When an underdeveloped country in our world experiences a devastating blow, it touches all of us. The Canadian and American Red Cross divisions have been an integral part of rebuilding the lives of Haitians after the earthquake, but they still need your help.
I’ve found a great way to send your support to Haiti, spread the word, and also jazz up your tech. This iPhone case designed by artist Scott Wilson is called ‘Fractured Mosaic’ – inspired by the vibrant colours and market life of Haiti and displaying a fractured but beautifully rebuilt pattern.
When you buy this case, 100% of the proceeds go to the American Red Cross. Not only that, but you’ll have a great-looking iPhone and friends will ask where you got it from, allowing you to spread the word.
$40 US, available at getuncommon.com.
I 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
Isn’t this fab?
I love when tech-cessories take it to the next level with that extra bit of geek. This neoprene sleeve is lined with fleece to protect your laptop or netbook. The exterior is super fun with an old school font spelling out ‘My Document‘ and the universal computer cursor.
Great gift idea for a student or graphic designer!
From $26 US, available at Yanko Design.
Oh, this is exciting.
If you know me at all, you know that I love my iPhone (love is perhaps too weak of a word). I also adore Chilewich, the company that makes fab vinyl textiles. Now Chilewich has gone the way of the Apple and has created a fab iPhone case. With Chilewich’s signature woven vinyl on the outside and a shatter-proof inner shell, this case is pretty darn close to perfection.
$45, apple.ca
What’s not to love about this bag? Made of a crinkled goathide and topped off with 14 karat light gold plated hardware, Kate Spade’s Lincoln Road Dee bag is the perfect size to fit a netbook or 13″ laptop. Available in white, red, or black this bag brings sexiness into technology.
$475 US, katespade.com.
Everyone who meets me quickly discovers that I am obsessed with my iPhone. From the iCalendar to all the amazing apps and little convenient details, my iPhone has grown to become a reliable friend (hey, how many friends do you have that will send you alerts whenever you have an important meeting?). However, there is one itsy, bitsy, kinda big detail that bums me out: the battery life. Now, I understand that I use it all the time and it’s a portable phone, iPod, camera and computer all in one, but by the end of the day, I’ve got about 30% battery power left. Not ideal for a gal on the go.
Enter Incase, seasoned pros when it comes to cases and covers for your dear-to-the-heart gadgets. Their Power Slider case includes a lithium ion battery that doubles the battery life of the iPhone, plus you don’t have to remove the case to charge the battery or update your phone.
Can you say ‘genius’?
Incase Power Slider $100, Apple Store.
Perhaps it’s my Scottish blood, or perhaps it’s just my love for classic patterns, but tartans and plaids make me go nuts. Totally stylish, plaids have the power to take almost anything from shabby to chic. Above are a few ab fab gadget cases, covers and skins in a variety of price points (c’mon… you know you’re going to have to pay a lot to sport that Burberry tartan).
1 Speck Plaid Fitted Case for iPhone 3G $30, Apple Store.
2 Haymarket slim laptop bag $795 US, Burberry.
3 Gingham laptop adhesive $30 US, iamhuman.
Tech gets a bad rap when it comes to being earth friendly. While some gadgets and appliances are known to suck up a ton of energy, there’s a growing trend to create products that make love, not war with the earth. Check out these eco-chic tech goodies and accessories:
Tote your 17″ laptop around in this super-stylish cedar-wood case.
Not for the budget-conscious!
$412 US, Out of Gray.
They’re at it again! IKEA goes all-the way eco with these solar powered desk lamps.
Shines for approx. 4 hours when fully charged.
$20 each, IKEA.
My delicate iPhone is an extension of my arm, so it needs hardcore protection.
This shell from gadget case gods, Incase, is composed of 40% recycled bamboo
and 60% plastic, offering uber-durability.
$35, Apple Store.
Present Mother Earth with a gift worth giving this Earth Day.
The Soji Modern solar lantern is a gorgeous outdoor lighting solution that charges from the sun’s rays, turning itself on automatically at dusk, then off at dawn.
$47 US, Pure Modern.
Although it’s been around for ages, I’m amazed at how many people don’t know about Blackle.com. A search engine powered by Google, Blackle saves energy by using a black screen while you surf the web (a white screen sucks up more energy). It’s free to use, so there’s no excuse not to do your part, techies!
There are many things that I love about Apple products, but one of them is definitely the aesthetic appeal; so, you can imagine how fast my jaw dropped when I heard of a company that one-ups the Apple design. I’ve blogged before about cases and ways to dress up your gadgets, but nothing quite compares to the ultra-luxe/incredibly over-the-top custom work shown here. Computer Choppers is an American company that will actually gold-plate your Apple products. Seriously. Think along the same vein as MTV’s Pimp My Ride, but for the tech geek within you.
Not only will they gold-plate your laptop, iMac, iPhone (you name it!), but they do other finishes as well, like platinum or a gorgeous rose gold. If you’re looking for something a little less extravagant, they also do colour anodizing (see the Mac Minis to the right). And if you just love to show off that little Apple logo, well, Computer Choppers have you covered there, too — they will encrust your device’s logo with diamonds. Real, glittery, girl’s-best-friend diamonds. It just oozes glam.
If this is exactly the life of luxury you’re looking for, visit the Computer Choppers site to check out all the services and get a quote on customizing the Apple product nearest and dearest to your heart. But don’t expect it to be cheap — colour anodizing for the new itty-bitty iPod shuffle starts at $129 US, while the gold-plated Macbooks start at a whopping $5,500 US. It pays to look this good.
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When it come to portable gadgets, I’m darn picky about having them look brand spanking new at all times. Cases are a gadget gal’s best friend, and I’m always on the hunt for pretty-yet-practical ways to cover up tech goodies.
I stumbled upon Speck and my prayers were answered! Their website boasts an overwhelming selection of cases in tons of textures, and available for a variety of products. Need to cover your new Blackberry Pearl? No problem. Use a PC laptop rather than a Macbook? No worries there either. Oh, and if you want to snap on a case to add some colour to your iMac, they’ve got that covered, too.
I love the case they sent me for the 13″ Macbook (shown above). This vibrant and sleek snap-on case is so pretty-in-pink, it makes me want to jump up and belt out some Otis Redding (the Molly Ringwald fans will understand). My friend and styleathome.com editor, Natalie Bahadur, has a Macbook, so we snapped the case on easily and it instantly jazzed up her laptop. She was really impressed with the way the case didn’t make the laptop bulky, as well as the fact that it will protect the computer from scratches and other wear and tear. These cool cases are hard-working and hard to pass up!
Price: SeeThru pink shell for 13″ Macbook, $25 US
Available at: Speck.com
Have a neat gadget or tech accessory you’d like me to feature? Shoot me an e-mail at
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