Luckies of London Limited Has the Most Fun & Unique Affordable Gifts!

 

Oh boy. I've got a ton of birthdays, anniversaries and housewarmings in the next couple of months and I was starting to panic - how am I going to shop for all of these people and occasions? There's not enough time and I don't have a lot of money and ...

It's so easy to get stressed out about this kind of thing because it really does take a lot of time to find just the right thing for each individual if you have to hunt around different stores and rack your brain trying to remember something they need or want or like. 

But there is no need to worry anymore because I've found the most amazing one-stop-shop there is - Luckies of London Limited run by the lovely Jim. And it's all online, so you can shop in the comfort of your own home at whatever time is convenient for you. And boy, are you going to be blown away by the selection!

Check out the extraordinary, affordable finds I got for the folks on my gift-giving list:

- Undercover mini sleeve for mp3 players, cameras, games, phones, etc.

Just like it's big brother, the Undercover Laptop Sleeve, this awesome little padded envelope is actually made of a strong tyvek material,  lined and secures tightly with velcro. So while it looks just like a beat up piece of paper, it's splashproof, tearproof and  a lot heartier than that plastic thing you've been using to carry your phone/camera/etc. in. But be careful - it's so authentic looking that you might just want to pop your phone in the mail!

- Party Animals

Anyone can make a sandwich, but mine is going to be the only one with cool looking one, thanks to these playful sandwich cutters. I want to get the whole lot - Pig & Hen (I have the Cow). And I'm not going to just limit myself to sandwiches with this l'il beaut. Oh no, I'm going to make cow-shaped cookies, cow-shaped polenta and cow-shaped  burgers (or is that too cruel?) for my next dinner parties, to name just a few. And while I'm keeping this guy (I'm calling him Len for some reason), I'm going to get a bunch for my food-loving friends. It's not only great fun, it's something they'll really use too.

- Morris the Memo Holder

Speaking of animals, I love Morris. Not only does he hold your memo notes for you, he'll hold it in his mouth for you so you won't forget your shopping list or reminder to pick up the dry cleaning.  There is something so sweet about this burrow. He never asks anything of you - just that you make him feel useful. Now that's unconditional love! He comes in Red, White and Charcoal.

- Pickmaster

This is the ultimate gift for the music lover or musician on your list! Like the old 3-hole punch from high school, the Pickmaster (pictured above) punches out not holes, but a lifetime of personalized guitar picks out of anything flat - cardboard, plastic, etc. You can recycle materials and rock your way up the Stairway to Heaven! This gorgeous sturdy, chromed metal punch is something that the axe player in your life will genuinely appreciate. Rock on!

- YouToDo

It's as tall as I am, which means there's a lot to get through, but I'm up for the challenge. Are you? This list of to dos isn't a chores list by any means. It's more of a life list and the whole family can get involved. There are easy tasks such as "make and flip a pancake" and harder challenges like "learn the capitol cities of Europe." It comes with stickers so you can mark your achievements and there are a few blank spots for you to write in your own to dos. It's much easier to tackle your goals and dreams when they're right there facing you every day. This is a fantastic gift for anyone of any age.

The best part of all this? These are just a small few of the outrageously great products  Luckies has to offer. Shop their whole collection now and get the best gifts EVER!

Direct Something Wonderful with the Kodak Playfull Video Camera

I've never had a video camera before, but now with a burgeoning online presence, I felt a real need to be able to capture some things on video as opposed to just writing about it or taking a myriad of photos. And with all the cool things I get to do - interview celebrities, hang out with chefs and taste their wicked food - I wanted to capture these things in real time.

I sussed out a lot of affordable handhelds and I choose the Kodak Playfull Video Camera because it has incredible features that are insanely easy to use, all in one cute, compact little package. 

I love that this Full 1080p HD video camera comes with a "share' button. You can email your video to your friends or your Kodak Pulse Digital Frame or upload directly to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and other sites in just seconds (a built-in USB arm makes it lightning fast). That's not only a fun feature, it comes in handy for work events too!

There are some  neat editing dimensions too, like on-camera editing lets you trim and extract still pictures from video and 4 effects that you can add to give your video a whole new look like B&W, sepia, high saturation and a 70's vibe that will no doubt get your video noticed.

Thanks to built-in digital image stabilization, your videos will look less blurry, no matter how green you are at this. Are you going to be shooting in the sun? Not a problem with the LCD glare shield. Need more room?   The expandable SD/SDHC card slot holds up to 32 GB, so go ahead and record your cover of "Party Rock Anthem" for YouTube.

