If you like to make your own iced tea on a hot summer day, you know how frustrating it can be to wait for the hot brewed tea to cool. The people at Tea Forte have come up with a way to quicken the process, with their smartly designed Tea Over Ice contraption. Simply steep the bag in hot water in the top chamber, and once it is strong enough, flash cool the drink by pouring it immediately over the ice in the bottom chamber. Pour and serve!

Summer can sometimes feel like prime time for mom-guilt: Should I really be letting them watch TV on this sunny day? Is it bad that I pushed off swim lessons for another year? Are they going to go back to school half brain-dead from a summer free of multiplication tables and science labs? At least you can allay the latter fear with this book from Skyhorse Publishing. We Dare You! is a collection of hundreds of educational science experiments, tricks and games that you can conduct in your own kitchen or backyard, so you can keep the kids entertained and your conscience clear.

And if your kid is a physicist in the making, check out Cookie's ideas for a mad scientist birthday party.

If your beach house is stocked with last year's slimy shampoo bottles (or your hotel room is full of bath products that smell of disinfectant), treat yourself to this travel kit from McBride Beauty. Not only do they boast a luxe line of grapefruit, cucumber, and rosewater scented lotions and shampoos, they also employ an admirably earth-friendly approach to their products, meaning no synthetic fragrances, harsh chemicals, or animal testing. Pamper yourself, paraben-free.

Check out our list of green summer necessities.

We don't typically push for playing with your food, but with this knit cookie collection from Yellow Label Kids, we'll make an exception. The set includes six fake cookies, including chocolate chip, Oreo, and every New Yorker's favorite: black and white. All six are packed into a soft gingham tray so your kid can tote it to tea with her imaginary friend or dessert in her playhouse. Bonus: no crumbs in the carpet, or sugar high-induced tantrums.

Check out other play foods here.

No patio picnic is complete without a chilly glass of iced tea, and this glasses-and-carafe set from Bauer Pottery serves as the perfect receptacle  for any signature summertime beverage. Bauer's most recent pieces are reflections of designs from the company's 1930s heyday, and with plates, vases and teapots in graceful shapes and cool colors, it's no wonder they're still right in style.

Our kids aren't exactly spending their summers practicing long division, and between play dates and swimming lessons, no one is in the mood for an impromptu letters-and-numbers review. With these ice cube trays from Spoon Sisters, at least they can think while they drink. Cubes in the shape of numbers and letters mean kids can spell or count while they sip their apple juice. Try filling them with jello or cookie batter too!

Heavy lipstick in summer is about as appealing as a heavy coat. So when times call for a pulled together look this season, we turn to Sally Hansen's Moisture Plump Lip Balm: equal parts chapstick, lip stain, and plumper. Part of a new natural beauty line created with the help of 'What Not to Wear's' celeb makeup artist Carmindy, this moisturizing, avocado oil-infused formula comes in seven warm weather-ready shades--none of which will dry out or weigh your look down.

These tea towels from Hammocks and High Tea are perfect for dressing up your kitchen or patio this summer, and are made with airy, eclectic patterns perfect for every taste. Better yet, the dyes are non-toxic and the fabric is a fine, easily washable hemp/cotton blend. Use a couple Sari print tea towels during a curry feast or try the Wild Ginger print during Mai Tais at sundown.

Decorating a nursery can be a tug of war between your modern design preferences and nurturing motherly instincts, but no need to pick one extreme or the other when the people at Binth are turning out bedroom accessories that satisfy both inclinations, like this Cameo Bunny Cuddle Pillow. Equal parts graphic and sweet, it is sure to appeal to your inner mom as well as your inner design snob.

Click here for more nursery decor ideas.

We at Cookie are all about bringing kids into the kitchen, but your favorite Coq au Vin recipe may be a bit over their heads. Cook It in a Cup! by Chronicle Books has a solution. This family-friendly cookbook comes with six silicone baking cups perfect for making kid-sized treats like mini quiches and crumb cakes, and the recipes are complete with color photos and easy to follow instructions for either the oven or the microwave. Start nurturing your young culinarian now, and maybe one day she'll take over dinner duty.

Click here for more tips on cooking with kids.

