Technology & Gadget Blog

This week I was oh-so-lucky to get a sneak preview of the swag room at this year’s TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival, for those not in the know, like my oblivious boyfriend). Situated at the Intercontinental Hotel, the Britannia Room has been taken over by Tastemakers to pamper celebs with goodies and beauty touch-ups before being interviewed in an adjoining room.

Sponsors included Joe Fresh (with the lovely make-up artist, Simone, who made me sparkle), Mattel (look for a further blog post on their tech-y Pictionary), AMC (helllooo, Mad Men!), Rowenta (their new line of hair appliances is incredible), and Guats clothing (amazingly soft activewear made from bamboo). Croma Design pimped the place out, with a lot of the furniture and accessories being sourced from PC Home (gotta love the affordability!).

I have to say though, my fave sponsor was War Child, and I was speaking to the fabulous Rosie Levine, a Toronto-based photojournalist. Since 2004, Rosie has snapped candid pics of big-name celebs at TIFF, each of them raising two fingers in the international sign for peace. She’s in the process of compiling the photos into a coffee table book, in which all of the proceeds will go to War Child. What a fabulous idea from an extraordinary woman.

I managed to snap a few pics of my own, so check them out below:

Summer’s in the air! Even though the weather here in Toronto has been so-so, there’s no denying that it looks, smells and feel like summertime. With the sun shining (on most days), take advantage of solar power with the Sunnan desk lamp from IKEA ($20 each). Charged by the sun’s rays, this LED-bulb lamp stays bright for 4 hours on a full charge.

And if you thought that IKEA just couldn’t get any cooler, hear this: for every Sunnan desk lamp sold, IKEA will donate a lamp (with backup rechargeable batteries) to UNICEF, who then sends them to children in underdeveloped countries around the world. The first batch are being sent to children in Pakistan without access to electricity. This allows kids to continue doing homework after dusk.

Props to IKEA for taking care of our planet and our children. For more eco-friendly finds, check out Laurie Grassi’s Natural Chic blog.

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I have a serious problem when it comes to paper — I can’t pass by an Indigo, Papyrus or Kate’s Paperie store without entering and spending oodles on pretty-pulped products.

Check out these super-cute cards from Vancouver paper princess Valerie Lau. Her online shop, Designs by Val, is a must-visit for those interested in simple and stylish notecards. The cards are printed on high quality linen stock that’s made from post-consumer recycled paper and feature adorable graphic designs created by Valerie herself. In the words of the world’s favourite cele-brat Paris Hilton, “That’s hot.”

Missing Puzzle, Cherry Lanterns and Typewriter all available at designsbyval.com

A little while back, I blogged about the ridiculously fantastic gold-plated Mac goods from Computer Choppers. I didn’t think anything could match the over-the-top bling of a gold Macbook with diamond logo detailing, but ColorWare has stepped up to the plate with a simply chic and more affordable alternative.

Whether you’re a Blackberry fanatic or your iPod is an extension of your arm, ColorWare doesn’t discriminate between brands — or colours. With a vast array of hues to choose from (in a luxe metallic or sleek lacquer finish) and options of what shade you want on each part, ColorWare pimps your tech gadgets with a durable coating, elevating them to new levels of cool.

You can buy your colour-personalized gadgets straight from the company, or US customers can mail their own in and pay for custom work (tip: if you know someone with a US zip code, use their address to get around international restrictions!).

Check out the ColorWare website for more info and pricing.

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For today’s tech-free Friday, I’d like to appeal to a different kind of geek – that’s right, the graphic designers. I have several friends who go ga-ga over typography (including our very own associate art director, Ashleigh Schouwerwou), so I knew these coasters would be right up their alley.

The laser-etched beauties come in a pack of 4 and feature a unique mixture of letters. The type? It’s Baskerville Semibold, which my designer buddies will knowingly smirk about (it’s so obviously Baskerville, Lauren). Even better, they’re bamboo and made right here in Canada, which means that they’re eco-friendly, too.

Price: $45

Available at: Veer.com

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There are two things I obsess over in life: new tech toys and pretty paper (Style at Home’s web editor, Natalie Bahadur, and I go gaga over stationery; check out her Favourite Things blog for gorge goods). So, you can imagine how much I drooled over this crazy-cool card from Yellow Owl Workshop.

Printed on 100% recycled paper, the card features a debossed ’80s-digital-style front that lets you fill in your own message. It also comes with a reference alphabet so you know what each letter should look like.

Super geek or super chic? I’d happily say both.

Price: $5 US

Available at: Yellow Owl Workshop or Urban Outfitters

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Ctrl+Alt+Del – not just a three key computer command anymore. The universal code for quitting a software program has long been used as tech-speak for any form of deletion (”I’m going to Ctrl+Alt+Del your number out of my phone!”), and now it’s making its way into your home decor.

These adorable cushion covers from Etsy seller Diffraction Fiber are made of ‘Eco Felt’ (100% recycled plastic bottles), yet are as soft as they are durable. With an envelope enclosure and machine-washability, what’s not to love? Reveal your inner geek while still maintaining the cool factor.

Price: $50 US for a set of 3 cushion covers

Available at: Diffraction Fiber on Etsy

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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!

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There’s nothing cooler than when designers spread their wings and venture into new areas of design. And no one does this better than New York-based fashion designer, Kate Spade. While she’s known for her oh-so-stylish-it-hurts handbags, Miss Spade has developed her brand to include clothing, shoes, glasses, home accessories and even stationery.

For her stationery line, Kate’s paired up with the American gods of paper, Crane & Co. to create gorgeous cards and invites dressed up in her signature simple style. My fave is the letterpressed correspondence cards above with the vibrant yellow and white awning stripe. The old-school process of letterpressing matches the history of Crane’s (they’ve been kicking since 1801, and they even make the paper for U.S. currency), while the simple design and gorgeous packaging embodies the modern all-American style of Kate Spade.

If you ask me, it’s a match made in paper heaven.

Price: $323 US per box of 50 cards and 50 envelopes
Available at: Crane.com (to learn more about the fascinating history of Crane’s, check out their website)

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What do you call a lighting solution that’s portable, eco-friendly, stylish and on sale? The Luau Lamp from Design Within Reach, of course!

I’ve been researching solar accessories this week (hint hint, possibly an upcoming Tech Style column?), and while this light isn’t solar-powered, it’s still eco-friendly and just too darn awesome that I simply had to spread the love (thanks to associate design editor Brett Walther for the heads up!).

The good folks at DWR have taken this light to the next level, combining a modern design with energy-saving technology. This rechargeable-battery-powered beauty is not only wireless and portable (think outdoor summer parties), it can also be dimmed just by twisting the bottom in the palm of your hand. How cool is that?

Wait — there’s more. The impact-resistant polyethylene Luau uses energy-efficient LEDs and can light up your world for 6-10 hours when removed from its charging base.

But, WAIT. Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. Right now, DWR is offering the Luau Lamp for a buy 1, get 1 free deal!

Amazing quality design paired with a fantastic bargain — how can you resist?

Price: $198 US each (add 2 quantities to your online  cart, and the discount will be taken off at checkout)

Available at: Design Within Reach

Eager for more eco-friendly goodies? Check out executive editor Laurie Grassi’s eco blog, Natural Chic.

And, as always, if you know of a neat gadget or tech accessory you’d like me to feature, shoot me an e-mail at