SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Get It Into Your Thick Skull...

People are finally getting hip to Good Art HLYWD, a really fun, rock-influenced jewelry line created by Josh Warner in 1990. If you haven't heard about the line, now's your time to do so and still be ahead of the game. Warner's pieces have just the right amount of flash (no pendants the size of hubcaps or chains embedded with layers and layers and layers of Fruity Pebble-style diamonds) AND they're imbued with this quasi-Goth, motorcycle-rider, in-your-face aesthetic that's a bit reminiscent of Chrome Hearts (minus the gaudiness).

The handmade pieces are crafted from Warner's original sketches, so that every piece is given lots of TLC from the moment it's conceived to the moment the last clasp is attached. A rebellious vibe is conveyed through Warner's inclusion of skull details, Spanish crosses, cryptic engravings, chunky chain links and more. But his eye for detail is most apparent in the way he fashions bracelet and chain clasps and closures. Popular with Adrian Grenier, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez and John Galliano (among others), the line is luxurious without being pretentios and, therefore, effortlessly cool.

22 kt., 30-inch Baby Skull Chain, $13,350; 22 kt. Small Skull Pendant w/ black & white diamonds, $6,010; 22 Kt. Extra Small Tubby Spanish Cross, $1,910. Visit http://www.goodarthlywd.com

Redeem Yourself

Artists-cum-designers tend to wax poetic about using fabric as a canvas, but they then go on to slap silly nonsense like smiley faces and pink hearts all over their tees (and if that's what they consider art then I'm gonna get started on some stick figure paintings with the quickness). Fortunately, not everyone is full of Oscar Meyer (as in, baloney -- get it? A'ight, a'ight, it's a lame joke). The folks at Fortune & Redemption, a hip clothing line that specializes in graphic tees, actually push boundaries with their intricate and socially conscious designs. As passionate environmentalists, their goal is to convey messages about the perils of global warming, pollution, and other Earth-related dangers through cutting-edge graphic illustrations. So instead of putting out lame tees with peace signs on them or idiot-friendy "Recycle" slogans, they marry their imagery with calls for action and awareness-enhancing messages.

At first glance, this "Strength" tee looks like a depiction of people strolling through a park, with a bridge behind them. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the splash of green in the background forms one large tree (meant to symbolize nature) and that the tree's drippy branches and faint appearance is not accidental but, instead, constitutes a statement about our planet's fragile state. The bridge, on the other hand, stands strong -- illustrated using a thick black color and bold, unapologetic strokes, the structure could very well symbolize industrialization and so-called "progress." The key here is that, without the blue and the green surrounding it, the bridge would be lacking in beauty. So now, as the "strength" moniker implies, it's our mission to build a bridge of sorts that allows us to live comfortably while also respecting our panet and conserving our natural resources.

Going an extra mile, these clever, clever folks attached "Plant Me" hand tags to each T-shirt for costumers to plant under a 1/4-inch of loose, well-drained soil. Consumers, then, are politely encouraged to put their money where their mouth is by growing their own lush plants. But, if you can't be bothered to play gardener, you don't have to feel bad about tossing the tag in the garbage since it's entirely biodegradable.
But I say try tending to the plant -- you'll feel better abbout all the damage you did to the ozone in the '80s messing with so much darned hairspray (hey, we all wanted big hair back then...). It's never too late to redeem yourself!

Fortune & Redemption "Strength" V-neck T-shirt, $68. Visit http://www.fnrapparel.com or http://www.shessavvy.com

Two little coconuts...

Okay, so excuse the silly header for this post -- my son always sings this little ditty that goes, "way up high on the coconut tree, two little coconuts smiling at me..." Needless to say, whenever anyone references coconuts, the song pops in my head. But back to the subject at hand. Lavanila just released this new fragrance, Vanilla Coconut, which will make you feel sexy and edible -- but not to the point where you smell so much like food (like you would with any super-sweet caramel/chocolate product) that you wind up feeling fat. No, this is straight-up yummy and will make cats wanna pull a Luda and lick-lick-lick you from your head to your toes. Don't believe me? Google "vanilla" and "aphrodisiac" and you'll find a ton of studies that point to vanilla being one of the main scents that men found arising -- go figure, right? The coconut note is subtle but adds richness to the fragrance, as do the fainter sandalwood, heliotrope and tiare flower notes.

