Shopping for...alarm clock

The expert: Dan Taylor, morning drive host at 101.1 WCBS-FM. Dan’s been a radio professional literally since he graduated high school. You also hear his voice on many radio and TV commercials across the US and Canada.

The product: alarm clock

What I want: Battery back-up, two alarm settings and large numbers.

I must have: Easy to use; setting an alarm clock shouldn’t be as convoluted as reading the instruction manual for a new digital camera. And an adjustable volume control (I have to wake up Very Early in order to be on the air at 6AM so needless to say I want something that effectively wakes me but not at a BLARING level).

What I hate: Buying online and finding it’s not as described, cheapness so there’s no longevity. You “wind up” looking again in a year.

Savvy shopper: Make sure there’s a return guarantee, read reviews from other buyers. Always have that battery back-up at the ready (meaning loaded with batteries) in case of a power failure. I actually have two alarms, one on the other side of the room (the one by my bed has all the dents in it!).

My pick: Brookstone SmartSet Radio Alarm Clock. It automatically sets correct time and date even after a power outage (there’s also battery back-up). Programmable dual alarms, 20 station presets, adjustable dimmer, snooze bar and nap timer ($59.95, Brookstone shops).

Next best thing: Sony ICF-C492 Clock Radio has extra large numbers, adjustable brightness, is very easy to set, has battery back-up. You can wake up to your favorite station (101.1 WCBS-FM, of course!) or a gentle buzz ($26.94, J&R Music World, NYC and online).

as told to Laurie Squire

reader comment

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Shopping for..."anti aging" skin cleanser

The expert: Dr. Alicia D. Zalka, on staff at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals in CT and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University. She is also in private practice.

The product: “anti aging” skin cleanser

What I want: A gentle soap-free cleanser which leaves my face feeling both clean and smooth without dryness or irritation. My needs may vary from season to season.

I must have: Mild or no fragrance, granules for exfoliation; or an active ingredient like salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help slough the “old” skin cells while leaving the “new” cells smooth and, to use a cliché, “radiant.”

What I hate: Slimy-feeling cleansers, thick cleansers that you can’t squeeze out of the bottle or tube easily, and products that cost too much and don’t deliver.

Savvy shopper: Being a dermatologist I have tried literally every cleanser on the market. I recommend not spending a lot of money on a face cleanser—remember it is on your skin for at most one to three minutes and it then gets rinsed right down the drain! Look for a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated you must avoid alcohol, benzoyl peroxide and acids in your cleanser. The expectation of a cleanser for skin rejuvenation is two-fold: on a daily basis it should remove dull skin, leave the newer layer of cells intact and leave it protected. Take your time, ask for samples and don’t be pressured into buying a costly cleanser unless you are sure you want it or have tried it.

My pick: Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser ($33.50, Bloomingdales).

Next best thing: Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Facial Scrub ($7.99, CVS).

as told to Laurie Squire

reader comment

Thank you, Joe, who wrote:

"Here's a link to that organizer Cooper mentioned. Day
Runner Designer Classic Organizer
Same price as staples."

Shopping for…daily planner/organizer

The expert: Cooper Lawrence, host of her own nationally syndicated radio show (aptly named The Cooper Lawrence Show, from Dial Global, airing weeknights 7-10pm). Author of four books, her latest is The Cult of Perfection: Make Peace with Your Inner Overachiever, published by The Globe Pequot Press.

The product: daily planner/organizer

What I want: Stylish and portable, but also durable since I am pretty hard on my stuff.

I must have: Each day set up by hour since, like most women, I have a tight schedule to keep and like to see what lies ahead in my day so I can budget my time accordingly or be prepared if something unexpected arises. Daily planners are the next best things to hiring a personal assistant and they are much cheaper!

What I hate: They make me feel untech-savvy and while I like a Blackberry, if it goes down or something gets accidentally deleted I’m in big trouble, so while a planner makes me feel like I’m in the dark ages, I find it very satisfying to write it down.

Savvy shopper: Planners are very individual so when shopping for one you need to decide ahead of time what its most important feature is for you –small so you can carry it in your overstuffed bag…a well placed address section so you can have quick and easy access to your contacts...the months laid out week-by-week or day-by-day depending on how your life is structured.

My pick: The Kate Spade “Anne” canvas personal organizer is 7.5” x 7.7” and includes a weekly and monthly calendar, tabbed sections, storage pouch and pockets ($95, www.katespade.com).

Next best thing: Day Runner Designer Classic Organizer because you can easily refill and tear out pages and go if you can’t lug around your planner. It’s 5.5” X 8.5”, features tabbed sections including undated monthly and weekly calendars and an A-Z telephone directory ($44.39, Staples).

as told to Laurie Squire

Shopping for...instant coffee

The expert: Sandra Lee, host of Semi-Homemade Cooking on the Food Network. Sandra’s series of Semi-Homemade Cookbooks, based on her 70/30 philosophy (70% ready-made and 30% fresh ingredients) have made her a New York Times best-selling author. In April, Sandra releases the newest addition to her cookbook series, Semi-Homemade Grilling 2.

The product: instant coffee

What I want: convenience—as the name says, instant coffee!

I must have: a nice full-bodied flavor, aroma (coffee really does smell as good as it tastes), versatility. And a dark brown color generally indicates a more robust product.

What I hate: Although it is a convenience product it’s no more convenient than scooping ground coffee in a coffeemaker unless, of course, you are camping or someplace where there is no coffeemaker. The flavor really isn’t as satisfying as brewed coffee.

Savvy shopper: It’s a personal preference—taste a few types and then figure out the cost per cup. A bitter taste indicates a lesser grade of coffee beans was used; denser-looking coffee indicates a higher grade.

My pick: Best overall for drinking I’d say is Kava with a smooth pleasant taste, 90% reduced acidity. A nice cup of coffee (12 cents per cup). Best overall for cooking and baking would be Folgers. A stronger full taste which can lead to bitter if too much is used (9 cents per cup).

Next best thing: Nescafe Classico is very smooth, has a great aroma. Pleasant (11 cents per cup). Pricing comparisons on other popular instants: Maxwell House (6 cents), Yuban (7 cents), Tasters Choice Gourmet Roast (9 cents), Tasters Choice Original (13 cents). All available at local supermarkets everywhere.

as told to Laurie Squire