At the risk of sounding a little bit nutso, we definitely think there is an art to packing the ultimate beach bag. If you can pack it up with essentials and still keep it light, then you've got the knack.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm an absolute gadget junkie. When I travel, I have to dedicate an entire bag just for my electronics (MacBook, various portable hard drives, iPod, digital camera, digital video camera, GameBoy DS, chargers for all of the above).

But as much as I love gadgets, I hate gadgets that look like gadgets. You know what I'm talking about, cold, bland, corporate. What's worse, if you happen to have a lot of like minded friends, a night out can end in a game of "which BlackBerry is mine?" because they all look the same!

For me, geek chic is all about breaking the stereotype that geek = boring. This is where Skinit.com comes in. Skinit offers a way to both protect (from scratches and scuffs anyway) and add a touch of personality and pizazz to your cell phone, MP3 player or laptop. Most major brands and models are represented and each skin is custom cut for each device. You can even get a customized skin for your Guitar Hero guitar. Talk about geek chic!

Prices range from about $15 - $30 US and you can either design your own skin or use one of the hundreds of themed options. I've used Skinits skins in the past and they are not only easy to put on, when you do decide to take them off, they don't leave any residue on the device itself.

I just ordered two skins for my BlackBerry Curve, Gonzo from The Muppets and something pink to match the rubberized gel case I have already. If you don't want to lose your phone or iPod in the crowd, and want something geeky to match - check out Skinit.

I think I may have to change careers tomorrow. If it's possible for the house of Givori to explode its arts and crafts supplies box all over a Nokia 8800 cell phone and sell the bejeweled aftermath for $3,100.

Givori's 'Serendipity' collection is made up handcrafted pieces that feature vintage 1930s and 1940s intaglio Czech stones sprinkled with tiny specks of Aventurine gold. Each piece is individually numbered so that if you accidentally buy one -- I say "accidentally" because no one would intentionally buy one of these, right? -- you'll be assured that your piece is unique.

[via: Engadget]

Is it over yet? Seriously. Are we iOver all the iHype for the iPhone?

iHopeso. And if not, perhaps there is something that can convince you otherwise.

The LG Shine has a 2 megapixel camera with flash, 1 gig embedded memory, an mp3 player and all the other usual cellphone contents. Of course, the best thing about the Shine is that it has a super shiny sliding cover that can double as a mirror.

Because you know if the one characteristic that's going to make or break your decision to buy a cell phone, it's whether or not you can use it to apply lip gloss.

[via: Boored at Work]

It isn't funny, it isn't cute, and your friends aren't joking when they tell you it makes them want to puncture their eardrums -- so just admit it, your ringtone sucks. In fact, every time it goes off while we're together, I'm embarrassed to be seen with you.

Fortunately, now I can fight back. Emotive, a southern California technology company, just got $7.7 million in funding from a bunch of investors to create a device that can override your ringtone with one of my own choosing. That's right, the "Push Ringer" lets me make your phone sound however I want.

While I could be nice and make your phone ring with stuff I think you'd like, thanks to your flagrant trespasses against good taste with that God-awful "My Humps" ringtone you think is so damn amusing, I'll be forcibly serenading you with "The Thong Song," Paris Hilton's "Stars Are Blind" or Alanis Morisette tunes. Ha! Isn't that ironic?

In all seriousness, obnoxious ringtones are not only irritating, they make you look tacky. Do yourself a favor, and change it -- before someone else does it for you.

Last month, Deidre mentioned the new cell phone from LG that will be all dolled up in ooh la lada Prada. Well, with all the hype over the iPhone a few weeks ago, it's now fun to take a peek at what the LG/Prada phone looks like with its touch-screen technology. While I am now a little "over" the all-black of Prada handbags and its little easily fake-able logo, instead of the usual upside-down triangle Prada logo, the phone simply has "Prada" in all caps on the face. Engadget has all the tech specs, but we just love that the phone's gorgeous black sleekness goes with our Chanel Black Satin manicure. The picture after the jump has a view of the phone's interface.

With the amount of time we spend with the things attached to our ears, it's no wonder that cell phones have become a way to make a fashion statement. Like designers, cell phone manufacturer Nokia is introducing a series of models as "a collection," the latest editions called L'Amour Collection, which will be released this fall.

The L'Amour Collection phones are sleek in their physical design (thin and lightweight), and are embellished with leather-like finishes, ceramic tiling, and artwork that looks tribal on the black/brown phone, and romantic in the powder pink and amber phones. According to CNet, while the phones are fashionable on the outside, what makes them attractive is their full feature functionality on the inside. The Nokia 7390 (pictured) can play mp3 and mp4 music formats, has a 3 megapixel camera and a VGA camera for video calling and self portraits.

And since the Nokia L'Amour phones are GSM triband, it's perfect for your globe-trotting, jet-setting lifestyle.