Greenlight for green thumbs

If you're like me, you're more used to watching your plants die than watching them grow. But despair not! I think the secret to a green garden is keeping it simple. Herbs are perfect for this, as they're fairly hardy and don't need a ton of fussing. Plus, the reward for your hard work is that you get to eat them. Basil is the most versatile herb, but it's the most finicky, as it loves a hot summer day and needs someone to pick the flowers off of it as they grow. My favorite herb is rosemary, which is great with olives, parmesan cheese and mushrooms, and is incredibly hardy. Another favorite is sage, whose leaves, when fried, are delicious with pasta. Also good are oregano and marjoram, which can be interchanged and yield enormous flavor. Happy herb gardening!

Tune in

I think I'm one of the few who loved "Top Design," but it's true, I definitely had a crush on the program last year. It was a welcome distraction during almost a full year without "Project Runway," and was better than Bravo's other reality try: "Shear Genius." So it is with great joy that I can say it's coming back! No word yet on when, but Jonathan Adler has signed on to be the host once more. Hopefully he'll lose his catchphrase though, I wouldn't miss never hearing "See you later, decorator," again.

Style on the go

Everyone knows by now that plastic bottles of water are bad for the environment and possibly bad for you. Reusing them over and over to try to help the environment isn't a good solution, because there's some scientific evidence to suggest that the chemicals in the plastic bottles seep into the water over time. So what's a girl to do if she wants to stay hydrated? We love this bluebird and trees carafe. At one liter it's plenty big enough to get you through your day, and it's totally cute to boot.

Bowled over

I admit it, my favorite store is Anthropologie, and their Web site is pretty incredible too. If you're not familiar, go to right now, don't pass go, don't collect $200, just go! They have literally everything a girl could crave. From clothes to candles to cabinets to coasters. I'm currently in love with this blue, white and yellow serving bowl. It looks like something you'd find at a flea market, it's so homey and singular. Use it in the kitchen for serving, or on your coffee table to hold remote controls.

Eastern promise

My favorite store in New York City, and there are a lot of great ones to choose from, is Pearl River Mart. It is an Asian-goods emporium, with everything from silk pajamas to tea pots to paper lanterns. Everything is super affordable too, much less than you'd pay for comparable items at other stores. Check out their Web site whether you're furnishing your home or your closet. Our favorites are the wall fans and the embroidered tops. And you don't even have to fly to Hong Kong to snag them.

Color me green with envy

Both West Elm and Crate and Barrel are featuring a palette rich in green for spring. They're catalogues are also packed with wood products. It's a trend, we definitely think is inspired by the environmental movement, so chalk it up to Al Gore. We love it for spring, as green is a pick-me-up color that is fitting for the season of new life. We also love all things wood, especially West Elm's bowls, which are perfect for fruit in the kitchen or keys by the door. Check out their site, for inspiration and start thinking green.

I spy ikat

If you've been keeping up with fashion at all you know that ikat is the big print for spring. What is ikat? It's a way of dying or embroidering fabric that results in a patterned, sometimes tie-dyed look. It's popular in Eastern Europe, think Uzbekistan, and also parts of Africa, Asia and South America. You definitely don't want to dress head-to-toe in the pattern, but this Urban Outfitters scarf is a great, subtle way to incorporate the look into your wardrobe. If you're looking for something for your home, you can get a one-of-a-kind throw to put over a sofa or to hang on your wall. It's a great way to add a splash of color and culture to a room.

Model design

I love the idea of finding creative ways to hang photos and jewelry, because it seems a shame when they're tucked away in a box somewhere. This dress model from Pottery Barn Teen is perfect for the bedroom or a walk-in closet. You can pin photos to it or use it to hang jewelry. It's a bit of an investment at $199, but everyone will ask where you got the idea. Just don't tell anyone where it's from!

Pure & Green heaven

While browsing in Williams-Sonoma this past weekend I came across the company's new earth-friendly homekeeping line, the Pure & Natural Collection. Formulated with essential oils, and made with no toxins, ammonia, phosphate, chlorine or parabens, this is among the cleanest cleaning products I've ever seen. But that's not what draws me; it's the intoxicating scents that actually seem to belong in any kitchen. They are all absolutely amazing, and I may just buy up the whole line. I love them all, but ranking from my favorite down:

1. Meyer Lemon Parsley — For clarity and balance choose the soft tones of Meyer lemon, orange and grapefruit with the earth notes of parsley and basil
2. Olive Oil Coriander — Olives, well known for strength and well-being, bring this to life along with cedar, musk, amber and, of course, coriander (cilantro)
3. Herbes De Provence Sweet Orange — Revitalize with herbal freshness of mint, basil, bay leaf, clove and lavender, plus hints of citrus and eucalyptus
4. Ruby Grapefruit Ylang Ylang — Stimulates and energizes with notes of peach, melon and apple along with grapefruit and a bit of sweetness from ylang ylang
5. Lavender Juniper Rose — Create calm and relaxation in your kitchen with lavender, plus hints of rose, geranium, jasmine, pine, juniper and sandalwood
6. Asian Plum Mandarin — Decrease stress with plum, orange and bergamot, as well as ylang ylang, marigold and rose

Gardening with glass

So if you're like me and have a lot of serving dishes and bottles gathering dust in your cupboard, just waiting to be brought out for the party you've never had, there is a way to make use of them. Olive oil pourers and creamers make especially good vases, and come in handy for fresh herbs that could benefit from some water. I always keep a cute elephant creamer that never fulfilled it's original purpose filled with fresh rosemary in the kitchen. There's nothing better then when style and function are a perfect match.

Enviable abode

GWYNETH'S GORGEOUS HOME: Metropolitan Home magazine's last cover story before the magazine folded was on Gwyneth Paltrow's summer house in the Hamptons. It's a gorgeous home, with a beautiful pink blossom glass chandelier and a standalone yoga/pilates studio in the backyard. It's pretty spectacular, yet definitely sickening, and totally enviable. Known for her simple and classic style, Paltrow's home reflects those tastes, and is decorated in cool tones with a lot of blue and white. Her home is as indicative of her style as her wardrobe, which is a good start for inspiration if you're struggling with how to decorate your home. Take a look at your closet, see what colors your attracted to, what shapes you like and what fabrics appeal to you, and start from there.