Technology & Gadget Blog

In the words of celeb stylist Rachel Zoe, “I die”. That is, when I first saw this incredible laptop sleeve from mister Marc Jacobs himself. It’s totally sassy in raspberry red and a fun animal print, and it dons stitched letters all over (plus, let’s not forget the designer’s signature black and gold-tone plaque on the front). Looks like I’ll be retiring my 2-month-old laptop bag, because this beauty is a winner.

$68 US, available at net-a-porter.com.

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

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.

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

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

Isn’t this just cute as a button? The other day I got lost on Etsy, as I often do, and I found myself clicking through to find this gem (the original item I searched for was apple spiced soap … go figure). I loved the Twitter-inspired birdie looking so simple and haughty on the tiny gloss-coated clay bowl. Measuring just 3 1/2″ in diameter, it would look super cute holding rings on your dresser or paperclips on your work desk. And, if you’re over the whole Twitter thing (shame on you!), you can request the birdie to be a different colour.

$14 US,  available at Elm Studios on Etsy.

I spotted these adorable (said in a French accent, btw) earbuds on our senior web editor Natalie Bahadur’s desk and I fell in love upon first sight. Mixing music, tech and glitzy style all in one? Doesn’t get much better than that folks. Here’s what Natalie had to say about them:

“I adore anything that’s got a touch of bling and these earphones from chicBuds are fantastic! They’re so girly and stylish and are adorned with Swarovski crystals, which instantly takes them from ordinary to extraordinary. But they’re not just about form; they’re big on function too. The earphone wires are rolled onto a retractable wheel (also adorned with crystals!) that keeps them from getting tangled. And as I’m sitting here listening to my iPod, I’m amazed at the sound quality. Crisp, clean, clear. Perfect.”

Check them out for yourself (chicbuds.com) — tons of colours and designs to pick from!

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: