My momma always told me I should put on a suit and tie, get a job, and stop taking bong hits with my Cheerios in the morning. I never listened -- and now look at me (I haphazardly type this, shoeless and penniless, from a dingy cybercafe in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, and my prospects don't seem to be brightening, but I digress). At 32 years of age, it is far too late for me and my tie-less ways. Wall Street, Main Street, and several other prominent paved streets sadly passed me by without my learning how to tie a cravat. On the flipside, there are plenty of highly motivated people with stories of great tie-related success. And luckily for tie-strapped folks such as myself, they would like to bestow their suit-and tie-related winning ways on those less fortunate. That's precisely where nonprofit org Career Gear comes in.

Another day, another celeb shilling stinky scent. The latest to smell up magazines will be Patrick ("Can't Buy Me Love") Dempsey, who's pitching an Avon scent called "Unscripted" with the tagline, "Follow Your Passion." Randy! Daring! Due on shelves in November, the cologne's press release waxes poetic: "it has a woody green scent that expresses the freedom of the open road with fresh, aromatic cardamom and invigorating cracked black peppercorn. At the heart, a sensual mix of fig and crisp lavender enrich the experience with a warm, sophisticated texture. The drydown reveals an unusual twist -- a bold blend of exclusive leatherwood and patchouli heart wrapped in earthy vetiver and rich musk for an authentic, adventurous finish."