It's always a nice surprise to read a good kids' book by one of your favorite adult authors (see our story on their children's books here), and this one is no exception. Naughty Cherie, by the ever-prolific Joyce Carol Oates, tells the tale of a misbehaving kitty who is inspired to reform after meeting some even naughtier animals. Oates manages to teach a lesson without bludgeoning us with it. It's perfect for lulling your own little mischief-makers to bed.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but tax season is upon us (only 47 days!) Instead of panicking, consider investing in the Neat Receipts scanner. Just run your receipts through it, then toss 'em. The thin, brilliant device hooks right up to your computer to import copies into Works, Outlook, or Excel to create searchable, IRS-approved copies. You can analyze your spending, organize receipts by category, and even export them to Turbo Tax. We can't make any promises about the size of your return, but you will sure feel organized!

Are you still keeping your toothbrushes in a scummy Spongebob cup? Consider upgrading with this beautiful lacquered set from Waterworks. Each piece is available in three complimentary colors, so you can mix and match a toothbrush holder, lidded containers, a tray, a tissue-box cover, and even a wastebasket. The end result is an elegant, cohesive bath set to be proud of -- rubber duckie and Barbie toothbrush be damned. Call 800-899-6757 to order.

Just how often do you find a truly dependable friend? The cuddly creatures in miYim's Fairytale Organic Knit Collection are made from 100 percent organic cotton dyed with plant and mineral pigments. Baby Victoria and Baby George would be cute companions for your own babes, and you'll breathe easy knowing they're completely chemical free and machine washable. And their precious expressions? Completely embroidered -- no hard buttons eyes or noses to choke on. So don't hold back; bring on the love. For more of our toy recommendations, click here.

If "modern cake stand" sounds like an oxymoron, take note: these beauties from America Retold are distinctly different from those in your grandmother's cupboard. Made from recycled wood with a distressed black finish, they come in three sizes to accommodate your every serving need. The silhouette is classic, the color slightly unexpected, and the overall effect is pure elegance. To order, call 866 862-0100. For delicious cake recipes (in order to properly use this stand), check out our story.

We can't full explain our obsession with Birdlette but, trust us, it runs deep. Their colorful onesies and tees are 100 percent cotton and built for wear and tear. But our hearts were won by the quirky hand-silkscreened animal graphics, which take themselves just seriously enough to be hilarious. It's hard to pick favorites, but we're particularly fond of the hippo in sneakers, and the guinea pigs at the bus stop. We're betting you'll soon be obsessed, too.

We fell in love with this plucky, homespun lion the first time we saw him. Then we learned that he's part of Cards from Africa, an organization that employs young people in Rwanda. Orphans of the genocide and AIDS epidemic (who often become "heads of households") help to create these handmade greeting cards. In turn, they provide food, education, and clothes for themselves and their brothers and sisters. And case case you aren't as partial to this feline as we are, there are over 200 other adorable designs to choose from.

We've been hoping for an early spring, but for every new flower, there's probably a new allergen. Nip sneezes in the bud with the Vornado Air Quality System 500. Energy Star qualified, this system is amazingly quiet and easy to operate -- the filters just drop in. But the best part is that it circulates and purifies the air in the entire room instead of just a few feet around the unit. Now that should help you breathe easy.

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Tired of seeing your accessories coming and going? So are we, which is why we immediately fell under the spell of these one-of-a-kind Madame Fortuna charm necklaces. Inspired by the haunting, historical streets of New Orleans, each necklace is a carefully curated bouquet of charms and vintage pieces ("Creole Queen" shown), affixed to an antiqued brass chain. When hung around your neck, it's sure to elevate any look. Trust us: it's a little bit of voodoo.

Afraid of what those boxes of Thin Mints in the cabinet may do to your middle? Well now, thanks to Trish McEvoy's 'Be Prepared' Pink Maxed Out Gloss Kit you can help out the Girl Scouts and stay looking great. This portable kit comes with eight mini glosses in flattering shades of pink and nude -- perfect to layer over lipstick or wear alone. And with the net proceeds going to support Girl Scouting, you might just win a merit badge of your own. See all our favorite beauty products.

