While the jury's still out on whether or not Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon is supposed to sync up with “The Wizard of Oz” (if I were the jury foreman, I'd say “nay!”) let there be no doubts about the compatibility of Dr. Seuss' “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and Personal Publication, the debut EP from Canadian Indie Poppeteer Rich Aucoin. The Halifax, Nova Scotia resident who comes off as a Canuck Sufjan Stevens, based on both his sound and the fact that he knows his way around twenty-plus instruments, has created an impressive musical masterpiece that just so happens to serve as a beautiful compliment to the 1966 classic made for TV Christmas Cartoon that has become a holiday classic. Who knows, maybe in two decade’s time they'll be airing the movie with Aucoin's album as part of a new Christmas tradition.

When Lausanne’s Art School, ECAL, moved in to a new building this past October, they asked designers, artists and architects to design 20 tee shirts for the occasion. Swiss designers +41 (who you’ll remember from several posts regarding chocolate AF1’s and other goodness) got in on the project, and are now offering their design, as well as eight others, for sale in their online shop. The tees wound up looking spiffy, and you can can scope them all (including this one by Philippe Decrauzat) just by clicky clicking right here.

You probably already know and love Sia from her two solo albums, our consistent gushing, the Six Feet Under death montage, or if you’re like me, from her vocals work with with Zero 7. Her latest full-length CD, titled “Some People Have Real Problems,” is a joint venture with Monkey Puzzle Records and Hear Music (Starbucks; expect lots of store promotion). The album is filled with upbeat and quirkly songs, and incredible ballads that really allow her distinct style and voice shine. The songs are mellow but not depressing and surprisingly easy to sing along to. Preceding the release of the album, the video for the hidden track “Buttons” has taken off virally on youTube since we last mentioned it; she also released a 4-song digital EP on November 6 previewing tracks from the CD. You can pick up your copy in stores January 8.

Some of the biggest ideas in the world started as a little sketch on a cocktail napkin; Picasso’s earliest sketch of Guernica, the design for Bilbao Museum, the business plan for Southwest Airlines, to name a few. With this nifty notebook made of, well, napkins, you’ve got room for twenty paradigm-shattering ideas, plus a handsome metal binding. Available exclusively through the Moma Store, this puppy designed by advertising agency Euro RSCG is the perfect gift for anyone who ever had an idea good enough to write down.

Via Swissmiss

We know that Ryan Catbird gets the job done when it comes to advising Williamsburg what to stick their ears into, but can our favorite un-Pitchforky music blogger and head of Catbird Records make a killer wish list? Um.. yeah. Make the hipster in your life happier than a thirteen year-old with a backstage pass to a Fall Out Boy concert by following some of Ryan’s great gifting advice.

Holiday bonus: Listen to Catbird’s December mixtape here.

Destroyer – “Thief” Vinyl LP

As Destroyer is my favorite musical artist, it’s a given that I need to have all his albums. And being a big music nerd, of course I need them all on vinyl. Over the years I’ve managed to collect all of the vinyls (including the just–as-rare-if-not-rarer Streethawk) but this one particular release continues to evade me. Sure, $230 seems a bit steep… but I can remember back when it was only $172.50.

Distressed Felt Fedora by Eugenia Kim

I am *not* a hat guy. Never really have been. Oh, you know the type: there’s the guy you see at all the shows who’s always wearing a cabbie hat; there’s that weird kid in your eighth grade class who wears a fedora; there’s the guy with the prematurely thinning hair who maintains a huge collection of baseball caps. I’ve just never really been one to stroll down the block with a jauntily perched hat atop my head, but I tell you, i tried this one on, simply as a goof, and I was surprised as anyone that it actually looked (ahem) “totally fly.”

Apple TV by Apple

I know this isn’t the newest or sexiest Apple product, as it doesn’t fit into the palm of your hand, or have a touch screen, or make you the coolest guy on the bus, but the fact is, I really need this. As it is, when I want to watch any movies or TV shows I’ve downloaded (uh, through 100% legal means, of course), I have to either (a.) burn and/or recompress and then burn them onto a disc that may or may not work when I finally put it in the player, or (b.) haul my laptop over to the tv and rearrange a bunch of plugs to try to get the output onto the TV. With Apple TV, I can wirelessly just blast that junk straight over to the TV. Sounds like a dream.

