Dreaming of a home theater?  We’ve discovered an ingenious gadget that lets you turn your iPhone 4 into a movie projector and any white wall or smooth surface into a screen.

The Pocket Projector ($229.99) has a super-bright 15-lumen LED projector lamp that delivers clearer, more brilliant images than other pico projectors. It has a 640×360 native display resolution which projects up to 50″ images and an integrated 0.5W speaker to deliver your audio.

And another smart feature…..the Pocket Projector doubles as a back-up battery for your iPhone 4 when not being used.

So plan a movie night or use the projector to add some event decor.  It could project a work presentation but how boring would that be?

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Brookstone

Think your peels are destined only for the composter? An innovative creation by Dutch designer, Rianne Koens, Peel Pride includes a series of kitchen tools that capture the aroma infused in the top layers of fruit and vegetables.  The top peeler cuts off the very thin fragrant layer of the peel.  Then the strips go into the stackable containers for drying which makes the flavors more intense.

Next the peels are placed into individual dispensers that are used with the grinder. The peels are ground into small pieces that can be shaken onto food or drinks.  It’s a great way to add a dash of taste and fragrance as well as a sprinkle of color onto all of your foodie creations!

PHOTO CREDIT:  Charlotte Boeyden

Golden apples are usually found in only in fairy tales but with Food Finish, they can be served on your dinner table. Created by The Deli Garage and a small factory that produces high quality food coloring for fine European pastry shops, Food Finish is a spray on color that is tasteless and harmless to eat.

Available in four shades – gold, silver, blue and red, the sprays will instantly dress up any type food turning it into a fantasy dish.  Imagine a metallic blue chicken with a side of silver asparagus or a centerpiece of miniature gold pumpkins.

Visit The Deli Garage for more information.  Unfortunately, Food Finish is only available for shipping within Europe at the moment.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of The Deli Garage

Greeting your guests at the door is an example of good hosting etiquette.  For a client’s holiday party in Chicago, Jung Lee of Fête went one step further and staffed three “cigarette girls” to welcome party-goers as well as present escort cards.

Dressed in 1920′s costumes, the flirty girls addressed guests as, “Dollface,” and then asked them to look on the tray for their names, which were printed on customized packages of candy cigarettes along with their table number.

What a ingenious way to convey the party’s theme right from the moment guests arrived at the Supper Club!  Because it’s all about first (and lasting) impressions….

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Fête

Make your birthday celebration a little more special with these ingenious birthday candles.  The patented design uses organic salts and metals in a citrate form to create a bright, colored flame.  It’s a cool party trick that will distract your guests just long enough for them to forget to ask you how old you are turning…

A set of 12 is $5.00 and available at the MOMA Store.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of MOMA Store

It’s hard to be the life of the party when the buffet table can potentially send you to the ER.  Hosts don’t have it any easier – not only do they have to please everyone’s palettes, they now have to worry about a whole range of food allergies and dietary restrictions.

These pretty cupcake baking cups and food flags by Aussie company, Allergy Riders, make it easy to identify which treats are suitable for indulging. Each allergy is color coded and labeled with important messages like “No nuts here,” or “I’m dairy and gluten free.”

Consider it preventative party décor!

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Allergy Riders

Now you can send a gift to say, “Get Well Soon,” that actually might help you get well soon.  Healing Cooler is a boxed set of 6 freshly pressed organic fruit and vegetable juices that can be sent to a loved one that is on the mend.

Created by Eric Helms and actress Salma Hayek, Healing Cooler offers three coolers ($60 each) including Immunity (a citrus based cooler with 1200% of the daily requirement of Vitamin C), Strength (a vegetable cooler with 18 pounds of organic pressed vegetables) and Recovery (a healing cooler of vegetable and fruit juices combined).

Order a Create-Your-Own cooler for your next spa party with the girls and sip yourself to wellness with delicious juices including Apple Lemon Ginger, Pineapple Kiwi or Green Leaf.

