When you live in a major tourist destination (in my case, New York) and you have a guest room (in this city, a 6×8-ft. scrap of floor qualifies), you probably find yourself hosting houseguests ALL THE TIME. One in a long stream of these out-of-towners arrives at my place today, and I’m trying to become one of those hostesses with, if not necessarily the most, at least a steadily-improving grasp of how to make friends and family feel at home away from home with a few thoughtful touches (and without breaking the bank). Here are versions of my go-tos for doing just that.

For the bedroom, I love this dramatic Italian fragrance bouquet thingy, the Tuscan-Villa-In-The-Springtime-In-A-Bottle ($59 online from home-accent purveyors Wisteria), which wicks scent into the air and lasts for up to a year. I like Aqua, with its fresh lily of the valley/freesia tones.

Do yourself a favor: Invest in one of these microcotton herringbone blankets (queen, $220) which magically wick away moisture in summer and trap heat (while remaining breathable) in winter. It’s the perfect guest blanket. Available at Nancy Koltes at Home, whose NYC store I always want to move right into. She sells online, too.

These chalkboard candles let you add a little welcoming message to your votive–what a genius idea! Leave the chalk nearby to encourage your guests to get creative ($25 from the how-did-we-ever-live-without-them online gift mavens at Red Envelope, where Store Adore shoppers get free shipping with purchases of $75 or more!).

Is there anything better than finding some great book on the nightstand when you’re staying at somebody’s house? Knock Knock Books publishes witty, quirky tomes (I like their faux-self help series, which includes How to Get Fat and How To Procrastinate, $9.95 each online) that anyone’s sure to find amusing. Stack a couple on the nightstand. Good to know: you can save 15 percent here with any purchase of $50 or more when you enter code “StoreAdore“!

I’m a dog person, so I always welcome my guests’ canine companions. And I try to have some fun treat on hand, like these supercute summery flamingo and palm tree biscuits baked (using good-for-pups ingredients) by Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Buttercup Paw-tisserie ($8.95 for four). They look good enough for people to eat. Don’t.

Guess where I just came back from? A wedding. Two weeks from now? A wedding. What about the first two weekends in August, and on and off clear through to October? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I love love and am always thrilled when someone in my life decides to take that next step. And it’s always interesting to see how a bride and groom decide to spend their big day — “spend” being the very operative word here. There’s much ink spilled over how much the average American wedding costs ($20,000, according to the eco-trend monitors over at TreeHugger) and great debate over how much of this is excess and negatively impacts the environment (in a nutshell, the answer seems to be “most of it”).

In the face of this serious romance buzzkill, people point to really cool ways of greening up one’s nuptials, like buying a hemp wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses (such as those made by Conscious Clothing), opting for ecologially-friendly wedding rings (like those at GreenKarat) and printing invitations on 100% recycled paper with water-based ink (or, even better, creating digital invites that don’t sacrifice anything in the gorgeousness department, like Geek Goddess‘ designs). But recently one of my bride-to-be friends was lamenting the lack of green options in one particular area of her planning: the registry.

Really? I’d have thought this was the easiest area to go green — after all, aren’t there tons of purveyors of home furnishings who stick to an ecologically-sound mission? Yes, but apparently, they’re not the kinds of stores where you want to outfit your new life. And — as my friend noted when she sent me this article from the Huffington Post — the most common choices for a registry tend to get a person into murky waters as far as social responsibility goes.

With some Store Adore digging, I found a few stores — whose merch is both newlywed-practical and handsome — where she and her almost-husband could register for gifts. I thought I’d share them here, too. Note that all but ABC Carpet & Home allow you to purchase online directly from a registry.

1. Manhattan-based Clio sources stunning objects for your table from small, sustainably-minded and -operated studios in places like France, the U.K., Denmark and the Czech Republic. I’ve had my eye on this cheese plate ($150), and if I can’t have it, maybe she should. Handmade in Italy, and stamped with the packaging of classic fromage, each piece is signed and numbered.

2. The California crew behind DesignPublic has a nose for ferreting out lovely green products for living — their website has a whole section devoted to Sustainable Design (love the organic bedding) — and I’ve rarely seen something on here I didn’t covet. Bonus: free shipping over $50, a paltry sum to be spending on a close friend.

