I first saw the Corelle Squares Simple Lines Dinnerware Set several years ago when I received a single plate in the mail.  It was love at first sight.  The only problem?  Well, they only sent me the one plate…and I had no idea where to go to buy the rest of the set.  It would be another year before I found the set and purchased it.  I did enjoy the single plate in the meantime, though.  It was perfect for taking lunches to work, as the plate fits perfectly in one of those jumbo ziploc bags.  I would just dump my lunch onto the plate, then put all the excess stuff in the Ziploc to go home when I was done.  Clean, simple, and much  more dignified than eating from a Tupperware container.

Corelle Squares Simple Lines 32-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8
Price: $98.0
32-pieces; service for 8 (8) 10.25″ dinner plates (8) 8.75″ salad plates (8) 22-oz. soup / cereal bowls (8) 12-oz. mugs Lightweight and stackable Microwave and dishwasher-safe Fade, scratch and chip-resistant Includes manufacturer’s 3-year replacement warranty against breaking and chipping

I love red.  It just exudes power and sex appeal and wealth - all things I’ve come to love.  That said, a lot of red can be overwhelming.  I don’t want red walls, for example.  That’s why I try to work red into my home through accent pieces and dinnerware.  I love this affordable Soho Lounge Dinnerware set.  I also LOVE that it’s both dishwasher and microwave safe.  That’s a red dinnerware set I can live with. :)

Soho Lounge Square 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
Price: $34.96
Soho Lounge Square Dinnerware Set: (4) 12.75″ square dinner plates (4) 9″ square dessert plates (4) 6.25″ bowls (4) 13-oz, two-tone reactive glaze mugs Microwave- and dishwasher-safe

I recently came across the Constellation Mirror, and although I told myself I wouldn’t buy anything else to decorate my apartment, I’m having a hard time resisting.  This impressive piece is 30 inches in diameter, and the mirror itself is 8 inches in diameter.  It’s the perfect piece to hang in your entryway, but it would also look amazing over a buffet table, a dresser, or a couch.

It’s sparkly and amazing, but it’s also neutral enough that it would look good in almost any home.  To me, it evokes images of old movie elegance - Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day…I can totally envision a constellation mirror hanging in their swanky movie abodes.

So that’s my constellation mirror dilemma.  I can only think of reasons to get it - and none to avoid buying.   What do you think?  Do you like the constellation mirror? Would it work in your house?

Constellation Mirror
The wow factor you’ve been looking for in your contemporary entry, dining area or living room, this golden starburst constellation mirror is a brilliant choice for function, too, reflecting overhead, natural and candle light and serving as a checkpoint on the modern social scene. With a frame made of aluminum and zinc, the constellation mirror is easy to hang as well.

I love the look of kidney desks (well, kidney-bean shaped desks).  If you’re going for a sleek, modern decor, kidney bean desks offer a great way to add some curves to the room without departing from the overall theme.  This particular kidney desk, the Mateo Desk, comes in both black and chocolate brown.

Although it’s a little pricey, I think they’re worth every penny.  The nice part is that unlike a lot of modern desks and office furniture, these desks do offer some storage space.  A really great flat screen monitor and sleep small computer would look amazing with this setup.  What do you think?  Click on the images below to get bigger pictures and more details.

Mateo Desk - Brown
Price: $1198.0
Be the CEO of your own contemporary domain starting today. This modern brown leather, wood and glass executive desk sets the tone with a mix of organic and angular shapes, generous proportions and high-performance function. With its kidney-shaped glass top, drawer to stash all of your important personal stuff and truly impressive size, its the coolest ever. Coordinating stitching. Oak veneer finish on legs.

Mateo Desk - Black
Price: $1198.0
This black leather, wood and glass executive kidney desk sets the tone with a mix of organic and angular shapes, generous proportions and high-performance function.

Jersey Shore is an inescapable sign that the end of times is coming. There just isn’t any other explanation, really.  And what the heck is a Snooki?  I mean, I’ve watched the show so I know it’s something like a really trashy Jersey girl, but wow….is that thing even human?

Anyway, whether you love the show or hate it, you can probably enjoy a few laughs at the expense of the always egotistical Mike “The Situation” and his chiseled abs.   The Situation Jersey Shore T-Shirt is completely ridiculous, and yet totally awesome at the same time.

