With family members to visit, new cities to explore and backyard soirees to attend, you may be busy packing your bags and arranging your packed summer schedule. But through all of the partying and traveling, there is one thing you mustn’t forget: your lovely hostess. She’s the one who fluffed the pillows, stocked the fridge and scrubbed the bathroom tile until she got finger cramps—all in preparation of your happy arrival.

The hostess gift is, quite simply, a sweet thank you for all the work she put in behind the scenes. So whether the rest of your summer includes plans for attending afternoon barbecues or crashing in a friend’s spare bedroom for a weekend, keep a few gifts handy to ensure that you never show up empty handed. All 10 of the BurkeDecor.com faves featured here are summer-budget friendly—just in case you don’t have a lot left over after purchasing airfare or filling your gas tank!—and sure to get you invited back next summer.

1. Set of Four Scrimshaw Dessert Plates, Thomas Paul (burkedecor.com): This set of four nautical-themed plates is so summery and fun. I know what you’re thinking: china in checked baggage—bad idea! But these dessert plates are melamine, which means they’re awesome travelers. Aside from the anchor and lighthouse designs shown here, the set also includes two plates that feature a pelican and a sail boat.

2. Tea Leaf & Wild Honey Soy Candle, Lucia (burkedecor.com): Don’t know enough about your hostess’s style to pick out a gift? This Lucia candle is a no-brainer. It’s environmentally friendly and fair trade. And the packaging? Yeah, it’s pretty darn chic as well.

3. Cherry Tomato & Basil Soap, Lucia (burkedecor.com): Perfect for grabbing on your way out the door before attending a party and stuffing into your purse, this gorgeously packaged bar of soap requires no wrapping and no fuss—just present it to your hostess as is upon arrival. She’ll love the clean, fresh fragrance and the fact that it’s handmade using 100 percent organic Shea butter.

4. Small Bamboo Bowl with Spoon, Sagaform (burkedecor.com): If your hostess is known for throwing dinner parties that last well into the night, give her something that reminds her of you every time she fills it with another one of her culinary showstoppers. This bowl and spoon set, which is crafted in Sweden using ecologically grown bamboo, is gorgeous in its simplicity.

5. Neko Containers, Imm Living (burkedecor.com): Aside from being utterly adorable, these containers (available in pink or blue) are said to bring prosperous wishes to your environment. Such a sweet parting wish for your host or hostess!

6. Eyeglass Case, Thomas Paul (burkedecor.com): Perfect for a fashionable hostess or bespectacled host, this hand-silk screened case is made of heavyweight canvas. A stylish and memorable present for any lover of vintage shades.

7. Kennet Kitchen Drawer Kit Print Tool Kit, Wild & Wolf (burkedecor.com): Your miss-fix-it hostess will absolutely coo over this set of tools, which is the perfect marriage of utility and pretty feminine appeal. The graphic floral print that envelops the scissors, tape measure and six-in-one screwdriver is inspired by 15th Century Italian fabrics.

8. Stoneware City Thermo Mug Two Pack, Sagaform (burkedecor.com): When you stay the week with your Big Apple bestie, leave these mugs (smashingly designed by Lovisa Wattman) on her kitchen countertop to say, “Thanks for pretending to not hear my snoring.”

9. Sunflower Salad Set in Blue, Sagaform (burkedecor.com): Oh, the summer salads that could be tossed in this stoneware looker. Don’t you think this beautifully shaped bowl looks like it just washed ashore with a pool of frothy sea foam?

10. Set of Three Hummingbird Safety Matches, Hawthorne (burkedecor.com): Those who show up bearing a small token of gratitude—especially luxurious little extras like this three-box set of matches—are sure to be remembered fondly (and added to all future guest lists).

(Images by: Elizabeth Ulrich)

Today I’m sharing the second and final installment of my guide to summer activity books for adults. Why do you need an activity book to keep you busy in the months that were built for relaxing? Well, let’s face it: After a certain age, summer just isn’t as fun as it used to be.

