What floor covering to use in a kitchen or bath is always debatable. With all the options available, the choice is a matter of durability, practicality, price and aesthetics. The real questions are, which of those options is most important and if possible, is there a flooring choice that satisfies more than one of those needs?

Since the kitchen and bath floors take the most abuse in the house, durability is always top on the list. Now durability can also be attractive. Vinyl floors, anciently called linoleum, offer many styles and performance options and also offer low prices.

The most expensive of these vinyls is the one that is topped with urethane wear layer which has the most shine retention, stain resistance and longest life. The prices for vinyl range from as low as $4.50 a square yard to as much as $50 a square yard or even a little more. But that's not bad, since we are talking in square yards and not square feet.

Then there is tile. A glazed ceramic tile is quite durable, easy to clean and always looks like an upgrade. There are also the unglazed tiles and stones that are more rustic looking. If you choose an unglazed tile or stone, it is imperative that it be properly sealed otherwise the maintenance will be unbearable. Every spill will sink into the pores of the stone and stay. Sealing of unglazed tiles and stones, even if done properly, will need to be repeated regularly.

Slate, travertine, marble and granite all fall under this tile/stone category. They are great and beautiful choices, offering the most aesthetic version of the floor covering realm.

Prices here are counted in square feet., not square yards and the range is anywhere from a bargain basement price of $3, up to as much as $45 a square foot, and even more if you are looking at rare tiles and stones. The natural stones and marbles will be on the expensive side.

Laminated wood floors are quite attractive and with the lamination, the floors are quite durable and have a moisture-resistant quality -- very important in kitchen and bath areas. These floors offer the look of hardwood with the durability of lamination. Since this flooring is installed as a floating floor -- plans glued to each other instead of nailing directly to the floor, it can be installed right over any existing floor covering.

This saves on installation costs. Laminated wood floors range in price from approximately $8 a square foot up to $20 a square foot.

There are other choices for floor coverings for kitchens and baths such as cork and in large bathrooms even carpet, but they aren't as popular as the options we've discussed.

(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color," available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com.)

Apparently it's harder to shake a bad reputation than a caffeine habit.

Even after decades of study suggesting coffee is not harmful, one of the world's favorite beverages remains much maligned, with people afraid that it may cause everything from cancer to heart disease and high blood pressure.

But according to research, coffee might actually have some health benefits, and it's one of the few drinks available these days that doesn't come loaded with sugar and calories. It might guard against gout, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, and other health problems.

Just make sure you stay away from the Frappuccinos.

Of course, the scientists performing these studies might be a bit biased.

"I should probably mention that I start off every day with a double cappuccino," said Dr. Robert Rushakoff, an endocrinologist with the University of California-San Francisco.

Full disclosure aside, he said, coffee has shown promising results in recent studies that compare consumption with diabetes rates, including reports that suggest people who drink six or seven cups a day were 50 percent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

No one understands quite why, although caffeinated coffee seems to have more of an impact than decaf. A lot more study needs to be done, Rushakoff said, especially since the results are based on historical observations and not clinical trials -- the gold standard for medical research.

American coffee consumption per capita has decreased since peaking in the 1940s, from 46.4 gallons a year per person in 1946 to 24.2 gallons per person in 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The best explanation for the drop is the increasing popularity of alternative sources of caffeine -- primarily soda.

Even so, coffee consumption has picked up in the past 10 years with the explosion of Starbucks and other coffee chains, and today, more than half of Americans drink coffee regularly.

So we're drinking a lot of coffee, even if we don't think we should be.

In fact, two cups a day is probably just fine, most doctors say. The trouble comes when people start adding sugar and cream to their coffee, or even worse, buying thick, blended drinks -- with whipped cream on top, of course -- that have hundreds of calories.

A 12-ounce cup of coffee with no extra ingredients has only about 10 calories. But the same size Frappuccino from Starbucks -- a coffee drink enhanced with flavored syrups like chocolate, vanilla or caramel -- can be up to 370 calories. Twelve ounces is considered a small.

Once upon a time, doctors worried that coffee was causing a wide variety of common ailments, including heart disease, ulcers and indigestion. Almost all of those concerns have been disproved, but there's still some argument over coffee's effect on high blood pressure.

A Canadian study published this month showed that coffee may prevent gout. Diabetes has been the latest focus of research, and studies also have suggested coffee could lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Coffee may also lessen the risk of depression and suicide.

Doctors are a long way from prescribing coffee, but they're generally not telling people to give it up, as long as they're drinking in moderation -- two or three cups a day.

"On balance, coffee is a wash," said Dr. Arthur Klatsky, a cardiology consultant with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif., who drinks one or two cups a day.

Nutritionist Jo Ann Hattner, who teaches at the Stanford University School of Medicine, said she's suggested patients drink coffee if they have trouble getting started in the morning, or if they're having problems with constipation.

"It's a stimulant. It helps everything get going, including the GI tract," Hattner said. "If people are tired, I tell them to get more sleep. Lack of sleep is not healthy and they could develop other symptoms from that. But if you need a jump-start sometimes, yes, drink the coffee."

So if the experts have known for decades that coffee is no big deal, why is it still considered such a guilty pleasure?

Partly because it feels like an addiction, Klatsky said. Most regular drinkers crave it every morning, and suffer headaches or other withdrawal symptoms if they try to cut it out. And partly because caffeine is a drug and an obvious stimulant.

"We have an emotional tie to coffee," Klatsky said. "We're a puritanical culture, and we still have a big holdover from the days when anything that felt good was a problem. There's this assumption that anything that feels good, there's got to be a payback down the line."

(E-mail Erin Allday at eallday(at)sfchronicle.com.)

The words "affordable" and "San Diego" aren't often mentioned in the same sentence. That's because California's second-largest city isn't exactly known as a bargain vacation destination.

But it can be. Tina Toms and her two daughters discovered that on a five-day San Diego getaway recently, a vacation that included hanging out at the beach, visiting exciting attractions and eating authentic cuisine. Their price tag: just $1,300.

So how did they do it?

The Toms family recommended visiting this Southern California resort during the off-season. Hotel rates in the winter are significantly lower than during the summer, and some of the biggest area attractions, like the beach, are far less crowded. But the ladies found another way of lowering their lodging bill: They skipped a hotel and rented a condo. For only $100 a night, they scored accommodations in a choice area.

"It was right on the beach," said Tina Toms. "You couldn't beat it."