Since seeing Peter, Samir, and Michael Bolton open up a can of whoop ass on their least favorite office appliance in the 1999 film, Office Space, you've probably fantasized about taking an axe to that pesky office fax machine that chronically reads “needs more toner” You probably also have a lot of misdirected anger issues. Maybe you should redirect that energy into more artistic pursuits, sort of like Holger Pooten does. The UK based outfit has a knack for deconstructing devices, both of the office variety and of the natural through his arresting images, creating images which break down seemingly complex structures into their lone components, giving off a definite “explosive” energy while also creating an appreciation for the simple beauty of said lone components. So the next time that irksome printer reads “paper jam check tray 2,” maybe it's just it's way of telling you to take up painting.

‘Tis the season to be a charitable graff artist, it seems. If London is more in your neighborhood than Bethlehem, you best take you and your Santa hat to Cargo this Friday for a live art auction featuring some of the best names in street art. Evolving Styles will offer original works by names like FAFI, Faile, MARS-1 and DAZE, as well as the developing works of artists like Flying Fortress, Mr Jago, and Herakut, who will be live painting at the event. All proceeds from Evovling Styles will go towards the largest orphan charity in the world, SOS Children, meaning the money you pay for art will help care for child soldiers and street children, and not some snooty gallery owner’s couture addiction. You can check to see if your favorite artist will be part of the event (or get a head start with online bidding) here.

Sao Paulo’s in the blissful midst of a bona fide sneaker craze. Last week we brought news about Maze’s new kicks store in one of the world’s most populated cities, but located within the same tony Jardins area is Doc Dog’s freshly minted shoe-specific space; launched in celebration of their 10 years in business and stocking brands like Nike, Reebok, Royal Elastics, Tretorn and Bape on the shelves. International jetsetters with a lot of spending cash or big credit lines already hit up the flagship store a few blocks away to get their apparel fixes on Marc Jacobs and Harajuku Lovers.

I love the bold, loud design of the store. A large framed 3-D collage of sneakers covered in paint greets visitors at the bottom steps, and they’ve done the walls in black to bring out gold-colored accents and white shoe shelves inside. Colorful neon flourishes have been added to imitate the ’80s look to match the current trend in shoe design, which means the store’s style will keep changing with the times. A side area called the Limited Edition Room promises special releases from John Varvatos, Alexander McQueen and others; they also have a small line of Eastpak backpacks for sale, plus some streetwear. All of it comes together as the ultimate space for picking out new kicks.

The store’s located at Rua Bela Cintra, 2108 in Sao Paulo. Look for a doorway with stairs leading to the second floor of the building for the shop.

In what they’re claiming is the most “low-concept art event ever”, Banksy and a few friends have set up their annual Christmas shoppe in one of the more unlikely places around the world. Of course, it wouldn’t be Banksy or anyone like-minded if that place didn’t make a statement. So this year, they’ve chosen Bethlehem and titled the project Santa’s Ghetto. This places their new shoppe in an area surrounded on three sides by a massive security wall.

Their point is simply to cast further attention toward the Palestinian conflict, especially during a time of year when most people are out spending a ton of money on themselves. All of the proceeds from the project will go directly toward helping people in need in the area. And, of course, there’s some killer artwork coming out of the project as well. Have a look at some more photos and keep an eye out for the online shop to open here.

Via Things of Random Coolness

Monogrammed Steak Brand: Read JS Review | Buy It ($39.95; shown as 3)

The egotistical barbequer on your list will go ape over this — I know I did, and I bought it for myself. You might want to rethink gifting this to anyone predisposed to frathouse antics, however. Just thinking out loud here.

Sha Ra Ku Mono Knives: Read JS Review | Buy It ($70 and up; shown as 1)

Knives aren’t just perfect gifts for bitter divorcees anymore; people who actually cook like knives, too! All kidding aside, though, Sha Ra Ku Mono is super exclusive to Seattle Cutlery, which will give you major points in the “wow, you had to special order this for me?” category. Just make sure to stay on the right side of the person you’re buying for…

Baker’s Edge: Read JS Review | Buy It ($34; shown as 4)

The baker in your life will adore this, as will any hardcore brownie lovers/hardcore Midol users. I mean, chocolate. Brownies. Hello.

1080 Recipes: Read JS Review | Buy It ($27.95; shown as 2)

The more I cook out of this book, the worst shape it gets in — but, in my opinion, a well-soiled cookbook is the best kind to have. Once you get past the intimidating size of the book, it’s pretty much smooth sailing to Spanish comfort food heaven.

Foodpairing + Your Imagination: Read JS Review (shown as 5)

You know there’s that person who you’ve done every sort of food basket for; the Harry & David fruit basket, that tasty but questionable “summer sausage” and processed cheese, the cheap drugstore chocolate sampler. How about this year, you take a little initiative, grace them with a little thought and put Foodpairing to use? They’ll be utterly appreciative and you will look like a rockstar. Trust me.