August is the month when Europeans flee their stifling city abodes for the chic, cool, breezes of the Mediterranean. In fact, the entire EU nearly shuts down for a few weeks for the traditional summer vacation. In the US, we have a similar tradition, though we don’t have quite the same luxury of 3 weeks away from our jobs.

With gas prices at ridiculous levels, we are all trying to find ways to save a few dollars. One of the best ways to save a few bucks on summer travel is to choose your destination based on who has a spare bedroom! After all, when you are on holiday, there is so little time spent in a hotel room, you might as well take advantage the opportunity to spend some time with those far flung friends you rarely have a chance to see.

While the room may be free, you can’t forget the always-important hostess gift. And, since I am headed to New York City this weekend to visit a friend of mine from graduate school, I decided to do a little sleuthing for some unconventional, yet affordable hostess gifts to offer her and her husband at the end of my stay. I particularly love the Skylark Tray, $65, (above) from Elsewares.com.

If in doubt, always give a good bottle of wine, or offer to purchase groceries for a nice homemade dinner one night. Either way, you are saving a significant amount of $ instead of spending it on an expensive hotel room!

While I have chosen some of my favorites, every one of these websites has a plethora of imaginative and quirky hostess gifts. I know you will find one that fits the personality and lifestyle needs of your hosts!

For the Tea Aficionado
Eva Solo’s Tea Brewer
APlusStore.com
$98.00
Designed to accommodate several types of loose tea, this gorgeous silhouette comes with a knitwear sleeve to keep your beverage warm.

For the Comedienne
Pick Your Nose Party Cups
FredFlare.com
$12.00
This set of cups is one of my favorite presents. They are perfect for those who love to throw parties and inject a little humor into their lives. The price includes 24 12oz cups with 12 different nose personalities. They definitely explain themselves!

For the Not-So-Green-Thumb
Flower Pot
Charles & Marie
$25.00
These little rubber pots by Komplat Design are perfect for those who need an injection of green into their spaces. The best part!? There is no spilled dirt, and if it falls to the floor, the rubber container doesn’t break. A tightly sealed lid is the trick.

For the Hip Gourmet
Mono Giro Apple Slicer
Fitzsu.com
$34.00
A very cool and updated version of the traditional apple slicer, simply lay it on top of the apple and turn easily into a perfect spiral. Apple pie anyone?

For the Winos
Round Anna Decanter
$134
Bark.com
This stunning mouth-blown crystal piece is truly a beautiful gift for someone who loves their high-priced red wine. Who knows, maybe they will bring out one of their best bottles to christen the latest addition to their wine wares!

Technorati Tags: hostess gifts, summer travel gifts, rubber flower pots, nose cups, apple slicer, wine carafe, gorgeous gifts, hip hostess gifts, Bark.com, Fitzsu.com, FredFlare.com

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It’s here! The Fourth of July is the top day for backyard barbecues and gatherings in the park. It’s easy to add a patriotic punch to your gatherings without ever showing a star or a stripe.

Here are some fun red, white, and blue accessories that will look great in any outdoor setting. What’s even better? It’s considered the end of the summer retail season, so many stores are offering great sales!

Pier 1 Imports

Indigo Stamp Pillow, $15

Hand-Painted Umbrella, $50

Target

Set of 2 Plastic Bamboo Baskets in red, white, or blue, $14.99

Smith & Hawken

Painted Hardwood Adirondack Chairs, $99 (sale price!)

Luna Bazaar

Paper Lanterns in a variety of colors and sizes, starting around $2

Pottery Barn

Napa Colored Metal Lanterns, $26.99 (sale price!)

Mahogany Marine Flag Wall Art, $129.00/set of 8

Plum Party

Red, White, and Blue Sparkler Chandelier, $38

Have fun!

—Jennifer Kopf

Technorati Tags: Fourth of July, Backyard Barbecue, Outdoor Decorating, Patriotic Decorating, July 4th, Red, White, and Blue, Entertaining

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While searching the design world for the hottest new wares in outdoor entertaining (debuting on Glam.com in a few days), I came across what is, without a doubt, the coolest plastic dinnerware I have ever seen.

