Before we had laptops, macbooks, mobile phones and iPads, we had the humble typewriter, which I now collect.

Check out some delicious photos and think back to the days before the DELETE key! Remember carbon paper, white out/liquid paper and replacing the ink ribbon.

Read more about the history of typewriters from Wikipedia and Inventors.about.com.

The Classic Typewriter page has some good history too, dating the concept of a typewriter back to 1714. Typewriter enthusiast, Darryl Rehr, has a lot of good historical information on his site, The First Typewriter, as does the TypewriterMuseum and ideafinder.com websites (includes books and links).

Luscious Lifer, Trisha Lynch, has pointed out that the QWERY keyboard was created to help slow down the process so we've found this site for more information.

MyTypewriter.com has some interesting content about famous authors and their typewriters, eg. Jack Kerouac, Harper Lee, Agatha Christie, Joan Didion, Ian Fleming, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and Margaret Mitchell.

See more pictures from our Mad Men photo gallery

See more pix in our antique typewriter photo gallery.

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My close friends know that I am as far from tech-savvy as one can be. I have friends on call for computer-caused meltdowns and am often laughed at for my struggle to cope with my brick of a Nokia.

In fact, it was only one month ago I decided to replace my ten-year-old laptop (yes ten-year-old!) after my man asked “What is that hole for?” – it was for a floppy disc. At that moment, I realised my laptop was the equivalent of a tape deck.

That said, if ever there was a time to make myself a little more gadget-glamorous, 2010 might just be it. Here is my wish list – which I am sure all my friends are hoping I do not indulge in:

TomTom GO 730 GPS Navigator
I have a terrible sense of direction, so I have been told. Maybe a new man named TomTom could help luscious ladies’ lack of orientation.
Pro: Arriving somewhere on time
Con: Not finding any tucked-away coffee shop gems! 

TiVo set top box
Records programmers, cuts out ads, and has slow motion play back.
Pro: Slow motion for my Fashion TV addiction
Con: Another remote to lose

DJ Hero
New computer game available from JB HiFi
Pro: I’ve never been a winner on Sing Star, but I’m feeling confident I could mix up a storm spinning some songs on this new game!
Con: I’d probably never go out on a Saturday night again!

Nintendo DSi
They also have a camera, a touch screen, voice recognition and are available in pink.
Pro: Great brain gym to get your mind working in the morning
Con: I am far too old

Mirror televisions
More commonly found in the bathrooms of luxurious hotels, they are equipped with high definition technology, digital tuners and touch screens.
Pro: I would get to see the news before heading to work
Con: Eye make up malfunctions due to distraction

Teac SRL985D dual iPod dock
Play one while charging the other…genius!
Pros: One less fight in a relationship
Con: I would have to buy another iPod

PIC-1000 Polaroid
The Polaroid makes a comeback in the digital age with instant prints and age-old technology!
Pro: Instant
Con: No back up file

 
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There is a new it-girl on the fashion scene, and she isn’t your stereotypical stiletto wearing, fake-tan sporting, superficial mistress of couture. She is a thirteen-year-old blogger from the suburbs of Chicago that the fashion world has gone out of its way to court.

Tavi Gevinson describes herself as a “tiny thirteen-year-old dork that sits inside all day wearing awkward jackets and pretty hats”.

That said, she has graced the cover of Pop magazine, been interviewed by Pixie Geldoff in Love magazine, and sat front row at this season’s biggest fashion shows with celebrities and editor’s seated behind her.

High profile designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte have even made her their muse; with Tavi posting photos of their studio and helping them present their line after the sisters contacted Tavi after following their blog.

Tavi’s blog was originally thought to be a fake set up by fashion insiders due its incredible insights. She took a week off school to attend New York Fashion Week, her father having to wait outside each event while she was welcomed in.

She uploaded her thoughts on the New York shows to Pop’s website – her first foray into paid fashion journalism, “For one week I was in a utopia full of people who can recognise that my jacket is from Luella and appreciate that I stuck an upside-down doll in its chest pocket,” she wrote.

Original and with a sharp and curious eye, this girl is one to watch.

Check out Tavi’s blog at www.tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com which now diverts to: www.thestylerookie.com.

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Photo: Designer Yohji Yamamoto poses with blogger Tavi Gevinson before the Y-3 Spring 2010 Fashion Show, New York

iPhone devotees have yet another reason to celebrate!

Our favourite nail polish company, OPI, has created an app to help solve the difficult dilemma of picking the perfect shade of nail polish.

