Susan Posnick's makeup line is perfect for the gal that needs high-quality basics with no frills attached. Her most dynamic product is COLORFLO, an all-natural, hypoallergenic, sweat-proof powder housed in a self-dispensing, refillable brush. It contains a UVA approved SPF 26 blocker for the sun's harsh rays. The pure mineral ingredients jibe well with sensitive skin, and are safe to use even after skin has been aggravated by waxing, peels, and other skin procedures. Use as a light powder, or build color with additional strokes--darker shades can double as a bronzer or eyeshadow under pressure.

The Toast Puzzle Place Setting at Broadway Panhandler will delight at the kids' table, buying you time to put the finishing touches on dinner (and maybe catch up with your guests over hors d'oeuvres). Hand carved from cherry wood and finished with flame-blackened "crust" edges, the utensils are enhanced with star and heart cutouts, and -- get this -- are fully functional. Call 866-266-5927 to order.

In the dog days of summer, enhance hikes, games, and outdoor adventures with Motorola's Talkabout two-way radio. No mere toys, these lightweight radios are as rugged as they look, and boast a range of up to 25 miles. Additional highlights include live weather alerts and a vibrate option for when you want to be the only one to know about incoming transmissions. Truly a step up from the walkie-talkies of old.

If you're the parent to an artistic boundary-pusher who's bored with old-fashioned pipe cleaners and Elmer's, offer up these outlandish Brain Noodles from Love. The jumbo, fuzzy pipes are perfect for accommodating a larger-than life imagination -- and may just afford you hours of extra quiet time. Build a colorful crown, a furry specter...or even an entire castle. Your height's no longer the limit!

This Nancy Koltes candelabra is so decadently fun, we couldn't help but take notice. Made from resin and painted in colors you can't miss, it's baroque with just a hint of Pop, adding a playful element to any room. Unlike most striking works of art, it's not too fragile for everyday -- the material easily wipes clean after each use. We like to think of it as low-maintenance luxe: plenty glam, yet not too precious. Call 212.995.9050 x12 to order.

Let's face it: as much as you want to encourage creative, active play, sometimes fingerpaints are enough to make you want to pop in a DVD instead. Enter this adorable smock by Petite Violette. Durable cotton fabric and a waterproof coating come together with attractive prints, to make a covering for your kid that's less rubber-duckie-raincoat and more budding-Picasso-in-training. The smocks are lightweight enough to avoid protest, and boast simple Velcro fasteners to boot.

Joining the ranks of long-time Tocca favorites Stella, Florence, and the classic Touch, Cleopatra Eau de Parfum is the newest addition to their fragrance family. Inspired by its namesake Mediterranean seductress, Cleopatra is sensuous and floral, with hints of warm patchouli and vanilla musk. With Tocca's signature attention to detail, every note is fine-tuned to perfection. And who wouldn't want to attract a man like Julius Caesar or Marc Antony?

Face it, now that you have kids that fine crystal won't make it out of the cabinet for another 18 years. But it doesn't have to be all cheesy plastic all the time. Mepra's Polycarbonate Collection looks nice enough to fake it. Use it inside or for dining al fresco--the polycarbonate plastic makes it unbreakable, dishwasher safe and microwavable. Besides these fun multi-colored glasses (which come in two sizes), the company also makes beautiful bowls and coffee cups.

Got an insatiable appetite? The Hungry Guides are adding to their collection with the release today of Hungry? Seattle Family. (They've already covered Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.) Perfectly sized to fit in a glove box and packed with easy-to-read icons, including those for vegetarian and exceptional kids' menu, and ambience factors (such as "noisy babies ok"), the book has helpful information for more than 200 restaurants. Thankfully there's also an icon for "drinks for Mom and Dad." Fun for the whole family whether you're a longtime local or just a tourist.

Remember how fun it was to catch lightning bugs in a jar? Today, kids can take insect obsession to the extreme with the Big Bad Booming Bugs Giant Bug Projector. Catch bugs with the bug scooper, pop 'em in the projector, and spend hours freaking out younger siblings with freak-show shadows. Or, if your child is less sadistic, get him the bug watch. Admire the little blinking guy in a wrist-worn dome for a few minutes, and then release the latch to set free.

