Back in junior high, I was a pretty big nerd.  Despite the fact that I looked pretty normal, I might has well have been a leper, based on the attention I got from the boys in my school.  Actually, the same can be said of high school.  Although a lot of that can be attributed to the fact that I was kind of an uptight nerd, I’m sure the constant minor breakouts didn’t hep, either.  I never understood how some girls were able to have perfect skin, while I was stuck trying to keep things under control.

Nothing worked: not diet, not exercise, and not even the various prescription acne medications that ended up causing half my face to peel off.  I guess it was probably just genetics, but that’s not even remotely comforting as an excuse -  actually, it still isn’t.  That’s a lot of wasted time.

As a 20-something, my skin’s not as bad, but I definitely wouldn’t call it good. At any given time, there are at least a couple of existing breakouts or issues just below the surface.  That’s why I ran to the store within a few hours of hearing about the Zeno acne clearing device.  I had read nothing but positive reviews, and it was over $100, so I figure it might actually work.

Once I had it in my hands, I immediately got to work on a pimple-in-progress.   Two days later, it still hadn’t appeared, and the slightly swollen area beneath the skin had gone away completely. In all seriousness, I practically cried at the thought of how much better my teenage years would have been with this the Zeno.

So what I’m saying is this - if you have problem skin, or even if you just have occasional breakouts, don’t hesitate to pick up a Zeno.  They come in teal, pink, and silver, and they’ll usually run you somewhere between $150-200.

Although I’m not sure that I’m bold enough to wear the Cupcake vs Muffin t-shirt, I do think it’s awfully cute for a tee. Ladies, if you’re wearing this one, you officially revoke all rights to complain about men staring at your chest for that day.

What I don’t get, though, is why there is so much hostility between cupcakes and muffins. Was there some kind of falling out that I missed? Last I heard, they were both absolutely delicious and loaded with carbs and sugar. Has something changed? Will the secret be revealed if I go ahead and buy the Cupcake vs Muffin t-shirt?

Working for yourself, it’s really easy to amass a collection of comfortable shoes (to the detriment of your dress shoe collection).  Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I’m a huge sneaker freak, especially when it comes to the smaller, less clunky styles that make your feet look smaller.

When I saw these Vans Old Skool Lo Pro, I knew I’d have to have a pair.  Growing up back in the 80s, the quickest way to look cool was to grab a slap bracelet and some of those cheap lace-up Wal-Mart sneakers.  You’d remove the laces, beat the crap out of them, and then put them on.  Total Expenditure - $3 and about 30 minutes.

The Old Skool Lo Pros are a little more expensive, but they’re also shiny (in silver or gold) so that has to count for something.  They’d be fun with some low-rise flare jeans and a cute graphic tee.   And yes, the Vans actually do come with laces if you absolutely must wear them.

Looking at this Indiana Jones t-shirt (one of the few I’ve seen made for women), I can’t help but be reminded of how much I’d like to find my own Indiana Jones.  Try as I might, I just can’t make myself care about dating paper-pushing corporate types, or even your garden-variety rebellious sorts.

Seriously, how much of a buzz kill would it be to say, “Honey, I think we should jet off to the Cyclades islands this weekend?” only to be met with, “Sorry darling, I have to file these reports at work and there’s just no way to get it done and travel the world in search of knowledge and adventure…”

Does that make me crazy?   Don’t get me wrong, I know someone has to work the 9-5, just like someone has to make the hamburgers and someone has to pick up the trash - I just don’t want my man to be doing it.  I want a man smart enough to make his own way, just as I’ve made mine.  The man I marry won’t be dependent on some corporate boss telling him how much money he’s worth and when he can stop working for a whopping 2 weeks out of every 52.

Umm…yeah.  So I got a little carried away there.  Still, I love Indiana Jones, and I love this Indiana Jones Tee by Junk Food.

I’m a huge fan of colorful sneakers, so these women’s Adidas Joggerina Sneakers are right up my alley.  As of this time, I’m not exactly sure what they’d go with that I currently own, but they’re definitely fantastic enough to justify buying new clothing if necessary.   My wardrobe could use a little expansion in the neon blue / canary yellow / light pink color range anyway.  The only downside is that they’re a web and catalog exclusive so you can’t try them on first.  I suppose that’s what return labels are for, though!

Get Your Adidas Joggerina Sneakers at:

I’ve loved the Clocky Alarm Clock ever since the first time I laid eyes on the original concept models that were floating around the Internet, but I’ve never actually purchased one.  Now that Clocky comes in chrome, though, I might just have to shell out the cash to pick one up.

