D for Dot

Instead of putting together proper gift guides – which you can find almost anywhere right now – I will just sprinkle the blog with a series of stocking stuffers. These will likely be small, relatively affordable items (although one or two luxury items may creep onto the list) that won’t tax the wallet too much because gifts need not have huge price-tags to be great. Take these custom-made tech cases from Casetagram for instance.

It seems really easy to put together one of these custom-made cases – simply choose the photos to be printed on it (from Facebook, Instagram or directly uploaded images), pick the layout you would like to arrange them in and the colour of the case. For such a personalised gift, it will set you back just USD39.95 with free international shipping. The best part is, with almost everyone owning a Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy these days, it should be appropriate for many of the people on your gift list.

And to make it even simpler to get your shopping done, you can now customise your cases on the go with the Casetagram app!

I have been wanting to blog about this cool all-cork ipad case from Portugese design studio Pomm for the past week but just never got around to it. This is the case I want if I do have iPad (not ruling out acquiring one in the near future though!). It is minimalist design at its best – I love its uneven, ridged surfaces because they remind me of geometry-inspired modern architecture.

Produced in a limited run of 4,000 pieces, they are set to retail for USD75 – which is a relative bargain considering that it will be more or less exclusive. Besides, cork is not only water-resistant but a great shock absorber as well. I am not telling you to go around dropping your iPad in water, but if it happens to slip out of your hands and into a puddle, it should probably survive.

You can pre-order this sleek, eco-friendly case here. Hurry though – it ends in about two days.

I believe many of you would have already seen this beautiful pop-up invitation to the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2013 runway presentation. If you have not received one of these, fret not because you can still watch the show on livestream online at 11PM tonight! I have partnered the British heritage brand in bringing its latest designs to a greater audience for quite a few seasons now and am very happy to be doing so again. As before, you will be able to tune in to the pre-show red carpet happenings and the show itself right here on the blog.

I am very excited to find out what Christopher Bailey has in store for us this season and if you are too, be sure to be check back here later in the day!

In a world where the average city-dweller needs about 3 gadgets (sometimes more) to not feel naked in public, Incase‘s products that aims to protect and enhance the technology we cannot live without are no longer frivolous consumer goods but actual essentials. I may be over-stating it a little (due to the drama-queen gene in my DNA) and finding the right protective gear for your i-Everything may still be a first world problem, but you know what I mean. If you share my sentiment about the importance of outfitting your gadgets correctly, then the Incase Pop-Up Store at Actually+ should excite you as much as it does me.

Operating for a short five days (30 August – 3 September), this is not your regular pop up store but a bargain-hunter’s haven as well. Other than discount-on-discount must-buys, giveaways, bundled offers and limited edition daily deals, there will also be intriguing special treats in the form of lucky bags. Containing an assortment of Incase and Apple products whose value far exceeds the cost of the bags, which come in two sizes (i.e. Mini Lucky Bag – SGD89; Lucky Bag – SGD299), you may find yourself going home with an Apple TV. With these lucky bags being available in limited runs, it will be wise to head down earlier than later.

An highlight of this pop-up event is Incase’s Andy Warhol Collection (pictured above) of bags and cases for the Macbook, iPad and iPhone. Fans of the pop artist’s work will be pleased to add these items to their collection.

Kate Spade makes the cutest things. Their tech accessories collection for Fall/Winter 2012 is a case in point. The bright and sweet (always a good look) iPad and laptop sleeves in the brand’s signature polka dots is a particularly fabulous way to tote your gadgets around but what stood out for me is this bold crimson iPhone case that declares your intention to “Paint The Town Red” for all the world to see. It has that tongue-in-cheek, girls-just-wanna-have-fun playfulness – a healthy disregard for seriousness is something I appreciate in an iPhone accessory. I am also very fond of this simple black case that features a stark white exclamation point (possibly my favourite punctuation).

View the rest of the collection, which will be available in-store from July to September 2012, over here.

Sometime last year, I made a surprising discovery: Puma makes very reasonably priced and good-looking sneakers. Long over-shadowed by Adidas (with whom it shares the same root), it seems that the athletic footwear and clothing brand has been quietly doing a lot of good work, especially in recent years. Many of you should already be familiar with its collaborations, under its Black Label, with Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen and Mihara Yasuhiro. The resulting collections not only push the boundaries of fashion design, but sportswear as well.

