When Alex + Chloe formed in 2004, they found their inspiration in shadows and light and created their first collection to reflect this. Now, three collections later they have returned to their initial obsession, but this time they’re interpreting the concept in a more literal manner. Yep, they are making sunglasses. And even though these two jewelry designers could never disappoint us, we’re happy to report that they are completely bangin’. Pulling from the familiar shapes of the aviator and the wayfarer, the two sunnies in this initial collection mix classic shapes with non-traditional colors and detailing, and serve as a nice teaser to what we can hope from the pair in the future. From the two-tone frames to the French scribblings that spice up their insides, these babies are just another extension of what we’ve come to expect from Alex + Chloe: A little bit classic, a little bit rawk, and a little bit better than anything else out there. Shade up, readers; it’s bright out there.

We’ve championed Bell & Ross brand timepieces for quite some time now. The Swiss watchmakers build instruments for those whose professions force them to withstand physical trials well beyond the everyday commute. Did you know a Bell & Ross watch was the first automatic chronograph worn in space? Or that their Hydromax model holds the world record for water resistance? Seeking to build on their reputation for breaking records and enduring extreme conditions, Bell & Ross is teaming up with skydiver Michael Fournier on The Big Jump.

On Fournier’s wrist will be a BR 02 Instrument watch, as he attempts to break the altitude world records for skydiving and balloon flight (as well as the records for longest free fall and fastest skydive) with his 40,000 meter stratospheric jump, taking place between May 24th and May 28th over North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Both Fournier and the watch will have to withstand -120 degree Celsius temperatures, cosmic radiation, and variations in atmospheric pressure. We’re sure the BR 02 will hold up. Mr. Fournier … uh, TBD.

Ben Kaufman wants you to work for him. And you. And you. And all those people in that building next to you. We told you about his ever morphing business of crowdsourced product development called Kluster. Now it has landed on something new: Knewsroom, a user powered daily news feed. Of course, Kaufman doesn’t expect you to power his enterprise for nothing. That’s why every day, if you’ve submitted or bet correctly on the winning stories, you get cash. It’s kind of like a headline horse race, and you’re the one feeding the pony anabolic steroids. No, wait. It’s kind of like CNN meets American Idol. Well, it’s not quite that either. Here, Ben can explain it better. Oh, and he’s also throwing a party with Mashable at Webster Hall on Friday. Just tell him we sent you. When that doesn’t work, pay for a ticket.

So this morning I woke up in a James Bond kind of mood. Maybe it was the fact I fell asleep reading about how Amy Winehouse and her bouffant were too cracked out to record the theme song for the new Bond flick, Quantum of Solace. Maybe it was all of the gin martinis I had been drinking. I wasn’t looking, but somehow I found you — Penguin UK’s re-release of Ian Fleming’s classics. This time they’re done up in shimmering nude ’60s pinup fashion, with titles like “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger” scrawled down Technicolor female backsides. Need a soundtrack to view these? Radiohead … if you’d please.

It’s been a little while since we’ve written about the surreal French gift shop, La Tete au Cube (who could forget the buddy towel or the cowboy flask, great gifts wrapped in classic French noir.) Their new items bring that same strange irony and add a little creepy to the mix. The Mistic Mirror (sic), which acts like a normal bathroom mirror until steamed up to leave behind the knife image, is a wonderfully weird way to surprise a house guest. But, it’s especially convenient for those that overstay their welcome.

If you’re well connected, you would’ve received an invite yesterday to RSVP for a private preview on Friday for Dalek’s only exhibit this year, Overweight, at Washington D.C.’s Irvine Contemporary. It’s gotta be one of the biggest tickets in town (and sorry, we don’t have any to give out, but you can click here for a reasonable alternative). We’re guessing this based on what chaos it was trying to land tickets to the Takashi Murakami — Dalek’s boss in 2001, when he worked as his assistant — show in L.A. last year. The solo show sees the pop artist presenting new paintings that are as meticulous and psychedelic as ever. By occasion, Irvine Contemporary’s releasing a signed print produced in small quantity. The exhibit officially opens on Saturday, May 17, with a party open to everyone, but be nice when swarming your idol there.