But what's truly dope about Vanilla Coconut is its subtlety. It doesn't smell like you just dumped a bottle of vanilla extract on your skin and went about your business. Instead, it's a clean and innocent smell that's durable but ever so light. And did I mention vanilla is one of the most sensual scents? Hah! Just playing (not really).

Lavanila Vanilla Coconut eau de parfum, $56. Visit http://www.sephora.com

Sip Up

West Coast artist/designer Sam Flores has a flair for creating childlike characters that convey tenderness and innocence (while also having a certain sad, forlorn quality) but, at the same time, manage to be imbued with a certain coolness that perhaps speaks to Flores' love of graffiti art. There's also a really subtle, beautiful Asian aesthetic that he incorporates into his art  through lush landscapes(cherry blossoms, bonsai trees, etc.) and the clothing he chooses for his characters (kimono-style,  bell-shaped, floor-length gowns, etc.). Now, his fine art is making its way into your china cabinet (or on the already-crowded kitchen counter, for those of us who live in shoebox-sized apartments in NYC). Look at how adorable the characters are -- don't they just look like the hip-hop answer to those Precious Moments dodos?

Lost Innocence Pint Glass, $15. Branches Coffee Mug, $12. Visit http://www.upperplayground.com

Tooth Fairy (Pause...)

When I first heard the story about what inspired this necklace's creation I was equal parts fascinated and grossed out. As an ode to her Aunt Winnie, who recently passed (R.I.P.), NYC-based designer Jules Kim used her titi's dentures (in particular, the bottom row of teeth) as a mold to create this gold, black gold and diamond-studded piece. On the one hand, the idea of dentures in general freaks me out (maybe it's because of how my grandma used to take them in and out of her mouth like they were a piece of gum or something...). On the other, it's a really creative way of immortalizing a loved one. But whatever the process behind the piece's creation, you can't front on it (pun intended).

The piece is part of the " bitejules" collection of Kim's own bijules line, the inspiration for which was people "biting her style" (guess she figured she'd have the last bite!) All the pieces in the collection, then, reference the mouth and, as usual, they're all carefully made and have a hip-hop bravado to them (without being gaudy or showy).

Hey, after the obsession with grillz in 2006 (remember Fat Joe's Puerto Rican flag-colored joints? ha!), this is about the only teeth-related item I wanna see anyone weraring, ya dig?

$350. Available at Catbird in Brooklyn.

Hairy Situations

No matter how many pastel-colored bottles and powdery-scented products Skintimate rushes to drugstore
shelves, I'm never quite satisfied with the shaving experience. Sure, shaving isn't meant to be a trip to Baskin Robbins, but why do all shaving creams have to smell like cheap deodorant? So I was relieved to discover this fun line of shaving creams, Whish. One pump gives you enough cream to cover a good amount of surface and the moisturizing effects are pretty incredible. Specially made for women with sensitive skin, all the Whish Shave Crave Pumps address different needs -- the Pomegranate Shave Gel, for one, is packed with anti-oxidants to rejuvenate skin, while the lightweight Almond Shave Crave Pump provides extra moisturize for super dry skin. My personal favorite, though, is the Papaya Coconut Shave Crave Pump (which includes coconut and papaya oils that soften the skin).

$28. Visit http://www.whishbody.com

Ma Vie En Rose

Wanna be coming up roses? Well, check out this ring by one of the nicest (nice as in good/dope/hot, not generous/kind) costume jewelry designers out there, Kimberly Baker. It's an 18 kt.gold vermeil ring etched to resemble a budding rose with a ruby center. From far away, the center kind of looks like a lion's head, with the petals surrounding it all big part of his "mane." See that? Kinda cool when you think about it that way, right? A ring that could be hardcore and roar like a lion but seduce people like a red rose. How hot it that?

