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
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:
A vintage style camera that’s pretty-in-pink is just too hard to resist. This retro Mr. Pink Diana F+ camera from Urban Outfitters is a cool reproduction of the classic Flash Diana — only now with a limited edition pink hue. It uses all varieties of medium format 120 film and has 3 different aperture settings. Not too shabby for a blast from the past!
$110 US, available at Urban Outfitters.
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.
I’m a bit of a label snob when it comes to my electronics — I love displaying the logos on my Sony DSLR, Flip Mino camcorder, and especially my iPhone, iPod, Airport, and iMac (yeah that’s right, I just name-dropped).
Check out these seriously cool MacBook adhesives from iamhuman. With a sweet slogan selling “human individuality for non-human objects”, the company lets you jazz up your laptop while still displaying that sweet Apple logo. The graphic prints go for a cool $30 US and the wood grain one is $35 US.
Available at iamhumannow.com.