When you were little, you had roller-skates, swim lessons and tree climbs to keep you blissfully occupied. So, if you’re feeling a bit nostalgic for the craft classes at summer camp or the veggies in grandma’s garden, I’ve got a summer reading list that should help you recapture some of that summertime magic.

1. One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, Storey Publishing: Give her a yard, and she’ll make apparel. Whether you’re a sewing whiz or a needle-and-thread novice, this guide offers clear directions (and tons of clever ideas—101 to be precise!) on how you can take a yard of fabric and whip it into everything from toys and dresser organizers to clothes and pet accessories. Definitely enough inspiration to rescue you from any bought of summer boredom.

2. Paper + Craft: 25 Charming Gifts, Accents, and Accessories by Minhee and Truman Cho, Chronicle Books: Got papers, scissors and glue handy? Great. Add the genius ideas of Minhee and Truman Cho, the founders of popular stationery company PAPER + CUP, and you’re ready to get crafty. Whether you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive gift idea (pretty hair clips or vintage-inspired frames) or something to brighten up your summer digs (hanging bird mobiles), you’ll find it in this delightful guide to all things pretty paper.

3. The Big-Ass Book of Home Décor by Mark Montano, Stewart, Tabori & Chang: Don’t you love a book title that tells it like it is? This aptly named home décor book presents more than 100 simple and inventive projects—using everything from masking tape and glue to spray paint—to transform shabby, boring and just plain ugly home décor. Expect practical and very doable ideas on how to makeover headboards, dressers, chairs and even IKEA goodies.

4. The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen, Process: I love the city life, but sometimes I can’t help but wish for more room to plant and grow things. However, as adult life has brought homes surrounded by more concrete than soil, I mostly assume that such wishes aren’t feasible. Enter The Urban Homestead. With illustrated, step-by-step instructions, this guidebook (the authors of which farm in Los Angeles!) includes projects on everything from growing food on a patio or balcony to converting to solar energy and cleaning your house sans toxins. Even if all of the ideas aren’t your cup of tea, I can’t imagine a better summer project than learning how to live greener and more self-sufficiently.

5. Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining by Denise Gee, Chronicle Books: If crafting, sewing or other artsy endeavors aren’t really your thing, what about learning how to make some mean summer sippers that are best enjoyed on a porch? With simple, charming ideas for outdoor entertaining and 50 recipes for Southern punches, cocktails and snacks—think Tipsy Tea or Prosecco Martinis—this guide by Denise Gee will give you all of the tips, tricks and ideas you’ll need to become the summertime hostess with the mostest.

Do you remember your college dorm days? When shopping for a gift for a grad who will be leaving home for the first time, recall the days when you were just starting out—you know, the time when you didn’t even have a couch (let alone a laundry basket) to call your own.

The best gifts for soon-to-be college freshman address basic adult needs: clean laundry (perhaps a well-pressed shirt or two), fresh towels and a good cup of coffee. As someone who survived a healthy dose of dorm life, I can attest to the objects that I needed (and cherished) most when I graduated and started my new life on campus.

Here I’ve highlighted a few of the most crucial and beloved dorm necessities, including the hot water dispenser (a must-have for instant oatmeal and soup), the tool kit that grads never know how much they need (until something breaks) and the cozy couch I wished I had the space to include in my closet-sized room.

1. Three-Liter Electric Air Pump/Water Heater, Aroma (target.com).
2. 75-Piece Home Maintenance Tool Set, Allied (target.com).
3. Steam/Dry Iron with Titanium Soleplate, Panasonic.
4. Configurations Laundry Hamper, Rubbermaid (target.com).
5. B36 Mini Brewer, Keurig.
6. Flex Futon Combo in Kelp/Stone, Mali.
7. Reversible Three-Piece Towel Set, Thomas O’Brien (target.com).

As a renter and city apartment dweller, my at-home outdoor space is certainly at a minimum. Even though I have a postage-stamp sized patio (complete with cold, gritty cement flooring—ick!), I have big designs on creating an outdoor space that is chic and inviting.