The Situation Jersey Shore T-Shirt
Price: $19.95
Inspired by Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from MTV’s Jersey Shore. Attributes - Free Returns & Exchanges- Printed and Shipped in Los Angeles, CA- High Quality Cotton - Size Chart

If you haven’t seen the Not A Paper Cup yet, you probably haven’t shopped a gift store in quite some time.  Even though it’s been around for a few years now, the Not A Paper Cup is still a fantastic gift for the commuting coffee or tea drinker in your life. Not only is it practical and money-saving (assuming the coffee comes from home or a shop that gives a discount for using your own cup), but it’s a great conversation starter.  I’ve used one for hot chocolate before and you’d think I was carrying a boa constrictor from the number of looks and comments I got.

Not A Paper Cup
Price: $19.99
In July of 2007, London designer Anya Hindmarch’s “”I’m Not A Plastic Bag”" caused such a commotion that some retail outlets were sold out of the awareness-causing environmentally trendy shopping statement in 29 minutes. The product idea was simple - create a reusable bag and prevent cheapo plastic bags from contributing to ever-growing landfills, or that vortex of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. We’ve got the caffeinated version of that very same product. “”I Am Not A Paper Cup, “” the packaging says. Designed to look like you just stepped out of one of those hip and trendy coffee megachains with a triple grande one-percent two-pump hazelenut no-foam crappuchino with one of their paper-cups. In actuality, you may have made a simple pot of Folgers at home with a blue-packet of sweetener and a glug of milk. Maybe your coffee’s not “”gourmet”" but you can look like you’re drinking some of the expensive stuff. What’s more, you’re able to simply wash and reuse that cup indefinitely. The cup itself is ceramic and double-walled for extra thermo-goodness. Fill the inner chamber with hot water and keep the coffee warmer longer!

The holidays are supposed to be a time of good things, right?  Even if you’re not a religious person, the season is one for celebrating peace, love, forgiveness, and close relationships, whether with family, friends, or both.  So, what better way to emphasize that than to have a Peace Sign Wreath on your front door?  It pretty much screams, “Peace on Earth, good will to men…”

The only downside is that I’m not the only one who is totally in love with the Peace Wreath.  Last year, I wanted to get one but every store I checked was sold out.  I’m starting early this year, though, so I don’t anticipate any trouble getting my paws on one.

Peace Wreath
Price: $28.0
A modern symbol that says to all who see it: let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. What better message to send to people of all faiths and denominations? Creatively constructed of bent faux pine branches (made of plastic and wire) with a green metal support frame. You can even add your own white mini-lights for a contemporary touch - and extra illumination on your door or in your window. Mounting hardware not included.

Even though I like to keep things pretty casual, I still like to know that my t-shirts and jeans are planted firmly on the “girly” side of things.  This Dandelion Birds Tee is a perfect example - the flower giving way to birds is both pretty and very appropriate as we’re going through a beautiful spring right now.  It would be great with a pair of yoga pants or shorts for an active day, or paired with cute boot-cut jeans for hanging out around the house.

What do you think?  Would you wear it?

Dandelion Birds Tee
Price: $24.5
Dandelion birds graphic.

If you’re anything like me, you probably love modern style but hate the fact that so much of it is uncomfortable when it’s translated into furniture.  For a long time, this was such a problem that I swore off modern furniture entirely.  Lately, though, there’s been a rise in manufacturers who know how to make furniture that looks good and still manages to be comfortable.

As I was browsing for some kind of a modern leather office chair, I found this selection - all of which look like they’d be both comfortable and cute (though the Muse may not be for anyone who sits for LONG periods of time).  What do you think?  Click here to view the entire selection.

Also, on an unrelated note (ignore this if you don’t know what I’m talking about) - The throat sighs!

I absolutely love this new comforter set from Calvin Klein.  It’s not often that you find an attractive bedding set that’s not so overtly feminine that no man would ever sleep in it.  This set manages to pull it off, though.  It’s a little pricey, but if you have the cash to spare, it’s infinitely more attractive than most of what I’ve seen in discount stores.

You can get the Calvin Klein “Cut Flowers” Comforter Set at Macy’s by clicking the picture below.

Calvin Klein “Cut Flowers” Comforter Set, Queen Bedding
Price: $144.99
Offering restful visions of a landscape in bloom, this comforter overflows with a modern flower print, trailing your bed from top to bottom. Reversible in soothing smoke and clove.