LUXE PLATES

If you have been reading the o.i. for a while you know that I am obsessed with all things Apple, my iPhone 4 being no exception. So I am always on the look out for cool covers to protect the gadget that is now used countless times a day. Still, it is surprisingly difficult to find a plate or cover for the iPhone that is both interesting and unique, sophisticated and well designed.

Enter Luxe Plates! These beauties can be made out of four different types of metal (stainless steel, brushed stainless steel, gold plated, and nickel plated) and securely adhere, without residue, to the back of your iPhone. Their website also seems to indicate that these work with other cases and accessories. And if you don't like any of their pre-made patterns, you can have them craft one that features your own personal design! It also doesn't hurt that each plate is reasonably priced between $23 and $33. Sweet!

Check out Luxe Plates here.

(The last pattern reminds me of this top photo, no?)



(Thanks to Design*Sponge for the tip.)

FROM THE ARCHIVES: iPHONE PHOTOS

Hope you all had a good weekend!

It's rainy and kind of cold here today, so I decided to share a couple of my photos to (hopefully) brighten your day. Turns out there are a lot of great apps for taking great photos on the iPhone. These were all taken using Hipstamatic and Instagram which both do a great job of approximating different types of analog film. I love the saturation in the results.

See more of my photos here.

SAVINGS AND LOANS: KATE SPADE AND iPHONE

Have you heard the rumors about Verizon getting the iPhone 4 next year? I have been waiting for the iPhone to go to Verizon forever, and am sort of giddy over the idea that I could finally have a super cool smart phone and good service. Imagine that!

Well, this news has sent me on the hunt again for a cute but practical iPhone case. Not surprisingly, Kate Spade hit it out of the park with this black and white polka dot number (I mean, I do love polka dots). You can pick it up here for $40.

And, while I was there, I hunted around for some other "dotty" accessories and found these two adorable, drool-worthy options. They totally make me want to pack up and go. . . as they say on the website, these two are "spot on"!

top: Gifting Dot Small Henrietta Makeup Case, $60

bottom: Give It A Whirl Large Colin Makeup Case (with interior pouch), $125

APPLE iPHONE 4

Is anyone else both giddy and disappointed by Apple announcement of the iPhone 4 yesterday? I am super excited about the new features--slim design, better antenna, front facing camera, flash, folders for applications, threads for email, etc.--but am a bit sad that they didn't announce a move to Verizon. Sigh. Perhaps I will have to break down and switch to the evil giant AT&T. Perhaps.

Read all about the new iPhone (and watch an awesome promo video) here.

TOTALLY TECH

Happy Friday folks! What are you up to this weekend? Are you one of the lucky few who have Columbus Day off on Monday? (I do, but I am so swamped with school work, I am sure it won't feel like a holiday . . . )

You know what I will be daydreaming about while I plod away through my mountains of art history texts? The iPhone 5. Shocker, given my total lack of interest in Apple products (psych)! I am up for a contract renewal this week and I am trying to stave off my itchy "purchase finger" by distracting myself by daydreaming about other fun gadgets.

So, without further ado, here are my top picks for fun, practical, conversation-starting tech toys. Get the links after the jump!

AT LAST!

Is anyone else super excited about the Verizon iPhone?! I have been waiting for this announcement for a while and can promise I will be the first person in line to pre-order. Get the details here.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Verizon iPhone Announcement
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Why has it taken me so long to get an iPhone when I am clearly obsessed with all things Apple (see here)? Well, John Stewart summed it up pretty perfectly on his show last night. Enjoy!

APPLE TABLET

"Last time there was this much buzz about a tablet there were some commandments written on it."

-The Wall Street Journal

If you are as much of an Apple geek as I am, you have been waiting all week on pins and needles for Apple's latest announcement. Well yesterday it came with a bang! Introducing the iPad (terrible name- why couldn't it have been called the iTab?), Apple launched this beautiful tablet computer--a cross between the best qualities of the iPhone and the iMac. It is completely touch screen controlled and can be held in landscape or portrait format depending on your preference. It is about 7.5 by 9.5 inches (and only 0.5 inch thick!), has a stunningly vivid screen, and a battery life of up to 10 hours. In keeping with Apple go-big-or-go-home style, the designers have completely reinvented the basic applications from the iPhone to fit the iPad. They also expect application developers to follow suit in the coming months. My personal favorite is the calendar; I love the reinvented 'day' page with its clean lines and bright color blocks for appointments. They have also made maps, contacts, and mail look pretty darn sexy.

