Eco-conscious auto buffs may be twiddling their thumbs waiting for a mainstream all-electric vehicle to arrive, but (as is often the case with new tech) the toy industry is ahead of the game. Well, maybe not toys, per se, but certainly not conventional transportation — the $249.99 Razor E300 isn’t advertised as a commuter vehicle, but some anti-fossil-fuel folks may be tempted to try it that way. Personally, I’ve been curious since watching Adam Sandler tool through Manhattan in the underrated drama Reign Over Me; this week I finally tried it myself. The Razor is very easy to assemble and intuitive to operate; you just twist the handle to go and squeeze the brake to stop. It’s peppy on flat surfaces, but while it’s rated to carry 220lbs, it slowed to a crawl when this 150lb rider took even the slightest incline; clearly, the strength of its motor is geared to younger riders. On completely flat terrains, though, urban adults might be tempted to use it to run errands or even commute to work. Just don’t expect that the fold-up handlebar means you can quickly schlep it into an elevator — the Razor’s sturdy base is heavier than it looks (nearly 50 pounds), and doesn’t tote easily. Whether it’s practical for mundane transportation or not, the kickboard-on-steroids is a lot of fun.

If you’ve spent much time trying the Japanese folding-paper art of origami, you’ve probably noticed that not all papers are created equal. Sure, those starter kits you find in bookstores are great for teaching you techniques, but most come with slick, cheap paper that offers little of the tactile pleasure that keeps hobbyists going long after they’ve mastered the crane. Two brands dominate the market for good-quality mainstream use, being readily available in most hobby stores (and even the occasional bookstore): Yasutomo markets many of its offerings under the Westerner-friendly “Fold ‘Ems” moniker, while Aitoh packages are often simply labeled “Origami.” Both companies sell through their web sites, though Aitoh’s catalog (with a minimum order of $100) is geared toward retailers; specialty dealers like California Paper Goods (whose catalog ranges far beyond origami) stock a wide variety of colors and patterns from both manufacturers, with prices as low as $2.50 for 40 sheets. For enthusiasts ready to move on, though, few bulk-packaged papers can compare with the Hanko brand, which is well stocked by CPG and also sells direct. Ranging from crinkly, subtly mottled varieties to thickly embossed red-and-black ones (and, naturally, an array of familiar decorative patterns for nearly $1 per sheet) this is the kind of high-craftsmanship stuff I wished I could have stocked up on in Tokyo when I visited last summer.

Ever wish there was something you could do to attract the opposite sex in droves — you know, like in a music video? Tired of reading/hearing/thinking about Valentine’s Day: “Hurry, it’s two short weeks away!!” — because there’s someone really nice you’re too shy to approach? If so, maybe you should let a love potion do the entrancing (and we don’t mean Rohypnol). Love Potion Fragrances has been around since 1986 and for Valentine’s Day they’ve got several blends to choose from. Both men and women can wear Robin and Marian, a rich mix of animal musks, florals and resins intended to heighten arousal and cause sexual attraction. Phero Girl: Dominance is a merging of “perfumed aphrodisiacs with cutting edge scientific exploration into the world of sexual attraction.” Translation: notes of chocolate, rose, coffee, and orris meet Copulins, Androstenone and Alpha Androstenol. But don’t forget the small print. The site offers no guarantee of success, which does however come with Pherlure, a pheromone cologne marketed to men that promises results or your money back. Of course, potions are traditionally mixed then swallowed, like cocktails. At Star Chefs, there are eight pages of suggested “love potions” intended to help restaurants and bars sell alcohol but now available to you, the layperson. And who knows? They might be enough to turn an evening with “wish s/he wasn’t just a friend” into a romantic “guess what happened!” While you’re at it, you might as well double your chances by adding food to the equation. The 10th anniversary edition of InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook came out last Valentine’s Day. Maybe you could bring a dish or two to the office and get you-know-who to take a love-at-first-bite.

The video store’s New Release shelf has been kind lately to music fans who want to see, as well as hear, their favorite performers in action. The variety certainly isn’t limited to the kind of song-and-dance tales we label “musicals,” though there are plenty of those to go around — from high-profile but not very satisfying ones like Rent and Across the Universe to quirky reissues like The Wiz and Disney’s delightful The Jungle Book. My favorite new musical, though, is the subtle, low-key Once, a one-of-a-kind romance in which an Irish street musician bonds with a single mom from Eastern Europe; it was one of last year’s most magical movies, and it’s one that will be much-recommended as lucky viewers discover it on video. Jazz fans may swoon to learn of the wealth of DVDs aimed at them lately, with two series standing out in particular: The Jazz Icons imprint, which in recent months has delivered live performance footage from such masters as John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Charles Mingus; and the Storyville Films line, which often includes clips in which famous performers (like Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie) made their way into Hollywood films.