When planning a birthday party, there are lots of details easily forgotten (where are the candles/matches? Little Jimmy is allergic to peanuts? How old is Aunt Jane, anyway?) Now you can be sure to remember one: a cheery, festive banner. Especially useful for impromptu parties (as those long-planned for), you can reuse this year after year -- the all-fabric set comes with tie-on numbers, from zero to nine. As for the age thing, you're on your own. See our birthday party index for fun party ideas!

Happy Valentine's Day! To show your affection for the whole family this year, check out these BoobyDooby eco-friendly tees. Not only do the organic tees heart the environment, they also display powerful messages for those in your own heart: "my kids," "my bro," "my sis," "my mom," or "my dad". Tagless and super-soft, they're a truly sweet way to show your love

We're all about shopping for a cause, especially when the products are as precious as these. The Hmong Weaving Puppets are made from vibrant scraps of batik-dyed fabrics, salvaged from worn out traditional clothing. Each little guy is then decorated with meticulous embroidery, all hand-done by a Vietnamese women's sewing group who make their living crafting these creatures. Now you can own a truly unique piece of art -- and know you're supporting artisans, to boot. See more great handmade toys.

No time to plan a romantic three-course meal between play dates? No worries. The geniuses at Space NK have made it easy to set the mood this Valentines Day, with just one tiny box. Tucked inside are scented essentials for a sexy soak (for either one or two), including bath oil, tablets, body wash, lotion, and even a candle. So find a way to buy yourself half an hour, light that little flame, and sink into the tub for pure relaxation. Now that's the stuff of lasting love. See more Valentine buys.

There's something so infectiously fun about stripes. If you're ready for a shot of energy in your kitchen, we recommend this Origo cereal bowl from Iittala. Not only is it beautifully crafted and dishwasher safe; the pattern seems to vibrate right off the ceramic! Available in the 16-ounce bowl (shown), as well as a nut cup, a dessert bowl, and a tumbler.

These Happy and Cheeky mixing spoons from Kid Central Kitchen definitely earn their name -- we just look at them and smile! We're also betting they'll make any picky eater that much more eager to experiment in the kitchen. Made from melamine and available in a selection of bright colors, a whole set would make for a nice pick-me-up in the kitchen -- we suspect you might start enjoy them as much as the kids.

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No matter your feelings about the upcoming holiday, it's hard not to love Egg Press for their new Valentine collection. From a friendly little skunk saying "Happy Stinkentine's Day" to an endearing pair of clams in love, you can easily send a unique, decidedly un-mushy message. And the Sculpture cards are particularly smart for kids -- each object can be punched out and assembled to make a new form. An interactive Valentine? We heart it!

Ever wonder what $3,400 would buy you in cleaning products? Us neither. But since trying the Get Clean system, we've pondered it quite a bit. You start with wunderkid Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate, then mix it with prescribed amounts of water (depending on which kind of grime you're tackling). It seems that, for example, one bottle of Basic H2 makes 5,824 bottles of Windex. After you do the math with all product in the kit, it adds up to 3,400 bucks in savings -- for you and the earth. We'll take it.

If you're feeling the urge for home improvement, let these little helpers brighten the place up (without the cacophony of real tools). This 100 percent cotton set comes complete with a denim tool belt to put a smile on your tot's face. Yellow Label Kids, the maker, is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, which guarantees that their products are made in sweatshop-free conditions. Remodeling with a conscience -- there's a great idea.

Blue Ribbon, the family of eight restaurants founded by Eric and Bruce Bromberg, has a reputation for seriously good, clean food. Bring that attitude to your table with the Blue Ribbon Naked Nuggets. These all-natural kid faves have no breading, only white meat chicken, seasonings, and spices. The nuggets are grilled and have about half the calories and fat of the run-of-the mill variety. In otherwords, nuggets are at their best in the buff!

Add a delightful personal touch to your next dinner party. The Ameico Name & Notes napkin rings, made of untreated, laquered maple, put the emphasis on your revolving roster of guests. Using the white slate pencil included in the set, you can either personalize each ring with a nickname, or have guests do their own seating chart. This is a great idea to keep kids involved in preparations, too. When the party's over, simply scrub off the names with a wet sponge.