SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Check Out My “Geometric Brights” Look On Tyra Banks’ TypeF.com!

While Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City was relocated from the Bryant Park tents to Lincoln Center in Fall 2010, the change in venues hasn't altered the event's DNA. Whether the Fashion Week hub is located at Midtown East or the Upper West Side, those in attendance will attest to the scenario remaining unchanged in at least one way: the fashion shows aren't staged exclusively inside the storied venues. Every stylist, editor, buyer, writer, and blogger scurrying from one show to the next is staging his or her own performance, hoping to turn heads, inspire some awe-struck cooing, and lure one of the shutterbugs lurching outside. The attention-grabbing antics can often border on ridiculous — take, for instance, a black-haired twenty-something guy with ripped black mesh tied over his eyes to create a grunge-y Zorro look, the words "Long Live McQueen" scrawled on his cheek with black liner, or consider the sisters in the paint splatter-covered white jumpsuits and the Flock of Seagulls-inspired, bleached blond 'dos.

But, for every limelight-starved wannabe, there is a true fashion reveler, someone who simply loves having the opportunity to strut in his or her favorite threads and showcase his or her own personal style. This is precisely the type of spirit I embrace — not just during Fashion Week, but every single day. I consider fashion a conduit towards personal expression, and I approach every outfit with that same stance, thinking, "How do I feel today? What is it that I want to express?"

On September 12th, as I made my way to some shows at Lincoln Center, I was stopped by Jennifer Chan of Tyra Banks' new fashion, beauty and lifestyle website TypeF.com and asked about my look for the day: a Bohemian-flavored ensemble consisting of a hip-hugging taupe maxi skirt from My Tribe; a loose-fitting, tan-colored, short-sleeved Greylin blouse with a coral orange geometric print; Rosegold's tan Layla Platform Sandals, which feature a flirtatious peep toe and diamond-shaped cut-outs; and an Isabelle Fiore orange purse with floral embroidery. Since I'm huge on accessories, I infused a funky twist into my look via my choice of jewelry: from a pair of groovy House of Harlow 1960 Leather Tribal Earrings in orange to the 14-piece Amrita Singh Selena Bangle Set, a grooved Lia Sophia ring, and an oversize, brass-toned H&M ring with a domed orange stone.

Check out the video interview above (or at TypeF.com) and, if you're digging the outfit, click here to "like" it!

Posted at 06:13 PM in DVD, Jewelry | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

July 17, 2011

Breaking Bad: The Complete Third Season On DVD — Catch Up Before Season 4 Ignites!

Those who claim that AMC's Breaking Bad glorifies drugs clearly haven't seen a single episode of the critically-acclaimed series. On a surface level, the series does center on the drug trade: Emmy winner Bryan Cranston (whose prior credits include the quirky family show Malcolm in the Middle) plays Walter White, a middle-aged chemistry teacher in an Albuquerque high school who, upon discovering he suffers from terminal lung cancer, chooses to keep his diagnosis secret from his worry-prone pregnant wife and disabled teenage son and stumbles into the lucrative meth cooking game as a means to earn some quick money to leave behind for his family. Walt's shepherd in the drug trade: his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), a careless, impulsive, slick-talking petty drug dealer who loses his meth-cooking partner during a DEA bust conducted by Walt's brother-in-law, Hank, whose cowboy-like antics in the police force trigger some comical delusions of grandeur.

But there's nothing glamorous about Walt's day-to-day life — no fast cars, no cocaine-sniffing sirens in nightclubs, no mansions with built-in elevators. For most of the first season, Walt is cooking in a run-down RV in the middle of the desert while holding down his teaching gig, maintaining his straight-arrow persona, and tending to his Type A wife Skylar, who grows increasingly suspicious of Walt's recurring and oft unexplained absences.