 

Armin Heinrich’s  “I Am Rich” circa 2008, has to be one of the most bizarre (and yet clever) iPhone apps.

Manufactured digitally for the Apple iPhone, the work of art originally sold for $999.99 and displays a glowing ruby-like light and the words I Am Rich.

Open it and it will load which Heinrich calls a secret mantra that may help you to "stay rich, healthy, and successful."

Basically, the red icon on your iPhone or iPod touch always reminds you (and others when you show it to them) that you were able to afford this.

Making the app even more valuable was the fact that Apple took it down from its iTunes App Store only days after it launched. Only eight copies were ever sold.

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CNN: "Facebook gripes protected by free speech, ruling says" by Rich Phillips
A former Florida high school student who was suspended by her principal after she set up a Facebook page to criticize her teacher is protected constitutionally under the First Amendment, a federal magistrate ruled. Read more.

The Age: “Down to business: new users tap into social media” by Peter Munro
TELSTRA was first to take the plunge, allowing its 40,000-plus workers to tweet (almost) at will. Myer, too, has jumped in online, thanking its 1932 Facebook fans for their patience during recent store renovations in Melbourne. Now Cricket Australia is dipping into online social media, launching a branded Facebook page and Twitter site for national vice-captain Michael Clarke. Read more.

SmartCompany: "Google Buzz panned by SEO, IT experts" by Patrick Stafford
Google's new "Buzz" social networking feature has been panned by SEO experts and industry analysts, who have questioned the project's relevance. Read more.

The Age: "Social networking face-off as over-55s catch up and teenagers log off" by Deborah Gough and Sarah Whyte
AS YOUNGER generation Y users are turning away from Facebook, their grandparents are filling their places on the social networking site. Read more.

Mashable via CNN: "Why Twitter is shunning celebrities" by Pete Cashmore ( Mashable)
Microblogging service Twitter made two major changes in the past week, betting that users are more interested in following their friends, interests and local chatter than in keeping track of celebrities and mainstream news. Read more.

HubSpot: "New Research: Top 10 Ways Buyers Find Professional Services Providers" by Jeanne Hopkins
While B2B buyers use a variety of sources to identify and learn more about professional services providers, three of the top 10 ways are online -- on your website (58%), through an Internet search (55%) or through an industry website article or story (53%). Read more.

 
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A quick article here by Nicky Phillips in "The Age" about a new study which has found that well-adjusted young people are more likely to use social networking sites.

"Most parents who are worried that their children spend a lot of time on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace can relax."

Read the rest of the article. Or learn more about social networking.

More articles to consider:

• "How Does Social Networking Help Children?" - SurfNetParents
• "The top seven social networking sites for kids" - The Times Online (UK)

And whilst you're at it, keep up to date with the development of Luscious, or post links or comments by becoming a fan on Facebook.

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As a girl who works with a bunch of IT boys on a daily basis, we found this video appropriate to share with the wider Luscious community. It's so true. Which is not good for people who are not luscious ladies. Or are the boss. Sad but true.

And as the boys have circulated this vid around the office themselves, hopefully it can't be considered offensive to IT geeks. Besides, they make fun of my obsession with lipstick and shoes all the time. So fair's fair.

Random Hilarity: How To Get The IT Department To Do Their Actual Job

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Until now, Carrie Bradshaw’s Apple Mac seemed to be the most stylish laptop any woman could have sitting on her desk or lap.

But Vivienne Tam has created a notebook that is a true reflection a modern woman’s love for fashion as much as technology, with her HP a special-edition notebook.

The laptop's sleek exterior styling boasts a bright crimson background with an exotic floral print. This is sure to turn a few heads in the office, as it has on the runway!

Get the details:

HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam- Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N270 (1.60GHz), 1 GB DDR2(FOR INTEGRATED WWAII PRODUCTS), 60GB 4200RPM PATA Hard Drive, Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 , HP Mini Webcam with HP Imprint Finish (Vivienne Tam), Wireless-G Card with Bluetooth , 10.2" diagonal WSVGA HP LED Brightview Infinity Display (1024 x 600), Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3

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Avoiding work and looking for ways to divert yourself? Then have a flick through our luscious photo galleries on our Luscious on Facebook page. Here's a taster...
 

Dita Von Teese	"Sex and the City" revisited	Moorish inspiration

 Whilst you're at it, why not become a fan of our FB page and get daily Luscious updates!