Speaking of beaches, there's no shortage of them in San Diego, with 70 miles of shoreline to choose from. Coronado Beach (http://www.coronado.ca.us/) is popular with families. Or try La Jolla, which is known for its tidal pools. Best of all, the beach doesn't cost a penny.

With the money they saved, the Tomses decided to splurge on admission to San Diego's signature theme park, SeaWorld (http://4adventure.com/SWC/). Regular admission for three to SeaWorld set them back by about $150, which let them spend a full day enjoying shows that feature dolphins, Orca whales and seals, plus aquariums full of Beluga whales, polar bears and sharks.

Tina and her daughters made the visit extra-special by springing for the dolphin encounter, a 10-minute experience that gets you up-close and personal with the friendly mammals for $40 a person.

"There's just absolutely no price that you can put on interacting with these animals," said Toms.

SeaWorld San Diego cost the Tomses $460, but the adventure was worth it. And since the family still wasn't theme-parked out, they plotted a course to Legoland in Carlsbad (760-918-5346; http://www.legoland.com/california.htm) for a day of fun with more than 50 rides, shows and other attractions.

There are more than 15,000 Lego models -- everything from replicas of famous buildings to a real Lego roller coaster -- giving every member of the family something to enjoy. "It's geared toward the younger preschool age all the way up to 13 and above," said Toms, "so I had as much fun as the kids."

Tickets to Legoland are $57 for adults, $44 for kids. For these vacationers, the high point at this park was touring the mini-cities of skyscrapers, a Mardi Gras parade and even the Eiffel Tower, all built with Legos. Plus, they sampled Legoland's specialty snack: one-of-a-kind apple fries dipped in vanilla cream.

On a $1,300 budget, that left plenty of money for the main course. They found fresh seafood on Scott Street in San Diego and authentic Mexican cuisine in Old Town. (If you're indecisive, go to 5th Avenue, better known as Restaurant Row, where you can find just about anything.)

So here's how the Tomses managed their five-day vacation to San Diego for $1,300: The condo cost $400 for four nights (and the beach was free). Add in $250 for food, $160 for Legoland and $460 for SeaWorld, and these vacationers came in under budget, spending just $1,270.

When Little Red Riding Hood trotted off to Grandma's house, the wolf might have skipped the granny-burger if Red's picnic basket had been just a little more exciting. Rumor has it that Mama Hood stopped at the local takeout -- the one at Forest Avenue and Gingerbread Lane -- loaded up Little Red with some crispy fried chicken strips and sent her on her way. But picnics in the 21st century don't have to be grab-and-go affairs. Thanks to cool gadgets and gear, and modern approaches to totable fare, a picnic has become a gourmet affair to tame even the biggest and baddest of wolves. (Note: Prices of items may vary.)

Oval Picnic Hamper

With its cool geometric shape, this modern take on a wicker basket is actually woven of lampakanai, from the seagrass family, and has collapsible rattan handles. $39.95, Crate & Barrel.

4-in-1 BBQ Multi-Tool

Trading on the Swiss Army knife concept, this has a knife, meat fork and spatula that swing out, and an instant-read thermometer that fits snugly on top. $19.95, Brookstone.

Two-Pack Wine Chiller

These have an insulated metallic finish on the inside that retains the cold for hours. $25, Brookstone.

Picnic Wine Glass

Cut-glass wine glasses at a picnic? Yes, but only if they look the part -- these are acrylic. $1.95, Crate & Barrel.

Steady Stick Wine Bottle/Wine Glass Holders

A blanket isn't exactly the best place to steady a wine glass and wine bottle, but these wire stakes will minimize the risk of spills. $9.95 to $11.95, Crate & Barrel. Also, Target.com.

Monstera Leaf Placemats

Just because it's a picnic doesn't mean you can't dress up the table. Six placemats. $29.70, Z Gallerie.

Aladdin Heat and Go, With Spoon

Microwave in this container and food will stay hot for hours. The shallow compartment has two sides, so you can tote the mac-and-cheese and the peas along for the kids. $9.95, Target.

Sausalito Striped Picnic Blanket

Protect your flanks with this picnic blanket that folds into a pouch. It's laminated underneath, so if the grass is wet, it's got you covered. $32.95, Crate & Barrel.

Table in a Bag

What's a picnic without a table? This one rolls up into a pouch even though it's made of wood slats and is 17 inches high. How do they do it? $39.95, Crate & Barrel.

Picnic at Ascot Deluxe Backpack With Blanket

For those who go off on a picnic with a knapsack on their back, an all-in-one backback with service for four. $105, REI.

Shell Food Cover

Keep out the bugs with these food screens decorated with seashells, $8.95, and mini-seashell candles to match, $12.95, Z Gallerie.

Mini-Grill in Cooler Bag

Taking fire and ice to a new level, this mini-grill fits neatly into the soft insulated bag that doubles as a cooler so you can enjoy a brewski with your dog. $29.95, Crate & Barrel.

Citronella Mini-Torches

These 10-inch mini-candles in Crayola colors are sweet enough to tame the most ornery bugs. $5.95 for four, Crate & Barrel.

Neoprene Totes by Built NY

One Bottle, $15, Three Bottle, $30 or Six-Pack, $20, soft totes to haul your beverages. Brookstone.

Multi-Function Convertible Rolling Cooler/Picnic Table

Remember Transformers? This insulated cooler is more than meets the eye with fold-down sides that open into a picnic table and places to sit. $59.99, Target.com only.

GSI Vortex Blender

No plug required as you hand-crank your favorite smoothies and margaritas. $69.95, REI.

Light My Fire SL3 Knife

Did you remember the matches? How about something to cut open the bag of charcoal? Got you covered. $36.95, REI.

Snow Peak Compact Chopsticks

For the picnicker who has everything -- portable chopsticks to make picnicking a global affair. $24.95, REI.

RECIPES

GRILLED SALMON

Makes 2 servings

2 (4-ounce) salmon fillets

1/4 cup plum sauce

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup sweet chile sauce

Grill salmon on both sides.

Mix all other ingredients together.

Brush mixture onto salmon and place in oven at 350 degrees just to glaze.

HONEY-MUSTARD BBQ RIBS

Makes 2 servings

2 racks pork back ribs

Sauce:

1 cup Cattlemen's barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons honey

Dash Durkee Hot Sauce

Grill ribs over indirect heat in a covered grill or smoker for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Turn ribs once, about halfway through. Mix sauce. About 20 minutes before ribs are done, baste heavily with sauce.