Wouldn't you love a bag that does it all--gym clothes, diapers, beach gear, work stuff, etc? Check out the Built NY Duffle. Made from the same stretchy neoprene that has made their lunch totes famous, the bag can even pinch-hit as a cooler. It comes with a nylon webbing strap that eases the load on your shoulder, and though it repels moisture, the bag is also machine-washable.

Change is good, even when you're a 30-year-old line of styling products. Aveda's new line for men, called Pure-formance has a shampoo, conditioner, grooming clay, cream and pomades. Besides giving dependably perfect tousled results, the products will also be appreciated by the environmentally-conscious consumer. Aveda offsets 100 percent of its electrical usage with wind energy, and the packaging is recycled.

These two new blankets from Mahar Drygoods (one of our favorite sites for kid gifts) are too cute to pass up. The One Lucky Baby Sunshine Yellow Birdseed Blanket retro-inspired bird design is backed with a soft camel-colored chenille. And The Bohemian Forest is a coast-to-coast collaboration--Massachusetts artist Stephanie Dosreis chose the vintage fabric and design, and California quilter Eli Bailey added the finishing touches.

These upgrades on a bathtime staple might just cause squeals (sorry, wrong animal), er, quacks of delight. Bud ducks, originally an Aussie product but now distributed by Designroom Group, come in 40 different styles, which makes them worthy of gifting to just about anyone--including kids with a wee bit of attitude. (Might we suggest the Punk duck?)

A longtime cult-favorite in the UK, Eve Lom facial cleanser is now available in the US. The unique texture of this cleanser (somewhere between a balm and exfoliating lotion) massages into skin to remove the day. Plus, we love the light eucalyptus scent. Use the muslin cloth provided to apply hot/cold compresses to skin (directions included) for the full at-home facial experience.

Check out the ultra stylish PF Flyers Center Lo sneaker, designed and signed by musician Johnny Marr. All of the proceeds of the limited-edition shoes go to Cure Autism Now, an organization of parents, clinicians and scientists committed to picking up the pace of biomedical research to find a cure for Austism. But act now--only 108 pairs are available in the US.

The Chameleon Quick Change Handbag Insert, though possibly not the most glamorous thing you'll ever own, will definitely make your life easier. Available in three sizes and 11 colors, you can match almost any purse in your arsenal and benefit from a pocket for everything--money, cell, cash, credit cards, you name it. When the time comes to switch bags, just pull it out of the old and stick it in the new.

How many times have you decided against grilling in the park because it just seems too hard to stake out one of those nasty charcoal-coated, cement-anchored picnic grills? Here's our handy (not to mention stylish) solution: the Cityboy Grill by designer Klaus Aalto. This portable grill is chic without sacrificing ease. The grate can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and it just uses an easy-to-find disposable gas cartridge. Now you're free to find the best grassy knoll in the park, and get your hot dog on.

Three titles that will have you covered no matter what you're in the mood for: Though Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him might be unsuitable for Henry James readers, the fluffy beach read provides a satiric and entertaining look at Manhattan's art scene. In Blindsided by a Diaper, a collection of short stories, parents reflect on how kids drastically derailed marital bliss. And literary journalist Ryszard Kapuscinski chronicles the early days of his career in Travels with Herodotus--describing how he sees the world for the first time and is both riveted by its beauty and shocked by its brutality.

Ever wondered what you'd look like with a moustache in profile? We haven't really, either, but these Pick Your Nose cups are too fun to pass up. Pair it with the Lekue Silicone Ice Pop Molds, which recreate push-pops but in a mix of your own flavors, and you've got quite the party. Find both at Broadway Panhandler.

The new Comfort-Lite Deluxe Portable Lounger by Brookstone will allow you to enjoy the beach or fireworks in style. The ergonomic design takes the stress off your neck and legs, the nylon is breathable to keep you cool, and you can fold the whole thing up and throw it over your shoulder. The chaise comes in four colors and is also rust and mold-proof.

Welcome to summer! Our first hot product of our week celebrating the sizzling season are these beach-perfect Oilcloth Tote. We love the brightly colored vintage designs, and the large size makes it perfect for carrying an entire day's worth of leisure items. And, of course, the fabric is sturdy, waterproof and easy to wipe clean. Not lucky enough to hit the beach this summer? You can also get the patterns on aprons, lunch bags, bibs, and tablecloths.