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 cards) expire 90 days after they’re mailed. Don’t assume all retailers will accept the $40 cards, so check first. More information is available from the Federal Trade Commission. Some words of caution: retailers are not allowed to charge tax on the government-funded portion of the boxes (the $40 coupon). Also, do not toss the antennas: They can still augment the signal. A Washington Post story several months ago warns of the “digital cliff” - digital signals are more easily interrupted and lost because of hills, trees and weather. The government site lists all the retailers (big box, online and telephone) who sell the boxes, but we found some discrepancies. A visit to BestBuy.com offers information, but they don’t sell the boxes online: you have to go to a store. This page shows you the three kinds they sell, at $60 each. Sears.com has a box on their Web site about the change, but clicking it takes you to the FCC site, and it appears Sears doesn’t sell the boxes (despite the government site saying they do). Target.com has one type that must be purchased in stores for $50.

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.

Teens and tweens went wild for Miley Cyrus’ new release Breakout, sending it to the top of the Billboard charts last week. Then, of course, there’s Disney’s wildly popular Hannah Montana TV series. We’re willing to bet Cyrus gear just might be at the top of, oh, we don’t know, just about every young girl’s back-to-school shopping list. Kids can snuggle up in a Hannah Montana comforter after a long night of homework ($30) or facilitate sweet dreams of Cyrus with the “Secret Pop Star” reversible pillowcase ($4.50). Musical talent or not, your tween can rock out with the Hananh Montana guitar-shaped bag ($20) or play it a little safer with the floral guitar backpack ($12). The Hannah Montana four-piece school set contains a pencil, eraser, ruler and organizational pouch — perfect for keeping your elementary school student’s gear organized ($3.50). Jumbo ballpoint pens with Cyrus’ mug are another nice addition to the school backpack ($7). HM/Miley Cyrus clothing is available on just about any mainstream superstore Web site, but Wal-mart features a range of online-only apparel. The Disney Hannah Montana cinched top with chains (pictured) is an online exclusive with a bargain price ($11). The Hannah Montana metallic stripe branded T-shirt looks cute with black skinny jeans or shorts and is equally easy on the wallet ($10). Good news: You can get the Cyrus style without wearing gear emblazoned with “Hannah Montana.” Sears’ Hannah Montana line features a cute sequined top with matching shrug ($17) and plaid Bermuda shorts ($19) — no Hannah Montana signature in sight.

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.