SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Einstein USB Flash Drive Mimobot -- A Quantum Leap In File Storage

 

The man behind the theory of relativity, Nobel Prize-winning scientist and physic pioneer Albert Einstein, once said, "out of clutter, find simplicity." These words could have guided the making of the new Einstein Mimobot (available at Mimoco.com), a cartoonish, irreverent, playful USB flash drive modeled after the iconic man of science. 

The Einstein Mimobot is the first installment in the new "The Legends of Mimobot Series," which commemorates some of the most influential, trail-blazing figures in history. And who better to kick off the series than the man behind the famous E=MC2 formula?

Available in 6 different storage capacities — 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB (ranging in price from $22.95 to $119.95) — this collectible figurine captures both the studious and the playful sides of Albert Einstein. When the USB drive is covered, the caricaturesque depiction of Einstein bears a stern expression, his lids half closed, his mouth closed, and his lips fully covered by his white mustache. Once you remove the cap, however, you'll giggle as you see your Einstein Mimobot bearing an entirely different expression, one inspired by perhaps the most widely replicated image of the "mad scientist," the photograph Arthur Sasse snapped on March 14, 1971, the night of Einstein's 72nd birthday, in which the German intellectual is depicted with his eyes widened and his tongue sticking out mischievously.

Like all Mimobots, this one comes pre-loaded with character-related content, with Einstein-themed wallpapers, icons, and avatars to complete your quantum quest.

 

 

New Case-Mate x Marvel iPhone Case Collection -- They're The Best At What They Do

 

By the hammer of Thor! As if Case-Mate didn't already offer an array of iPhone cases boasting both special style powers and superhuman strength, they've now released the Case-Mate Marvel Collection, which consists of 15 superhero-centric models for comic book enthusiasts and pop cuture fanatics alike.

The Case-Mate Marvel collection can be divided into five categories, each centered on a Marvel character or crime-fighting unit: Thor, Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, and Captain America. Featuring authentic Marvel illustrations, the iPhone cases will protect your smartphone, much like the heroes depicted on their exteriors protected planet Earth. 

The Spider-Man collection, for example, includes three iPhone designs: "Flight," in which he's depicted leaping off of tall buildings, with long spiderwebs shooting out of his fingertips to ensure his safe descent (as shown last above); "Dive," in which the arachnid-human hybrid plummets down, head first, as if diving into the ocean's depths; and "Victory," in which Peter Parker's alter ego is shown standing in front of the Green Goblin, Chameleon, and Doctor Octopus, presumably toasting his triumph over these villainous characters.

The X-Men collection includes three of the most colorful and dynamic designs: first, there's "Battle," in which Wolverine, Storm, Angel and Jean Grey are shown facing off against Iceman (shown second from top); "Shred," in which Wolverine's wields his hatchet-like claws mercilessly while battling an enemy; and "Conquer," in which Gambit and Angel stand against a fiery backdrop, presumably the explosive results of Gambit's ability to change latent energy into kinetic one.

The three Thor cases are also impressive, particularly "Hammer" (shown third from top), in which the Nordic warrior raises his Mjolnir hammer, a lightning storm lighting up the sky behind him. In the brutal "Destroy" design, meanwhile, Thor rumbles with the assistance of Iron Man, both having teamed up to form The Avengers. In the "Blast" case, meanwhile, we see a close-up of the blond god, his mouth agape as if he were shrieking a combat call, his blue eyes bloodshot with rage, and his silver helmet with the wing details positioned atop his head.

Another three cases were designed in honor of Iron Man and Captain America, respectively, each showcasing the superhero of choice in action, with Tony Stark slipping into his armored suit and unleashing his repulsor blast as needed and Captain America clutching his star-emblazoned shield while dodging enemy fire. 

Each case in the Case-Mate x Marvel collection retails for $40 and stands as a true collector's item, particularly for those of you with an appreciation for the classic battles versus good and evil staged in comic books since their inception. Visit Case-Mate.com to buy.

Holiday Shopping From A To Z -- Racing Through U, V, and W

We're ready to crack open the coquito, spike the eggnog, saunter underneath the mistletoe with the yummiest man in the room, and get a little nice while being a bit naughty but, before doing so, we have to check off all the items on our list — and, of course, that includes bringing you the final two installments of our A To Z Holiday Gift Guide.

In today's alphabet soup, you'll find the letters U, V, and W. As you know by now, we've designated themes for each letter of the alphabet so, in this case, U stands for Urban, V for Velvety, and W for Western. Find out what gift ideas we unearthed for each of thee categories below!

 

U IS FOR URBAN

 

 

Nissa Triple Star Earrings, $28. Available at NissaJewelry.com

These triple star earrings resemble those embroidered onto the shoulder boards of Navy jackets, making them worthy of a salute.

 

LeSportsac Joyrich Candy Camo Heart Pouch, $68. Available at Shopbop.com

Nothing quite says city chic like a fun camouflage print, as seen in this heart-shaped, cross-body purse from the LeSportsac x Joyrich collection. Sure, the bright colors in this pattern— tangerine orange, deep magenta, vivid turquoise, cobalt blue, black, and white — won't serve the official purpose of camo prints (helping you blend in with the environment) but, then, who wants to be just another face in the crowd? The purse's dainty size (it measures 6.5" in height and 7" in length), heart shape, and chic interwoven sateen-and-gold strap give us more reasons to love it.

 

 

Bicycle Glasses, $75 for Set of 8. Available at UncommonGoods.com

Rather than celebrating gas-guzzling SUVs and pollution-aggravating vehicles, toast the wonders of bicycling with these quaint glasses, which measure 3.25" in height and 3.25" diameter, holding an estimated 10.5 oz. of liquid.

Laruicci Tigerlily Necklace, $110. Available at Laruicci.com

This Tigerlily is anything but a wallflower. Featuring a round, faceted hot pink glass stone set in a gunmetal pendant with oversize prong-style claws and a hefty gunmetal-plated, 8k gold box chain, this necklace is way more fascinating than Iron Man's repulsor blast (and considerably safer!).

Kate Spade New York Keyboard 13" Laptop Sleeve, $60. Available at LordandTaylor.com

This neoprene laptop sleeve, designed to ensconce a 13" laptop, features a whimsical keyboard design, with the space bar an the letters E, T, P, A, S ,D, K whitened out. What do they spell? Why "Kate Spade," of course!

