Tonight’s presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama will be heavy on serious, significant topics. A very small, quite insignificant piece of the patriotic puzzle is the ongoing squabble over flag lapel pins.

Much has been made about the little bits of jacket jewelry - an old-school political tradition - during the campaigns. Obama wore a flag pin, then stopped, saying it was a hollow political statement. Then a veteran gave him a pin and he started wearing them again and was accused of flip-flopping. McCain has gotten attention also for not wearing a pin and the blog-o-sphere has railed against him. (Hillary Clinton sometimes skips the pin, Joe Biden usually has one on, and Rudy Guiliani never goes out without one.)

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Perhaps you’re a little too shy to don the season’s big chunky necklaces and oversized arm bangles. Are those giant hoops still a bit more than you can handle? If your fashion statements are small but still significant (or just plain silly) we’ve found nine pairs of earrings for you: 1. Are you a foodie? Then you’ll love the tiny fork and spoon earrings made by artist Victoria Mason at the Australian Web site Oyemodern. They’re $45 (yes, that’s in U.S. dollars). 2. If you’re a slow mover until you have your Starbucks double ex? Then the little bitty coffee cups by the same artist are yours for $45. 3. Just in time for Halloween (or any time if you’re into this kind of thing) two tiny skulls with rubies for eyes by Me & Ro are waiting for you, but they’re not cheap: on sale for $209. 4. We’re not really sure what tiny meany pirate ducks mean, but if that’s the look you want, then get them at Dawanda. 5. Still looking for more foodie earrings? Try these sterling silver whisks from Uncommon Goods for $65. 6. If you’re a handyman, or woman, then you’ll get a giggle out of these wee levels that really work. Look snappy in them, and then use them to hang a painting, for $65. 7. If dance is more your cup of tea, then you’ll want to snap up the hand-painted tiny dancer earrings from Etsy for $15. 8. Still holding onto that collection of LPs in the off chance that the turntable revolution will return? Then don the small replicas of LPs, also from Etsy, for a very reasonable $4. And, last but, well, maybe they’re least . . . 9. How can you resist a pair of very small grilled cheese sandwich earrings? We’re hungry just looking at them. They’re also from Etsy, for $17.

You’ve admired the athleticism, strength and grace of the Olympic women (or should we say “girl”) gymnasts. You’ve studied their shiny uniforms. And admit it, you just love their cute and glittery makeup and hair. They all have the same ‘do: tight ponytail topped with a scrunchie, and ubiquitous clippies of all shapes and sizes to tuck away errant tendrils.  For a bit of Olympic style, you can stick with the basic $2 Sunchi clips, or explore a world of cutesy hair holders, like the pink sparkled star clips from Forever 21 ($4.80, right). While you’re on their site, check out the pretty bow bobby pins, the bow hair-pin set ($6.80) and even a plaid bow hair clip for $4.80. From there, we’ve found a riot of cute clippies all over the Web, like the crystal topped bobbi pin ($4.40 from Ulta), 3 leafy barrettes from Anthropologie on sale for $10, $18 star clips from Kitson and bobbi pins with butterflies from Aldo, on sale for $6. If money is no object, even when it comes to hair clips, go for the Louis Vuitton monogrammed  pair at eLuxury for $225 (pictured, left), or the $50 basic barrette from Space NK. Oh, and don’t forget the glitter: Sephora’s glitter spray comes in silver or gold for $12, Make Up For Ever’s diamond powder in a rainbow of shades is $24 and Cargo’s eye glimmer set of six is $25. If you want designer shimmer, there’s Givenchy glitter to go from Saks for $35, or if you want bare bones sparkle, Sally Beauty Supply has sparkling loose glitter for only 89 cents (but you have to go to a Sally store to buy it).

Despite our best efforts, it’s not always possible to plunk down a big chunk of change on a new pair of kicks. These days, we’re all about transforming what’s already in our closets, and shoe clips can do just that for your favorite pair of heels. Erica Wiener Jewelry’s clips are bona fide vintage. Weiner purchased different styles manufactured in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Choose from 11 pairs of clips at a bargain $25 (versus upwards of $80 for a pair of Nine West pumps). Have a boring pair of black heels? Clip the red patent leather bows to the front or back and voila, a new look. The blue grosgrain rosettes could easily be paired with your favorite silver, gold or white flats. Material Pleasures goes back even farther, with a selection of vintage Victorian shoe clips like these intricate cut-steel ovals from France ($40). Absolutely Audrey carries new clips, along with vintage styles. Glitter up those pumps with the Jackie rhinestone bows ($30) or the Paris clips in ruby, amber or clear ($30). Brides can add something new from Absolutely Audrey’s bridal collection, such as the demurely elegant Maxine pearl clips ($35; pictured). Shoeworthy also has some wonderful little gems ($20 or $22.50 per pair).

