HOSTESS GIFTS for Style Maniacs

You can't help but wonder ... did Jonathan Adler create these Zebra Coasters just for Style Maniac?  After all, I'm wild about animal prints and have used zebra and yellow as identifiers for my Style Maniac "brand" since the beginning.  And just last month I finally designed a logo based on these elements that's been twirling around in my head for quite awhile (look for it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, the website, the footer of this blog and more).  Well, truth is, I doubt Jonathan Adler knows a thing Style Maniac.  And his little plates are not cheap.  But the perfectly boxed set and colorful prints seduced me the moment I saw them at the new Jonathan Adler store in Old City, Philadelphia.  Plus forget the coaster idea, they'd be adorable canape plates ... or little dishes to hold jewelry ... or a pretty accent for my desk.  So I bought them as a hostess gift ... for myself.  I can think of a few more style maniacs who might like them as well ....

A TOUCH OF SPRING

Mercurial weather makes spring wardrobes a challenge.  (Yes, I did say spring--officially less than two weeks away!)  One moment it's blustery cold; the next sunny and warm.  My solution: start with the same black turtleneck you've worn all winter, switch to lighter black pants or leggings, top with a great spring coat in a wild pattern or Popsicle-bright color, add a lightweight scarf if needed and finish with one bold accessory, like my whimsical cocktail ring, above.  Everyone asks:  "Christian Dior?" but it's actually an affordable score discovered while--ahem--shopping for a client.

Ring from Matthew Izzo, 151 North 3rd Street  in Philadelphia.  Photographed on indoor/outdoor version of the fabric for the Trina Turk coat mentioned above.

Photo by Doreen Creede

LUSCIOUS LITTLE COTTAGE

Why can't all beach rentals be this cute? Just one glance at those crisp white walls, zebra chairs and hot pink accents mixed with vintage finds makes me want to reserve this aptly named "Luscious Little Cottage" on Tybee Island, Georgia right now. Bonus: it's just "99 1/2/ steps to the beach." I'd pack a stack of design magazines, some new and old Rebecca Wells books and while away a week or two if I could.

Discovered in Coastal Living Magazine's January/February 2009 issue. Visit www.coastalliving.com to view other enticing beach rentals.

WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR SPRING

Glad some of you had a giggle on Wednesday. Here's what I really do want for Spring. Want it bad. Trina Turk, you make this thrifty thing very very hard.

Zebra coat trinaturk.com.