Note: To cook in oven, cook ribs in a shallow pan 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Drain. Coat ribs with sauce; turn every 30 minutes, until done (about 75 more minutes). (Tent loosely with foil if ribs start to burn.)

SKIN-ON POTATO SALAD

Serves 8

12 to 15 small red potatoes

3/4 to 1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

Wash potatoes and rub with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees until soft, 45 minutes to an hour. Cool down slightly.

Meanwhile, stir together mayonnaise and mustard and add diced vegetables.

Squeeze potatoes to break skins or smash potatoes and stir with other ingredients.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD

Serves 8

1 (15-ounce) can black beans

1 cup corn kernels

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced

1 green onion, diced

1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon chile powder

1 tablespoon cumin

2 tablespoons lime juice

Salt and pepper

Drain and rinse black beans.

Mix all ingredients together. Heat to warm. Add salt and pepper and adjust seasonings. Can be served warm or cool.

FIRECRACKER COLESLAW

Serves 8

1 head green cabbage, shredded

1/4 head red cabbage, shredded

1 carrot, julienned

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

Dash poppy seeds

Dash celery seed

Dash Tabasco sauce

Mix cabbages and carrot.

Mix all other ingredients together with a wire whip. Pour over cabbage mix and stir.

For years, I kept a loaded picnic basket in the trunk of my Mazda 626LX. At the drop of a baguette, I would make a pit stop for carryout at the grocery and head for the park.

Here's how to make one. Keep an eye out for a sturdy basket with good solid handles. A lid is optional. But don't get stuck on the choice of conveyance. A canvas tote bag works, and a cardboard box will, too. A well-shaken and aired-out suitcase could be fun.

Now raid your drawers and cabinets to gather stuff for a picnic for four. (Even if it's usually just you and your honey picnicking, you never know when you'll pick up a tagalong or two.) Choose plasticware rather than china or glass, because you don't want any breakage. Remember, too, you may have to haul the basket, as well as food, a good distance to get to a picnic spot, and weight will be a factor. Consider disposable dishes and flatware, too.

Lay out everything on the dining-room table and visualize a picnic in your head. Got everything? When you think you have it together, start packing the basket in reverse, dishes first and blanket or beach towel last.

If you aren't the type to pre-pack a basket, you might make a checklist. Label a document on your computer "Picnic List." Then key in the items below. When you feel a picnic mood coming on, print out the page and use it for a checklist. Yes, it's a bit compulsive, but if you've ever looked forward to a sip of wine under an oak tree and forgotten the corkscrew -- well, you get the idea.

The Picnic List

Napkins, cloth or paper

Plates, both large and medium

Flatware, knives, forks, spoons

Serving utensils -- three should do it

Mugs for soup or cold drinks

Thermos for soup or cold drinks

Stemless wine glasses -- small tumblers are good

Corkscrew or bottle/can opener

Paring knife

Cutting board

Coarse salt in a jar and pepper mill, or salt and pepper shakers

Damp wipes, soft cloths or paper towels for washing up

Little flower vase for wildflowers

Plastic bags for leftovers

Garbage bag

Blanket, bedspread, beach towel or quilt -- cotton is best and can go in the wash; never wool, which can be too itchy

Insect repellent -- don't leave home without it

On occasion, I've also included bird and flower field guides, a flashlight and a deck of cards. Cowboy bandanas are fun. Pick them up at a dollar store and use them for napkins, trail markers or a do-rag. And I usually find room for peanut butter, a jar of Nutella and wee packs of crackers with a plastic knife because you never know.

I also keep a medium-size foam cooler in the trunk at all times. It keeps cold food cold, whether we're bringing it from home or have just made a stop at the grocery store or farmers market.

When you get back home, wash the dishes, freshen what needs to be freshened and repack the basket, all ready for the next time.

(Marlene Parrish can be reached at mparrish@post-gazette.com.)

Summer is always a good time to catch up on reading, and there are some new books on the market that address fashion trends and advice. Here are three that caught my eye:

More than 20 million American women are 5 feet, 4 inches or shorter, which in fashion qualifies them as petite.

However, millions of petite woman buy clothes that don't flatter them. Such women are petite whether they are size 2 or size 16, whether they are shaped like a pear or a carrot or a circle or an hourglass.

Kim Williams Dahlman, a petite fashion specialist, has made it her mission to help petites understand that and to use that knowledge to dress their best. "The Petite Handbook," written in 2004 and in its second printing, is full of information to help petites shop wisely and dress with confidence. With a shape finder, accessories advice and shopping checklist, the colorful spiral-bound booklet can fit easily in a purse.

"I wanted sort of a 'Petite Dressing 101,'" said Dahlman. "Everything you need to know in a nutshell. Other books are textbook style, where you really have to study them."

The author, a petite herself, knows her stuff. Over the past 20 years, she has worked as petite sportswear buyer for Allied Department Stores, corporate petite buyer for Belk Stores Services and director of sales for Susan Bristol Petites. She's appeared on numerous national television shows to share her expertise and travels the country presenting fashion shows, workshops and motivational programs for petites.

"I saw a huge need for a specialist in the field who would go out and do events and work one-on-one with customers," said Dahlman, who is based in Florida. "There are so many petite women out there that don't realize they should be wearing petite clothing and would get a better fit in the petite department."

"The Petite Handbook" (Fidelity Press, $10.95) is available at thepetitehandbook.com and amazon.com.

How to pursue modeling

I routinely receive phone calls and e-mails from people who want advice about how to launch a modeling career. They want to know things such as where to get training, which agencies are credible and how to connect with clients.

Now, there's a great, updated resource I would highly recommend. It's "The Compete Idiot's Guide to Being a Model, Second Edition," written by former big-time model Roshumba Williams with New York freelance writer Anne Marie O'Connor (Alpha Books, $18.95).

Williams appeared on the covers and pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue and other magazines before moving into a career in television. But she didn't forget all the lessons she had learned in modeling, and she passes them on.

There's loads of information, from portfolio contents, interview tips and advice on finding an agent to open calls, model searches and making it through those first stressful photo shoots.

Beauty beyond 40

At a time when increasing numbers of women are paying big bucks for cuts, slices and injections to fight signs of aging, makeup artist Bobbi Brown wants to show them how to look younger with cosmetics.