With that plan in mind, I’ve created a wish list for my sad patio, which is in dire need of some sprucing up. However, even if you have oodles of outdoor space—or the covetable fenced-in backyard—this list is full of the kind of versatile must-haves that will transform any blah backyard into a haven for summer relaxation and entertaining.

1. Under the Sea: If you’re ever at a loss when selecting fabrics and patterns to bedeck your outdoor space, think nautical. Even if you dwell somewhere within a landlocked arid region, you can’t go wrong with a beachy theme. Think navy and white hues paired with sisal rugs and the occasional sea creature. How wonderfully simple and bold are these octopus and seahorse pillows? They’re designed to stand up to mold and mildew and resist sun fading. Octopus Denim Pillow and Seahorses Sunflower Pillow, Outdoor Collection by Thomas Paul (burkedecor.com).

2. In the Navy: What nautical-themed porch or patio would be complete without graphic navy and white stripes? The striped pattern of this rug is clean, classic and surprisingly versatile. (Not a fan of the nautical look? Pair this rug with floral pillows. It will work amazingly, I promise.) Plus, this rug is available in 17 sizes, ranging from the standard doormat to an expansive 11×14 feet—good news for anyone who has a super-sized or incredibly narrow patio. Westport Collection Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug in Navy and White, Surya Rugs (burkedecor.com).

3. At Your Service: I love this durable (and very affordable) madras serving tray. It is crafted by hand from naturally harvested Abaca fiber in the Philippines by basket makers who use traditional techniques. It’s perfect for serving up iced tea or breakfast on the porch and for corralling a few potted plants or citronella candles on a patio table. Plus, when the rain inevitably comes, you can use it inside to organize everything from mail and keys to beauty products. Madras Serving Tray, Cost Plus World Market (worldmarket.com).

4. A Stool for All Occasions: I admit it—if I got my hands on this glazed reproduction of a traditional Chinese garden stool, I would be tempted to show it off indoors. However, it’s certainly functional outside. Use it as extra seating for guests one day and as side table for frozen margaritas the next. Perch your favorite potted blooms on top, and you’ve got an attractive way to show off your green thumb. Shanghai Dragon Stool, Burke Décor (burkedecor.com).

5. Plant a Seed: How does your garden grow? Well, if you have a patio or deck like mine, the answer is very carefully. I don’t have room for many potted pretties, so the few flowers and herbs I plant must be able to thrive in a small space (without getting in the way of other deck activities like grilling and sunbathing). These weathered white planters are made from lightweight fiberglass, which means they’re durable yet oh-so-easy to move and rearrange as needed. Chippendale Planters in Weathered White, Capital Garden Products (burkedecor.com).

6. Sweet Treats: Who needs to chase after the ice cream truck when you can whip up your own? This Cuisinart frozen treat wonder, which comes in a variety of bright, candy-coated colors, couldn’t be easier to use. Simply add your favorite ingredients—no chemicals, salt or ice required—and flip the switch for frozen confections within minutes. Classic Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream and Sorbet Maker in Buttercup, Cuisinart.

7. Built-In Bartender: Let’s face it: Big, plastic ice chests are large and unwieldy and, for the most part, they are complete eyesores. However, you don’t want to make constant fridge runs or get stuck behind the bar at your summer soirees. This stainless steel bucket has a 13-inch diameter, which is plenty of space to bury a few bottles of beer and wine in ice. Stash a few buckets of goodies in select spots at your next party, and you’ll be able to do more than pour and replenish drinks all night. Gallery Party Bucket, Cost Plus World Market (worldmarket.com).

In honor of Earth Day, this week’s posts will focus on products that can help us all live greener, simpler and more in the moment. While buying used, vintage, secondhand—or whatever you’d like to call it—is the most ideal way to shop eco-consciously, we all buy new now and again. And when we do, why shouldn’t we choose products that are better for the environment and for us?

