Research has shown that putting thoughts down on paper, whether it be in a journal or diary, can help people to battle illness and depression and the new Cancerpants Journal with Superfuntime Kit is aimed at doing just that. The "funny and irreverent, yet sophisticated take on the journal for the loved ones with cancer" was created by Deb Dormody, owner of If'n Books and Marks, while watching a close friend endure treatment for melanoma. Grammy-nominated illustrator Jesse LeDoux, who worked as the art director for over 7 years at Sub Pop Records creating iconic album and poster artwork for the Shins, Iron and Wine, and Hot Hot Heat, was the natural choice to bring the idea to life. The clever and comical figure on the journal's cover expels the gloomy cancer from its body with a smile and it is the hope that every journal will help in that process. $1 from each sale will be donated towards a cancer-related charity and this quarter the proceeds benefit The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

If you’re a lady and feel left out from all the cool streetwear/urban gear that the guys love to sport these days, fret no more. Being Hunted, a leading online magazine and store that caters to the (male) streetwear market, has just joined forces with women’s online shop Naive in a new venture called A Girl’s Life. Although Naive has been open for less than a year, it has already established a reputation for itself with a stock list of very select independent labels ( Blissen, Milk Fed, xgLA, etc.) that produce creative and well-constructed goods. A Girl’s Life is essentially a new section on the Being Hunted website where you can find reviews on a variety of items that are handpicked by the impeccable taste-makers at Naive. The combination of these two fashion trendsetting entities will no doubt prove to be a potent combination in the future. Have at it ladies!

The much anticipated new issue of Revista Colectiva has just dropped. What is Revista Colectiva you ask? It’s an art/design/culture magazine run by a collective of artists from Costa Rica that features truly world-class talent in each issue. This most recent issue (number 7) features the central theme of insects, which were chosen for their perfect designs and camouflages that serve as an inspiration to all kind of designers and artists. Some of the featured artists in the new issue include Scott Scheidly, Jeremyville, Bite and Sting, and a healthy dose of local talent as well. Even though art/design can be considered universal in some ways, keep your game tight by checking out what Revista Colectiva is about, and see how things are being done in Latin America. Click this link here and scroll down to see a video clip of Issue 7’s contents.

While at the Tour de Fat in San Francisco, an event that benefited the local San Francisco Bike Coalition, I came across an exhibition booth set up by a non-profit organization called Wolverine Farm Publishing. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Wolverine Farm is dedicated to publishing quality works (both written and visual) from local/regional artists. Among their titles is Matter, a book published on a biannual basis, with each issue revolving around a central theme. Current Issue 8 is called ‘Land,’ and is 312 pages of submitted works that include fiction, non-fiction, photography, poems, interviews, and other visual art. Having seen the Matter series of books myself, I can personally testify to the quality and care put into each issue and highly recommend the Wolverine Farm publications to book lovers everywhere. Please note that all proceeds go to not only the publication of more works, but various literacy outreach programs as well.