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.

These Prada aviator sunglasses would be a perfect replacement to the sunglasses I sat on two days ago.  Previously, I was enjoying a generic pair of aviators I had picked up in a gas station 3 states away, but ever since their untimely death I’ve found myself with an aviator-shaped hole in my heart - and that hole can only be filled by these gorgeous black Prada SPR70G 1BC-1A1 Black Aviator Sunglasses.  At $200, they’re not exactly cheap, but it’s a small price to pay for 100% UV protection and uncompromising style.

If you want your own pair, you can get them at Amazon.

As a child of the 80s, I still get a little misty-eyed thinking about the first time I figured out how to solve a basic 3×3x3 Rubik’s Cube.  Who knew they’d be making 4×4x4 cubes and 5×5x5 cubes and even triangular Rubik’s cubes just a couple of decades later.  Seriously, those people know how to take all the fun out of it.

Luckily, the nice people who make the Rubik’s Cube have come up with a variation that’s actually really cool, even if you’re the type who needs instructions on how to solve the Rubik’s Cube.  The Rubik’s Revolution takes advantage of modern technology by offering electronic Rubik’s games that don’t necessarily involve SOLVING the cube.

I picked one up about a week ago at the local Borders and I haven’t been able to put it down since.  I watch movies while playing with my cube.  I sit outside on the porch with my cube.  You better believe I’m taking the cube on vacation later this summer.  As for the boyfriend, I’m not so sure.

I don’t really like carrying a lot of accessories to the beach, and the Sun Cabana is definitely something of a monster.  All the same, I love the idea of having a portable shade and privacy screen.  Instead of trying to lay out and read a book, only to leave after 20 minutes with a nasty burn, I could do a half-in, half-out sort of thing to get a bit of shade when I needed it.

And of course, we have to consider the romantic possibilities…you could certainly get into some trouble with your own private portable cabana.

They claim that it’s really easy to pop up, and that it folds flat for storage and transportation.  I might have to get a little help with that, though.  I can’t even get those fold-flat floating chairs to go back to their original shape, so I’m sure I’d have problems with an entire cabana!

I’ve never been a big fan of running around the beach without a cover-up.  Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I’d prefer to show things off at home, not in public.  This  Juicy Couture Beach Short Bandeau Cover-Up struck me as perfect for use with a really bright pink or blue suit this summer.

Though you can’t see it on the photo, the Juicy Couture charm details really make the piece.

I’m not much of a yoga person. To be quite honest, I just don’t have the patience. All the same, I look awfully cute in a pair of yoga pants accessorized with a gym bag and a smoothie. I’ve been looking for a new pair, and the ones below are all very tempting - though I’ve yet to make up my mind.

Bop Basics Yoga Pant
Price: $59.0
I’ve never been disappointed by Bop Basics, so these are strong contenders (and made in the U.S.!). Between the super-soft jersey cotton and the soft, natural color, I love these. The waistband folds over, but I’m not entirely sure how much that would help with the 36″ inseam. I’m pretty sure I’d have to alter these or risk death by yoga pants. Flare leg. 9″ rise (measured with fold). 36″ inseam. 47% cotton/47% modal/6% spandex. Wash cold.

CONTRAST FOLDOVER YOGA PANT
Price: $30.0
Of course, these yoga pants may actually fit my style a little better.  I like a splash of color from time to time, and these deliver.  I’m not sure that I like the idea of a 32″ inseam (too short) or 37″ (too long!), but I guess that’s what scissors are for.

BECKER Yoga Pants
Price: $24.0
You’d have to be a lot shorter than me to enjoy these yoga pants, but they certainly are cute.  100% cotton, 31″ inseam.

Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Yoga Pants
Price: $128.0
I’m pretty sure that these yoga pants are perfectly broken in by the butts of angels themselves, because that’s the only way I can imagine paying $128 for a pair of yoga pants.  Awfully cute, though.

Fold-Over Yoga Pants
Price: $34.97
These standard grey yoga pants are the perfect blend of cotton and spandex, plus they’re affordable.  These may be the ones…

I’ve probably said it before, but Delia’s definitely has some cute stuff, even if you’re “too old” to be caught dead in their stores.  This funky Damask Victorian Sheet & Pillowcase set is a perfect example.  It’s a little bit youthful and cute, but the damask pattern definitely lends it a bit of sophistication.  It would be great for a 20-something bedroom.

Several of the set’s pieces are pictured below:

Victorian Sheet & Pillowcase Sets
Price: $41.0
The sheet set comes with a striped flat sheet with blue border, blue fitted sheet, and stripe pillowcase with blue border.