She does that with her fourth book, "Bobbi Brown Living Beauty" (Springboard Press, $29.99). It targets women over age 40 with numerous step-by-step techniques, including how to use makeup to plump lips, lift cheeks and even out skin tone.

There are also explanations of dermatological techniques and photos and words of inspiration from famous over-40 beauty icons such as Vera Wang, Lorraine Bracco, Marcia Gay Harden and Vanessa Williams.

Brown, 50, has built an industry on her expertise in creating a flawless face. She expanded her company to include makeup accessories and perfumes, writes a monthly column in Prevention women's health magazine and authors a feature on makeup tips at oprah.com.

The thought of a Florida family vacation is almost enough to sink your bank account into the red. All those expensive theme-park tickets, pricey motels and sky-high restaurant bills.

But for the Pollard family of four, a Central Florida getaway meant saving money and having a stellar experience, too. They skipped Orlando's tourist traps and headed to the Space Coast, only an hour's drive east of the Magic City, for a four-day vacation that ended up costing less than $1,000.

How did they do it?

First, they picked the right theme park. Central Florida's other big attraction, the Kennedy Space Center, offers more than 10 rides and experiences, including real rocket launches. You can spend the whole morning watching riveting IMAX films about the early days of space exploration and wander through larger-than-life exhibits in its rocket garden.

Perhaps the most dramatic of the displays is the Saturn 5 moon rocket, which is laid on its side in a cavernous exhibit hall. "Holy smokes," exclaimed Jeff Pollard, as he gazed at the spacecraft, which is taller than a 36-story building.

The Apollo Saturn 5 Center let the Pollards re-live a rocket launch, thanks to footage from previous missions, artifacts from the golden age of spaceflight and a few modern-day special effects.

But this attraction won't vaporize your vacation budget: It costs $38 for adults and $28 for children -- a grand total of $132 for a full day of fun and only a fraction of what you would shell out at another Orlando theme park.

That left enough money for the Pollards to splurge on dinner with an astronaut, which cost them $60 for adults and $45 for kids and even included admission to the Space Center. They met John Fabian, a veteran of several shuttle missions, and the kids even got to ask him about what it's like to fly in space.

"The first time I took off in a shuttle," Fabian confided to the kids over dinner, "I held on -- and I held my breath."

The Kennedy Space Center was by no means the only highlight of the Pollards' four-day, $1,000 getaway. For another inexpensive but fun day, the family headed to the Brevard Zoo, just an hour south of Cocoa Beach. It's home to more than 550 animals from the wilds of Florida to exotic Africa.

But since this is a vacation, Mom and Dad had something extra-special in mind: a kayak tour through 22 acres of wild Florida wetlands. The Brevard Zoo Kayak Adventure brought them up close and personal with everything from egrets to otters.

"It was awesome," said Jeff Pollard.

And so was the price -- just $5 per person for a guided boat trip down the Nyami Nyami River. That doesn't include admission to the zoo ($8.50 for adults, $6 for kids).

The Pollards also kept costs down by visiting the beach, which is free. The Space Coast has some of the best shoreline for surfing on America's East Coast, and if you get there early you can find a parking spot close to the sand for free. (Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular surfer hangouts.)

They were able to get a large motel room with a refrigerator. "That meant we didn't have to eat out all the time," said Mom Michelle Pollard. So the Pollards could save money on some meals and splurge on others. Which is good, considering that the Space Coast is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the Sunshine State.

The Pollards spent $325 for food, which included dinner with a shuttle astronaut. Fun at the zoo and the beach cost them just $200. Even with the lodging for four nights, the terrific Florida vacation came in under $1,000.

While Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are still a threatened species, they are not that hard to find in Kahalu'u Bay.

Turtles swim and feed in the waters off Kahalu'u Beach and plod along the bottom of the tidal pool of the adjacent Keauhou Beach Resort in Kona on the west side of Hawaii, the Big Island.

The placid reptiles are vegetarians, content to munch on algae all day. The algae colors their body fat, giving them their name. Despite the diet, adults can weigh as much as 500 pounds.

While they graze, slowly breaking the surface to breathe, they are capable of reaching speeds up to 35 mph in open water.

They also can stay submerged for two hours or more when resting.

The turtles are unusual in that they are the only marine turtles to crawl ashore and bask in the sunlight, which obviously makes them easy mark for poachers.

Once an endangered species, the large turtles were hunted almost to extinction for their meat, skins (to make leather goods) and shells (to make jewelry).

Even though they have been protected for several decades, their high value on the commercial market means poachers continue to take hundreds each year even in the face of stiff fines and possible jail time.

Once there were tens of millions of turtles worldwide; now fewer than 200,000 mature females are known to exist.

"These ancient mariners cruised the seas before Hawaii's islands even existed. How sad that they could vanish forever in coming decades due to human impact," said Don White, president, EarthTrust.org.

Male and female green turtles look alike until they are mature. Then, the male develops a long tail extending beyond the hind flippers. A female's tail extends only a short distance beyond the end of her shell.

There are other estimates that indicate that only 100 to 350 females nest each year in Hawaii. Those females can produce up to 100 eggs or so, but only a few hatchlings survive from each nest to even make it back to the ocean, falling prey to crabs and often dying from the sun's heat before making it to the ocean.

Once in the ocean, hatchlings remain at greater risk until they grow.

Thanks to their size and speed in the water, adult green sea turtles have only two predators: sharks and people. Tiger sharks regularly feed on all sizes of green turtles.

While the life span of these turtles -- the largest of the hard-shelled marine turtles -- is unknown, it is believed that it takes an average of 25 years for them to reach sexual maturity.

Despite the fact the turtles are a threatened species, some see silver linings among the clouds.

"The Hawaiian green turtle is, right now, the luckiest marine turtle population in the world," said Peter Bennett. He and his wife, Ursula, created a Web site dedicated to sea turtles -- www.turtles.org. "It is protected, but, more importantly, the people of Hawaii respect and obey the laws of protection. This is not true for most marine turtle populations."

Also, the nesting grounds of the honu are remote, uninhabited and protected.

"Virtually all other marine turtles are heavily exploited on their nesting beaches, usually by the removal of their eggs, and often by the slaughter of nesting females," Bennett said.

(Some information for this story came from the sites www.turtles.org and www.earthtrust.org.)

(Bill Wagner also writes, as Babe Waxpack, the ASKBABE sports-collectibles feature that runs on Scripps Howard News Service.)