Today, I’m sharing my wish list from Gaiam.com, a great source for what Gaiam has dubbed “conscious commerce”—i.e. natural, eco-friendly products that enhance a buyer’s health and well-being. If this shopping list proves anything, it’s that green doesn’t equal dull. (I wouldn’t direct you to anything less than swoon-worthy, would I?) In fact, I would say this first Earth Day-inspired lust list is quite eco-chic.

And, if you’re more interested in beautifying your pretty face than you are in decorating your lair, check out my green beauty faves.

1. Turkish Pattern Reversible All-Weather Floor Mat by Mad Mats: Pets, kids, muddy shoes—they’re all incredibly tough on rugs. Enter this recycled plastic floor mat, which is handcrafted by artists in Thailand who receive a fair wage for their gorgeous work. Wouldn’t it be stunning on your porch or deck? With its rich, warm colors and intricate pattern, it’s difficult to believe that this floor mat is made entirely of spent soda bottles. The best part: When this mat endures a puppy shed-fest or some accidental mud slinging, you can simply take it outside and hose it off.

2. Cedar Shoe Rack and Topper: Despite my best efforts, the entrance to my place is always host to an ever-growing collection of shoes. The shoe ditching is great for my carpets, but bad for feng shui. This stackable shoe rack is a perfect addition to the landing strip in your entranceway. The landing strip—also known as the place where you can drop the trappings of your day in the outside world, such as shoes, keys, mail, umbrella and so on—should help you stay organized (and sane!). What better way to keep it neat than with this naturally aromatic shoe rack?

3. Deluxe Full Spectrum Floor Lamp by Brookfield: I can’t resist classic pieces. After all, if I’ll never tire of the look or design of a piece in my home, then splurges are well justified, aren’t they? This floor lamp, which is based on a design that premiered at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904, is no exception to that rule. This floor lamp uses a 26W bulb that lasts 10,000 hours. Translation: It’s efficient. Can’t you picture this lamp in a cavernous library filled with books? Or, at the very least, next to your coziest reading chair?

4. Digital Zen Alarm Clock by Now & Zen: As much as I loathe being jarred awake by the always irritating buzz of my alarm clock, it’s a wonder I never thought to search for something a little more soothing. Take this Digital Zen Alarm Clock. It wakes you with the sound of chimes that mimic gentle, Tibetan bells. Not to mention, the bamboo finish is chic and simple. I’m already feeling more Zen.

5. Kitchen Compost Crock by Norpro: We all know why we should compost (after all, according to the EPA, yard trimmings and food residuals account for more than 26 percent of the solid waste sent to landfills). This sleek crock simplifies a potentially messy and smelly process. Keep this crock on your kitchen counter, scrape your scraps into it and let the activated carbon filter in the lid work its odor-preventing magic until you’re ready to dump its contents into your outdoor compost bin. Your kitchen trash bin will fill slower, and the plants in your garden will grow happier and healthier.

6. Reusable Dryer Sheets by Static Eliminator: Unlike disposable dryer sheets, each Static Eliminator sheet can be used up to 500 times. You’ll save money and unnecessary waste and, best of all, the use of these chemical-free, hypoallergenic dryers sheets will ensure that you won’t be infusing your clothes with any harmful chemicals. An added bonus for owners of fuzzy pets: These work wonders to remove fur from your laundry. Plus, how sweet is the blue and white ticking of this fabric?

Two whole days have past since the Liberty of London collection hit Target shelves. Do you know what that means? It’s nearly all gone. (Yes, already.) I told you that such a juicy collaboration would be pillaged quickly.  But don’t worry, there is still plenty of pillaging to be had.

Of course, I marked the launch on my trusty calendar. (Not that I needed to be reminded. I’ve yammered so much about the line that even my mister knew that Liberty of London was coming to town on Sunday.) And, while I had seen some previews and even shared a sneak peek of the line here, I must say that I was a little overwhelmed when I saw the actual Liberty of London collection.

I’m not typically a greedy person. But when I spied all of the home décor, pretty dresses and accessories, office supplies and gardening goodies, I wanted it all (even though I have an aversion to potting soil and the like). Unfortunately, logic got the best of me.