The only difficult decision you have to make is what colour do you want - Silver, Blue-Silver, Purple-Silver or Blue-Black?

The incredibly cool Kodak Playfull Video Camera is available at major retailers and Kodak.ca.

Find Your Way Back Every Time with the Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR

How many times have you been out to dinner or a movie with a friend and when you get back to the parking lot, neither of you can remember where the car's parked?

And last time you went camping, were you sure you knew the route, but ended up taking a few detours that left you more than a little grumpy and tired?

That's why you need Bushnell's BackTrack D-TOUR. This GPS personal location finder allows you to always be able to find your way back/home. All you do is push a button and just follow the arrow. 

It has up to five storable locations, so if you travel to the same place every year or you have a favourite mall that has 6 different levels of parking that you never find your way out off, this feature will come in handy.

What's amazing is that you can upload up to 48 hours of data to your computer (it works with both Macs and PCs and comes with a USB cable - sweet!) to see your journey again, thanks to the self-calibrating digital compass. You can overlay your route on Google Maps automatically. It will show you not only the course you took, how long it was, the speed, elevation and temperature of your adventure!

This sweet little safety net is smaller than my phone and incredibly light at just 6 oz., so it won't weigh you down. It's also weather resistant so even if it's hailing out, you'll be able to get to cover. And I love that whether you're a millennial or boomer, military personnel or civilian, you can set the time (12-hour or 24-hour clock), temperature (Fahrenheit or Celsius) and distance (yards/miles or meters/kilometers) to what makes sense to you.

You just have to decided whether you want it in red or green. What a fabulous year-round gift!

 

Get your Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR now.

Get Organized with Scribble on Everything's Incredible Chalkboard Weekly Calendar Decal

I bet you're thinking that you could totally get organized for once and for all, if only you could find a system that not only allows you to customize it to your needs but is big enough to go on the wall.

Because you've got some big ass ideas and nowhere right now to put 'em!

Enter the most fabulous chalkboard of the decade - Scribble on Everything's Chalkboard Weekly Calendar Decal.

It is the most fabulous for so many reasons, including:

- The blocks (8, 12x13.5" chalkboard decals and 8, 12x3" diecut days of week chalkboard decals) are so big that when I unfurled them all on a sheet, I held it from ceiling to floor and it was longer than my walls (and I have fairly high ceilings, so you can just imagine that these are really something). This is really worth noting because sometimes you just need a really big space to allow your mind to open up and this is one of the only calendars that I've seen that really does hold everything that you could possible need to put in there (Octomom, I'm talking to you).

- The other amazing feature besides their ginormous size is that you can put 'em exactly where you want 'em. This is truly a genius feature because not everyone works Sun-Sat. Some people like the week to start on Monday. And who says that they all have to be in one row, starting left to right? Put your calendar blocks where it makes sense for you. If that means all around your armoire and sewing machine, then hells yes, that's where it shall go.

- The decals are made from matte vinyl, which doesn't leave a permanent mark or residue and yet they work like a real blackboard.  And it was made for us modern folks - clean the dustless chalk (you get a twelve pack included with your decals) off with a damp cloth - no mess like the primary school classroom you remember. Thank goodness!

There is no excuse not to be organized thanks to Scribble on Everything's Chalkboard Weekly Calendar Decal.

They have other really cool stuff too - check it out!

Pull Together the New Zipit Collection from Cabrelli Inc.

I bet you've never had a pencil case this fun to use.

The New Zipit Collection from Cabrelli Inc. is comprised of products created using a single strip of zipper.  

Yes, you read that right - a single strip. What's amazing is that it's kind of hard to imagine that this single strip makes a full-fledged product. Let me explain:

When I got my pencil case, it was not in the shape of a pencil case (pictured above). Yet. See, when you get , it's a coiled single strand of zipper. You are instructed to pull the zipper and like a set of dominoes gracefully knocking against one another in a mesmerizing row, the zipper takes a soft corner every once in awhile (how it knows to do that, I'll never know) and suddenly, it's made itself into a wickedly funky pencil case.

I love that you get to kind of put it together - and you have the power to take it all apart if you like, like an evil scientist.

And there are many other products available that work the same way. The Classic Go Big Bag works for both home and travel, the shape of Le Gym works for more than just sneaks and tanks and the Student Lap Top Bag is adult-friendly as well.

If you're looking for an original gift, I think this is just about as original as it gets.

Shop the New Zipit Collection from Cabrelli Inc. now.