Sauce Kanye West Tweet Tee, $68. Available at FarFetch.com

When Kanye West first joined Twitter in 2010, he quickly became one of the social networking site's funniest users, with his timeline populated by messages like: "Dating models I had to learn to like small dogs and cigarettes" and  "I'm bout to hop on this #BABYMAMAJET the jets Billionaires give to they baby mamas or they 1st, 2nd or 3rd wife." Paying homage to the rapper's spontaneous thoughts, this modal shirt features a bobble-head style image of Yeezy with a thought bubble above his head and the word "Tweet" inside it. How sweet the tweet is!

 

 

 

Linea Pelle Wide Multi Stranded Leather Cuff, $60. Available at LPcollection.com

As one of the trendiest leather goods manufacturers in the biz, Linea Pelle has been at the forefront of the leather cuff bracelet fad. One of its latest offerings takes a more structured approach to the sliced leather bracelet — rather than loose strands wrapping around the wrist, this cuff features perfectly symmetrical cut-outs, a slimmer fit, and a taller height, while chunky metal chains add a hint of rock 'n' roll chaos. 

Jeffrey Campbell Tanya Wedge Sandals, $114.95. Available at Solestruck.com

What urban style maven doesn't rely on Jeffrey Campbell to keep her feet looking ultra fly? These new wedge sandals are as fun to wear as they are to gaze upon, with black-and-white woven raffia uppers and neon-colored 5" wedge heels and a 2" platform. 

Maison Scotch Gloves, $98. Available at RevolveClothing.com

These driving gloves just scream, "I'm a boss!" Show off your trendsetting technique with these black genuine leather driving gloves, which feature a buckled closure and an arched cut-out decorated with black metal studs resembling gothic flowers. 

Pamela Love Spectrum Triangle Spike Earrings, $250. Available at Barneys.com

Part of Gaga's Workshop at Barneys NY, these triangle-shaped bronze earrings feature an iridescent, rainbow-like finish and spiked accents along the two triangle cut-out shapes at the top of the larger triangle frame.

 

Tarte Cosmetics Puttin' On The Glitz Limited-Edition Color Collection & Clutch, $48. Available at TarteCosmetics.com

 Every holiday season, Tarte ups the ante with its affordable, versatile, and ingenious gift sets. Among this year's highlights is the multi-faceted On the Glitz set, which has a silver-toned, snake print, faux leather clutch as its center piece. The metallic closure has a gold tone zipper that extends all the way from one side to the next, with purple nylon lining along the inside, and a gold metal chain shoulder strap. Once open, you'll find three credit card slots, a built-in mirror, a cash sleeve, an elastic loop for lip gloss (or a pen), and two metal snaps onto which you can attach one of the three interchangeable palettes included in the set. See how genius the concept is? For a brunch date, you can snap the Nine-to-Five palette into place, slide your credit cards and Iid into the slots, and tuck some cash into the designated sleeve, then before heading out in the evening, you can remove the Nine-to-Five palette and attach the Girls Night Out palette in its place.

Each of the three palettes features six eyeshadow shades and an Amazonian Clay blush, powder or bronzer. The Nine-To-Five palette features bronze, coppery gold, sandy nude, mauve-ish pink, light taupe, and eggplant purple tones, along with a pink Amazonian Clay blush (click here for swatches of the eye shadow hues). The Walk in the Park palette features all the colors you'd associate with an enchanted forest — from a deep emerald green with an enigmatic shimmer to a matte, muddy brown, a bronze-touched chocolate brown, a dusky fawn color, a light yellow gold, and a chalky ecru — along with an Amazonian Clay bronzer (check out swatches here). Lastly, the Girls' Night Out palette includes an Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in a champagne gold hue, along with dramatic eye shadow hues worthy of Anjelica Houston in the 1970s — a deep, sooty black; a metallic lilac, a rich Merlot-tinged purple; a blackened green with tons of light green and silver glitter; a gunmetal shade saturated with opalescent glitter; and an illuminating, pearly pink hue (for swatches of the eye shadow colors, click here). 

 

Holiday Shopping From A To Z -- Easing On Down To M, N, O, P, and Q

With Christmas exactly 10 days away, our style elves are busy scouting out the most amazing, imaginative, exciting gift ideas out there. And, since they like to stay organized, this year they convinced us to have an A to Z theme for our Holiday Gift Guide.

Over the past few weeks, we've covered great gifts in the A to L spectrum of the alphabet, and now we're rapidly moving towards the finish line, with this gift guide installment focusing on the categories corresponding to the letters M, N, O, P, and Q. 

Below, you'll find a see of sparkling and shimmering goodies in the M is for Metallics category, a parade's worth of bright bits in the N if for Neons portion, and an illusion-casting group of gifts in the O is for Op Art section, then you'll mingle with the dotted denizens in the P is for Polka Dots category and geek out with the eccentric sorts in the Q is for Quirky section. Get ready for more alphabet-themed amusement!

 

M IS FOR METALLICS

 

Love ADAM Long-Sleeve Sequin Wrap V-Neck Dress, $129.99. Available at HSN.com

The lights in your Christmas tree won't be the only thing twinkling this year! This satin-lined, long-sleeved, below-the-knee, V-neck dress — part of designer Adam Lippes' apparel line for HSN, Love Adam — features satin accents at the cuffs and a wrap-around sash to cinch the waist.

 

 

Lia Sophia Arrow Necklace with Black Diamond Crystals in Matte Gold, $450. Visit LiaSophia.com to find an adviser in your area. 

Nylon editor Dani Stahl designed this statement-making necklace for her Lia Sophia Boudika collection. The choker-style piece features sculptural, arrow-shaped pieces linked together, with half of each arrow encrusted with black diamonds and the other half left stone-free, with matte gold alone on that surface.

Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Silk Eyeshadow in 5 and 16, $32 each. Available at Nordstrom.com

Beloved by makeup lovers with moxie everywhere, Armani's Eyes To Kill Intense Silk Eyeshadows come in small round pots and feature a mousse-like, fluffy, lighter-than-cream consistency, and they glide onto the skin with ease. On lids, the shadows have the shimmer we associate with powder and the pigment concentration we associate with cream colors. Plus, thanks to Armani's Color-Fil technology, a bi-polymer that cushions the skin on the lids, the eyeshadow colors look smooth and clump-free. Each shade features a base color and a secondary pigment that yields a multi-dimensional, shimmering, nuanced effect. If you're seeking a gilded look, snatch up the 5 and 16 shades — the former is an Etruscan gold-meets-bronze color with gold shimmer, while the latter is a platinum shade with silver glitter. Check out swatches of these two shades here.