What's most fascinating [SPOILER AHEAD!!!] — beyond the flasks and blue-colored rocks, the squabbling between Walt and Jesse, and the run-ins with both minor and major drug dealers — is the way the characters develop and change during the course of the past three seasons. In Season 1, viewers can practically sense the ticking clock in Walt's brain, his frantic rush to cook as much meth and amass as much money as possible before his final days. Though he rarely abandons his methodical demeanor and no-nonsense rhetoric, it's clear that his actions are predicated by a stifling desperation. Still, his conscience plagues him when he faces situations that challenge his most basic understanding of right and wrong. Case in point: how he postpones killing his and Jesse's hostage, Krazy-8, bringing him sandwiches with crusts cut off (the way he likes them), conversing with him about his family life, and practically begging him for assurances that, should he be let free, he won't seek retribution.

By Season 2, however, Walt has become more comfortable with the grittier side of his profession, adopting a pseudonym to ensure greater safety from being nabbed by the DEA, which has now made him a prime target. As he finds his life threatened by power-hungry cartel bigwigs, he steps up with remarkable valor, his nice guy façade cracking to reveal a man who, when his back is against the wall, will go to any means to survive. Rising higher in the drug trade also means becoming further estranged from his wife who, by the end of Season 2, is ready to call it quits on her marriage.

In many ways, Season 3 is one of consequences for Walt. With his marriage on the rocks, he questions why he ever entered the business. He's kicked cancer after some intense rounds of chemotherapy but, with the loss of his wife and kids, he can't quite muster a sense of gratitude for his extended life span. This time around, when Walt re-enters the drug business after a brief lapse, his decision is dictated by a different sort of desperation: his life now lacks purpose and, without it, the risk involved in cooking meth seems worth taking. The Walt we see in this season is perhaps colder, more calculating, more volatile, less plagued by matters of morality. And yet there are moments when his conscience eats at him — especially in matters pertaining to his brother-in-law, whose life he unwittingly endangered.

But, while Walt's character arc is fascinating and there are some remarkable behavioral differences in Season 3, I'd argue that this season really belongs to Jesse. If Walt is losing sight of his moral center, Jesse's trajectory involves an awakening of his ethical beliefs. The wise-cracking thug wannabe we saw in Season 1 is, for the most part, a relic of the past. Virtually disowned by his parents, having lost a close friend in a drive-by shooting, and reeling from the loss of his landlady-turned-lover, who overdosed in her sleep while laying inches from him, Jesse feels adrift. He's forced to kick the heroin habit he acquired while dating Jane and to ponder what other routes he could follow with his life. With no education or skill set, however, Jesse finds few viable options, plus his sense of identity has become firmly entrenched in the drug dealer façade he has kept up for so many years. Still, Jesse is discovering that he's not willing to conduct business at any cost, that he does have some standards of conduct, a deep-rooted sense of right and wrong which Walt now seems to struggle to discern. While Walt becomes more comfortable with pulling the trigger in a do-or-die situation, Jesse can't justify killing — or, at least, he can't justify being the killer, the one actually taking the life in question. As Season 3 progresses though, Jesse must grapple with a plethora of conflicting emotions: from his own mixed feelings towards Walt to his desire for revenge after being beaten within an inch of his life to his disgust over the employ of children by local drug dealing gangs.

Between the season's narrative ambition, the stellar performances by both Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, and the usage of metaphorical imagery (note the crawling scene in the first episode and then observe how it relates to other scenarios involving crawling later on in the season), Season 3 exemplifies why Breaking Bad is simply the best series on television.

Go get your copy of Breaking Bad: The Complete Third Season for $19.99 at Amazon.com and tune into AMC at 10 p.m. for the premiere of Season 4!

Posted at 12:27 PM in DVD, Television | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

December 24, 2010

All About Christmas Eve — Gift Picks For Those Tardy To The Holiday Shopping Party

If you're part of the procrastination nation, first off, welcome! I myself am a card-carrying member of the Last Minute Fellowship, so I'll be joining the rest of you in the hectic dash to complete my holiday shopping. Panic may be setting in right now, but you'll need a clear head and a detailed checklist to make good time. To help you along the way, then, we've compiled some great last-minute buys for those people you haven't checked off your shopping list just yet.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas Eve!

