All TV stations will broadcast only in digital starting Feb. 17, 2009. If you’re reading this, you probably don’t need an analog-to-digital converter box for your TV, but your parents or grandparents or elderly friends who still rely on rabbit ears or rooftop antennas do. And they may not even know it (a January report said 36 percent of all Americans - predominately Hispanics - didn’t know about this impending change). Another report earlier this year said there are a little more than 14 million households - 13 percent of all households with TVs - that will lose their signals if they don’t buy the boxes (which cost from $40 to $70). The government’s TV converter box coupon program Web site answers most all questions, but that doesn’t help if the person doesn’t have a computer. You can help them apply for two free coupons worth $40 each at the Web site, or they can call (888) 388-2009. or mail an application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, Ore. 97208-2000 (download the application here.) The coupons must come from the government, not retailers. The coupons (which look like plastic gift (more…)

You may already know that Nike created the shoes for the U.S. Olympians (and also China’s Olympic team). A visit to the part of the Nike Web site about these shoes is a veritable encyclopedia/laboratory of custom shoe-making. They offer close-up views and detailed explanations of the design process for every sport’s footwear. Not just running and basketball, but field hockey, BMX, archery, wrestling, badminton, weightlifting and all 28 sports in the summer games.  They first show off their “flywire” technology, which uses cable to function as “synthetic tendons” that wrap around the foot. The development has reduced the shoe’s weight by 50 percent, they say.  A click over to their “lab” profiles the way every shoe was made for each sport. The Ballestra, for example, is for fencers. It has a traction pattern on a flat sole for balance, and extra foam because fencers put seven times their weight onto their front foot with every lunge.  The Grigorios for kayakers are sleek water shoes with split toes that are as close to being barefoot as possible. Equestrians wear the Ippeas, black boots modernized with zippers , lighter heels and a small titanium spur. You can even watch a video conversation with the designer of each shoe. But the best part is that you can buy some. Even if you don’t play badminton, you can check out the shoe and get a pair for $90, or grab a pair of the wildly patterned BMX shoes for $220 (pictured). You can’t buy the custom footwear for every sport, but there are plenty to pick from.

After the overwhelming spectacle of the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics came the time-honored tradition of critiquing our nation’s style statement. The U.S. team marched into the stadium looking dandy, clad in head to toe Ralph Lauren classic preppy attire. Toss in the white shirt, white pants and red, white and blue ties and scarves and, well, it was an ”off to the yacht club for a toddy” look.  According to USA Today, the athletes were even given pamphlets to tell them how to tie their ties and otherwise make the outfits look spit-spot. The iconic piece was the blue blazer with Olympic rings logo (and a none-too-subtle Polo pony). Do you want one? Too late. Lauren’s online store had 200 for sale at $695 each, but they sold out in the blink of an eye (quick, there’s one for sale at eBay). If you are now sartorially smitten with the blue-blazer look, Lauren has others, like a mesh fleece one ($165), a snappy wool 3-button that you can wear atop your shorts for $1,095 or a classy Savile Row cashmere blazer on sale for $1,350. Or be a rebel and get yours from Brooks Brothers. Now that you’re thinking preppy is your next style statement, jump into the deep end. Go for the Polo plaid tartan vest ($170) atop bright red knee-length logo-swathed shorts. Or grab a “vintage” wool cardigan ($265) and dream of Dartmouth. If you have simpler tastes, and just want something that says “Olympic,” check out the entire collection at Ralph Lauren, or shop the NBC Universal Olympic store and the official U.S. Olympic store.

Many of those airy, floaty summer styles can make a petite woman look as if she is drowning in fabric. Capri pants turn into awkward-looking ankle-length pants on those of us who are 5-feet-4 or shorter. The solution? Shop the petite section. Both Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT have wonderful summer offerings on sale, with discounts up to 70 percent. This sleeveless mesh medallion print top with scoop neck and shirred bodice ($44, pictured) matches up nicely with the dark Lindsay denim slim-leg Capris ($68; pictured). This cotton lattice yolk dress is a charmer with its cut-out neckline, pintuck detailing and cap sleeves ($50). Ann Taylor LOFT’s empire sheath dress ($59) is a chic cotton ethnic print, perfect for those summer parties. For a glamorous evening, look no farther than eDressMe, for wow-factor Nicole Miller styles in form-fitting black satin ($330) or shimmering aqua satin ($420). Lord & Taylor caters to petites and puts fun into summer with the bold palette of the Ralph Lauren Leei skirt with a flirty flared hem ($139). The Ralph Lauren bootcut jean is a fun twist on typical denim with a screenprinted floral design ($119).