The chrome Clocky Alarm Clock is a little more expensive, but this version does have style.  And of course, all the old features are there, too.  When the alarm goes off, the clock rolls off your nightstand or dresser and proceeds to run away from you until you get your lazy self out of bed and shut it off.

Pick one up at:

If you spend much time working at a desk, you’re probably well aware of the effects it can have on your back, neck, and waistline. Although you can’t do a whole lot about the waistline, you can use massaging cushions and chairs to minimize the negative effects on your back and neck.

This Homedics Massage Cushion can be used with pretty much any desk chair. If your employer won’t shell out for one of those fancy $800 chairs, the “Homedics Therapist Select Quad Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat” is a nice alternative.

There are few things nicer than a friendly outdoor dinner in the middle of the summer. A pitcher of sangria, some light salads, and some meat on the grill - plus a bit of light music that everyone can enjoy.  The Time Life - Classic Soft Rock set includes 11 discs of the best soft rock songs from 70s and 80s.

Check out the full track list below.  There are a ton of good ones on here.

Disc: 1
1. Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts
2. Key Largo - Bertie Higgins
3. Make It With You - Bread
4. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? - Chicago
5. Dream Weaver - Gary Wright
6. Hello It’s Me - Todd Rundgren
7. Sara Smile - Daryl Hall & John Oates
8. Chuck E.’s in Love - Rickie Lee Jones
9. Black Water - The Doobie Brothers
10. Still the One - Orleans
11. Hurt So Bad - Linda Ronstadt
12. Cool Change - Little River Band
13. Biggest Part of Me - Ambrosia
14. Never Be the Same - Christopher Cross
15. You Can Do Magic - America

Disc: 2
1. Black Velvet - Alannah Myles
2. Beautiful in My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
3. Missing You - John Waite
4. Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross
5. Even the Nights Are Better - Air Supply
6. Kiss You All Over - Exile
7. Sexy Eyes - Dr. Hook
8. You’re the Only Woman - Ambrosia
9. Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
10. What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
11. Lotta Love - Nicolette Larson
12. 25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago
13. Wildfire - Michael Murphy
14. Tin Man - America
15. Guitar Man, The - Bread
Disc: 3
1. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Phil Collins
2. Waiting For a Girl Like You - Foreigner
3. Sailing - Christopher Cross
4. If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
5. Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime - The Korgis
6. How Much I Feel - Ambrosia
7. Sentimental Lady - Bob Welch
8. Minute by Minute - The Doobie Brothers
9. She’s Gone - Daryl Hall & John Oates
10. It Might Be You - Stephen Bishop
11. Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
12. I Saw the Light - Todd Rundgren
13. Diamond Girl - Seals & Croft
14. Horse With No Name, A - America
15. Baby I’m-a Want You - Bread
Disc: 4
1. Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross
2. Saturday in the Park - Chicago
3. Sister Golden Hair - America
4. You’re So Vain - Carly Simon
5. If - Bread
6. Ooh Baby Baby - Linda Ronstadt
7. Him - Rupert Holmes
8. You Are the Woman - Firefall
9. All I Need - Jack Wagner
10. Walking in Memphis - Marc Cohn
11. Making Love Out of Nothing at All - Air Supply
12. I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
13. Living Years, The - Mike & The Mechanics
14. Drive - The Cars
15. One More Night - Phil Collins
16. I’ll Be There - The Escape Club
Disc: 5
1. Into the Night - Benny Mardones
2. It’s a Heartache - Bonnie Tyler
3. Drift Away - Dobie Gray
4. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
5. Your Song - Elton John
6. How Long - AIR
7. More Love - Kim Carnes
8. I’m Not in Love - 10cc
9. I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli
10. Babe - Styx
11. Show Me the Way - Peter Frampton
12. Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop
13. Lonesome Loser - Little River Band
14. While You See a Chance - Steve Winwood
15. Let’s Make a Night to Remember - Bryan Adams
Disc: 6
1. Daniel - Elton John
2. I Need You - America
3. Wild World - Cat Stevens
4. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
5. I’d Really Love to See You Tonight - England Dan/John Ford Coley
6. On and On - Stephen Bishop
7. Tempted - Squeeze
8. Things We Do For Love, The - 10cc
9. Best of Times, The - Styx
10. Cry - Godley & Creme
11. Your Wildest Dreams - The Moody Blues
12. Higher Love - Steve Winwood
13. I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) - Meat Loaf
14. Please Forgive Me - Bryan Adams
15. More Than Words - Extreme
Disc: 7
1. Lowdown - Boz Scaggs
2. Whenever I Call You ‘Friend’ - Kenny Loggins
3. Piano Man - Billy Joel
4. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
5. Miracles - Jefferson Starship
6. Lost in Love - Air Supply
7. More Than I Can Say - Leo Sayer
8. Rosanna - Toto
9. More Than a Feeling - Boston
10. Take It on the Run - REO Speedwagon
11. Make Me Lose Control - Eric Carmen
12. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
13. Living Inside Myself - Gino Vannelli
14. Flame, The - Cheap Trick
15. Sara - Starship
Disc: 8
1. Livin’ Thing - Electric Light Orchestra
2. This Is It - Kenny Loggins
3. Africa - Toto
4. Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons Project
5. Look What You’ve Done to Me - Boz Scaggs
6. You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling - Daryl Hall & John Oates
7. All Out of Love - Air Supply
8. Can’t Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
9. Search Is Over, The - Survivor
10. All by Myself - Eric Carmen
11. Without You - Nilsson
12. Year of the Cat - Al Stewart
13. Dust in the Wind - Kansas
14. Vincent - Don McLean
15. Please Come to Boston - Dave Loggins
Disc: 9
1. Listen to the Music - The Doobie Brothers
2. Ventura Highway - America
3. Kokomo - The Beach Boys
4. California Dreamin’ - The Mamas & The Papas
5. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
6. It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond
7. Thank You For Being a Friend - Andew Gold
8. Everything I Own - Bread
9. When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt
10. I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) - Michael McDonald
11. Baby Come Back - Player
12. Circle in the Sand - Belinda Carlisle
13. Hold On - Wilson Phillips
14. I’ll Be Over You - Toto
15. Just the Way It Is, Baby - The Rembrandts
Disc: 10
1. We Don’t Talk Anymore - Cliff Richard
2. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
3. When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman - Dr. Hook
4. Fool (If You Think It’s Over) - Chris Rea
5. Doctor, The - The Doobie Brothers
6. Release Me - Wilson Phillips
7. Jessie - Joshua Kadison
8. These Dreams - Heart
9. Hearts - Marty Balin
10. I Go Crazy - Paul Davis
11. Sad Eyes - Robert John
12. American Pie - Don McLean
13. Air That I Breathe, The - The Hollies
14. Reminiscing - Little River Band
15. You’re No Good - Linda Ronstadt

