I remember getting my very first manicure. I ruined it within five minutes. (I was a kindergartner getting my nails polished for a charity fashion show and I decided to ruffle my fingers through the salon's shag carpet before they were dry.) Decades later I'm still incredibly impatient when it comes to manicures, so I was thrilled when my oh-so wise mother gave me a bottle of OPI Drip Dry. You just squeeze a drop on each nail within a minute of applying your last coat and the polish will be set in a minute and completely dry within five. So now I don't have to worry about smudging my nails with keys, coffee mugs...or shag carpet.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

Confession: I'm not cool. Just when I think I'm (somewhat) up on the so-called "hip" bands, along comes another musical outfit that I've never heard of with a vaguely ridiculous or irony-steeped name (i.e. Vampire Weekend, Hot Chip, We Are Scientists...). Keeping abreast of who's new, who's great and who's overrated requires a dedicated, incessant trolling of music blogs, which is impossible for me since, well, I have a job. Now I leave the work to The Hype Machine, an amazing Web site that scans hundreds of music blogs every day and posts the latest tracks online so that I can sample new tunes (and rock out to old faves) before buying a CD.

The best part? It's completely free and legal. The files aren't available for download, but there are links to purchase the songs on Amazon or iTunes, so your conscience is in the clear - as is your bank account and rap sheet (no RIAA fines for illegally - and embarrassingly - acquiring Bon Jovi's greatest hits).

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!

I was equal parts excited and terrified when I started training for my first marathon a few years ago. So, obsessive online researcher that I am, I scoured the Internet for exercise routines, advice - anything to make the prospect of running 26.2 miles (in a row!) less daunting. I happily discovered Active.com and, three marathons later, it has become my favorite resource for running, tennis, and the nine other sports it covers.  The site features training schedules, performance tips, and information about local sporting events (which has been super helpful to me since I moved to New York from D.C. a few months ago). I'm also a fan of the discussion boards, where fellow athletes share ideas like iPod workout playlists (Cake's "The Distance" is a fave). After all, when it comes to exercise, we could all use a little rallying.

Have a tip or trick to share? Email us!