I’m super stoked on a couple new gadgets I’ve picked up recently, and I thought now would be a great time to do a product review with some photos!

First up, the Amazon Kindle. This device has singlehandedly rekindled (ha ha) my love of reading. Yes, I realize there is an Apple iPad coming out. I’m not concerned. The reason why I chose the Amazon Kindle is for one purpose: reading books.

The e-ink is amazing, and it is EXACTLY like reading a book. It looks exactly like ink on paper, but with a thin protective cover over it. This is why I will not be using an iPad for reading. Yes, I may use it for web surfing, but not for reading. I do not want to read on a backlit screen when I have to sit at work all day looking at a computer screen.

The device itself is gorgeous. It’s extremely light… lighter than a paperback book. Unlike a normal book where you need two hands to hold the pages open, I can read my Kindle with one hand. After reading for 8 hours straight, this is a huge benefit. I love the design of the Kindle.

The back is also really pretty, with brushed metal and a little bit of rubber for non-slip. I should note that this is the 2nd Generation Kindle, but it is not the Kindle DX. The Kindle DX is bigger and harder to hold in one hand… it’s better used for magazine/newspaper reading. Also — the Kindle is hooked up to 3G Wireless in Canada, so you can buy a book wirelessly no matter where you are. There is no data plan or package you have to buy… simply load up the Amazon store on the device and buy a book, and be reading within 30 seconds!

Since I purchased my Kindle a couple months ago, I’ve read 16 books and read over 13,000 pages (yes, the Wheel of Time series is long and took up a lot of that page count). The Kindle is also VERY thin. I bought a Flexstand Bookstand from M-Edge (pictured here) so that I can read it in bed or while eating without having to hold it up. I highly recommend this accessory.

Here’s a photo of all the accessories I have for my Kindle. I bought a pink leather sleeve for protection, a New Yorker leather cover for traveling or when out or about (it hooks into the Kindle deftly so it can’t fall out), and the Flexstand Bookstand. All from M-Edge Accessories.

Needless to say, I’m in LOVE with my Kindle. If you’re a book reader, I would say it is a MUST buy at only $250. After buying 10 books, you will have saved yourself back the cost of your device since e-books are only $5-10 compared to $10-30 for physical books. You. Will. Love. It.

Next up… my new Blackberry Bold 9700. I’ve tried so many different phones, from Nokia to different Blackberries and yes, even the iPhone. But Blackberry just does it right. Everything about a Blackberry is perfect for the type of user that I am. I am completely in love with this phone.

It’s fast, the new trackpad is great compared to the trackball, and the new OS is incredible. I love the new features. The new Blackberry Messenger is much improved, and since 60% of all my friends have Blackberries, it’s the perfect and quick way to communicate with most of my friends.

It’s really small and light. The new grippy back is a nice feature as well. I upgraded from my Curve 8900 to the 9700, and it’s not a huge difference. The 3G is a really great upgrade, and the new OS is too.

There are now tons of apps for the Blackberry, and Blackberry World is very slick. From budget software to games, I haven’t found anything lacking on the Blackberry that I’ve wished for that was on the iPhone. And the keyboard is a big plus. I can type faster than any iPhone user and much, much more accurately. Yes! I challenge you to a type-off. But seriously, I find typing on my phone an absolute pleasure. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a phone, is in my new Blackberry Bold.

So that’s it folks! My new gadgets. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

I’ve been so busy lately I’ve barely had time to breathe! So far my “week off” has turned into a whirlwind of phone interviews, in-person interviews, errands, cooking, working out, being behind the camera at photoshoots, setting up my new Blackberry Curve 8900, going skating, finalizing some organizational details for the Big White trip, and getting ready for the Sun Peaks trip this Friday. Phew! And it’s only Tuesday.

So yes — I did pick up a new Blackberry Curve 8900. I made the switch to Rogers from Fido. It was a necessary move. So far I love the new Blackberry. I think it is actually nicer than the Blackberry Bold… MUCH easier to type on. It doesn’t have the 3G but the nicer screen, camera, and slim form of the phone make up for it by far. And it’s miles above the old Blackberry Curve I had for a while. It actually kinda feels nice to have a personal Blackberry instead of a work Blackberry for once If anyone out there is on Blackberry, feel free to add my PIN to your BBerry Messenger: 24A3C393!

In other news, my photography portfolio finally arrived from Blurb. I’m really happy with the way it turned out, as with the other books I’ve done through them. The new ImageWrap cover is really nice, and I love the large landscape format. The pictures came out super crisp and gorgeous, and not grainy at all (it may look so in the image but that is from my camera being at a high ISO taking a picture of the book, not the actual pictures in the book ). If on the off chance you’d like to order my 184 page portfolio, you can do so here.

I did want to talk a little bit about the new photography book I’ve put together.

It’s called “West Coast“. The book explores the beauty and wildness that is the West Coast that we know and love — all the way from Tofino to Vancouver to Washington, Oregon, and California. The book is a large format landscape which is 13 by 11 inches (much larger than a standard book or piece of paper), and comes with premium heavy weight glossy paper. Note that this on not the same as my portfolio above. This book is strictly West Coast photography.

I thought I’d throw it out there in case anyone would like to help throw a couple extra coins at me in this tough times. I’m not in a bad situation by any means, but every little bit helps! I would really appreciate it. I only make about $20 off each book but even that would help a lot. It also makes a BEAUTIFUL coffee table book, or a nice book to have at your desk at work. And it shows you love where we live!

To help me out and purchase my West Coast photography coffee table book, please click the link below to go to the Blurb bookstore.

West Coast

Exploring the Beau…

By Allie

Book Preview

Thank you! Sorry for the shameless self-promotion.

Well, my interviews continue this week and maybe next, so I will be sure to update everyone on my job situation of course. Thanks to all of you for your kind comments, and also some of the nice e-mails I’ve gotten. You really brighten my day