The lovely team from Duane Reade asked me to take a spin around a store this weekend guided by the latest issue of The Duane Reader. I already had a few things on my list, and since I love any adventure that requires me to shop, I wholeheartedly agreed.

Not familiar with The Duane Reader? Neither was I. I'd seen plenty of signs for it in any of the 20+ Duane Reade locations I've visited in the city, but I've never picked up a copy. It's reminiscent of a circular that you might pick up on your way into the supermarket, but with a tabloid flair. Described as "For New Yorkers In The Know", it's a blending of content & commerce, if you will.

Inside The Duane Reader, the products highlighted are on sale (like the Cheddar Penguins, which are so clearly better than goldfish, are $1.99), but what I loved even more than discovering products on sale was discovering that products that I need were on sale.

For example, there were a couple of big themes throughout the issue, but the two most relevant to me were the latest nail trends and getting outside with your pup. There are plenty of nail-related products on sale, including Red Carpet LED Gel Polish, Prevail lacquers and at-home manicure products, plus leashes and treats for my beloved Lola Belle - but I won't give away the good deals. You'll have to check The Duane Reader for that.

Looking for the closest Duane Reade store near you to check these deals out for yourself? Don't forget to read The Duane Reader before you shop. You can also connect with Duane Reade on Twitter and Facebook for more inside scoop. Want to see how I shop Duane Reade? I've got a photo album that gives you the play-by-play, plus an up close look at the items I picked up.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. My opinions and product selection are entirely my own.  #DReade, #CBias, #DReadeVIP

Potato chips - some might argue that they're the root of all snacking evil. There's not a day that goes by that I don't dream about sour cream & cheddar or salt & vinegar chips when I'm out picking up my lunch. Thank goodness Popchips has released a new series of flavors, including Sweet Potato, to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Sweet potato Popchips are a superior snacking experience. They're salty, sweet and nearly guilt free, only racking up a mere 120 calories with 4g of fat. Compare that to your favorite chips the next time you're in a snacking mood.

Another great thing about Popchips? You can use them to create some pretty fantastic dishes. How about curried sweet potato-crusted fish? Or sweet potato-crusted parmesan risotto cakes? If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can try pear and apple cobbler with sweet potato Popchips.

That's enough gushing from me - what are your favorite Popchip flavors? Have you ever used them in a recipe?

I have this rule for life: if it contains blood orange, I have to eat it/wear it/use it. Naturally, it generally applies to food, but sometimes it does flow over into fragrances. Skyy Vodka's Infusions Blood Orange isn't new, but it certainly is tasty and captures the essence of the blood orange perfectly. Naturally, I'm in love.

If you're interested in trying the a blood orange cocktail, the team at Skyy Vodka sent along the following recipe for The Blood Orange Spice.

2 oz SKYY Infusions Blood Orange

4 oz Ginger Beer (Reed’s Extra Ginger)

½ oz Lime Juice

Build over ice

Garnish with a lime wedge

The first time I heard of Native Union's Pop Phone handset, I admittedly scoffed at the idea. Why would I want to use a traditional phone handset with my iPhone? Well that would just be silly! Then one of my coworkers was shopping around for one during Christmas. After that, I began to see them everywhere and by the time Fashion Week came around, I was in full on lusting mode. Something about combining the old with the new seemed fresh, not to mention I began to remember how easy it was to talk on the phone when you could cradle the handset between your ear and your shoulder.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a team from Native Union at Robert Verdi's Fashion Week Retreat this season. Naturally when I met them, I gushed about how into the concept I was and they explained that it's not only chic, but it also serves a practical purpose. Remember all that chatter about radiation concerns and cell phone usage? It's becoming more and more of a legitimate concern and the team at Native Union realized that a wired handset, like the Pop Phone, could help to eliminate additional radiation consumption.

I keep my pink (naturally) Pop Phone next to my bed and use it for conversations with mom or the occassional off-hours conference call. Admittedly it's one of those products that you don't think you need until you have it, and then you can't imagine your life without it.

If you haven't tried the Pop Phone, they're $29 and come in fab colors like pink, red, orange, polka dots and a gorgeous gold.

My beloved pup, Lola Belle Conley, doesn't make an appearance on the site very often and I truly think it's a missed opportunity. When my friend over at Barkzilla began tweeting about BarkBox, I knew i had to get involved. After all, Lola deserves treats too!

