Okay, so I know it’s freezing outside and popsicles are probably the last thing on everyone’s mind, but hear me out! The Zoku Quick Pop popsicle maker is the neatest thing I’ve seen in a long time, so I need to spread the word, regardless of the weather.
It’s a let-down when you want a frozen snack, but making popsicles takes a couple of hours of freezer time. Enter the Zoku popsicle maker which creates fully frozen popsicles in just 7 minutes! No word of a lie, all you do is pour your favourite fruit juice into the molds and 7 minutes later, voila!
The maker uses a proprietary solution sealed inside that ensures uniform freezing. Just store the maker in your freezer so you can be ready to create yummy popsicles at a moment’s notice. At only $50, this is a total steal, and a fab gift idea.
Available at Williams-Sonoma.
We all know stealing music is lame and I’m an avid iTunes user — I like the option of purchasing songs without having to buy the whole CD. Unfortunately bricks-’n'-mortar music stores have suffered because of this availability.
With the holidays fast approaching, I was in the mood to search for tunes to add to my Christmas playlist and I heard about a brand new digital download site. HMV Canada has finally joined the tech world and created a site for you to browse and download music, similar to iTunes (although still in the Beta stage). The benefits of the HMV site is that you have a longer preview time of songs, and it creates a mini-playlist of recently browsed songs. And like iTunes, most songs are $0.99 a download, with the current chart toppers selling for $1.29 each.
I’m really glad HMV decided to do this, not only because I had a blast working at the stores throughout my high school years, but because HMV is a British corporation that invests largely in the Canadian market and not within the US. Even though I love Apple, I’d rather support a company that gives back more to the Canadian economy.
Check it out at hmvdigital.ca
Switchplates can often make a room go from pretty to pretty fugly, so when I spot a cool one, I’m all over it like white on rice. I adore this funky cubic switchplate that adds a fun dimensional aspect to boring electrical outlets.
$8 US, Design Glut on Supermarkethq.com.
The editors of Style at Home have long been lovers of online arts and crafts marketplace, Etsy. So you can imagine my excitement when I found a similar site called Supermarket. Like Etsy, Supermarket allows advanced crafters to create online shops and sell their goods to the public. So what’s the diff? Supermarket is very design oriented and modern, so there’s no need to wade through any junky items to find what you want. Below are some of the neat finds I found while rummaging through the site.
1 Andalucia pillow from Etcetera Media, $78 each.
2 Pod vase from Kim Westad, $80.
3 Hanging cuckoo clock from Decoylab, $28.
4 Hello! blank cards from In-Vita Paper Studio, $11 per set of 6.
5 Letterpress coasters from 12fifteen, $12 per set of 8.
6 The Four Seasons cup set from Bailey Doesn’t Bark, $92 per set of 4.
I love scouring tech blogs on the net, surfing through the latest and greatest gadgets — it’s a great way to find inspiration for my own blog. Sometimes, however, I look no further than our very own styleathome.com. Whether you’re looking for tips on finding the right flat-screen TV or eco-friendly home office ideas, you’d be surprised at the great tech content we have on our site.
Take a look at some of the neat tech articles pictured above:
1 Buying guide: Washer/dryer pairs
Need help figuring out the best options for your laundry room? We have your washer and dryer solutions.
2 Living green with steam
Check out why steam is the hottest trend in appliances, and how cooking and cleaning with the technology helps you lead a green life.
3 Tech style: Great gadget covers
Make over your gadgets by dressing them up in something stylish. Check out these fab finds designed for a range of devices.
Much like what you wear is a reflection of your style, so are your personal tech goods, in my opinion. You won’t catch me with an ugly laptop sleeve, iPhone case or mousepad. Which is why I L-O-V-E these wallpaper options for your PDA’s, by top designer Jonathan Adler.
