It’s August! Rather than being dismayed at the end of summer fun, it’s time to take advantage of the hot deals available this month. As everyone prepares for the crisp fall season, retailers are anxious to unload outdoor gear and there are screaming good deals to be had. If you want to save some cash (and make sure you’re well-outfitted next spring), take advantage of deep discounts on the following:

Patio Furniture: The entire 7-Piece Country Living Seneca Patio Set (above) is available for $374.99 after discounts–more than 50% off the original price of $799.99. Shop for more deals on patio furniture.

Camping Equipment: Save 20% on the Wenzel 9×7 4-Person Tent (currently $39.97, was $49.99). Shop sale tents and camping gear.

Water Toys and Swimming Pools: For inflatable backyard fun, snag something like the Intex Rainbow Ring Playcenter at 30% off (currently $31.48 was $44.99–click the Target store to see the sale).

And finally… don’t forget to check out sales on swimsuits, shorts and tank tops for the whole family!

To see the great sale items every day, follow us on Twitter!

–Becky Ellis

Packing lunches is a great way to save cash and eat healthfully: No running out for a $9 fast food lunch or succumbing to the temptations of the office vending machine for you, and no mystery meat school lunches for your kids. But all those plastic sandwich bags (or Saran Wrap, for that matter) are tough to recycle, and end up clogging landfills. What’s more, some organizations, like the nonprofit Healthy Child, Healthy World, site concerns about the impact these plastics can have on kids. Rather than abandon the sack lunch, try packing sandwiches and snacks in reusable, non-toxic bags. The Snack Taxi Snack Sack (pictured above) comes in several sizes and a host of cool prints to make lunch time more fun. The Wrap-N-Mat (below) unfolds to a placemat, so it’s perfect for toting along on picnics or hikes where there may not be a clean place to put down food. The FreshSnackPack (bottom) can hold an entire lunch in its clear pouch.

–Becky Ellis

Nothing like an afternoon cocktail served up from a streamlined iron bar.

Imagine leaning up against this tufted headboard as you read your latest issue of InStyle…or watch this season’s Mad Men.

In the garden:The large size tub is a practical weed pail, or use it to carry the vegetables you harvest out of your garden. The extra-large is ideal for gathering leaves, hauling rocks, mixing soil or transporting uprooted plants!

For pets:Use the TubTrug for as portable bathtub for your dog. The smaller sizes work as feeding dishes for your pets. Add a blanket to on and it become the perfect cat bed!

Kid’s rooms:Use these tubs as organizers for toys in the playroom or as a container for transporting toys between your house and grandma’s.

Around the house:Can we say laundry basket? That’s a no brainer! They are also practical carryalls for beach accessories, a catchall by the door, or as a container for bulk fruits and vegetables in the pantry. Or, buy assorted colors to use as a way to sort your recyclables.

The Marrakesh rug features a washable sisal weave made of polypropylene, which is resistant to mildew and fading. The patterns echo printed fabrics you might see throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Use a rug pad with the rug to keep it from slipping. A runner is $66!

This elegant poem rug design was created with words from famed 17th century French writer of fables, Jean de La Fontaine. La Cigale et La Fourmi, “The Cricket and The Ant,” tells the story of an industrious ant and a carefree cricket and the end of summer. Hand-hooked of washable, poly-acrylic pile that’s soft underfoot, this rug works indoors and out! Sizes start at $59.

French Bull Collage Round Tray, $22

This summer seems to be the season of buying housewarming gifts. Not sure why so many of my friends are in transition, but I’ve attended at least four housewarming barbecues, cocktail parties and brunches in the last couple of months. I love a good party, but in these cases I’m also faced with the challenge of finding fun, practical and beautiful gifts that will help my friends “warm up” their homes. Enter French Bull, the maker of fun melamine products. The idea for French Bull started in 2002 from a desire to create high-style housewares products for design-conscious consumers at accessible prices. And these pieces are not your mom’s or grandma’s melamine!

Add pattern and color with a set of storage containers. Great for keeping food in your refrigerator or freezer. Remove the lids and bring them right to the table, indoors or out! What a stylish way to transport your summer salads and desserts to picnics and pot lucks!

Some of us look to the stars for our future and now you can look at these star sign mugs for a fresh start to every day! French Bull created a 12-piece collection of porcelain mugs representing each sign of the zodiac. Each mug is $13.50 and comes pre-wrapped in a bright orange box. Cute.

I hate to mop. Who doesn’t? While I spot clean when necessary, my kitchen floors haven’t been cleaned in a LONG time; I was thinking of hiring a cleaning person just to avoid the watery, grimey mess of mopping. Then I bought the Europro Shark Steam Mop.

