Friday, November 15, 2002
It's been a bad day. You bombed your trig test, hit three cones in driver's ed and had a huge fight with your bud between classes. All you want to do is flop on the couch and try to forget this day ever happened. Why not drown your sorrows in a supersweet treat? We think Hershey's Milkshakes are the perfect bad-day banishers -- sweet, smooth and creamy, and no blender required.
The shakes come in three yummy flavors -- Vanilla Cream, Creamy Chocolate and Cookies 'n Cream -- and have the consistency of melted ice cream. They're all tasty, though Creamy Chocolate was our hands-down favorite. And at a little more than a dollar for a 14-ounce shake, they're a cheap fix for a down day. We do have to admit, they're not the most nutritious snacks going, but as an occasional indulgence (after all, that trig exam was really bad), they're OK. Look for Hershey's Milkshakes at grocery and convenience stores.
Crib change
Next time you're hanging around in your bedroom, look around and ask yourself this question: "Does my room really reflect how fabulous I am?" And unless you can answer with a resounding, unequivocal "Absolutely!" head to the bookstore and grab "Super Suite" (Universe Publishing, $17.95), ultrahip designer Mark Montano's guide to making over even the blandest bedroom.
You might know Montano from his "Cool Room" column in CosmoGirl magazine. Every month, he takes one girl's totally blah bedroom and turns it into a spectacular space. In "Super Suite," he's collected all his favorite tips and techniques into a guide to making your room reflect the real you. You'll see cool themed rooms, like Kristin's Victorian Suite, an updated take on 19th-century style. Or Talia's African Safari, filled with jungle-inspired plants and animal prints.
"Super Suite" gets a thumbs-up for two major reasons: First, you get to meet the real girls who live in the rooms, and see what their pads looked like before Montano took over. Plus, Montano's tips are so easy to copy, all you need is a couple of afternoons to get your room in stunning shape. He takes everyday objects and turns them into cool accessories -- cookie sheets become a magnetic headboard, dominoes become a picture frame and plastic cups become a thoroughly modern disco ball. And he knows he working on a teen's budget, so nothing is superexpensive. But no one has to know that.
XBecky Sher writes Hype for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. You can write to her at bsher@krtinfo.com.