Fashion | Geek Life: Augmenting Reality

It seems like 2014 is the year of the automobile for Geek with Style! I've been to a few car-related events already, which all began with an invitation to Detroit, MI for the North American International Auto Show thanks to Ford Canada. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it became one of those trips that I'll remember for a long time coming. I think I wound up with only 8 hours sleep for the few days I spent in Detroit, because we had so much to see and do in so little time! Honestly, I've tried writing this post out six or seven times, because I don't know where to begin first. Do I start with the lovely hotel, and how shocked I was with their sound-proofing tech? If not everyone, quite a number of us that were invited by Ford (which I believe was around 150 people from all over the globe,) stayed at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel and for the majority of the stay, I completely forgot there was an airport attached to it. No cab required; you get off your plane and can be in your hotel room in less than half an hour if done right. The only time I did notice the airport, was when I was actively searching out planes out of my room's window and when we passed by the airport on a bus to get into Detroit proper. [caption id="attachment_8905" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The Westin Detroit Airport Hotel - a truly comfy room, especially if you like soft fluffy beds, heh.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8907" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Westin Detroit Metropolitan Aiport Hotel[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8908" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Westin Detroit Metropolitan Aiport Hotel[/caption] I've always disregarded airport hotels up to this point, thinking they would be noisy just from the general air traffic and the constant flow of traffic of people flying in and out, but wow, The Westin completely changed my mind on how beautiful and easily accessible they can be. It also had this fab instant access to get through airport security, from the lower lobby of the hotel, if you weren't traveling with much more than a carry-on bag. Unfortunately I had my big Heys luggage with me, so I had to walk the extra 15 minutes through the hotel to the main doors for the airport. ;) And I'm now the proud owner of SO many photos of high-tech pretty that I want to share with y'all. It would take me another month to get every angle ready to share, but here's some of my faves from Ford's show (you can click on any image to get a full-sized slideshow): [caption id="attachment_8912" align="aligncenter" width="800"] So much pretty shiny![/caption] [caption id="attachment_8919" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Such a great introduction to the F150! Really enjoyed the integrated stage display. Almost as powerful as the truck itself.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8911" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ford 1 - the very first concept car for the Mustang.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8915" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ford Mustang 2015 - I think I took 100 photos of this sleek vehicle alone. So much love for this powerfully fast bit of awesome.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8910" align="aligncenter" width="800"] I would love to have this C-Max Energi Hybrid in my life. Wonder if there is enough sunlight in Toronto (year round) to keep this baby running, if the solar paneled roof moves from concept to reality.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8913" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ford/Coca-Cola Plant Bottle Interior - I truly love the idea of plastic bottles being recycled into interior fabrics![/caption] [caption id="attachment_8914" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ford/Coca-Cola Plant Bottle Fusion Energi Vehicle[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8920" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ford Flex - NAIAS 2014 - On the last day of our trip to Detriot, a few of us were given our own personal driver in a Ford Flex to go anywhere we pleased! We chose the Ford Test-Drive Fashion discussion at NAIAS, and our driver, Dave, gave us a fabulous scenic tour on the way back.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8921" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Anyone else had a younger sibling that was a Hot Wheels fanatic too? The nephew got his first set of wheels for his 3rd birthday, and we're looking at making it a tradition. ;)[/caption] I can't deny that despite geeking over all the cool tech showcased at NAIAS this year, I was really looking forward to the fashion panel! Tech and fashion fused into something both inspiring and useful is my little piece of heaven, so getting a chance to listen to panelists: Anthony Prozzi, Amy Marentic and Jennifer Fleiss, on how they're leading Ford in taking care to create the ultimate accessory for fashion-savvy customers. [caption id="attachment_8922" align="aligncenter" width="800"] An inspiring discussion, lead by Ford's Senior Interior Designer Anthony Prozzi, Marketing Manager Amy Marentic, and Rent the Runway's Co-Founder Jennifer Fleiss, on how Ford aims to meet the needs of their fashion-loving customers for a stylish, yet comfortable ride.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8906" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ford NAIAS Test-Drive Style[/caption] As I mentioned in the beginning, I had only 8 hours sleep in total for the three day trip, and its all thanks to the fabulous people I met while there! I don't think there wasn't a moment where someone wasn't laughing, or sharing a cool tip/anecdote; Ford's Canadian team of journalists/bloggers/influencers were simply all kinds of fun to be around. <3 [caption id="attachment_8918" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Most of the Rowdy Canucks that attended NAIAS thanks to Ford![/caption] [caption id="attachment_8916" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Christine discussing with Jamie Edmonds of Channel 4 on how fabulous it is to see beautiful models that represent more than just one tiny aspect of the appearance spectrum. #FabulouslyPlusSizedModels and there is even one lovely model who is due to have her baby this April![/caption] [caption id="attachment_8917" align="aligncenter" width="800"] GingerMommy with Christine and Channel 4's Jamie Edmonds - a great discussion about breaking barriers on style, women and car models.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8924" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Those pesky Canadians! (sorry for the uber blurry image, oops!)[/caption] Want to get to know these fab peeps? Here's they are! :) (in no particular order, 'cause they're all awesomesauce!) And then there was this.... [caption id="attachment_8923" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Is a photo infamous if only three people know the story behind it? This is the 'not well known, but made a great story over dinner' shower photo that I took in my hotel room, lol. Hey, my DSLR was brand spanking new, and I wanted to get crazy![/caption] Are you on Google+? Check out my #FordNAIAS 2014 Highlights Album.

Tag: Fashion

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Technology. Collectibles. Travel.

Technology. Collectibles. Travel.