The butler has drawn my bath.

How often does a working stiff like myself get to say that?

I repeat that thought to myself as warm bubbles ooze over me and the candles and imported orchids wrap me in a warm glow.

"May I adjust your head pillow, Ms. Rouvalis?" my butler -- yes, MY butler, for a few hours, anyway -- asks me.

I have to be honest here.

I had not realized until now that the Five Diamond opulence of Falling Rock hotel comes with an offer from a discreet uniformed stranger to adjust the towel under my neck as I soak in bubbles.

It's a little weird.

But Tommy Dewitt, the lead butler at this boutique hotel at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, has such a reassuring manner that I figure, what the heck. How many opportunities in my life will I get to experience how the ultra-rich get squeaky-clean?

Yes, that neck pillow is a tad too low, now that you mention it, Tommy.

A coal miner's son from West Virginia, he is simply called Tommy, despite the formal job title and the white gloves and the perfect manners. The 31-year-old with kind blue eyes has mastered the fine art of doting on people without being intrusive. He is one of the reasons people will pay $795 for a weekend night and $650 for a weeknight for this sumptuous suite overlooking a golf course.

While some high-end resorts have a butler on staff, hotel manager Dan Gorajczyk says Falling Rock is one of only a handful with a corps of butlers offering 24-hour service.

So if you have some crazy craving at any hour and Tommy answers the phone, he would likely answer jauntily with his favorite word -- "Absolutely."

It would take a lot to put Tommy out.

After all, this is a man who once arranged for a private jet to take a couple to Las Vegas to be married on the spot. (The man declined after he found out it would cost $40,000, but Tommy figured out the logistics that would have made it happen). He has hidden engagement rings inside desserts and learned from the chef how to make guacamole tableside so a man could impress his girlfriend. He has played video games with young guests. He will do almost anything, provided it is legal and fits the hotel's family-friendly ethics.

"There is no such thing as a high-maintenance guest," he tells me.

That's nice to know as I soak in the tub, admiring the orange James Story orchids flown in from Hawaii on the tub's edge. I ask him to move the tray up a little so I can read my magazine. He moves it just so and dims the lights.

"Would you like a glass of champagne or wine?" he asks, flashing a hint of a smile that seems to be saying, "Go ahead. You deserve it."

It is very tempting. But I am afraid if I start drinking in the middle of the afternoon inside a warm tub at a Five Diamond hotel, it will make it all the harder to return to my stiff chair in my dingy no-diamond newsroom.

Tommy stands ramrod straight in the next room with his gray-and-black striped pants and a black jacket with black and brass buttons, tailored to his slightly stocky 5-foot-6-inch body. He asks me if I want to change into a towel or robe. I opt for the plush white robe. He does not enter the bathroom until I tell him it is OK. (There are female butlers for female guests who might feel awkward around a male butler, something I would consider. But he says he draws baths for many women, too.)

The bed with the 1,200-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets beckons me next. I put my head on a perfectly comfortable pillow. But is it really the right pillow? -- a question I had never really pondered before.

Tommy hands me a pillow menu, the rage in high-end hotels, filled with enough flowery feather language to satisfy the most finicky head.

Should I rest my weary head atop the Tri-Core Pillow, with Dupont Dacron Hollofill, or the Buckwheat Hull Pillow, or an inflatable Aire-Core Pillow, to name a few? The pillow menu is like a foreign language, so I tell Tommy to bring in my options before settling on the delightfully squishy Buckwheat Hull Pillow.

Because I am not spending the night, he does a mock wake-up call. He knocks on the door -- three gentle knocks -- and, soothingly rouses me out of bed with "Good morning, Ms. Rouvalis," then draws the shades. He would next hand me coffee in bed or on a tray and serve breakfast in bed or on the deck.

As someone who finds all mornings a jarring jolt -- and who is pampered by a sweet husband who gives me coffee in bed -- this is my idea of heaven. Yes, this ritual would take the edge off of morning.

Tommy lays out my clothes, folding them so carefully as though they were fine silk instead of rumpled cotton. Then he serves me a lunch of mixed greens and creme brulee -- on the balcony, his recommendation. All of the stresses of daily life have left my body.

The trick of the good butler is to know when to dote on someone and when to leave him or her alone.

The No. 1 no-no of a butler is gossip, because butlers unpack suitcases and lay out personal items. So Tommy will not name-drop any of his famous clients.

The lack of loose lips applies to himself.

I try to interview Tommy, but he is politely vague. He allows that after working odd jobs in Morgantown, W.Va., he became a valet at Nemacolin in 1997 and worked his way up to butler, a coveted job.

"I found my calling," he says. Someone tells me they once saw him get a $400 tip. He will not discuss his hourly wage or tips.

I walk out of Falling Rock relaxed and pampered, thanks to Tommy. Story? Deadline? Who cares?

As I drive back to Pittsburgh and the stress of the real world creeps back, I look at my cup holder and see two bottles of Nemacolin spring water that my butler somehow put in my car.

I take a swig and savor the memory of Tommy.

(Cristina Rouvalis can be reached at crouvalis@post-gazette.com.)

What constitutes Five Diamond luxury?

As I raised the flute of champagne to my lips and contemplated the placid view from my hotel-room veranda of the green carpet of golf fairway, it was a natural question to consider.

According to Webster, "luxury" is "A material object, service, etc. conducive to physical comfort or sumptuous living, not usually a necessity of life."

That makes sense as a general description, but it also makes precise measurement more elusive, because like beauty, luxury is in the eye of the beholder. Isn't it true that one person's sumptuous living is another's necessity?

Refilling the flute, I nibbled a canape from the beautiful platter on the table by my side. After some minutes lost in this line of logic, I decided to take a nap before dinner. I stretched out on an enveloping bed and closed my eyes. It was like floating on a cloud.

There should be no questions about either the vision or determination of Joe Hardy or his daughter, Maggie Hardy Magerko.

Since 1987, when Hardy purchased the former 400-acre Rockwell hunting reserve along Route 40, 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, the founder of 84 Lumber has steadily expanded both the property and the facilities of the resort he founded.

Over two decades, he and Magerko, who took over management of the lumber company in 1992 and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in 2002, have created a remarkable 2,800-acre leisure Eden that now includes three upscale hotels, 14 restaurants, a destination spa, 36 holes of top golf and a host of other activities and amenities from skiing and dogsledding in the winter to horse riding, polo, archery, shooting, fishing and off-road driving in the warmer seasons. There is a full-time children's-activity center and even a small petting zoo.