3.The folks at Domus New York don’t just topple the notion that eco-friendly wares mean a less-than-chic home — they smash it. You can outfit every room greenly at this unassuming shop (with a cult following), and there’s even a full section of items for baby. Hint. Hint. While browsing someone else’s online registry for some inspiration, i came across this amusing champagne sabre ($420). Apparently, back in the time of Napoleon, cavalry officers would open champagne by cracking off the neck of the bottle with a blow from their sabres. Why shouldn’t the bride and groom bring the tradition back?

4. Couples registering with hulking Manhattan-based interiors wonderland ABC Home will have their pick of thousands of planet-friendly options. Domestic bliss, indeed. While you can’t purchase from a couple’s registry directly online, you can download their “most wanted” items and call to order, or buy a gift certificate, which to tell you the truth, they’d probably prefer.

5. Let’s say these newlyweds already have good bedsheets. And handwoven throw pillows. And pretty handblown tumblers from Turkey. To celebrate love, why not throw a little love back into the world? Via JustGive’s wedding registry, guests can make charitable donations to the bride and groom’s favorite causes (and they can even make contributions in lieu of wedding favors for their guests!)

DC’s Caramel is launching L~Shandi Days, a monthly event (starting on May 24, 2008) offering customers professional consultations and custom alterations to ensure that they are perfectly fitted with their purchases. Local clothing designer Lara Akinsanya of L~Shandi will be on-site to nip and tuck any style in the store.

Shop on Saturday, May 24th from 11 AM - 6 PM and receive 10% off any L~Shandi purchase.

L~Shandi Days
May 24th, 11am-6pm
Caramel
1603 U Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-265-1930

True story: Once, at the Barneys Warehouse Sale in Manhattan, a woman slapped me.

I was wandering around, bewildered at the scene (it was my first BWS): Chaos everywhere, near-deafening hubbub, women bashing into each other with armfuls of clothing and trying everything on right out there in the open, stripping (almost) naked in front of strangers. It was like Cloverfield with capri pants. In the middle of all this, I saw a sweater hanging by itself. It was red. It was cute. I walked up to it, went to touch the sleeve and slap — a hand came out of nowhere. “Mine!” barked the woman, yanking it off the rack.

Needless to day, that was also my last Barneys Warehouse Sale. It’s too depressing to watch grown women act like toddlers for the sake of a markdown. (“Mine!”? Seriously? And with bodily harm to boot? What year is this?)

So I’m intrigued by the dawning of the virtual sample-sale era. The idea: semi-exclusive websites organize short discounted shopathons around one or more designers, just like a real-world sample sale. Only it all happens online. Which means no standing in line. No ferreting around for that elusive size. And best of all, no slapping. All you need is an invite from an existing member and you’re in.

Here’s a quick look at four big players on the virtual sample-sale scene (and please tell us about any other ones you like!):

RUELALA.COM

How It Works: Members-only sister site to Smart Bargains organizes two-day “boutiques,” selling select items from a specific designer. Snag an invite (from an existing member) and you’re in.

Sample Sample: Balenciaga Giant Brief Leather & Fabric Tote marked down from nearly $2k to $1350.

The Verdict: Great deals, but most items tend to sell out long before the two days are up.

IDEELI.COM

How It Works: Lets you gorge on luxury goods at 50 to 90 percent off retail. An extra $7.99 a month gets you “first row” membership: first crack at the sale (an hour before everybody else), mobile alerts and a chance to win giveaways (which are pretty great – one early prize was a Jimmy Choo clutch).

Sample Sample: Derek Lam Violet Satchel marked down 72 percent to $535.

The Verdict: First-row package would seem to give Ideeli the edge – but at just $8, is it really going to separate the browsers from the die-hards? Plus the selection is super limited.

GILT.COM

How It Works: Provides access to men’s and women’s luxury fare in one-day stints, up to 70 percent off retail

Sample Sample: Charles Nolan Edie Flats marked down from $270 to $98.

The Verdict: Gilt Groupe has some especially hard-to-find-at-a-discount names like Zac Posen, Surevolution, Alessandro Dell’Acqua and Charlotte Ronson. It works directly with the brands it carries (no jobbers like some of the other sites), so you get more seasonal items. The selection is broad, though items stock out fast. Plus, you can return most items for store credit within two weeks. And they stock stuff for your boyfriend. (PS. You can get a $25 gift certificate and free membership to Gilt if you sign up for Store Adore!)