I’ve been wanting one for a while, and when I saw this on sale I pounced. The Europro Shark uses plain water, which is great for environmentally-attuned folks who don’t want to use chemicals and moms who don’t want toxic products sitting around. Just attach the reusable microfiber pad, pour water into the chamber and wait 30 seconds. When it starts to hiss, you’re ready to go. Push (or pull) the mop slowly; unlike manual mopping, there’s no need to use vigorous back-and-forth motions. That’s it! Your floors are sanitized, dirt-free and nearly dry. It’s slim and weighs just 3 pounds, so it’s easy to store, too, and you can toss the cleaning pads into the washing machine.

–Becky Ellis

I’m a casualty of the east coast heat wave, and lately all I can think about is staying cool. I don’t have air conditioning, and while it would be easy enough to pop over to the hardware store to pick one up, a part of me enjoys finding ways to beat the heat without it. Even more, I enjoy the savings on my energy bill.

I’d never suggest that everyone–or even anyone–should go without AC if they don’t have to, but everyone who’s looking for ways to save a little extra cash might consider, well… turning up the heat. According to this article from The Daily Green, the average American home spends 17% of their annual electric bill on AC, around $375. The article has excellent tips for getting by without air-conditioning as well as how to save money when you use it, and right at the top of their list is the tip you expect: Fans.

You can find them in every shape, style and power level: The one pictured above is a good basic model by Lasko. I’m partial to the red, industrial look of the Aloha fan below, and for those who want their fan to be part of a, um, whimsical decor, the Rooster fan is pictured at bottom. If none of these suit your fancy, check out the huge range of fans here.

–Becky Ellis

Perfect for picnics and backyard barbecues, these durable plastic baskets let you dish out burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, sandwiches with classic drive-in charm. Bonus: they make cleanup a cinch! Just pick up some burger basket liners for serving. Baskets are dishwasher and microwave safe and a set of six is just $6.95!

The beehive beverage jar is the perfect self-serve container for lemonade, cucumber water and punches. The 13-inch container works great indoors and out and has three little bees adorning the lid.

Playing it totally safe, you could just take the patriotic color scheme for your tableware or accessories instead of using a flag. I can’t seem to get enough of Taika dishware by ittalia. This whimsical collection adds a touch of fairy tale to the every day. In fact, taika means “magic” in Finnish and the dishware designer says he hopes his illustrations inspire imagination and storytelling in other people’s lives.

These cloth napkins are fashioned after vintage French prints. The soft red has has a time-worn feel to it, like you discovered these napkins at a flea market. Love!

The Corbin antique brass wire lamp has an old-school feel. The neutral brass and tan shade would blend with a variety of styles and work in several rooms.

Back in February, we turned you onto Slimware, the melamine plates that help you control portion sizes (Summer Tip: these shatter-proof plates are perfect for your work or church picnic, where piling on hefty portions of chips and potato salad is all too easy). The same company recently launched another product and, to be honest, I think it’s even more genius: Measure Up Bowls.

These ceramic bowls are sophisticated and simple, and on the inside they have measurements, so you know exactly how much you’re eating. Each set contains two bowls–one snack-sized for high-cal things like ice cream or nuts, and one meal-sized bowl for cereal or pasta–and is dishwasher and microwave safe.

I know pasta, cereal and ice cream are where it’s easiest for me to go astray (How can I eat just 1 cup of pasta and 1/4 cup of ice cream??), and these bowls will definitely help me stay on track. When you know exactly how much you’re consuming–and what the caloric consequences are–it’s much easier to step away from the spoon.

–Becky Ellis

Le Souk Ceramique strives to keep alive a little piece of the old world by creating ceramics of handmade beauty and distinction. In Arabic, “souk” is the name for the village marketplace where traditional arts and crafts are bought and sold. Le Souk designs its collections in Washington State and then calls on skillful artisans in the Tunisia, North Africa, studio to sculpt each masterpiece.

Get the whole collection or just use some plates, a pitcher or large serving platter to add a bit of ocean inspiration to your basic white china. Gorgeous!

Don’t these aqua-hued salt and pepper mills also coordinate perfectly? The lock-and-grind grinding system offers a variety of grinds from course to very fine!

Who else remembers making popsicles the old-fashioned way? Pouring Kool-Aid into ice cube trays, covering with Saran Wrap and sticking toothpicks (or recycled popsicle sticks) through the plastic and into each slot. They turned out to be a big, drippy mess, but they were still fun.

Now, there are easier ways to make all kinds of frozen treats without the mess. These Orka Ice Pop Molds (above) produce swirly, twirly popsicles that will rival anything you’ll find in the freezer aisle, and the Tovolo Dual Freeze Molds (below) let you combine two tasty flavors on one stick. As for flavors, you can go the quick and simple route by using a powdered drink mix and water, or try one of Country Living’s fantastic recipes to produce surprisingly sophisticated treats.

