Q: My girlfriend of six years has brought up several times her curiosity to be with other men. She says she loves me and wants to be with me and doesn't want to lose me. We are pretty open with each other, and I'm not upset with her for bringing it up. However, I do wonder if women in love can have feelings like this, or if it is a sign that she's not really into me. Do other women think like this?

Q. I received a bottle of perfume for Mother's Day. I was planning to wear it only for special occasions, but my daughter says I should use it daily. She says it will spoil if I don't use it fast enough. I've never had a scent spoil before. Does this happen?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jennifer Bertrand aspires to do in the design world what numerous “American Idol” winners have done on the pop music scene: win big and capture hometown pride.

Yes, Virginia, there really is an entire book on ways to craft pillows. And we're not even talking about the vital kind – that kind you need to get some necessary shut-eye. These are the decorative, frou-frou kind – the kind that (nearly) every guy loathes but (nearly) every girl loves to pile up into virtual pillow mountains. If you are obsessed with the look of a casually tossed pillow or 10, or just want to freshen up your space, then “The Pillow Book” by Shannon Okey (Chronicle Books, $24.95) is the book for you.

eBay, that messy superconductor of feverish capitalism, has hit some static.

When it comes to choosing paper or plastic, more and more shoppers are selecting neither.

In the late 1980s, while American men were embracing the sharply tailored styles of Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace, their Italian counterparts could be seen stateside at branches of venerable old Brooks Brothers, stocking up on button-down shirts, striped ties and shapeless jackets that hung straight over flat-front pants. As always, the best Italian tastes gravitated toward a style polished by tradition.

Even the most well-toned legs are going to show some wear and tear after 40. But never fear: Body cosmetics and self tanners can hide a multitude of sins. Here are a few tips from More magazine on how to work those shorts and minis this summer:

Online shopping site of the week: Belly Dance Maternity (www.bellydancematernity.com)

Sunscreen is the one beauty product that we're convinced is an absolute necessity.

Makeup expert Sonia Kashuk has been giving mere makeup mortals, like ourselves, tools and tricks of the trade for years.

There are plenty of books that collect photographs of tattoos, but few if any tell the stories behind the ink and skin.

Eddie Montgomery should be thrilled at the moment. His band, Montgomery Gentry, has a single and an album in the Top 10, plus they're opening Toby Keith's summer tour, which stops Fridayat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

With the recent announcement that US Airways will start July 9 charging domestic passengers $15 to check their first bag and $25 for the second, winging it with just a carry-on is more than a convenience, it's a fiscal responsibility.

Madras plaid, the preppy staple, will always conjure images of clambakes on the Cape and touch football on Martha's Vineyard. But this summer, the breezy fabric is having a fashion moment, turning up on everything from retro nerd, short sleeve men's shirts to string bikinis.

LOS ANGELES The 15-year-old had dropped by a friend's autograph session at a Disney Studios event to say hi when suddenly a little girl shrieked her name. Within seconds, hundreds of kids clutching pens and autograph books had surrounded her.

The e-mails from brides jilted by La Bella Sposa boutique have been heartbreaking. The south Charlotte store closed suddenly last week, leaving angry women in its wake, some of whom have organized a blog (gownjustice.blogspot.com) and a Facebook page to communicate.