Healing Cooler donates a portion of proceeds to Farm to School which connects schools to local farms to promote education about nutrition.

To order in New York via messenger service or within the continental U.S. via Fed Ex, visit Healing Cooler.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Healing Cooler

Here’s how the ingenious gadget works.  Store the Ravi in the freezer so the liquid can become very cold.  Attach the Ravi to your wine bottle and simply pour the wine into your glass.  The wine travels through a stainless steel tube (that does not alter the taste) and cools along the way.

Unlike the salted ice bath (which is another relatively quick trick), the Ravi cools the wine not the bottle.

Be the ultimate hostess by learning to serve your wine at the optimal temperatures. Not only does the Ravi cool a warm bottle of white wine in a matter of seconds, it can also be used to send a small chill into your red wine by bringing it from room temperature down to that of a wine cellar.

It should be noted that most people make the mistake of drinking white wine that is too cold and red wine that is too warm which conceals the fruit. Recommended serving temperatures for Sauvignon Blanc are 43-46 degrees; for Côte du Rhône, 50-54 degrees; and, for Bordeaux, 63-64 degrees.

A tip from Wine Spectator, who seems to endorse the product, is to let the Ravi dry completely after cleaning and before putting back into the freezer for your next use.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Ravi Wine Solution

With product names like the Catcher and the Curve, you might think this brand was related to sports but the British company, Joseph Joseph, is all about stylish and technically innovative kitchenware.  Created by twin brothers Richard and Antony Joseph, who studied at Cambridge University and Central St Martins, respectively, the brand merges both form and function into a variety of modern products from colanders to chopping boards.

Two standout kitchen tools that we would like to borrow for our bar include a citrus juicer with a built-in seed remover and pulp catcher ($8) and a fruit and vegetable peeler ($8) with a curved blade that removes more peel than the conventional straight version.

These bright ideas will come as welcomed news to amateur mixologists who love signature cocktails that call for freshly pressed juices and a lemon peel twist. Cheers!

PHOTO CREDIT:  Sur La Table

Let the kids have their papier-mâché.  Confetti System has designed a modern collection of handmade piñatas ($140) created from shreds of mylar (metalized plastic sheeting) that are sleek enough to double as party decor.

Available in a range of metallics including silver, gold and quartz, the piñatas would add sparkle to any festive event especially New Year’s Eve.  Although they may seem to pretty to hit with a stick, the piñatas are filled with handmade confetti for those that choose to break them open.

To complement the piñatas, Confetti System has created tissue paper and mylar garlands ($130) in neutrals, silver and copper,  Hang a few of the 12ft strands along a window sill or above a table for some instant party glamour. Custom colors can be ordered with a two-three week lead time.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Confetti System

Made of stainless steel and covered with colored enamel in a rainbow of colors including lime, lemon, pink, red, orange, white and turquoise, the strainers are more than just an accessory for draining pasta or washing vegetables.

The small 3-quart size comes with a clear plastic liner transforming the colander into a vessel.  For a casual weekend brunch, we think these colanders filled with flowers would give your table an industrial-chic look.  To dress up the top of any bar or buffet, fill the colanders with cocktail garnishes such as sliced fruit and vegetables or bunches of fresh, fragrant herbs.

The colanders are available in two sizes, 5 quart ($23.99) and 3-quart ($21.99).

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Target

We love the whimsical elegance of all of the tabletop, lighting and decorative items on Gretel Home.  Our latest obsession is the Candlestick Maker which cleverly turns any simple vessel into an original candlestick.  The porcelain is delicate yet striking when placed into a champagne or wine glass.

A collection of vintage colored bottles of varying heights could become a glowing centerpiece while an old vase could be illuminated on your mantle.

The Candlestick Maker ($32) is available in white and only in limited edition quantities on Gretel Home’s web site.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Gretel Home

Champagne isn’t the only refreshment that can be cooled in shiny silver buckets. La Tete au Cube has created a cooler that doubles as a self-serve station for party guests that prefer brewsky over bubbly.  Made of highly reflective metal, the “So Cool” Cooler conveniently features 17 bottle openers that, from a far, look like an abstract design around the top.