The chop-chop-chop sound of table fans and ceiling fans is a summer staple, but no longer! James Dyson, who became famous by taking the bags out of vacuum cleaners, has taken the blades out of table fans.

The Dyson Air Multiplier creates a soft, steady breeze without the need for clunky and sometimes dangerous fan blades. In simplest terms, this sculpture-like gadget sucks in air from the base and pushes it up into the ring. The air moving out creates a jet of air that sucks in even more air from the back, amplifying it 15 times. You’ll just feel a soft breeze and hear a soft whir. A small button on the base lets you adjust the speed of the air moving through the fan. You can also set it to swivel like a traditional fan. No blades means its safer for children (no little finger nicks!) and easier to clean!

Are you a fan of jalapeño poppers—Those fried, frozen and spicy little things that you reheat for a quick snack? Well now you can actually cook a healthy or gourmet version right on your grill. Just stuff the jalapeño peppers with your favorite ingredients—goat cheese, tomatoes, spices—and heat them on the grill using this handy dandy chile grill rack. The stainless steel is dishwasher safe and holds 18 chiles!

Does your outdoor lighting leave something to be desired? If you’re tired of flipping burgers or chicken in the dark, try the Steven Raichlen LumaTongs. They have two LED bulbs on the handle, allowing for easy visibility even after the sun goes down.

New to the grill? Get the Weber Way to Grill cookbook. It features step-by-step instructions on how to perfectly grill all kinds of meat (baby back ribs, steak, smoked turkey), plus there are dozens of marinades, spice rubs and sauce recipes to keep your meals interesting.

By now, you’ve probably heard of the (in)famous “Latte Factor,” the phrase coined by David Bach and popularized on Oprah. If not, he basically uses it to describe the way we spend a lot of money on small, daily things like (you guessed it) lattes.

I am so very guilty of this. I LOVE my fancy coffee beverages. Straight-up coffee just isn’t the same as a Mocha-Choca-Frappe-Double-Ginormo cup of Starbucks, so drinking it at home was a hard sell for me until I tried the Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups. This machine makes just about any coffee beverage you can imagine–from espresso and cappuccinos to lattes and mochas and machiatos. It will even make them iced (which I love!). It’s really, really easy, and the machine is well-designed and looks great on your counter.

Before I tried this, I’d been underwhelmed by pod-based coffee makers, but the Dolce Gusto machine makes truly great stuff. And at only $9 for a box of 16 capsules (less than 60 cents a cup!) the machine will pay for itself in less than a month… and then you can start banking your savings!

The groove and crevice cleaner removes debris from all those outdoor spaces that are hard to reach: between deck planks, bricks, patio tiles and concrete slabs. The steel blade is weather- and rust-resistant, and the long 32-inch handle lets clean without bending or stooping. Just $19.95!

It’s the home version of the popular NBC TV game show! The rules of Deal or No Deal are simple, but this game of odds and chance is a challenge. First, select a briefcase. As each round progresses, you have to decide whether to keep your briefcase or make a deal with the bank for a different one. Will you hold back or take a huge risk? Each right choice will bring you closer to winning the game. Only $13.98!

The Golfer’s Doorstop is the perfect gift for the lunatic golfer. This device acts like a traditional door wedge and it’s also a putting aid. A thin ramp will help sharpen your dad’s aim, hone his speed control, and further feed their golfing addiction. Includes the golf ball, and it’s only $17.95.

The Mischief Maker’s Manual, an illustrated book, was written for kids but is great for anyone who still loves to pull pranks on people. Five specific sections, including “Do-It-Yourself” and “Recipes,” offer readers an amusing guide to pulling off perfect pranks, such as making crank calls and creating an eerie foaming toilet, complete with step-by-step instructions and “helpful” illustrations. Less than $15!

They’re not the sexiest items to shop for, but having a stocked emergency kit is a necessity. With hurricane season upon us, it’s especially essential for those in the south and other flood-prone areas to be prepared. You may already have many of the things on the government’s list of recommended items (below), but take a moment to review the contents of the basic emergency supply kit and stock up on what you need:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

Battery-powered or hand crank radio (I like the Stansport Compact Crank, Solar Power and Battery Powered Flashlight and AM/FM Radio, pictured above)

NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle to signal for help

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air

Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

I’ve been all about the avocado this spring: on sandwiches, as a snack, even to thicken up smoothies (really!). Then I discovered that one avocado has a whopping 250 calories. They’re healthy calories for sure–full of nutrients and healthy fats–but since they pack almost the same caloric punch as a Snickers bar, I decided I need to scale back! Saving half an avocado without it becoming brown and grodie is tough, but I recently saw the Avocado Saver by Evriholder Products online and I’m most definitely intrigued! Turns out, this company offers a whole range of food-specific “saver” devices for fruits and veggies like tomatoes, lemons and onions. These look cool, and perfect if you’re, say, the only person in your household who likes onions or cucumbers and don’t want the other half to go to waste.

