SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Dear Mama, You're Appreciated...

Mother's Day is around the corner, so in that spirit, I'm going to be giving you all some tips on the nicest gifts out there. After all, the special woman who kissed all your boo-boos, helped you with your homework, sat through every recital and every game, and who to this day worries when you have the sniffles, deserves some serious repayment and heartfelt thanks. So you might as well start off with a nice Mother's Day gifts (the days of you making her necklaces out of dry macaroni are long gone.. or at least, I hope the are! lol)

The Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Mother's Day Gift Set includes a 3.4oz. bottle of Lovely eau de parfum, a 2.5 oz. tube of lotion, and a deluxe miniature eau de parfum PLUS, drumroll please, two tix to see Sex and the City: The Movie in your area. You can redeem the tickets by visiting the website on the sleeve and, if you do so by end of day tomorrow, you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip to the movie's red carpet premiere in NYC.

Just don't try to get over on mom and steal the tix from her or we're telling!

$69.50; Available at fine department stores

Rubber Ducky, Where Are You?

Remember the Bert and Ernie "Rubber Ducky" song? It won't leave my head now that I know the name of the company behind these cutesy espadrille slip-ons (it's Rubber Duck, in case that wasn't obvious enough! lol). Eik Ottoson, the line's creator, first started selling his shoes in Denmark, Germany and Scandinavia and, after making a dent in the European market, took his company to the U.S., where it's become popular among everyone from the college student crowd to the indie rocker set and the Hollywood "it" kids. Which could explain why Rubber Duck shoes are sold in such trendy shops as TopShop, Urban Outfitters, and Kitson and American Rag in Los Angeles.

For Spring 2008, they've reinvented their Drillo collection, which consists of flat espadrilled constructed with a patterned sole, natural rope for extra cushioning, and cotton fabric in funky patterns like zebra print, cheetah print and toy soldiers (it literally looks like there are miniature GI Joes on the shoes) — all in eye-catching colors (purple, pink, yellow, turquoise and more). Sure, you wouldn't wear them with a Sass & Bide dress, but they're great for those super casual "tank top and shorts" days (or for trips along the boardwalk). Just don't try running in them (they're really meant for laying in the cut, not frantically dashing from place to place). And a bit of advice: they tend to run slightly big, so you may want to try copping a pair one size smaller than what you'd normally wear.

$30 each. Visit http://www.rubberduckbrand.com for stores

2 B Real

One of my homegirls is literally addicted to drugstores (and no, it's not because of the pharmacy area!). If we walk past a Duane Reade, CVS, or Rite Aid, she just has to step inside and work her way through the hair product aisle. She'll pick up the bottles, smell the different types of shampoo, sneakily try on some of the frizz-easing drops and take mental notes about which products to buy and which to skip. She can spend hours in one aisle -- word up, she's worse than those old ladies you see squeezing the plums and peaches at the supermarket to make sure they have the best ones (my grandma used to spend hours on end in the fresh produce aisle, and my homegirl's got her beat).

Sure, her compulsion might seem a bit odd, but I gotta say that, as a a beauty product hound, I understand her fascination. See, you can go to Sephora or Macy's and take your chances on the latest hair serum or luster-adding spray or you can spend half the money and experiment with whatever drugstore product strikes your fancy. Worst case scenario: it does nothing for you, and you either pass it on to a friend or toss it. No big deal. No crying over $40 and $50 misspent. Best case scenario: it works wonders and you've got a new staple product in your bathroom cabinet. Seems like a no-brainer, right?

But I'll spare you the trouble of spending hours at the drugstore and point you straight to the jackpot. Haircare line got2b just introduced its "smooth operator" collection, which includes three styling products meant to cater to your "inner goddess." Each bottle has a curvaceous, utterly feminine shape, and is adorned with a set of playful plastic charms (a pink royal crown, a silver heart, a yellow heart-shaped lock with a matching key, etc.). Each of the three products targets a specific issue. The Smoothing Satin Drops product tames those pesky fly-aways and attacks frizzy trouble areas without leaving any flaky residue or giving you that gelled-out helmet head. The Smoothing Hairspray, of course, keeps your hair in place (hairspray is pretty one-note, ain't it?). And then there's the crown jewel: the Smoothing Lustre Lotion, a lightweight product that helps to smoothe and style your hair without making it overly greasy or weighing your locks down — plus, it adds shine and protects your hair from UV rays. It literally looks and feels like lotion except the consistency is much thinner (which basically means you have to stay focused or you might end up rubbing it on your legs and arms by accident!) You'll feel like you're massaging you hair and giving your 'do some staying power.

got2b Smoothing Lustre Lotion and Smoothing Satin Drops, $7.99 each. Available at food, drug and mass market retailers.

