Fashion & Finance: Trendy tech accessories

[IMGCAP(1)]A few weeks ago I wrote briefly about a project I was working on for my local Goodwill. I am really proud of the results and wanted to send you to my firm’s “Freed Style” blog to take a look at what I came up with.

Check out “Style for Success: Make a Difference with Your Spring Fashion.” Hope you enjoy my interpretation of some of the hot spring trends, all purchased from one of my local Goodwill retail stores for under $20, and for a great cause. What treasures one can find at their local Goodwill or thrift shop!

On another note, I finally caught up with the rest of the mobile-savvy crowd and upgraded my BlackBerry to an iPhone last week. I had been putting it off for a while, largely due to the high full retail prices I had been seeing on my provider’s website. I also had not had the time to get around to comparison shopping, crowd sourcing, and researching better deals on the web to find the best price.

So, now with my upgrade finally complete (thanks to my “new every two” cellular plan), I am happily exploring the ways of the iPhone, which are not dissimilar to my iPad at home. An “a-ha” moment for me! This stuff all works just about the same way, so user-friendly, so fun—the apps, the games—I can’t put it down! Suffice to say, I am in love with my new tech toy, and feeling even better connected to work and life than I was before.

Another great thing about my iPhone is that I can buy accessories to go along with it! Now they’ve really got me…SOLD!

While browsing the web I have found many of my favorite designers, like Diane Von Furstenberg, Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs, all have fun accessories to go along with tech toys like laptops, mobile phones and other Apple products. It’s these accessories that can be incorporated into your work life, to add a little personality into your everyday professional style.

Overstock.com has a great selection of well-priced phone accessories for iPhones, Droids and more. From bright and colorful to bedazzled and poppy prints, this website has lots to choose from to make your personality shine through.

The site also offers some great laptop cases, from very traditional-looking rich, luxurious leathers, to bright colors, neons, and cheery prints and solids. Designer Kate Spade also offers up some very quirky and girlish laptop cases to show off your sweet side. One of my favorites includes this Keyboard design in bright red. Check out her iPhone cases as well; their pop-art prints and bright colors are a refreshing new look for your phone this spring.

The iPad is quite useful for tasks like browsing the web, reading PDFs, checking out ebooks and white papers, and more. Many CPAs are starting to use iPads for many reasons, including business development, giveaways and client meetings.

Zappos.com is a great website with so much more than just footwear. The site has an eclectic selection of iPad cases for every personal style.

One of my favorites is this cross functional Tumi Alpha - Companion bag, available in two classic colorways. It will fit your iPad, a small laptop and a few other things you may need while on the go. Tumi is also a well-known luggage manufacturer, providing quality goods for travel, so check out their website to see what’s new.

Last but not least, make sure to check out Bloomingdales for an entire section dedicated to tech accessories. I saw so many things that I loved, from many different designers at all price points. Also, keep in mind that Bloomingdales often has great sales online, so keep checking back to see what’s been marked down and what promotions are currently going on.

For my next blog post, it’s a look at Mad Men style! One of my favorite shows comes back for a fifth season on Sunday, March 25 at 9PM EST, and I’ll be taking a look at some of the ’60s styles that can translate well to an up-to-date office look.

Emily Alexandria Burns is a State University of New York Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and started her career in New York City working for companies including Giorgio Armani Le Collezioni, Christian Dior and Jones Apparel Group. She is now e-marketing communications specialist for Freed Maxick & Battaglia CPAs in Buffalo, N.Y., and recently named the Association for Accounting Marketing's 2011 "Rookie of the Year." Follow her on Twitter @FreedMaxickPR or email her at emily.burns@freedmaxick.com.