 

 

 

Toywatch Metallic Indigo Watch, $195; Toywatch Metallic Violet Chrono Watch, $225; and Toywatch Metallic Green Watch, $195 . Available at ToywatchUSA.com

Having mastered the art of making plastic resemble ceramic, Toywatch has now ventured into new territory with the release of its first-ever watch made entirely out of metal. This aluminum watch is available in 15 colors (like the Indigo, Violet and Green pictured here) an comes with a chronograph dial or a time only dial (as with those pictured above). If you want to keep it simple, opt for a time only dial with dot markers or pick up one with crystal markers for an added bling factor.

 

 

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Whipped Perfume, $72. Available at NeimanMarcus.com and Bloomingdales.com

If you're a fan of Cashmere Mist, then you already know that part of the fragrance's charm is its sensuality, how it envelops the skin like a cozy sweater, how the amber and woody notes evoke a sense of warmth and comfort while the light jasmine and lily of the valley notes add a touch of powdery femininity. The new Cashmere Mist Whipped Perfume builds upon this sensation, working up the cozy tactile sensibility of this acclaimed fragrance by allowing you to gently massage the scented, frothy, foamy lotion onto the skin, focusing on pulse points. 

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Cool Party Eye Palette, $45. Available at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com

There's an Ice Queen-worthy sophistication to the frosty blue, gray, and silver shades in Bobbi Brown's Cool Party Eye Palette. The holiday palette features six shades: White Eye Shadow, the type of velvety white you associate with cloud formations; Iced Blue Metallic Eye Shadow, a pale, silver-tinged, glacial blue; Rockstar Metallic Eye Shadow, a shimmering, lavender-ish steel shade; Sterling Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, an aluminum-ish metallic gray; Gunmetal Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, a near-black metallic shade with a soft, wispy quality; and Onyx Eye Shadow, an asphalt black with a hint of gold and silver shimmer. These swatches will help you become better acquainted with these must-have colors. 

Cubannie Links Candela Earrings in Gold, $62. Available at CubannieLinks.com

If you tuned into Season 805 (well, fine, it was actually Season 9) of Project Runway, then you might remember the oversize, braided leather hoop earrings that finalist Kimberly Goldson chose when accessorizing the ensembles in her debut collection (and which she herself rocked while taking her final bow during New York Fashion Week). Measuring 3" in length and 3" in width (including ear hooks), these Candela earrings are, as their name implies, pure fire. To make them, Brooklyn-based Cuban designer Annie Basulto  twisted together two thick strands of 100% braided genuine leather. You can pick between a solid gold or silver or opt for a two-toned design like the one pictured above.

 

Sonia Kashuk Holiday 6-Piece Brush Set, $22.99. Available at Target.com

Would you ever thing this brush set cost less than $25? We're stunned! Leave it to makeup guru Sonia Kashuk to release yet another must-have brush kit as part of her ongoing collaboration with Target. Housed in a glittering, rectangular, box-shaped silver clutch with shimmering, glitter-packed fibers and a pillbox closure, this set includes six of Kashuk's top-notch makeup brushes: a Powder/Blush Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Small Duo Fibre Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Angled Contour Crease Brush, and Pointed Eye Liner Brush — all featuring sparkly handles and silver-toned metal accents.

 

Balenciaga L'Essence Candle, $65. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

From Tom Ford Beauty's Violet Blonde to Balenciaga's L'Essence, violet stands at the forefront of some of this winter's most intriguing scents. Though many florists and gardeners view wild violets as unwanted weeds, Balenciaga actually relishes their tarnished reputation, their almost illicit quality, taking the opportunity to reintroduce these blooms as coveted fragrance notes, worthy of inclusion in the most precious of aromatic elixirs. L'Essence, then, revolves around violet as an intense bloom found in the wilderness, dewy, mossy, and reminiscent of mysterious woodlands. Leather and wood notes complete the effect. Housed in a silver-toned jar with a matching lid, the Balenciaga L'Essence Candle incorporates stronger moss notes than the eau de parfum, allowing your home to be transformed into a virtual forest thanks to the lush aroma diffused into the air. 

 

 

Nissa Jewelry Calumet Stoned Earrings, $104. Available at NissaJewelry.com

Part Blade Runner, part The Scorpion King, and part Cleopatra, these 3"-long earrings feature triangle shapes dangling beneath round discs with iridescent, color-changing stones as their centers. Made by hand in New York using recycled metal and iris-colored crystals, these earrings not only juxtapose geometric shapes but also textures, with half of each disc and triangle having a smooth metallic surface and the other half being fully granulated.

 

 

Essie Luxeffects Collection Nail Lacquers, $8 each. Available at salons and beauty destinations nationwide.

Finally, a reprieve from all the creamy nude colors and chocolate-y browns we've been seeing this season! Essie's Luxeffects Collection is about as shy and understated as a samba dancer in Rio de Janeiro's carnival — and we love it! Each lacquer can be applied to clean and dry nails or, for a truly baroque effect, layered atop another color. Shades include: As Gold As It Gets, a near-clear nectar gold hue with gilded lamé sparkles; Shine of the Times, a near-translucent white with tiny pearl particles that reflect sunset orange, coral pink, light green, and blue tones, yielding a sparkly mother-of-pearl effect (check out the effect in this photo); Pure Perfection, an icing-like, translucent, iridescent white with silver shimmer; A Cut Above, a pink-tinged clear color saturated with metallic pink pearls and sequined bits of varying sizes (here's how it looks on nails); and Set in Stones, the silver counterpart to A Cut Above, with chunky mirrored silver flakes (which create an Icecapades-worthy effect, as shown here).

Anya Hindmarch Mini Huxley Woven Leather Tote, $1595. Available at Net-a-Porter.com

Silver woven leather strips and a near-blinding shine allow this tote to skate into high glamour territory. Featuring two top handles, a detachable taupe-and-silver grosgrain shoulder strap, and a tasseled top zipper, this Anya Hindmarch tote proves silver doesn't have to mean coming in second.

 

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Gold Absolute Limited Edition Eau de Parfum, $85. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

Since incense, amber, and wood scents are all associated with Christmas, there was no better time for Issey Miyake to release its L'Eau d'Issey Gold Absolute, a robust, woody scent that leaves behind a warm amber scent as it settles on the skin. The limited-edition fragrance features watery osmanthus and lotus top notes, lily and jasmine middle notes, and white cedar and amber base notes. Despite the floral notes, however, amber reigns supreme in this fragrance composition, making this an ideal gift for women who love oriental floral perfumes.

