I admit it. I am crazy about my iPhone. It is probably – even more than my computer – my most prized possession. Materialistic, I know.

Until IMakeMyCase, the extent of personalization of the über cool lifestyle tool in question went as far as our capacity to choose between the white or the black unit, and then to choose between an array of equally generic (and enormously overpriced) protective cases. I made a real big statement when I chose a clear one.

But now there is IMakeMyCase to the rescue. Just launched this past week at CES and produced in Atlanta by Case-Mate, with IMakeMyCase, you can now create your very own iPhone case based on the very cool design elements offered by designers like Chuck Anderson, Matt W. Moore and Shadow Chen, among others.

Choose an artist then go play with backgrounds and layered graphics and see what you come up with. Be warned: this is a highly addictive process.

Your finished design (or one already created by the artists) will cost you $39.99 with free shipping if you choose the regular USPS shipping option. The website says that they will start shipping at the end of January.

Here’s what I came up with. Hey. I’m still working on it but it’s a vast improvement over what I have now.

So, it’s snowing shovel-fulls here.  Makes me want to put on some chains. But not for my tires. I’m thinking chains for my boots. With snow, slush and cold limiting the range of wearable (practical) footware, I’m already growing tired of wearing my boots, every.single.day. I thought it would be liberating and fun to change the look of said boots with these “shoe jewelry” pieces by Litter SF.

Litter SF was launched out of San Francisco by two sisters, Mackensie & Rachel. They also design body and head jewelry (no, not for piercings), with very avant-garde styling, also made with vintage and found chains and other metal findings. If I was still in my 20’s, I’d definitely wear one of these little chain garter numbers. But, for now, I’ll be happy to dress up my shoes.

You can order the Litter SF pieces online through any one of the links provided above.

I’m not a scotch drinker – and perhaps, neither are you – but I am an admirer of creative, brilliantly executed advertising. So, I thought I’d share this remarkable advertisement for Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey.

It stars Robert Carlyle who delivers an incredible six minutes monologue in a single take, while interacting with various props lined up along his (must be) mile-long walk as he recounts the history of the Johnnie Walker brand.

“The Man Who Walked Around The World” is truly a masterful production that demonstrates some agencies still know how to make a brilliant commercial with impeccable craftsmanship and storytelling skill…” — AdWeek

Impeccable.  I hope you enjoy it.

By Shari Bonnin, Contributing Editor

You know how most of your friends and family just don’t get you and your internet “thing” and have no idea how involved you are or how big it’s gotten? Kirsten Wright and moi, Shari Bonnin have designed a t-shirt (in hot pink or turquoise) with the catchphrase “I’m a pretty big deal on the internet™”.

You know you’re a pretty big deal when your blog, Facebook fan page and your Twitter account have so many followers you’ve stopped counting. When you’ve had so many Etsy sales you can’t believe it’s just you at your kitchen table. When you have so many comments on Facebook or your blog that you can’t even imagine who all these people are. Yeah, you know who you are.

So, I totally know that The Succulent Wife’s blog is not usually a vehicle for self-promotion, but she actually MADE me add this post… She thinks the tees are irresistible (her words) and a great gift idea for many of the women she knows in this internet “space”. It is a pretty clever t-shirt, if I do say so myself…

Well then, you should know that these tees are initially selling as a pre-paid order.  So you can go to the shop at shopbonnin.etsy.com and order the shirt in hot pink or turquoise for $25 which also includes shipping. Once 50 are ordered, the entire order will be processed, and yours will be delivered to you. Our goal is by the beginning of February. The more you tell your friends, the more we sell, the faster everyone gets the shirt. So Twitter it. Blog it. We’d love it. You’re a Big Deal, aren’t you?

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. If I were, by now, I’d have no more than 10% body fat, I’d be able to do the Dwi Pada Sirsasana yoga posture, I would meditate 30 minutes every single day, I’d never ever raise my voice at my kids, I’d send birthday cards, on time… But since I’ve liberated myself of the concept of New Years’ resolutions years ago, I have accomplished none of these things.

However, clearing clutter has been a general resolution that I’ve kept up with very nicely (I’m even a little overzealous). And, should that be on your resolutions list this year, here’s a suggestion for an easy start: Clear the type of clutter that hinders web page readability (and productivity if you’re at work). The aptly named Readability tool is a browser add-on that allows you to get rid of all the “noise” on any web page at the simple click of a button. Really.

Go here to get the Readability tool (free) and to choose the settings for your preferred reading layout style (newspaper?), font size and margin width and drag the “readability” button to your browser’s bookmark toolbar et voilà. Gone are all the dancing avatars that hawk cheap insurance rates and distract from important page content. My husband loves it. He calls it Tivo for the web.

You can even do it on my site – if you absolutely have to.

Sooooo perfect! Couldn’t have said it better. Really, I couldn’t have.

Here’s the behind-the-scene process on how JibJab’s team got this done. Phew! No little process but totally worth it for our entertaining pleasure!

Only good cheer to you in 2010!

Because, chances are, you still have an overflow of unconsumed candy canes in your house:

I love her outfit, earrings especially. And, if you were ever curious about the “history” of the candy cane, you can find out all about it here and on Wikipedia, of course.

Happy Boxing Day to all fellow Canadians!