If the weathermen are correct, the coming months are going to be especially rainy, and nothing can sour your morning like an inside-out umbrella on your way to work or school. Thankfully, the clever people at Senz have put their heads together to improve upon traditional models. Don't let the wacky shape put you off; its award-winning, aerodynamic build is what gives it the strength to withstand winds up to 70 mph, keeping you nice and dry through the spring.

Whether your office attire is staid business formal or casually eclectic, the right pair of shoes can put a spring in your step while going about your daily routine. These modern, stacked-heel Cole Haan pumps are a fantastic update to the workday staple. The gentle, round toe is business appropriate; a flashy patent sheen is purely for pleasure. Plus, the well-disguised Nike Air cushioning inside makes them uncommonly forgiving after hours on your feet.

Dear ballet flat, the time has come for us to express our undying gratitude to your legacy. You're comfortable, you're tasteful, and you have all but eliminated the need for otherwise stylish women the world over to wear frumpy sneakers on the way to work while carrying sky-high stilettos in their tote. We're currently digging this version by Pedro Garcia, with a softly ruched heel wearable enough to take you from play date to date night.

Sometimes the easiest way to feel festive is with a fresh pop of color. These royal purple satin sandals from J. Crew work just as well with drainpipe jeans as they do with a party dress, and they're wearable enough to carry you through all those weddings of the season. Plus, they're all you need to inject new life into your tired black shift dress; though lately, we love pairing ours with unexpected colors, like navy or emerald green.

Admit it, it's hard to muster up the energy to don anything stylish when the weekend rolls around...and most of the people noticing what's on your feet are under the age of ten. Consider these lace-up tennies from Tretorn an effortless compromise. The subtle golden sheen and comfy rubber sole make for the perfect balance of glam and practical. When was the last time you got to feel fashionable on the playground?

Nude patent, the fashion world's favorite neutral of late, won't be going anywhere fast. The pale color elongates the leg, and the shiny, squeaky-clean leather is oh-so elegant. Why not carry the trend into spring with these peep toe pumps from Marc by Marc Jacobs? The silhouette feels demure-while the four-inch heel is anything but. Part career woman, part vixen, this is a shoe that should be in everyone's closet.

Spring is in the air, and we suspect you'll have some bunnies hopping through your home - especially if you visit Mahar Drygoods. Rusty the Bunny is just one of their new hand knit stuffed animals, meticulously made with 100 percent wool by a Montreal artist. Each creature (you can choose from rabbits or lambs) is dressed a little differently, with embroidered noses and black plastic safety eyes. So cute, and so spring!

The onset of boredom while on the road is next to unavoidable -- and doesn't make the journey feel any shorter. Next time you find yourself in a mid-level panic over what to do with the kids, turn off the Game Boy and look to Think-ets. The little mesh pouch holds a host of fantastical trinkets including a tiny building block, a horse, a silk flower, and twelve more to spark the imagination. Instructions for 10 different games come with the set, but these intriguing little figures may even inspire them to create their own.

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In need of some comfy, portable seating? We recommend Mia's floor pillows from Bliss Living, made in brightly colored patchwork prints, accented with covered buttons, and trimmed in dupioni silk. At almost two square feet, they're hefty enough to be extra cushy, and don't let the luxe fabrics fools you -- whether on your living room floor, inside a great blanket fort, or just in front of the tube, these cushions are made to be well-used.

We are always on the hunt for something small and desirable to hold other small and desirable things. Snapdesign's graphic makeup bags and coin purses are our favorites of late. Beautifully handmade in a variety of colors and styles and embellished with decorative top stitching, you can buy matching sets or mix it up. The leather holds up well in even the most high-traffic purses, and the zip closure will hold business cards, travel items, you name it!

If you're looking forward to taking the babes out on your run in the ever-warmer spring weather, try out the new Phil & Ted Vibe. Improving on the original inline model (which lets two kids ride in a single-width buggy), the vibe is 2 pounds lighter, has a wider seat, and is lower to the ground for a smoother ride. With a one-touch brake, waterproof fabric, and a tough, aluminum frame, we can't wait to take it out on the jogging trails. For more great strollers, see our story.