Sachin + Babi Rorschach Emblem Cuff, $235. Available at BergdorfGoodman.com

It's hard to believe that looking at a stack of inkblots can yield a proper personality assessment or psychological evaluation, but at least the Rorschach technique can inspire amazing works of art, such as this intriguing cuff from Sachin + Babi. Measuring 6 1/4" in length, this hammered cuff is made of pewter with an electro-plated 14K yellow gold coating. The amorphous cut-outs, meanwhile, recall the vague blobs seen in standard Rorschach tests, begging the question: what do you see when you look at this piece?

 

 

MAC Cosmetics Dazzlesphere! Mini Nail Lacquer Ornament x4, $25.50, and MAC Cosmetics Dazzlesphere! Neutral Ornament x4, $32.50. Available at MACcosmetics.com

Inspired by glitter and ice, MAC's Holiday 2011 collection features enough glitter, silver metal, and icy motifs to make Johnny Weir beam with pride. Among the most clever offerings are bubble-shaped, ornament-inspired spheres containing mini nail lacquers, loose pigments, or lip glosses. The contents of each ornament are visible through the clear plastic top half of the sphere, which rests upon a silver-toned base and which can be removed to safely open and close your space-aged makeup set.

The Dazzlesphere Petite Nail Lacquer Ornament, pictured at top, will woo manicure addicts with the versatile shades Style Tip, a pink-ish nude; Much Adored, a sheer, whitened pink with pearly shimmer; and Mistletoe, a light gold color with an even sheen. The MAC Dazzlesphere Neutral Ornament, meanwhile, is just as versatile, with various nude and wine-tinged lip gloss colors, some sheer and creamy and others with a fun infusion of sparkle. The Dazzlesphere Neutral Ornament features two Cremesheen Glass shades (Boy Bait, a light peachy nude, and Over Indulgence, a mid-tone, coral-tinged flesh shade) and two Dazzleglass shades (Bare Necessity, a brandy shade with plenty of sparkle, and Get Rich Quick, a date-like brownish red with tons of shimmer). Click here for swatches of all four shades!

Baby Phat Women's Crop Sequin Jacket, $69, and Sequin Mini Skirt, $54. Available at BabyPhat.com

Sparkle brighter than a Supreme with these chic pieces from Baby Phat. The amethyst purple skirt measures 14" in length, so you can show off those toned stems and the hemline is adorned with a lace detail for added sophistication. The cropped sequin jacket, meanwhile, features a modern, collarless, open front silhouette, with 3/4 length sleeves adding a youthful and urban vibe. 

Holiday Shopping From A To Z -- Parading Through J, K, and L

We've been making holiday shopping as easy as 1-2-3 with our gift-getting ABCs, quite literally taking you through an alphabet-themed tour of present ideas. For our latest installment, we're focusing on the letters J, K, and L, with J encompassing jewel-toned goodies, K inspiring an assortment of kabuki-influenced treats, and L immersing us in a feast of leather and lace. 

Read on for more on these great categories and the products contained therein!

J IS FOR JEWEL TONES

 

Kotur For J. Crew Colony Green Briar Sequin Clutch, $425. Available at J.Crew Collection and Bridal Boutique and at JCrew.com

We've raved about the Kotur for J.Crew collection in the past, but this clutch crystallizes the reason behind our fervor with its envelope-shaped metal frame and the clusters of forest green sequins covering the front and back — not to mention the rectangular, pillbox-style closure adorned with a dark green jewel. 

NYX Cosmetics Slide On Pencils, $8 each. Available at NYXcosmetics.com

These new eyeliners from NYX Cosmetics glide right onto the lids, leaving behind lines of deliciously rich, creamy, shining color. Available in 18 shades, our favorite include the jewel-toned shades — among them: SL 17 Green Papaya, a light green tourmaline shade with a golden sheen; SL 12 Azure, a deep turquoise; SL09 Tropical Green, a dark malachite shade; and SL 10 Purple Blaze, a deep amethyst purple. Click here for swatches of our favorite shades!

Moritz Glik "Kaleidoscope" 18K Gold and Floating Colored Sapphire Earrings, $5230. Available at Endless.com

Pink and orange sapphires seem to float inside each double white sapphire cube of these two-tiered dangling earrings from Moritz & Glik, which measure 0.53" in width at their widest point and hang 1.38" long.

 

 

 

Giuseppe Zanotti Shoe Boot, $711. Available at FarFetch.com

Tastier than freshly squeezed OJ, these orange chalcedony-colored suede heels feature a rounded peep toe, a banded strap running across the vamp, sexy cutouts along the sides, a T-shaped ankle trap, and a staggering  5.5" heel.

 

 

Madstone Hoop Earrings, $1500. Available at the Diana Heimann Jewelry Salon at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in White Plains, NY. For more info, call 914.467.5880 or visit MadStoneDesign.com

These oxidized sterling silver hoop earrings feature slanted sides so that, instead of a rounded hoop, they resemble open-ended octagons and, in keeping with the geometric theme, feature an oversize, octagonal amethyst stone along the front, with effervescent bubble-ike details within the faceted stone's surface, Smaller amethyst stones, meanwhile, are encrusted into the metal hoop frame like smaller stars next to a supernova. 

 

 

LORAC Bejeweled Lip Gloss Collection, $25. Available at Sephora.com

Gemstones inspired LORAC's Holiday 2011 collection, which includes this six-color lip gloss set. Each of the LORAC lip glosses is enriched with cooling peppermint oil (which also gives them a minty smell), antioxidant-rich grape seed oil, toning rosemary extract, and wound-healing castor oil, so that they hydrate, soften, and plump up lips. Each tube's gunmetal-colored cap is encrusted with tiny clear rhinestones, so as to heighten the jewelry box-worthy feel of the collection.

The shades themselves, meanwhile, shine like the most precious gems and colors range from Red Ruby, a blue-toned red with light red pearl particles, to Peach Moonstone, a pale, brownish peach shade; Bronze Topaz, a brown citrine shade with hints of bronze and warmer amber-y undertones; Hot Pink Sapphire, a delightful fuchsia shade chock full of iridescent silver and pink pearls; Rich Garnet, a deep raspberry red with purple undertones; and Pink Diamond, which looks like a milky white color in its packaging but, when applied, transformed into an ultra-sheer light pink with a darling opalescent quality. Click here for swatches of all six shades!