In August 2004, Falling Rock hotel opened at the 18th hole of the Mystic Rock golf course.

From its conception, the three-story, 42-guest room boutique hotel and golf club was intended to offer the highest levels of comfort, grace and service for its guests. The fact that Falling Rock was awarded the distinction of AAA Five Diamond designation last October, barely two years after it opened, is certainly a testament to its accomplishment.

Designed by architect David Merritt, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright, the building's open atrium lobby features stacked stone walls and geometric patterns with American Indian motifs. Other than the golf course, a lovely, infinity-edge swimming pool is Falling Rock's main activity amenity.

Falling Rock is one of 93 hotels -- out of 56,000 evaluated -- and only the fourth in Pennsylvania to receive AAA's Five Diamond rating for 2007. But what constitutes a Five Diamond designation? The only way to find out was to experience luxury for ourselves.

Although undeniably gracious with a casual, understated elegance, Falling Rock's primary service distinction resides with its corps of butlers, one of whom is assigned to each guest room. Trained by the International Guild of Professional Butlers, they anticipate the needs of each guest from check-in to checkout, from greeting you at the front door to unpacking suitcases to drawing aromatherapy baths.

Our Falling Rock guest room was graciously appointed and stylishly decorated, with lots of marble and wood. It was comfortably sized, but by no means palatial, with a small balcony overlooking the Mystic Rock golf course. The variable mood lighting was pleasant, although it took some time to figure out how to turn everything off and on. Ditto for the high-tech shower, with its complicated keypad controls, but once I got it working, the multi-head array provided a luxurious experience.

My wife, Sari, found the large bathtub perfect for soaking, but she had no problem drawing the bath herself rather than phoning for the butler. She also appreciated the luxurious bed linens, two-ply robes and menu of pillows to suit one's particular penchant.

The main event of our night's stay was a truly Five Diamond dinner that we enjoyed at Aqueous, Falling Rock's restaurant.

From the amuse-bouche (lobster bisque with a puff pastry hat) to the cheese (FireFly Farms Allegheny Chevre with buttermilk and black pepper crackers), it was a gustatory celebration of epic proportions prepared by six Nemacolin chefs.

Each of the six courses was paired with a different wine and impeccably served by attentive waiters. The third course, short rib ravioli with roasted cipollini onions and horseradish cream sauce, was, as they say, to die for, as was the fourth course, a trio of meats: sliced dry aged strip loin with creamed spinach, pecan-crusted lamb medallions with potato croquettes and braised Berkshire pork belly with braised red cabbage.

It was, quite simply, a luxury, a meal for the ages, an easy Five Diamonds, maybe even six, if such a designation existed.

On the other hand, the in-room television system seemed confusing, especially for On Demand movies.

Apart from having to pay $10.99 for a movie, I found it bewildering that new releases could be viewed only at designated hours, rather than when you want to watch them.

This was more annoying since Falling Rock is situated a distance from the main Nemacolin complex, and, other than golf, there is a shortage of evening activity. You have to leave the hotel to find something to do.

But this seems a minor quibble, especially because in the afterglow of that luxurious meal, coming up with a topper would have been difficult.

The next morning, we awoke refreshed from a wonderful night's sleep but not quite ready to leap off luxury's lap. As we checked out, every staff member from butler to doorman greeted us by name and wished us well. It felt as if we were honored guests.

For more information: 1-800-422-2736 or www.falling-rock.com.

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette travel editor David Bear can be reached at dbear@post-gazette.com.)

California's Sonoma Valley is the kind of destination that offers a quiet but civilized getaway. But as Neil Gehani and Tonie Cox discovered, it's more than an ideal place for a romantic escape. A weekend in wine country won't drain your bank account, either.

The couple spent two days cruising the quiet country roads that wind through the Russian River Valley, sampling extraordinary wine, eating gourmet food and taking in the scenery. Sonoma is easy to get to because it's only an hour's drive north of San Francisco. But it's a world away from the high prices of the City by the Bay, or trendy Napa right next door. Gehani and Cox managed to pay less than $1,100 for their intimate weekend.

So how did they do it?

The couple stayed at a modestly priced hotel, spending $150 for a night at the Sonoma Creek Inn (http://www.sonomacreekinn.com; 888-712-1289). The property bills itself as an affordable and casual alternative to the pricey accommodations normally found in California's wine country. The rooms are clean and have all the basics, like in-room refrigerators, hair dryers and TVs.

That left plenty of money for Gehani's favorite activity: golf. He visited a private club, which set him back $125 in green fees. There are at least 15 year-round golf courses in Sonoma County, with prices ranging from $50 to $150. You can find more information about Sonoma's golf courses at the official Sonoma County Tourism Bureau site (http://www.sonomacounty.com).

But the highlight of this weekend was a bike tour. Gehani and Cox hired a guide from Wine Country Bikes (http://winecountrybikes.com; 866-922-4537). For $129 per person, guide Gerard Nebeski kicks this getaway into high gear.

"We'll stop and sample some great wines," he explained to the couple. "And we'll check out how the grapes are grown."

Nebeski leads guests through some of the most breathtakingly beautiful country in the United States -- rolling hills with ripening grapes and fruit trees -- stopping at small family-owned wineries that most visitors to Sonoma don't see. At Passalacqua Winery & Gardens (http://www.passalacquawinery.com; 877-825-5547), the couple has a rare chance to sample its signature wines and to meet Jason Passalacqua, one of the owners.

"We like to get people in the winery, in the barrel room to sample out of the barrel -- not just the finished product," said Passalacqua.

And sample they did. "You could have it with a great meal right now," said Gehani, as he sampled a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from the barrel.

After a tasting, the couple enjoyed a picnic lunch with a bottle of Passalacqua Cab ($40) at a table overlooking the picturesque gardens. Picnics are a terrific way for one to save money but still eat well while on vacation. A gourmet lunch at a local market will set you back by only $15, a fraction of what lunch would cost in a restaurant.

At the end of the 25-mile bike tour, there's a reward waiting for them: a private tour of the Amphora Winery in Healdsburg (http://www.amphorawines.com; 707-431-7767). Owner Rick Hutchinson is on hand to show guests around and explain how his wine is made with tender loving care. "I did 200 cases of this and I kiss this barrel every day," he said, caressing a barrel of Syrah.