Arcona Nourish & Repair Kit, $60. Available at Arcona.com

This three-piece Arcona set seeks to hydrate, refine texture, and strengthen your skin's immune system (remember: the skin is the body's largest organ!).The Booster Defense Serum is designed for use during the morning, as the step after cleansing and before moisturizing. The soothing lightweight serum features green tea extract,black tea extract, black currant oil, aloe leaf extract, witch hazel, vitamin E, grapefruit extract, and vitamin C to deliver a potent mix of antioxidants that will protect skin from environmental aggressors. The Night Worker Repair, meanwhile, is meant for use only one to two times per week, during the evening hours. This gel refreshes instantly, as it infuses skin with hydrating peach, pumpkin, and apricot extracts, evening primrose oil, and black currant oil. Vitamins C and E help to firm skin and protect it from free radicals. Lastly, the Papaya Enzyme Gel is also designed for use once to twice a week. This potent gel-like substance relies on papaya enzymes to strengthen the skin's natural barrier, while vitamin A helps to fight discoloration, correct acne, and stimulate cell renewal (which in turn helps to fight acne scars). With this skincare trifecta, your skin will be refreshed, rebooted and reloaded.

Prada L'Eau Ambree Parfum de Sac, $76. Available at SaksFifthAvenue.com

Months after releasing its L'Eau Ambree fragrance (read our review here), Prada is offering a portable purse-ready atomizer for fans of the luxurious, gender-bending scent, which features top notes of cedrat (a Sicilian citrus), a heart of rose de mai, and base notes of patchouli, vanilla and oppoponax that evoke an amber-like scent. In keeping with the sophisticated edge of the scent, the Prada L'Eau Ambree Pafum de Sac is a light yellow gold color with the Prada logo engraved across a gold lamé plaque on one side and emblazoned in jet black along the other side, and it features a chain and snap clip so you can attach it to your purse strap or belt loop.

Hourglass Cosmetics Extreme Sheen Set, $45. Available at Sephora.com

Hourglass Cosmetics' Extreme Sheen Lip Glosses glide across lips with more ease than a dollop of vaseline, moisturizing lips with vitamin E and enhancing collagen and elastin production thanks to the Laminactine in the formula. Similarly, the soft brush bristles are softer than most sponge-tip gloss applicators. But there's more to love than the amenable texture of this non-sticky gloss — each color boasts a high-impact sheen and a multi-dimensional fine. With Hourglass' Extreme Sheen glosses, three is never a crowd. The Extreme Sheen Set, then, makes for an excellent gift. It features three 0.12 oz. lip glosses in Ignite, a rosy beige packed with shimmer; Child, a sheer nude that adds just a veil of color to lips; and Siren, a metallic red reminiscent of a Christmas tree ornament. Here's a swatch of the Siren Extreme Sheen lipgloss that will lure you right in!

Island Michael Kors Palm Beach Eau de Parfum, $62. Available at Macys.com

Michael Kors' Island series of perfumes manages to recreate the feel of different sun-drenched destinations. After enchanting us with Island Michael Kors Capri, Island Michael Kors Hawaii, and Island Michael Kors Bermuda, the fashion and fragrance guru released this tribute to Palm Beach, an enclave of wealth in Florida commonly referred to as the American Riviera. The Island Michael Kors Palm Beach EDP, then, opens with the types of citrus notes we associate with Florida (among them orange, grapefruit and tangerine), then imbues them with an island living feel thanks to Havana-ready rum and vanilla notes, adding feminine jasmine for a floral allure and a black tea note for an exotic touch.

Miss Jessie's Value Pack, $64. Available at MissJessies.com and Folica.com

If you're a curly-haired cutie, you've likely heard of buzzed-about brand Miss Jessie's, which focuses on cleansing, conditioning, and styling products for women with soft waves, tight coils, spring-like spirals, kinky curls, and everything in between. Share the Miss Jessie's wealth with other curly chicas by gifting them with the Miss Jessie's Value Pack, which features an assortment of travel-sized (2 oz.) products, among them: the Curly Pudding, which will help you shape strands and give them hold; the Curly Meringue, which revitalizes lifeless curls; the Rapid Recovery Treatment, a leave-in mask for dry of damaged tresses; the Stretch Silkening Creme, a new formulation that combines conditioning and moisturizing ingredients from several Miss Jessie's puddings and buttercremes, yielding a formula that stretches curls and gives them a bit more shine; the Curly Buttercreme, meant to hydrate and pump up the volume on curly strands; and the Baby Buttercreme, a kid-friendly version of the Curly Buttercreme.

