Bagging a Mother's Day gift: A funky-but-fun flower pot handbag is being offered at Lazarus stores for $10 when you spend $35 (or just buy the bag for $24.99). Available through Sunday for last-minute shoppers.

        Jewelry with a cause: A classy bracelet at a reasonable price is a good thing. A classy bracelet at a reasonable price that benefits HIV/AIDS patient care, vaccine research and youth education is one step better. The silver-plate wrap with an AIDS/HIV ribbon on the end is available for $22 at the Body Shops at Tri-County Mall and at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Concourse B.

        Wild locks: We tried this one, but we're not sure you'll like it. Komb-In Hot Head temporary hair color comes in, shall we say “unusual,” colors. The good thing about it is that it combs in easily and washes out, thankfully. The bad thing is that it makes your hair feel like it's from another planet, “all stiff and gunky,” as the testing subject described. Fun for parties and people going through a fad phase. $6.99 at most drug stores.

        Diet boot camp: Losing weight often is easier if you have a dieting buddy. If you want to drop a few pounds, but nobody's lining up to help, consider Diane Iron's 14 Day Beauty Boot Camp (Sourcebook; $19.95). The beauty expert's book is a daily workbook that includes beauty and travel tips to keep you on track with healthy eating and exercise. It includes a CD to keep dieters motivated as well as menu suggestions from dietitian Donna M. De Cunzo.

        E-mail jkraft@enquirer.com

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