At the end of their romantic weekend together, Gehani and Cox had sipped reserve wines, biked through wine country, eaten well and had more fun than they expected.

Here's how their budget breaks down. For one night of lodging, they spent $150. Reasonable breakfasts, picnic lunches and a few high-end dinners cost about $270. For fun, the tours and a round of golf rang in at $610. All told, they came in $70 under their $1,100 budget.

Dissatisfaction with accommodations is the second-most-common travel complaint, after airline problems.

It's happened to every traveler. You arrive someplace to discover the hotel described in the brochure or Web site as "first class" turns out to be anything but, at least by your personal standards. Perhaps the room is too dirty, too small, too hot, too whatever to be satisfactory considering how much you're paying to spend a night there. Or maybe the hotel is in the midst of renovation. The location might be undesirable; the view isn't what you expected.

There's no end to the potential problems awaiting a traveler at check-in. That's surprising, especially in these days of easy access to information and Internet insights.

All hotel chains have Web sites and toll-free numbers, and numerous umbrella sites are devoted to booking hotels (www.hotels.com). The main travel Web sites (Travelocity.com, expedia.com and tripadvisor.com) let you access recommendations and critiques from other travelers. Numerous blogs and travel forums provide a welter of opinions and insights.

But even with all that information, sleuthing out reliable particulars that create a hotel's overall ambience can still be difficult.

Pictures can be misleading. Advertising copy does not always paint a complete and accurate story. Opinions expressed by strangers can never be taken as absolutes. All travelers have their own particular expectations. Whom can you trust?

There are no common standards used to rate hotels around the world. Simply, terms such as "deluxe," "first-class," "economy" and "budget" do not mean the same thing everywhere.

Hotel chains and affinity associations claim to maintain consistent standards of service and amenities among their properties, but even a well-known brand name is no guarantee of satisfaction.

Enter the rating system.

Some tourism-conscious countries such as France and Italy operate their own national hotel rating systems, usually expressing quality in terms of stars or classes on a one-low to five-high basis.

These government-operated systems generally employ professional inspectors who check and rate the properties periodically. While there's no guarantee of satisfaction, these classification systems do usually mean that rankings within that country are fairly consistent and reliable.

For example, the government-run French hotel rating system (one to four stars) considers 22 objective factors when evaluating a property and its rooms, such as room sizes and numbers, soundproofing, heating and air-conditioning, design of bathroom facilities, phone and electrical system, and presence of elevators.

Thus, four-star hotels in both Paris and on the Riviera are supposed to be comparable, at least in terms of facilities, although each may have quite a different ambience.

Moreover, standards used to judge facilities are based on preferences of that country's citizens, and U.S. travelers may have very different expectations.

Government-run systems tend to be fairly consistent, at least among countries with similar living standards. Even in less-developed nations, the top categories approximate those found in wealthier countries.

The real disparities occur at the lower end of the spectrum. That's why smart travelers beware of hotels labeled "tourist-class" in a developing nation.

Unfortunately, Britain, Germany, Japan and even the United States rely on independent rankings -- there are no government rating systems.

Hospitality associations in countries such as Canada (www.canadaselect.com) and Germany (www.hotelsterne.de) have established their own rating systems. While these can be useful for comparisons, they also can be misleading because most information is supplied by the individual properties; standards can be sketchy and compliance is not enforced. Editorial copy is often provided and paid for by the hotels and resorts themselves.

Other common hospitality rating systems are operated by national automobile associations. Their guides provide listings for a range of hotels, offering basic information, but, other than for high-end properties, they provide few specifics or insights into their ambience.

The American Automobile Association began listing accommodation information in its travel publications in the early 1900s. In 1937, the first field inspectors were hired to visit hotels, motels and restaurants. It introduced established ratings in 1963, with four categories: good, very good, excellent or outstanding. The diamond-rating process was implemented in 1977, and now 65 full-time evaluators anonymously inspect more than 32,000 properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

To apply for evaluation, properties must meet 27 essential requirements covering cleanliness, comfort and security. Approved properties are assigned a rating of one to five AAA Diamonds.

In Britain, hotels have traditionally posted designations from one of two automobile associations, the AA or RAC, which provide only ratings of hotels and bare-bones contact information, ranked in terms of stars or diamonds. A new, unified five-star rating system (National Quality Assurance Standards) has just been introduced, and designations for all participating properties in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be changed by 2008.

Independently written guides offer another option.

When it comes to recommending hotels, these consumer-oriented publications fall into two basic categories: those listing a variety of hotels across a broad geographic range and those that offer detailed descriptions about a few specific recommendations, often within a particular city, region or country.

The first of these guides was published in 1900 by French tire titan Andre Michelin to help drivers maintain their cars, find decent lodging and eat well while touring the country.

In 1926, star rankings were established to identify places with good cooking. Today, Michelin has guides to 12 European countries, with dining guides to New York City and San Francisco.

In 1958, a similar program was established in North America by the Mobil Oil Corp. to rate hotels and restaurants. The Mobil Guide, now published by a separate division known as How Stuff Works, keeps tabs on more than 8,000 hotels, 8,000 restaurants and 100 resorts and spas in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. They are rated on a star system, from one low to five high, based on the facilities and services provided, as confirmed by a team of inspectors who visit each place every 12 to 18 months.

More narrative guidebooks, such as those published by Fisher, Fodor and Frommer, tend to focus on a small selection of upscale hotels in a city or area, while series by publishers like Rough Guide and Lonely Planet review a broader price range of accommodations. These evaluations are based on the author's experience, rather than a standard system.

Then there are the do-it-yourself guides. Zagat is just releasing its 2007-08 "World's Top Hotels, Resorts & Spas" guide, based on reviews of more than 23,000 frequent travelers who participated in the survey, which includes ratings and reviews of 1,287 properties in 103 countries.

If you use a travel agency or online service to select a hotel, inquire about the source of its information. With the proliferation of hotels around the world in recent decades, few agents have firsthand experience with more than a handful of properties. Most rely on guides.

Travelers who are particular about where they sleep should always get recommendations from a variety of sources and gather as much information about a hotel or resort as possible before they make their final decision. The best information still comes from the recent firsthand experience of a reliable source.

If you'll be someplace for more than a night or two, check with the hotel directly by phone or e-mail to get the best answers to specific questions you may have.