Has anyone tried them?

Where have I been?

Target launched the Liberty of London for Target collection back in March, and I don’t know how on earth I missed it. Fortunately, this beautiful and totally-on-trend collection of clothing and housewares is still going strong, and new products are still launching. Both the home and fashion collections are full of delicious floral patterns and prints that will breathe new life into your wardrobe or home at unbelievably affordable prices.

Personally, I’m craving the Liberty of London Dunclare Pink 8-Tumbler Set, above (available for pre-order and releasing on May 28th), and the Liberty of London Sixty Prep Bowl Set, below. I also wish that this collection had been released in December so I could have bought the Liberty of London Baby Quilt (bottom photo) as a baby gift for my best friend’s newborn.

Has anyone seen this stuff up close? What do you think? 

If your bathroom needs a makeover but you don’t have the cash to redo tile, fixtures and plumbing, perhaps a little game of dress up will do. I’m in love with the color yellow this season and found these sunny brights are sure to bring some cheer into otherwise tired spaces. The tile shower curtain is just $19.99 and is a sure-fire fit with any plain white ceramic tile shower. Want something a bit more subdued? The Studio D “Twitter” shower curtain will have you chirping good morning!

Solid towels and bath mats will pull together a stylish look, but for something a bit more design-worthy, opt for these gorgeous cane bath towels. A teak bath mat adds a natural spa element and always looks tidy.

I just stumbled onto a great blog called 10 Rooms where I found this beautiful picture of an outdoor space designed by stylist Maxine Brody. I got to thinking… we spend a lot of time maintaining outdoor space (watering, mowing, planting), but very little time decorating it. This photo shows how lovely and welcoming a simple backyard can be, and how little it takes to make it feel like an extra room in your home.

In this photo, it’s the candles that add the extra ambiance. If you already have a bit of seating, think of adding some soft candlelight with one of these accessories to turn your porch, patio or yard into a romantic oasis.

Royce Lighting makes beautiful hanging and table lanterns to fit any style. They can be used indoors, too.

This Nine-Candle Candelabra slips through the umbrella-pole on your outdoor table so it stays steady and won’t get bumped around.

If you live in a dry area where flames pose a significant risk–or you just have small children running around–Smartcandle LED Candles provide atmosphere without being a fire hazard.

The exotic Spice Market bedding collection mixes vibrant block prints in fuchsia and coral rose with splashes of saffron, iris and cinnamon. The comforter is fully reversible.

Welcome spring with the Grass Paisley collection, which uses bold prints and bright colors—lemon yellow, grass green, pink and lavender—for a fresh and bohemian look.

This set of blue and green pillows from Target comes as set of two for just $20.99!

This 22″ scavo willow pillow from Home Decorators Collection is a bit more expensive at $36, but it’s made of Sunbrella fabric…the queen of all weather-resistant fabrics. The patio pillow is durable, fast-drying and UV-protected to resist fading in harsh sunlight. Plus, the poly/foam core is mildew resistant, so it will endure countless summer storms.

Team up the Trovata Stripe Sunbrella pillow with the Travota Loopy pillow. Fun stripes in bands of sky blue, sapphire, red, white and taupe work together with the red loops on the second pillow. These are also made of Sunbrella acrylic and are a savvy choice for indoor-outdoor spaces!

Parents amass new works of art at an alarming rate. While you want to encourage your budding Picasso, you may be at a loss for what to do with the piles of paintings and drawings you’ve got covering your fridge. If you’re loathe to throw them out but don’t want a flurry of papers raining down every time you go for the crisper, pick up a couple of these Li’l DaVinci Store & Display Art Cabinets.

Each frame has a discrete hinge that allows you to insert and shuffle the display without removing it from the wall. The mat is mounted to the glass, and each frame holds up to 50 pages. Get several and turn a hallway or the wall of your child’s bedroom into a gallery (and storage facility!).

The blue and white stripes are a classic look for any room in the home!

The wool coral pillow is hand embroidered and 18×18 inches in size. Coral accents are a pretty accent when used sparingly around a room.

The red coral table lamp is an unexpected addition. This one has a resin base and a white linen shade.

This pampas sisal rug has a basketweave design, which is equally at home in a formal or casual settings. It’s durable, practical rug and the neutral color offers the perfect platform for a number of styles.