MEZZI's Royal Collection Molded Silver Laptop Case Makes a Memorable Gift

Are you still carrying around a messenger bag to haul your computer to work?

It's not 1996, you know.

Sigh. I know - it's hard to find a sleek case that looks good, but won't cost you a whole paycheck.

Well, I think I've got just the thing - MEZZI specializes in all kinds of cases that will take you from looking like you're applying for your first job to looking like the president of the company.

While there are hundreds and hundreds to choose from, I'm particularly taken with the Royal Collection Molded Silver 17.5" Laptop Case.

It oozes James Bond/fashion mogul, without being pretentious or brazen.

This stylin' aluminum case, complete with chromed handles, is a charmer from the get go. The exterior says that you're a professional, but style is important to you. The interior says "Wow!" Oh, and that  you are organized and on top of things too.

See, the soft magenta velvet lining with black leatherette trim is so stunning, that you'll want to keep everything neat and tidy so that you can enjoy the inside as much as the outside.

I love that there are so many dividers (3 with adjustable button straps) and pen slots (3). You can get everything you need when you need it. And to close all of your business deals and meetings, there's a business card pocket too. An accessory pouch keeps your phone, iPod or whatever else you like to carry with you and keep close at hand.

And if you have a big laptop like I do (with a screen up to 17.4"), you'll finally have a case it fits into (good luck trying to get it to fit in other cases, believe me). It comes with customizable foam, so you can pad your computer and other precious items to protect them from dust and bumps. And speaking of protection, there are dual-key latch locks, so you can keep everything safe and sound.

There is a cushiony, detachable shoulder strap as well as a strap inside, so you have a host of different options for carrying the case - which is fantastic for those times you're running for your bus/train/plane.

And little protective feet keep your case off the ground, so when you set it down, you don't have to constantly worry about the bottom getting scratched or dirty.

This is one wickedly handsome case. And it does so much. Can you say the same about that nylon thingy you've been carrying around for the last decade?

What an awesome gift this makes - for yourself, for a friend or colleague or for Dad. Father's Day is coming up...

Shop MEZZI's Royal Collection Molded Silver 17.5" Laptop Case now.

Left-Handed Folks Need Things Too, So Shop Lefty's Left Hand

I am fascinated by left-handed folks. Have you ever noticed how many intelligent and artistic people are "lefties"? Try Barack Obama, Angelina Jolie and Jerry Seinfeld, to name just a few.

Like many right-handers, I tried to switch to writing with my left hand, but couldn't quite manage it. And now I see how hard it is even for left-handers - they have to position their hand in such a way that it won't smear the ink. And you don't realize how many tools are made with right people in mind, such as scissors, portfolios, etc.

So when I discovered Lefty's Left Hand, I thought, "This is what the world needs more of! Why should it be so right-hand dominated?"

The selection at Lefty's is vast. Whether you need a fun gift or something practical, you'll find it all here.

To show what good company you're in, get the Lefties Rule Mouse Pad. Pictures of Queen Victoria, Napoleon and Alexander the Great will be at your side while you type away. It's nice to be surrounded by greatness, isn't it?

And in case you have to make the occasional note by hand, you're going to want to keep the Left Handed Portfolio close by. Lefty's went in search of one that opens to the right that they could offer their customers and when they couldn't find one at a good price, they commissioned one from Random Arts. They're a "small, family run, US company specializing in binders since 1954. The company operates a recycling program for vinyl 3- ring binders, re-using the vinyl in its own products." 

Each portfolio comes with a Yoropen, which I looove, and each part of the portfolio is either "100% recycled, or contains a substantial percentage of recycled content." The lined pad that comes with it is also 100% recycled.

And don't miss out on the Le Chat Backwards Watch (pictured above). The hands move counterclockwise and the numbers are reversed or "backwards" to standard clock and watches. If you hold it up to a mirror, it looks "normal" but some lefties can read it naturally this way. The expandable, adjustable silver band and pearlized face is quite chic, making it a great gift for the lefty in your life.

Shop the whole Lefty's Left Hand collection now.

Simplfy Your Life With Powermat Wireless Charging

Has your life become overrun with cables and wires?

Technology is wonderful, but the tangle of wires around my house drives me nuts, so I decided to declutter and simplify.

Powermat Wireless Charging Products allow you to keep your phones, cameras, mp3 players and whatever other gadgets you've got going on, charged and ready to go, but they are also:

- wireless so you have less cords to deal with  - thank you

- versatile so you can charge more than one item - because who has only one device these days?

