These days, ugly is the new cute. And no, I’m not talking about strategically chipped nail polish or unwashed hair. I’m talking about motifs of monsterly characters that are so alarmingly unattractive, not to mention mysteriously unidentifiable, that they are actually quite compelling. I’d trace the phenomenon back to Ugly Dolls, the plush dolls turned pop culture phenomenon that have now spawned a full-on Uglyverse, complete with guides, games, and more.

Check out the photos above: New York and Los Angeles-based store Giant Robot, a toy store for hipster grownups, was the first to embrace the dolls back in 2001, and I spotted them for sale–in a variety of shapes and sizes–a few days ago in the East Village location, which also boasts a gallery for emerging artists next door. At a recent trip to Black Ink, Boston’s version of a design savvy adult playland, there were more little monsters than Japanese anime-inspired trinkets, and that’s saying something. At Pink Olive, my current obsession for everything sweet (it doesn’t hurt that Store Adore shoppers get a 20 percent discount here, either), I spotted this darling pink gal amongst the girly candles and baby gifts. Browsing online  for a wedding gift from Mxyplyzk, another spot for a Store Adore deal, what did I spot but this googly eyed creature ($32)? And at Boston’s Shake the Tree, I saw the same huggable buggers, along with a melamine dinner plate  set with images of critters that are just to sweet/scary to eat off of.

What’s the reason behind the trend? Have designers just tired of the animal du jour? (it’s all about the sparrow! The owl! The squirrel!) Or is it that they’ve discovered the mass appeal of something that generates loyalty by it’s very divisiveness of its nature. (My business school professor called brands with this chacateristic anti-brands — something that some people love simply because others are so repulsed by it–think Red Bull or even Birkenstocks.) Or Is it that the pendulum has swung, as it always does in fashion, from saccharine t-shirts-with-teddy bears to an all-around obsession creepy little critters? Either way, I’m digging the ugly trend–as long as it stays so cute.

No, not from Store Adore–they can’t really can you when you’re the boss, although I’m sure I sometimes deserve it. I canned my recent purchases at Black Ink in Boston. In the most inventively old-school packaging scheme I’ve seen yet, for just a few bucks, this quirky gifts store will use it’s antique canning machine to seal up whatever fits inside. Pack a can with miniature erases, stickers, and other goodies from teh store, or bring your own tickets…or even jewelry. You can make your own homespun label–and even add postage ship the can to friends in far flung places. It sure beats beets!

The best thing about being a part of Store Adore is that it’s actually “work” to shop. Our event at Intermix last week gave me an excuse to see first-hand what Boston stores are are serving up. While the scene is far from East Village-edgy, for shoppers looking to scoop up this season’s top ten trends list, the local retailers were right on the money. Check out my top picks from each of the dozen stores I visited. (You can click on the images below to see detailed descriptions of each.) And download my shopping maps for Back Bay, and Beacon Hill, and The North End here.