It's the best

L'Occitane hand cream
Originally uploaded by jasclo.

I finally bought some L'Occitane hand cream last weekend. And this month's Real Simple calls it the best hand cream for dry skin. It's thick and creamy, but doesn't leave your hands greasy. Here's what the magazine says: "This rich cream is like a tall drink of water for parched skin. Packed with 20 percent shea butter, plus honey, coconut oil and almond oil, it left testers' hands soft and supple without slipperiness."

Some other "best of" items from the magazine:
• Where to order chocolates: Woodhouse Chocolate. Handmade in Napa Valley using mint from the owner's garden. Four-ounce box, $14. You can choose boxes of mostly dark, milk/dark, mostly white or assorted.
• Where to order cheese: Murray's Cheese. Choose a wine and the site will pair it with the perfect cheese. Gift boxes are about $40.
• Cookie sheet: Emerilware large cookie sheet. The extra-deep grooves keep air circulating around the cookies for even baking and there's a stick-free release. $25.
• Tall kitchen garbage bag: Glad Forceflex. $4 for 20 at supermarkets.

General tips:
• If you want to avoid crowds at the supermarket, shop on Tuesday.
• Place baking sheets in the center of the oven rack, with 2 or 3 inches of space on all sides. This will keep the heat circulating evenly.
• An e-mail thank-you is acceptable in only the most casual of situations -- a potluck dinner with close friends, for example.