Design*Sponge » tech

my life scoop: top 10 apps for summer vacation

Amy Azzarito — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:00:17 +0000

This summer I’ve been spending as much time outside as possible. And while I don’t necessarily think of my outdoor playtime as conducive to using mobile apps, it certainly is handy to know what time you need to pitch your tent before the sunsets or where the nearest gas station is when you’re on the road. Kate rounded up her top 10 summer vacation apps on My Life Scoop. My favorite app is the “summer conversation starters,” perfect little pieces of trivia for a long car ride. The best part? More than half of them are free! — Amy A.

top 10 design-related tech innovations

Grace Bonney — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:45:03 +0000

I’ve never been a huge tech person, but Kate just did a fantastic roundup of tech-related innovations that has me second-guessing my mild tech aversions. She rounded up her Top 10 design-related tech innovations (I hadn’t heard of at least 1/3 of them) and there are so many fantastic ideas in here that are bound to make your life easier in one way or another. I love when design can solve a problem and look beautiful, so this list is right up my alley. Click here to check out the post at MyLifeScoop and view the full list with sources. xo, grace

Images above: digital letterpress apps and icons

gadgets for green thumbs

Grace Bonney — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:53 +0000

While it may seem depressingly gloomy outside today (too gray for gardening), I’m always hopeful that spring will return (Monday was such a cruel tease) and bring back some signs of life. The tree behind our building is starting to bud and show signs of blooming, so I was excited that Kate’s new post at MyLifeScoop was all about gadgets, tools and accessories that make gardening easier. Both Kate and I have terrible track records with plants, so here’s hoping that these gizmos will turn both our black thumbs green. And if all else fails, there are always faux ferns.

Click here to check out Kate’s tips on everything from self-watering pots to plant sensors and humane pest control. xo, grace

PS: How adorable are those strawberry pockets below?

personalizing your tech accessories

Grace Bonney — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:00:33 +0000

Last year I went through a really obnoxious phase with my iPhone where I decided it was cool to buy a handful of different snap-on covers and change them regularly like an outfit. I didn’t talk to my phone or anything and get excited to dress it up, but I did sort of get hooked on the idea of changing up the look because the plain black just wasn’t doing it for me. One option I wish I’d looked into instead was something that would have let me customize it right off the bat with something that felt more “me”. So I was excited to see that D*S editor (and all around awesome girl) Kate Pruitt was doing a big post on personalizing tech accessories at the D*S blog at MyLifeScoop this morning.

Image above: Bookshelf iPhone 4 skin by artist Colin Thompson for GelaSkins

Kate rounded up tons of great options for customizing your phone, from unexpected cases and skins to Gelaskins and decals. If you’ve ever felt like the tech accessories you can’t live home without don’t exactly speak to your personal style, check out Kate’s list of ideas right here. I didn’t know Jill Bliss made cases and now that’s shot right to the top of my list, along with this one. So many options… xo, grace

tech accessories for throwing a great party

Grace Bonney — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:50:37 +0000

Image above via Adidas Originals

I’m married to someone who thinks tech accessories are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Whenever we have people over, we each get excited about completely different things. Me? Flowers, decorating and getting to use nice platters. Him? Making playlists and setting up tech gadgets and apps to help with the party. So when I heard that Kate was doing a post on the D*S Blog at MyLifeScoop about tech accessories and apps for throwing a great party, I immediately thought, “AC is going to love this.” And while I’m not the most techy person I know, I admit that I’m totally intrigued by all these options. Whether you need help setting a specific mood or choosing food and drinks, Kate has found a gadget (or app) for that. Click here to check out the full post with all the resource links at MyLifeScoop. xo, grace

top 20 tech accessories for health and fitness

Amy Azzarito — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:40:25 +0000

Image above: Kate’s tech picks to get you moving!

D*S editor Kate Pruitt is getting ready for spring over at MyLifeScoop, where she’s rounded up the Top 20 Tech Accessories for Health and Fitness. Since I’m glued to my laptop for the majority of my waking hours, I’m pretty obsessive about making some time to move around every day, and I love all the tech-y help I can get! (I pretty much can’t go jogging without an iPod!) — Amy A.

All sourcing is over at MyLifeScoop where Kate’s post lives.

Image above: All sourcing at MyLifeScoop!