Rather than cleaning out the contents of my wallet, I simply bought one of collection’s kiss lock wallets instead—well, that and a few other things. A girl has to indulge sometimes. More on my personal Liberty of London scores later.  For now, let’s talk home décor, shall we?

Happy Homewares
In our pre-launch looksy, we got a glimpse of but a few teacups, a teapot and kitchen goodies of a similar ilk. As I’m sure you’ve gathered from the lovelies in the image above, there is much more to be had. Here is the thing: I’m a sucker for punchy shots of color and feminine prints in my home. I purposefully keep the walls, furniture and other big-ticket items in neutral tones to allow for frequent color bursts elsewhere.

So, it makes sense that I’m tempted to grab the entire collection and spread it throughout my home. However, I’m also aware that doing so would be overkill (and would result in the defection of my mister, who has to put his foot down to ensure that our place retains some masculine influence). If this wasn’t an issue, you can rest assured that I would stockpile all of the following:

1. Dunclare Pink Dinner Plate
2. Small Maynard Canister
3. Lampshade in Dunclare Black
4. Liberty Print Rectangle Pillow
5. Peacock Print Toss Pillow
6. Floral Print Chair

Liberty Fashion
From’70s-inspired vintage jumpsuits to frilly dresses, coquettish sleepwear and swimsuits, there are enough finds in this collection to take you all the way through summer. Confession: As someone who spends a good portion of the day working from my home office—where the dress code is admittedly pajama friendly thanks to a complete absence of coworkers—I’m tempted to conduct business in that sweet yellow romper.

1. Yellow Floral Romper
2. Keyhole Jumpsuit in Dunclare Black
3. One-Piece Swimsuit in Turquoise Isis Print
4. One-Shoulder Ruffle Maxi Dress in Pink Garla

Spring Style in the Bag
Remember my aforementioned pocketbook purchase? I snagged the blue floral beauty in the upper right. It’s such a happy little wallet—even though I’ve already stuffed it to the gills with my unwieldy collection of credit cards, coupons and business cards. Pick up one of these accessories, and it’s impossible not to get a little rush of glee when you grab it on your way out the door.

1. Coated Shopper in Garla Red
2. Kiss Lock Wallet in Jennifer Flowers Blue
3. Kiss Lock Wallet in Poppy Pink
4. Floppy Hat in Dunclare Black
5. Zip Around Wallet in Susanna Green

Let’s Hear it for the Boys
My Liberty of London purchases were already making their way to my doorstep when my mister needed to make an in-store stop at Target. I wandered the aisles alone to see what Liberty wares were left (not many), grappling with the desire to allow myself just ­one­ more indulgence, when my mister found me with an unexpected find in hand. He too couldn’t resist the lure of the Liberty of London print. He chose the silk tie on the far right with the little yellow and gray cars. What can I say? He’s a man after my own Liberty-loving heart.

1. Navy Floral Shirt
2. Blue Floral Shirt
3. Multi Floral Shirt
4. Mauverina Blue Silk Tie
5. Darnley Pink Silk Tie
6. Martha Grace Dark Blue Silk Tie
7. Garla Red Silk Tie
8. Cars Cream Silk Tie

When it comes to spring cleaning, you can scrub it, mop it, dust it and rearrange it. But if you don’t organize it, you might as well place a call to the crew of Hoarders. If you really want your nest to be in tip-top shape for spring, you won’t just clean it—you’ll develop a storage system to keep it that way.

“But I don’t have closet space,” you say. And let me guess: the shed is full, every drawer and shelf is otherwise occupied and you wouldn’t even dream of parking your car in the garage, lest you disrupt the delicate balance of piles. Trust me, I get it. But who says you have to be an “innie” when it comes to storage and organization? Why not be an “outie” instead?

If you’re armed with a slew of attractive storage solutions—if you get your pretty little hands on boxes, canisters and trays that you’re proud to show off—you won’t want to put all of your stuff away. (Not even if you did have room in your postage-stamp-sized closet).

