African Queen. The New Limited Edition Tribal Beauty Barbie.

The first doll in the Global Glamour™ Collection shows her exotic side wearing an intricate ensemble featuring a feathered midriff top, golden breastplate adornment, waist-attached bead fringe, earrings, bangles, long split skirt and elaborate headpiece. Her zebra scepter pays tribute to the royal splendor of Africa and her status as a reigning queen of fashion.





Doll Details
Body Type: ModelMuse™
Skin Tone: Light Brown
Facial Sculpt: Pazette
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Eyelashes: Applied

Stand is Included with doll

For the adult collector.

There is a limit of 5 dolls per order.

$125 USD, buy it here

images and information courtesy of Barbie Collector

Game Of Thrones and HBO Unveil Their Second Brew, Take The Black Stout.

If you hadn't already heard, Brewery Ommegang and HBO partnered on a series of beers inspired by the critically-acclaimed drama Game of Thrones.

The first release, the golden amber Iron Throne ale, sold out quickly due to small quantities and great demand. The second, soon to be released "Take The Black Stout", is said to be doubled in volume, so there's enough to go around for avid fans.



Take the Black Stout is a 7% beer, brewed with base, caramel, chocolate and roasted barley malts. Hopping includes Great Northern hops; spices are licorice root and star anise. Hue is black with full tan head. Aromas include chocolate, caramel, and earthy hops, light roastiness, a touch of fruitiness. Tastes include chocolate, coffee, rich malts, and balanced roastiness. Clean hop bitterness joins with slight woody character and spiciness; the finish offers sweet malt character leading to spicy, earthy, hop bitterness.



Take the Black Stout is named for the oath taken by those who stand the Night’s Watch at the Wall, defending Westeros against northern.



above: The label features the Weirwood trees considered sacred by the people of the North. It was designed by a52, the same studio that designed the impressive opening sequence for "Game of Thrones."


above: screengrab of a Weirwood tree from Game of Thrones

Take The Black Stout will be available in limited quantities in 750ml bottles & 1/6 BBL kegs beginning October 2013.

Brewery Ommengang and HBO are said to be releasing four game of Thrones Beers in total.

If you never heard about the first release, Iron Throne Ale, here's some info and pics for you:



Iron Throne is a blonde ale at 6.5% ABV and brewed with a robust amount of pils, honey malt, aroma malts and red wheat. Gentle hopping includes Styrian Golding and Hallertau Spalter Select, appropriately noble hops. Spiced with grains of paradise and lemon peel. Hue is a slightly hazy golden amber. Head is full and fluffy. Finish is crisp, backed by a touch of spice and hops. Aroma is a bit grassy with a hint of lemon fruitiness from the lemon peel. Taste is lightly malty, rounded out by honey malt sweetness.



info and images courtesy of Ommengang Brewery.

As a fun aside, check out this "Beer of Thrones" parody video by Comediva:


Don't miss this post on Geekologie where they share some fun faux beer labels inspired by fantasy drama.

Here's How The VW Beetlesphere by Ichwan Noor Was Actually Created.

Out of respect for the artist, who removed this information from his own website and asked that I do the same, this post has been deleted so as to let the process of Ichwan Noor's artwork remain a mystery. --editor

The Ravens Finally Get Their Bling. A Look At The 2013 NFL Championship Ring.

Earlier this month the Baltimore Ravens presented players and staff with their Super Bowl XLVII Championship Ravens Rings during a private ceremony today at The Under Armour Performance Center. Created by Jostens, the leading national custom jewelry designer and producer, the World Championship Ring commemorates the Ravens remarkable 2012 season and marks the second time the Ravens have brought the Lombardi Trophy to Baltimore.



"Emotions ran high as players, coaches and staff were presented with their rings, which symbolize the determination required to win the Super Bowl," said Ravens President, Dick Cass. "The rings are beautiful visual representations of what it means to be a Raven – physical, tough-minded, hardworking and resilient."




The truly one-of-a-kind ring pays tribute to the rich history and tradition of one of football’s most successful franchises. The design, hand-crafted by Jostens Championship Design team and led by Master Jeweler Miran Armutlu, is fashioned in white and yellow gold and with 243 round cut diamonds. In the center of the ring, the Baltimore Ravens logo is outlined with 40 round brilliant cut diamonds sitting atop a dazzling custom-cut amethyst stone. Behind the logo are two Vince Lombardi Trophies set with 32 round brilliant cut diamonds and two stunning marquise diamonds weighing approximately .75 carats, representing the team’s two World Championship titles.





"Jostens is proud to be a partner with the Baltimore Ravens and to collaborate with them on the creation of a ring that celebrates the team’s inclusive culture, winning traditions and their achieving professional football’s pinnacle triumph, the forty-seventh Super Bowl title," said Chris Poitras, Director, Sports Sales and Marketing, Jostens. "Every element of the ring was designed specifically to highlight the best qualities of each of the materials featured. It’s a singularly beautiful piece of fine jewelry that reflects the ultimate unity of the team."

To celebrate the enduring support of Ravens fans during this championship season, the team collaborated again with the Championship Design team at Jostens to create a custom selection of personalized jewelry and collectibles with designs inspired by the Super Bowl XLVII Championship Rings.


above: Josten's collection of Raven's jewelry inspired by the Super Bowl XLVII Championship Rings

The collection offers every Baltimore Ravens fan the chance to own a piece of Ravens history and, beginning June 7th, can be ordered online at Jostens. 

See and learn more about all the Super Bowl rings to date here