Without paying Southern California Edison
I dig candles—so much so that on any given evening, the little balls of flame can be found illuminating my living room, adding pleasant scents and slices of natural night (screw you, Southern California Edison). But with four cats (yes) there’s always the concern that one of my mischievous friends will [...]

Give yourself the gift of love–self-love
Chad gave you flowers, John gave you chocolates and Ed bought you pajamas—or was that Mike? Doesn’t matter. They were pajamas. On Valentine’s Day. But when was the last time you gave yourself a love day gift? And, duh, I mean an orgasm. Available through sexyware site ForestNymphs.com, the compact [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends
Though it’s long been a curious staple of health shops and the occasional gourmet supermarket, I was unfamiliar with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps until the little-liquid-that-could became the centerpiece of a battle between Germs drummer Don Bolles and the Newport Beach Police Department last year. Following a consented [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends
Inside Irregular Choice’s recently opened New York boutique—boasting walls covered in brightly colored unicorns; a pseudo-balcony framed by curtains and flowers, perfect for an impromptu puppet show; and a monolithic plush red velvet chair with a stripper pole jutting from its center—the company mirrors the aesthetic ambitions imbued [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends
Providing a compact and easy way to achieve the perfect smoky eye, the Tarte Peep Show palette is more than just makeup: It’s a makeover in a box. A very cute, slender, purple, fishnet-adorned box. Unlatch the flip-open lid (which conveniently sports a wide mirror inside) and you’re [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends.
Didn’t get a chance to sneak away for the holidays? Want to escape Long Beach for the day? Consider a trip on the Metro Blue Line. Long Beach’s light rail lands you squarely in the heart of downtown LA (Seventh Street/Metro Center) in about 45 minutes.
Wherever you go [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends
The brass tacks of the matter are a) it’s not easy being you and b) you’re very good at what you do. It’s well beyond high time you got some recognition around here, but the sad truth is with bills, errands, places, people, etc., everybody else is just [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends
As a kid, I played the game Barrel of Monkeys, a small barrel containing plastic primates with hooks for arms. Basically, you dump them out and perform Simian arm-hook surgery to make a chain 12 monkeys long. Then you stand, swinging the long chain of blue freaking monkeys. [...]

Do you want it? Or need it? Depends
There’s one reason to shop at Wal-Mart and it has nothing to do with customer service. No, the only time I deal with the headache that is the CityPlace parking lot is when it’s time for new slippers. I know what you’re thinking: Can’t Jim forgo this travesty [...]

Holiday Travel Editon
We’d all like to pack our suitcases and hop a flight to Switzerland (or even just San Francisco) for the holidays, but for many of us, “winter vacation” typically translates into “sleep over at Mom and Dad/Grandpa and Grandma’s” . . . you know, at their house in Cerritos. This year, though, for [...]