Graduation Gifts for Tech Savvy Fashionistas

So your little girl is graduating high school, college, university, post grad or elementary school. These days she is so into her laptop, facebook, twitter and anything technology related you wonder if you will ever be able to relate to her.

Well, here are five sure fire ways to not only relate to your tech savvy gal, but also get her a graduation gift she will love to bits.   Grads- you can thank us later! 

1. The new iphone  What young lady wouldn't love the new iphone? You might even want one for yourself! There are so many new cool applications that will make your young lady's life a lot easier at the touch of a button! You can even track her whereabouts at all times through google mobile friend tracker if you have one too!

2. Netbook Now that your graduated girl is moving up the ladder in life she will clearly need to be connected. Technologically connected that is. It's no surprise that these cute light weight netbooks (mini 8"-10.2" laptops) are the fastest growing area in computers.  There has been evidence to suggest that females are noted as heavier users of laptops than their male counterparts. So of course, any gal, at any age would jump at the chance to own a light weight, easy to carry laptop.  I think Toshiba is even making them in pink.

3. Laptop Sleeve Now that your girly grad is fully understanding her laptop why not keep her laptop pretty protected with a feminine laptop sleeve . Be sure to get one that has ample foam protection and reflects her feminine side.  Check out our luxe laptop sleeves and velour laptop sleeves.   Need a netbook laptop sleeve?  Not to worry- check back with us in August (or email us to pre-order) when our new pretty printed neoprene netbook laptop sleeves will be available. 

4. Skype Credits So is your graduated darling leaving town? Nervous she wont call you? One of the best and most affordable ways to keep in touch is through Skype. You can video conference through your computer for free once you have account. Okay, so you may be "old-school" and prefer a typical phone call. Buy her some skype credits and she will be able to call you from her computer for much less than using a regular phone. And since most parents help out with the bills these days for college kids- you will be able to save a little and stay connected?!

5. Still can't decide?  How about a gift card to her favorite mall or online store. She will be able to buy anything she likes and it will save you a trip because you wont have to do a return.

Good luck gift givers.   

Don't stress to much- it's the thought that counts!

What does the color of your laptop bag say about you?

Are you attracted to a particular color?   

Ever wonder why you've been dying for a colorful laptop bag?

Thanks to us (Melissa Beth) - women have choices when it comes to laptop bags. The color of a woman's laptop bag has a huge impact on what this portrays about her style.  Find out what your laptop bag (or future laptop bag) says about your personal style.

BLACK

Okay, so you chose the typical black laptop bag. A black laptop bag can sometimes be extremely stylish- it depends on my variables. Not all black laptop bags are boring and drab. Fabric and texture play a large role in determining if your black laptop bag is a chic power-house or a desperate cry for help. 

If you just love black here is what it means.  Black laptop bags can represent power, sophistication and wealth.  In some cases it can also reflect a void and a feeling of sadness.  If are you experiencing a void and emptiness in your work wear, it's time to ditch the "blah" bag that came with your laptop!

BLUE

Blue is associated with pure qualities. You have very definitive characteristics.  A blue laptop bag indicates you are loyal, feminine, peaceful, tech savvy, sometimes quiet, calm and stable.

GREEN

Green reminds us of nature. If you have a green laptop bag you are an environmentalist at heart, youthful and full of good luck. You have an competitive edge that keeps your colleagues and friends on their toes.

PURPLE

Purple often reminds us of royalty. If you are sporting a purple laptop bag you have a regal essence, you are wise beyond your years and spiritual. You are an expert in your field and people look to you for your advice.

PINK

Most women love pink. Pink reminds you of love- so if you have a pink laptop bag you must love being in love and of course, you love your laptop bag. Pink is youthful and energetic. You are flirty, full of life, feminine. You want to stand out from the crowd.

Although color is not the only determinant when picking a laptop bag, one must consider fabric, weight, function, overall style and price. Melissa Beth offers a variety of different options for women looking for a colorful and functional laptop bag. Don't see one that works for you? Send us an email at sales@melissabeth.com and let us know what you would like to see our next laptop bag.

