These are a few of our favorite things...
Fleece sheets -- Always a sucker for packaging and for "end caps" at Target, I knew when I saw them I had to pick up a set of fleece sheets. The label said they are the new flannel, and they aren't lying: these toasty sheets make me feel like I am sleeping inside a comfy hoodie. They are so soft and warm, however, that it's taken a little time to get used to the temperature regulation in bed. I find myself needing fewer blankets when bundled inside this high-tech set. At Target, the fleece sheets were on clearance for about $20, which means they're probably gone by now. But you can pick up a set online at a site like Amazon.com for a mere $25. --Andy Tarnoff
"In Defense of Food" -- Michael Pollan, the author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" returns with this book, which clearly explains how the only diet that seems toxic to humans is the Western diet. After dozens and dozens of pages making it quite plain that we're eating ourselves to death, we get to the most useful section; the one in which Pollan offers common sense suggestions for eating healthy. Things like don't eat anything with more than five ingredients or with ingredients you can't easily pronounce. Eat mostly plants. Some meat is OK, too. Eat less. Stick to the outside edges of the grocery store because that's where the produce, dairy and meat usually are. Better yet, buy local produce at farmer's markets. I'm hoping to take his advice, but we all know that the pressures and the temptation to eat badly are everywhere. And years of bad habits are hard to break. --Bobby Tanzilo
"The 25 Greatest Moments in Lambeau Field History" -- Written by former newspaper scribes Cliff Christl and Dale Hofmann, this hardcover book would be a perfect gift to help your favorite Packers fan work through his / her post-playoff depression. The list is informative and engaging and should help pass some of the hours before the NFL Draft. Look for it at Barnes & Noble and Borders. --Drew Olson
YogaKids DVD -- With a year of yoga under my belt, I decided to introduce my kids to the practice. A friend recommended YogaKids (I got the ages 3-6 edition, but they have DVDs for older kids, too). The program is cute and easy to follow, with children demonstrating how to do the poses, many of which are based on animals like a lion, puppy and flamingo. My boys particularly liked the "volcano" pose and, not surprisingly, "child's pose." The DVD is available through Amazon.com for $15 or less. --Molly Snyder Edler
Marquette's Spirit Shop -- This might be a bit of a niche recommendation (full disclosure, I'm a passionate Marquette alum), but MU's Spirit Shop, located in the University's Alumni Memorial Union, is worth a visit. It's full of high-quality gear, including the new Brand Wade and the sweet, new Converse twill men's basketball jerseys. Polos, hats, sweaters, sweatshirts, whatever your collegiate gear choice, MU's Spirit Shop has it all. --Jeff Sherman
"Yuma" by Justin Townes Earle -- A five-song sampler by a talented youngster with a bright future and a famous father (Steve Earle). Check it out on iTunes and you'll be able to say "I've been listening to him since the beginning." --D.O.
The view from South Shore Park -- It's tucked away a bit, and not exactly one of our city's premier tourist destinations, but Shore South Park features one of the best views of our wonderful city. The park, in the heart of Bay View, of course, hosts the annual Frolics festival and has a farmer's market on summer weekends. But, don't wait until summer to drive or walk over, look north and admire this amazing view of Milwaukee. --J.S.
'Zines -- I used to read stacks of 'zines every month but, for some reason, I fell out of the 'zine scene in the past few years. Were they products of the ‘90s that slowly lost popularity or have I just developed an accidental 'zine blind spot? Either way, I'm now in search of great DIY publications, especially after reading one that a friend gave to me for the holidays called "Molly The Popsicle." It's an existential story of an orange Popsicle left on a counter to melt, written by a father-and-son team (ages 31 and 5!) in Danville, Ohio. So, if you have an interesting zine, send it my way. I might even try penning my own. -- M.E.