Guide to Lotions
It's no secret to anyone that I have a real weakness for the aisles of the drugstore (or the first floor of the department store, for that matter). I like all the aisles/departments - the make-up aisle, the shampoo aisle, the hair barrette aisle -- for each provides its own therapeutic modality. But the aisle I love most and the aisle that can get me through the blue-est of blues is the lotion aisle. For I find that a rich-smelling (preferably drugstore-brand) lotion may be the cure-all for the breakup, bad-hair and no-reason-at-all blues.

The reasons behind it are this: a) lotions are cost efficient remedies when compared with other therapeutic modalities, b) lotions are collectible in the sense that a girl can have many varieties and not run out of space for storage, c) lotions are trans-seasonal meaning that most of the old-school scents are produced year upon year making it possible to get a whiff of your grandmother when you're far away from home.

Anyhoo, this is all to say that I have a bad case of the Back to School Blues (even though I'm not in school). We're moving into another September, summer is waning, and though I should be thrilled to pull out the 'ol PD&Cs - I must admit that I'm not ready. It's hard to say why. Perhaps it's because I didn't have a summer love (despite my having a boyfriend). Or perhaps it's because I'm still not tan. Who knows? All I know is that nothing's going to cure my ails but a good jaunt to that loyal haunt. Now, to decide which one...

A Guide to Lotions
1) For healthy smelling/I used to be a tomboy skin, I love Jergen's Replenishing Multi-Vitamin Lotion Not only is it nourishing to the skin after a summer in the sun, its smells of all things simply good.
2) For I'm a dream of a girl that all men love and all girls adore skin, you must try Bella's Whipped Body Butter in Honeysuckle Grapefruit. Trust me, you'll thank me for it.
3) For bingeing without the calories -- everyone in our office is ga-ga for Jaqua Butter Cream Frosting. Warning: you may want to eat your arm after application.
4) For beachy skin when summer is gone, you must try Tru Sunshine Bahama Mama Body Mist. Smells just like a day after the beach.
5) For a trip down memory lane and to quell your desire to be nurtured, I love a good dose of Johnson & Johnson Baby Lotion (Just don't let your hubby/boyfriend see it -- they'll panic, for sure.)
6) For skin worthy of a princess, you can do no wrong with Jo Malone French Lime Blossom. Though you won't find it in your drugstore, it's worth the bucks to smell like royalty.