{ Archive for December, 2009 }

waterford crystal new year’s toast app

toast0 307x440 waterford crystal new years toast appEveryone’s going digital these days, even timeless traditional companies like Waterford Crystal. The effortlessly chic brand has developed a neat iPhone app called ‘Clink-Clink’ that is perfect for the digital New Year’s Eve toast.

It’s free to download (yay!) and lets you toast to new beginnings with other iPhone users. All you do is download the app — make sure your friend does, too — then write a message to the one you will ‘clink glasses’ with. When the clock strikes 12:00, tap your phones together to clink the glasses and swap messages.

What a neat way to enter 2010. I wonder what crazy ways we’ll be toasting in 2011!

Check out an instructional video on Clinkclinkapp.com

thomas paul ludite laptop sleeve

picture 31 thomas paul ludite laptop sleeveI know I’ve been posting a lot of laptop sleeves lately, but the ultra-geek inside of me fell in love with this one. It’s the Ludite sleeve from quirky designer Thomas Paul.

For those not in the know, ‘ludite’ now refers to someone who is against technology and prefers to do things the old- fashioned way. Thus, the typewriter image on a laptop sleeve is just classic. Come on, I know I’m not the only one chuckling knowingly about this one!

$50 US, Velocity Art and Design

keep calm laptop skin

keepcalmblue keep calm laptop skin
Okay, so maybe it’s been overdone, but I still love the British war-time nostalgia of the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On‘ print. I usually see it displayed in wall art or coffee mugs, but this is the first time I’ve seen it involved in tech!

This laptop skin goes for a low $20 US from Schtickers and is great because it’s removable and reusable. Plus, if you spend over $30 on the site, the shipping is free to Canada.

$20, available at schtickers.com

cityline – grocery store decor for the holidays

If you’ve got time to dash down to the grocery store, you’ve got time to dress up your dining table for the holidays! Check out my grocery store decor tips from today’s episode of CityLine!

meandtracy cityline grocery store decor for the holidays

And, as promised, here’s a step-by-step diagram of how I managed that lovely furoshiki-style napkin fold…

instructions cityline grocery store decor for the holidays

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cil paints colour trends for 2010

Pantone is saying Turquoise, the Top Tastemakers I interviewed for the January issue of Style At Home are singing the praises of Smokey Lavender, and now CIL Paints have just unveiled their hot hue for 2010 – Siesta Key (MC30).

And it’s not a matter of “who’s right,” which is what I love about the whole process of colour trend forecasting — it’s a matter of picking out common elements shared by each of the forecasters’ colour predictions, and then seeing where these colours pop up in the next 12 months in accessories, textiles and wallcoverings.

siesta key cil paints colour trends for 2010CIL Paints Siesta Key (MC30)

The light airy blue of Siesta Key is what CIL Paints Marketing Communications Manager Jennifer Jones says is an “optimistic” colour. Associated with clear sky and water, the pure shades of blue “are refreshing, soothing and liberating, promoting a feeling of breeziness, renewed energy and infinite horizons,” Jennifer says.

As soon as I saw this colour, I had to flip back to my April 2009 issue of Style At Home, to take another look at my interview with Sylvia O’Brien of Toronto-based colour consultancy Colour Theory. Even then, Sylvia said that blues were undergoing a major makeover.

“Blues for 2009 are warmer,” said Sylvia, noting that it’s a strong yellow undertone that makes the colour appear less chilly. Like Jennifer, Sylvia also noted that we’re psychologically suited for blues like never before. “In difficult times, blues are comforting – reliable, contemplative and calm when the world around us feels frazzled,” she said. “Our subconscious association with air and water makes blues familiar and reassuring, and perfect for creating a haven at home.” You read it here first! icon wink cil paints colour trends for 2010

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pretty winter iPhone wallpapers

The holidays are here, and your home is probably fully decorated by now. But don’t forget about your tech! Dress up your iPhone or iPod Touch with these pretty winter-themed wallpapers. Jamie Beck, a New York photographer, has posted 54 free holiday and wintry wallpaper images on her blog, From Me To You.