Maria Sharapova’s latest tournament victory, this time in the Australian Open, showcased this tennis star’s amazing talent, as well as her beauty and great taste in clothes. If you’re interested in wearing Sharapova’s styles, there are many places to buy them. The sleeveless tweed-colored tennis dress she wore during the Australian Open (“the Maria Aussie Dress”) is $110 and available in sizes XS through XL, at Tennis Warehouse. Sharapova is one of the tennis celebrities endorsing Nike; her outfits designed by Nike include this knockout red tennis night dress, a flirty piece decorated with sequins, $89.99. Another cute item from the Nike women’s collection is this loganberry-colored  “smash tank” for $50. Tennis Warehouse offers many types of women’s tennis shoes in their Maria Sharapova Collection, including these Nike Max Breathe Cage II (in fuchsia), for $155. The tennis star also has a signature fragrance, “Maria Sharapova,” at an affordable $19.99 from The Perfume Spot. It smells like mandarin, bergamot and gardenia, and comes in a 3.4 ounce perfume spray. Now you can smell great, even after a morning on the court.

Families generally have two options for dinner. Someone either has to scramble to get a meal on the table, or everyone packs into the car for eating out. Either option has its downside: trips to the grocery store, prep time, gas, tips and, most important, your time. Wouldn’t it be nice just to hire a professional chef to create healthy, non-processed and delicious homemade meals? While a pro chef isn’t exactly in most people’s budgets, the chef-prepared meal delivery business is filling an important niche in the lives of everyday Americans who treasure quality time with family above sweating over a hot stove. With Dinewise.com, you can mix and match proteins, veggies and starches and choose from a variety of meal options including plans for weight loss and gluten free customers, and more. So what’s a typical meal? Try the chicken florentine with a vegetable medley and mashed sweet potatoes for about $16. At FamilyChef.com, Mega Meals are a perfect solution for couples who tend to cook too much, but don’t like leftovers. Each meal weighs about 28 to 32 oz. and can serve two adults. They are individually prepared, full-cooked and frozen when delivered. As with most meal delivery services, MagicKitchen.com offers special menus for seniors and those with special dietary needs. They also offer a convenient 1-a-Week Meal Plan as well as meal bundles for added savings. And if you really want to give a loved one something especially thoughtful, there’s nothing better than the gift of time, convenience and great food. SendAMeal.com makes its easy to send something delicious to anyone for any occasion, including the arrival of a new baby, birthday, housewarming or sympathy.

In the new movie 27 Dresses, Katherine Heigl plays a woman who has been a bridesmaid – never a bride – 27 times. She finally finds love in the movie, but what we’ve found to love is the Ice.com jewelry lines inspired by the movie. The 27 Fashion Jewelry Collection features, among other items, a 14K gold-over-sterling-silver heart-shaped locket which Jane (Katherine Heigl’s character) wears throughout the film. It’s $75 and would make a sweet, sentimental gift for Valentine’s Day. There’s also a pair of diamond 14K yellow gold starfish earrings, for $150. The 27 Bridal Jewelry Collection also has some lovely pieces, including cultured freshwater pearl and diamond 14K white gold earrings, for $150. All shipping options are guaranteed to be delivered by Valentine’s Day.  Another source of elegant jewelry that won’t cost you thousands of dollars is JamesAvery.com. James Avery is well-known for classic designs in sterling silver and gold. New for February is the heart pendant with pink opal. The sterling silver version is $140; the 14K gold one costs $415. The 7-inch heart knot bracelet is striking, and it’s $135 in sterling silver.

Say what you like, but it is possible for function to marry fashion and live happily ever after. If you have any doubts, check out the awesome kitchen mats at www.gelpro.com. GelPro mats prove that you don’t have to sacrifice style in your quest for high quality anti-fatigue mats for your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room. Many of us have learned the hard way how standing for hours can put pressure on your joints. Before GelPro came along, the mats available for residential use that claimed to ease the strain of standing were made of low quality foam. They provided some cushioning, but no real support, had a tendency to slip and stained easily. Plus, the busy designs did not always blend well with the streamlined look of modern kitchens. Let’s face it: Not everyone wants their floor treatments adorned with roosters, impressionist paintings, and portly chefs in bistro scenes. As seen on HGTV, GelPro mats offer a selection of cleanly designed floor mats in solid colors that look good and have orthopedic benefits. The mats are made using a gel technology that provides support for the home chef and others who stand for long periods of time. The synthetic material has a non-skid backing and is easy to clean. And the array of solid colors in interesting textures make these mats a welcome addition to your decor. They come in two sizes: 20-by-36 inches and 20-by-72 inches. Choose among three designs – Original Basketweave, Contemporary and the Exotic line which features mats embossed with crocodile, ostrich and rattlesnake patterns. Prices start at $99 and go up to $299 for the exotic and contemporary mats in larger sizes. If you are nervous about your color selection, they offer the option to purchase Sample Kits for $10 which can then be applied toward your purchase.  Visit their website and tell all your non-rooster loving friends about them. They will appreciate the tip.