SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Sexual Chocolate! Sexual Chocolate!

Sorry, y'all -- had to have a Coming to America moment before referencing something that includes chocolate (tee-hee). I recently discovered Philip B's White Truffle Moisturizing Shampoo and it's officially my jump-off, as in I love it!! If I could type a Young Jeezy-style "I luv it" ad lib, I so would.

Philip B. products are certified (and not just by me -- even FORBES said his products were worth every penny. The Brookline, Massachusetts, native started styling at a Copley Square salon in Boston when he was only 14 (Copley Square is the equivalent of Soho in NYC -- high-end shops and restaurants line the streets in one centralized location). And, since moving to Los Angeles in 1984 and launching his hair care line in 1988, he's had nothing but success.

His products, which have a botanical base (from peppermint and avocado to apple cider and more), not only moisturize every strand of hair, but they work wonders on your scalp, thereby strengthening your hair from the very roots. Oh, and did I mention that Philip himself looks like a hair model? That always helps to sell the product, right?!

The White Truffle Shampoo is actually one of his "iconic" products and has been available to the public since 1994 (so in other words, it's an oldie but goodie). And, before you start thinking you'll smell like a Godiva factory if you use this, let me reassure you: though the shampoo's main ingredient is Italian White Truffle oil, it actually doesn't smell particularly sweet or chocolate-y thanks to the other active ingredients (chamomile, lavender, and thyme extracts, as well as hops and nettle). In fact, the shampoo actually has aromatherapy benefits -- you'll literally feel refreshed and detoxed as you lather it onto your hair and scalp. Best of all, it really does moisturize your hair and scalp (you actually feel a nice cooling effect on your scalp).

And how hot is it that white chocolate can actually have such wondrous effects on your hair? Crazy! Anyway, now you can indulge in all the white chocolate truffles out there without worrying about your expanding thighs.

$54, Visit http://www.philipb.com

Motherly Love

You'd have to have some nerve (and a desire to get your ass whooped) to throw garbage on your mom's lawn or to spray toxic fumes all over her crib -- so why are we so quick to act that reckless when it comes to Mother Earth? That's the message Local Celebrity is conveying with its "Respect Your Mother" hoodie, made of 100% organic cotton. The vintage wash gives it that nice lived-in feel and makes it extra cozy. And here's my favorite design element -- unlike most hoodies, which fall at the waist, this one is pretty long, covering the hips and backside. And here's why that's awesome:if it's chilly outside and you favor low-rise jeans (which most of us do), do you want a hoodie that's going to ride up and leave a whole patch of your back exposed to the cold? Nope, that's never a good look. This length gives you the perfect amount of coverage while still having a slim, body-conscious fit.

If you're not familiar with Local Celebrity, here's a primer. It's a 5-year-old T-shirt line based out of Los Angeles (Skid Row, to be exact) with lots of old-school flavor (they even have funny, irreverent designs that reference those '80s anti-drug commercials featuring McGruff the Crime Dog -- how awesome is that?) and hip-hop sass (one of their tees pokes fun at Kanye by bearing the words "Diamonds Are Forever... For Ever Ever? For Ever Ever?"). Other cool slogans include: "Back Like Cooked Crack," "Too Legit To Quit," and "Shake It Like A Salt Shaker." Every Monday, they update their site with new designs so you can always know when to expect new goodies.

The Respect Your Mother shirts are part of a collaboration that dates back to 2006 with the non-profit organization Global Green USA (globalgreen.org), which specializes in global warming issues. The hoodie is their latest wonder, but they also have tees bearing a similar design. Now go show your other moms some love!

$28 for T-shirt version; Visit http://www.localcelebrity.com

Pimpin' All Over the World

Full disclosure: I love Reebok Freestyles. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking-- What a shocker! A Puerto Rican chick from the Bronx who loves some Freestyles?! Never that!

