The ice and snow storms that left travelers stranded and folks without electricity this winter may have you thinking of tropical destinations. Go the cheap route and experience the sounds of Brazil with Tropicalia 2, a collection of songs by Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. These two have been making music for more than four decades, mixing reggae, samba, rock and other musical styles into a unique sound that's all their own. The gentle... more

The day before you head back to work may have you dreaming of ways to escape the nine to five daily grind. Indulge your secret fantasy of becoming the next Dylan with the Hohner Folk Acoustic Guitar, an inexpensive way to see if you have what it takes to quit your day job and hit the stage. This isn't the Stradivarius of guitars, but at the very least you can practice some chords and... more

With many types of sports, you can break the bank just buying the right equipment. And there's nothing more guilt-inducing then looking at thousands of dollars worth of ski gear that you bought before you found out about your fear of racing down a mountain of ice and snow at top speed. Start small with the Lake Placid Leather Lined Figure Skates for Men or the Lake Placid Leather Lined Figure Skates for... more

If you make an annual resolution to read something more substantial than celebrity gossip magazines (ah, sweet guilty pleasure!), start with this Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Wallace Stegner. Angle of Repose chronicles the lives of an American family through four generations. At 500+ pages, it's hefty enough to make you feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish it, but once you get into it, it's so involving you'll be surprised at how easily... more

From the energizing scent of rosemary to the calming aroma of lavender the use of essential oils as a health aid goes back several millennia. While we have a friend with an amazing green thumb who grows these useful plants in her yard, you don't have to maintain your own herb garden to reap the benefits of essential oils, nor do you have to spend a lot of money. These aromatherapy picks are all... more