Are you like me and cannot be without your iPhone for any period of time? Call me nomophobic but ever since I started using smart phones I cannot imagine being disconnected for long periods of time. I’m constantly checking in, photographing, and catching up on the latest news everywhere I go. My iPhone 4 has been a faithful companion. It’s held up well over the years taking a fair amount of abuse, but I know sooner or later I’m going to drop it and with all that glass, it won’t take it well. I’m also not interested in upgrading quite yet either. In other words, my options are limited if I want to extend the life of my phone.

Having out of town friends and family visit can be a highlight of any holiday season. Create a comfortable and luxurious guest bedroom by starting with the basics and building from there. Once you have the foundation of your guest room you can tailor it for whoever is coming to stay.

Well it has been a good run but the stash has to go! I have raised my share for awareness of men’s health and prostate cancer (Thank you to all my donors). As this was my first year, I am very proud that I was able to contribute to this cause.

If you’re in the market to upgrade your smartphone, then this is the time of the year to get your geek on.  All the major players in the mobile market have come to the table with faster, sleeker and more powerful devices. This struggle for the top spot between the companies means consumers get more out of their hard earned dollars. Along with Apple, Samsung and Nokia, HTC has given their newly updated HTC One X+ an overhaul, which puts it on the “must have list” for smartphones.

At first glance, you may not notice much of a difference. The One X+ has the same dimensions, a 4.7-inch screen and virtually the same weight as its predecessor.  What’s changed with the design is the new rubberized grip - which I prefer (I hate being a butterfingers).  To me, the device feels more comfortable to hold and you’re much less likely to drop it than before.   

The most significant difference the HTC One X+ offers is a considerably faster processor.  I was pleased with how quickly I could move through the operating system and how the apps opened so swiftly.  If you’re a multitasker looking to switch between and run multiple apps simultaneously, this little gizmo will be your new best friend, move over hair straightener!

With the new addition of Proctor & Gamble products online, you can now shop for your favourite brands, like Oral B, Crest, Clairol, and Oil of Olay, all from bestbuy.ca. I got the opportunity to try out a selection of P&G products and since one of my many jobs during my university years was in skincare and makeup, I know what it takes to get fresh faced and party ready for the Holidays!

Apps are an amazing way to keep kids entertained. I think the best part of apps (and having an iPad) is that there are literally thousands of new apps to choose and new ways to play, so there’s something new for your child to pick from almost every day.

If you’re a regular gamer, you know how easy it can be to burn through your keyboard. Frantically clicking away, pulling it onto your lap, and slamming it back onto your desk, all of these things take their toll on an average keyboard. The Logitech G710 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard however, is not your average keyboard.

Video chatting is quickly getting traction and becoming the ideal way to communicate amongst the tech-savvy. Whether it is with friends and family from overseas, or right at home, applications like Skype and FaceTime are fun ways to stay in touch. I even saw a kid the other day at the grocery store FaceTiming with his mother to make sure he was buying the right kind of lettuce. If you’re a regular video chatter, it might be worthwhile to invest in a better webcam.

The Logitech Broadcaster is a wireless webcam with many cool features, which makes it more than just your average webcam. You get sharper precession and colour through the Broadcaster’s HD 720p video. Whether you are streaming or recording, your videos will be more vibrant and smooth, without the dreaded blurriness. There’s also an illumination lamp for when you’re trying to record small details. You can easily stream video to a live audience; with the touch of a button, you can instantly connect to Ustream, which is a free video streaming service. Also, you have the ability to work with the Broadcast apps on your Mac, iPad or iPhone to control your broadcast. The Broadcaster is more than just a webcam, it’s great for recording video too. Since it’s wireless, you have no restrictions. With the HD video, your footage will be crystal clear. The Broadcaster also works cohesively with all the essential picture and video apps on your Mac. This includes QuickTime, Photo Booth, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, FaceTime, iChat and Skype. Whether you want to connect with out-of-towners, or bring out your inner Steven Spielberg, the Broadcaster is equipped to meet all your needs.

Hurricane Sandy may have postponed the big event but Google did release the latest Nexus devices -- small, medium and large -- equipped with the new Android system.

The long awaited Nexus 4 smartphone, the recently released 7-inch Nexus tablet and the new Nexus 10 tablet will all be running Jelly Bean, the new Android 4.2 operating system.

About two years ago I discovered the magic of Bluetooth. After an hour long drive to my parent’s house for a visit, I pulled my car into the driveway, disconnected the AUX cable I had attached to my iPhone, and miraculously, iTunes continued to play through my car speakers. I was in awe. It was pretty epic. I immediately looked to social media to share my miraculous discovery with others, only to very quickly be told, “um, Stace? That’s called Bluetooth. You know, that thing you paid extra for to have installed in your car?” Riiiight. But still, the whole Bluetooth thing is pretty cool. As is Wi-Fi. Especially when it comes to listening to music. 

As much as I love the holidays, there are always a few sleepless nights tossing and turning trying to figure out what to get those “P” people on my shopping list.  The “P” people are the picky, practical and the probably-got- it.

On my list, the picky people are the teenagers in my life that I buy for.  It seems no matter what, I can’t seem to find the right size, colour or style to meet their demands.  Almost every year, my hours of wandering through the mall are pointless as my gift selections are returned the week after Christmas.  This year I have a lock on a return-proof gift that is sure to bring a genuine smile to their face and keep one less person out of the return line, wireless headphones. 

Wireless headphones have just started to become a must have electronic accessory for any teenager who wants to stay connected to their tunes without the tangle of a cord.  My top picks for wireless headphones are down below. I have a feeling no matter what choice I make, I can’t go wrong.

On December 7th, Nintendo is ready to re-introduce the Nintendo Wii in a sleek, reduced package.  One of gaming's best-selling consoles of alltime in its original form, the Wii Mini is ready to hit shelves just in time for the holidays with a $99.99 price tag.  Come take the first look at the newly redesigned Wii Mini!

I can’t say I’ve ever been a burn water type of girl. I think it would go against my genetic code if I couldn’t make a decent pasta sauce or the perfect omelet by the time I was 13. I still enjoy baking more than cooking on most days, but I’ve discovered a little secret that really makes cooking a lot more fun and productive.

Good cookware is really the starting point for everything. More than good recipe, more than just having the right ingredients – If you don’t have a decent set of cookware, anything you try to fry or boil could end up sticking, burning, or gluing itself to your pans and not your plate. In short, it won’t turn out quite right (or even worse, it could end up in the waste bin).

Converting your TV to a Smart TV has now been made even easier with NetGear’s new NEO TV Streaming Player. There are quite a number of ways to make your TV a Smart TV, as you can see in an article I posted a little while back, but NetGear’s NEO TV one of the least expensive and easiest ways to do it.

The magical world of Hogwarts and J. K. Rowling's beloved storytelling have returned to your Playstation 3 with Wonderbook: The Book of Spells, and it might just be neatest addition to a budding Wizard's collection.  Check it out!