I looks like prices for these babies range from $499 to $829 (depending on the GB size and whether you want it to be wireless or 3G like the iPhone) and won't be available for another 60 days at least. Gah!

Until then you can learn more here. I highly suggest that you watch the introductory video to see it in action.

p.s. Lots of people are already talking about how the iPad (cringe) will be change the publishing industry with its iBooks feature where you can download and read all kinds of books through Apple's iTunes-like book store. See a great article about this will effect magazine design here.

SMRTCASE

There is a lot of buzz about the iPhone coming to Verizon in September which is only fueling my love of all things Apple. With the iPad coming to stores tomorrow I feel like today is a good day to allow myself to get excited about the possibility of making a switch to the iPhone in the fall and having nearly every major electronic I own be designed and produced by Apple! That said, I wanted to share this super cool iPhone case, designed by SmrtCase, that allows you to hold up to three cards in a slot in the back of the case. This would be perfect for me since I tend to stash my monthly subway pass in the back of my iPod Touch case for easy access (which means I have to bend back the flexible case to take it out twice a day, not a great system). I particularly love the fact that this case isn't bulky, is reasonably priced, and simply designed. Completely wishlist worthy.

Check it out here in black, white and pink. It's also available for some Blackberry phones too!

PAUL RAND iPHONE WALLPAPERS

The other day I was aimlessly browsing the websites of my favorite graphic designers—you know as true nerds are wont to do—and I rediscovered the beautiful online portfolio of Paul Rand. Don't know Paul Rand? Well he designed some of the world's most famous logos (ABC, and IBM to name a few) and countless magazine spreads and covers. He was a legend!

The best part of the website? The iPhone wallpaper downloads of some of Rand's iconic designs. So if your phone needs a pretty pick-me-up, head over here to grab some of the (free) goodness for yourself.

iPHONE 360

I agree with swissmiss Tina Roth Eisenberg: the Dot 360 degree video capture tool for the iPhone looks incredible. I know my techie Apple-loving father-in-law-to-be would flip for this. Luckily it looks like it will be in full production by the end of the summer. Sweet!

Find out more about Dot here and the design company Kogeto here.

TEUXDEUX iPHONE APP

Hooray!

For several months I have been obsessed with the "simple, designy, browser-based to-do app," created by swissmiss and her studio mates of Fictive Kin, called TeuxDeux. Well, surprise surprise, swissmiss and Fictive Kin have done it again! Yesterday they released an iPhone/iPod Touch app version of this amazing online program. You can find it in the iTunes app store (here) for a mere $2.99. Super cheap given the fact I will use this EVERY day for the foreseeable future.

Read more about the app here and check out the (free!) browser-based version here.

p.s. Proof that these designers are super cool? Pay attention to the sample to do items in this video. We should all have "Be Awesome" as a daily goal!

TRICK IT OUT

Speaking of the iPhone, how kick ass is this decal made by Photojojo? Stick it on the back of your iPhone and voila! Your cell looks like the awesome Polaroid Land Camera. The best part? The decal is only $6. Get yours here.

Don't know about Photojojo but consider yourself a photo geek (or know someone who is)? Do yourself a favor and check out the many other cool camera gadgets and add-ons in their store here. (I mean, really, any company that uses product models who wear awesome green nail polish has to be cool, right?)

(first seen over at swissmiss)

EITHER OR WISH LIST: I CAN'T DECIDE!

Hi friends! How was your weekend? I spent it with my parents doing some serious clean up/home improvement projects at my grandmother's house and I have to say, I am wiped! 