 

 

Christian Louboutin Loubi Croissant Satin Clutch, $795. Available at Net-a-Porter.com

He may be known for his sky-high stilettos and trademark red soles, but Christian Louboutin is strutting into the handbag realm with pieces as exquisite as this croissant-shaped clutch, which features ruched teal satin and a gold metal frame with a red twill interior lining and a double heel clasp closure for an added wink-wink.

 

Dannijo Multi-Stone & Snake Chain Cuff, $343. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

Bohemian, tribal, and rocker converge in this 3"-wide, golden oxidized brass cuff from jewelry-making duo Dannijo. Yellow gold snake chains slither around and weave in between a trio of jewel accents running vertically down the front and center of the cuff. Each jewel-toned station features a brass cube with a round, faceted, Swarovski crystal at its center and, on either side, square stones in contrasting shades.

 

 

Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio, $98. Available at Sephora.com

Not only does it include sparkling wine and violet, along with rich brown and soft cream eye shadows and liners, but Laura Mercier's Luxe Colour Portfolio (part of her limited-edition Holiday 2011 collection) features three of her acclaimed makeup brushes — all packaged in a box clutch with silver-and-black faux snakeskin trimming the edges of the portfolio and adorning the flap closure, which itself features a concealed magnet to ensure the palette stays safely shut.

As soon as you open up the portfolio like you would a book or agenda, you'll find three brushes tucked into their slots on the left-hand side: the Pony Tail eye shadow brush, the bushy Crease brush, and the Flat Liner brush.

On the right-hand side, meanwhile, you'll find six eye shadow shades in rectangular pans: Primrose, a fleshy pink with golden sparkle and a soft, satin-like finish; African Violet, a unique violet shade with rose gold undertones saturated with copper pearl particles for a high-wattage shine; Merlot, a mostly matte, deep burgundy wine shade with just a hint of rose pearl shimmer; Truffle, a velvety soft brown shade with a matte finish reminiscent of ground espresso beans; Topaz, a taupe-ish gray, smokey quartz-like color with an all-over metallic sheen; and Stellar, an ethereally light champagne gold color with silver shimmer. To view these shades for yourself, check out swatches of all six eyeshadows.

Moving on, next you'll find a row of three Tightline Cake Eye Liner packed into round pans. Though they can be applied in their dry form, they look more intense when you wet the brush first and then swirl it atop the liner pans. The three colors included are: Ground Espresso, Black Ebony, and Burgundy Wine. Check out swatches of these shades here.

Last, you'll find two large squares of cheek color: Rose Petal, a light peachy pink, and City Pink, a bold peony pink. To view the colors, click here.

 

Badgley Mischka Rosette Silk-Satin Dress, $222.75. Available at TheOutnet.com

This 100% silk dress will make your eyes light up thanks to the raw-edged rosette details all over the fabric, the wide ruched waistband, and the frock's pink spinel shade. A strapless cut and boned corset along the fully lined interior guarantee you'll have a gorgeous and well-defined silhouette. 

 

Bobbi Brown Black Ruby Sparkle Eye Palette, $45. Available at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com

For Holiday 2011, venerated makeup artist Bobbi Brown masterminded a color palette peppered with jewel tones, infused with shimmer and sparkle, and enriched with metallic overtones. One of our faves: the Black Ruby Sparkle Shadow Palette, which includes four colors that shimmer like tiny icicles: the Pink Rose Sparkle Eye Shadow, a muted mauve-ish pink with tons of white and silver pearls; the Crushed Silver Sparkle Eye Shadow, a Jack Frost-approved silver with tonal glitter; the Black Ruby Sparkle Eye Shadow, an intriguing, blackened merlot shade with pink and silver pearl particles; and the Onyx Sparkle Eye Shadow, a black cherry shade with white gold sparkle. Check out swatches of all four eye shadows here.

Lauren Merkin Ava Clutch in Amethyst/Black Shiny Python, $295. Available at LaurenMerkin.com

Like Ava Gardner, Lauren Merkin's Ava clutch belongs among Hollywood royalty — especially the latest iteration of the style, which features a glossy amethyst and black python print. Measuring 12" in width and 6" in height, this smart clutch features delicate pleats, slanted edges, rounded corners, and a top flap with a silver-toned closure.

 

 

Bounkit Blue Topaz, Citrine, and Blue Cat's Eye Convertible Earrings, $395. Available at CharmandChain.com

These 3"-long dangling earrings by Moroccan-born designer Hassan Bounkit feature rectangular blue topaz stones at the post, oval citrine stones dangling directly beneath them, and bulbous, teardrop-shaped blue cat's eye stones dangling from the bottom. Since these earrings are convertible, you can detach the citrine or blue cat's eye stones and wear the blue topaz studs alone or choose to attach either the citrine or the blue cat's eye sections and transform them into single drop pieces.

 

 

Bare Escentuals Box of Gems 20-Piece Color Collection, $88. Available at QVC.com

The gleaming golden tone of this makeup treasure chest is perfectly appropriate as it houses an assortment of stunning mineral eye shadows, lip-plumping glosses, and richly pigmented, all-natural glosses. When you flip back the top lid, you'll find 10 eye shadows: Sparkling, a snow powder white with scattered multi-dimensional glimmer; Gleam, a pale peach hue with a satin finish; Glow, a warm tan color with golden undertones; Jewel, an aptly named violet-tinged rubellite tourmaline; Solitaire, a smoky, silvery shade; Gem, a dazzling emerald green color with a metallic finish and scattered shimmer; Twinkle, a sepia shade with scattered golden sparkle; Locket, an amethyst shade with violet sparkle; Incandescent, a bronze-y topaz hue with antiqued gold shimmer; and Beam, a bewitching sapphire blue color. By clicking here, you'll find swatches of the Sparkling, Gleam, and Glow colors. Next, feast your eyes on the beauty of the Jewel, Solitaire, Gem, and Twinkle shades by clicking here. And last, click here to wonder over the Locket, Incandescent, and Beam shadows.

One you pull out the bottom drawer using the ribbon tab, you'll find five Buxom Lip Polishes: Kanani, a sheer pink; Betty, a crimson shade; Dani, a berry pink; Gabby, a grape wine shade; and Sandy, a pink nude. For a better idea of what these look like on skin, check out these swatches.

In the bottom drawer of the golden box, tou'll also discover five Natural Lip Glosses: Sprinkles, a sheer color with just a hint of yellow gold and plenty of clear pearl particles; Cranberry Sorbet, a creamy guava shade; Angel Food Cake, a sheer peachy pink saturated with mutli-dimensional shimmer; Energy Drink, a pink lemonade shade with golden undertones and an all-over sheen; and Apple Butter, a brownish fig-like hue with hints of red and tiny gold pearl particles.

