Hostess with the Mostess™

Today on Simply Stated: Celebrations - cool summer sales & beach-themed entertaining finds from Pottery Barn & Crate&Barrel.

In collaboration with the National Palace Museum of Taiwan, Stefano Giovannani designed this fun "Chin Family " collection for design-forward Italian housewares company: Alessi. Pictured above: egg cup, salt & pepper set, kitchen timer, and king & queen spice grinders (click here to view all). Pictured below: king & queen bottle caps.

Are these "OrienTales" monkey & banana-themed products the cutest thing ever or what? The collection includes a sugar bowl, creamer, salt & pepper set, and bottle stoppers portraying the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" proverb. Created by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi and available at unicahome.com.

There’s something so chic about natural elements that have been recast completely in white, like these delicate, yet contemporary maritime-inspired vases and home accessories. Pictured above: gorgeous porcelain Driftwood Vase, Bowl, and Votive, porcelain Loofah Vases, Small/Medium Sea Urchin Votives, and Large Sea Urchin Votive. Pictured below: Decorative Coral Accessories and remarkably lifelike Coral Candleholders.

As a thank you for all of the wonderful reader comments in last week’s Delight.com Surprise Giveaway, Delight is extending a special deal to HWTM readers for 20% off your entire through May 31st on orders $35 or more! Just enter promo code "HostessDelight" at checkout! Perfect timing for graduation gifts… but I have to admit I’m also tempted to "gift" this adorable Chip Cheery Storage Container Mega Set to myself!

I’m so excited to see that Simrin recently launched a new line of drinkware that coordinates with their fabulous table linens & serving trays! Patterns include Kelp, Surya, Icon, and Branch, and each design comes in 5 lovely colors: Ocean, Bronze, Moss, Saffron, and Soft White. Read more →

Have a few summer soirées on the calendar? Check out my post at Simply Stated: Celebrations today For some think-outside-the-bottle (of wine) ideas for saying thanks to your favorite hostess with the mostess – like the fabulous expandable vases by Jill-able pictured above – or to contribute some creative ideas of your own!

Wall stickers are such a fun way to customize your living space, but I’ve always loved the idea of also using them as party decor…and these removable wall stickers by divider make that concept even easier! Imagine a baby shower or children’s birthday party with these fun animal (check out the cute elephant/mice decal!) or kids designs, or a bridal shower or adult birthday with ultra modern nature/floral silhouettes or cool graphic patterns. How cool is this skateboarder for a skater boy birthday party… Read more →

MoMA Store always showcases fantastic, design-forward products, but there are a few pieces I recently stumbled upon that also stand out as especially clever… Read more →

These new "Late-for-Dinner" melamine plates from Anthropologie are perfect for retro-mod summer entertaining! Sold in sets of 4 for $24, each plate dons a different pop-art flora print… Read more →