Trina "Jayne" Pencil Case, $24. Available at Nordstrom locations and fine boutiques nationwide. To locate a retailer near you visit TrinaStyle.com

This zip-top, vinyl-coated makeup bag features a jungle-flavored baroque floral print, with olive green foliage and blooms against a midnight blue backdrop and surprising hints of teal and purple along the leaves and stems pictured on the back of the pencil case.

Posted at 05:28 PM in Beauty, DVD | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

December 25, 2009

Pop In These DVDs And Enjoy The Holidays!

Merry Christmas, my lovely STA readers! I know many of you are laying low today, enjoying some time with your loved ones (and maybe even rejoicing over whatever trinkets were in your stocking). If you feel like getting a DVD to watch, consider these great options — and happy holidays!

Public Enemies (Two-Disc Special Edition DVD), $21.49. Buy at Amazon.com

One of the year's greatest films (yes, I place it above Star Trek, Transformers 2, and all the other blockbuster sci-fi/action flicks), Public Enemies is an action-packed, thrilling ride and a semi-biopic (though it's not billed as such, many of the scenes were based on real-life footage). Johnny Depp delivers yet another brilliant performance as John Dillinger, the notorious bank robber who wrought havoc on the Chicago area in the years following the Great Depression. Directed by Michael Mann, the film includes some of Dillinger's most famous jobs (and even the jail breakouts he masterminded), but it goes beyond gun-slinging to capture the feel of that era.

Dillinger targeted the financial and governmental institutions that had brought on the most dire of financial conditions, with people across America losing their homes, their land, their jobs, and all their belongings as a result of the bank system's collapse. At a time when there was so much anger towards these institutions, then, Dillinger was seen as a hero of sorts — sure, he wasn't leading an uprising, but he was raising a giant middle finger to the system that had failed America's middle, working, and lower classes. During his bank-robbing sprees, he was aid to have told the customers inside the banks to put their money away, as he sought only the banks' money. The average person, then, didn't see him as any sort of villain — if anything, they cheered him on. Plus, Dillinger possessed a charisma and a charm that made him positively endearing.

Michael Mann does a superb job, studying archival footage of John Dillinger (during press conferences after his capture and such), studying news articles from the era, and even shooting on location at the jail where Dillinger was held (even inside the cell where Dillinger had been locked up). Each of the film's players, particularly Christian Bale (who stars as the FBI agent who leads the Dillinger task force) and Marion Cotillard (who plays Dillinger's girlfriend Billie Frechette) seemed equally invested in accurately capturing the personality traits, the mannerisms, and the overall feel of their characters. And the showdown between the FBI agents and Dillinger's crew? Well, that alone is reason to watch.

Extract DVD, $17.99. Available at Amazon.com

Many critics have labeled this workplace comedy a return to the type of wry, clever humor that made director Mike Judge's Office Space a cult classic, focusing on the banality of the workplace and the redundancy of our home/life routines — themes that prove relatable to almost any viewer. Jason Bateman plays Joel, a relatively affluent man who owns an extract company that fares well and is being courted by General Mills. It's a boring and uninspiring job, but hey, it pays the bills. His marriage is even more unremarkable since his wife seems to never be in the mood for any type of lovemaking Disgruntled and confused, he confides in his druggie, slacker, bartender best friend (played by Ben Affleck with surprising charm), who doles out some positively ludicrous advice.Things get even more complicated when a freak workplace accident threatens the company's financial buoyancy, and a sexy new temp (played by Mila Kunis) shows up at the extract plant and tempts Joel into considering an affair.

