Merry Christmas and happy holidays, fair Unplggd readers! I'm Joelle Alcaidinho a writer based in New York, New York. I've been contributing to the site for several years and love technology, DIY, baking, and awesome design. When I am not writing for Unplggd, I am working as a Community Manager for Mixel, a social collage app for the iPad. For this year's Top Ten I tried to mix it up by including some items that you might not know I love, as opposed to filling it with items that many readers know I use every day and am obsessed with (oh hi, iPad).
My Smartphones:
I use both my iPhone 4 and Samsung Focus S running Windows Phone 7 daily. My primary handset is the iPhone 4 due to the better camera, Skype, iCal syncing, and Instagram. I use the Windows Phone for gaming, listening to podcasts (or should I say zunecasts?), and reading the updates of friends on various social networks. Since I do take many photos with my phone my next handsets will most likely be the iPhone 4S and Nokia Lumia 800.
Case Logic Carry-on Luggage:
I picked up this piece of luggage, attracted to it thanks to the bright colour, early in the year at CES. I travel fairly often and it has quickly become my favourite carry-on. This lightweight luggage has plenty of space for tech and even has a compartment in the front for easily siding your laptop in and out. I love the bright yellow colour and it has really held up well, especially considering how inexpensive it is.
Mint Plus Floor Cleaner:
I really dislike cleaning, but enjoy having clean floors. Living in a city, it is challenging to keep the floors tidy and this little robot has been a godsend. Returning the review unit of this happy little robot (it emits little ditties while it works) was something I was loathe to do and I am currently waging a campaign to have one given to me for Christmas.
Bodum Milk Whip:
I enjoy drinking hot chai but do not enjoy paying fancy prices for this tea. My solution has been to make the tea at home, and an integral part in getting it to taste like it came from a fancy coffee shop is to have bubbly milk. Since I don't own a milk frother or a fancy espresso machine with one attached, I heat the milk in a mug and then use this little device from Bodum to make it thick and bubbly.
Mimobot Flash Drives:
These two flash drives are usually either on my desk where I can see them or in my purse. They are adorable to look at and handy to use. If you're going to use a flash drive, might as well have one that is fun!
SodaStream Fizz:
I drink a lot of water and really love sparkling water. Living in a walk-up apartment means either lugging bottles of sparkling water up the stairs frequently or using an at-home soda maker like the Fizz. I love the Fizz, it is very useful for making sparkling water as well as flavoured drinks that I like to add gin to in order to make boozy punch.
Polaroid Sun 600:
While I do primarily shoot digital, there is just something magical about Polaroid instant film. I have had this camera for years and picked it up at second hand shop during undergrad. I keep my vintage Sun 600 well stocked with film from The Impossible Project.
Computers:
Every day I use my trusty MacBook Pro. I am very dependant on it and this 2011 model is my favourite version of the device to date. It has an anti-glare screen, clean uni-body design and a very long lasting battery. The Windows machine in my life that I am using more and more is a Samsung Series 9. This laptop is gorgeous and is very lightweight. The slick design of the Samsung makes the Pro look giant!
HEXBUG Nano:
These little bugs are the only bugs I want anywhere near my computer. I like to keep them near my desk so that when a bit of writer's block arises or I feel the need to procrastinate, I can turn them on and watch them move around my workspace.
Xbox 360 & Kinect:
While I would not consider myself much of a gamer, I do love the Xbox 360 and Kinect. They have brought hours of fun into my household and are now the backbone of my media centre. I stream Netflix and listen to music through the Xbox and it's the way I have decided to make my older TV "smart." In 2012 I hope to add an Apple TV into the mix to make getting content from my Mac and iOS devices even easier.
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Comments (5)
if you ever come across a Polaroid Sun 660 get it. I prefer it over the 600.
i really never understood the point of having 2 phones and 2 computers.... i would just dual boot the mac with windows.
@Witchbaby thanks... I will be on the lookout! I have had this camera for years and it has served be well but it is definitely finicky at times.
@alliebasii I was working on a piece about transitioning between smartphone operating systems and just keep both now because it's better on long days on a single charge. The iPhone 4 does not like iOS 5 battery life wise and if I use it as an iPod + phone I can only make it a few hours. I also like to keep my Mac and Windows worlds separate and it makes it easier for media streaming to the Xbox 360
Sorry I'm late to the party, catching up on old posts. You have very close to my fantasy set up. I'm just curious about the phones, do you set up one number to ring both phones with a google voice setting?
@Funstraw No, I honestly pretty much only use the Windows Phone on WiFi and throughout the day it serves as an "iPod" since my poor iPhone 4 just cannot cope with working as a phone AND a gaming hub AND a podcast dispensing machine. I found if I use it to listen to podcasts during my commute and make a few phones calls plus write a few tweets from the phone and snap a couple of photos, it is dead before it's time to head home :( Stinky part it is it was never like this before iOS 5, but yay iMessage and stuff.