Elva Fields Gamine in Green Necklace, $328. Available at Shop.ElvaFields.com 

This handmade wonder features three strands of polished teardrop-shaped turquoise beads painted an emerald green color, each bead separated from its neighbor by a gilt brass bead. A vintage emerald rhinestone brooch positioned at the center of the necklace adds a regal touch.

 

 

 

Santi Audrina Clutch, $140. Available at Endless.com

This envelope-shaped clutch has more cubes than a game of Tetris. Measuring 10" in width, 4.5" in height, and 1.5" in depth, the Santi Audrina Clutch features a fabric body covered by square beads in multiple tones of blue, ranging from midnight blue to aqua, turquoise, and indigo.

 

Holiday Gift Guide from A to Z -- Moving on to D, E, F

Last week, we kicked off our A to Z Holiday Gift Guide coverage by taking a Sesame Street-worthy approach to the task, tackling items corresponding to the first three letters of the alphabet, with A standing for Art Deco, B for Blossoms, and C for Color Blocking. This week, we're moving on down the road to the next three letters: D, E, and F.

What does each letter stand for? Well, in our holiday wonder world, D is for Dainty, E is for Egyptian, and F is for Fur-Trimmed. Whether you want to be delightfully prim, channel Cleopatra, or fall for fur, these gift ideas will sate your appetite.

D IS FOR DAINTY

Bing Bang NYC Victorian Snowflake Earrings, $38. Available at BingBangNYC.com

Forget snowflakes that stay on your nose and eye lashes. This wintry season, our favorite things include these silver-plated, sterling-silver dipped snowflake earring studs, designed by Anna Sheffield. Each earring juxtaposes a cross shape made of bulbous, laurel-like sides, and an "X" formation with rounded, hollow, petal-like sides with dot-like studs along the periphery of each side and a trio of ball-shaped studs at the rounded outer tips.

Lush Snow Fairy Gift, $22.95. Available at LUSHusa.com

Not only does this pre-wrapped box set capture the fanciful imagination of every fairy-loving princess with it hot pink gift wrapping, its silver bow, and the jingle bell tied at the very top, but it houses equally lovable treasures — mainly, the LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel, a cotton candy-scented wash featuring lactic acid, a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid that gently exfoliates, optimizes moisture levels, and helps achieve smoother, softer, more radiant skin. The 3.3 fl. oz. shower gel is accompanied by a star-shaped Angel's Delight Soap, which smells like tangerines and blackcurrants and features sweet orange oil, which has astringent an antibacterial properties, antioxidant-rich rapeseed oil, and softening coconut extract; and by  heart-shaped, white Shimmy Shimmy Glitter Bar that practically melts on the skin, living behind a creamy vanilla fragrance and coating the skin with sparkle, as if you'd bathed in magical fairy dust. 

 

Harajuku Lovers Jingle G Eau de Toilette Spray Ornament, $24.99. Available at HSN.com

The leader of the Harajuku Lovers team, G, pulls off as many costume changes as Gwen Stefani, the pop star whose countenance it mirrors. For the holiday season, the blond starlet dons a red Santa Claus-like suit with cuffed sleeves, a row of buttons, and a high collar in snowy white; a thick black belt with a square gold buckle; black boots; white gloves; and an oversize red hair bow. Her heart-shaped pout painted in Stefani's signature red hue, her black eyeliner winging out flirtatiously, and her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, Jingle G is playful and feminine to the core, with fragrance notes that include white star fruit, gardenia, tangerine, honeysuckle, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, and cedarwood. The display-ready bottle features a velvet loop along the top of the figural doll, so that you can hang Jingle G right on the Christmas tree or, if you prefer, keep her inside the clear, cylindrical packaging, which also includes a velvet ribbon loop attached to the red cap for use as an ornament.

 

 

Liplicious All I Want Lip Gloss, $8 each. Available at BathAndBodyWorks.com

These limited-edition lip glosses feature moisturizing vitamin E and jojoba oil, and they feature season-appropriate tube designs and scents. The Liplicious Gingerbread Giggle Lip Gloss, for example, is a sheer, bronze-tinged, coral pink with magenta glitter that enhances your pout's natural color. The sweet, gingerbread-scented gloss is packaged in a squeezable tube illustrated with a teal bow and a gingerbread cookie. The Peppermint Hug Lip Gloss, meanwhile, features a candy cane-colored, red-and-white bow with a sky blue tag dangling beneath it, bearing the gloss's name. The sweet but minty-smelling clear gloss features opalescent glitter particles that reflect aqua, pink, gold, green, and yellow tones. The Liplicious Candied Smile Lip Gloss, meanwhile, is a mauve pink color loaded with clear and pink glitter bits and featuring a licorice-tinged, gumdrop fragrance.

Ariel Gordon Jewelry Sugar Loaf Studs, $395, and Tetra Spike Necklace in 14K Rose Gold, $490. Available at ArielGordonJewelry.com

For jewelry designer Ariel Gordon, it's the small things that make all the difference. Take, for example, these 1/4-inch, triangle-shaped, iolite studs, which feature faceted, sloping, pyramid-like sides and a 14k gold setting with thick arrow-like tips along each corner. Another great choice: the Tetra Spike Necklace, which features an arrow-shaped pendant measuring 1/3" by 1/4" hanging from a slender box chain.

 

Gianna Rose Nutcracker Soaps, $22. Available at GiannaRose.com

Make Tchaikovsky proud by choreographing your own applause-worthy performance with this boxed set of five Nutcracker Prince-shaped soaps. The French-milled soaps feature clove, Balsam fir, and burnt orange notes for a slightly spicy yet woody scent. 

bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lip Collection, $28. Available at BareEscentuals.com

You'll want to sing "Amazing Grace" to these liquid lipstick shades, which are as richly pigmented as lipstick but boast the vinyl-like sheen of most quality glosses. The bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lip Collection features four 2 ml lip color tubes, each with a sponge tip applicator wand. The colors in this set are: Savvy, a toffee caramel hue; Confidence, a mauve-tinged red; Sass, a near sheer, golden peach color with clear and gold glitter bits; and Oomph, a sheer peachy pink with an icy sheen. Check out swatches here!

Holiday Shopping From A To Z -- Let's Start With The ABCs

You're probably getting ready to rock around the Christmas tree which, of course, means finding just the right gifts to place underneath those fragrant branches. For this year's Holiday Gift Guide, we're giving you the scoop on the best gift options out there, moving from A to Z — literally.