Cabana Girl

As far as I'm concerned, Tommy Hilfiger deserves some serious props -- not only has he stayed in the game for a long time, constantly expanding and reinventing his line, but he's still standing after being at the center of some seriously awful, insidious urban legends (remember that vicious rumor about him supposedly going on Oprah and makign offensive remarks about how blacks and Latinos shouldn't wear his clothing? Meanwhile, the man had never even been on Oprah at that point?!! How nuts is that?! Yep, the air was finally cleared in '07 when Oprah herself brought him on the show and acknowledged that he'd never been a guest before, that those comments had never been uttered, etc., but that was after 10 years of living with rumors about his alleged racism!) I mean, dag, that's worse than most of the other hip-hop generation myths (like the one about Lil' Kim having her stomach pumped because she'd done a bit too much sucky-sucky). And amazingly, he managed to win back the consumers who made him a star (because, after all, it was people of color who flocked to stores to buy his early designs... I remember I had this ill puffy jacket that I absolutely loved...)

But let's not dwell on the negative. Bottom line: dude's got staying power, a serious backbone, and the guts to keep taking risks with his empire. I personally loved his Dreaming fragrance, and now, he's back on make-up counters and fragrance racks with the launch of his limited-edition Tommy Girl Summer fragrance. As the name implies, there's a beach-y feel to the fragrance, which incorporates Nantucket cranberry, Hawaiian pineapple, lemon lime spritzer, as well as warmer orange blossom, coconut and magnolia note, and subtle notes of warm sand and sun-kissed skin (not quite sure how the last two notes are developed, but never underestimate the power of science! lol) for an aroma that's both fruity and floral. It instantly makes you think of hammocks, beach balls, sunbathing, piña coladas, and dips in the ocean..

And, of course, the packaging fits with the unassuming, lighthearted feel of the fragrance. The Tommy Girl Cabana for Two set includes a 100ml bottle of the scent, along with the Tommy Girl Summer body lotion. Both come in a clear pouch with a nautical rope drawstring closure. Now, sail away to your nearest department store.

$48; Available at fine department stores of at http://www.tommy.com

(Red)eem Yourself

The equation is simple: put a little love in your heart (yes, I am quoting a cheesy song!), spend a little money on a (PRODUCT) RED GAP shirt, and make a big difference in the fight against AIDS in Africa. I'm always inspired by the philanthropic efforts of U2's Bono (my not-so-secret celebrity crush since I was about 11 or 12!) -- for one, he's not motivated by any egotistical desire for praise, nor is he looking to become a politician a la Arnold Shwarz-what-the-heck-ever. Before TIME magazine put him on their cover in 2001, swathed in the American flag with the words "Can this rock star save the world?" in bold letters stamped underneath his image, Bono had been quietly working to enact change in Africa.

He wasn't doing some corny PSAs or kissing babies in Zimbabwe as paparazzi looked on. Shit, he wasn't even out there trying to raise funds and act all enraged. Nah, this man went straight to the top, to the people who have the power and the money to make things happen. He was meeting with economic masterminds (Jeffrey Sachs among them), influential politicians and policymakers behind closed doors, urging them to address the issue of debt relief in Third World countries, warning them about the alarming nature of the AIDS crisis in Africa. Bono is tireless in his efforts, and he's also always trying to think outside the box.

His (PRODUCT) RED initiative is just one testament to the man's brilliance. Rather than launching a campaign or foundation that could very well be dismissed as a passing fad, Bono and partner Bobby Shriver are reaching out to existing companies with massive consumer bases (Apple, Dell, Converse, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Motorola and the GAP among them) and co-branding items sold through their retailers as an unintrusive fundraising effort. In other words, your average consumer merely has to go into his/her favorite store, purchase one of the (RED) items, and up to 50% of the proceeds go directly to the Global Fund (the exact percentage varies by brand/company), which provides medical support to HIV-positive persons in Africa (with a focus on women and children). Sure, other companies are now taking a similar approach, but that just goes to show the strengths of Bono's blueprint.