Thanks to a bout of unseasonably sunny weather, I got a jump start on this year’s spring cleaning (with the help of my mister, who has a knack for closet makeovers—yes, I’ve stumbled upon a rare breed, indeed!). So, I’ve officially swiffered and scrubbed my home into submission. Now I’m on to phase two: the hunt for chic storage ideas.

Call me demanding, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect storage and organizational products to fit seamlessly into your decor. (Sorry, Tupperware.) But can a girl ask for more than that? Absolutely. And as these Target finds prove, storage can be stand-out sexy. (Well, at least to those of us who swoon over Mr. Clean—not for his muscular build, mind you, but for his stellar mop skills.)

1. Set of Two Decorative Storage Boxes by Two Lumps of Sugar: If a spoonful of sugar helps the organizing go down, these storage boxes by Two Lumps of Sugar must be the sweetest cure for multiple piles syndrome. Photos, documents, office supplies—if you can name it, you can stack it neatly inside these collapsible boxes in a gorgeous olive branch print.

2. Fretwork Tray: Every functional nest needs a landing strip, which is otherwise known as the place where you drop all of your random stuff upon entering your home. This glossy acrylic tray provides the perfect corral for your keys, mail, dog leash and other trappings that shouldn’t be strewn about your place. Add in something special—perhaps a small bud vase with a single, gorgeous bloom—and your utilitarian pieces become chic.

3. Magazine Stand by Eric Pfeiffer: The fastest way to a tranquil, pleasing place? Showing clutter who’s boss. Instead of piling magazines here and there, why not let them sleep soundly in this birch veneer statement piece? With its curvy, architectural lines and multiple spaces for magazines, books and stray paperwork, this magazine stand has plenty of style—and room—to spare.

4. Dot Folding Hamper by Household Essentials: Despite my most resolute efforts for wardrobe cleanliness, good intentions alone will not increase the square footage of my closet. You see, my clothes are organized by color. My shoes snuggle neatly on racks. But there is no way, no how, not ever that my hamper can join the party. That’s where a good-looking resting place for dirty laundry comes in handy. With its cheery green dots and retro feel, this hamper will do just fine outside of the closet.

5. Canister Set in Guacamole by Room Essentials: Kitchen storage is essential to countertop harmony. And when it comes to kitchen tidiness, canisters are key. Yes, I know that all of your flour, sugar, rice, coffee and so on come in their own containers. But is that packaging cute or appealing enough to display? Didn’t think so. Free up some room in overstuffed cabinets or pantries by placing bulk items in canisters on your counter. Bonus points for housing your cooking essentials in containers the color of fresh-cut grass.

6. Library-Style Storage in Walnut: What? You still own CDs? Well, fret not. This piece of furniture is an entertainment junky’s dream. It holds 456 CDs or 196 DVDs, all while posing as an antique library card catalog. Even if you ditched your college CD collection long ago, this beauty would work wonders for organizing art supplies, crafting goodies or your collection of miniature bottles of airline booze—you know, whatever needs arranging.

(Image: Elizabeth Ulrich for Extrabux)

Some people will wait outside of sporting venues or department stores for hours—days even—to nab tickets to the big game or to grab the hottest Wii this or that. Me? I’ll show up outside of Target long before the automated doors slide open on March 14 to grab home items (supermarket sweep style) from the new Liberty of London for Target line.

Or even better, I think I’ll avoid the whole waking up early and getting dressed portion of the event and just click to my heart’s content as I troll the online store. I’m much less likely to throw some ‘bows as I grab for teapots that way.

Not familiar with Liberty of London? Well, Liberty is a 134-year-old British brand revered for its super-detailed prints, which exude a lavish, ’60s-style charm. While Target’s collaborations with big-name designers and labels are certainly nothing new, it’s the broad reach of this line that has tasteful tongues wagging.

You see, Liberty of London has joined with Target to offer everything from looks for fashionistas big and small to kitchen wares, garden goodies, stationary and even a bicycle or two for good measure. And the entire array of products is stamped with Liberty of London’s bold, colorful prints.