But before you get into clowning mode, let me also admit that, at one point, I tried stifling my love of Reeboks (mainly because of all the darned jokes about Boricuas rockin' them!). So I stashed my red, purple, and black joints and started rocking other styles of kicks. And, go figure, now every sneaker-lovin' girl out there (black, white and everything in between) thinks Freestyles are fly and wants to cop the latest flavors. So to all of y'all Johhny-come-latelies I say, "Wamp wamp! Ricans were up on it first!" Just kidding (a little).

As part of their Freestyle World Tour Collection, Reebok has been releasing several new, fresh editions of these classic kicks, each named after a popular city and designed to convey the city's vibe and culture. These are the Madrid kicks, and they're probably my favorites thus far. The black/red/gold/white color combination really pops and the design details are very feminine but fun - from the ruffled fabric on the ankle to the red rose graphics on the white backdrop. Just looking at the shoe makes me think of flamenco dancers in their voluminous layered skirts, ruffled and form-fitting tops, lace shawls and tight moños (updos) decorated with lush roses. All you need is a pair of castanets and some T-strap heels, and you'll be the most maja (beautiful) girl out there.

$85. Visit http://store.reebok.com for more info

Forever Young

See that bunch of yellow flowers in the photo above? Well, those are called immortelle flowers (badass name, right?) Now, though they can't make you immortal (I'm pretty sure that'd be a much bigger story than a blog post! ha ha), they CAN replenish your skin, soothing some of the the wear and tear that you may have suffered through the years.

And, as always, L'Occitane (a line that creates some of the most superb hand creams and body oils/lotions ever) is finding the best ways to utilize the immortelle flowers' essential oils in their products. Their newly introduced anti-aging line, Immortelle 2008, includes a range of products that incorporate immortelle essential oils and are designed to even out skin tones and make your skin look radiant and healthy (meaning they attack any blotchy parts, reduce redness and acne scarring, etc.). The products also promote collagen synthesis and stimulate skin microcirculation and cell renewal (which means younger-looking skin... Wow, I truly sound like a commercial... Just need to add something about "easy and breezy"). The line includes: a Brightening Renewing Serum, which incorporates immortelle essential oils and is also packed with a Vitamin C derivative, raspberry extract and chamomile extract; a Brightening Smoothing Exfoliator to smoothen out skin and attack any impurities; and a moisturizing Brightening Toner, which contains spring water, a Vitamin C derivative, raspberry extract, and organic immortelle floral water.

Now look at those yellow blooms again -- don't they look even cooler now that you know what they can do?

Brightening Smoothing Exfoliator, $36; Brightening Renewing Serum, $50; Brightening Toner, $27 . All available at http://usa.loccitane.com

Hey, Mrs. DJ

 Earbuds are all the rage these days -- the tinier and more ergonomically advanced, the better (I mean, have you seen Altec Lansing's SnugFit inEar earbuds? They're literally have silicone padding to make sure they can sit comfortably in your ears while isolating all outside noises. Me, I'm an old-school type of chick -- I don't even like putting Q-Tips inside my ear canal (thanks, mom! I'm now officially paranoid about getting a doggone swab inside my ear). For me, it's all about big headphones with comfortable leather padding. But of course I don't want to look like an anime character (though some ARE pretty  dope looking come to think of it), so they have to be sleek and sophisticated.

These new "Stiloso" headphones, by Boost Mobile for Boosted, are designed to address the needs of DJs which, of course, means professional strength qualities -- they're compatible with the iPhone and have a profile answer/end call button, as well as an in-line microphone that can be used for phones. And of course, there's multiple adapters to fit any device (stereo systems, turntables, etc.) Stats don't mean much too me (anything with numbers is like mumbo jumbo unless it's a price tag! lol), but for those of you who are savvy in these matters, the driver diameter is 40mm and the frequency response is 5-20KHz.

This limited-edition headphone series is meant for female DJs (thus the ear cups' rounded design and the vintage look of the leather touches, not to mention the rich color schemes -- from the Stiloso Pepto set (clever name, right) with its pink ear cups and tan leather strap to the Stiloso Commodore set, with its mustard-colored ear cups and mahogany-colored leather strap). But the Stiloso Red set, which boast candy-apple red ear cups and a tan leather strap, steal the show. Whenever I look at them, I feel like putting on Lil Wayne's The Carter Vol. 1 and buggin' out to "Hey DJ"... Say "Hey, DJ! 'Cause that's my DJ!" Well, you get the point.