While it doesn't contain as many quotable moments as Office Space, Extract does hit some high notes, mainly thanks to Jason Bateman, who deftly captures the malaise of the average working stiff.

Weeds Season Four DVD, $29.99. Available at Amazon.com

At the end of Season 3, our favorite pot-dealing suburban mom was forced to leave her old nabe, after the goons she hired for "protection" from a biker gang set fire to not only the bikers' pad, but the entire neighborhood. At the start of Season 4, then, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) is uprooting her family (older son Silas, younger son Shane, and brother-in-law Andy) and finally decides to head for her father-in-law's home, which is situated right by the border between California and Mexico). Once there, Nancy starts to work on a plan, teaming up with Guillermo (the same man who was responsible for torching her old nabe) and asking for a piece of the action. She soon becomes their designated smuggler (but she's bringing in more than pot, folks!) — and, after she earns Guillermo's trust, he sets her up to operate a maternity store (which is, of course, a complete front).

As Nancy starts to learn more about Guillermo and who his associates are, she realizes she's now part of an elaborate criminal network that literally stretches all the way to the top tiers of government in Mexico. Impetuous and impulsive, she starts asking too many questions, makes some very questionable decisions, and manages to incur the wrath of both her criminal association and the authorities.

Though entertaining, Season 4's plot lines prove rather outlandish and far-fetched, and we end up longing for the good old days when Nancy was setting up grow houses with Connor. Also, Nancy's personality and demeanor change this season, as the writers try to transform her into more of a badass, fearless female — and instead, wind up making her a caricature of her earlier self and one whose intentions and motivations we have a much harder time understanding.

Posted at 04:21 PM in DVD, Film | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

December 22, 2009

Holiday Gift Guide Part 10 — For the Fly Girl With A Bit of Edge

Two days 'til Christmas! Feeling the pressure? Well, chill back, clear your head and remember that there's always something you can buy for that tricky person on your list — it's just a matter of careful research. Throughout the holiday season, Sicka's been featuring gift round-ups themed after iconic female characters — from Joan Holloway to Penny Lane, Aeon Flux, Lily Van Der Woodsen, Elle Woods, Cher Horowitz, Satine, Liz Lemon, and Elvira Hancock.

For today's gift guide installment, I wanted to find the ultimate stylish urban girl: a sneakerhead with hip-hop swagger; a cool chick who is always up on the latest gear (like New New in ATL) and who combines streetwear with couture; a gal with an Aaliyah-esque edginess (may she rest in piece) and a Rihanna-like flair. Unfortunately, Hollywood has portrayed urban America really narrowly, and so I couldn't find a character that had all the right style attributes (not Nina from Love Jones, Sydney from Brown Sugar, Justice from Poetic Justice, Nikki from I Think I Love My Wife, Charlene from Get Rich Or Die Tryin', Lyric from Jason's Lyric, Sara Melas from Hitch, or any other character I could reference).

So, for today, we're bidding adieu to the film themes and just focusing on some cool gift ideas for that urban girl who loves both Jay-Z and Pink, knows every scene in Beat Street and Pulp Fiction, rocks sneakers and stilettos, and shops at Karmaloop and Barney's — in other words, the fliest chick in the game.

New Balance for Nine West Corbitt Sneakers, $89. Visit NineWest.com

New Balance really stepped outside of the box with this punk-y design for its fashion-forward collection for Nine West. The gunmetal-colored studs that make up the "N" logo and which are scattered throughout the sneaker pop out like night stars atop the cerulean blue nylon uppers. I also love the fact that they're hi-tops, which NB rarely tackles.

TOOFLY x GoodWood Trinity Collection Two-Finger Rings, $25 each. Visit TooFlyNYC.com

In the testosterone-laden street art scene, women have to work twice as hard to get the respect of their peers. New York graffiti artist TOOFLY has more than proved her legitimacy as an artist — she's rocked walls, exhibited her work at fine galleries, and collaborated with countless corporations and fashion labels. These carnival bright, joyful two-finger rings are part of a collaboration with GoodWood, an NYC-based label specializing in custom wooden jewelry.