- quick and easy to use, because you simply put your device down to begin charging - no plugging and unplugging

- darn smart as they emit a sound and light up to let you know it's charging, won't overcharge your device - hallelujah

- saves energy  as the auto shut off occurs when your device reaches full power - how many times have you left your device charging all night?

- small enough that they don't take up much room at all - goodbye cluttter!

First, select a Powermat Mat that suits you and your family's needs. I got the Powermat 2X Mat, which allows you to charge 2 devices with just one plug. The thin black mat is about the size of a postcard, so you can really put it anywhere. Just plug it in, drop your devices down and pick 'em up charged and ready to go - it's so easy!

Then select your Receiver. If you have a Blackberry Bold 9700 Series, this Receiver Door will allow you to wireless charge it with the mat of your choice. All you do, is replace your existing battery door with this receiver, and you can drop and charge at a moment's notice. Isn't that how charging should be?

If you have an iPhone, you can make it even easier! These Bundled Solutions are a complete wireless charging system - protective case with charging mat. Plug in the mat, put on the case and you never have to do anything but drop your phone down to charge.

Why are you still charging your devices the old-fashioned way when Powermat offers such an amazing solution to cord frenzy?

And because you don't always remember to charge your device when you need to (no one's perfect!), you're going to want to get yourself Portable Power. The power! Dual 1850 Rechargeable Backup Battery charges on your Powermat Mat and then allows you to keep your devices charged while on the go. And you can charge 2 devices at once, thanks to the convenient Apple connector and micro-usb.

Powermat's made it so easy to charge your devices, so you'll find yourself with charged gadgets more often and way more space at home, in the office and your luggage.

Shop the entire Powermat collection now.

Enjoy Your iPad In Every Possible Way with TabGrip

There are so many iPad products that I could dedicate an entire blog to just reviewing iPad stuff.

But not all products are created equally and as you know, I have very high standards to what I feature here.

When I found TabGrip, I was amazed at its versatility and stability. The ingenious design makes it more than simply a protective cover and case.

First of all, this is the tightest case, both slangwise and casewise. Get this secure rubber case on and never worry about it coming off. It's here to stay. Which is what you want when you're jammed body to body on the subway or as you're racing for a cab, as your bag slaps against you. Your iPad is totally protected with TabGrip.

You get a stand that allows you to watch TV or view slides from your summer vacation. Or type or bank online. Or all the things that you do throughout the day. The legs slide out easily so you're all set up in just 2 seconds. Use it horizontally and vertically, whatever way suits you and your space. The legs also serve as comfortable grips that make it easy to carry, share or use while on the go.

The TabGrip allows you to get the most out of your iPad, which you won't get from that case from Future Shop.

'Nuff said.

Shop now.

Special Technology Report: Freedom Pro Accessories Are Can't-Live-Without Items

I have been a proponent of smartphones since the very beginning. I know you know this now, but they really allow you to do so much.

In fact, I wrote about half of my book on my lovely HTC years ago and after I basically wore the keys right down to their wires, I switched to a Blackberry.

Like most smartphone users, my whole life is on here - I email, text and tweet while on the go, have my calendar and contacts with me and I work on this thing as much as I do on my laptop at home.

But as much as I love it, it still isn't as nimble as being on a regular keyboard and it's more tiring on the hands. I am limited to how much I can get done on my phone vs. working on my laptop.

So why I discovered Freedom Pro, it was love at first sight!

Their Freedom Pro Keyboard is a bluetooth keyboard that works with PDA's, smartphones, pocket PCs and UMPC's (in plain language, all that means is that it'll  work with your Blackberry, Window Mobile phone, Android, iPhone and iPad and even netbooks, Playstation3's, your PC or Mac - see the complete list). Basically, you're turning your phone into a laptop.

You initially set up your keyboard to connect via bluetooth (it takes just a minute with just a few steps) and then from then on, all you have to do to connect is press a key on your phone and turn your keyboard on. Instant gratification!

There is a pull out, folding stand that you set your phone on and because the whole set up is wireless, you don't necessarily have the phone right in front of the keyboard. Put it where it's most comfortable for you, or where space allows.

And unlike most accessory keyboards that are too small or hard to use, the Freedom Pro Keyboard is full size and has the most amazing soft keys - you'll want to type on just this from now on!  There are 6 dedicated keys that allow you to work off your phone as if it were in your hand (answer call, end/reject call, open messages/email, open address book, open tasks and open calendar), so that you don't have to give up any functionality while remaining uber productive.

