Farewell to one of my favorite places on earth

I believe I had my final adventure in retail at Marshall Field's State Street. It was a melancholy experience. The store was not that crowded, and the merchandise is being shifted and rearranged and cleared away to make way for Macy's and those house brands. Maybe it makes it easier that it didn't feel like my store anymore.

I got two sweaters (deep navy Ralph Lauren pullover and powder blue Liz Claiborne cardigan), and shorts (Field sniff-sniff Gear) and a black/red blouse from JM (a Macy's house brand). While it came to about $205, but it's important to note that I saved more than $30 with my final Field's Rewards coupon.

Then on the way out I hit the cosmetic counters. This was a far less sentimental journey because almost all of these brands will be available even after Macy's takes over. I visited my friends at Clinique for blemish concealer, bought SJP's Lovely body lotion (and look and smell more and more like Carrie Bradshaw with each passing minute) and Smashbox auburn mascara and lash primer. There's nothing wrong with my lashes -- it's not like they are brittle, dry or sparse. But I like the idea of buying a new product during my last visit with a dear old friend. (And I saved more than $16 at the cosmetic counters; I prefer thinking of that, rather than what I spent.)

Thanks, Marshall Field's State Street. Because of your convenient location and your rich history, you were my perfect getaway destination when I needed a retail fix. Whether I had hours to browse or had to power shop, you fit the bill and made me feel like I'd stumbled upon the happiest place on earth. I'll miss how helpful the sales associates always were How every purchase was wrapped carefully in tissue. How my personal shopper turned me on to Eileen Fisher. And, like everyone else, I loved the Christmas windows, the tree and the Frangoes. Goodbye, Marshall Field's State Street.

Larry King is a doddering fool

He's interviewing Sen. John Warner and Gov. Bill Richardson about the crisis in Lebanon. These men are decision-makers (Warner) and steeped in the history of the region (Richardson). And what does goofy ol' Lar ask them? "What do you think about this cease fire … thing?" I half expect him to ask the Senator, "You were married to Liz Taylor for a while, weren't you? Isn't she a Jew? Does that influence how you feel about this … thing?"