Melody Ehsani The See Me Swarovski Earrings, $250. Visit Karmaloop.com

These parrot-shaped earrings say lots of things, but you won't find "Polly wants a cracker" among them. Like most of Ehsani's pieces, these earrings are made of laser-cut plastic, but they feature strands of Swarovski crystals carefully placed to add the vibrant colors you'd find in this birds' plumage.

FLUD Gold Tableturns Watch, $80. Visit FLUDwatches.com

Forget walking to the beat of her own drum — this lady struts to the scratches of her own turntable. Give the sassy music lover a watch that will tickle her inner DJ.

Maharishi Organic Cotton Hooded Top, $67.50. Visit TheOutnet.com

What would a city girl do without some hooded tees and sweaters? This Maharishi number features a multi-color trim along the edges and is made of organic cotton, so it's perfect for the eco-loving urbanite.

Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Set, $37. Visit Sephora.com

This set includes some of my all-time favorite Carol's Daughter products: the Tui Hair Smoothie, a delicious hair mask that smells like banana, passion fruit and guava and nourishes your tresses with shea and cocoa butter; the Tui Herbal Shampoo, a moisturizing and clarifying wash; and the Hair Milk, a lightweight leave-in conditioner that helps to liven and define naturally wavy/curly hair.

Be & D Studded Convertible Shoulder Tote, $1490. Visit Nordstrom.com

This studded Be & D shoulder bag takes me back to the days when the world was singing along to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and "Bad." It's got that aggressively playful vibe that epitomizes some of the most memorable pop and hip-hop cuts.

NYX Cosmetics Special Effects Lashes in Midnight Walts, $10. Visit NYXcosmetics.com

In the concrete jungle, we've all got to play up our wild side in order to survive. Make your eyes roar with these dramatic faux lashes from NYX Cosmetics.

Fallon Jewelry Berlin Necklace, $198. Visit Shopbop.com

This is one tangled web any girl would want to weave — or, at the very least, wear. The chunky Berlin necklace features silver-plated and brass chains, along with multiple strands of Swarovski crystals ,wrapped around a heavy silver link chain and intertwined with oxidized metal, disc-shaped charms.

The Piecebook Reloaded by David Villorente and Sacha Jenkins. Visit Amazon.com

Much respect to graffiti legend Chino, whose passion for the artform has never wavered and who continues to make the masses appreciate its legitimacy and its visual power. Piecebook Reloaded, a collaboration with Ego Trip founder Sacha Jenkins, includes sketches from various writers' blackbooks (including Revolt, Reas, Ces, Cope 2 and many others) and spans the years 1982-2005. It's the graff equivalent of digging in the crates.

Easy Hey Kid Onion 5-inch Toy, $39.95. Visit KidRobot.com

Instead of investing in sculptures or canvas paintings, many of us city kids would rather collect interesting vinyl figures like the Kid Onion toy pictured above. Check out his red Chuck Taylors!

New Balance For Nine West Chizzle Sneakers, $89. Visit NineWest.com

Not ready to commit to a leopard print dress or a giraffe print jacket? With these cheetah print New Balance for Nine West kicks, you can tiptoe into the wild kingdom — one step at a time.

Cubannie Links Guerra Chain, $52. Visit Karmaloop.com

Love is a battlefield, so give your beloved friend all the right weaponry with this new Cubannie Links chain, which features a bullet case pendant.

StrangeCo IWG Titus Plush Toy, $29.99. Visit Amazon.com

At first glance, this may seem like a run-of-the-mill teddy bear. But look closer — notice how this little guy's eyes are of two different sizes and how one little fang protrudes from edges of his silly grin. This little guy is a warrior, but dang, is he cuddly!

Sam Edelman Zoe Boot, $350. Visit UrbanOutfitters.com

Every time I look at these boots, I think of the outfits Madonna wore in her Blonde Ambition tour — the coned bustiers, the garter belts, and knee-high stocking. And yet another image also pops into my head: one of an equestrian performing a trick while atop his/her horse's saddle. The square too, hefty platform, quilted harness-like detail, and the two buckle straps all help to create this equestrian-meets-burlesque effect.