So, it follows that Liberty’s bedding, throw pillows, coffee cups and such are a simple and oh-so-cheery way to start adorning your home with bits of springtime goodness. (Sure, I don’t need a second teapot or another two-level serving tray. But I do need the ones in the photo above, you know?)

As someone who is perpetually in the market for light, fun, retro-inspired home décor, another springy dress and a cruiser bike that reflects my taste in all of the aforementioned, this Liberty of London collab will transform Target into my shopping Mecca. Not that Target needed much of a boost in that department—did you see the Orla Kiely and Jean Paul Gaultier collaborations? Dreamy.

Right now, Target is featuring but a few tasty morsels from the line on its website. But if you watch the Liberty of London promo video on the site (repeatedly and with frequent pausing and rewinding sessions, as I did), you’ll catch glimpses of storage canisters, a lampshade, purses, watering cans and an umbrella. While you’re there, download a free desktop wallpaper or iPhone background to kick-start your Liberty of London binge.

Sounds fabulous, right? Mark your calendars for Liberty’s March 14 arrival. If the Orla Kiely collaboration taught us anything, it’s that products from the juiciest of Target partnerships are pillaged quickly and without concern for those of us who are a little late to the party.

Interior stylist and author Emily Chalmers is a gal after our own hearts. Her new book, Cheap Chic, due on store shelves on February 28 but available for pre-order here, sings a song we never get tired of hearing: “You don’t need to be wealthy to have a wealth of style.”

With the help of writer Ali Hanan and photographer Debi Treloar, Chalmers proves that swoon-worthy home style isn’t expensive. It’s a notion that is quite a relief to us—and we suspect that you might find it reassuring as well.

As we work to build our nests and surround ourselves with pretties that we can’t live without, many of us have had our “I just don’t have the money to make this fabulous” moments. After all, we’ve logged in many hours gazing at celebrity home spreads in our must-read glossy magazines. They have designers and decorators and such a grand budget, we say.

And the rest of us? Well, we scour thrift store shelves, gladly accept most hand-me-down furniture, pick up things here and there from chain stores and only splurge when we must. But we still want to create the homes of our dreams, and Chalmers gets that. Drawing on expert vision, Cheap Chic explains how to mix chain store basics with individual finds. (Think flea market and garage sale goodies, secondhand lovelies, curbside recoveries and all of the things you already love dearly.)

Why We Love It
When we got our happy hands on our copy of Cheap Chic from the publisher, Ryland Peters & Small, we kindly welcomed a flutter of butterflies into our stomachs. The smattering of 200 gorgeous, light-filled photos—so perfect in their simplicity!—were enough to make to us chipper. But the advice dispensed by Chalmers and company really made us giddy.

The tips found within Cheap Chic strike the perfect balance between practicality and expert inspiration—all dispensed without a hint of inaccessibility. This is real style for real homes and real people (read: those of us who don’t have a personal decorator on speed dial but do have boyfriends, husbands and children who leave beds rumpled and stacks unsorted).

After tucking in to Cheap Chic, we feel a bit more empowered to create a stylish home on our own terms—and with our modest decor budgets. Chalmers guides us where to invest—a proper, supportive bed, a decent couch and other big pieces that are essential to our everyday comfort. And she divulges where and how to spend less for big impact. (Like salvaging rolls of vintage-print wallpaper from bins at second-hand shops. Or buying bright pink saris on the cheap at ethnic shops or street markets and using the fabric as a table runner or whipping it into a gauzy curtain.)

Why We Think You’ll Crush, Too
Whether you live in a spacious country house or a just-big-enough-for-me-and-my-clothes studio on a frenzied metropolitan street, we think you’ll adore Cheap Chic just the same. By our estimation, Chalmers left no decorative stone unturned.

