Sometimes you've gotta see things to believe them, and that's definitely the case with these hilarious throwback tech ads. Think: naked guy selling an Apple computer and the Bee Gees popping out of a cassette tape — yeah, they're that good. Some will make you laugh, others will make you scratch your head, and they're all in good fun. Click on to see what life was like way back then, when phrases like "electronic mail" were still a mystery.
A case that magically shrinks an SLR camera into compact size? Non non, mon cheri! C'est un trompe l'oeil iPhone 5 case that borrows the retro appeal of a vintage camera bag complete with space molded for a lens. The iLuv iPhone 5 Case ($55), made of a faux leather exterior and soft microsuede interior is paired with a removable strap, perfect to use when channeling a photography walk along the Seine.
As for that lens pocket, it's actually storage for earbuds or a Lightning connector. Fashionable iPhoneographers à gogo!
Since the holidays are all about tradition and nostalgia, it only seems fitting to give retro-inspired gadget gifts to the techies on your shopping list. We've rounded up audio, iPhone, and laptop accessories that take after the most stylish eras of the past century. Opt for these modern accessories with a vintage twist, and give a different kind of sentimental gift this holiday season.
For those who have spent time wondering what the floppy drives of yesterday are doing today, here's your answer: eight of them formed a band and went into the business of covering classic movie theme songs. Created by Anand Jain, the antiquated computer-storage solutions get new life as upcycled musicians. If you ain't afraid of no ghosts, groove to the floppy drives' version of the Ghostbusters theme below.
Originally built in 1895, the Blackgang Mission Hall was restored four years ago through Vintage Vacations and is now available for weekend or weekly rental. Located on Blythe Shute, just outside the village of Chale on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight, it's a fun option for adventurous travelers looking for something a bit outside of the ordinary in terms of lodging.
This rental property features double mezzanine bedrooms and can sleep up to eight people. The main hall's large bathroom features a sunken bath placed in what was once the baptismal font. The kitchen is a restored 1950s-era English Rose model, and in the original Sunday school wing of the building, there are two more bedrooms, a second bath, and access to a decked courtyard and raised garden. Come explore this funky-chic vacation spot!
This season of Mad Men has sadly ended, and we're longing for the cool style of the show. Luckily, interior designer Susan Manrao is helping us to forget our sadness over the season finale by sharing some great decorating tips in the Mad Men style. Keep reading for all of her fabulous tips!
Eva Mendes had her hands full during a shopping spree in LA, but she still managed to look stylish in her retro-inspired outfit: a daisy-print blouse by Asos ($40, originally $58), which she tied at the front, with a high-waisted, knee-length denim skirt, Christian Louboutin wedge espadrilles, and her go-to blue Thierry Lasry sunglasses. If you've been hiding that vintage denim skirt in the back of your closet, allow Eva to be your inspiration for bringing it back out and putting it to good use. Grab any of your button-down blouses, roll up the sleeves, tie it at the bottom, and pair it with equally cute espadrilles for a fabulous summery retro vibe. To get started, shop similar pieces below.
Retro, pastel-tipped sunglasses were big on the Spring runways at Prada and Rochas, so in today's DIY, we're showing you how to make your own! It's really simple — all you need are some cat-eye sunglasses, pastel nail polish, and a sharpie. Watch on to see just how easy it is to re-create this look. On Allison McNamara: BCBG Max Azria dress.
If we weren't so used to gaming on large and colorful smartphone screens, you bet we'd still be playing a Game Boy on the daily commute. Now we can have the best of both modern and retro worlds with these Game Boy and video game controller iPhone cases from Yamamoto Industries, purveyors of everything cool in Japanese electronic accessories. Even better? They're currently on sale through JackThreads. Check out the gear in the slideshow.
In the days of cell phones and video chat, there's not much of a reason to keep a rotary telephone around other than its vintage good looks. A new project called the Rotobooth is repurposing those antique devices of yore in a way that is so 2012: a text message-sending photo booth.
Rotobooth users dial their mobile numbers the old-school way with long winds around the rotary phone located below the camera lens. Creators of Rotobooth hacked the phone with an Arduino microcontroller, so that once a photo is taken, it's sent to Flickr, and the user then receives a text message link to that photo on whatever number was dialed on the rotary phone.
This retro take on a modern digital photo booth was actually part of a hacking session at Twilio, a cloud-based texting company, and was used to send text message photo links to those smiling for the Rotobooth camera. Go, hackers!
Photo: Flickr User mauxfaux