CC Skye Wicked Ring, $150. Visit Shopbop.com

I remember the first time I heard someone say "wicked" in approval. It was a complete clash of cultures moment, as I tried to decipher whether it was a denouncement or a celebration. I quickly realized her "wicked" was the equivalent of my "dope," "fresh," and "fly." Within that paradigm, then, this CC Skye ring's name is quite fitting.

TY KU Premium Liqueur 2009 Holiday Set, $32.99. Visit TryTyKu.com for availability.

I love when a present's packaging is a gift in and of itself. This holiday kit includes a 750 ml bottle of TY KU, a Soju vodka loaded with antioxidants for a health-boosting take on liqueur, and a chrome and custom glass shaker — both packaged in a box adorned with artwork from Tokyo's bubbling pop art scene. The box is so cool you'll want to keep it on display.

Dillanthology, Vol. 3, $14.98. Visit Amazon.com

For the third consecutive year since we lost the ultra talented producer J Dilla (may he rest in peace), Rapster is releasing its third album in the Dillanthology tribute series. This particular album focuses mainly on J Dilla's solo work, compiling together cuts like "Nothing Like This, "Won't Do," and "It's Like That."

Reebok Top Down x Hellz Bellz Sneakers, $100. Visit Karmaloop.com

You don't need a convertible to rock with the top down. These hi-top Reebok kicks, a collaboration with the super fly streetwear brand Hellz Bellz, feature fold-down tops (the inside is lined with this cool graphic print that looks like a pixelated image), black leather uppers with tiny perforations, and a strip featuring two rows of square, pyramid studs.

LAMB Signature Collapsible Tote, $295. Visit Nordstrom.com

The paint splatter design of this tote conjures up images of subway art and elaborate wall murals, while the grid along the back makes you think of wire fences for yet another urban visual reference.

Kowboys Black Foil Wedge Shirt, $98. Visit Kowboys.net

The silver foil-like print on this distressed, black short-sleeved top is the perfect piece to wear with skinny black jeans or a pencil skirt for a sleek but edgy look.

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II, $48. Visit UrbanDecay.com

It may be called the Book of Shadows, but this Urban Decay set will make you want to scream, "Let there be light!" The set includes UD's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, two 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils (in Zero and Bourbon), and 16 eye shadow shades.

DJ Hello Kitty Hey T-Shirt, $24. Visit 80sTees.com

It seems like Hello Kitty got into the spirit of Zhane's "Hey DJ." Remember how it kicks off? It goes: "Everybody, move your body — now do it/Here is something, that's gonna make you move and groove/Hey DJ, keep playing my song all night/On and on an on." Yup, HK is apparently ready to keep you movin' and groovin'.

PUMA Mihara Sneakers, $179. Visit Zappos.com

Instead of an all-over zebra print, PUMA went for a slightly subtler look here, utilizing the print only along the heel and the velcro strap along the ankle. The perforated whiter leather uppers, meanwhile, add yet another texture element for an even more intriguing effect.

Tokidoki for Hello Kitty Rolling Suitcase, $250. Visit Shop.Sanrio.com

Hello Kitty's face replaces that of some of your favorite Tokidoki characters (from Mozzarella to Sandy, Bastardino, Sabochan, and more) in this quirky Sanrio suitcase, which brings a whole new meaning to the expression "rollin' with the homies."

Lipstick Queen Five Minutes of Fame Mini Set, $28. Visit LipstickQueen.com

If there's one thing Lil' Mama did right (and frankly, it may be the ONLY thing she did right), it was let the world know how much girls in the hip-hop generation love their lipgloss. The Five Minutes of Fame set features five shades: 3, a coral pink; 5, an orange-y nude; 11, a magenta-tinged purple; 12, a pink with lilac undertones; and 13, a light poppy red.

DKNY Be Delicious Limited Edition Interchangeable Rollerball Set, $30. Available exclusively at ULTA stores.