As a teenager, I always looked forward to Clinque’s Bonus Time at Lord & Taylor. I’d stock up on some Dramatically Different Moisturizer or a six-month supply of Black Honey and come home with a neat little bag of extra lip products and face powders. Nordstrom blows Bonus Time out of the water with its limited-edition “beauty exclusives” available only during its Anniversary Sale. I’ve been dying to try out Too Faced’s water-, sweat- and smudge-proof Lash Injection mascara, which is all the excuse I need to pick up the Tricks of the Trade set, which comprises, among other things, a universally flattering duo of eye shadow and a fail-safe face powder ($40; pictured). If I were ever to pull a compact out of my minaudiere after dessert and reapply my lipstick, Chanel’s quadrangle of sumptuous lip colors in matte and glossy finishes in the signature black compact would be it ($60). M-A-C’s Colour Forms (how much fun is that?) are bricks of three shades designated “warm,” “cool,” or “neutral” for lips ($22.50) or eyes ($38), along with the Colour Forms much-touted brush collection ($49.50) in packable, grime-repellent microfiber pouches. Known for cult-favorite nail colors, Essie pulls together a quartet of fall reds that would surely carry me from the end of open-toe season through the holidays and throws in a free bottle of topcoat with every purchase ($15). While I’d like to be the kind of girl who seizes the opportunity to pick up a $900 tub of La Prairie skin cream, I’m more likely to invest in Queen of Pretty Bobbi Brown’s Cocoa Mauve kit ($65), with iced mauve eye shadow, blush, lip color and the long-wearing gel eyeliner that is a staple in my makeup bag. I’ll always follow where Bobbi leads.

Given the number of times some records have been reissued in the CD era — the new editions of Blondie’s Parallel Lines and Elvis Costello’s This Year’s Model are, what, the sixth or seventh? — it’s startling that the early years of U2, the off-and-on biggest rock band on Earth, are only now getting the deluxe reissue treatment. Boy, October and War were all just released in $35 hardbound packages combining the remastered original album with a second disc offering live tracks, remixes and B-sides. Though the discs are available everywhere (and, happily, are also available as single-CD $11 budget titles without the bonus tracks), Amazon is offering a brand-new exclusive boxed set, which features a bonus limited-edition poster and room for a fourth disc to come — maybe a new version of the Under a Blood Red Sky EP, which was the most successful live record in British history?

Holy credit card, Batman! The Dark Knight sure does make you want to shop. The film, starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, scored the biggest opening in Hollywood history with $155 million. And while you may have already spent $10 on a movie ticket, there are superhero-sized amounts of Batman-inspired goods to keep the spirit of the movie alive. The official Warner Brothers Batman Store is a good place to begin. The general consensus is that Ledger steals the show as the Joker, so no doubt the black Joker T-shirt ($20) or the white “Why so serious?” Joker T ($20) is a good addition to any collection. A lunchbox with a Batman emblem is the perfect accessory for back to school ($14), while The Dark Knight limited-edition Batman bust ($66) or Joker statue ($165; pictured) could adorn the mantle of any comic-loving fan . At Target.com, fans can purchase The Dark Knight, a book featuring character sketches, director Christopher Nolan’s original shooting script and personal behind-the-scenes material created during filming ($27). Buzz is already growing for a possible Oscar nomination for the film’s music; pick up the movie’s soundtrack at Amazon ($13). Kmart offers fun Batman decor for youngsters. The Warner Brothers Batman rough bat valance ($12) goes perfectly with the Batman dark bat comforter ($25). Sweet superhero dreams!

There’s nothing quite like bath or body oils to soothe summer skin. Start with Bobbi Brown’s Beach fragrance line, which includes body oil ($28), shower gel ($32) and body lotion ($35) — for a limited time, orders of $50 or more will include a free mini Beach tote. Victoria’s Secret’s Bare Bronze shimmering body oil ($24) hydrates your skin and also gives it a golden goddess glow (how do you think those models at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show had that special shimmer?). Molton Brown’s Blissful Templetree bath and shower gel, an infusion of exotic plants and bioactive extracts from the Indian Ocean with sea silk protein for hydration ($28; pictured). Crabtree & Evelyn’s Jojoba Oil Duo ($18) has both bath gel and lotion of first-pressed jojoba oil scented with lavender, herbs and citrus; pour a capful of the gel into your bathwater, and then apply the lotion afterward for double the moisturizing effect. Jo Wood Organics offers an elegant way to revitalize and awaken your skin with the exotic Amka Organic gift set, with Amka (Swahili for “to wake”) organic body dew, body oil, bath oil and body lotion (on sale for $135 at Saffron Rouge). The Body Shop’s Spa Wisdom Monoi Miracle Oil is a traditional Tahitian emollient renowned for its moisturizing effects ($20); it can be used in the bath, smoothed onto the skin or used as a pre-shampoo hair treatment. To wind down after a long day in the sun (or at the office), try Bath & Body Works’ Aromatherapy stress-relief oil, a fragrant blend of eucalyptus and spearmint essential oils ($16). Or just dab a few drops on those key pressure points in lieu of perfume and relax all day long.