You'll love being able to navigate all around your phone through just the keyboard. Switching back and forth between applications is so fast (faster than on your phone even!) and I have been able to get days of work done in just a few hours because I can be working and talking at the same time.

Sometimes I bring work to bed with me. Either I'm on a short deadline or I just can't sit at my desk anymore, but it's not always conducive to bring my big, bulky laptop to bed either because it's low on battery or it's just too uncomfortable. Now I bring my Freedom Pro Keyboard and work off of my phone and it's so easy! Just imagine how this will change everything for you - working on a plane or train, in a doctor's waiting room, etc. There's not always an outlet available for your laptop and sometimes you don't want to wait through it starting up or it's too awkward to work in such a small place, but this incredible keyboard changes all of that. 

It folds up into a beautiful leather-like case, so you can bring it anywhere with you. It uses just 2 AAA batteries (that are included!) and thanks to LED indicators, you can always tell when you're connected and how much power you've got.

The Freedom Pro Keyboard is one of the best accessories I've ever come across and it has made my life so much easier/better, I can't imagine life without it now.

And to help keep me productive, I keep the Freedom Walk & Talk in my purse at all times.  See, it gives me up to 1 hour of emergency talk time when I really need it.

And I know you've experienced this, when you go to use your phone and it's dead and it's not convenient or even possible to try and fine another phone or computer nearby.  Sigh. It is an awful place to be. But that is a thing of the past when you carry the Freedom Walk & Talk with you!

This small little black box is strong, yet light and will charge your devices with a Micro USB charging port using the foldaway Micro USB power cable. And it had an internal charging circuit that:

• Makes sure it will fully recharge, every time, even when "top up" charging (no need to fully discharge it first) up to 500 times.
• Protects both your phone and the battery from overcharging.
• Allows you to charge both the phone and the battery at the same time; prevents overcharging and ensures optimum charging every time

See? I told you it was great!

Freedom Pro Accessories are absolute essentials if you want/have to work or stay connected while on the go. And really, in this day and age, who doesn't?

Give SWISSGEAR by Wenger For the Traveler or Tech Lover on Your List

This holiday give something you'll know they'll love and use.

SWISSGEAR by Wenger are the same folks that make the Genuine Swiss Army Knife, but you may not know about their wonderful line of luggage and travel gear.

Whether you're traveling near or far, SWISSGEAR has got you covered.

I like their Laptop Sleeves. Made from Neoprene, they are extremely durable and protective. Thickly padded, these were made for travel, but how nice is it that it's not at all bulky? There's nothing worse than trying to weave your way through the airport while lugging your gear with you and feeling like you're carrying an extra 300 lbs with you!

Handles are reinforced with extra padding and material so that you actually carry it comfortably.  and while the slim profile is sleek and fashionable, it can actually fit most 15.6" laptops.

It comes with a limited ten year warranty, so it'll probably outlast your laptop. When's the last time your gear lasted longer than your tech?!

Distributed by Holiday Group, SwissGear by Wenger is the way to go this holiday.

Shop now.

Become An Instant Expert with the Windows® Phone 7 Plain & Simple Book

I love technology, so when I get a new phone or gadget, I can't wait to get right in there and play around.

Not everyone enjoys it as much as I do, however. And really, it can be completely intimidating and confusing if you haven't worked with that type of technology before. 

So if you've got yourself a new Windows phone, I recommend getting a copy of Michael Stroh's Windows® Phone 7 Plain & Simple.

This incredibly fun and easy guide is colourful with tons of screenshots and photos so that you can follow everything step-by-step without fear of getting lost along the way. And thanks to everything being explained without the use of technobabble or computerspeak, you won't feel intimidated or left behind with this guide in your hands.

This book can help you do everything from learning what each key does to setting up your phone and personalizing it. Want to learn how to manage your call history, sort and search through your email, post something to Facebook or get real-time traffic conditions? You can learn all of that here and so much more (texting, working with the calendar, browsing the web, playing music and video, taking pictures and videos, apps, games, Office mobile and how to sync with your PC).

I love that you don't have to read the book cover to cover, if you don't want to. Just pick out the areas you need help with. Of course, if this is your first phone of this kind, a good read from beginning to end might just quicken the process for you.

The print is comfortable enough to read without squinting and really, the annotated, full-colour photos go a long way in getting you the info you need quickly. It's like having a Microsoft IT person right there alongside you.

But on your time, when you want the information.

Is there any better way?

Buy Windows® Phone 7 Plain & Simple and get the most out of your phone.