So, since I will almost certainly be total couch potato while I let my aching muscles heal today, I thought it only fitting to shin two variations which I am having major trouble deciding between. Care to help me choose? Here are the either/or pairings in my online shopping cart right now . . . which should I pick?

from top to bottom . . . . 

nixon small kensington in gold ($175) or 

nixon kensington leather in natural/silver ($125)*

make it happen gold foil notepad by laracaseyshop ($20) or 

jumbo writing pad by poppin ($8)

kate spade saturday sneakers by pf flyers ($65) or 

converse chuck taylor all stars fancy ox ($55)

black trim correa sandals by toms ($59) or 

yosi samra cambelle flat sandals ($130)

dots iphone case by priscilla peress ($35) or 

emily rickard color study no. 7 iphone case ($35)

So hard to choose! I may just have to buy them all . . . kidding!

*Do any of you married ladies have trouble finding a watch that works with your wedding and engagement ring? Either I find the watch too casual in comparison to my ring's setting or the watch-ring combo just looks overwhelmingly shiny. I look the way watches look, though, and miss wearing one so I am hoping one of these works out!

UNCOMMON CASES

In keeping with the Apple craziness, I wanted to feature some awesome iPhone cases that were recently brought to my attention (thank you Laura!). Sold by 'Uncommon' these are available for $39.95 here. Even better? 100% of the proceeds go to Haiti relief through the Red Cross!

I have struggled with whether or not to talk about the crisis in Haiti on this blog. On the one hand this blog is about bright, shiny, happy things--graphic design, home goods, artwork etc. On the other hand, the tragedy in Haiti is unspeakable and we should all be doing what we can to establish healthy stable conditions there as soon as possible. So, when the lovely reader Laura sent these cases my way, I knew it was a win-win. Cool product for a cool cause. Go check it out here.

PIN-TASTIC!

Do I need another reason for wanting an iPad? I don't think so. But this new app for Pinterest looks amazing on my iPhone and would surely look even better on an iPad.

Check it out here. Not set up with Pinterest? Drop me an email (theobsessiveimagist(at)gmail(dot)com) and I will send you an invite!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

I have a crush on Brian Williams and, since I currently own this, I think it's fair to say I love this song. With that in mind, this little video compilation made me giggle in delight. Hope you like it!

Did that pique your interest? Here is my favorite little slices of the internet this week; hope you like them too!

Roads that power your car. Wild!

Good tip for iPhone shutterbugs.

I would buy this just for the bragging rights (and the garage).

Chicken a la iPhone?

I am updating my Netflix queue as we speak.

Excellent article reminding me about a hilarious man. Guess I need to pick this up now.

Google Maps takes to the calle.

I rewatched the NSync/Backstreet Boys battle episode last night. RIP Cory Monteith.

A cast that looks incredibly cool, but how do all your eighth grade friends sign it?

So, so, so excited for this movie to come out (did I mention I was excited?!).

These ideas are perfect for my party-planning mindset right now.

When pigs fly swim!

Get away before summer is over!

I am tempted to make these to give out as favors at a party this September. Too ambitious?


Have a lovely weekend!

THE INCEPTION OF INSTAGRAM

How gorgeous are these graphics?  Stunning, right? They were created by Dan Kenneally and Liz Gershman as part of a really great article for 1000Memories (a cool website where you can store and share all your old family photos). The article explores the inspiration behind the ever-present iPhone application Instagram—where you can apply one of a dozen fabulous filters to make your digital shot look like it was taken with cool vintage film—and traces the various types of film and cameras used to get 'the look'.  It makes me want to go out and try them all!


Read and see more here.

HERMAN MILLER WALLPAPERS

To celebrate NeoCon 2012—a cool design-focused conference held in Chicago earlier this month—Herman Miller is offering some beautiful (and free!) desktop, iPhone, and iPad wallpapers for your downloading pleasure. My personal favorite is the green and blue venn diagram; what's yours?

Download your own here.

SUPER iPAD?

I read this Foxtrot comic this week and I had to share it with you (though it is slightly out of the blue for this blog). It makes fun of the fact that the iPad, like the iPod Touch and the iPhone, does not have a flash player. So I guess it does fit in to my obsession with the iPad.

Click on the image to see it in a bigger size.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: INSTAGRAM

Just a quick look into some of the favorite shots I have taken with Instagram lately. Check out more of my iPhone photos here.