Wanting.

I found out about Trind nail care from the best manicurist in LA (e.g., natural nail nazi Ripsy, in Beverly Hills). I had acrylic nails for a while, and they were hot — but maintenance cost more time and money than my hair. So I turned to Trind to grow out natural nails.

Now I’m curious about this Trind glass file, which is supposed to last forever…

Using.

I just bought this Trind nail care set — it’s a deal, at $30 (the items separately are closer to $50). Trind nail strengthener has a polished white tint, and, paired with Trind nail moisturizer, makes your nails grow like trees. I do a weekly routine with Trind, now, and stopped wasting time at the nail salon…

Hating.

Don’t bother with Trind “Quick Dry” nail care — Trind nail strengthener is already faster than me on a first date…

Wanting.

“Vedanta teaches that matter and spirit are one, and the fundamental problem of the human condition is that we assume them to be separate.”

Such is the philosophy of City Yoga, and such is the explanation of why too many women get fat, grasshopper…

Using.

I just went to YAS Fitness Center in Venice, on Abbot Kinney. “Yoga for Athletes” sells sweats that read “no chanting, no granola, no sanskrit.” Short and to the point: I want a hot body, not to feel like I’m a junior high Jesus camp.

More impressive than separating yoga from faux spirituality, though, is YAS’s founder’s story: Kim used yoga to overcome a bike accident and brain tumor…

Hating.

Yoga Works isn’t actually that bad a yoga center — but the classes are crowded with housewives that need valium, and too many teachers that take five minutes out of your day to cry — literally — about Mamma Earth.

Mostly, I’m disappointed that the chicks aren’t very hot here…

Wanting.

Blomus makes great stainless steel gear. I love the bright white of this cappuccino cup, balanced by the low glow of a brushed stainless steel handle and saucer…

Using.

I finally gave up Starbucks, etc., and started French pressing coffee and loose-leaf teas. A slower morning is a better way to warm up to the day, and I like the sensuality of watching the tea brew, then kissing it in this Blomus stainless steel cup…

Hating.

That gap in the Blomus cup’s handle is awkward…

Wanting.

I gave up my NARS powder foundation — it felt great, but it was always half a shade off, giving me the slightest pinkish tint in daylight.

I just tried Shiseido’s powder compact, and now I’m curious about their heavier coverage in a powder foundation…

Using.

Shiseido powder is perfect: it’ll make people tell you that you’ve got beautiful skin, not that your makeup looks good.

Cosmetic counter girls are the car salesmen of a women’s world: they will swarm you. But put up with them at least once to get a perfect powder match…

Hating.

I tried this Shiseido powder sun protection maybe a year ago. Despite being a Cracker Jap, the limited range of colors were too yellow for my skin…

Wanting.

For a while Starbucks was my church: I loved how they managed to make me give them money I didn’t want to. But after going back to French-pressed coffee, I realized they serve charcoal water.

Cafecito at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market — on Selma near Sunset on Sunday, not the meal mall near the Grove — makes smooth coffee…

Eating.

Some Sundays I wander over to the Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Selma and Ivar and buy a bag of Peruvian trail mix: goji berries, raw cacao, dried corn, and nuts. $8, and you’ll be buzzing all week…

Hating.

So these Hollywood Farmer’s Market pupusas are famous.

So a lot of people think being a size 14 is normal.

If you want to indulge, head next door to the Hungry Cat and have a lemon curd parfait…

Wanting.

The simplest hidden-platform pumps, capped by a metal toe. How sexy is that little flash of brass while walking?  Most other Tashkent by Cheyenne shoes reek Project Runway reject, but these “Sahar’ shoes are chic…

Wearing.

I love that gray suede, and I love that these Tashkent by Cheyenne “Sahar” shoes are half off…

Hating.

I hate these Tashkent by Cheyenne “Sahar” shoes in purple, only because I’ve got a better pair of purple pumps. As much as I want these, I won’t buy ish to gather dust in my closet…

Wanting.

Invite-only shopping site Gilt.com is pimping Helmut Lang this Wednesday. So check this Helmut Lang fur vest. You’re wondering when your chest is freezing, though apparently it’s warm enough to bare arms?

When Gilt.com puts Helmut Lang on sale. This is probably five bucks…

Wearing.

Well, I’ll be wearing this soon enough, unless this Helmut Lang shift dress sells out in my size.

Which is very possible — I’m a monstrous size two…

Hating.

You want to look like a peach, not a pear. This is Helmut Lang at its worst: unnecessary, unflattering draping for that art-school reject look…

Wanting.

So this hard-case wallet is actually made of aluminum. I just love its accordion style — you’ve got a mini-filing cabinet in your pants…

Using.

I bought this stainless steel wallet months ago, and stash all my credit cards, etc., in it. Brown leather, lined in orange, it’s decent looking enough that I can carry it around without a purse (I hate holding bags, if I don’t have to)…

Hating.

A woven stainless steel wallet sounds chic in theory, and looks geek in reality.

What’s cool about this wallet, though, is that it blocks RFID transmissions, so James Bond can’t scan and steal your personal and financial information as you walk by…