Skulls aren’t just for bikers and pirates anymore. If you thought skulls and crossbones were morbid, menacing, or just plain silly, it’s time to bone up on your fashion sense. Anyone with a pulse has to have noticed the proliferation of skeleton craniums on everything from aprons ($30) and maternity skirts ($70) to this pink skull T-shirt dress ($21) for toddlers. Skulls are about as hip as you can get, as evidenced by these Christian Audigier Charmed Skull men’s board shorts in black ($128) or these Juicy Couture men’s skull-print board shorts ($78). Girls like empty heads, too. Check out this black and white sundress (on sale for $37) or this pink bandanna halter dress ($59; pictured). Both would look mordantly good with a pair of flip skull sandals ($23). For boys, a pair of Vans Ferris skulls skate shoes ($45) might revive a fading fashion reputation. Skulls can even be cute, as on this pink skull denim handbag ($29) and this sterling silver skull and crossbones bracelet ($68). The trend is more than a bit of skullduggery. It appears to be serious business.

Whether McCain’s your man or Obama’s the one, cast your vote for fun this election season with a variety of playful politically themed goodies. Beauty buffs will love Stila cosmetics’ bold new lip color called Rock the Vote Red ($17); 25 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Rock the Vote. Your dog can’t vote, but that doesn’t mean Fido can’t be politically active. If Spot more closely identifies with elephants, you might pick up the Republican dog leash at H. Doodle ($14). If donkeys are more his/her thing, try the Democrat dog collar ($12). Or if your pooch’s political leanings are middle of the road, select from a variety of canine Rock the Vote T-shirts ($14; pictured). Who says there’s no place for politics in the bedroom or bathroom? Pick up a pair of thong panties emblazoned with “Vote” ($8). Guys can join the fun with “Wake Up and Vote” boxer shorts ($21). Your newborn can even get into the swing of things with a W.W.O.D. (What Would Obama Do?) onesie ($30) or the more straightforward McCain blocks onesie at the official McCain store ($15). Democrats will love watching red states turn blue when the fill up the “I Have a Dream 2008” mug ($13). For Republicans, the “Make My Day 2008” mug turns blue states red ($12) . Sure to be a collectible is the Obama “Yes, We Can” opener ($5). Designer Helen Ficalora’s sterling-silver “Vote” charm at Shopbop.com is only half an inch wide, but we think it speaks volumes ($55). Need help sparking a “lively” political discussion at your next dinner party? The Political Topics To-Go card set includes 40 cards with topical questions like “Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?” ($10).

My summer wardrobe is beginning to bore me, and while summer sales are tempting, I’d rather save my cash for a piece that’s not going to expire after Labor Day or be way too summer ‘08 for me to resurrect next year. Besides, how many maxi-dresses can one girl possibly justify owning? Instead, I’m investing in one big, smashing, statement necklace like this collarbone-grazing butterfly from Kenneth Jay Lane or perhaps Anthropologie’s Beach Glass necklace — both delicate and enormous. Statement necklaces offer summer wardrobes a shot in the arm and are an excellent segue into fall, especially with one like the smoky purple Lee Angel Risa necklace (jot this down on your to-do list: go purple for fall). Reliably on-trend and affordable, J.Crew (in a cascade of turquoise gumballs, pictured) and Banana Republic (a watery-blue cabochon version) have come up with two bib-style arrangements that would be equally show-stopping when worn to a late-summer wedding as they would worn under a plain white button-down blouse at the office. The best part? Such statements need no embellishment. So cast aside your enameled cuffs and beaded chandelier earrings and let the necklace be its own exclamation point.

How hot are the Jonas Brothers? Ask any pre-teen girl and prepare for loud squeals and lots of giggles. The trio of brothers from New Jersey is on fire this summer: The premiere of Camp Rock was cable television’s most-watched entertainment program of the season with 8.9 million viewers. Next up: A CD called A Little Bit Longer, debuting Aug. 12. (Pre-order here ) To keep up with demand, stores are churning out Camp Rock/Jonas Brothers gear. At Limited Too you can pick up a Jonas Brothers tote bag emblazoned with Kevin, Joe and Nick’s faces ($25) or a concert T ($25). Target is carrying some snazzy Camp Rock watches that are perfect for a back -to-school surprise ($15). The guitar pick pendant necklace is a not so in-your-face way to show show your brotherly love ($5). Disney has a lot of clothing items: The Camp Rock ribbed tank top ($15) features multiple images of Shane (Joe Jonas), while the short-sleeved hoodie ($25) includes silhouette imagery from the show and an all-over Shane print lining the hood. Who doesn’t want to gaze into the dreamy eyes of the Jonas Brothers day and night? Your kid can with this Camp Rock poster ($9). (Admit it, you were just as crazy about Bon Jovi!)