Victorian Message Board
Price: $46.0
Wood/fabric.  Imported. Catalog and web exclusive.

Victorian Comforter Cover
Price: $40.0
The comforter cover can be reversed to show a large Victorian print.  Black-Multi. Twin, full, queen. Imported. Catalog and web exclusive.

I’m not the kind of person who wears 30 different makeup products for a simple trip to the grocery store.  In fact, I’m not sure that I ever really wear that much makeup.  That aside, Benefit Cosmetics’ 10 bronzer and highlighter duo is one of the simplest, most idiot-proof makeup products I’ve ever seen.

The bronzer and highlighter duo comes with one very wide brush so you can grab both parts in one sweep.  The in-box instructions tell you exactly where to apply it, and after a single swipe, the look is perfect (okay, so you might rub it a bit to blend it in, but other than that, it’s a 1-swipe per cheek job).

I bought this product for a friend who hates makeup, and she loved it.  She held on to it for a couple months, and when she finally tried it, she immediately called me to tell me how totally awesome it was.  I was all like, “I know, I told you so,” and she kept going on about how she finally has cheekbones.  Sweet.

10 bronzer and highlighter duo
highlight and bronze in one sexy sweep

Mother’s Day is definitely creeping up on us, and I still haven’t found the perfect gift.  As I’ve been looking for a good gift, I’ve also found a lot of not-so-good gifts.  It’s not that they’re bad gifts, they’re just not right for my own mother, who is not much of a jewelry-wearer.  To ensure that my time and effort isn’t completely wasted, I’m sharing them with everyone here:

Personalized Mother’s Day Jewelry Box
Price: $24.95
Some mothers would find personalized Mother’s Day jewelry box absolutely charming.  My mother would give me a confused look and ask what she’s supposed to put in it.

Keepsake Personalized Mother’s Day Springtime Ring
This Mother’s Day ring can be personalized to say the names of her favorite children, important dates, or something personally meaningful like, “Thundercats, ho!”

Cartier -esque Inspired Screw Motif Double Interlocking Love Band Necklace
Price: $34.99
This Mother’s Day necklace features a Cartier-inspired screw love motif and it’s made out of .925 sterling silver.   The necklace has two interlocking love bands symbolizing commitment and everlasting devotion.  This elegant Mother’s Day necklace comes with a 16 inch chain.  Matching rings and bracelets are also available.

Tiffany Inspired 10mm Sterling Silver Bead Bracelet
Price: $74.99
Although this bracelet would be great for anyone, it’s currently on sale for Mother’s Day.  This Tiffany inspired bead bracelet is composed of .925 solid sterling silver and comes in a 7.5 or 8 inch length with a lobster claw clasp for security.  If your mom likes jewelry but isn’t crazy about sappy commemorative pieces like the ring above, this may be a much better choice.

Sterling Silver Mother’s Day CZ Heart Pendant
Price: $24.99
I know at least a dozen mothers who would go nuts for this pendant.  They’d open it up (along with a sappy card), then promptly cry and talk about how happy their family makes them and put the necklace on.  They’d continue to wear it either forever, or until the next piece of Mother’s Day jewelry came along.  My mom would give me a blank look and say, “I hope you didn’t spend much money on this.”  Like I said, she’s not the sappy, jewelry-loving type.

Any more suggestions for Mother’s Day gifts and jewelry?  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!

Amazingly enough, I do remember to feed my pets.  Of course, they actually interact with me.  Plants are another story.  I can’t remember the last time I was able to keep a plant alive for more than a few weeks.  They just fade into the background for weeks at a time, and by the time I remember to water them, they’re on their way out of this world.

I do love some of the newer self-watering planters and hanging baskets, though.  I might actually have a shot at keeping something alive if the plant waters itself.  Here are a few that I came across recently:

20″ Cortina Self-Watering Planter, Ochre
These Italian-style self-watering planters come in several vibrant colors for $45 each.  The 16″ version comes in at $35.

39″ Self-Watering Windowbox, Green
For $39, you could get one of these cute self-watering windowbox planters.  I think they’d also be cute along the edge of a white wraparound porch - very Leave it to Beaver-ish.

Self-Watering Trellis Planter, Small
If you have a little more room, this $90 self-watering trellis planter could be perfect.  Once you get vines growing up the trellis, you’ll have extra privacy or shade, too.

Self-Watering Hanging Basket
If your budget is a little lower (or if you just want a hanging planter), this self-watering hanging basket is perfect.  Hanging plants are kind of a pain to water even if you do remember, so this version is especially nice.