An acrylic accent table adds a bit of modern edge and has the look of clear water. This one features a storage space for magazines and other print material. It’s a steal at just $132 when other trendy acrylic tables can go for several hundred dollars.

For many people I know (including me and every member of my family), getting organized and clearing out clutter is a huge challenge. I just heard about Unclutterer, a blog aimed precisely at those who crave order but aren’t sure how to get it, and surfed over to take a look. Last week editor-in-chief Erin Doland interviewed Peter Walsh, Oprah’s organizer and star of the hit clutter-clearing TV show Clean Sweep and got some great organizing tips. She also got a great look at You:Organized, the new line of products he developed for OfficeMax, including this modular organizing system, a collection of cork boards, hooks, calendars, magazine pockets, magnet boards and mini-shelves that you can customize into your own personal Command Central. I love that you can mix and match the different pieces, and that you can use them individually in small spaces, create one giant organization station, or position them asymmetrically to take advantage of oddly shaped space or just make a more interesting visual display.

What are you favorite tips for clearing clutter and staying organized?

This glass sphere contains its own little world. Plants, live shrimp, algae, and micro-organisms live together and thrive with the help of seawater, indirect light and moderate temperatures. Each EcoSphere comes with a handbook that explains how it works and how to care for it. Wouldn’t this look pretty on the coffee table or a sideboard?

These glittering nightlights are made from actual maple leaves! First, a filigree process makes the leaf semi-transparent. The leaf is then coated with a layer of antique silver or gold to preserve it and make it shine. Each one comes with a gift box, so you’re ready to go!

Help mom keep her earrings, necklaces and bracelets from tangling up with this twiggy jewelry tree. It looks pretty as a decorative accessory unadorned, and works like a charm to keep chains and chandelier earrings organized.

My collection of fiestaware has grown over the years. I now have plenty of margarita glasses, serving dishes and decorations to go around. What if you’re a Cinco fiesta novice, Fear not! SHOP.COM has you covered. Here are some suggestions:

The Raya collection is the perfect fit for a Mexican fiesta, but it also doubles as fun summertime dishware. The modern striped collection includes a platter, pitcher, serving bowl, chip and dip, and condiment bowls.They’re dishwasher and microwave safe.

Be sure to decorate with bold colors! Tissue paper poms are an easy craft to make, and unlike flowers, the poms last for a few events if you store them safely. Make them in any size and choose a color palette that matches the rest of your Cinco theme.

Don’t forget the music! If you’re not springing for a live mariachi band, there are a number of songs and CDs you can add to your iPod playlist. Also, consider getting some maracas so your guests can dance the night away.

Grow Great Grub
Grow your own Organic Food from Small Spaces on a patio, balcony, rooftop, front stoop, windowsill or planter box with the expertise of gardening expert Gayla Trail. This book offers tips on timing, planting, harvesting, drying and preserving your garden-fresh goodies. How about a little caprese salad with tomatoes and basil or a mojito made with mint plucked right from your own containers?

A strawberry pot is the perfect solution if you have a hankering for sweet, juicy berries. Strawberries adapt very well to garden containers, and two varieties—ever-bearing and day-neutral—will give you plenty of fruit from late spring to September. Sliced strawberries over oatmeal, fruit salad and strawberry shortcake sound ever-so-good right now!

Looking for some stylish containers for your patio herb garden? The Chippendale planters marry clean lines with a bit of artistic design in one beautiful garden pot. The fiberglass construction is lightweight, durable and maintenance free. Elaborate lines interconnect to form a unique design that will look great and house multiple blooms or a single plant, like rosemary, thyme or basil. The glossy white finish is made with a powder coating to ensure a highly protective, long lasting finish.

Show off the herbs you planted with the chalkboard herb marker. Write the name of each herb you plant to remind yourself which one’s which from seed to harvest.

We at theshoppingvine.com are in love with all things eco-friendly. Some of the best products are the ones that help you to change bad habits into ones that are better for the earth. Here are some suggestions:

Chef and registered dietitian Jackie Newgent offers hundreds of planet-pleasing recipes and tips for a luscious, low-carbon lifestyle in her Big Green Cookbook. It’s all about low-cost, eco-friendly cooking with climate consciousness and offers guidelines for going organic. Learn more than 200 easy recipes that promise full flavors of the season, along with a green kitchen checklist, nutrition info, and easy-on-the-earth cooking techniques. Includes a seasonal produce guide!

Disposable water bottles are some the biggest landfill hogs, so it’s smart to ditch them for something reusable. The KOR Hydration water bottles are made from BPA-free materials. The 25-ounce containers have a hinged cap for easy opening and closing, and the threadless spout doesn’t feel like you are drinking from a water hose! You can easily fit ice cubes in the spout, and the bottle has an easy-carry handle and soft bottom. Bonus: KOR donates 1% of all sales to a select group on non-profits that focus on water-related issues.

