Pink is suddenly the color in kitchens. It all started in 2001 with a pink KitchenAid stand mixer ($300; right). Each purchase included a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, launching KitchenAid’s Cook for the Cure initiative, which has raised more than $5 million. Now there’s a whole line of Cook for the Cure products, including:

• a five-speed blender ($130)
• a pair of silicone-tipped tongs ($10)
• a mixing-bowl set ($25)
• a can opener ($15)
• a five-piece knife set ($50) (more…)
  

Just when you think there’s nothing new to say about blenders, enter Blendtec. Actually, enter the Blendtec videosWill it Blend?. Call it a publicity stunt, but it’s a good one. Blendtec, which sells commercial-grade blenders akin to those you see in coffee shops, has entered the home-blender arena with their Total Blender and a series of short videos showing a lab-coated, safety-glasses wearing man blending outrageous things. He blends an iPhone, a video camera, glow-sticks, an iPod, golf balls, marbles and on and on and on. Call us gullible, but this blender reduces everything from cubic zirconia, a stuffed toy, a stun gun, a Rubik’s cube, a DVD and a hearing aid to tiny bits and pieces. Warnings of “Don’t do this at home” pepper the Web site. Of course there are plenty of videos and information about blending edibles such as smoothies, bread dough, peanut butter, hot soup, salsa, ice cream, etc. The blender is good-looking, with a digital display and lots of functions. It’s heavy and solid. The Total Blender isn’t cheap at $400, but will draw ooohs and ahhs from your party guests, even if you’re just blending a margarita, not a cell phone.

You can’t buy love. But you sure can surround yourself with beauty that is good for the heart and soul. That notion would seem to be the organizing principle behind the eclectic offerings at Rian Rae Interiors & Gifts, which specializes in unique but comfy home décor pieces that make use of elements found in nature and are, quite simply, beautiful to behold. They’re also so sensually and texturally alluring that you might just long to reach out and touch them, like these geometrically shaped hand-crocheted pendant lamps ($224; pictured) or this French crinkle pendant made of white glass ($379). The Bamboo Cloud chandelier was designed by a Thai artist using traditional bamboo-weaving techniques in a nontraditional way ($690). The roof of this handcrafted lantern ($1,898) is covered with oyster shells. Cuddle up on the couch with this crocheted wool throw ($148), and put a cup of hot tea on this coffee table made from an antique Fench pigeon basket ($1,385). (more…)

Did you make it to Lollapalooza last weekend in Chicago’s Grant Park? Were you in the crowd for Wilco, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails or Kanye West? No? Sigh. Neither were we. But that’s fixable. Read the Blogapalooza, take crib notes from the 2008 set lists, buy the shirt and say you went. The Lolla Coat of Arms women’s T (pictured) would do the job nicely, with its black and gold eagle stretched above a Lollapalooza banner ($20). You can get that same coat of arms on a Lollapalooza onesie ($15). A little more cash will get you extreme eye candy with the limited-edition custom-made Lollapalooza skateboard by Element ($95). If you’d rather be the center of attention for having not attended the CMA Festival, you can accomplish that with the 2008 official event shirt, which splashes the logo across your chest and lists the musicians down your back ($20), or even the official 2008 CMA shooter glass (and yes, that is its actual name) for $10. Wishing you’d gone to Bonnaroo? The 2008 limited-edition silk-screened event poster will help with that, since it’s got cool funky art and lists all the musicians who performed ($30). You say you’re more of a Coachella kind of girl? Then it’s the “Sound Waves and Heat Waves Unite” Hula Hula T that is calling your name ($35.) And if you’re really holding out for the music itself, you can still get single-day passes to the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival Sept. 26-28 ($80 per day) or grounds tickets to the 2008 Monterey Jazz Fest Sept. 19-21 ($35 Friday, $45 Saturday or Sunday). The longest-running jazz festival in the world already has its own official black, electric blue and gold 2008 event shirt online as well ($25), so regardless of whether you go, check it out. It’s as cool as Coltrane. — by Diane Porter

Multicolored anodized aluminum is back and as sleek as ever for the home. First popularized by the Art Deco movement, the process of making the metal’s surface harder and less reactive with acidic substances resulted in beautiful objects for the home like these rare English Art Deco anodized pink ($375) and green ($175) aluminum vases from Decollect. For the noncollector, we found a set of six tumblers at Sur la Table ($30) just right for outdoor entertaining. And for keeping the ice cream cold, Betty’s Attic has a retro aluminum ice cream bowl set ($18). For cocktails, Target offers sets of colorful martini and margarita (pictured) glasses ($30 for a set of six), and for nondrinkers there are juice tumblers ($20 for a set of six). Each one features a different color on the outside (like turquoise, eggplant and olive), and a mirror finish on the inside. Pour the beverages from a huge 98-ounce retro pitcher ($20). And if you’re in the market for a bud vase, TVA has a charming example of anodized aluminum that comes in your choice of red, purple or silver. Hand washing is recommended for all items.

Thank goodness for the Web. How else would you be able to score handmade home goods from around the world? (Unless of course you’re going to pull a Phileas Fogg?) Enter Poppytalk Handmade, an online “street market” showcasing handmade goods from artisans worldwide. The key differentiator from other craft sites like Etsy.com is that Poppytalk Handmade features a monthly theme. July’s market is themed “Home Sweet Home!” and features goods to make a house a home. August’s theme is “School Days!” appropriately enough. Much like an antiques emporium, the site features a limited number of screened “sellers,” who rent their space by the month. We were drawn to artist Michelle Brusegaard’s unique take on formalwear, which includes striking, signed digital prints of gowns hanging on clotheslines ($15 each). Also nifty: Domestic Construction’s pendant lighting made entirely of tea cups ($58). Beehive Kitchenware’s bird measuring spoons ($88; pictured) and other kitchen goods are the antithesis of standard issue culinary wares. The same can be said for Flappergirl Creations’ sexy aprons and coffee cup cozys ($28, $12).

It’s a garden of wonders at home decorating stores lately, as the classic theme of fruit has been revived with enthusiasm and now inhabits a wide range of home items. Fruit-themed pieces are fun, and an easy way to give your home a summery look. The pineapple has long been a popular motif in home decor. The pineapple hearth candelabra (pictured) is a graceful way to dress up the fireplace during the off season($55); it supports six pillar candles and is crowned with sculptural pineapple votive cover. The wrought-iron pineapple wall frieze ($80) is a striking adornment for any doorway. These lifelike porcelain pears and apricots will fool any guest reaching into a fruit bowl. Created by artists Lorraine Taylor and Nicky Smart, the sculptures are molded from real fruit and meticulously tinted and glazed ($72 to $400). Top off that mantle or sofa table with this handsome Belcaro pear box made of wood and decorated with bronzed leaves ($136). A & I Home Décor specializes in fruit decor, including grape, mixed fruit, strawberry and the pineapple (again!) kitchen wear, yet the perfect fruit for any country kitchen has to be the apple. We like the kitschy table clock ($30), the audacious big apple bread box ($32) or the cheerful ceramic three-piece tabletop set ($11). Finally, the Dale Tiffany fruit ceiling pendant lamp would look gorgeous over any dining table, with its warm fruity glow (on sale for $203).