Best Frozen Fries

And "they" have spoken again.

Best Steak Fries:
Ore-Ida Country Style Steak Fries

Best Waffle Fries:
Alexia Seasoned Waffle Fries

Best Curly Fries:
Ore-Ida Golden Twirls

Best Classic Fries:
Trader Joe's Chipotle Ranch Fries

Results for Best Antiperspirants

Best Solid:
Secret Clinical Strength

Best Roll-On:
Mitchum for Women Dry Roll-On

Best Gel or Cream:
Dry Idea Clear Gel

Best Spray:
Dove Aerosol

Shaving-Gel Tablets?

Really? Yep! Use the included dish to mix one tablet with water that turns into shaving gel. Keeps you from having to pack a shaving cream can, but I think I may stick with the tip to just use the hotel's hair conditioner as a shaving cream substitute. But if you were going on a long trip, these tablets may come in handy.
Travelon' s Travel Fresh Instant Shaving Gel Tablets

Mad Maps

A Get Outta Town map from Mad Maps is a pocket-size map that features destinations, roadside diners, back road charms and scenic overlooks just outside of major US cities. These maps have lots of information about hidden treasures close to a city. Check it out and see if your city is there.

Brownie Pan

I know people who would NOT like this...they like the gooey center of the brownie pan. But for those who don't (me!), this is a good solution. The Baker's Edge Brownie Pan creates crusty edges and leaves the gooey behind!

Bottle Trip-pod

I don't know if this would every be useful, but it's a good idea. "Snaps on a Bottle" attaches to the top of a water bottle and creates a spur-of-the-moment tripod.

That Stack of Frames

Extra picture frames lying around? Use some of the smaller ones to frame items on your refrigerator. Just add a magnet strip and dress up your icebox!

Use a larger frame as a tray for displaying items. Insert a colored piece of paper or cloth and then display vanity items, tea service, or office supplies.

The Card Society

Port2Port Press is a card-of-the-month club that mails members two one-of-a-kind blank letterpress cards each month. Choose from 1 to 12-month subscription. Great gift idea for a letter-writing friend.

Best Salad Dressing

And the results are in...

Best Asian:
Maple Grove Farms Sesame Ginger

Best Balsamic:
Briannas Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Best Blue Cheese:
Kraft Blue Cheese Dressing and Dip

Best Ranch:
Cardini's Parmesan Ranch

Best French:
Briannas Zesty French

Best Italian AND Best Light:
Newman's Own Light Italian

Best Caesar:
The Silver Palate Julee's Caesar

Best Vinaigrette:
Garlic Expressions Classic Vinaigrette

Eye Makeup Remover

It's light, gentle and doesn't leave blurry vision!
Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Liquid

Exercise Your Brain

A study of the 32 free games on Happy-Neuron showed that people who played the games three times a week showed significant improvement in cognitive function. Try it and exercise your brain! I just chased ladybugs.

Creamy Rigatoni with Broccoli and Brie

1 lb. dried rigatoni
1 head broccoli, cut int0 1/2-inch pieces, steamed
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
8 oz Brie, cut into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt and pepper

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and return pasta to the pot. Add the steamed broccoli, pine nuts, Brie, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir until the cheese melts.

Pretzels, Pretzels, Pretzels

Best Multigrain:
Trader Joe's Multi-Grain Nuggets with Sesame Seeds

Best Honey Wheat:
Shearer's Honey Wheat

Best Peanut Butter-Filled:
Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Filled

Clean Stove

Before you cook, apply a layer of car wax to the enamel surface with a soft rag, then wipe off. The thin layer that remains will prevent greasy splatter and spills from sticking.

Keyboard Cleaner

Keyboard Brush!
"soft brush with long fibers that gets between your keys without pressing them"

Votive Clean Up

Spray the inside of a votive candle holder with a thin coating of Pam cooking spray before lighting it. After it burns down, the spray will make it easier to remove the leftover wax.

Cleaning Wreaths or Flower Arrangements

An easy way to clean a pinecone or evergreen wreath...it even works on some artificial flower arrangements: place the item in a paper bag and pour in a quarter cup of table or kosher salt. Fold the bag and gently shake. The salt knocks off dirt and dust.

If you have a flower arrangement that is too fragile for that, try spritzing it with a little water from a spray bottle. (I usually lay mine in the bath tub to let them dry.) But don't get then too wet, they'll lose their shape.

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

I recently saw this idea...I suppose it will work, especially when you're trying to do some things ahead of time for a large meal. Peel, cook and mash potatoes ahead of time. Pour a half of cup of milk in the bottom of the crock pot and pour the potatoes on top. Then just turn on the crock pot a couple of hours before you are ready to eat.

Create your own Coaster

A great idea for a party...create your own coasters.

Print a four-inch picture, graphic, clip-art, poem, etc. and then use a spray adhesive to glue it to a piece of 4-inch square card stock or cork board. If you need them to be more heavy-duty, brush a coating of Modge Podge over it so that the ink won't bleed from condensation.

You can also print a map from National Geographic's MapMachine to use for a Bon Voyage party, Moving party or other geographically-themed parties.

Another idea...use a coaster as the actual invitation that you mail to guests. Use a print out of the party details along with a graphic.

Book Subscription

I wrote here about a book subscription service. Another one is Bookswim.com. You can rent classic and new titles with free shipping. Subscriptions range from $15 a month for 2 books to $36 for 11 books.