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The Willow Collection - Recycled Glass
$35-58.00

Raise a glass to your eco-conscious choices with this sweet set of tumblers and goblets made from recycled Napa Valley wine bottles. The recycling process is, in itself a work of art where the head and base of the bottles are fashioned into goblets and tumblers that are fire polished, tempered and finished either clear or frosted, with or without the signature etching. Available in sets of four.

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A Kehinde Wiley portrait is classic in its influences, defiant in its interpretation -- brothers rocking the Roc-a-ware or a throwback jersey while striking the pose of an aristocrat copped from one of the classic portraitists, Titian or Gainsborough or Reynolds. These urban lords, standing defiantly against florid, rococo backgrounds, represent, as Wiley has explained, “an interrogation of the master painter, at once critical and complicit.”

You can feast your eyes on Wiley’s work at several contemporary venues worth their salt. But the inside joke and double-take comes from seeing these young bloods captured on one of the most pedestrian of canvases – a beach towel. Currently on sale in the gift shop of the new New Museum of Contemporary Art in Manhattan, the towels are a sign of the evolutionary trend in museum store tchotchkes.

Wiley’s terry cloth joins an array of artists interested in designing more accessible forms of their art, yet clear in their determination to veer far away from the traditional puzzles, ties and coffee mugs. The beneficiaries? The artists, whose work (and income stream) branches out to parts heretofore unknown; the exhibition venues, who expand their patron offerings (and income stream) in ever-more innovative ways; and, finally, those of us who worship from afar and can now get up closer and more personal.

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Barack the Brand?

"Blue Magic, that's a brand name, like Pepsi. That's a brand name, I stand behind it, I guarantee it."
 -Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) in American Gangster

While it may not be the best idea to equate Barack Obama to the highly potent heroin Blue Magic from the movie American Gangster, it’s clear Obama is a brand that many Americans stand by.

With all the hoopla surrounding the possible Democratic presidential nomination of Obama, it wouldn’t take long for pop culture to hop on board. First, it was the YouTube phenomenon Obama Girl, then tons of celebrity endorsements including the popular Will.I.Am music videos, but with Barack Obama-inspired shirts, hoodies and yes, even shoes sprouting up everywhere, our favorite son is officially a pop culture icon.

More relevant than trendy tees with hip sayings (think: Team Aniston, Team Jolie), it’s evident Obama has surpassed mainstream politics and has gone where many politicos have never gone – consumerism. Unlike Rock The Vote or Vote or Die campaign apparel, which encourages non-partisan youth participation in the voting process, apparel with saying such as “BaRock The Vote!”, “Obama For Change,” and “Audacity is the Ladder, Climb with the Steps of Hope,” these wearers loudly and proudly support Obama for the presidential nomination.

Dwamina Drew and Chris Coutee-Bouyer of Enstrumental, a Chicago-based socially-conscious clothing line produced their special-edition Obama ‘08 line before Obama announced his candidacy.

“We figured that whether or not he ran for president that the youth, especially African-American youth, need to see a living productive, positive, individual who looks like them,” Drew explains. “Fashion is important to the consumer and we wanted to leverage style to promote political advocacy. People should stand for something. We want our shirts tell stories and represent something much bigger than design and style.”

To take things a step further Enstrumental is also supporting the Obama campaign directly, by donating eight percent of Obama ’08 sales to the campaign. “We believe in giving back to the community. By donating to the campaign, we are supporting a man who wants to support community. We picked eight percent because of him running in '08,” adds Coutee-Bouyer. “…Young people are really inspired by him. They see themselves in Barack.”

Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve…

-Iman Jefferson

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Men's Leather Watch Case
$65.00

For the man with a serious watch collection, or the guy who wants to build one, a leather watch case keeps his favored time pieces close at hand and in mint condition. Velvet lined case holds eight rolled watches, and the glass lid allows for surveying his entire collection at a glance. Monogram service available.

www.redenvelope.com

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Godiva Chocolates
$65.00

Indulge your chocolate fetish with nothing but the best. A super luxe Godiva sampler includes buttery pralines, creamy caramels, rich truffles and a dozen more treats guaranteed to seduce your Valentine. Single? No worries -- go it alone.

www.godiva.com

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Lulu Guinness Tattoo Vanity Case
$147.00

Nothing says "cheat on me and I'll tear your heart out" more stylishly than this laminate vanity case from the creative genius of U.K. upstart, Lulu Guinness. Printed, laminated canvas with --surprise! -- bright red lining. Obsession with the object of one's affections sold separately.

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Snowpeak Compact Chopsticks
$25.00

For you NBS snowfiends with a taste for Thai, pack these high tech chopsticks for your trip to Breckenridge. Made of recycled birch baseball bats and stainless steel, the collapsable eco-friendly design houses the wooden tips inside the hollow steel handles for storage. Nylon travel sleeve ensures you'll make it through a TSA frisk.

www.rei.com