Oh, lovely readers. What fun the last few weeks have been! First the week(s) from hell at the office, complete with two overnight trips. Then, the stomach virus...fun! And now, I've been sick for a week with some kind of mutant cold/cough that I just can't shake. The cold, damp weather here in NY isn't helping, either.

You know what the only good thing about a week of coughing is? The abs. Tight! All that coughing, it's like the equivalent of 100 crunches a day. The other recent discovery I've made is that Rosebud Salve, everyone's favorite retro lip balm, works wonders on the "ring of fire" underneath a sick nose. (You know, when it's a red ring under your nostrils it's the "ring of fire;" when it's two lines it's the "dragon flames." Or maybe I've just been sick one time too many).

Anyhow, I thought this would be a perfect time to share a couple of my favorite sinus-opening bath products, perfect for when you're sick, overwhelmed by outdoor allergies, or just in need of a pick-me-up:

Bliss Hot Salt Scrub With Rosemary and Eucalyptus. Oh baby. This is potent enough to defeat even the most stubborn of stuffy noses. The eucalyptus scent may be too medicinal for some (it is indeed reminiscent of Vicks, though the rosemary adds some civility to it), but I absolutely love it. It clears the sinuses, the skin, and somehow, the mind. Bonus: it's oil-free, which makes it a most excellent option for a pre-tan body scrub.

For hair, I love Aveda Rosemary Mint shampoo (just skip the Elmer's glue-esque matching conditioner) and Redken Mint Clean shampoo and Cool Finish conditioner. The Redken products are part of the men's line, but who cares? They have a deliciously refreshing peppermint scent that's hard to resist, especially when your pollen-addled head feels like it's going to detach itself from your body.

Astara Citrus Lavender Sea Salt Scrub packs a similar herbal punch to the Bliss scrub mentioned above, but smells more like a high-end spa than straight Vicks. The soothing lavender scent makes it especially fab for opening those nasal passages before bed. It's glycerin-based, so it's not terribly oily, but doesn't rinse as clean as the Bliss scrub - no bother unless you plan to use it before the faux tan routine (if you do, just rinse thoroughly or go over your bod with a non-oily shower gel afterward). The 16 oz size comes in a hefty, apothecary-style glass jar; or, pick up the 8 oz plastic jar for those Robitussin-hazed mornings when you're too discombobulated to handle glass.