Disc: 11
1. Got to Give It up (Pt.1) - Marvin Gaye
2. Serpentine Fire - Earth, Wind & Fire
3. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
4. Cold as Ice - Foreigner
5. It’s So Easy - Linda Ronstadt
6. Year of the Cat - Al Stewart
7. Things We Do For Love, The - 10cc
8. Rich Girl - Daryl Hall & John Oates
9. Handy Man - James Taylor
10. How Deep Is Your Love - The Bee Gees
11. Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt
12. Heard It in a Love Song - The Marshall Tucker Band
13. Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
14. Fly Like an Eagle - Steve Miller
15. Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
16. Feels Like the First Time - Foreigner
17. Slip Slidin’ Away - Paul Simon
18. Stayin’ Alive - The Bee Gees
19. So in to You - Atlanta Rhythm Section
20. I’m in You - Peter Frampton

Get the set at:

Summer is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited.  Yes, it’s almost unbearably hot, and yes, gas is $4+ around here, but outside of that, life is pretty good.  Of course, I would be better if I had this 18 Liter Cooler & Warmer with Radio.  In addition to keeping your drinks cold, it has a warming feature (great in 6 months for bringing holiday food to parties) and a radio/iPod feature.  Yes, a cooler with an iPod adapter.

$120 is a little steep for a cooler (and warmer!), but given that you can listen to music pretty much anywhere with it, it’s not bad deal.

If you love it, buy it at:  

If you’ve ever read the old Dr. Seuss book, The Sneetches, you might remember how, in the beginning, there were Sneetches with stars and Sneetches with “none upon thars”. Although it seems insignificant enough, the Sneetches were a lot like people, and they decided to elevate the status of the starred Sneetches while isolating the others. One day, a guy came to town with a Sneetch-starring machine and he offered to help the star-less Sneetches.

Of course, when the starred Sneetches saw this, they got their Stars removed to differentiate themselves again, and it became an endless circle of Sneetches giving away their money to have stars added and removed.

That’s kind of what plumping lip gloss reminds me of, even though I’ve never actually heard of anyone wanting smaller lips. Either way, though, Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Advanced Lip Plumping Serum (a mouthful, for sure) definitely works. It burns a bit when you put it on, but that means it’s working, right? All I know is that I’ve never had any complaints when I hit the town with big, shiny, soft lips. That’s worth the $20-30 to me.