Ceramic Colanders

These pretty colanders are made from glazed ceramic are useful for washing produce or straining pasta. But their real value, in my opinion, anyway, is how charming they look doubling as fruit bowls.

@ Pottery Barn, $10-$29

w.r.d. Bottle

This w.r.d. (water ready to drink) bottle definitely sends a message. And even if it wasn't eco-friendly, this sleek stainless steel bottle with a clip top is infinitely more chic than a wasteful plastic ones.

@ cb2, $20

Lodge Enameled Cast Iron

I'm pretty impressed with Lodge's new enameled cast iron line. Finally, there's an affordable option to the far more expensive Le Creuset and Staub enameled cast iron cookware. Lodge's enameled cookware is as heavy, durable and good-looking as Le Creuset. The line offers Dutch ovens and skillets in a range of sizes and comes in Island Spice (shown), Caribbean blue, Kelly green and Cafe, a warm brown shade. Best of all, most pieces are priced under $50.

@ Amazon, $35-$65

Pasta La Vista Sponges

Spongioli -- or ravioli-shaped sponges -- might actually inspire you to practice your Ah-nold accent when you're doing dishes or wiping down the countertop. Pasta la Vista, kitchen grime. Comes in pack of three large, anti-bacterial spongioli.

@ Mod Living, $13

Match Convivo Dinnerware

This impressive tableware collection harmonizes pewter and ceramic to create the beloved Convivo line. Handmade by artisans in northern Italy, Match Convivio pieces look fantastic in contemporary settings, not to mention traditional ones. In fact, pewter has been used as dinnerware since 3000 B.C. Match pewter contains 95% high grade tin, hence the "95" stamped into each piece. The collection is food-safe, lead-free, FDA-approved and dishwasher-safe. Granted, the stuff isn't cheap... but it sure is gorgeous.

@ Amazon, from $57

Stuck on You Wall Hooks

Designed by Thelermont Hupton, these eye-catching kitchen hooks are a fun, colorful way to keep oven mitts, pot holders, dishcloths and aprons at the ready. They'd also be cute in other rooms too. Made of powder-coated steel.
@ The Future Perfect, $35/each

Simrin Laminated Fabric Trays

These trays started as vintage, hand-screened fabrics. A bit of magic by the folks at Simrin, and they are reborn as fun, totally unique trays that still look like linen, but are resistant to water and stains.

@ Matter, from $80

Plucked Petals Measuring Spoons

It's hard to imagine that something as functional as measuring spoons should be called 'adorable' and 'darling.' But that's exactly how to describe this measuring spoon set, which features a quartet of hand-painted blossoms. Each one is perfectly sized for a tablespoon, teaspoon and its fractions and each bloom nestles -- adorably -- on the leaf.

@ Anthropologie, $24

SuperTryer Place Mat

Finicky (or timid) eaters might be tempted to expand their horizons with this cute, colorful SuperTryer placemat. Mushed beans, anyone?
@ Moomah, $10

EatSmart Precision Digital Scale

Chefs and dieters rarely agree, but they both swear by one thing: When in doubt, always use a kitchen scale. After years of wondering why I never got consistent cookies and pizza dough with the same recipes, I finally treated myself to a kitchen scale. And even though I'm not a chef or a dieter, I too now swear by one of these.

@ Amazon,", $25