Don't you know that you're toxic?

Arguably the last great Britney song (post-Oops!..., pre-KFed), Toxic will always have a place in my heart - and my ipod. And while it's also a great way to describe that perennially negative coworker, it's hardly the descriptor I want for my makeup. But, according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, we flirt with toxic products daily. And we're not talking minor toxicity either - if you thought lead was relegated to old buildings and made-in-China toys, you might want to check that lipstick case.

But what to do? Start tonight, with Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face, at Longfellow Books. (Full details here.) Malkan will discuss her latest tome that chronicles the science, politics and story behind the cosmetics we use as well as her work with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. According to the Campaign, 70% of personal products tested showed the presence of industrial chemicals linked to birth defects. Yikes.

I've already dumped my makeup bag and am in the process of checking out each product on EWG's Cosmetic Safety Database. I'll blog the results tomorrow, but suffice to say my summer beauty routine will be even more pared down than usual.

Garmin envy

I had a few moments of Garmin envy last weekend. First, walking Back Cove with a friend, we saw a gentleman abruptly hit the curb as he parked and shut off his Garmin. (This is not a rant about driving while Garmin-ing, but you know who you are. Stop.) We laughed, wondering if he'd just typed in "ocean" and ended up here...Oops. But seeing this guy in all his awkward destination-arrival glory, I really wanted one of my own - not for directional purposes, for shopping ones. I want to plug in "DVF wrap dress, on sale - go!" and have the Garmin-ette talk me there. This wouldn't simply be finding a Hallmark or other POI, I'm talking personal shopping-focused directionals. That's technology I can get behind.

But beyond the fantasy of a pocket personal shopper, the Garmin doesn't excite me. I mean, I can read a map, I can stop and ask for directions, and generally find my end point (occasionally by way of industrial park, but that's just part of the adventure), so I don't need one. But for things like yard-saling on the fly, it could be helpful. Sure, mapping out the best yard sale route is really part of the fun and I don't want to take that away, but my impromptu decision to just grab a PPH and go on Saturday left me without any strategy time and the aid of google maps. In the end, a phone call to loved ones with computer access helped me locate my destination, but it got me thinking about how best to optimize this year's yard sale season.

And since I'm a die-hard Gazetteer girl, the Garmin is out, but what about a yard sale phone tree? Before you competitive early birds object, I don't think such a tree would impinge on the integrity and adventure of the sales. This would just serve as some sort of alert to a particularly good sale, or a specific item you've been looking for -- or perhaps more importantly, when a sale has been too picked over to merit a stop. In a world full of texting and mobile uploads I'm sure it can be done. Then again, it may incite an Amazing Race-style battle for the goods. Which I could also get behind. Extreme yard-saling: When early birding's not enough. I love a challenge. Thoughts?

French for 'look there!'

It's Friday afternoon and I can't figure out how to get a proper accent mark going on Moveable Type, so here is some quick, poorly punctuated info for a fashion-filled weekend:

Voilà (I cheated and pasted this à, my French typing skills are amazing) is billed as a "runway fashion charity event," and its host, MV Modeling Agency is new to Portland. Look for their models to be catwalking in designs from locals such as Jill McGowan and Fladel Couture. Live entertainment and more is also promised, including glamour. Love glamour. Plus, proceeds go to the Wayside Soup Kitchen. Charitable glamour. Even better.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and oh yes, location - it's all going down the runway at the Holiday Inn by the Bay (88 Spring Street, Portland). Tickets, available online or at the door, are $30. (If you buy online you need to pay $1 PayPal fee.)

Oh, and more sales: Corduroy (Surf Boutique, 59 Market Street, Portland) is having a so-long winter sidewalk sale (up to 40 percent of selected merch including hats, shoes and clothes), and then, Sunday ... BIKE SWAP! I'm resting up and sharpening my elbows, this girl cannot embrace spring without a new Huffy.