TWO.

With 2009 coming to a close, the end of the year becomes a quick and easy fix for variety in holiday conversations. But let's be honest here, why wait until the end of the year?

Every week, we're going to come together and bring our favorite things of the moment. From new and upcoming design trends to what's hot in the fashion world, the cool and innovative, and to a few books and albums that puts an extra spring to our step from day to day.

So worried about your upcoming holiday party? No problem. Worried about your multiple holiday parties? We've got those covered too.

Here are some of our favorite things for this week.

1. WINES THAT ROCK. Winemaker Mark Beaman, inspired by some of his favorite albums has created a series of wines, all with familiar names: Dark Side of the Moon Cabernet, Forty Licks Merlot, Woodstock Chardonnay. Wines That Rock are both green-friendly and affordable: $16.95 a bottle. For further information, check out the site winesthatrock.com or even follow them on Twitter.

2. CASSETTE FROM MY EX. In Cassette from My Ex, sixty noted writers and musicians wax poetic about their own experiences with these charming artifacts and the relationships that inspired them. Includes contributions from: The Magnetic Fields’ Claudia Gonson, This American LIfe’s Starlee Kine, The New Yorker’s Ben Greenman.

3. DAMIAN ORTEGA’S DO IT YOURSELF @ ICA Boston. The exhibition is the first-ever survey of Ortega’s work and will showcase a range of sculpture, installation, video, and photography. Exhibit runs until January 18th. Want more information? Check out the ICA for more the exhibit and quick slideshow of some of Ortega's work.

4. TUMBLR. The latest in the blogging crazy, tumblr offers a set way of sharing anything from photos that inspire you, to quotes and mp3s. Already on tumblr? Follow PHI at translateyourcreativedna.

5. WE HEART PRINTS. A blog that features a compilation of beautiful, interesting art prints at assorted prices and ranges.

6. WORK AND DESIGN. Features furniture and assorted, custom pieces manufactured from environmentally-friendly and recycled materials, pigmented natural concrete and metals, and custom sizes, material, and colors are available.

7. PEDRO ALMODOVAR’S BROKEN EMBRACES. A man writes, lives and loves in darkness. Fourteen years before, he was in a brutal car crash on the island of Lanzarote. In the accident, he didn’t lose only his sight, he also lost Lena, the love of his life. Really cool, colorful, and insightful film starring Oscar-winner Penélope Cruz. Watch the trailer.

8. BEACH HOUSE'S TEEN DREAM. A follow up to last year's Devotion, Beach House returns with a soft, dreamy tribute to lost loves and a falling adolescence. Reminiscent of the likes of Nico and Neil young, Teen Dream is a sure, future best of for 2010. Listen to off the album, Zebra.

9. NOTCOT.ORG. A cool mix of links from art and design, music and fun blog recommendations. Check out a link to Copenhagen’s RETHINK, an exhibit where climate change meets contemporary art and design or designyearbook’s entry on the redesign of Jane Austen’s classic novels and their covers.

10. STUDIO TOOGOOD. London-based event, interior, and exhibition design company. They also do styling and set design projects for fashion and interiors. Incredibly cool, inspiring, colorful and just all-around visually stunning. Check out their portfolio for a view of their work!

(Warhol-inspired Darth Vader by Rétrofuturs (Hulk4598) / Stéphane Massa-Bidal)