Blog Posts by Marie Claire

Buy, But Beware: Although shopping is now considered a patriotic act, don't get suckered. Some retail tricks to watch out for:

Karin Catt1. Corralled into buying. "Most of us are right-handed, which means our left hand is for holding and our right hand is for grabbing," says Paco Underhill, author of Call of the Mall: The Geography of Shopping. Racks are strategically placed to guide you through the store counterclockwise, with the pricey stuff always on your right.

2. Dazed and confused. Some sale signs are deliberately unclear, forcing you to seek assistance, because "if you talk to a salesperson, you're more likely to buy than if you shop on your own," says April Lane Benson, Ph.D., author of To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop.

3. Paying through the nose. "Stores appeal to us physiologically, by getting our saliva and glands working," says Underhill. This is why they pump in a pleasing signature fragrance, or the scent of something cooking - to get you literally hungry to

Size so matters! Stock up on these cult-brand sample sizes, free at beauty counters in March.

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DREAM CREAM Moisturize on the move with this tiny tube of Clarins Hydra-Quench Cream SPF 15, at Clarins counters across the country.

ACE OF BASES Score a perfect 10-day supply of matched-to-you foundation at Estée Lauder counters everywhere.

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Last year, I spent my Valentine's Day interviewing and getting groped by Ron Jeremy. Suffice it to say, I've never really had a romantic, stuff-made-of-movies-starring-Colin-Firth V-Day. In years previous, the holiday has mostly been a disappointing one, filled with lame/MIA cards, missed dinner reservations, uncomfortable lingerie, and gifts that "must, uh, be held up at the post office or something."

Looks like I'm not the only one that can count on a letdown on February 14th--or rather February 14th, give or take a few days--Yahoo! did some digging and found that men don't even know when Valentine's Day is. They've been typing "when is valentine's day" into the search engine by the masses. The ladies aren't off the hook either--over a quarter of those searches are coming from women (did we forget or are we just repressing memories of Valentine's Days past?)

And if he does remember the day? Expect a gift from the dollar store! Turns out, romance is not exactly recession friendly,

They got you: A heart-shaped box of candy from the supermarket
They're saying: "I forgot Valentine's Day."

They got you: A surprise weekend getaway to a bed & breakfast
They're saying: "I'm hoping you like me enough to deal with being in the same room as my snoring and farting--I know I like you enough to put up with yours."

They got you: Anything he made with his own two hands
They're saying: "I'm crazy about you--and I've got the Krazy Glue-splattered furniture and staples in my hands to prove it."

They got you: Jewelry or a watch
They're saying: "I'm not super creative, but hey, I tried. Don't worry, I probably won't notice if you exchange it for something that's more your style."

They got you: A voicemail on February 15th, apologizing for forgetting about Valentine's Day
They're saying: "Please give me a call back when you're done bad-mouthing me to all your friends so that I can grovel."

5 MORE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS DECODED

Did Cupid pass you by this year?

1. It's a great excuse to get sloshed with your closest girlfriends. Not that we need an excuse.

2. You don't have to smile through gritted teeth when you get crotchless panties as a gift.

3. There's no better night to pick up guaranteed-single men at the bar.

4. You can see if you really can make it through the whole winter without shaving your legs.

5. You don't have to listen to anyone's "Valentine's Day is just a made-up commercial holiday, blah blah blah" speech.

6. It's the perfect day to blow your New Year's resolution to eat healthy by buying yourself a box of chocolates--Godiva, not supermarket-brand.

7. There's no better time to practice some self-love with a shopping spree at Babeland.

8. You're not spending it with that idiot you spent last Valentine's Day with.

9. It's perfectly acceptable to spend the day working late, eat Chinese take-out for dinner in your extra-large fleece pajamas, and not put out before you go to bed.

10. You can

From flat-screen TVs to mail-order meat, the ten best Valentine's gifts for men.

muharrem öner/iStock Images1. If he likes his martini shaken, not stirred, he'll love feeling like a hot shot with a barware set.

2. You'll never get him to admit he's lost, so keep him on the right track with a GPS system.

3. Chances are, over the years, his wallet has taken on a bulky, spherical shape--encourage him to throw out those receipts from 1998 with a new leather wallet.

4. Guarantee yourself a year of cozy nights in--sign him up for a Netflix subscription and load it up with his favorite movies.

5. You know that favorite fitted black t-shirt of his--the one that looks as worn as it is? Instead of breaking his heart by using it as a dust rag, replace it with a few new, intact tees in the same brand and style that he loves.

6. Wow him with lingerie--but suck it up and get him something that's more his taste than yours. He'll appreciate the sacrifice--probably so much that you'll only have to wear it for a few minutes.

7.

Jordan Strauss/Wire ImageNicole Richie and Joel Madden We're loving Nicole's transformation from Hilton sidekick and borderline train wreck to devoted and healthy mom - and Good Charlotte musician Joel Madden seems like her perfect match.

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo Hey, we're happy you're happy, Jess - but do we really need to hear about your relationship from you, Tony, your dad, and thousands of Romo's fans? It almost makes us miss Nick Lachey. Almost.

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson We're always rooting for Lindsay - and she's certainly seemed to be on the right track since getting together with Sam. She even gushed to us about their relationship - but news of jealousy and fighting have us thinking that a night at home and out of the clubs might do them some good.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony We can't help but notice that Jennifer is fond of teaming up with her significant other on various creative projects - we just hope she remembers Gigli and keeps the duets to a minimum.

Heidi Montag and Spencer

S Granitz/Wire Image1. What's your ideal way to spend Valentine's Day with your new man?
A. A night out, hitting the hottest clubs and bars, and showing each other off.
B. With a night of cheesy romance, complete with a candlelit dinner, staring into each other's eyes, and whispering sweet nothings into his ear.
C. Dinner at your favorite restaurant, followed by tickets to a comedy show or play.
D. A cozy night in, with a low-key homemade dinner and your latest Netflix picks.

2. When men you date describe their ex-girlfriends, they usually sound:
A. like party girls--fun, but a little crazy
B. a little high-maintenance
C. cool, like women you would probably get along with really well.
D. like they wore the pants in the relationship.

3. You've decided to try online dating. Which profiles do you bookmark?
A. The best-looking guys in a 5-mile radius. Why not start with the cream of the crop?
B. The men who say they're looking for a serious relationship. If you wanted a fling, you'd go to the bar.
C. The