Technology & Gadget Blog

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.

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:

If you haven’t tried David’s Tea yet, you don’t know what it is to live. It’s my newest obsession and there’s no wondering why: with over 150 types of tea, this  modern and sleek shop attracts the tea curious and connoisseurs alike.

With the first retail environment opened at Queen St. W. in Toronto of September 2008, David’s Tea has now gone nationwide, with two more stores in Toronto, two in Montreal, one in Vancouver and another opening in Laval come November. It’s a Canada-wide tea invasion, and 27-year-old owner David Segal shows no sign of stopping.

A few of my faves?

Strawberry Bai Mu Dan (Chinese white tea with a sweet strawberry aroma)

Cinnamon Heart (Chinese black tea with cinnamon, spices, and oranges… smells like cinnamon hearts and Christmas)

Swampwater (named after the swampy colour that the water turns, this tea is anything but icky; tangy and sweet with green rooibos, guava, passionfruit and candy sprinkles)

Organic peppermint (simply peppermint tea, but the aroma will knock your socks off)

Citron oolong (perfect for settling your tummy after a big meal, this tea is refreshing with lemon myrtle, jasmine, and natural citron essences)

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

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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Ignoring that fact that these are bordering on sea-urchin-creepy-looking, don’t you think they’re fabulous? Channeling the artichoke, these table lamps are a serious work of art and their colourful bases and gorgeous shape make them worthy of today’s Tech-free Friday post.

These stunners are constructed from papier mache made of recycled materials, and handcrafted by Haitian artisans. The original comes with a white base, but you can also choose from 15 other colours, all available in low-VOC paints.

My biggest question: how do I pick just one?

Price: $625 US each

Available at: Straydogdesigns.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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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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Okay, okay, okay. I love blogging about awesome new tech gadgets and pretty accessories for those gadgets. However, sometimes something so amazing/non-tech related crosses my path and I feel the need to spread the word!

Have you ever heard of MosaicWorks? If you’ve been to the IDS for the past couple of years, you may have noticed a sparkly little booth hidden amongst massive displays. This little booth packs a lot of punch, though, as Karen Johnston displays her fab mosaic-tiled home decor pieces. Also available at Elliot & Ward in Toronto, these fab works of art are serious showstoppers (thus my need to write about them!). Karen creates tiled mirrors, vases, and artwork for the walls. Want a touch of bling for your boudoir? Ask for a mirror with a string of rhinestones embedded between the tiles. Gorgeous!

Karen is already signed up for an exhibitor booth at the IDS in 2010, but if you’re itching for one of these beauties now, check out Elliot & Ward or visit her website at mosaicworks.ca

And, as always, if you have any neat gadgets or tech accessories you want me to feature, shoot me an e-mail at