A kitchen compost pail is a simple and affordable way to reduce the amount of kitchen scraps you throw away and create beautiful, nutrient-rich soil for your houseplants. These airtight small pails can hold up to a few gallons of scrap and come with replaceable carbon filters.

Mothers really do know best.

When my mom insisted on giving me a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, I cocked a skeptical eyebrow. I know how to clean my house, after all, and this looked… well, gimmicky and useless. But I tried it, and lo and behold, it’s AMAZING. It’s a simple foam sponge that you dampen with water and use to wipe away all kinds of grime. It took grease, smudges and fingerprints off my kitchen cabinets when my favorite cleaners failed, and removed scuffs and smudges from walls that I thought would have to be repainted to ever be bright white again. Simply put, this is the fastest, easiest cleaning product I’ve ever used. Thanks mom!

If you’re like me, there are certain things that drive me batty. One of them is having little things strewn all over my bathroom counter or my desk. For this reason, pens always end up in a pile at the bottom of my purse (odd, I know, when they should go in a desk drawer). In the bath, I end up stashing all my beauty products in cubbies, and my makeup-of-the-moment never seems to leave my travel pouch. I just rotate out the eye shadows, glosses and bronzers by the season.

This little organizer might just get me to change my habits—at least a little bit. The green molded rubber blades of Umbra’s Grassy Organizer look like a patch of grass sprouting from a 4-by-six-inch base. The plastic is s hearty enough to hold up all the little things you might have lying about: toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, makeup brushes and mascara. Isn’t it cute?

You really can do two things at once with the Kikkerland double kitchen timer! This retro-inspired design has two 55-minute timers built in one. Just twist them to set the time. It has a classic bell ring when time is up.

At just 2.25 inches, these Cubic kitchen timers are adorable! They come in white, yellow or orange and are powered by two AAA batteries, which are included. Set your desired time by flipping it to 3, 10, 30 or 60 minutes. Turn it to “0″ to turn it off. A digital display tells you how much time is left.

The bucket is made from recycled soda bottles, which is what gives it its distinctive green color. Raised channels in the bottom of the bucket help separate the dirt from the water for more efficient cleaning. The bucket also features an easy-pour spout and calibrated measuring strips.

The Eclipse Microfiber Mop with Wringer is made with a lightweight aluminum pole and interchangeable heads, including an angled broom, a curved microfiber dust mop and a microfiber sponge mop. The sponge (made from 30% soy) attaches to the mop with Velcro-like pins built into the mold and can be easily removed for machine washing. It lifts and traps dirt and grime without chemicals—only water is needed for deep cleaning! Strips of polypropylene fibers were added to the sponge for scrubbing tough spots, but they’re gentle enough to use on wood, tile or marble surfaces. The crescent moon shaped head swivels and cleans around tables and corners with ease. The simple “dip and press” wringing mechanism releases extra water from the head with a slight downward pressure and can be used either in Casabella’s Eclipse bucket or in a sink.

I’ve been on the hunt for stylish accessories for my kitchen for what seems like eons, and then I discovered Kähler ceramic. The pieces are practical art, offering both beauty and functionality. The Cammeo, created by Louise Campbell, is a ceramic storage container that won the red dot award last year for product design. It would make a graceful addition to any kitchen, bathroom or office that requires a clever storage solution. Each of the containers comes with six colored rubber bands you can swap out to change the look of the container—no matter what the mood, decor or season. Plus, the ceramics are dishwasher safe.

Zojirushi Mini Bento Lunch Pack

Whether you’re dashing off to work or getting kids ready for school, it makes sense set aside a little time each morning to pack snacks or lunch before you go. Not only will it help you make smart choices, it will also save you time by helping you avoid the lines at restaurants and cafes. Plus, doesn’t it feel like a mini vacation when you take a break outdoors midday?

Zojirushi’s new mini bento lets you tote your lunch in style. The set comes with stainless steel lunch jar, two side containers and a roomy and decorative tote. Bento is a single-portion takeout or a home-packed meal that’s common in Japanese cuisine. In Japan, that meal often consists of rice, fish or meat, along with pickled or cooked vegetables. You can use your mini bento to pack anything. Fresh salads, fruit, leftover dinner, small sandwiches, chopped veggies and dip, hummus, or crackers and cheese are all easy ideas.

What I like about cupcakes—besides the yummy goodness—is that they COULD be considered diet-friendly. Okay, maybe sugar and frosting is not a cellulite fighter, but at least you are limiting your intake if you just eat one! The treats are the perfect take-along to picnics and office gatherings. They also make great gifts. Check out these cute carriers for your cupcakes:

Not only is the Go Go Cupcake Holder cute, it will keep your frosting and toppings in tact. Drop one in the kid’s lunches or gift them for bridal showers and birthday favors. You can also use it as a gift card holder.

