While love may make the world go round, denim keeps the majority of the world’s inhabitants from being pantsless. It’s a rare phenomenon where one material has become the textile of choice the world over, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? Maybe you will, thanks to UCL’s Global Denim Project. The project was borne out of a collaborative effort between anthropology students Daniel Miller and Sophie Woodward, and takes aim at creating a hub for people interested engaging in academic research on what your blue jeans are made out of. People from Turkey to Texas have been inspired by their trousers and the project’s website also trumpets the product of that inspiration, displaying a laundry list of ventures related to what my mother still refers to as dungarees. Perhaps it’s time for you to explore what it means to be in your jeans.

Admit it. Ever since you were a kid, you’ve harbored fantasies of blasting off into the great beyond of outer space. Heck, you still read science fiction novels and imagine yourself in the role of the heroic space adventurer fighting off would be planetary conquerors and seducing aliens of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, you’re no real life James T. Kirk, but you’re not alone in your desire to be one. John, Veronica and Peter Kleeman know just how you feel. They have a thing for all things astronomical too. That’s why they founded the Space Age Museum. Over the past 20 years, the Kleemans have assembled quite the collection of familiar objects exhibiting a certain space aged spirit; whether it’s a Rocket-finned Chevy or space aged cereal toy, you’d be sure to find it included in one of their exhibits of out of this world items. However, unlike most you won’t find a gift shop, but you can change that. The Kleemans are searching for artists and designers to help create products for their future shop, so feel free to lend them a hand.

While the NEW YORK GIANTS SUPER BOWL VICTORY may have changed a few fans’ outlook on the world for one shining moment, the fact of the matter remains that most of the world doesn’t really care. They like the other kind of football, or as we here in the U.S. call it, Soccer. And while the mass appeal of Soccer is something everyone on the earth can relate to, so too is the plight of the homeless, evidenced by the fact that there are over one billion homeless people in the world today. Maybe that’s why the Homeless World Cup makes so much sense. This past summer in Copenhagen at the 5th Homeless World Cup, 500 homeless athletes from 48 countries competed in the name of national pride, but the more significant impact was how the competition changed their lives. Since the inception of the tournament in 2003, Seventy-three percent of the players have since changed their lives for the better, coming off drugs and alcohol, getting jobs, homes and reuniting with their families. Some have even gone on to play or coach in pro or semi-pro leagues. Now that’s certainly a change for the better.

I’m feeling a little (see also: a lot) braindead today, and being a totally sucker for weird-looking toys, checking out the new Mostrini site did nothing but perpetuate my mental vacation. These super cute, super fun handmade toys and pins would make great Valentine’s gifts if you’re looking for something a little quirky an not in the least sappy. No pricing info, though, so you’ll have to shoot them and email if you’re interested in adopting one of these endearingly unfortunate looking dolls.