Oh, and if you have a cynical/evil streak, imagine punching somebody while wearing this ring -- how bugged out would the imprint left look? Hey, there's another incentive --looking fierce and inciting people not to tick you off. Wait, I think I just sold myself on this ring!

$258. Available in sizes 6, 7, and 8. Visit http://www.kimberlybaker.com

Snow Bunnies

Snowboarders are almost mythical creatures to me (I'm of the clumsy variety -- as in I trip just coming out of bed in the morning). They wait for that powdery snow and just zoom down the slopes, doing crazy ollies and other gravity-defying tricks. Female snowboarders, then, are completely and totally badass.

So I was beyond hyped (yeah, I'm bringing the term back) when I discovered Shredding Betty, a company that specializes in snowboarding gear and apparel for the ladies devoted to the sport. The best items in stock, of course, are the snowboards, all designed to maximize fluidity and speed but bearing feminine prints (that still look cool -- nothing too girly-girly up in here).

Even if you're petrified at the sight of a snow halfpipe, you'll appreciate the ill graphics on these boards (such as this amazing Solomon Lark directional board and the Rome Vinyl snowboard). They almost make me want to risk the broken leg (an inevitable end result for someone of my accident-prone ilk) and head to the slopes... Or maybe I'll just cope one of these and hang it in my living room, so I can stare at it from the safety of my couch.

Whatever your predilection,consider investing in one of these.

Rome Vinyl snowboard, $296. Visit http://www.shreddingbetty.com

No Incense Sticks Required

If you aren't familiar with Demeter, let me put you on. I first discovered Demeter back in 2002 when I randomly walked into a Sephora store and made my way through the fragrance aisle, stumbling upon a miniature bottle with the quirky name "Sex on the Beach." The name caught my attention so, of course, I sprayed some on and absolutely loved it -- it was flirtatious, light and fruity (think peaches, lime and oranges). I felt like a walking cocktail (without reeking of liquor, of course). Since then, I've been a loyal customer. The company's goal is to create fragrances that capture everyday scents -- from flower-based scents like Lily of the Valley to food-inspired treats like Sugar Cookie and Blueberry Muffin Jelly Belly to nature-based scents like Snow and Rain.

Incense is so sexy, wit its woodsy copal core, that you're bound to feel like a sexpot every time you  wear it.

1. oz. Pick-Me-Up Spray, $20. Visit http://www.demeterfragrance.com for stores. 

Art Imitates Life

I was recently introduced to Poketo!, a company composed of a collective of artists who showcase their work by reinterpreting everyday items (like tees, handbags, stationary, housewares and wallets), and I can't stop going to their site to check out more goods. The company was founded by Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung back in 2003, when they released their first limited-edition run of artist-designed wallets. The response was so overwhelmingly positive that their network now includes over 100 artists (from French illustrator AK to graffiti artist SP One, illustrator/designer Elisa Riera, and San Francisco-based artist Damon Soule) and they've expanded the line to include totes, brooches, rings,lampshades, key rings, and more.Check out, for example, this 2 x 10" melamine plate set by Oksana Badrak -- it's so dope you'll probably want to display it rather than eat on it, but I'll let y'all make the call. Also hot are their vinyl wallets, which include a bill slot, three credit card slots on the left-hand side, and a change purse on the right side. They're durable and bulk-free but definitely not for those who walk around with every kind of Duane Reade/Macy's/Key Foods/Sephora card (trust me -- I tried squeezing all of those cards into the 3 slots, and it didn't quite work out for me). But if you're more of a minimalist, then go out and cop one of these bad boys.

Birds of a Feather Plate Set, $28. Hannah Stouffer Wallet 7, $20. Visit http://www.poketo.com