This summer, GAP will unveil a new series of T-shirts for their (PRODUCT) RED line. V-Necks, crew necks, tanks and scoopneck tees are available in white, yellow, peacock, blue and red. The designs are fairly basic -- well, actually, there are some more intricate designs such as one featuring an outline of Africa and, within the continent, there's a mural-like design with words scrawled across, illustrations of everything from reindeer to safety pins to handprints, and more. But for some reason, it's the more straight-forward designs that really work. My two favorite tees are pictured above: the red "Cultured" tank and the scoopneck Ghana "Inspired" tee. The colors are rich and the fabric is soft and breathable -- perfect for summer days. And 50% of the profits go directly to the Global Fund, so you can't beat that. Walk On.

$28 each. Available at http://www.gap.com or at GAP stores nationwide.

Joy to the World

I admit I'm turning into an overzealous, Big Red-chewing, pom-pom shaking Target cheerleader. But hey, you gotta give props when props are due, and they've been doing the damn thing with all of their designer collections. Sure, a few have been slightly disappointing (the Jovovich-Hawk collection was a bit womp-womp, in my opinion), but most of them have been straight home-runs: Luella Bartley, Proenza, Patrick Robinson, etc. And their designer-helmed accessories collabos — from the Rafe bags to the Hollywould heels — have literally brought joy into my life. The whole notion is genius: women love shoes and handbags (we straight-up hoard them like we're little ants saving up for the winter), so having the opportunity to get a well-crafted bag or shoe from one of our favorite high fashion designers (without the madness of a sample sale, where being trampled, having your hair pulled, and getting a beat-down are all scarily real possibilities). But what makes these accessories lines so wonderful is the care Target execs take in selecting these designers.

So I was beyond excited when I heard about their newest line, the Gryson for Target handbag collection, which just arrived in stores this month. If you're not familiar with Joy Gryson, here's a brief bio: she was born in Korea, came to the US at age 3, studied at FIT in New York and worked for Coach and Marc Jacobs before launching her own line of handbags, Gryson, in the fall of 2006. And now, she's making some of her genial bags available to the masses through her Gryson for Target collection.

The collection has this old-money, luxe feel, but it's still modern got a modern edge (there's nothing stuffy or matron-like about it). In terms of texture, woven leather is key here and, as far as color, designer Joy Gryson focused on black, white, hunter green, and a gorgeous slate blue. There are a handful of styles to pick from: a small bag with cut-out handles, a basic tote with two shoulder straps, a small pouch with a single shoulder strap that can be thrown across your chest for on-the-go days, and a sportier drawstring tote with both a shoulder strap and a braided handle.

I love them all, but I'm particularly fond of the drawstring tote. The white detailing infuses some zest into the muted blue color and, in terms of features, the bag not only has a drawstring closure but also a tab closure (which is a huge draw considering you never want to leave room for pick-pockets). I also dig the braided handle, which gives it a slightly nautical flair, and the preppy buckle straps along the sides. And the zippered pocket along the front not only adds a bit of funk to the piece, but allows for easy access to keys, phone, lip balm, and all the basics.

Drawstring bag, $49.99. Visit http://www.target.com

Heir to the Throne

Who doesn't want to feel like royalty? I was amused and impressed by the concept behind Kings & Queens, a new body care line that uses spices and herbs associated with past monarchs, sultans, tsars, emperors, and other powerful rulers from bygone eras. Some of the royals (meaning products, you slow pokes!) in the start-up collection of shower gels, body milks, body butters, and shimmering body milks include: King Solomon Cedar, Aztec King Vanilla Pear, Chinese Princess Jasmine, Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange, Nefertiti Honey, Sultan of Grenada Lemon Flower, George III Lime, King of Sumatra Pepper & Bergamot and Caspar Myrrh. Personally, I love how globally and multiculturally they thought when manufacturing and naming these products (they take you from ancient China to Egypt, Mexico, and more). Each product is enriched with the "royal mix," a combination of ingredients that includes Egyptian blue lotus, malachite extracts with avocado, hazelnut, sunflower and grape oils, and pomegranate.

