All mySimon Shopping Picks

The people I know who swear by this simple, tasty drink mix come in all ages and types and from all kinds of places. We admit we're big fans, too. Emergen C Lite has several tasty flavors (our favorite is Lemon Lime), and only 5 calories. Along with 1,000 milligrams of C, it has a mix of B vitamins for an energy boost. We keep a box at home and the office. It beats... more

We weren't interested in these tiny picture carriers until a friend got one for Christmas. Although not typically adept at technology (sorry Jenn), she had more than 50 holiday photos loaded and ready for digital display in a surprisingly short amount of time. As a new mom, a digital keychain was the perfect gift for her and a much easier way of showing off baby's first Christmas than a wallet full of paper photos... more

There are only 12 models of Cylons. If that makes no sense to you whatsoever, you've missed out on the updated version of the old (and woefully dated) show Battlestar Galactica. Catch up with your sci-fi loving friends with Battlestar Galactica - Season 1, a show that defies the conventional wisdom that television needs to pander to the deeply unintelligent. It's smart, moves at a breathtaking pace, and doesn't rely on CGI and other... more

The holidays are about traditions, and all too often that includes the food. If you've had your fill of roast turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, use the Hamilton Beach Food Chopper to quickly and easily whip up more exotic fare like pico de gallo salsa or mango chutney with ease. With a capacity of 1.5 cups, this appliance is perfect for chopping enough ingredients for single guys and gals (and a friend).

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

If you can't stand the coffee served in the office, but find your post-holiday pocketbook won't cover daily trips for freshly brewed java at the local coffee shop, a French press is an inexpensive way to get your daily dose of caffeine without sacrificing taste. You don't need filters or anything special -- just ground coffee and hot water. By the third week of brewing your own delicious cuppa, you'll have recovered the costs... more

We just accompanied a coworker to Express where she tried on their PVC leggings. The verdict: Too hot. PVC does not exactly breathe. So if you're freezing this winter, maybe check those out, along with some fleece sheets. Not flannel; fleece. They're a lot more affordable than flannel sheets, and probably a lot warmer too. And if our fleece hoodies are any indication, you probably don't need to put them in the... more

Top 4 reasons not to buy a real tree (and go with a fabulous artificial tree instead):
1. The cost. $100 for something that will end up on the street in a couple weeks? In this economy?
2. The hassle of getting the thing through the front door and into that tree stand. The Christmas spirit should not involve so much swearing.
3. The mess. Your vacuum cleaner hates you. So does your... more

We're not huge fans of Lost (we've only seen a few episodes) but half the people we work with are obsessed with it and want the world to know that Lost - The Complete Fourth Season is now out on DVD. To sum up: More than 3 months after their fateful crash, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 discover that the only thing more dangerous than the island might be the people who have... more

Introducing the BlackBerry Storm, the first touch-screen BlackBerry that CNET says "will definitely give the Apple iPhone a run for its money" because it "offers consumers and mobile professionals a full-featured smartphone with an innovative touch screen at a good price." The phone uses BlackBerry's "SurePress" touch screen, where you have to press down on the screen (unlike the iPhone), and has dual-mode functionality for seamless world roaming. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera,... more

What do you buy the woman who has everything (or at least everything in the San Rio catalog)? How about a diamond Hello Kitty ring? The one shown here ($395 from Zales) is mostly white and pink sapphires with some diamond accents, but the white sapphires look close enough to the real thing. Bigger spenders can plunk down $2500 for something with more diamonds at Neiman Marcus, while those of us with more sense... more