Tech Style

Soft Tech-xtiles: Fabric Phone Cases With Hand-Painted Prints

Helle of Edinburgh, Scotland, is bringing out the soft side of tech, with fabric-covered phone cases and covers that feature lovely hand-painted prints.

Helle of Edinburgh, Scotland, is bringing out the soft side of tech, with fabric-covered phone cases and covers that feature lovely hand-painted prints. Helle's StarCreature Studio is our new favorite Etsy shop discovery, offering one-of-kind linen, tweed, and silk protection for iPhone, Nexus 4, and Galaxy S3.

The sculpture-trained artist worked in the IT industry before returning to art. Handcrafted device covers are the perfect intersection between art and tech, no? Each lightweight snap-on case is made to order, and ships from the United Kingdom within seven business days.

Our favorites from StarCreature Studio are the Linen Coral Stripes ($20) and Ivory Linen Herringbone ($20) cases, but there are plenty more textile and device options on Etsy.

Check out more highlights from Helle's shop after the break.

Kid Shopping

6 Designer Camera Cases to Inspire Moms to Put Down the iPhone

We're all guilty of it; we let our real (often pricey) cameras collect dust while snapping away hundreds of lesser-quality photos of our kids with our phones.

We're all guilty of it; we let our real (often pricey) cameras collect dust while snapping away hundreds of lesser-quality photos of our kids with our phones. But no longer! We found the remedy: chic camera cases from Loeffler Randall, Rebecca Minkoff, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and more, all stylish enough to inspire you to take that camera out on the town, to the park, and to all the other places where your kids do cute, photo-worthy things (that's everywhere, right?). Your children's future photo albums will thank you.

Books

Comics Come Out With LGBT Characters and Themes

After its first openly gay character — Kevin Keller — came out in 2010, Archie Comics has printed its first gay kiss.

After its first openly gay character — Kevin Keller — came out in 2010, Archie Comics has printed its first gay kiss. The smooch between Kevin and his boyfriend, Devon, angers a Riverdale mom in the comic, which, according to the issue's writer and artist Dan Parent, is a "playful poke" at the real controversy the Kevin storyline has caused with One Million Moms. The conservative group called for Toys"R"Us to take down a magazine that featured Kevin getting married, but Toys"R"Us refused.

This is the latest example of the genre's recent push to make comic strips and comic books more open to LGBT themes after being heavily censored by the Comics Code Authority up until 1989 (not that the restrictions prevented everyone from writing about gay characters). The road to a lesbian Batwoman and a gay Green Lantern has been rocky, but let's see how homosexuality has been portrayed both positively and negatively in comics over the years.

digital life

Sweet Memory: USB Drives as Wedding Favors

Flash drives don't have the flyest reputation around (although some really cute ones do exist).

Flash drives don't have the flyest reputation around (although some really cute ones do exist). But that's probably because you aren't used to seeing ones as unique as this set. When it comes to weddings, we like to think of these as a way to say "thanks" to your guests or wedding party members because you can preupload them with photos of the big day and send them out as a sentimental gift. They're fun, they're functional — what else could you ask for? Go ahead, take a look.

photography

8 Great Grad Gifts For Budding Photographers

If there's one thing photographers can't get enough of, it's photo accessories to make them better shooters.

If there's one thing photographers can't get enough of, it's photo accessories to make them better shooters. Whether it's a new set of lenses or a camera bag that will get them excited about taking pictures, no small gift will go unused. For the photographer in your life who is fresh off the school boat, gift her with one of these photog essentials and consider your "thank you" all the awesome shots she'll soon be posting.

photography

12 Chic Camera Bags For Spring Snapping

Walk into any run-of-the-mill electronics store to outfit your DSLR or mirrorless camera with a bag, and you'll be met with a whole lot of drab nylon options.

Walk into any run-of-the-mill electronics store to outfit your DSLR or mirrorless camera with a bag, and you'll be met with a whole lot of drab nylon options. Put down the bulky cases covered with inexplicable plastic clips and opt for one of these chic finds that can easily double as your everyday bag. From perfect-for-Spring leather crossovers to timeless quilted purses, these camera bags will keep equipment safe and require no sartorial excuses.

— Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia

Tech Shopping

Never Lose Your Charger Again With These Sticker Solutions

Say sayonara to the days of confusing your phone charger with someone else's.

Say sayonara to the days of confusing your phone charger with someone else's. In a sea of white adapters and cords, we spotted a genius way to make yours stand out: awesome iPhone charger decals. Thanks to flashes of color, fun faces, or personalized options, we have a whole new way to keep track of this tech essential. Ahead, check out some of our favorites.

Geek gear

Pack Your (Laptop) Bags For a Weekend Getaway

Ever feel like a bag lady when you go on a weekend trip?

Ever feel like a bag lady when you go on a weekend trip? Usually there's one bag for your clothes and another lugging around your laptop. Thankfully we've found some overnight totes and carryalls with built-in laptop pouches to solve that unnecessary problem. Shop on, and pack 'em up for those Fridays when you just want to get away.

Geek gear

11 Tech Items to Consider For Your Wedding Registry

Technology may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your wedding registry, but the gifting possibilities go beyond traditional fine china, fancy flatware, and bedding.

Technology may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your wedding registry, but the gifting possibilities go beyond traditional fine china, fancy flatware, and bedding. If you depend on geeky gadgets on a day-to-day basis, feel free to add a few to your list. This isn't to say that you should go nuts at Best Buy scanning each and every dream gift, but it's important to include items that you genuinely want and need.

A good place to start: learn the proper registry protocol. Etiquette experts at Emily Post offer smart wedding registry rules to help you navigate the formalities. Anna Post confirms that it's perfectly OK to create a more unconventional registry with camping or tech items, but you should also provide guests with a more traditional list, too. Hoping to include some technology, but not sure where to start? Here are a few basic items to consider:

  • DSLR camera, like the Nikon D800
  • Laptop
  • iPad
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Record player, like this affordable Wood Turntable
  • iPod speakers
  • Blu-Ray player
  • Gaming system
  • Stereo system with surround sound
  • The Nest Thermostat
  • High-tech washer/dryer

Current and former brides-to-be: Did you include any technology on your registry? If so, which items? Share your suggestions in the comments below!