Gems

I have a tiny but very active & curious 9-month old. As part of easing her out of the "separation anxiety" phase, setting a daily schedule for her (nap and sleep time in her crib; playtime in another space) and having an area were she can play safely while I work on the comp or go about the daily chores, I want to get a play pen. BUT I want something that she can use at least until she is 2, that meets all safety standards and is of good quality, that is not too large (we live in a 700 sq. ft. apartment w/ limited closet space) and portable (not too heavy; folds easily) and that costs less than $150. Help?

Is it OK if I leave the wire racks inside my self cleaning oven for cleaning? Also, approximately how long does the cleaning process take? When is it safe for me to open the oven for further cleaning? Any other tips or safety advice? I have a fairly new (2004 to 2006) 30" GE self-cleaning stove, but can't find the manufacture's instructions. Thanks in advance.

I don't like using too much make up or looking like I am using too much make up (no purple or blue eyeshadow, thank you). I want to center my make up around the eyes and open them up, make them look bigger. I also want to bring out the green in my olive/ hazel green eyes. FYI: I am white, with medium golden brown hair and a medium complexion and want to look natural, polished and youthful, not overly done or trashy. Can you suggest tips, techniques, eye shadow colors that would work? Thanx in advance.

I'm making a casual dinner tonight for my husband and one of his bosses who is coming over. Preliminary menu is London broil, spring mix and berries salad with a sweet vinaigrette and dinner rolls. I wanted to add a side but can't decide which and I prefer to stay clear of rice for tonight. Mashed potatoes? Cous cous with mushrooms? Scalloped potatoes? Pasta? Which not-to-fussy side would you suggest to better complement the London Broil and berry salad? Please include recipe and feel free to comment if you don't like the preliminary menu too.

I want to cook linguine or fettuccine for tonight, but I'm cooking for someone who is lactose intolerant and I ran out of canned tomatoes and tomato sauce. I have the following ingredients available: fresh mushrooms, 1 green bell pepper, onions, garlic, fresh curly parsley, rosemary, canned peas, frozen spinach, chicken breasts, bacon, Romano cheese, dried oregano, limes, black & red pepper, chicken bouillon, olive oil, butter and frozen broccoli florets. Any ideas? Pretty please?

I was trying to buy some new make up online and try new colors that would suit my complexion and bring out my eyes, but I am faced with words like fall, summer, warm, cool, golden beige, beige, medium, olive...ei ei ei! I'm confused :(

I have medium ash brown hair with golden undertones, hazel green eyes, red lips and my skin is oily and can tans OK but also burns relatively easy (I usually get red, then tan for 2 or 3 days and then my skin peels off, all after an hour's exposure to sun at the beach). Ancestry is Northern Italian & French with a dash of Spanish. Think Audrey Hepburn's coloring, more or less, but lighter eyes and hair.

Also, what colors suit me? And what's best for the eyes (I wanna bring out the green)?

I'm looking for new stuff. I love Spoon's last album, Radiohead's "The Bends" & "In Rainbows", Peter Bjorn & John, The Shins, Belle and Sebastian, anything by The Beatles and Bowie, Interpol, The White Stripes, Phoenix, Iron and Wine and Modest Mouse. Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" has some good songs but is overall disappointing for me. Ditto for Weezer's Red Album. I am enjoying Cut Copy's new album and The Helio Sequence. I hate screamo and emo stuff, but do enjoy trip hop and harder rock. Any recommendations for me?

Hi! I am seeking lean, economic cuts of beef and pork I can either broil, bake or sautée for dinner and tasty, relatively easy, pocket-book friendly recipes for them. I actually like marinating, I just don't want to spend hours waiting for something to be cooked. My husband is trying to lose some weight, so healthy recipes are required. Thanks in advance.

I just moved to my apartment in NYC about a month ago. Despite me being almost neurotic about cleaning and strict about not leaving food around, washing dishes immediately after dinner and taking out the trash from the kitchen and bathroom daily, there are these annoying (and abundandant) little roach-like bugs that love to hang around the kitchen and bathroom (they seem to like water), particularly during hot and humid nights. There are lots of tennants in my building and most aren't as clean as I'd like, but other than me cleaning their houses or having a permanent cloud of pesticide fumes in mine, what can I do to kill the little buggers or at least keep em away?

I am used to cleaning hard floors, but am moving to an apartment that has new vinyl floors in the kitchen and living areas and carpet in the bedroom. What are the best methods for everyday maintanance and keeping the vinyl clean and shiny and the carpet odorless and spot free? Suggestions for cleaners that are effective, environment friendly and economic are very much welcomed.

There seems to be no Target or Kohls or Pier 1 within the island. What are the best places to get quality, affordable housewares in Upper Manhattan? I'm moving and I need to find a store near me where I can buy all the basics - from the bed to cookware to decent towels and sheets- without breaking the piggybank.