If U R lucky enuf 2 hav an iPhone/iTouch, or UR parent’s hav 1 U can nab, check out our 3 best iPhone apps!

Touch Pets: Dogs – This app allows you 2 adopt UR very own puppy! U can choose from 7 breeds and then care for, train & socialize UR pet!

UR puppy can follow 5 different career paths & U can earn points & puppy bucks which allow U 2 buy more accessories. The best bit of this game is the Plus+ network which allows U 2 take UR dog on play dates with UR friends dogs - all in all it’s a pretty fantastic game!

There are currently 5 different versions available but we recommend ‘Touch Pets Dog 10’ as it’s free right now. Check out the website here 4 more details before downloading.

Tap Tap – This is a music app in the tradition of Guitar Hero & Rock Band which we love! Basically U choose a track & tap 2 the beats & shake left & right in the direction of the arrows. Tap Tap Revenge also allows players 2 play together as a band or even against each other!

40 free songs R included & new, exclusive tracks R available every Thurs. Previous exclusives include Katy Perry & AFI tho U can also download UR own personal faves. There's even a competition every weekend with prizes ranging from iTunes certificates 2 backstage passes!

There R lots of different versions of this app so check out the website here. We loved Tap Tap Metallica Revenge tho it did give us achy fingers!

Mirrors Edge – This app is based on the first person jumper game Mirrors Edge that came out on Xbox last year. The app isn’t actually out just yet, but EA Games confirmed that it’s due 4 release this month!

The app has 14 levels, featuring ‘Faith’ from the original game. Users can free run across a city, transmitting messages while avoiding government surveillance. If UR not familiar with the original game U can check out the trailer here & C screenshots 4 the app here. Just keep an eye out for it in the App Store!

There U hav it – our fave 3 games. Don’t forget to check out the Linkin Park app when it comes out – featured in our DarqStarz Spotlight section!

Following our love of werewolf, Jacob Black, in the Twilight series, we thought we’d check out fellow werewolf book – Shiver by Maggie Steifvater. Check out the summary below,and, if it sounds like UR kinda book, read it & let us know what U think or start a discussion on Darqspace! We loved it NEway!

Years ago, Grace was attacked by a starving wolf pack, and only survived because one wolf, the one with brilliant yellow eyes, protected her. Ever since then she's watched for "her" wolf each winter, caught in a longing she can't quite explain. Then one fall a boy appears on her porch, injured, with those same yellow eyes. Grace knows he is her wolf.

Grace feels more connected to Sam than anyone else in her life, and Sam would do anything for her. But right from the beginning, a shadow looms over their time together. As the weather gets colder, it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human. And he's sure that this time, when he turns into a wolf, it will be for. . .

Ok so UR probably wondering what on earth a Beadesaurus is. No it’s not a dinosaur – it’s a shop! And we love it!

This fab online shop has loadsa trendy designs all centered around our fave motifs of skulls, hearts, butterflies – perfect for the discerning rock chic!

There’s a great selection of custom tee’s, personalized jewelry, cute belt buckles, hair grips, earrings, tote bags, badges and zillions of other cool things.

Our faves were the Nightmare Before Xmas tote, butterfly skull belt buckle and the very cute Christmassy reindeer tee! We’ve added Beadesuarus on our Myspace page but U can also check em out here!

If UR still thinking of what U want 4 Christmas, or if UR tryin 2 think of pressies 4 UR friends then look no further, We’ve collected our top 10 pressies 4 our Christmas wish list!

PJs – Primark PJs R an inexpensive cute gift, perfect 4 a girly mate! We found these Scottie dog ones (Scarlett all the way) 4 only a fiver!

Perfume Science – This is a tad pricey at $49.95 but well worth it! U can make UR own perfume with this set from Xump or make signature fragrances 4 ur friends!

The Secret Ingredient – If U havn’t nabbed a copy of the l8test S&C book, this makes a gr8 stocking filler. If U hav already read it, grab a copy 4 UR skool’s secret santa from Amazon!

iTunes Gift Card –An itunes gift card is perfect 4 a music lover & fits any budget. Just choose the amount U want 2 spend, & let them choose the tracks!

Stacks of Beauty – Snap 1 up for some pocket perfect beauty! U get cream blush, lip color & eyeshadow all in 1 unique stackable set! Buy online at Boots.

Body Shop – 4 luscious, ethically sourced bath products U can’t beat The Body Shop. We love the delicious Satsuma bubbles but the sumptuous strawberry gift pack is also a steal!

Plectrum Holder – check out this funky plectrum holder at Newstrings! If, like Scarlett, U R 4eva losing UR guitar plectrum then this is a God send! A Bargain at only £1.85.

Harajuku Music – we love the sensuous floral fragrance of Music in the Harajuku Lovers range. Designed by Gwen Steffani this is a fab gift for a music lover but U can always choose from the other girls in the range to suit different  characters!

TopShop Socks – it’s official. Socks are NOT a bad Christmas gift. Especially if they are either cute & cosy or beautifully patterned like this skull design from TopShop. Very Crimson!

Warm Polar Bear – 4 the animal lover in U! This cute polar bear, from I Want One of Those, is beautifully soft & is contains a microwaveable wheat bag that U can heat up and pop back in his tummy. Perfect for keeping U warm on cold winter nights – he’s a real heart melter!

Since it’s now officially Christmas, we think it’s time 2 spread some festive cheer - & that means Christmas cards!

This year we’ve picked some cute charity cards 2 help U spread the festive spirit as well as help others - Christmas is about giving after all!!

We found this cute snowman & robin card on Oxfam UK as well as the babushka doll card (didn’t we tell U Russian folk wud B on trend).

Warchild is a charity that aims 2 protect vulnerable children from the ravages of war. This dove card will not only help them continue their effort, but will spread a message of peace at Christmas.

We also found a website called www.charitychristmascards.com. This allows U 2 pick from a number of designs (such as snow angel santa!) & then select from a long list of charities 2 make donation from the cost of every card. This does make the cards a bit more expensive than buying direct, but it is an easy way 2 donate 2 charities that don’t do their own cards!

Finally if UR really short on cash, why not make UR own cards or send an e-card? U can always donate money 2 a charity of UR choice after Christmas & e-cards are eco friendly so U wud be doing UR bit for the environment NEway! Have fun darqlings!

Yaaaaay!! It’s the 1st day of Xmas nxt Tues which means 2 things – 1, it’s officially almost Xmas & 2 advent is ‘bout 2 start!
Now we recon that the chocolaty countdown has got 2 B 1 of the best parts of Xmas, so this yr we’re gonna make a bit more effort!

Nope we’re not gonna hav the standard cardboard kit kat calendar, we’ve searched out the best advent ideas this Xmas. Check em out & get it sorted 4 nxt week!

Make UR own – a gr8 way 2 make advent xtra special is 2 make ur own advent calendar! Just grab some mittens and socks (baby 1s always look cute) & tie on2 a string with ribbon, Stitch on the numbers or draw on with a fabric pen. Fill with goodies (U can get more than a normal calendar).

Variety is the spice of life – now much as we LOVE chocol8, it’s nicer (& probably healthier) 2 get some variety in2 UR advent. Don’t just fill UR advent calendar with chocol8 (well not entirely) add sum small gifts 2! We like adding bath bombs, earrings & sparkly pens!

Buy the best – if U don’t hav the time 2 do something different, or UR just a chocol8 addict, check out the personalized advent calendar from Thortons 4 just £3.49 or splash out on Hotel Chocolat’s deluxe version 4 £15. Heavenly!