The Cupcake Courier was invented by a mother of two who needed a practical way to transport all those cupcakes to school and family functions. There’s no joy in moving cupcakes in a tin draped in flimsy plastic wrap! All that hard work decorating would go to waste. Made of durable translucent plastic, this container comes with three stackable trays, each with 12 deep cups to hold the cupcakes separately and securely. The comfortable handle allows for easy carrying while the four bottom latches hold the base in place without worry.

These individual cupcake holders from are made of molded plastic and are designed to hold a single cupcake with plenty of space to preserve extra-high frosting and decorations.

Katie Brown's Home Collection

I’m excited about a new decor collection recently introduced by Katie Brown, author and host of the Katie Brown Workshop on PBS. The lifestyle guru partnered with Meijer stores to create a collection of Midwest-inspired home decor items that are now available on Shop.com!

Orchard Collection

Northern Shores Collection

Abracadabra

If you want your music to literally disappear into your decor, the iHome Speaker Lamp with iPod dock is for you.

Mid Century Modern

For those who embrace technology but favor a more classic design aesthetic, the wooden Crosley iPod Dock’s classic styling is perfect.

Old School

If you’re longing for the days of the Beastie Boys or Ton Loc, the Lasonic Ghetto Blaster with iPod Dock will take you back to your youth.

Candy Coated

If you want your dock to be as playful as your music, the iCrado Dock comes in 10 fun colors.

Bad to the Bone

If anyone in your household prefers ultra-modern surroundings with a little bit of an edge, Skull Candy’s Pipe Audio Dock is sure to satisfy.

Still not quite a fit? Check out MP3 player alarm clocks, Hello Kitty MP3 docks and thousands more!

The stacking soft egg easy chair, designed by Philippe Starck, is made from polypropylene and comes in four colors: ivory, white, orange and dark gray. This set of four would look great around a simple white, wood or glass-topped dining table.

The polycore egg chair embodies the natural materials seen in Scandinavian design. Designed more than 50 years ago, this chair suspends and protects the user in a mesh of stainless steel and wicker. It can be used indoors or out and the canvas cushion comes in six colors!

First designed in 1972, the uovo lamp is named “uovo” after the Italian word for egg. Available in three sizes, the lamp has a blown white satin glass shade and white painted metal base.

Egg cups are cute! There are so many styles to choose from. They are also a great decorating aid. I use them to hold flower blossoms, candles, present candy and to serve up individual hors d’oeuvres. They are also a handy place to corral your rings while you do the dishes.

The egg cups set is one of the most popular Zak designs items. The set of four assorted melamine egg cups will brighten up any kitchen or breakfast table.

Shaped with tiny chicken feet, these porcelain egg cups bring some fun to your otherwise average egg eating routine. Comes in a gift box!

Cico the egg cup by Alessi comes with his own spoon and his hat is a salt shaker. What a way to get your kids to eat some protein!

Jax Matte Print Jersey Floral Dress sale $59.99

My favorite spring trend this year is definitely the fixation with floral dresses that every major retailer seems to be touting. It used to be that most of the floral dresses you’d find were shapeless moo-moos resembling your living room curtains, but now designers have seemed to found a way to make floral patterns chic, even edgy, in many of today’s styles. Every woman should definitely have a gorgeous floral dress in her closet (I am crazy about the Jax Matte floral print dress above), but I also love adding florals throughout my wardrobe, home, even my beauty products too. Check out some other fun florals that will help get your mind, body, and soul in the spirit of spring!

Floral Shoes

Madden Girl Floral Sandals, $45

Floral sandals are a fun way to get in the spirit of spring and draw attention to newly manicured toes very nicely, too! I love these Madden Girl floral thong sandals that come in gorgeous gold or a fresh purple color. The flower is pretty and tasteful and a nice size, not totally overpowering the shoe. Perfect for spring!

Floral Headbands

Cara Accessories Floral Headband, $34

Gossip Girl helped launched the floral headband craze and now it seems like there are a million gorgeous styles and fashions to choose from. Whether they come with feathers, beads, or jewels, I love the range of floral headbands from Juicy Couture, Cara Accessories, and other leading names in jewelry.

Floral Wall Art

Delightful Daisy Wall Frames, $19.50

I love wall frames and decals! They’re a great way to add some personality to any room and are vibrant and inexpensive. Plus you can easily take them off when you get tired of looking at them, or when the seasons change. I love these Delightful Daisy Wall Decals from Delight.com. I also love these Sumersault Mod Floral Wall Decals from Target and these nylon floral decals, also from Target.