Sold at Charles and Marie for $129, the beer bucket is a Lazy Hostess pick for an entertaining item that has both high style and high function.  Definitely a step up from the galvanized bins you find at backyard BBQ’s, this cooler is good looking enough to grace any cocktail reception.

PHOTO CREDIT:  La Tete au Cube

A small cup made from FDA-approved silicon, the PoachPod holds your egg like a lily pad on a pond of boiling water.  Once the egg whites turn opaque, remove the pod from the heat and give a little squeeze or flip inside out for perfectly formed, non-watery eggs.  The Lazy Hostess likes to have buttered english muffins on hand – topped with sauteed spinach and mushrooms or a thin slice of smoked salmon – for an easy breakfast meal.

The PoachPod ($10) comes in a set of two in both a dark and pale green color.  Available online at A+R Store.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of A+R Store

The picnic kit,  which measures 10 x 6 x 3, is (amazingly) packed with all of the essentials including knives, forks, spoons, wine glasses, 6″ plates, napkins,  salt & pepper shakers, a cork screw, a cheese knife, a cutting board and tablecloth.

Small enough to keep in the trunk of your car or to bring on a weekend trip, you’ll be ready for any impromptu outdoor meal on grass or sand.

We’ll be stashing one under our desks at work to bring to Bryant Park for movie night under the stars at the HBO Summer Film Festival, which starts on Monday, June 21st, 2010. All we need now is a chilled bottle of rose and some savory treats from ‘wichcraft, which is open for picnic pick-ups all summer long.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Rei

It’s a portable party maker that lives up to its rowdy name. The Block Rocker, Ion’s compact PA, is a powerful all-in-one sound system that includes a universal dock for iPod, a microphone, an instrument outlet (for an electric guitar) and hook ups for other CD or MP3 players.  Perfect for any  outdoor gathering such as a picnic, BBQ, beach party or sporting event, The Block Rocker delivers high fidelity sound to over 150 feet through its large 2-way speaker and built-in amp.

A telescoping handle and wheels makes this system easy to transport like a suitcase.  The Block Rocker, which charges your iPod as it plays, can perform for up to 12 hours on its internal rechargeable battery.  Event planners, mobile musicians and just about anyone who entertains will love the clean, clear sound of The Block Rocker…everyone except maybe the neighbors!

The Block Rocker by Ion Products ($399.99) is available on Amazon and at other retailers.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Ion Products

Whether you are an event planning novice or a seasoned entertainer, The Caterer’s Box Collection by Pottery Barn is literally a party in a box.  Designed to let you entertain up to 12 guests, each box is filled with the kind of dinner essentials that the professionals use.  Choose from classic white porcelain plates, glass stemware, stainless steel flatware, a 3-piece set of serving ware, silver napkin rings or a candle set that includes a variety of tapers, pillars, tealights and votives.

Affordable and conveniently packaged, each Caterer’s Box ($49 to $119) comes in a durable, custom storage box that can be easily put away until the next family gathering or holiday celebration.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Pottery Barn

No more rushing to Kate’s Paperie for a last minute holiday, birthday or thank you card.  Tiny Prints, the online retailer of premium, personalized stationery, has launched their new greeting card offering which lets members design, customize and ship right from their web site.  Members can choose a charming design, upload a photo and add a verse from the extensive library or come up with a personal message of their own. Conveniently, the envelope can be addressed and postage can be applied right from the site before Tiny Prints handles the mailing of the greeting card to the chosen recipient.

Other helpful features for the eternally forgetful or chronically Type-A are the auto-reminder about upcoming occasions and the advance scheduling option which allows for all cards for all occasions to be created up to one year in advance and mailed out on a specified date. Genius!