Last weekend, I spotted the Bolt Lite Mid Sneaker while window-shopping. With its neon yellow sole, it is striking enough to make me want to take a closer look. It turned out that the real stunner with these kicks are how incredibly light they are. Part of the Usain Bolt Series, which celebrates the fastest man in the world, they are the lightest shoes Puma has in store. With a breathable mesh body, you will also find Bolt’s signature on the tongue, making it a collector’s item for sports enthusiasts.

Retailing at just SGD109 (about SGD98 if you are a DBS cardholder), it is definitely a bargain. I say, get them for your boy and earn some brownie points!

On my birthday last month (16 April), the good people behind the luxury-focused Reebonz launched a new concept online store. I am convinced that there are cosmic forces at work here because Kwerkee is just my cup of tea – so, thank you, universe! With the objective of becoming “the city’s most imaginative design source”, Kwerkee is a members-only discount site just like Reebonz, but rather than luxury fashion, stocks up on fun and quirky design, home and lifestyle products instead. From novelty flash drives and graphic jewellery to art prints and vintage typewriters, the eclectic collection of wares on Kwerkee means that you never quite what what to expect. I like that.

Other than the handy and very eco-friendly Semi recycled banner tote (pictured above; SGD65), here are a few other things that are calling out to me on Kwerkee.

This print (SGD49) on the very many varieties of beer is made for beer lovers like myself. It is a product of the Pop Chart Lab, which aims to “render all of human experience in chart form” (if not an admirable cause, then definitely a very fun one). Other prints in the series available on Kwerkee features topics as diverse as superpowers, rap names and culinary tools. If you love pop infographics, you will adore these.

I do not wear glasses but if I do, I will definitely gives these cool pixelated ones (SGD459) from Dzmitry Samal a go. Retro and futuristic at the same time, they are inspired by late 1980s computerized graphics and video games such as Tetris. Armed with patented Christian Dalloz Sunoptics solar lenses that provides 100% UV protection, you are all set to become that cool, high-tech urban warrior you’ve always dreamt of being.

This t-shirt (SGD50) just makes me laugh, mostly because it is true (as applied to myself). And who doesn’t love a good slogan tee? Funny words plastered on a plain t-shirt – works every time.

Each shopping event only lasts for a limited period on Kwerkee so be sure to sign up to receive notification of new products on sale. You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!

Considering that the iPhone addiction is affecting more people than ever, with many of us holding on to our iPhones almost all the time, it makes sense to invest in a case that works for you. I know that cutesy phone accessories may not be for everyone, but I am sure Anicase will at least make you go ‘awww’ secretly in you head. Besides, these uniquely molded iPhone covers are “a case for a cause” – 10% of net profits goes to support endangered species. At USD24.99 each, it seems like a small price to pay to help stop these lovable critters from going extinct.

So, my headphones died yesterday (R.I.P). The great thing about having your inanimate possessions die is that you get to buy new ones. That means I am on the lookout for a new pair of headphones and these Harajuku Lovers Super Kawaii In-Ear headphones are doing a pretty good job of convincing me that they are the ones.

They are retailing at Tangs for SGD99, which is a little pricey when you consider that these perfectly lovely ones from Urbanears will set me back a mere SGD49.90. However, the higher price point can be justify by the fact that they come with multiple eartip sizes, a pretty compact case and a sweet heart-shaped cable manager. They even throw in a carabineer, although I have no idea what for.

[I believe that if you make anything cute enough, girls will buy them. Not that it is a bad thing of course - why have an uncute something when you can have a cute something?]

It is always thrilling to be among the first to be in on something. Cartier‘s epic new short film, L’Odyssée de Cartier, premiered at the St. Regis yesterday to a select group of press and media and I am more than just a little happy to be there. Every bit as grand and luxurious as one will expect from the heritage French jeweller, the three and a half minute cinematic experience follows the journey of The Panther (the brand’s ultimate emblem since the 1930s) across countries and cultures that have influenced Cartier’s extraordinary journey in the last 165 years. Blending history with fantasy, the regal and enigmatic feline encountered a fascinating cast of characters and creatures, from the Maria Pavlovna (Grand Duchess of Russia) to a Chinese dragon (symbolising The Great Wall). It is a beautiful and engaging way to showcase Cartier’s rich traditions. Take a sneak peek behind the scenes with this interview of Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s Image, Style and Heritage Director:

The film will be opening to the public on Cartier’s Facebook page tomorrow, 2nd March 2012.