Floral Knickknacks

I was originally going to feature floral handbags for the fifth floral must-have under $50, but as I was searching for just the perfect handbag, I came across this adorable handbag holder from Spring Street Designs. What a clever idea! Instead of leaving your purses all over the floor (not that I do that of course) you can add them to your wall, like art, with these cute floral hangers! Brilliant!

Enter the Hourglass Coffee Maker. Unlike conventional coffee makers, the Hourglass brews coffee without heat or electricity. Instead, it uses a patent-pending cold water infusion process that naturally produces low-acid coffee that’s smooth and rich with no bitterness. The company says that lab tests show that coffee brewed in the Hourglass has 69.6% less acid than coffee brewed with traditional hot brew methods. That means you might just need less sweetener and cream! Coffee brewed in the Hourglass can be used to make both hot and iced coffee drinks.

For you fans of sustainable design, the Hourglass is eco-smart: it requires no electricity to brew and includes a stainless steel filter that lasts a lifetime (no paper filters needed!). The portable Bean Kanteen stores coffee fresh in the fridge. The Hourglass is spill proof, shatterproof and completely portable, making it the perfect coffee maker for travel, college life or brewing on the go.

Post photos, coupons, clippings and memos on these cute 15-inch-wide shaped metal flowers! Each board comes with eight powerful magnets. Available in white, orange and pink, and the stainless steel mounting hardware included.

Give mail and keys the one-two punch with the triple hook•up strip. It securely holds mail or papers behind the top hooks. Coats, bags and accessories can be hung on the top and bottom hooks. The incorporated magnetic strip bulletin board comes with four powerful magnets to hold notes, photos and other reminders.

Instead of dropping your keys and mail on the kitchen counter or your entry table in disarray, check out this cool bamboo entry butler! This award-winning piece is a compact organization center—perfect for entries, kitchens, laundry rooms and offices. The back compartments hold a phone, mail, and paper notes and the metal hooks at the bottom hold keys, scarves, bags…The possibilities are endless!

The Greek gods punished Sisyphus by condemning him to roll a boulder up  a steep hill, only to get to the top and have it roll back down again. Step after step, day after day, for all eternity. The modern day equivalent, I think, is laundry. No matter how much you do, how well or how carefully, there’s always going to be more. So I like to spend as little time, money and effort on it as possible.

Tide seems to be on board with this. They recently released Swash, a collection of wrinkle-reducing, odor-quashing, stain-fighting products to keep you looking fresh without a doing a single load. And they’re only available online.

Swash Fresh It Up is perfect for clothes that smell worse than they look. If you only wore your favorite dress for a few hours at a Mexican restaurant, but came away smelling like a giant fajita, just spray it, let it air out for a few minutes and wear it again. Also great for gym-goers forced to stash their clothing in musty lockers.

Put down the iron! For anyone who loathes pressing clothes, Smooth It Out releases wrinkles with just a spritz. It also removes odor and static. For tough creases or important events (job interviews? weddings?), use it with your iron to create crisp pleats in no time.

Swash Get It Out removes stains immediately. Just wipe away the excess residue, spray, and press down (hard!) to release the solution. Most stains lift right out.

Dry cleaning is frighteningly expensive, and not particularly good for your clothes. Minimize the cost and damage by using Steam It Out, which freshens clothes in your dryer in just 10 minutes. Perfect when you discover your favorite dress is musty just a few hours before you want to wear it, and great for reviving those not-actually-dirty clothes blanketing your kids’ floors.

Want to lighten your load? Try the variety pack (pictured at top) which includes Steam It Out, Fresh It Up and Smooth It Out.

The Black & Decker 6-slice countertop convection oven offers cooking versatility right on your counter.You can bake, broil and reheat your favorite foods as well as toast up to 4 slices of bread at a time. With convection baking, meals are done to perfection as an even airflow circulates the food for faster and consistent baking every time. This model has a cool feature—the pizza bump. It’s a curved interior that accommodates for a 12-inch pizza. Although many of us aspire to be talented chefs, frozen pizza is a reality with our hectic schedules!

Skip the Panera or Corner Bakery. DeLonghi’s 6-slice panini and toaster oven turns your kitchen into an instant cafe. The standard inner rack can house 6 slices of standard sized bread for toasting for sandwiches, toast or garlic bread. Plus, the special panini rack allows you to toast melted cheese or hot turkey sandwiches on ciabatta or foccacia. The panini rack includes a top press so the toasted sandwiches can be prepared the traditional way with everything hot the whole way through and both sides toasted – top and bottom. The Panini press can also be used to create appetizing grill marks on meats and vegetables!