Using the alphabet as our road map, we're picking an aesthetic, theme, or trend for each single letter and amassing items that work within those parameters. To kick off the fun, we've started with A, B, and C. What does each of these letters stand for? Well, in our gift guide, A is for Art Deco, B is for Blooms, and C is for Color Blocking.

Excited yet? Then wait until you see our selections!

A-B-C really is as easy as 1-2-3!

A IS FOR ART DECO

Howard Elliott Collection Wilmette Mirror, $839.99. Available at BronsonDesign.com

You'll be saying, "Mirror, Mirror" way before Charlize Theron in Snow White and the Huntsmen with this  glass mirror, which resembles Superman's Fortress of Solitude with the three layers of faceted, pointed, stalagmite-like glass slices surrounding the rectangular-shaped mirror at the center. Measuring 37" by 52", this sunburst-flavored piece will practically beckon you to stare at your reflection.

 

 

Sylvie Collection Something Hue Earrings, $1,365. Available at SylvieCollection.com

Nothing quite says Art Deco like the combination of glossy black and gleaming silver or gold.  These earrings capture that aesthetic perfectly with elongated, teardrop-shaped onyx stones, capped with 14k white gold. The drop earrings dangle from earlobes by 14K gold fish hook closures adorned with diamonds along their rounded curves and featuring dainty, diamond-embellished chain strands between the closures and the onyx drops .

 

Gio Diev Phoenix, $875. Visit GioDiev.com for store information. 

As if the contrast of black and mirrored gold Nappa leather weren't enough to make Art Deco fanatics salivate, public-relations-expert-turned-footwear-designer Gio Metodiev added a sculptural, futuristic quality to his Phoenix shoe via mountain-shaped cut-outs along the sides and, most importantly, a trio of leather straps fanning out at the top of the shoe in an accordion-like manner. The pointed toe and straight heel, meanwhile, balance out the more rounded design elements. You can pick between a glossy black leather number with mirrored gold leather details or a soft gold shoe with black leather details — either way, you'll be attaining style immortality.

 

Jill Milan Art Deco Clutch in Silver, $2500. Available at JillMilan.com

This boxy, Italian stainless steel clutch measures 4.25" in height, 7" in width, and 1.5" in depth, and it has a silver, mirrored sheen that makes it look glamorous without being ostentatious. The square closure at the top of the clutch is engraved with the JM logo, adding a nice detail to the otherwise minimalist design.

 

Lulu Frost for J. Crew Wide Deco Bangle, $98. Available at JCrew.com 

True to her vintage-influenced aesthetic, Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer created this rounded bangle for her limited-edition, affordable jewelry line for J.Crew. The glossy black resin bangle measures 2 1/2" in diameter and features a gold-plated, brass buckle-like accent at the center, with a rectangular, faceted, smokey quartz-like center stone housed in the metal detail's interior. The stone's gold-plated frame is further embellished by handle-like strips along along the length, at the top and bottom of the stone, and arc-like details along its sides  — all encrusted with pavé-set Czech crystals.

 

 

 

Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Mosaic Shoes, $270. Available at Couture.Zappos.com 

Dorothy would've chucked her ruby red slippers had she seen these bow-accented, mosaic-style, mirrored gold flats from Salvatore Ferragamo, which feature a sensible 3/8" heel and rounded toe.

 

Kilian "Night Jewels" Collection, $425 for one bottle filled with any scent from the L'Oeuvre Noire or Arabian Nights collection. Available at RonRobinson.com

Fragrance expert Kilian Hennessy titled his Holiday 2011 collection “Joyaux de Nuit” (“Night Jewels”) after the four jeweled bottle designs he envisioned, all of which are meant to capture the black of night and the sparkle of the lights and stars during the evening hours.

Three of the four bottles were inspired by the L'Oeuvre Noir fragrance family: a heart split in two by a silver strip lined with rectangular smoky crystal stones and round clear crystals captures the heartache associated with "Love and its Prohibitions;" a shifting, distorted version of the square shape of the Place Vendôme in Paris channels the regal quality of "The Temptations" scent; and a futuristic design consisting of two staggered semi-circles facing one another, then adorned with vertical strips of faceted jewels resembling tower formations, captures the naughty, salacious spirit of "The Artificial Paradises" scent. The final bottle deviates aesthetically from the others by incorporating gold accents and Swarovski crystals, all of which are meant to capture the opulent spirit of the Arabian Nights fragrance collection.

All of the handcrafted bottles are refillable, making them timeless treasures worthy of the most extravagant boudoir. 

Halloween-Themed Goodies Worth Howling About

Whether you're turning your home into a haunted space like Modern Family's Claire and Phil Dunphy; impersonating Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, or Snooki with your costume choice; creating an Elvira-worthy hairdo and a theatrical, hedonistic eye makeup look before hitting the club scene; or just dressing in your everyday clothes but infusing a hint of spooky fun via playfully eerie accessories, these spooktacular Halloween buys that will scare you straight!

 

Amrita Singh Skull Hoop Earrings, $100. Available at AmritaSingh.com

Tell-tale signs that it's Halloween: Tales from the Crypt-ish skulls covering the exterior of large hoop earrings. These metal-plated brass hoop earrings, measuring 2.25" in diameter, fuse together goth and glam aesthetics thanks to the dark theme and the clear and black crystals encrusted within the skull shapes. 

 

 

Lulu Guinness Bloomsbury Spiderweb Umbrella, $65. Available at LuluGuinness.com

If your local forecast calls for rain, don't let your high spirits be watered down. Simply break out this Lulu Guinness umbrella, which spans 1020mm when open, and show the world that the Itsy Bitsy Spider is so resilient that this creepy crawler can never be washed out. 

 

 

Target Skull Dinner Plates, $11.99 for Set of 6; Spider Web Cereal Bowls, $11.99 for Set of 6; Wine Goblets, $17.99 for Set of 6; and Spider Web 2-Tier Tray, $19.99. Available at Target.com

Hosting a dinner party? Sprucing up your home for those eager trick-or-treaters? Then set your table with these gothic plates, cups, and bowls. The melamine Skull Dinner Plates measure 11" in diameter and feature a textured, static-y finish, while the plastic wine goblets feature baroque domed details that recall the décor at a murder mystery dinner theater. If you're baking cupcakes, muffins, or any other pastries, display them on the two-tiered, black metal, spiderweb-shaped stand.