Share the Memories This Season with the Kodak EasyShare PULSE Digital Frame

Three of our very good friends are moving away this month.

Not far, but certainly not just a few doors away, like they've been for years.

While we are overjoyed at their new homes and opportunities, it feels a little quiet and sad without them.

A wonderful way to keep them in our daily lives has been the amazing Kodak EasyShare PULSE Digital Frame.

Thanks to built in Wi-Fi and 512 MB of internal memory, you can easily upload photos from your computer and phone via email! I've got a "Friends" folder that I've been putting digital photos in for years. Up until now, they've been on my computer in a file that I rarely look at. Now, these photos are available right in my living room. Oh, look at Ben's long hair at Scott's birthday party years ago! And Darren's of course making faces at the camera. Allana always looks so at peace, even when she's laughing at something someone said.  And our friends Jeffrey and Jonah who moved away a couple of years ago make appearances too. It's so nice to everyone together again!

I can send up to 4000 photos to this beauty of a frame. Which is good, because once I get to the Cosmo folder, it might just fill the whole thing up!

I am also using the feature that allows me to automatically receive new pictured from Facebook and Kodak Gallery albums. I am really enjoying seeing the albums I created on Facebook, because I never revisit them online and I didn't have to spend time uploading the pictures again!

Kodak also smartly allows you to create your own e-mail address for the frame to upload pictures easily from a computer or mobile phone. Then you can share the e-mail address to receive photos from your friends and family.  Sweet.

You're going to love the touch screen with LED backlit high quality display. And it takes up so little room (we have ours on our breakfast bar facing the living room) and yet offers you the chance to revisit friends, places and memories that you've likely long forgotten.

Sigh.

You'll also love the fact that it is super easy to set up - no software to install, no cables to hook up to your computer! Just turn it on and start enjoying your many, many photos (oh yes, I cut my hair short and dyed it red one summer, there's my photo of Anthony Bourdain and I, my Mom sitting in a huge lounge chair laughing....).

The Kodak EasyShare PULSE Digital Frame is available in 7” and 10” for $129.95 CDN and $199.95 CDN respectively at Best Buy, Future Shop, London Drugs, Staples, Black's, The Source, Henry's, Dell, Amazon, Sears and Kodak.ca.

Your holiday shopping just got a whole lot more exciting!

Your Home and Office Just Isn't Complete Without Socket Sense Surge Protector!

We live in an older building, so we have very few sockets to work with.

It wasn't an issue when we moved in, but over the years, we've added to our technology tenfold, so now the sockets are all used up.

We bought some extension cords to try and remedy the problem, but have you seen the plugs that come with computers nowadays?  Everything has got a power adapter.

So our extension cords barely made a difference because we'd have to skip a socket in order to make our power adapters fit onto the strip.

Thank goodness for the ingenious Socket Sense Surge Protector!

It has many features to love:

First of all, you can expand or contract the movable sockets (6 outlets) to suit your needs. So, no matter how tight a fit you've got in behind that bookshelf or below your desk, you can manage you technology for once with ease - and only using one strip, instead of the usual 2 or 3!

The 6-foot cord  (or 3 or 12 foot) gives you the leeway you need to get in, around and under your furniture and you can organize your cables easily between each movable socket.  Which I appreciate as we've got old pieces mixed in with new, so it's tight back there! Keyhole slots allow you to mount it on the wall if you like (we're not that fancy, but kudos if you are!).

The surge protection offers you 2100 Joules of protection (a lot), which is great, considering both Scott and I had our computers going as well as all the other stuff (printer, Xbox, stereo, phones) and our power has gone off 3 times in the last month.

Which is why you'll be pleased to have the Status LEDs. Red and green indicators allow you to see the status immediately of the surge and ground.

Socket Sense is guaranteed to fit any power adapter on the market, or your money back.

I think every household should have at least one of these. 

And if you're house is like ours, you'll want at least a couple.

Buy yours now!

Your Laptop 's New BFF: Laboratory 424's Mini Riser!

Sometimes, simple is best.

Laboratory 424 is one of those companies that tackles issues that we deal with everyday with simple, yet brilliant design.

Thank goodness.

See, I have this wonderful beautiful laptop that I work to the bone, each and every day.  

So it's no wonder that it gets hot.

I have tried various fans and lifts in the past, but none as been as good - or as simple - as Laboratory 424's Mini Riser!

It is the only riser I've ever used with such ease and that's worked so incredibly well. 

