I guess I haven’t paid much attention to the high-end stuff in Real Simple. I’m more attracted to the “what to buy and not to buy at the Costco”-type stories. The costly “simple” stuff reminds me of the folks who flock to buy expensive knockoffs of Shaker furniture. Something ironic in there someplace.

I’m actually not kidding though when I call this stuff “porn.” It presents a fantastic, stylized, and often improbable version of life that gives us a buzz and often has little to do with Real anything. It’s still kind of fun, though. (FWIW, our household does agree that, like Jane and Lucky, RS isn’t quite as strong as it used to be.)

As for Swiffers and wipes—I know what you mean, Ella. I sometimes feel like my role in American society is to earn enough money so that I can subsidize the manufacture and trucking of thousands of pounds of waste. Bottled water, CDs, and Swiffers are just three examples of items that are either made to be thrown away or have little value to the actual “content” that makes you buy them in the first place. (OT: I encourage my clients in the music industry to stop thinking of themselves as “Plastic Disc Manufacturers.” :) )

And don’t even get me started on “blister” packaging! Man, what an unpleasant and wasteful way to begin your relationship with a product.