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Seattle Times - December 30, 2006 –

Picture this: a high-tech frame set to your music

Tao 5-by-7 digital picture frames store and display digital pictures instead of physical ones. The format allows you to change the picture to suit your whim at the press of a button.

Each frame stores up to 100 images and has a built-in speaker system, so you can plug in an MP3 player. $150. Available at select Discovery Channel and Brookstone stores, and at www.taoelectronics.com.

Spread your soapy wings in an expanded shower.

You don't need to take on a major remodeling job to get more elbow room in the shower. Just get a decorative Curved Shower rod, which provides six extra inches of showering space.

The stainless-steel rod is 5 feet long with a 1-inch diameter that fits standard-size shower enclosures and curtains. Three-inch-round mounting plates make it easy to install. $40. Made by Moen; available through Lowe's at www.lowes.com.

A personal touch to online shopping

Browse online at ShopLocal.com and narrow your retailer choices so you can speed through shopping.

Put in your ZIP code and the item you want, then you get information about deals and stores near you. OK, you may still get listings for online offers along with local offers, so it's not a perfect search.

The site also features Eva, the Shopping Diva, who regular reviews products. ShopLocal is owned by Tribune Corp.

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ShopLocal, ShopLocal.com, SmartCircular, SmartCatalog and SmartMedia are trademarks and Eva the Shopping Diva is a service mark of ShopLocal, LLC. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.