It holds my laptop securely off my desk and doesn't bounce up and down at all, like my last contraption (that had me typing like I was in an offroad vehicle every day of the week). It takes up no room, is super light and damn good looking (they should clearly move into making appliances and dating services).

Simply said, the Mini Riser is a dream come true.

And it comes in 10 colours, 2 to a pack, so you can outfit the house in style (you wouldn't want it any other way) and you could use the other one for another laptop or just raise your computer's keyboard for the most comfortable typing experience of your life.

If you are looking for a solution to your computer needs, look no further than Laboratory 424.

Update Your Kitchen With The 55 Knives ECookbook

While I cherish my beloved cookbooks, I have noticed that I am going online to check out recipes more and more.

There are a number of blogs that I have come to count on for fab go-to recipes and I love discovering new ones when I've got a particular ingredient in mind.

And now that ebooks, ebook readers and the iPad are the new digital future of books, itmakes sense to have something we can tote with us, and into the kitchen.

The 55 Knives Ecookbook includes the writing and recipes of 55 fantastic food bloggers (I aspire to make it into a future edition).  

Each person got their own chapter in which to offer their own recipe(s), as well as write lovingly about prepping, cooking and of course, eating!

I have loved The Bitten Word for a long time and I contributed to the inventive site, The Perfect Pantry (where I still love to go and check out how people are housing their spices and canned goods), two of the blogs included in the collection.

But what I have enjoyed is discovering new voices and recipes,  like Melody Fury's (GourmetFury.com) Edamame Pesto Orzo. While not a complicated recipe, I think the combination of ingredients is phenomenal and think this dish will be folded into my regular rotation.  

And who can resist Cupcake Project's (CupcakeProject.com) Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes? What a great dessert for the fall and especially for our upcoming Thanksgiving!

I totally appreciate the simplicity of good life {eats} (goodlifeeats.com) Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Brownies due to my lack of baking ability.

And my next dinner party will be treated to The Duo Dishes (duodishes.com) Sweet Apple & Bacon Puffs with Pomegranate Glaze. Doesn't your mouth ooze with saliva just reading it? And thankfully, it sounds fancy, but is simple to prepare, which is exactly the types of dishes you want for a party.

Look, I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. 

It's a damn fine collection and it's so affordable.

Get 55 Knives and get to know the people behind the blogs and the food that moves them.

ZAGGbuds Keep Up With Your Busy Lifestyle

I can't live without my music.

Whether I'm rockin' out at my desk or on the subway to a meeting, I've got my tunes pumped.

ZAGGbuds gives you the flexibility you need with their incredibly well-designed cord.

First of all, it's nice and long, so no matter how many bags your toting or how many layers you're wearing, you've got as much cord as you need to be comfortable while weaving your way through crowds in the downtown core, or if you're running to catch your flight down south. Turn this way and that, reach over to grab that sandwich or hail a cab - the cord will follow.

The cord has a tough polyurethane coating, which makes it virtually tangle-free, so if you're like me and you stash your earbuds at the bottom of your purse, you don't have to spend 10 minutes like a dweeb trying to untangle them.  There is also great little sliders that not only allow you to adjust the length, but keeps your buds around your neck until you're ready for 'em.

Ahh.

Which, as the busy person you are, you know the pain of having to take off and put on your ear buds throughout the day. This will save you much time and effort.

And because fashion is still of importance to you, the cord comes in 7 colour combos, so match it to your look, or be daring and get colours that contrast.

There's nothing worse than your earbuds popping out (this used to happen to me all the time). But you don't have to worry about that with ZAGGbuds because you get a bunch of earbud adapters so that you can fit them to you.

Which means the music never has to stop, unless you want it to!

Shop for ZAGGbuds now.**

**They also come with a sweet 45-day money-back guarantee and 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty and work with many gadgets and sytems including the iPhone.

Discover Cool Back-to-School Supplies For Grown-Ups at Speck

I get excited at this time of year when kids go back to school.

I like the feeling of possibility of new things, the crisp fall air (maybe not this year, but that's how I remember it), the smell of sharpened pencils, fresh paper and binders.

I've been outta elementary school for decades now, so to bring back that starting anew feeling, I thought I'd show you some amazingly designed supplies for us grown-ups from Speck.

Speck has a really great eye for modern design and they have such a wide variety of styles and designs to choose from, that you can really cater your items and gadgets to your own tastes.

Take the Fitted Case for my Blackberry.

Like most people, after getting my phone I put it in a plastic case to protect it, thinking I would get something "nicer" soon after.

