Anytime I order off the internet I pay about $5-$6 shipping. Even if it's a pile of books from Amazon. Today I went to UPS to send my first MUA swap. I sent a jar of FY Eye with a few little extras in a box that was about 4"x4"x 2". I didn't need to buy any packing supplies from them. My shipping charge was $10! That seems so steep for something so small. Is there a secret I'm missing? TIA, Pam

Hi! I spent yesterday afternoon at Paris Palais Royal shops, window-shopping. I wanted to check Shiseido`s perfume store there. Fumerie Turque its their new scent, and I wanted to check it. The Shisheido store was closed to what it looked like a private party, so I plan to come back tomorrow, but the other shops in the Palais Royal are worth a visit. I loved a shop called Le Petite Robe Noire ( The little black dress) that sells, obviously, black cocktail dresses.

I am going to be in Paris for a few days at the end of the month. What must-see stores should I visit (primarily skincare and cosmetics since my apparel shopping has been curbed until my new year's resolution actually shows some results!) I am particularly interested in things that you can't see in the U.S. or things that you can't order online. My fiance thought I would be happy to just visit Sephora and L'Occitane, but I can do that right here! Thanks!

Well, I graduate in May (yay!), and am taking my last few classes now. The problem is that one of my classes requires professional dress for presentations, and I have nothing to wear. I've never had to buy a suit before, and am basically clueless. It wouldn't be so bad, except I'm petite (5'2) and curvy (not overweight, but wide hips, small waist, big-ish thighs, etc), and I usually have a hellish time buying clothes that fit just right. I'm also quite short-waisted. Is gray better than...

I was shopping last night and found the jacket of my dreams, the one I have been searching for for a year(and wasn't sure it even existed. One of those "I'll know it when I see it" things). And there it was. On the clearance rack! A red and black tweed Alfani hip length jacket. Fringe on the sleeves and collar. Beautiful. Except it was a size 8. I need a 10. And there was no tag of any sort on the jacket. No price, no SKU number, nada. I asked the salesgirl if she could help. Because...

The instantly passe' trend... http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/14/magazine/14INSTANTLY.html?ex=1073538000 &en=d2e2f7a96c31b5ec&ei=5070 (requires registration, but is free)

My plan was to run out on my lunch hour and buy some toothpaste, but instead of going straight to the checkout counter, I sashayed over to cosmetics (surprise!) and left with 3 more Loreal Glam Shines. I bought Starlet and Seductress 2 weeks ago, and loved them. Today, I added Princess, Muse, and Diva to my collection. I normally stick to high-end stuff because I'm usually disappointed with the drugstore stuff once I get home and try it on properly, but these are great. I also bought Lucky...

When I checked my mail today, I found a small padded envelope from J Rogow! I opened it up to find an adorable 'Happy New Year' card and inside of that, an incredibly gorgeous bracelet and earring set she made for me!! I don't know a thing about beads - all I can tell you it's they're fantastic looking - matte black with silver crackle. In between every two of these is a small pitted silver bead and the clasp is a pewter bar & ring. The matching drop earrings are made up of one black bead...

I received an order from HQ Hair ... http://www.hqhair.com/ 1 Redken Extreme Shampoo 1 Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Treatment Shampoo 1 Seche - Seche Vite 1 Redken All Soft Shampoo 1 Redken All Soft Conditioner these are all lemming items ...

~Plain old Clearasil Daily Face Wash. It's worked in past pregnancies when I've had horrible skin. I've only used it twice (last night and this morning) but so far so good - lol. ~And I'm back to Olay Complete rather than Olay Regenerist Serum. I need more mositure cos of the harsh acne washes I've been trying I think. ~Occasionally I use Dove toner at night. I really like it, it's not drying at all, doesn't sting.

I've heard YSL plans to relaunch this sent in Feb. or March. It's supposedly hasn't been reformulated, but we'll see. Hope this helps some fans out there. I know many here were very disappointed when it was discontinued. Mme_Remy

At Target - New Revlon Eyeglide in Toffee - never tried an Eyeglide before New Maybelline Liquid Eyes in Petal Power - love the Liquid Eyes Pantene Smooth and Sleek conditioner with a little tube of Frizz Down Deep Moisturizing Treatment Bain de~luxe foaming body scrub in Melon (little bottle)

Has anyone tried this yet? It's a stick foundation, part of the Studio products. It has the same color range as Studio Fix and Studio Tech, but I read that the NC shades are much more yellow. If anyone gets to try this, please post. I'm anxious to know if the texture is closer to BB's or wet like Olay's stick foundation or VLWC. Thanks. Mme_Remy

I was sorting through my makeup recently (I keep my small pile of everyday stuff in a vanity drawer and the remainder in a jewelry armoire) and rediscovered one of my earliest a.f. purchases, Paula Dorf cake mascara. I remembered loving it--and my first out-of-the-blue a.f. gift was the full-sized fan brush PD makes to go with the mascara (waves to stevie)... I guess I stopped using it at some point when I started wearing waterproof mascara during summer activities. I somehow forgot to...

X-no-archive: yes Now that I have completely fallen prey to Lilly Pulitzer capris, in which I hopefully look good, I need recommendations for shoe options. I need shoes for work. I don't like slides or mules. I want a pair of oxfords or loafers or mocassins. Normally, I am a black shoe kind of girl but all-black shoes look a tad bit harsh with the prints and colors. So I am thinking something black and white. Not all white but a mixture. Kind of like maybe saddle shoes. Any other...

I accidentally "found" myself browsing through Nordstrom.com's Beauty section and I noticed the Lancome Dual Finish now comes in a fragrance-free version. I tried the regular version out at a Lancome counter a few years ago, but the scent was a deal-breaker for me. Lured now by the prospect of a cool new powder foundation with no funky smell, I immediately jumped on the new version, and ordered it in Porcelain d'Ivoire. It arrived today - and thrillingly, it smells like nothing at all (I like...

Santa Maria Novella: what's good? I've got friends in Rome: where could they buy it, and, more importantly...what should I ask for? Thanks as Always... -- Cathy in Vancouver

New play to focus on serial killer Cunanan Three receive grant from NEA for project By Anne Marie Welsh THEATER CRITIC December 24, 2003 San Diego-bred serial killer Andrew Cunanan, whose killing spree ended

I have been using Kinerase cream for a few months, which I ordered from drugstore.com for $49.99 (free shipping). Does anyone know where this can be purchased for less. I am happy with the way my skin feels (smoother, seems brighter) and want to continue to use it but hate spending the $50 for a small tube. I know the larger one is about $75 on drugstore.com, but probably a better value. I guess I will have to call around at a few discount pharmacies - Walmart, Target - to check prices and...

In - Dove Color Volumizing shampoo Physique Deep Hydrating conditioner OoO Sensitive Skin wash Aveeno body wash Out - Aveeno Positively Smooth lotion Dove deodorant Physique Frizz Free Curl Cream