Tiny Prints is currently waiving the first year of membership as well as offering the first three greeting cards for free.  Cards start at $1.99.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Tiny Prints

Eating, drinking and mingling simultaneously at a cocktail party can become quite the balancing act.  Leave it to mastermind, French designer Philippe Starck to come up with an elegant and highly functional solution for party hostesses and social butterflies.  The Lux Collection, made of reusable plastic, features plates, glasses, cups, saucers and cutlery in a variety of colors that can be used both on and off the table.

The round or square plates ($12 for 6 plates) have a cone-like spike attached to secure glasses, cups or bowls so that party guests can free the use of one hand to eat or greet.  Glasses are sold in sets of 10 for $6 while champagne flutes are 10 for $12.  Available in silver and gold, knives, forks and spoons come in sets of 10 for $8.  A large portion of the collection is sold online at Unica Home.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Lux by Philippe Starck

Seat a table of four in an instant with the Way Basics Simple Table Set.  A quick peel and stick is all you need to set up a portable table and four cube chairs for your party guests.  Lightweight yet sturdy enough for the weight of an adult, the boards are sustainably made ZBoard from recycled paper which are fully recyclable as well as water resistant.

The table is available in Blue, Cedar, Espresso and Orange while the cube chairs come in Blue, Cedar, Pink, Green and Orange.  Perfect for any occasion that needs additional seating or for a crafts table for the kiddos.

The Simple Table Set typically retails for $170 but is currently on sale for $121.96.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Way Basics

Gourmet frosty treats can now be made in a snap or at least in seven minutes flat.  Zoku Quick Pop Maker, ($49.95, exclusive to Williams Sonoma) the latest invention in popsicle making, features three non-stick aluminum molds in a base sealed with a propriety solution that ensures rapid and uniform freezing.

All you have to do is chill the base for a minimum of 24 hours, insert the reusable sticks and pour in your choice of chilled fruit juice, yogurt or milk.  For extra points, layer the flavors, add pieces of sliced fruit or even shredded coconut or chocolate. Check out the Ice Pops book for more lip smacking recipes.

Frozen pops make a fun interactive project for the kiddos or can be served after dinner as a playful dessert for the kid at heart.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

Let the wine tasting come to you. These slender tubes of wine are an ingenious solution for social hostesses and wine enthusiasts looking for new ways to learn about new vintages without leaving their office or home.  Brixr offers tasting packs that allow their members to taste a range of boutique wines from emerging vineyards.  Tasting packs ($25) typically include 4 50ml tubes of wine and an interactive video guide about the samples.

The Wineside Collection features beautifully packaged tubes of French wines from only the most prestigious chateaux including Saint Emillion Grand Cru, Sauternes and Chateauneuf du Pape.  The technology seals in the taste and offers a convenient screw top for easy opening and serving anywhere and anytime.  The tubes come in 60 ml tubes for tasting and 100ml tubes for single servings.

Perfect for planners and caterers who need to host tastings with their clients before special occasions such as weddings or corporate dinners.  And, even better, hosts can now individualize wine pairings for each of their guests without having to open an entire bottle of expensive wine for the table.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Brixr and WineSide

Lighting a candle – whether for a private vigil or a lively party – can change the energy in a room.  With a candle in a glassybaby votive , the gesture can contribute to improving a person’s life.  Created by Lee Rhodes, a cancer survivor who wanted to find a way to give back to the care centers that cured her and to the community of patients that needed her support, glassybaby is a collection of beautifully colored votives that benefits charity.

Every year, glassybaby selects a group of colors to benefit local and national cancer organizations such as the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the Martha Stewart Center for Living.  Handmade by glassblowers in a Seattle studio, the votives, which can be used as vases or drinking glasses, come in a wide range of delicious colors from pastel pinks and greens to deep blues and burgundies.  With over 70 shades, there is a color to match every tabletop setting or room aesthetic.

Available at their retail stores in Seattle and New York (opening October 29, 2009) and online, glassybaby votives are sold for $40 each with 10% of sales going to charity.   The sturdy and sophisticated votives can also be rented for weddings and events for $5 each.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of glassybaby