Months later, I saw the Speck Fitted Case and I knew I'd found my beauty.

This smart black-and-white plaid case is unlike any other case I've ever seen.  

First of all, the hard case snaps together, instead of being one piece - which makes it much easier to remove should I need to change or replace the battery.  Secondly, it looks sleeker and smaller (read: more contoured) than when I had that plastic thing on it.  Now it looks positively beautiful! And the material gives it such a modern and unique look as well as making it uber-comfortable to hold onto. 

So now my Blackberry is not only protected, but it looks gorgeous.  

Swoon.

And to keep the sleekness going, I think the PortPack Shoulder Bag is such a fashion-forward design. This upright messenger bag just makes you feel more organized with everything on the vertical instead of the usual landscape format!  And the pixel design is tres moderne, no?

Your 15" or smaller laptop/notebook will be secure and protected, thanks to the padded - and micro-fleeced! - compartment.  Sooo soft!

And all of your necessary items can be stored in the innovative pockets and pouches.  There is media player pocket/organizer with headphone cord pass-through, expandable water bottle pocket and detachable key leash fob as well as lots of other places to store things.  

I like the strength of everything - double-needle stitched bindings, adjustable and removable padded seatbelt-quality shoulder strap, velcro and buckle front flap closure. 

Which means that it will keep up with your life and lifestyle.

Speck keeps your stuff organized and protected but in the most stylish fashion.

So sharpen your pencils and get out your new, clean notebooks. It's time for back-to-school. Woo woo!

Save $$$ With The Belkin Conserve Surge Protector with Remote Switch

I am always looking for ways to save us money here and there.

Recently, we changed phone providers and bundled services, but we needed to do more.

That's why when I saw the Belkin Conserve Surge Protector with Remote Switch, I knew it was the answer.

As our lives grow more technologically dependent, our home fills up with more things that work of electricity. I have to charge my phone and my camera, I work from home, so my computer's on all the time, and that's just my stuff - my fiance is a technological genius and so has every gadget in the world. It's no wonder our electricity bills are so high.

And just because you're turning something off, doesn't mean that there isn't still power coming out. Belkin explains - "Standby power, also called vampire power, refers to the electric power consumed by electronic appliances while they are switched off or in standby mode."

So, if you're like us, you've probably got a DVD player, printer, something that has a remote and/or digital alarm and power adapters that don't come with an off switch. These are power suckers and drainers that need to be stopped!

And it turns out the typical home has about 40 devices drawing power, so while each one doesn't draw much, when you add all of them up, it's a lot – "reaching up to 22 per cent of all appliance consumption and around 10 per cent of total residential consumption."

The Belkin Conserve Energy Saving Surge Protector with Remote Switch allows you to stop wasting energy and save huge amounts on your electric bills.

Belkin is one of those companies that "get it," so when they design a new product, they do so with the modern person in mind. That's why the Conserve has 10 surge-protected outlets - 8 that you can switch on and off and 2 that remain on. Belkin knows that you need at least that many, and that there are some devices that we'll want to keep on (like your beloved router), and ones we'll want to switch off like the computer, TV, etc.

It's so brilliant, I think that all of our homes should be equipped with one. Or ten.

It just makes sense.

And you'll have a little more money every month.

Just like that.

p.s. Read my other post about one of the best companies I've ever come across, Belkin.

Streamline Everything With the Pogoplug!

Look, I don't expect you to get as excited about technology as me. I know that I'm a computer geek.

But you don't have to be techno savvy at all to use a Pogoplug.

In fact, that's the beauty of it.

See, I know that you live on your computer as much as I do. You may not be writing html or researching safe seafoods, but I do know that what's on your computer is as valuable and necessary to you as mine is to me.

The Pogoplug is a multimedia sharing device - what that means is that it connects your external hard drives to the internet so that you can grab and/or share whatever you need off of your computer when you need it.

Watch this quick video that shows you how quick it is to use and set up.

Your digital life is now accessible whether you're heading off to work in Italy for 3 months or simply heading to a friend's house, where you want to collaborate on a project together. You can use it to access files from home while you're at work - ahhh, now this is the life!

And no doubt you live on your phone as much, if not more than your computer. The amazing Pogoplug allows you to stream videos, music and photos directly to your iPhone, Blackberry, Droid or other mobile device.

How amazing is that?

Get yourself a Pogoplug and streamline your online life so that it works with you and your lifestyle, not against you.

Oh, and just one more thing - it's one of the prettiest pieces of technology you'll ever own.

'Nuff said.

Get one now.