Ask a Groovy Gal (Lifestyle & Home)

ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG DEPUTY EDITOR AND BEAUTY DIRECTOR CHELSEA KAPLAN
GIVES YOU THE GOODS ON HOW TO LIVE LARGE

My diaper bag has gotten so trashed, thanks to a million internal and external spills. Help! I need a durable bag that’s also cute. —Karla, Cincinnati, OH
	The best way to keep your diaper bag pristine (read: coffee-, juice- and exploding-bottle-proof) is to carry one that’s coated in plastic. Check out Petunia Pickle Bottom’s glazed canvas Boxy Backpacks, Shoulder Bags and Touring Totes, all of which are available for $145 to $175 at Nordstrom. I also love the indestructible, country-cute bags from 2 Red Hens, which are covered in vinyl. My favorite from the line is the Whole Roost bag, which features four external pockets plus three internal pockets for all of Baby’s (and Mom’s) necessities. It retails for $107.95 at www.amazon.com.

I really need to do some redecorating in my house, but I don’t have the money to afford a total home makeover. What are some inexpensive things I can buy or do to make some big changes? —Stefanie, Draper, UT
Shift your focus from purchasing new furniture (that’s where your wallet can really take a beating) to revamping your paint and textiles. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all you need to drastically alter a room’s look. For increased depth and drama, choose a deep, rich color, or to add brightness to a room you feel has gotten a little dreary, choose a pastel or creamy neutral against which your furniture will really pop. Designers all agree that the best paints are from Duron. To check out their colors or locate a Duron paint store near you, visit www.duron.com. If you’re ready to take it a step further, try adding some colorful throw pillows to your sofa or bed, ideally in a bright, fun color. When added to a neutral sofa or bedspread, pillows can really add personality to a room—not to mention completely (and inexpensively!) change the color scheme. Some pillows I find particularly good-looking and reasonably priced are those from DwellStudio for Target, the low-priced line from hip, popular (read: pricey) textile makers DwellStudio. If you’ve got a cream or gray sofa or bedspread, consider adding the Peony Decorative Pillow, which will add a punchy pop of yellow. If your seating or bedding is more in the brown family, add a little blue with the line’s Blue Birds Decorative Pillow, and if you’re all about white, check out the graphic, kelly green Dot Flower Decorative Pillow. All pillows are $24.99 at www.target.com.

The product I’m loving this month:

Wine Spectator

When it comes to my knowledge about wine, it’s pretty much limited to the fact that I know I like to drink it. Recently, however, I’ve been trying to learn a little more about wine. To do so, I’ve been diligently reading this magazine, known as the best for those both in the know and not so much so. I find it totally accessible, yet incredibly informative and detailed, including as much info about foods that go best with wines as the wines themselves. Consider me on the path to becoming a true wine snob.

One-year subscription, $49.95, www.magazines.com.

Need a good laugh? Click here to read all about Chelea's life with two little ones—in her blog, “The Momtourage”