The first section of the book, The Elements, examines color, patterns and fabrics and provides “Why didn’t we think of that?” tips on flooring, lighting, storage, accessories and other essential home materials. While the second section, The Spaces, offers room-by-room insight on how to create a beautiful, comfortable backdrop for daily life.

Of course, no one explains Cheap Chic better than Chalmers and company. With an introduction like this, the book really had us from hello: “…this book is a bible for the budget-conscious who also strive for style. Money, after all, can’t buy good taste. Style is instinctive—and it can come at a snip as long as you have an eye for beauty as well as a bargain. As the interiors doyenne Andrée Putman once put it, ‘[To have] style is to see beauty in modest things.’”

An extra treat for those of you who simply can’t wait until February 28 to get better acquainted with Chalmers: Pick up her Flea Market Style and Table Inspirations books, also published by Ryland Peters & Small.

(Image: Elizabeth Ulrich for Extrabux)

While spring styles may be hitting the shelves, we’re still shivering in our shoeties. Visions of floral prints and chunky wedge sandals may be dancing in our heads, but necessity (okay, preference) dictates that we spend our dark, cold winter days wrapped in wooly, cozy blankets and surrounded by seasonal plaid prints—typically as we sip hot tea and indulge in something sweet. (What weight gain? It’s our winter insulation, you see.)

Enter the Isaac Mizrahi Live! collection, which we have admittedly been meaning to share with you for awhile. The line, which includes everything from studded berets and metallic leather gloves to gorgeous broaches and anorak coats, launched on QVC in December.

Yes, we know, we know. That seems like ages ago, but if ever there was a case of better late than never, this is it. We’ve long been enamored with Isaac Mizrahi’s wicked sense of style—and his even more wicked sense of humor.

Naturally, we were absolutely alight when we spied the perfect plaid treats that abounded in the Isaac Mizrahi Live! collection. Plaid clogs and plates and throws, oh my! And is that a plaid cheesecake? Why, yes it is. We always thought plaid prints were yummy enough to gobble up, but we didn’t quite mean it literally.

We know what you’re thinking: How can a designer get homewares, fashion, accessories and desserts right? Isaac Mizrahi explains his master-of-all-trades venture to WWD: “I believe in my product. If I do plates, if I do bedding, which I did, if I render cookies, I do it in the same way that I think about a couture dress. [My approach] bespeaks someone who cares deeply about it, on whatever level.” Trust us, Mr. Mizrahi, it shows.

1. Happy Feet: When we’re dashing out on an early morning bagel and coffee run, we want our shoes to be warm, easy and comfortable. With a padded bed of shearling, that sunny yellow pop of plaid and the simplicity of a slip-on, these clogs are cheery and easy like Sunday morning. Wool Plaid Slip-On Clogs with Buckle Detail in Marigold, Isaac Mizrahi Live! for QVC.

2. Home Plate: Who knew dessert could be so preppy? A plaid print in a rich, evergreen hue makes these ceramic plates feel special with a nod to the casual, laid-back cool of a flannel shirt. Set of Four Plaid Dessert Plates, Isaac Mizrahi Live! for QVC.

3. Cuddle Buddies: We’re firm believers that our sofas and various living room chairs should bulk up with blankets in the winter and shed such wooly skins come summertime. These plaid throws are an on-trend way to winterize furniture (and to encourage blanket sharing in front of the telly). Exploded Plaid 50”x 60” Throw with Fringe, Isaac Mizrahi Live! for QVC.

4. Let Them Eat Cake: This tartan treat is almost to pretty to eat. But we suppose we could force ourselves to slice into a creamy cheesecake that boasts a chocolate graham cracker cookie crust, chocolate ganache icing and a fudge border—you know, if we must. 8” Plaid Cheesecake by Juniors, Isaac Mizrahi Live! for QVC.

5. Stylish Cuppa: Yes, we know this teacup isn’t plaid, but we couldn’t resist. The hand-painted design calls to mind a crisp polo shirt—just the jolt of masculine style that our very delicate collection of teacups has always needed. Handpainted Striped Teacups and Saucers, Isaac Mizrahi Live! for QVC.