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| I feel like I’m always missing these cute moments with my baby because I don’t have a camera on me at all times. Do good-quality, yet relatively inexpensive digital cameras exist? I’d love to purchase one and keep it stashed in a diaper bag. —Randi, Knoxville, TN | ||
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Yes! I recently conducted a test of the best quality digital cameras for the value and two clearly emerged as “best in test.” One was the HP Photosmart R742 Digital Camera. This camera, which retails for $129.99 at www.shopping.hp.com, features a sturdy, all-metal body that easily slips into almost any pocket or purse. It easily snaps 7-megapixel photos that you can in turn clearly view on a generously-sized display screen. It also offers in-camera red-eye removal and easy-to-use shooting modes, making it super simple for those of us who aren’t Ansel Adams to take great photos. The other is the GE A830, which also retails for $129.99 and is available at mass market retailers like Sears and K-Mart, as well as online vendors. This camera takes 8-megapixel photos that are also viewed on a large display screen. It also offers red-eye removal and also a panoramic photo-taking option. It’s also a pro at zooming, coming equipped with a 3X optical zoom and a 4.5X digital zoom, not to mention a simple, intuitive user interface. You really can’t go wrong with either. |  |
| I have a major Starbucks addiction, but have noticed that the costs of my soy vanilla lattes are adding up. Are there any good, at-home alternatives?—Emily, Morristown, NJ | |||
 I am obsessed with my Braun Tassimo Hot Beverage System. No matter what kind of toasty drink you’re craving, the Tassimo is there for you: it brews coffee, cappuccino, lattes, hot chocolate and tea at the touch of a button. All you do is pop into the machine a pre-measured “T-disk” that corresponds to the drink you want to brew (these days I am way into the Suchard Hot Chocolate), and in minutes, it’s ready. Even better, it’s easy to clean—most of its removable parts are dishwasher safe. The machine is available for $129.99 (which, if you think about it, is roughly the value of 32.5 soy vanilla lattes at Starbucks!) at Target stores nationwide or at www.target.com. A package of 40 T-disks, also sold at Target and www.target.com, usually costs around $25, depending on the flavor. |
| My kids constantly color all over my walls, my wood floors, my windows. My house looks like a daycare center. Is there a good way to clean off crayon, and do I need different products for the different surfaces?—Edie, Long Beach, CA |
 My fail-safe crayon remover is the wondrous Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This sponge- definitely lives up to its “magic” moniker—all you do is wet it and then rub it over the offending crayon mark, and it’s wiped away like—you guessed it—magic. Each sponge lasts for about five or so uses—when you’re done, just toss it in the trash. You’d think something this powerful must be harmful to a lot of surfaces, but it’s surprisingly gentle. I’ve also used it to remove grime on my set-in dirt stove, refrigerator and other appliances as well as to break up tough bathroom soap scum and clean ground-in dirt on my patio furniture. Apparently, it’s also great on car and boat interiors, athletic shoe soles and leather uppers. A pack of three eight-count boxes (24 Magic Erasers total) is $23.07 at www.amazon.com. Ah, if only it did the laundry… |
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