Simply stunning and sized perfectly for 6 different smartphones (iPhone, Palm Pre, and an array of Blackberry’s), these wallpapers will guarantee you nods of approval from stylish techies and design lovers alike.
To view the whole collection, visit jonathanadler.com
I have to say, when I read about this, I almost cried (only because Apple hasn’t come up with something similar for the iPhone). The geniuses at RIM have developed a TiVo app for the Blackberry that will allow users to remotely schedule tapings from their phone. So what the heck does that mean, you ask? Basically, Blackberry and TiVo users can now set up their home PVR to record a show, regardless of where the user is located. I could be getting off the subway to go for dinner and remember that Mad Men is on in an hour — no problem if I’m a BB user! I can just look it up on my phone and hit record and a signal will be sent to my TiVo at home.
Since I am a Tivo user, I’m just waiting patiently for Apple to come up with their own TiVo app.
Okay, so we don’t have Virgin America flying out of Canada just yet (let’s be hopeful!), but man-oh-man would I love to cruise the air in one of their jumbo jets. Check out the pic below of their first class lounger chair:
Not only do the lounger chairs look great all done up in white leather, but guests are treated to the full VIP tech treatment too. You can plug in your laptop and surf the web, play video games, or watch a movie on the screen in front of you. Are you and your friend sitting at opposite sides of the plane? No worries there — Virgin has introduced the Seat-to-Chat feature where you can have an instant messaging convo with other people on the flight. And, if you want to tune out the chatty person seated next to you, scroll through the 3000 MP3’s available at the press of a button.
Picky eaters aren’t left behind either. Choose what you want from an a la carte menu on your personal screen and just swipe your credit card to pay. Even better? Virgin strives to give you the best flying experience for the lowest price possible. I’d say that’s a mantra that sounds pretty sweet!
For more info and flights within the U.S., check out virginamerica.com.
It’s that time again folks — the Fall Home Show is in town! It’s being held from October 1st-4th at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, and I will definitely be there. But wait… I’ve also got 10 pairs of tickets to give away! Here’s what you won’t want to miss at this year’s show:
* 250 + retailers
* Save at the Home + Style Studio Tour
* Free advice at Destination Renovation by BILD
* Decor consultations at What’s Your Design Dilemma?
* Entertaining and Renovation on The Planning Stage by Lowe’s
* Tech Style with ConnectPro by Future Shop
* Wine & Spirits in the Modern Living Lounge
* Bryan Baeumler and other experts at the HGTV Workshop Series
So, how do you win? Just leave a comment telling me why you want to attend and I’ll choose my 10 favourite responses! Don’t forget to include your email address so I can notify you if you’re chosen as a winner. For more information, visit fallhomeshow.com.
Contest closes September 28, 2009 at 12pm EST. Open to all residents of Canada, except those in Quebec. Not open to any Transcontinental Media employees, their families, or any other persons with whom they reside.
Okay, so I know I’ve been on a Twitter kick lately, but how sweet is this cocktail napkin? I just couldn’t resist! I think I’ll stock up on these and bring them at out at the next Style at Home get together — we’re always tweeting our exciting ideas for upcoming issues. These cuties are available on Etsy for only $5 US per pack of 30.
Want to follow the Style at Home editors on Twitter? Read on to see what each of our editors are tweeting about.
Natalie Bahadur, senior web editor: Our resident Twitter-er on everything that’s happening on styleathome.com
Laurie Grassi, executive editor: She’s got all the goods on the hottest eco items for your home and lifestyle
Brett Walther, associate design editor: Let Brett hook you up with info on the latest and greatest finds in the world of homewares
Lauren McPhillips (me!), senior editor: I’m a tech gal, but only have a love for the cool and stylish goodies
Margot Austin, senior design editor: You’ll love all of the great design inspiration that Margot offers … plus pics of her adorable French bulldog, Lulu
Jane Francisco, editor-in-chief: Meet our new editor and follow her tweets on an exciting life in the magazine world
