultimate software suite for student developers. If you’re just starting or need some pointers, MSDN (Microsoft Developer’s Network) has countless tutorials on development with the DreamSpark software! It’s like Microsoft wants to encourage new devs or something! *pointed look*

So students, I urge you to visit dreamspark.com and download some tools and SDK. It’s so rewarding to create apps and see them work on real devices!

Get creative, get creating!

September 18, 2013
by thetrendytechie 15 Comments

Electric Blue Pleats for Fall

Fall is here, techies! Or at least it officially will be in three days, even though the weather here in Halifax is acting like it’s already mid-October. As we make the transition from summer brights to autumn neutrals, I’m hesitant to give up my airy summer dresses! But who’s to say we can’t wear bright colours in the fall? Here’s an electric blue look for fall that has all the fun and energy of summer with a nice deep shade that transitions into the cooler weather.

I paired this cool-toned dress with an orangey-red lipstick and brown cowboy boots to add some warmth to the outfit.

Check out this awesome sculpture at the waterfront! And the massive smiling cruise ship docked behind me.

What are you wearing to transition into fall? Share them in the comments below!

PS: I’m submitting this post to IFB’s latest project! Check it out here.

September 16, 2013
by thetrendytechie 3 Comments

Microsoft Arc Mouse

Oooh I love new gadgets! Check out this foldable portable mouse from Microsoft! Running on two AAA batteries, this cute and quick desk rodent plugs in with a USB that’s cleverly magnetized to its belly for storage. With no installation needed and compatibility on all platforms, this is the epitome of portable and has been in my purse since I got it.

Do you use a mouse with your laptop? So many people don’t and, since getting the Arc, I’ve been trying it out and loving it. It’s so much faster and takes away from the hunched-over feeling I have when both my hands are centred on the trackpad. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

September 9, 2013
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Spread Nutellerie

Oh my god, you’ve gotta try this. Any Nutella lovers out there? When I went to the CNE this year I saw an amazing pop up restaurant called Spread Nutellerie, the brain child of Tony Vastis. Name sound familiar? Tony is the brother of Elias Vastis, owner of Hula Girl Espresso Boutique that I showed you recently!

Tony started Spread Nutellerie after discovering how well the chocolatey spread went with savoury foods. His shop at the Ex featured seven amazing dishes, all invented by Tony himself.

Don’t they look amazing?! I’m a big fan of spicy food so I had the jalapops, and my god were they delicious. I would order them again in a heartbeat!

To make it even better, Tony is a great guy. You can tell he really cares about Spread and is passionate about bringing his delectable recipes to the world. The pop-up shop was a great success - I hope to see a permanent location open up so I can have those jalapops again!

September 6, 2013
by thetrendytechie 9 Comments

The Ex Came to Town

If you ever visit Toronto in late August, you have to go to the Ex! The Canadian National Exhibition is a tradition that dates back to 1879. I can only imagine what it must have been like back then, in such a different time. Nowadays the Ex features a mix of old and new style performances, along with hundreds of carnival games and some really cool food innovations! It’s so colourful and fun, and was the perfect backdrop to my latest photoshoot (and my last in Toronto before moving back to Halifax for school!).

This look features monochromatic simple pieces, with a pop of colour in this crazy-cool bag from Jump From Paper. I’m in love with this purse, I wish I could buy more from their collection! This one is called “Cheese!” and fits my tablet perfectly. I take all my class notes on my tablet, so I’ll be using this bag a lot this fall!

Check out Toronto’s policemen keeping everyone safe! Our city has a wonderful law enforcement team. Thanks, OPP!

OUTFIT:

top: a shop in NYC I can’t remember the name of! Eek!

capris: Tristan

shoes: Luxury Rebel

purse: Jump From Paper

September 1, 2013
by thetrendytechie 3 Comments

Best of August - the month of twos

Wow, where did the summer holiday go? It’s already September, which means a few weeks of summer left before the leaves turn and fall, and midterm exams come along, and before we know it it’ll be time to carve pumpkins. August was a great and crazy month with lots of ups and downs, and a bunch of my favourite posts yet! It seems like I did a lot of pairs this month - two photoshoots, two concerts, two sponsored posts - so August’s theme is the month of twos!

My two major photoshoots in August were my Gemy gown at sunrise and my vintage velvet bathing suit shoot with a 1964 Corvette Sting Ray. I love concept shoots like these because it’s so fun to transform into a character with full hair and makeup. I do all my own styling, so it’s an added bonus that I get to practice my technical beauty skills!

I went to two concerts this August: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Wiz Khalifa’s Under the Influence of Music Tour where I held hands with B.o.B, my favourite rapper! Yes, I’m still all giddy about it.

The last pair was my two sponsored posts - my Von Vonni giveaway (which I’ll announce the winner of tomorrow!!) and my five minute last-all-night makeup look with BA Star! The promo code for Trendy Techie readers is still active until the end of this month: use the code BBDUST at checkout for 50% off!

Finally, the post that was most dear to my heart out of all the posts I’ve done, was when I showed you my Nonna’s Secret Garden. It’s so beautiful, and she’s so beautiful. I love you Nonna! <3

And I love all you techies. Thank you for reading my blog and following me on this journey of mine. Today I am moving into my first apartment with my boyfriend, so we have a lot of unpacking and decorating to do to make this place ours! Wish us luck!

Trendy Techie

Toronto-to-Halifax lifestyle blog about being a fashionable girl working and learning in the tech world.

Monthly Archives: September 2013