Even with all that, the final reality is that you can never be sure of what you're going to find until you get there.

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette travel editor David Bear can be reached at dbear@post-gazette.com.)

Honey has become a staple ingredient in some of today's most sought-after beauty products -- and for good reason. Besides its deliciously sweet scent, this natural moisturizer is hailed for its wide variety of therapeutic properties, such as the ability to keep skin hydrated and moist, as well as the power to fight against the signs of aging. Plus, honey is an anti-irritant, so it is safe to use on even the most sensitive skin.

Benefits of honey

Derived from the hives of honeybees, honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. Honey contains essential vitamins such as B5 and panothenic acid. It's also full of minerals like zinc and magnesium, which increase the skin's moisture retention. And it improves cell production and scalp circulation. Honey also contains loads of enzymes and amino acids, making it a powerful antibacterial ingredient that is excellent for treating acne, as well as reducing redness and inflammation. Rich in antioxidants, honey also helps regenerate damaged tissue, deflect free radicals and improve skin tone and elasticity. To reap the full benefits, look for dark-colored honey, which contains more antioxidants than light-colored versions.

History of honey for cosmetic purposes

Using honey in beauty rituals dates back to ancient Egypt, when Cleopatra would bathe in a mixture of honey and milk to keep her skin feeling soft and looking young. Roman emperor Nero's wife, Poppea, was also a devotee of honey and milk, although she preferred to mix the ingredients together into a paste for a facial mask. Renowned Greek physician Hippocrates used honey to cure skin infections, infected wounds and ulcers on the lips, while Queen Anne of England would blend honey and oil together to form a hair serum that helped keep her locks thick, shiny and lustrous.

Can honey help prevent sun damage?

We all know that it's crucial to use sunscreen on a daily basis, but many chemical and physical barrier sunscreens contain ingredients that can cause skin irritation and reactions. Since honey is suitable for sensitive skin and is a natural moisturizer, it is currently being considered as a substitute ingredient for some of the harsh chemicals found in most sun blocks. Thanks to its natural antioxidant properties, honey also helps the skin to protect itself from the sun's damaging UV rays and also aids in skin cell rejuvenation.

Product picks

Facial cleanser: Soothe and soften skin with L'Occitane Comfort Cleansing Fluid, which features a blend of compounds from Provengal honey hives, protein-rich royal jelly and bisabolol extract. $20; usa.loccitane.com

Facial scrub: Regular exfoliation is a must for a clean, clear complexion. In addition to honey (its thick consistency makes for the perfect base), Collective Wellbeing Honey Buff is jam-packed with natural ingredients like vitamin C to fight the signs of fine lines and wrinkles; rose hip seeds and lemon peel to exfoliate and echinacea to keep pore-clogging dirt at bay. $13; collectivewellbeing.com

Face mask: Great for avid travelers who experience dry skin from constantly being on the go, Apitiva Skin Food Mask with Honey leaves skin soft, refreshed and hydrated, thanks to a blend of honey and cereal proteins. The individually packaged masks also boast vitamins C, E and F for cell regeneration. $24 for a box of 6; bigelowchemists.com

Facial moisturizer: Suitable for all skin types, Mario Badescu Honey Moisturizer neutralizes damaging free radicals that destroy collagen and elastin. Subtly scented and greaseless, this extremely absorbent moisturizer contains honey and orange extract to hydrate and nourish skin, leaving it velvety smooth. $25; mariobadescu.com

Shampoo: Formulated to calm itchy, dry, irritated scalps, Frederic Fekkai Sensitive Scalp Shampoo features a mixture of lavender and manuka honey to heal while moisturizing. A melange of botanicals gently removes excess sebum without drying or stripping the hair and scalp. $20; neimanmarcus.com

Paige Herman is an editor at New Beauty, a semi-annual magazine about cosmetic enhancement. Reach her at editors (at)newbeauty.com. For more columns visit www.scrippsnews.com

Divorcing your stylist, part 2:

Judie: Last week we shared the sticky stories of severing ties with your hairdresser. This week, we talked with several stylists about the best way to handle a dilemma that plagues many women.

Evelinda: They told us they want to be treated as professionals. Tara Nalty, whose been styling hair for six years, wants clients to tell her they want to try someone else. She suggests clients say: 'Thank you for the time we have spent together, but I am ready to try somebody else.' I tell them that they are always welcome to come back. We have an agreement among our salon's stylists that we want the client to be taken care of."

Stylist Pam Grieve agrees and adds: "I would hope that the client would tell me why they are unhappy and give me a chance to fix the problem. I have had clients who leave and come back. I take them back and have no hard feelings."

She also passed on some very valuable advice should you switch chairs within a salon. "I think that when clients go from chair to chair, they forget that we are all friends. Don't gossip about your previous hairdresser. Don't burn your bridges. Remember: they know a lot about you and can be more like a therapist when you tell them everything about your lazy husband to your annoying girlfriend."

Believe it or not, stylists will even help their clients transition to new ones, according to Ron Lyle, a stylist for 30 years.

"Seven out of 10 clients will tell me that they are going to someone else in the same salon. The new stylist should tell the old one that the client is moving over to them."

But Lyle understands that some clients wish to avoid any embarrassment. He recommends coming in at a time when the stylist is not there. "Then clients should say to the old stylist: I needed to come in, and you weren't there, and I like what the new person did.' Stylists need closure."

Donna Stein, manager at a spa and salon, even went further to reveal that sometimes stylists want to fire their clients. One of her stylists has this philosophy. "If I am not making my client happy or feel I can't please them or if my happiness is in jeopardy, I tell them I'm not achieving their goal and that they should find another stylist who can." But like clients, not all stylists are this honest. They unload clients by increasing their prices or by not being available.

Brenda Hunt, vice president of creative and education for hair products ghd Professional USA, has worked with hundreds of beauty salons around the country. Her suggestion: "The client should be frank about what they want. Give the stylist the opportunity to rectify the situation. The stylists will learn from your suggestions, and you will get what you want. After this, if you still want to move, talk to the salon owner and have them handle it."

Style Matters: What did we learn? Honesty is the best policy, courtesy counts, and sometimes change is necessary. As Hunt explained it to us: "You need to make a change so that a new stylist can see you at your current age and from a new perspective."

(Judie Schwartz and Evelinda Urman write on corporate office wear and the art of personal style. E-mail them at stylematters(at)comcast.net.)