Proporta and world renowned artist Ben Allen have just announced a new collaboration on two stunning hard shell protective cases for the Apple iPhone 4.

The range has been designed to add minimal bulk, but maximum style to your iPhone 4. Super tough and robust, the hard shell case comes in two stylish designs – Skull and Zebra. The British punk movement inspires the ‘Skull’ design whilst the ‘Zebra’ is Allen’s vision of the streets and the wild becoming one. Both are visually arresting, and are printed in high resolution on to super tough Proporta shells protecting against knocks and impact damage, whilst remaining soft and silky to the touch.

Ben Allen’s paintings have been exhibited in venues and galleries internationally as well as being purchased by celebrities including Richard Branson, Stephen Dorff, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, DJ Dan Williams and Jade Jagger.

Available from www.proporta.com priced at £24.95

When my dog takes me out for my evening walk, I like to listen to a bit of music. In the summer, it’s a doddle – iphone in pocket, headphones on, off we go. However, in the cooler months I’m constantly getting frustrated with the warm clothing v headphone cable issue. I’m fairly sure (hopeful?) that I can’t be the only person who struggles daily with ‘self-tangling headphone syndrome’ and when coupled with a warm cardigan or hoody with drawstrings, then it seems I’m just asking for trouble.

But it seems that help may be at hand.

Those ingenious chaps over at www.hoodiebuddie.com have come up with a novel idea that’s both stylish and practical. The HoodieBuddie combines HB3Technology (patent pending) and a hidden headphone jack that will plug into any standard device, such as iPod, iPhone, Mp3 player, radio etc. When the device is attached, you can listen to bangin’ choons, podcasts or the dulcet tones of Cliff Richard (if you really want to), the choice is completely yours. Not sounding too different to stowing your player or phone in your hoodie pouch so far? Well, the genius in this design is this: The headphones are built into the end of the drawstrings. Yes, really. No tangly headphones anymore. Bliss.

So they don’t tangle, they’re always attached to the garment, your device is hidden & best of all – it’s completely machine washable – and you don’t need to detach the headphones either. Brilliant.

The hoodiebuddie comes in a range of different designs and colours for both guys and girls, including Minne Mouse, logos patterns, and a bang on trend iconic Betty White range.  Prices range from $44-$50 (approx £28-32).

For those of us not in the USA, don’t worry, Hoodiebuddie.com will ship internationally; instructions are on their website along with a great offer of 10% off for Facebook friends. I don’t know about you but that’s certainly music to my ears!”

If you want to find out more about our guestblogger you can follow her on twitter @kittencaboodle

Long gone are the days when technology was considered purely functional, there to do the job in hand. Back in the dark ages (ok, the 90’s) mobile phones were bog-standard black or silver, and cases and shells were businessman dull. But as gadgets get smaller and sleeker, the accessories we buy to house them get ever *chic*-er, with high end designers such as Burberry, Chanel and Gucci all clamouring to clothe your beloved new iPad. Whatever make or model you champion, there’s a product out there to turn your geeky gadget into a symbol of style. But not all of us have the bank balance to match our fashionista cravings.

Step forward Cath Kidston. With her new collection of ‘Mini Gems’, accessories designed to fit your iPhone/Pod/Pad, Blackberry, or even Nintendo DSi Lite, all emblazoned with her signature, kitsch prints in numerous colour combos, gadgets will never feel naked again. And best of all, with change from a £20 note, they’re not getting  illicit angry calls from the bank manager. Who could resist?

I certainly couldn’t. A firm believer in styling my technology as I do myself (fairly well too, I might add!), I first opted around a year ago for the Mini Dot Nintendo DS Cover to add a touch of vogue to my sugar pink console.

Delighted with my purchase, and wanting to beautify my never-put-down iPhone, I recently purchased the Provence Rose Phone Case, a delicate floral print in warm pink oilcloth that hugs your phone tight, yet adds a touch of class. Utterly gorgeous, and so feminine.

Oh, and what more excuse to splurge on an iPad do I need than the prospect of wrapping it in the (slightly more expensive) Blue Mini Dot iPad Case? Hmm, time to count the pennies…

stylespylou x

To find out more about our guest blogger, check out stylespylou’s fashion and beauty blog at : http://stylespylou.blogspot.com/

If you luv getting a bargain and shopping in the sales then check out www.salesgossip.co.uk.  It’s a new funky website for all your Sales Updates for those of us who just love to shop!

We have all been there. You turn up at a shop only to realise that the sale has been on for 5 days and there is nothing decent left. If only you knew about it the first day it was on that would have been *SO* much better.

SalesGossip is the only service that will allow you to find out about ANY sale going on in your nearest high street as soon as it is on. L ondon is the city that is being focused on at the moment but  they will be expanding to a lot more – very soon.

It’s pretty exclusive too, in the first 6 months the number of subscribers is limited to 500. You can still go online and see the information but only you will receive the email and text alerts.

Subscribe

Just send an email to Iwant@salesgossip.co.uk with your name, email and mobile number and let them know whether you would like to receive email and text alerts (all free of charge). You can also let them know which are your favourite shops and brands so they can make sure they are covering them. Easy peasy!

What chick wouldn’t like to save 80% on Prada, Marc Jacobs and Chloe this season? What about up to 90% off pampering? Or a £60 shopping voucher for just a tenner. Me, me and more me!

Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry along with her business partner Vicky Zadeh, are set to launch their new business www.chiconomise.com , the one-stop shop to save girls money on all the things we like –  fashion, beauty, lifestyle and home.

With so many sample sales, high street sales, online sales and private shopping clubs, it can all get a bit much and mind boggling!  With so much choice, saving money can be a full time job, and for Chiconomise that’s exactly what they do, they do the hard work for you.

They trawl through every private fashion shopping club, all the sample sales and the new online saving concepts that not enough of us girls know about. They weed out the ones with the catches and explain what the deal is with the others.  They even work with some fab boutique brands to offer their readers exclusive deals on items guaranteed to get people talking.  Perfect!

For more details check out www.chiconomise.com