Below are 6 of my faves. So pretty!

winter wallpaper pretty winter iPhone wallpapers

joseph sampson’s wondrous waterscapes

sampson11 joseph sampsons wondrous waterscapesI’ve blogged about my passion for Ontario’s scenic Long Point region before, so it should come as no surprise that I immediately fell for Mississauga artist Joseph Sampson’s incredible waterscapes when I came across his booth at the recent One of a Kind Show.

Although a handful of his oil-on-canvas creations actually depict the north shore of Lake Erie that I call home, many of them convey the dynamic beauty of Ontario’s south coast, regardless of where exactly Joseph drew inspiration from. I had to get up close just to assure myself these weren’t photographs… You can almost hear the crashing surf and feel the brisk lake wind whipping your hair.

sampson21 joseph sampsons wondrous waterscapes

sampson41 joseph sampsons wondrous waterscapes

sampson51 joseph sampsons wondrous waterscapesGorgeous stuff, and a remarkable way of bringing the outdoors in. Check out the rest of Joseph’s portfolio at the Sampson Studio website here.

Sampson Studio, 416-878-3327 for pre-show studio viewing

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style at home day on cityline

cityline2 style at home day on cityline

Set your TiVo!

Tuesday is Style At Home Day on CityLine! Kimberley Seldon, Samantha Pynn and I will walk you through our January issue, talking trends for 2010, and “High/Low” — Style At Home’s most popular column.

I’m also bringing along some “grocery store décor” – fabulous finds you can pick up on your last-minute dash to the supermarket to dress up your holiday dinner!

cityline style at home day on cityline
With the CityLine and Pure Design crew at the CityLine studio! (From left: Malcolm Patterson and Samantha Pynn, me, CityLine producer Anita Mazic and Julia Black.)

CityLine, Tuesday, December 22, 9AM

nook from barnes and noble

nook4 nook from barnes and nobleI have a crush. Currently, I’m daydreaming about the Nook ($259 USD), the electronic book from Barnes & Noble. I haven’t seen it in person and it’s not available in Canada but I’m wondering if it’s worth the trip south of the border. From what I’ve seen and read online, this e-book is sleek and stylish and I love the array of accessories that are available, too! Much like Lauren McPhillips, our Tech Style blogger, I’m a gadget girl and I am continually amazed at how technology is evolving, the products that are hitting the market and how they’re revolutionizing our world.

The Nook features an e-Ink display, which makes the text look more like ink on a printed page than text on a computer screen and since it’s not backlit, it’s apparently easy to read … just like a regular book. The text size is adjustable and of course, going paper-free means being a better friend to the environment. You’ll have access to over a million titles simply by downloading new books you want to read and the 3.5 inch colour touchscreen LCD looks oh-so-cool!

For now, I’ll have to keep drooling over the pictures. Check out some of the stylish accessories available for the Nook:

nook3 nook from barnes and noble
Jane Street Cover in Chocolate
kate spade new york
$125.00

nook2 nook from barnes and noble
Signature Rear Cover Tangerine
by Barnes & Noble
$18.95

fabulous home decor finds under $25

There’s no question that Christmas can put a strain on the purse strings. From the food and drinks for parties to Christmas gifts big and small (and maybe a new dress for the many events you’re attending), the holidays seem to come with a cost, despite even the best efforts to be festive but frugal. And it’s always nice to update your home decor with beautiful things as you prepare to throw open your doors to friends and family. So we’ve rounded up 10 fabulous home decor finds, all under $25. Adding style to your home doesn’t have to cost a bundle. Below is one of our favourite finds, a gorgeous blanket from etsy.com. Check out the full story: 10 home decor finds under $25.

blanket etsy fabulous home decor finds under $25

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