Leave it up to international design guru Philippe Starck to create unbreakable party wares that are not only sculptural and stylish, but perfectly practical as well.

Each plate has a horn-like projection that serves to secure bowls, cups, and stemware, leaving a free hand with which to eat, greet, and mingle with others.

Priced between $8.00 and $25.00 the pieces are affordable. An added bonus: You can feel good about your purchase because you are ultimately saving dozens of disposable plates, cups, forks, knives and spoons from your local landfill.

Stylish AND sustainable–the perfect combination!

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: plastic dinnerware, stylish plastic dinnerware, unbreakable dinnerware, plastic plates, eco-friendly plates, chic outdoor entertaining, outdoor dinnerware

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Easter sneaks up on us early this year—only one week away! No matter what your religious beliefs, the holiday provides the perfect excuse to shop for adorable, irresistible egg-, bird-, and bunny-themed finds for friends and family–or your own abode. So hop to it! Herewith, sweet treats that are far from saccharine

1. A vignette of Ritzenhoff’s kooky-cool egg cups (above) is like having a little party on your tabletop.

2. Toronto ceramicist Xenia Taler’s lovely hand-painted, egg-shaped plaque—even the scary snake is charming!

3. Monica Lubkowska Jonas’s cleverly colorful Wobble glasses, which rock on curved bottoms.

4. Delightful handmade bird platters by Tennessee artisan Susan Smith.

5. Send seasonal sentiments with Savannah College of Art & Design alum Tiffani Taylor’s beautifully rendered Nest note cards.

6. I cannot resist these cuddly eco-chicks, made from reclaimed sweater scraps!

7. Stash your hand-painted Easter eggs in Josh Jakus’s witty industrial felt cups—or use them year-round to stash jewelry. (Um, or pears.)

8. Fresh’s soaps have the prettiest paper packaging. And these garden magnolias will last even longer than just-picked blooms.

9. In case you’ve OD’d on adorableness, how about these weird but wonderful cast-pewter bird feet sculptures by Swallow?

10. OK, these don’t exactly fall under the category of “decor,” but I just love a high-design cookie—especially ones shaped like bunnies. I mean, really!

Happy Easter! —Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Top ten Easter gifts, egg shaped designs, bird-themed finds, hand-painted ceramics, Xenia Taler, Monica Lubkowska Jonas, MoMA Store, colorful glassware, Susan Smith, Uncommon Goods, holiday themed note cards, Savannah College of Art & Design, Tiffani Taylor, eco-friendly stuffed animals, Branch Home, Josh Jakus, jewelry storage, Fresh, flower-scented soap, Ritzenhoff, Red Envelope, modern egg cups, Easter cookies

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When entertaining, I always prefer cleverly repurposing everyday items in a beautiful way over blowing the bank on something store bought or adding yet another trinket to my overflowing cabinets. Thus, I’ve become known for “creative” entertaining ideas.

This holiday creation is one of my all-time favorites. I conceptualized it for Domaine Chandon who hired me to contribute some savvy entertaining tips to their SavvyEntertainer.com website and help them get the word out about their Savvy Entertainer contest (see the link to “enter contest” and note there is a $25K prize).

It’s so simple and inexpensive to make, yet it’s rediculously stunning. Here’s how it’s done:

Ornament Centerpiece

24 various holiday bulb ornaments
1 box thin taper candles
1 serving tray
1 package of floral clay strip, Quake Wax, or Fun Tack (available at craft stores)

Cluster and adhere bulb ornaments to the tray with floral clay strip or other removable adhesive, ensuring that six large ornaments stand upright. Remove the tops of the six upright ornaments so they become bulb vases. Insert a candle into each one, light the wicks, and let the party begin.

Erika Lenkert

Technorati Tags: centerpiece, holiday, ornament, inexpensive, candle, easy, fast, bulb

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