 

Case-Mate Frank, Monsta, and Tut iPhone 4 Cases, $24.99 each. Available at Case-Mate.com

All three of these iPhone 4 cases are constructed out of flexible silicone and feature cut-outs for easy access to the phone's control buttons and the camera lens. Choose between the Frankenstein-inspired Frank case, the sanguine Monsta case (which features raised accents for an easier grip), and the fang-tastic Tut case, with its angular slices and blotchy, inky splashes of color.

Bing Bang NYC Bat Studs, $38, and Wolf Mini Studs, $30. Available at BingBangNYC.com

Don't want Halloween to turn into too expensive and time-consuming a production? Then just add a hint of flavor to your ensemble with these Bing Bang earrings which correspond to the theme but can be worn all year long. The silver-plated, brass bat studs are only 1" wide, but they feature a bevy of details — fro etchings along the webbed bat wings to grooves along his body that resemble mussy hair. The sterling silver Wolf Mini Studs, plated in yellow gold, are even smaller, measuring 1/4" in size, but they pack quite the hair-raising howl. 

 

HBO Tru Blood Beverage, $16 for 6-Pack. Available at Store.HBO.com

Unlike Bill Compton's synthetic blood cocktail of choice, these carbonated beverages don't need to be categorized as B-positive, A-negative, or O-positive. Universally appealing, the Tru Blood beverage available at the HBO Store will appeal to those with a vampire fascination but no bloodthirsty tendencies of their very own. Each drink tastes a bit like orange soda but the carbonation is way more subtle here. Plus, when mixed with rum, it tastes like a spiked punch — perfect for a Halloween bash! 

FriendsWithYou x Sanrio Launch the "Wish Come True for Hello Kitty" Collection

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smiling is practically a reflex, an involuntary facial spasm, when exposed to the joy that constitutes the DNA of every collectible toy, art print, tee, sticker, USB drive, desk trinket, and home accent created by Miami-based art collective FriendsWithYou. Colorful characters shaped like bowling pins, Russian Matryoshka nesting dolls, awkward oversize penguins, and juicy burgers perpetually beam their charming smiles and show off the polka dots, Life Saver-esque rings, and vertical stripes covering their bodies. Bearing names like Malfi, Mr. TTT Burger, Buddy Chub, Mr. Phantom, and Super Malfi, these quirky scoundrels navigate through a magical universe filled with happy clouds, trippy rainbows, Super Mario-esque mushrooms, giant red-and-white lollipops, and picturesque homes with drawn-on faces. If you extracted aesthetic elements from Pee-Wee's Playhouse, Super Mario's Mushroom Kingdom, Candyland, Scooby Doo's Mystery Machine Van, and Twister, then blended them all together, the final recipe would be but the appetizer before the delicious entree that is the FriendsWithYou world. Oddly enough, even for us cynical New Yorkers, this psychedelic, über bright, exuberant dimension never feels annoyingly happy — it's almost as if these oddball characters are in on a mischievous secret that we become privy to when we immerse ourselves in the FriendsWithYou experience. 

Given that the FriendsWithYou mission is to provide a message of Magic, Luck and Friendship through art, the company's compatibility with Sanrio is undeniable. After all, Sanrio has earned worldwide acclaim by introducing a lovable gang of characters with unique personalities, relatable back stories, and ebullient lifestyles — among them Hello Kitty, Keroppi, Chococat, and TuxedoSam.

The stellar FriendsWithYou x Sanrio "Wish Come True for Hello Kitty" collection launching today serves as proof of the type of magic that can be unleashed when two like-minded creative powerhouses join forces. The  whimsical collection incorporates fashion accessories (from a tote bag with bow-adorned shoulder straps to a zip-top coin purse with a key chain ring), luggage (check out the sky blue carry-on after the jump), desk accessories (journals, pencils, and snow globes), plush toys, tech accessories (like a laptop sleeve and an iPhone 4 case), and kid-friendly knickknacks like metal key chains, laminated pencil cases, metal lunchbox and refillable aluminum water bottles.  

We're loving the 12-inch Hello Kitty plush toys (particularly the "Rainbow King" design, in which Hello Kitty is shown wearing a Super Malfi-like helmet), the 13" printed neoprene laptop case pictured above (valued at $45), and the adorable coin purse shown last above (priced at $20). But, as the name suggests, this co-branded collection is a wish come true for anyone with a child-like imagination and an appetite for joy.

Make sure to visit Sanrio.com and FriendsWithYou.com to shop the collection and check out more images after the jump. 

 

Strange Days -- Mimoco and Cosmic Debris Unveil Emily the Strange Mimobots

 

 

 

What's stranger than fiction? An all-too-real USB flash drive resembling a strange but lovable fictional character: Emily the Strange.

Created by Rob Reger in 1993, Emily stands in stark contrast to the dominant images of perennially skirt-clad, pink-loving, giggly young girls with weekly ballet classes and bedrooms plastered with posters of crush-worthy teenybopper male singers. Instead of fuzzy bunnies and cuddly puppies, this 13-year-old favors the independent spirit of her four slightly spooky black cats. This strong-minded teen could care less about trends, which is why, instead of shopping for accessories at Claire's, she wears a no-fuss black dress. Like MTV's Daria character, Emily harbors a no-nonsense attitude, but she also adapts better to social environments, so that she's free of the jaded attitude that's so firmly entrenched into Daria's psyche.

Now thanks to a collaboration between Mimoco and Cosmic Debris, fans of the bang-rocking, conformity-bucking character can get their hands on one of the two USB flash drives made in her image. The co-branded Emily the Strange MIMOBOT series consists of two bold designs: “People Are Strange" and ”Save Yourself," each of which retails for $22.95 at Mimoco.com.

The Emily the Strange "People Are Strange" Mimobot celebrates quirkiness and individuality while nodding to the poster art style of the late 1960s and early 1970s with lightning-like, white zig-zags accentuating her blunt bangs, dramatic swooshes to give her black mane movement, and rounded, Jefferson Airplane-ish red letters spelling "Emily" along the bottom of the flash drive and stating "People Are Strange" along the back. 

For a more tongue-in-cheek interpretation of the character, Mimoco also created the Emily the Strange "Save Yourself" Mimobot, which depicts her as a superhero-in-the-making, donning a Robin-worthy, feline-flavored red mask and a makeshift red cape with an illustration of a black cat along the back, which itself features jagged seams. To finish the masked avenger effect, Emily's forehead features a white bat-like shape — perhaps her own call to action. 

Both of these Mimobots come pre-loaded with an Emily the Strange e-book and themed wallpapers, icons, and avatars.