According to Prof. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, however, Murkowski’s loss does not necessarily mark the start of a trend.

But while her loss may not become a pattern, it is a clear indication of the consequences of complacency.

So it is with great surprise – and trepidation – that the Hollywood Reporter says that the next DC Comics franchise to make it onto the CW just might be Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. Gaiman’s chronicles of Lord of Dreams Morpheus transcended comic book readers and captured the imagination of the mainstream. Gaiman would go on to introduce Morpheus’ brothers and sisters called “The Endless” – Destiny, Destruction, Despair, Delirium, Desire and Death (who would go on to star in her own critically acclaimed graphic novel, Death: the High Cost of Living. The Sandman property has been struggling to come to life for nearly twenty years now (including one infamously horrible script with the now-immortal line “Aha! Foolish mortals!”). One hopes that with the right creative team – guided, one would hope, by Gaiman himself – would bring us something that rings true to the characters while bringing something fresh to television. Unfortunately, my gut feeling says that this is merely going to turn into a cynical attempt to grab the Twilight crowd. –Ron Motta

1. We called Green Demolitions, a company that takes anything usable out of the house, sells it at a huge discount, and uses the money they make to fund their charity that helps people overcome drug addictions. We’re hoping they can take out the old granite floor that kills everything that lands on it, and find it a better home.

2. We’re replacing the inefficient with the efficient. We’ve loved the fact that we have the original (from 1923) windows in some of the rooms. Until we discovered that it meant that we have the original drafts. Plastic coverings did little to stop it—and now we’ll have high-efficiency windows instead to keep out the cold (and hopefully, keep our heating bills to a minimum this year). And since the energy efficiency tax credits may end this year, now’s the time to replace the windows and net some savings on our taxes.

3. We’re looking at eco-friendly materials. There are so many new products out there, including counters made of recycled glass and flooring made from renewable sources like bamboo and cork. They’re just as strong (and as beautiful) as the products that aren’t as environmentally friendly.

Here’s what I love about this new product: It’s sheer, it’s lightweight, and it really lasts. (After drinking an iced coffee and eating lunch, the color was still visible when I tried it.) Better yet, during these sweltering days of summer, this is one lip color that won’t melt in your purse or feel goopy, sticky, and hot on your lips.

I bought a shade called “In the Buff” because I’m chicken when it comes to bright lip colors. Based on the cap color, this one promised to be a soft, barely-there pink. On my lips? Not so much. I was surprised at how berry-ish the stain actually looked. Not bad—just more intense than what I was expecting. (Thank goodness I went with the lighter of the two shades I’d been considering!)

From reviews I’ve read about lip stains in general, this is a common complaint: The shades are darker/brighter/more intense than they appear based on cap/container colors. So my recommendation is to test your stain of choice before buying, if possible. If not, choose a lighter-than-desired shade or buy it at a store that will accept a return. In addition to the Maybelline stain, you can also find CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain and Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm at drugstores. Other marker-style stains include Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain, Givenchy Printed Lips Tinted Look Lip Stainer, and mark Kissink Lip Tintmarker.

Really, isn’t the idea of coloring your kisser with what essentially looks like a magic marker kind of fun? It speaks to the 5-year-old girl in all of us, only now we can do it without getting in trouble. So pick your pen and scribble away—just make sure you stay inside the (lip) lines. —Erika Rasmusson Janes

As a prelude to this year’s Fashion Week and Fashion’s Night Out festivities, Barker will be shooting a portion of the Runway Relief ad campaign in New York City’s Meatpacking District on August 31. Fans will have the chance to score a pair of the limited edition boots as well as a signed copy of Barker’s new book. For you non-New Yorkers, the photo shoot will be streamed live on Nine West’s Facebook page. – Jackie Perry

It’s a small number, to be sure, but one that got me thinking: While I don’t wear makeup every single day, when I do wear it, I definitely use multiple products. If I had to limit myself to just one, what would it be?

I think under-eye concealer would win. I have hereditary dark circles under my eyes, and I hate hearing “you look tired” even when I’ve gotten eight hours of sleep. My current concealer of choice is Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector—a 2-in-1 wand that has concealer on one end and a highlighter on the other.

Second runner-up: Mascara. I love my Bare Escenturals bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara, because the long, skinny, tapered wand gets every lash. (Those thick, chubby super-sized wands? Not for me.)

Here’s what I could (and do) live without: lip liner and eyeliner. I just don’t have the time or desire to fuss with liners. And I hate the look of leftover-liner when your gloss or lipstick has faded.

What about you? What’s your one can’t-live-without-it beauty product?
—Erika Rasmusson Janes

Regardless of whether or not you take the account with a grain or a mountain of salt, the film still looks fantastic. It’s got a great pedigree –- David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) is directing and Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The West Wing) wrote the script. The trailer looks intriguing, with a haunting rendition of Radiohead’s Creep as done by Scala and Kolacny Brothers’ choir. Where’s the “like” button? The Social Network, which stars Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones and Justin Timberlake, opens October 21st. –Ron Motta

Furthermore, “only one Republican ‘leader’ is currently pushing publicly for Bush-style private accounts, as part of an overall budget plan. He is Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the senior GOP member of the House Budget Committee.” This is a far cry from pushing to “make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda,” as Obama claimed.

This Social Security argument is reminiscent of Republicans’ hysterics over ”death panels,” so it’s ironic that a Republican National Committee spokeswoman said, “Rather than working with Republicans to solve this issue, Democrats have resorted to fear-mongering in an attempt to divert voters’ attention away from their failed economic record.” Talk about pot calling the kettle black.