For the harried office worker, lunch hour is when the last items get crossed off the to-do list. We ran four random errands in five service hot zones listed below.

It took pearl dealer Salvador Assael ten years to assemble what he calls “the Ultimate Necklace”—23 gumball-size South Sea pearls that illuminate the wearer’s face like klieg lights.

The best sandwiches from New York City restaurants.

(not lunch, necessarily, but other stuff to do between noon and 3 P.M.)

The best oil paints, brushes, markers, and more.

From food to sex to outdoor oases, the best ways to take full advantage of the midday break.

In the spirit of the New Year: How to measure, save, spend, and fritter away your hours.

Tips on keeping your pearls perfect.

If you haven’t booked a summer rental yet, don’t despair: In certain areas, there’s still plenty left. What’s happening now in the 2005 market.

Vitalogy - The Best Pearl Jam Album.