Now, here's the complete disclosure: I was bit skeptical about some of the more eccentric products -- particularly the Caspar Myrrh body milk and the King of Sumatra Pepper & Bergamot shower gel. I worried the former would make me smell like a forgotten, dust-covered attic, or an incense stick and that the latter would basically make me smell of adobo (pepper hasn't typically been particularly poppin' in my bathroom cabinet!). But I decided to thug it out and try them out, and I'm happy to say that both are actually great products. The King of Sumatra shower gel hydrates your skin and, though the smell is rather strong when you first lather up, by the time you're finished towel drying, it's faded to this sexy but subtle spicy scent with a light woodsy note. Plus, since it's not too feminine, your man might dig it too (which could be a plus if you're the sharing type -- otherwise, don't let his grubby hands anywhere near it!)

And, if you want more of a floral or sweet scent, check out the Chinese Princess Jasmine or the Nefertiti Honey. Both are, well, fit for a queen.

Shower gels, $9; Body milks, $11; Body Butters, $15; Shimmering Body Milks, $11. Available at select Nordstrom stores.

Drinking Games

It's the day after a big game (the NBA Finals, Superbowl, the NBA Play-Offs, or the Figure Skating championships -- whatever floats your boat), and you're looking at the mountain of empty beer cans your friends (or your man's friends) left behind. Now, most of us would huff and puff, wrap these up in recyclable bags and take them to the nearest garbage area. BUT, if you're a handy, artsy young thang like Vermont-based jewelry designer Dana Roth, founder of D-Licious, you'll just whip out your Xacto knife(or whatever other metal-cutting tool out there!) and start tearing up all that aluminum to make some quirky jewelry for all you lushes out there (yes, I'm one of them too!). The aluminum is secured by sterling silver rivets and protected by sterling silver end caps, so you don't have to worry about getting cut or injured in the name of fashion. Each cuff is 1 1/4" wide -- big enough to make a bold statement without functioning as a liquor billboard.

Genius, isn't it? Plus, what's most hillarious is how Roth tries to cater to everyone's beer tastes -- her cuffs feature logos from brands like Guinness, Miller Light, Lucky Lager, and more (though I'm about to lobby for a Corona cuff!). And, if you're not the drinking type, you can always go for one of the soda bracelets (which are slightly smaller at 3/4" wide) -- pick from designs that include Sunkist, Dr. Pepper and Coca-Cola.

Now, THAT's what I call recycling!

Cuffs, $120; Bracelets, $90. Visit http://www.elsewares.com

Guns 'N' Roses

As much as I hate guns and I shiver at the thought of ever having one in my house (no Saturday night specials over here, thank ya very much!), I'm kinda fascinated by items with gun motifs -- well, as long as they're tasteful and playful (cool necklaces, rings, shirts, etc.). Maybe it's how I release my inner Reservoir Dog or something... But before I further psychoanalyze myself, let's talk about this slammin' 7-inch triple gun vase, made of white ceramic. Basically, the idea is to fill each barrel with water and place flowers in there (side note: the vase does come with artificial flowers, but they look kinda janky so you may want to rethink that). If you think about it, the concept is pretty amazing -- instead of shooting bullets , this vase figuratively "sprouts" flowers, thus taking the notion of guns as tools of death and turning it on its head. Guess Axl Rose was on to something when he put the guns and roses ideas together, huh? Now you can pack heat without worrying about any shoot-outs.

$54. Visit http://www.mcachicagostore.org or http://store.sprouthome.com

Preferred Seating

Now you can be in the hot seat without it meaning touble. This vintage aqua dining chair from Jayson Home & Garden's "Vintage Glam" collection will make your future (and home) look rather bright. The chair was re-upholstered in cream burlap, but the aqua paint is slightly chipped (but, overall, it's in pretty outstanding condition). Hey, that's what vintage finds are all about -- getting that "lived in" quality without the item looking like it was trampled. Four chairs are available, so you can splurge on an entire dining room set. Think about it: if your dinner guests are seated on these beauties, they might just forget (or at least forgive) you your awful cooking.

$350/chair. Visit http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com