Last week’s miserable “wintry mix” notwithstanding, the time for spring-cleaning is nigh. Start by upgrading one of your most-used washing utensils: the scrubber. These Japanese-made scouring cloths ($6.95 at Green Depot, 222 Bowery, nr. Prince St.; 917-533-7273) get their abrasive edge from corncobs and peach pits, so they’...

A crop of designers, including the rapidly ascending young Alexander Wang, has launched sunglasses lines for spring. This zipper-trimmed take on the classic boxy Wayfarer shape (available starting March 1; $325 at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard St., nr. Broadway; 212-219-2688) is flattering on pretty much any face and perfectly distills Wang’s ...

Yes, it’s the dead of winter, but in six weeks — spring. Now’s the time to cultivate. This crocus flower is bursting from a windowsill gardening kit available at Brooklyn Farms, a new hydroponic supply store in Cobble Hill. The benefits of hydroponic: bigger plants and better crop yields. The kit includes clay pellets (in place o...

Forget canvas or yarn. A crop of young women have taken up wallpaper. The sticks-of-gum paper here is by photographer-printmaker Este Lewis, who makes patterns from close-ups of quotidian objects (from $25 per square foot; soyeste.com). Others include Shanan Campanaro, whose digitally manipulated patterns are vaguely Rorschach-like (Eskayel Bespok...

It’s time for another highlight from our delightful Reader Look Book, wherein you upload snapshots of your fashionable feats and we celebrate your genius. Today’s noteworthy style, at right, comes courtesy of a reader in Los Angeles who’s admirably pulling off some thigh-high boots from Jeffrey Campbell, nicely balanced with a cl...

Belgian company Ice Watch just hit the States with cheery silicone timepieces for both sexes ($110 at Las Americas Jewelry, 205B Canal St., nr. Mulberry St.; 212-966-4556). Plus: A cushy chair with a madras-y makeover, retailers who are lending Haiti a hand, and more. Best Bets [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, accessories, [....rest of the story....]...

An antidote to January’s inevitable post-holiday gray winter blahs: retina-pleasing vivid colors, now suddenly ubiquitous on everyday objects, like Post-it’s new yellow, blue, or green pads ($5 to $25 at Office Depot, 1441 Broadway, nr. 41st St.; 212-764-2465), or the tropically bright blue and pink weekly planners by Ecosystem ($14.95...

Our friends over at Vulture are tracking the red-carpet fashions of actresses you’re sure to see a lot of this awards season. Because let’s face it: Who wins is just as important as what everyone wears. See how Marion Cotillard, Sandra Bullock, Penélope Cruz, Meryl Streep, and many more are faring thus far in the complete Red-Carp...

MAKEUP • Angelina Jolie was named Beauty Icon of the Decade in a poll commissioned by Superdrug.com. Is this a worthy win? [Telegraph UK] • When famous women attend sporting events, they don’t skimp on makeup. Just look at Eva Longoria Parker and Jennifer Lopez, who both wore smoky eyes to basketball and football games, respectiv...

A nonallergenic alternative to down, this soft, puffy comforter lets you sleep sniffle-free ($169.99 for a queen-size at Bed Bath & Beyond, 620 Sixth Ave., nr. 18th St.; 212-255-3550). Plus: Uniqlo’s colorful Heattech tops and Ernest Alexander’s new wool belts. Best Bets [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, new in [....rest of the story.....

Under the Roof’s ingenious level lets you mount picture frames without maiming walls with practice holes ($14.99 at Home Depot, 980 Third Ave., at 59th St.; 212-888-1512). Plus: bright-colored ear buds, retro swim trunks, and more. Best Bets [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, ...

A mainstay of French celebrations, the crumbly, ganache-filled macaron is finally catching on here, thanks to versions now available at patisseries like Dessert Club, ChikaLicious, L.A. Burdick, and François Chocolate Bar. Most recently, Adour Alain Ducasse’s shop at the St.Regis (2 E. 55th St., at Fifth Ave.; 212-710-2277) has begun re...

Marie Brandolini’s latest glassware trick: air bubbles blown into dinner plates, salad bowls, and drinking glasses ($290 to $630 by special order at Moss, 150 Greene St., nr. E. Houston St.; 212-204-7100). Plus, Lerival’s surprisingly sturdy stool, and a lamp that mimics natural light. Best Bets [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, ...

Scotsman Brian McGrory has noticed two things about our local drinking habits: One, the brown-booze boom is still going strong, and two, nobody is adequately translating Scotch into English. (All those consonants!) He’s addressing the latter at Highlands (150 W. 10th St., nr. Waverly Pl.; 212-229-2670), the new West Village Scottish gastropu...

Tavi Gevinson is getting more famous by the day. She was all over New York Fashion Week — on many a front row, at that — and “defines Rodarte for Target,” the Mulleavy sisters told Teen Vogue. (Teen Vogue adds the designers have been fans of her “cutting fashion commentary” since they first read her blog StyleRo...

EVENTS • Meet America’s Next Top Model judge and runway coach J. Alexander as he celebrates the launch of his new book, Follow the Model. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., at Greenwich St. (212-587-5389); 7 p.m. • Meet actress and singer Ashley Tisdale at Sephora. The first 300 Beauty Insiders (sign up for free at the store) to ...

Striking original illustrations adorn each heavy paper book cover from Book City Jackets ($9.95 for three at Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, 365 State St., at Bond St., Boerum Hill; 718-522-9848). Plus, porcelain water filters and a strong and handy nail jack. New in Stores [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, shopping ...

Umbra’s new home accessories include this curvaceous wine rack that holds up to six bottles ($19.99 at the Container Store, 629 Sixth Ave., nr. 18th St.; 212-366-4200). Plus, tasty, gluten-free cookies and party-ready glass tables. New in Stores [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, home decor, ...

The drab kitchen apron becomes much snappier with a graphic design ($28 at Anthropologie, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, nr. 50th St.; 212-246-0386). Plus, a redesigned hammer and a sleek armoire for storing chunky winter gear. Best Bets [NYM] Filed Under: anthropologie, best bets ...

Buy in volume, embrace the mismatch, and stop when you hit the elbow. Short of that, bracelets, wristlets, and bangles can’t get too stacked or wildly styled right now. Here, a few dozen new arrivals, including jeweled elastic bracelets from Forever 21 ($5.80), woven friendship-style lanyards by new designer Jenny Kang ($25 to $85), stretchy...

Tote around a laptop in this nylon case with convenient front storage pockets and top handle ($20.95 at Muji, 455 Broadway, nr. Grand St.; 212-334-2002). Plus, the Conran Shop’s new oak-and-glass table and Gant’s plaid 60th-anniversary shirt. New in Stores [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, muji ...

The Hill-Side’s ties and handkerchiefs are produced in a small Manhattan factory from utilitarian fabrics ($86 at Smith + Butler, 225 Smith St., at Butler St., Carroll Gardens; 718-855-4295). Plus, unisex ankle wellies and Marvel’s foldout Expanding Universe Wall Chart. New Stuff [NYM] Filed Under: best bets, ties ...