This set is pure genius. If you love the fruity apple scent o DKNY's Be Delicious and Red Delicious scents, you're going to adore this gift set, which includes four miniature rollerballs: the Be Delicious EDP Rollerball, the Be Delicious Juicy Apple Accord Rollerball, the Be Delicious Sweet Floral Accord Rollerball, and the Be Delicious Sex-A-Peel Accord Rollerball — all of which can be mixed and matched so you can add a nice twist to your Be Delicious fragrance.

Love Rocks NY Crack Black Diamond Hoops, $4000. Visit LoveRocksNY.com

What Jenny from the Block type doesn't have a trusty pair of hoop earrings? But finding some hoops that stand out from the crowd? That's a different story. With its zig-zagging, jagged edges and rows of black diamonds, these earrings will highlight her star status.

Harajuku Lovers Snow Bunnies Bag Collection: Brush Case, $20; Clutch, $28; and Travel Bag, $48. Visit Sephora.com

For the winter season, the Harajuku Girls (Love, Angel, Baby and Music) stored away their jumpers, baby doll dresses and mini skirts and reached for their yummy coats, sweater vests, scarves and mittens. These makeup cases come in five different sizes (four of which are pictured above), each with a different Harajuku Girl against a white backdrop adorned with giant snowflakes.

Nooka x Hellz Bellz "Hellz Zoo" Watch, $285. Visit Nooka.com

Nooka's digital watches are already stellar, but this one has an out-of-this-world feel with the dark blue, violet, magenta, fuchsia, white, and light blue nebulae print on the face.

DC Shoes Life Collection Women's Admiral Sneakers, $100. Visit Store.DCShoes.com

Hi-top kicks seem to be getting narrower and more polished this season — but DC Shoes was way ahead of its competition on that one, having designed the Admiral silhouette ages ago. The new black and purple colorway, meanwhile, works beautifully for the chilly months ahead.

Cubannie Links The Freedom Tri-Rings In Gold And Green, $70. Visit Karmaloop.com

These CL earrings feature braided strips of leather twisted into triangular shapes. The army green, light green and gold leather strips are perfect for the gal who loves camo print and military motifs.

The Wire Tees, $28 each. Available at the HBO Store and at Karmaloop.com

Are you still mourning the end of HBO's The Wire? Well, you can still celebrate the series and its key characters with these new tees, which are available at the HBO store.

SOBRAL Flash Gordon Harvey Bangle Bracelets, $85 each. Visit SOBRALUSA.com

Ever since I discovered this jewelry line, I've been obsessed! The pieces are affordable, stylish, and oh so unique. The Flash Gordon lucite bracelets feature a wooden brown color and a gold linear pattern that's just the slightest bit flashy and all the way fly.

It's Just Begun: The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, Hip Hop's First Latino DJ by Ivan Sanchez and Luis "DJ Disco Wiz" Cedeno, $15.61. Visit Amazon.com

Latinos have played a pivotal part in hip-hop's history — we were there from the very beginning. I mean, think about it: a movement that was birthed in the South Bronx that doesn't include Puerto Ricans? The very thought is absurd! Here, DJ Disco Wiz, one of the very first Latino DJs to receive massive recognition, tells his story.

NotNeutral Triton Lacquer Tray Set, $220. Visit NotNeutral.com

Notice how you can make out an image of a face in these three trays, which feature orange lacquer against a brown backdrop? Well, that's the face of Triton, the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, the god and goddesses of the sea. You can use these trays to store anything from jewelry to keys, glasses, and any other valuables.

JK Jemma Kidd I-Conic Eyes Mini Liners, $32. Visit Target.com

How can you any fly girl pull of a Sasha Fierce look without some eyeliner? With this four-piece miniature eyeliner set, a dramatic eye look is always within reach.

DC Shoes Women's Henry Jacket, $82. Visit Store.DCShoes.com

You don't have to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars to stay warm this season. This bubble jacket is extra soft and comfortable, and it'll keep you nice and toasty.

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