Your dreams of al fresco summer dining probably don't include a buzzing in your ear. But how many times have you had to inhale your burger to avoid the inevitable evening flux of mosquitos (and whining kids)? Toss out your old citronella candles and opt for these from Smith & Hawken. Loaded with dreamy cedar- and thyme-scented essential oils, they naturally repel bugs. Plus, the rustic terracotta pots will enhance your table setting.

A quickie trip to Capri for the weekend is probably out of the question, but Acqua di Parma's new Blu Mediterraneo Italian Resort collection will make him feel like he just got back from the shore. The unisex line is made with Mediterranean spa traditions in mind, incorporating scents and textures native to the area. We suggest letting dad take a much-needed break to polish up with the Pumice Body Scrub--made with real volcanic pumice--and the sumptuous Repairing Concentrate balm, which is chock-full of repairing vitamins A and E. 

Click here for more Father's Day gift ideas.

We're suckers for those all-in-one products--and we understand the male desire for gadgetry. The LifeLight from Life+Gear is a perfect for Dad, whether he is truly an outdoorsman or just wants the perfect toy for the beach or backyard. This lantern has everything from a compass, crank power generator, and an emergency siren, to cushier amenities like a night light, an AM/FM radio, and an ipod speaker. MacGyver would be proud.

Click here for more Father's Day gift ideas.

Who said only women crave chocolate? If the dad in your life has a sweet tooth, look no further than this Organic Chocolate Pyramid from Pralus. Francois Pralus, who was named one of only three Maitre Chocolatiers in France for his use of ancient techniques, uses cocoa beans imported from Ghana, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Tanzania, and Madagascar. The distinctly different flavors are a decadent taste tutorial.

Click here for more Father's Day gift ideas.

What dapper dad's wardrobe would be complete without a prize pair of cufflinks? These funky versions by Stephen Webster inject a little humor into a staid accessory that was once the sole territory of Tiffany and Cartier. The silver bulldog pieces have ruby eyes, an enamel back, and a funny little face, so he can feel at once youthful and sophisticated.

Click here for more Father's Day gift ideas.

For many, the typical Father's Day gifting routine involves getting your hubby whatever electronic gadget or grill accessory is newest, and simply signing your kids' names on the card.  How about letting them participate in the gift selection this year? Ralph Lauren's Create Your Own Tie program allows kids to pick the pattern, color, and monogram on Dad's tie, so he will think fondly of them each time he ties a half Windsor.

Click here for more Father's Day gift ideas.

It's time to swap those staid marble numbers for bookends more fitting for a nursery or playroom. Sandy Vohr's whimsical collection of stuffed leather animals are handcrafted from cowhide and deerskin and filled with weighty fibers to give them a hefty, substantial feel. While they're effective for propping up your collection of bedtime stories, we also like them for adorning your child's bed. And...did we mention how freaking cute they all are?

Here are more ideas for adorning your bookshelf.

These utensils by Trebimbi bring new meaning to the phrase "playing with your food."  Each set, available in a variety of shades, comes with a fork, knife and spoon that snap together like Legos so kids can swap colors or create mini sculptures. Make sure to also check out their puppet collections, with implements that are adorned in smiley faces and dressed in outfits, so your little one can distract himself by staging a play while you
finish your meal.

Are you eager to get to the beach, but less ecstatic about baring a tummy that has been hidden from the sun and stuffed with comfort food for the duration of the cold winter months? We hear you, and so do the dear people at L'Occitane, who have come to cure your belly blues. Their new Almond Delicious Tummy gel works to firm the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. With results this impressive and a scent this yummy,who could resist?

Summer is here, so it's time to wipe off that gothic "Lincoln Park After Dark" lacquer and embrace polish shades more befitting to the warm weather (not to mention the serious neon trend of late). Essie's Color Power limited-edition set comes with four mini bottles of fun, sunny shades that will perfectly complement your beach attire. Pink and red hues are classic, while the bright yellow and iridescent blue will be the envy of your babysitter.

Click here for more summer beauty staples.

Turn your kid's recent obsession with trucks into a stroke of decorating inspiration with this pillow from Hable. This playful, wool felt creation will add a punch of color and a bit of fun to your decor. And with Hable's extensive collection of colors and fabrics, you too can find the perfect piece to obsess over.