Think of BarkBox as Birchbox for dogs. It's a monthly package of treats, toys and necessities delivered right to your house. Each mailing is customized to your pup's size, with categories for 0-20lbs, 20-50lbs and 50lbs+. Lola is around 25-30lbs, so she received the Just Right mailing.

The box I received was for the month of February (awww, Valentine's Day!). It included a Moose Taster treat from Arcadia Antlers, a 100% heart-shaped wool toy from Lollycadoodle, heart-shaped minty treats from The Yellow Dog Bakery, a 25 pack of ProDental by PetEdge wipes and a yellow collar to signify BarkBox's support for shelter and resuce animals. 10% of each BarkBox shipped is donated to a local shelter or rescue. This cause is close to home as that's how I found Lola and truly believe that everyone should adopt pets from these facilities.

The BarkBox pricing plan is very affordable. Depending on which package you select, boxes can range in price from $17-$25 per month. Not bad if you're looking for ways to surprise and delight your furry friend. My initial BarkBox was provided as a review sample, but I definitely plan on continuing the service. It's a convenient and easy way to get in some extra pampering for Lola.

Is this something you'd try out for your furry friend?

Confession: I have serious iPhone wallpaper ADD. I want something new and different almost every week, whether it's a photo that I took myself, a popular quote I saw on Pinterest or a fresh print that makes me smile. When I discovered Cuptakes, an app that provides fun prints, calendars, and designs for your iOS device monthly, I officially became obsessed.

This month, my iPhone is rocking a robin's egg blue polka dot print (at left). Last month I alternated between hot pink/white and black/white chevron prints. Some of the backgrounds feature a calendar, while others feature specially designed boxes that look like your apps are sitting on a shelf. If the current month's designs aren't your cup of tea, you can browse the full archive to find something that's more your style.

The Cuptakes designs are definitely on the more girlie side, as the name would suggest. The app is produced by the team behind the Cuptakes website, who also produce a line of iPhone cases and can even redesign your blog.

The Cuptakes app is available in the App Store for $0.99. I've had this app installed on my iPhone for over a year and I still love it as much as the day I downloaded it.

Reader poll: what image is the background in your smartphone right now?

In celebration of International Women's Day 2012, celebrate with Compass Box Whisky and LUPEC-NYC (Ladies for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails, natch) to benefit Bottomless Closet. Cocktails mixed up by some of NYC's best lady bartenders including Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room, Abigail Gullo of Fort Defiance, Karin Stanley of Dutch Kills and Little Branch, plus the event's hostess Julie Reiner of Lani Kai.

Cocktails will be specially priced at $8 each, with $2 from every drink being donated to Bottomless Closet.

When: March 8 from 6-8 pm

Where: Lani Kai, 525 Broome Street, between Thompson and Sullivan

Since my first cell phone had rechargeable double AA batteries (yes, you read that correctly), I have been in love with mobile technology. Fast forward to the Nokia I had in college - the one with the customizable faceplates and keypads - that I changed to match every outfit. These days, I have a couple of different cases for my iPhone 4. While most of them serve utilitarian purposes, like my Mophie, my favorite is just plain pretty.

While obsessively refreshing the Kate Spade website in hopes of catching a glimpse of the latest spring bags, I saw the perfect outfit for my iPhone: the All Eyes case.

Between my obsession with thick black liquid eyeliner and my day job as a Social Media Manager, the imagery couldn't be more perfect. It also doesn't hurt that the eyes remind me of Audrey Hepburn and I hear the song Moon River run through my head now and then.

How do you dress up (or down) your technology? PS - how excited are you for the iPad 3?

In honor of the 84th Academy Awards, Voli Light Vodkas has prepared a series of cocktails celebrating this year's best and brightest.

The Golden Era (inspired by Midnight In Paris)

1 1⁄2 oz Voli Orange Vanilla

2 oz Lemonade

1⁄2 oz agave nectar

1⁄2 pineapple juice

Garnish: Orange Wheel

In a mixing tin, add ice, Voli Orange Vanilla, lemonade, agave nectar, pineapple juice and shake. Strain into a martini glass.

Approximate calories: 144

In honor of the 84th Academy Awards, Voli Light Vodkas has prepared a series of cocktails celebrating this year's best and brightest.

The Sweet Revenge (inspired by The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo)

2 oz Raspberry Cocoa

2 Raspberries

2 Blackberries

1 oz apple cider

1⁄4 oz maple syrup

Muddle berries and maple syrup. Add all ingredients then shake and strain

Glass: Martini

Garnish: Raspberries

Approximate calories: 150