There’s something of a cycle of plague within my circle of friends. We keep on getting sick. And passing the germs back and forth, allowing it to mutate into a whole other animal altogether. The end result is that we are a bunch of cranks with a whole hoard of tea and Airbourne by our side at all times.

Being that another leg of the circle of germ warfare has recently instituted itself, it seemed timely to add another item to our arsenal.

Dry winter air can contribute to uncomfortable dryness and irritation of the nose, throat, lips, and skin - my own skin is currently resembling aged parchment, and my lips are feeling distinctly unkissable.

The Honeywell Hut-102M is a sleek, compact humidifier that is perfect for a bedroom that is even as tightly packed as mine. I haven’t had one since I was a kid (humidity is not the friend of the frizzy-haired), but recent aforementioned weathered conditions have made me reconsider.

You can use a humidifier three seasons of the year to keep you skin hydrated and youthful looking.

Honeywell has been kind enough to offer five of these humidifiers to lucky Alytude readers. To have your chance to win one, please tell me the tale of your worst winter bug ever. Do you have experience with a season plague of your own? Deadline February 25.

Points and Prizes Keyword: DRY worth 25 points good through 02/24/08. 

In a momentary splurge (I already own two winter coats…), I fell in love with a new coat and just had to own it!

This is a houndstooth coat from Sarah Jessica Parker’s BITTEN line…and I bought it this weekend for $8.98 at Steve & Barry’s. For real. Not a typo. Is it not super cute?

That’s my best bargain since the $9.99 Kenneth Cole Mary Janes at Loehmanns!

Points and Prizes Keyword: BITTEN worth 25 points good through 02/24/08. 

My mother prides herself on interjecting a little gloom into even the sunniest of days.

Today, she decided to inform me that we could check out the health inspection results of all my favorite restaurants right in cyberland.

The result? I may never eat again. Thanks mom!

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/rii/index.shtml

If you are as wild about patent leather as I am, you may want to check out my new SheKnows feature on rocking this trend in your own wardrobe.

http://www.sheknows.com/articles/beauty-and-style/fashion-and-style/801231.htm 

But it’s a good thing.

Nothing like stretching your birthday out a good two months. (Especially when it’s the last you plan to acknowledge.) Yesterday, as a belated birthday gift, my good friend Elsie, owner of Paradise 54 salon, invited me for a “beauty retreat”.

On the agenda was a full-body deep-tissue massage, keratin treatment, and a hot new hair cut - all while sipping champagne! Pictures are forthcoming (I’m exceedingly lazy), but let us note…I’ve finally been bobified!

Points and Prizes Keyword: MASSAGE worth 25 points good through 02/24/08. 

Loyal friends and readers may recall the dastardly state of events that was my birthday week. There were exploding umbrellas, carnage, even a fire or two. (Not involving panties.)

Among the faltered plans for that week was a beauty retreat that had been offered to me by one of my favorite salons in the city. At the 11th hour (i.e. As I was exiting the subway and walking up the block) - I got an email that their electricity had spontaneously crapped out and they were closing for the day.

Alas. Had I been a more paranoid person, I may think the universe was out to get me.

We agreed to postpone, and this afternoon is attempt number two! Shall I finally get my graduated A-line bob? Will I be entranced by another style altogether? Is there a varnish in my future?

I shall report later…

Points and Prizes Keyword: SALON worth 25 points good through 02/24/08. 

OK, I’m very happy for all you couples who are basking in your mutual Valentine’s love.

But, as I sit in the coffee shop trying not to choke on my soy latte, can you please refrain from sucking face?

Thanks.

Ashley, one of my colleagues and new buds here at SheKnows, just passed along an image to me that I think describes this whole gruesome holiday in a nutshell.

I think everyone has figured out by now that there’s two intrinsic factors to much of my wardrobe.

I hate redundancy, so I shall just say that this below duffel bag fulfills both!

This bag by Glisten Wear is for hot for the gym, the spa, or even an overnight trip. It comes with shoulder strap, zippered pocket on the inside and one pocket on the outside.

I confess…I do not actually frequent or even belong to a gym. It’s hard to find enough time to go that would validate the expense. I could probably seriously use one though (if anyone wants to gift me one?!) - and if I were to go - “fashion meeting fabulous” (as is this company’s logo) would most certainly help to motivate me. But, alas, I will mostly be using this tote on weekend getaways - and be sure to know I’ll stick out on just about any turnstyle!

I have two to give away - to the winners who share what is currently residing in their gym/weekend bag. Funniest/scariest answer wins! Deadline February 20.

Some of you may be planning to spend Valentines alone in your bathrobe with a box of candy. Maybe you are single. Maybe your significant other is just exceedingly lame to such matters. Whatever the case, rather than imbibe chocolate and feel sorry for yourself…there’s fun to be had!

If your sex life is looking bleaker and bleaker, and your man is looking less and less like the steamy hunk of male flesh he once-upon-a-decade appeared to be, there’s no better revenge than looking good.

(Hey, it worked for Ivana!)

Tomorrow, Valentine’s Day, Crunch gyms across the nation are inviting all victims of love to take out their post-relationship aggression in an intense anti-Valentines Day boxing class. Participants bring in a picture of their ex to tape on a focus mitt and pair up with another bitter boxer, because it’s time to get even. K.O. your former (or soon-to-be former) flame, burn calories, tone arms, and perfect your right hook.

Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served after the class and participants get the chance to win a “date” with a personal trainer. This is open to the public, you don’t even have to be a Crunch member to participate!

For details and locations, visit: http://www.crunch.com/crunch/about/detail.aspx?id=87