Visit http://www.boostedmobile.com

We Fly High....

Admittedly, I've always been more of a Chuck Taylor kind of girl than the PF Flyers type (probably because Converse shoes were easier to come by back in the day when I was growing up in PR... Then again, I remember I was obsessed with these shoes by some company called Butterfly, and I've yet to meet someone who grew up in the States and remembers any such brand... Which is all to say that my memory is horrendous). In any case, now than I'm a little older and the bones have started to ache a bit more (yes, I have the bone structure of an 80-year-old), I've come to appreciate what made PF Flyers so popular in the first place: the ankle and foot support they offer.

Not that THAT would be enough (I don't care if they're as comfy as a down mattress, there's no way I'm putting ugly, orthopedic style shoes on these feet!). The women's division of PF Flyers has improved tremendously (the men's stuff was always diverse and on point, but the women's sneaks tended to be a bit aesthetically challenged) -- they've released kicks in some innovative prints and designs over the past couple of years, steering away from the bread-and-butter, plain Jane styles of yore. Last fall, I fell in love with a pair of metallic purple Pipers and these tweed-and-leather Center Los. This spring, I'm loving these retro plaid Glide kicks. The purple/green/white combo pops out beautifully, and even the logo looks a little vintage (in that super cool,"I've got that new-new that looks old-old" way). Guess Chuck's gonna have to turn up the charm to get me back, 'cause PF is looking mighty fly!

Visit http://www.pfflyers.com for store locations. Prices may vary.

A Sound Sleep

These pillowcases are like a time capsule to those college dorm days when we could just bug out and decorate our rooms with all kinds of pop-culture inspired junk (posters of Wu-Tang Clan, zebra print pillows, Scarface memorabilia, bead curtains, etc.). Then again, nobody said you had to get boring with age. If you've fallen into some delusion about adulthood equaling  beige furniture and muted wall colors, wake the f**k up! Betsey Johnson and Patricia Fields have built entire careers around their refusal to grow up -- think about all those pink-and-leopard prints Betsey loves, Patricia's love of mudflap girls and old-school nameplates, etc. So basically, before you become completely and totally dull, remember that you only have one life so you might as well get the most fun out of it -- and how great would it be to start by adding some smile-inducing accents to your crib?

These pillowcase sets by Snooze City are as cheeky and kitschy as they come, but they're also friggin' cool as hell. Some of the more popular designs feature mixtapes, turntables, boomboxes, and electric guitars) Prop these on your couch, futon, or bed, and you're bound to make people do a double-take (sure, they might not be the best choice if you're trying to set the mood in your bedroom -- then again, it's not like any man is gonna stop doing the deed because of some pillowcases...) So indulge your juvenile side... you might just enjoy it. Just stay away from the black lights  and the lava lamps, a'ight?

$25 for set of two. Visit http://www.aperfectthing.com

These Boots Are Made For Struttin'

Remember Hush Puppies, the brand uniform-wearing, pigtail-rocking little girls are so often forced to wear with their school uniforms? Yup, I'm guessing you do. And, if you're having nausea-inducing flashbacks about those clunky mary janes and wide lace-up shoes your mom insisted were so stylish, don't moan and groan just yet. See, Hush Puppies has come a long way (and so have you!) Sure, they haven't been on many "It" lists for some time now, but that's all about to change (just like it did in '95, when designer John Bartlett collaborated with the company to create a line of brightly-colored footwear for his NYC fashion show). Yes, ladies, Hush Puppies is going haute couture -- without going high price.

For their 50th anniversary, they've collaborated with London-based stylist Rachel Fanconi (who has dressed celebs like David Beckham (Posh can't do every little thing, right?), Ashlee and Jessica Simpson, Jamie Bell, Samantha Mumba and more), who guest-designed a gorgeous collection of fashion-forward boots and heels that are consistent with the brand's history and honor its commitment to comfort. The inaugural collection hits stores this fall and incorporates five styles, including "Alise," a leather-and-suede, high-heel mary jane; "Divinity," an updated "granny" boot; "Ariana," a fun pump with a chunky wedge heel; and more. All retail for about $100-$125, so your wallet won't take a hit (always a big plus).

