PW Picks

And these are a few of our favorite things

Each month, the PW team brings you our old standbys, best-in-shows and current obsessions in products and services for your body, home, well-being and more.

Erin, Art Director
Every parent should sign up for UPromise, a program where thousands of partner companies, everything from Huggies to Coca-Cola to McDonald’s, donate a percentage of your purchases to a college fund for your children. Your family and friends can also sign up to help your funds increase even quicker. I love it because it’s completely free (you just register your credits or debit cards through the program), and I am able to save money for my daughter's college without even thinking about it. Who doesn't love free money? You can register at www.upromise.org.

Brettan, Editor
I love bringing a clutch when I go out at night—they’re just so much sleeker and more sophisticated than carrying a huge handbag. I get tons of compliments on my Quilted Kisslock Clutch from Urban Outfitters or www.urbanoutfitters.com; it is the perfect size for my lip gloss, cell phone and camera, and even has slots for cash and credit cards. It comes in bright teal and deep purple, but I think the white with black trim is so chic, and it goes with everything (you’d never guess it’s only $28!).

Mike, Art Director
I'm a motorcycle lover, so I recommend the T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcyclist Training Center's Basic RiderCourse, a class that prepares new riders for licensing and road-riding. The Basic RiderCourse offers compact, lightweight motorcycles to make riding easy to learn. When the Basic RiderCourse is complete, students receive a certificate to take to the MVD where they will issue you a new license with the "M" endorsement. T.E.A.M. Arizona also offers a ladies-only course, where all riding activity is strictly female. Check out their Web site at www.motorcycletraining.com.

Kristine, Publisher
No scrubbing, no sweeping ... my Karcher high-pressure washer is one of my favorite picks. I purchased mine at Home Depot for $199. This lightweight, compact electric pressure washer delivers more than 30 times as much pressure as your garden hose, making it the perfect tool for keeping your sidewalk, patio, driveway and vehicles clean of dirt and mud. The added bonus is that you can also add detergent for those areas that require a little more than the normal spray. Once the neighbors know you own one it will be the most borrowed item on the street.