Forget your fancy artisanal beers. The latest thing is indie distilleries, and they certainly pack a harder punch. Local absinthe breweries have caught the eyes of liquor connoisseurs ever since the U.S. became more lax and allowed the legal production of absinthe a few years ago. (And all this time, we were thinking we’d have to plan that trip to Prague if we ever wanted to taste the real “green fairy.”) While the idea of buying homemade booze may seem quaint, a description of one absinthe maker in the New York Times sounds more sketch: “She ordered a copper-pot still from Portugal that arrived with ‘decorative garden ornament’ written on the shipping label. Pierre Duplais’s bible of 19th-century distillation techniques became her best friend. She headed to her basement to concoct. Soon, the police were on constant patrol. ‘They probably thought I was running a meth lab,’ she said.”

Mullets are likely the most ridiculed hairstyle in history, but their influence has been great. So great, in fact, that we’ve been seeing mullet-style skirts and dresses popping up all over lately. Kate Hudson alone wore two dresses with short-in-the-front, long-in-the-back hemlines to two “Nine” premieres. And labels like Wink, See by Chloé, and Versace have similarly asymmetrical styles; some look quirky while others are questionable. Do these dress styles live up to the mullet motto, “Business in front and party in the back”?

You’ve heard of Goldschläger—the alcohol with little bits of gold flecks floating around inside—but now there’s a new liquid infused with the pricey precious metal. And that liquid is water. Yes, you read that right. The most simple of beverages just got quite a bit fancier with the creation of new limited-edition Exousia Luxury Water, an Italian spring water infused with the mineral. So why drink water with gold inside? Apparently, the addition has anti-stress and anti-aging elements. But if you’re prepared to put down the credit card for this H20, you’ll need to hold up for a second. There’s an order and reservation process you’ll have to go through first. [Wait, seriously? Price upon request for water!?—Editor] Sounds like Ponce de León’s search for the Fountain of Youth, doesn’t it?

But I survived. We all did. So Arty Dandy put it on a t-shirt for you. [ArtyDandy.com]

Everyone over does it during the holidays, so no judgments when you walk away from the table suddenly looking like you’re three months pregnant with a food baby. So now more than ever is the time to add jeans with an elastic feature to help your Christmas pig-outs. The LA Times got into some tummy-tucking jeans, and turns out there are quite a few options out there. Like, for example, M’Chic denim (right), which includes a Spanx-like slimming panel to suck in your holiday spare tire.

Only thing is, wouldn’t wearing what’s essentially a girdle make a full belly feel worse? We say, take to the maternity jeans—like the elastic-waisted mom-to-be model from Citizens—and let it all hang out. Or just go for some Santa pants. [LA Times]

Right now, my feet are encased in tights, two pairs of socks, and huge boots in order to ward off the snowy slush coating the streets. Meanwhile, my pretty heels stare at me from their perch begging to be worn. But come spring it seems I’ll be wrapping my toes again, since there’s a new fashion accessory for feet, and it’s not toe cleavage. Instead of flaunting her little piggies, Vicki Kysella created Lingerie Toes because she just hated seeing her toe peds in flesh colors. So she started her own company called Voet Hosiery and began designing her mini socks. The coverings range in color, and retail for $14 per pair. We have to applaud her entrepreneurship, but we’re not totally sold on the need for toe decoration. Would you wear toe lingerie with your heels?

Annika and I were just reminiscing about the Christmas of our younger years, and we agreed that the holiday has evolved for us, from revolving around anticipation and presents to focusing on family and thoughtful gestures. And the traditions have changed, too.

Remember those gag gifts of singing bass fish on wooden plaques? Well, this is a ridiculous modification of that. Jingle Jugs are fashioned after a life-like set of boobs and shimmy-shake in rhythmic motion to the song “Titties & Beer.” They’re $10 on sale—imagine that, discounted already! Nothing like a little low-brow lewdness to wring out the last bits of the holiday season. [Spencer’s]

Contrary to popular belief, your mom wasn’t completely and totally trying to ruin your life when she said “No way Jose” when you wanted to start wearing makeup. She was merely responding to maternal intuition, because, turns out, all that mascara and lip gloss contains the kind of dangerous chemicals associated with cancer, infertility and hormone imbalance. And according to a new study by The Environmental Working Group, the younger a girl is when she starts caking it on, the greater the danger.

Great. And we thought all that smoking in the bathroom we did was bad for us.

Packing for a trip means whittling your wardrobe down to a fraction of its size while still ensuring you’re prepared for all sorts of weather conditions and situations. Old Navy’s travel-friendly Jacket-in-a-Packet can be neatly stashed in a built-in pouch, saving precious space in your luggage, and its chic trench coat-style will guarantee you look anything but touristy—provided you don’t pair it with a fanny pack. [$19.50, Old Navy]