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You know socks that seems to disappear each time you do laundry? It might be spiriting away to Sok-o. The new company makes darling stuffed animals out of the very things most of us simply put on our feet. Hooligan, Peeko, and Dazzze, pictured, each have their own story -- and each is handcrafted and unique. You can adopt one of your own (complete with birth certificate) today. We bet you never really missed those old socks, anyway.

When this candelabra showed up in the Cookie offices, it wormed its way right into our hearts -- and stayed there. One part industrial and one part playful, the Conran Shop's Spiro is a modern design triumph. Beautifully handmade with iron and imported from India, its size is substantial (2 and a half feet tall) and its presence sturdy, making it sure to leave a lasting impression. We love it enough to keep it -- click here for more tips on home design.

Still on the hunt for all-natural products that actually deliver? As celeb moms Julia Roberts and Diane Lane already know, you want products from Santa Monica's Arcona Spa. Their luxury skincare line is free of nasty fillers, parabens, perfumes, and dyes. We're partial to the new White Tea makeup remover. As soothing as it is powerful (thanks to the additions of calming chamomile and arnica), it removes our most stubborn waterproof mascara in a single swipe. Click here for more beauty products.

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It's a dreaded milestone of parenting: lice. Treat it naturally with Quit Nits, an Aussie-created lice treatment and prevention product. Instead of chemicals, its active ingredient is Quassia amara, a bark extract that includes a non-toxic insecticide. Overnight, the lice stop producing eggs, thus leaving your kid (and your home) nit-free. And in the case of an outbreak at school, the preventative spray is a preemptive attack on the little buggers. For more healthy tips, see our index.

Get steals on some unique home furnishings at Lekker -- your home deserves it!

What's not to love about Lollipop Tree's baking products? All natural, trans-fat free, and now newly organic, the jams, sauces, and bread, pancake, and dessert mixes are delicious to boot. The easy-to-make Blueberry Monkey Bread mix, which yields a cinnamon-y, pull-apart snack, even shares a part of its proceeds with the Heifer Project, which is dedicated to ending world hunger. All we can say? Sweet.

If you're in need of a little extra luck, here's something a little more useful -- and a lot more unique -- than the traditional St. Paddy's shamrock. In Japan, the word for Gecko (yamori) is pronounced the same way as the one meaning "house protector." The cute little guy even has four magnets in his feet to stay securely on your fridge, so that streak of good fortune isn't going anywhere fast.

Whether bringing food to your kid's sick bed or a host of cocktails to your party guests in the next room, an all-purpose tray is a must-have in any kitchen. We like these pretty, distinctive ones from Simrin. Made with hand-printed fabric that is then laminated with vinyl under high pressure, each design is a little different. Simrin makes linens from the same fabrics, so coordinating is a snap -- as is cleanup: just wipe it down with a damp cloth after use.

Looking for something unique this Easter? RedStamp.com always has great items for gifting, and now they're giving you a gift, too -- a 15 percent discount! Order now and use COOKIE15EASTER at check out, and we think the kids' Easter basket will be particularly cute (and full) this year.

We've been a fan of CharmCo jewelry for some time now -- their wide and gorgeous selection of vintage and reproduced charms offers something for every taste. Now, with their recently launched "Wish List" registry, there's a smart way to spread the word. To start your own Wish List, log onto
CharmCo and click through the bits and bobs to build your own unique dream piece. Then use the clever email form to send friends and family a subtle(ish) hint. We think it's a great way to begin a lasting tradition.

We know that "instant" foods might scream college to you, but this Trader Joe's Instant Miso Soup is truly an upgrade from the Easy Mac you remember. Our travel editor highly recommends it for on-the-road cuisine, either in the car or on a plane -- all you have to do is add boiling water. The formula is made from a blend of white and red miso spiked with shiitake mushrooms and chives. And at 90 calories per packet, it's as healthy as it is tasty.

It's a common conundrum: You want to display photos easily, but you don't want to ruin them with pin holes. To help, OXO's MagTacks combine a pin and a magnet -- you push the tack wherever you like, then use the magnet to secure your photo or note. And as always, OXO has gone the extra mile to create a smart design: when not in use, simply flip each pin over and slide it into it's magnetic cap. Voila: total protection from pricked fingertips. We think it's a great way to display artwork, too.