Should you jump in?

Several people I know have recently decided to start to their own business and have been asking me the same question:  

Should I start a business? 

How do I know if I am making the right decision?

Well I will start by saying starting a business is tough stuff and it can be even tougher in today's world.

One of my passions is business and I LOVE fellow entrepreneurs.   So I will share my thoughts and on whether you should leap into entrepreneurship.

When I started my business I had a plan, although it was simple and I had a very small capital investment I still decided to jump into the water.  I would either sink or swim.  The beginning was definitely a scary and exciting time. Sometimes I still feel like I may drown.   For the past five years I have been swimming along.  I have faced many waves (sometimes they felt like Tsunami's banging at my door) and I have managed to keep moving forward.  

Don't give up when times are tough.. just sit back, revise and get excited.  If you aren't excited about your business- trust me, no one else is going to be! 

I am still extremely passionate about eliminating all the "blah" laptop bags in the world. Melissa Beth Designs has moved on to take on drab make up cases, travel bags and laptop sleeves as well!   

My advice to new entrepreneurs and/or business owners is as follows:

Try to love the bad days as much as you love the good.  

Be creative   - it will help you problem solve and market your business

Don't get caught up in the day to day grind

Toot your own horn once in a while- it may be a while before anyone else does

Have a plan.  You wouldn't jump in the water without knowing how to swim.  

 

So, are you still on the fence of whether you should take the plunge into the unknown?

Here are five simple ways to know if you are truly ready for the challenge.

1) All you think about is your business idea.  

2)  You have bounced your idea around to mentors and friends.   AND even when you get the "sure that's a great idea" with undertones of  you'll never make it!- it just fuels you to go for it anyway.

3) You have a business plan AND you are ready to change your plan and adapt.   My advice to all new business owners is that no matter how knowledgeable you are, you cannot possibly foresee every problem.  You have to be open to learn, adapt and go with the flow.

4) You have enough knowledge about the industry that when you jump in the water you at least know the temperature.  You also have enough capital to create a website, marketing materials and  products.

5) You are committed, passionate and creative.  I think these are the 3 fundamental attributes that a lot of entrepreneurs have in common.    

Good luck and keep us posted!  

Toshiba goes PINK

Source (www.chipchick.com)

"While the netbook space is getting really, really crowded, there still aren’t all that many many pink ones. Ok, so HP and LG have one, but that isn’t that many. Toshiba’s miniNB205-N310 is the latest netbook to get its pink on, metallic pink to be specific - with a textured finish and a chrome hinge. Other available colors include sable brown, frost white, and indigo blue. But for those of you who aren’t so colorful, there is the blackNB205-N210. The netbook’s list of specs are pretty standard - you get a 10″ screen, Windows XP Home, a 1.66 Atom processor, 1GB of ram, and 160GB hard drive in a package weighing 2.9lbs. The NB205 also boasts a battery life of up to 9 hours, which sounds like a lot of bragging. But if it can pull that battery life off - it’d be a netbook to beat". 

For the full article please visit 

www.chipchick.com/2009/06/toshibas_nb205_pink_netbook.html

Where in the world is your Melissa Beth bag?

I recently traveled to Nepal and India with my husband and had the most wonderful experience.   

As I was looking through our photos I noticed my favorite Melissa Beth bags in almost every shot.

This inspired me to start a new contest on our blog called "Where in the world is your Melissa Beth bag?".   

Send your favorite photos to us at sales@melissabeth.com and if your picture is selected you could win $100.00 gift card to our online store.   We will post the winners pictures online. There is no limit to how many pictures you can submit and we will select winners until the end of 2009.

Check out some of my pictures from Nepal & India below.   

#1

Amer Fort, Jaipur India

(Don't Slouch bag)

#2

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

(Grey Don't Slouch Bag)

#3

Golden Temple, Amritsar India

(Grey Don't Slouch Bag)

#4

Namache Bazaar, Nepal 

(Eggplant Weekend Bag)

#5

Chitwan National Park, Nepal

(Chocolate Brown Belt it Out Bag)

Send us your best travel pics!