My pick of the litter is the "Adeline" bootie in deep purple suede( pictured here). You could literally walk a 5-mile stretch in these shoes (not that you'd actually want to walk that far in any pair of shoes, but you could ostensibly do so in these without your toes falling off during the trek), and the purple hue is rich and regal.

Now, call and tell your mom how much you're loving Hush Puppies' new line -- I'm sure she'll be more than happy to hear that you finally came around.

Available Fall 2008. "Adeline" bootie, $110; Visit http://www.hushpuppies.com

No Average Joe's

I've always been a fan of Joe's Jeans -- there's usually enough room for the donk and the hips (word to their "Honey" jean) without them being too loose at the waist (which is a problem with most other denim lines -- you wind up having to get a bigger size to fit your, uhm, bottom line, but then the pants wind up being too big at the waist, which in turn leads to your jeans falling down and to an annoying "say no to crack" kind of situation). And their washes and designs are usually really creative -- which is why I was soooo excited when I found out they'd launched a line of handbags.

To my surprise, literally every piece in the line was jaw-droppingly gorgeous -- sleek and exquisitely crafted, but still young and fun. It literally looked like an entirely different line and one which was much more in keeping with the Joe's customer. That oh-so-clever Joe Dahan covered all his bases -- every single handbag shape is included (satchels, bowlers, totes, doctor bags, clutches, hobos and more) and, even better, each shape is reinvented a bit for extra convenience and flair. The color palette is also incredible -- muted blues and bone colors co-exist with bold greens and yellows without taking away from the collection's consistency.

And, as far as styles, there's a little something for everyone -- from very avant-garde white and green clutches and satchels, to more punk-rock offerings with bold design details (everything from cross-stitching to studded straps), a really mod array of handbags in silver and black colors with round button details, a sophisticated and grown-up subset in more neutral shades like tan and saddle and really clasic shapes (think bowler and tote), and even some clear vinyl bags, which are perfect for everyday use (especially if you're somewhat of an exhibitionist! ha ha)

The first item that caught my eye was this "patches" convertible tote in "sprout" green (which reminds me -- wasn't Sprout the name of the Jolly Green Giant's leafy little sidekick? And is it me or was there a little homoerotic subtext there? Hmmmm....). In any case, the color is so rich that even the pictures don't do it justice, and the leather is buttery soft , plus it's incredibly lightweight and can be converted into a clutch (yes, you can fold it over and, Boom! There it is!)

My other favorite is the blue "maravilla" satchel, which is a gorgeous cornflower blue (word to Crayola!) with really intricate white stitching and funky silver studs. Plus, the washed lamb material is luscious (I could literally stroke this bag all day, and I mean that in the least sexual way possible!) But what intrigues me the most about this bag is its unusual shape, which provides extra roominess (you'd be surprised how much it can hold!)

Simply put: this collection is fierce (word to Christian Soriano and, yes, homie, I was rooting for you to win Project Runway last night!).

Green Patches Convertible tote, $395, and Blue Maravilla Satchel, $595; Visit http://www.joesjeans.com

You don't bring me flowers....

...So now I get them my damn self! (Well, my own flower-style earrings, anyway)... I usually don't do small earrings, but if I do, they better be eye-catching  (no colored rhinestones or clear cubic zirconias --not even dainty hoop earrings). No, no, no (a la Amy Winehouse) -- when it comes to tiny earrings, I want them to make a statement. Which is why these flower-shaped lovelies by indie label Manic Trout caught my eye. Made of vintage lucite in candy colors (think gumdrops), each tiny pair resembles a particular type of flower, whether it be a rose, daisy, or lily. And at $10 a pop, you can't go wrong -- hell, you can get your own bouquet of earrings. And you ain't gotta worry about watering them. How sweet is that?!

$10 per pair. Visit http://www.manictrout.com