New Zealand Part One: Auckland
March 9, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Leisure & Culture
Auckland is as you might expect the largest city in an island nation sandwiched between the South Pacific islands and Australia. With about 1.3 million, out of about four million for the entire country, Auckland is what I expected: a bit laid back, a bit isolated, somewhat homogenous, and overall, clean, pretty and pleasant.
On the [...]
Iowa Next For Medical Marijuana?
February 23, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Current Events, Featured
An editorial in Iowa’s Quad City Times documented that Iowa Pharmacy Board voted unanimously that marijuana has medicinal properties and would benefit Iowans the way it does in the 14 states where medical marijuana is legal. The vote came after four public forums, which were precipitated by an American Civil Liberties lawsuit that urged public [...]
The New Dairy Alternative: Hemp’s Future
February 21, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Nutri-Life
A milk alternative hardly seems cause for protest or legislation but in the case of hemp, all of the above are justified. One might liken the resource as a criminal put in jail without a fair trial, convicted with DNA evidence, for the natural resource has the potential to be as successful as bamboo when [...]
Skin Care Gratification: A Study in Patience & Vanity
February 20, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Paints & Potions
Skincare is the perfect example of the modern consumer’s lack of patience and eternal quest for instant gratification. In reality, no product heals infections overnight, eliminates lines completely or quells blemishes in a matter of days. There are some services, however, that either provide an instant glow or with ongoing use, plumper, calmer skin. Among [...]
Ben & Jerry’s To Go Fair Trade
February 18, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Nutri-Life
Ben & Jerry’s has just given us one more reason to indulge in our favorite alternative to sex: ice cream. OK, we’d always choose the grind over any food, so long as he knows what he is doing, but ice cream is available at every corner deli and pretty soon, it will be available guilt-free.
So when [...]
Walgreens To Buy Duane Reade
February 17, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Current Events, Featured
The retail market continues to consolidate with the news that one drugstore giant has inked an agreement to swallow another. New York City’s ubiquitous drugstore chain, Duane Reade Holdings, has agreed to be bought by Walgreen Co. Walgreens will purchase Duane Reade from affiliates of Oak Hill Capital Partners in a cash deal for a [...]
Music for the People & the Planet
February 15, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Leisure & Culture
The blues isn’t for everyone, but this Louisiana native and longtime Texas resident offers a sound that stirs the souls of many, be they in love with or indifferent about the soulful genre. Long John Hunter likely has his family’s sharecropper roots to thank for inspiration and musical ties to reference for his melodic talents, [...]
Epoque Hotels Upgrades Miro Hotel
February 13, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Leisure & Culture
Spain is among the underrated European nations, with amazing wine, great culture and a fabulous nightlife scene. Epoque Hotels’ boutique hotel Miro, in Bilbao, Spain, is one great option if you visit the European nation. It has just been upgraded to add 32” televisions and I-Homes in all 50 rooms. The hotel has also upgraded [...]
SI Swimsuit Cover Continues Blond Run
February 11, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Leisure & Culture
Let’s just cut right to the point–the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition once again seems a somewhat homogeneous collection of bikini babes, that appears to be overwhelmingly blond? They are hot nonetheless, and I am 100% hetero, but after a while, even a woman with a healthy appetite for a girl crush can get board with [...]
Jean Paul Gaultier for Target
February 10, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Paints & Potions
Fashion Week is upon us and yet we are still struggling to make ends meet, even those of us with jobs. For the first time in our lives, for those in Generations X and Y, we truly understand what it means to appreciate having any job. This personal and global credit crunch is just one [...]