HAUTELOOK.COM

How It Works: Holds members-only 48- to 72-hour sales slashed up to 70 percent.

Sample Sample: Dittos Drifter Wide-Leg jeans for $66, down from about $195 at retail.

The Verdict: Hautelook has names like Rock & Republic and Development by Erica Davies, making it a neat choice for those of us who shop in the mid-range (as opposed to the come-aboard-my-yacht range).

Some people plan their travels by meticulously mapping out museums or monuments, ruins or restaurant. It will surprise no one who has ever browsed this site that my trips revolve around shopping. My favorite feature on Store Adore is that instead of wasting time fruitlessly browsing online and reading guidebooks, only to find that they are inaccurate, out-of-date, or (worse!) that I’ve missed the true treasures, I can make my own custom shopping guides. I just browse the site, add stores to my guide (see a bunch of our favorite guides), print, and I’m on my way.

Still, there are times when I long for even more guidance–the advice and experience of a true shopping expert who can identify the stores to visit according to my personal criteria, navigate neighborhoods, and even arrange a little special treatment along the way. While I can rely on our local Store Adore writers for a little insider scoop, you can’t. . . and you’ve asked us again and again for an on-land version of the online Store Adore experience. I’m proud to announce that we’ve delivered.

Store Adore is thrilled to announce the launch of its Customized Shopping Experiences. Join Store Adore’s savvy shopping editors on a customized shopping tour and bring the experience of bringing the Store Adore website to life. Tell us where your interests lie or what neighborhood you’d like to know better, and we will create a personalized shopping experience to satisfy you. From eco-friendly goods to vintage accessories, innovative home design to newly opened fashion boutiques, the East Village to the Upper East Side, we will design an exclusive shopping experience to match your criteria.

Store Adore Customized Shopping Experiencesare an ideal way to explore the city for residents and tourists alike. We will take you to the types of stores you’re guaranteed to adore. Unlike personal shoppers who pressure you into purchases, our tours serve to give you an insider look at the local retail scene. Currently, Store Adore Customized Shopping Experiences are only available in New York, but additional cities will launch soon. Store Adore Customized Shopping Experiences can be reserved for half or full days. Whenever possible, special discounts or gifts will be pre-arranged with stores. For details and rates, contact cristina@storeadore.com.

Yesterday was our first-ever Customized Shopping Experience–a historic Store Adore event! Four sophisticated shoppers made the trip from Washington, DC to explore some of Soho’s off-the-beaten path stores. (See them at left with Cristina!)

Check out their itinerary, and download a map here:

1. The group started at leisure wear shop Shvitz, where it was no sweat to find cute tops for their daughters. A 20 percent discount didn’t hurt either.

2. They then headed to Privileged, where owner Jennifer Ondyak told them how she chooses her merchandise, and gave them a 20 percent discount.

3. At Greek Beauty apothecary Korres, they received a 20 percent discount and a free tote for purchases of $100 or more. From lip gloss to jasmine scented body butter, all of the ladies bought something, and they got a tour of the store.

3. And at Kirna Zabete,they marveled at the designer duds, but weren’t quite brave enough to splurge on the Balenciaga bag they’d all been eyeing.

4. They stopped at chocolate heaven Vosges for a much-deserved break, and were greeted with truffle samples, a refreshing cold chocolate drink and samples of their to-die-for ice cream. Theyalso tried the chocolate tortilla chips – a creative Cinco de Mayo specialty. All the ladies bought chocolate to take home and picked up catalogues for their next round of gifts.

5. After unwinding at Vosges, they headed to Te Casan, where they browsed through the one of a kind collections, including Natalie Portman’s stylish (and vegan!) shoes. The ladies snapped up summer totes and strappy shoes.

6. It was jewelry time (but isn’t it always?) so they skipped over to Alexis Bittar, where they scooped up the classic lucite bracelets.

7. A final stop at Tory Burch ended the tour with three of the four ladies heading to dinner with their new flip flops cushioning their tired out tootsies.

The worst part about traveling? The traveling…And with flying the way it is these days (please don’t even get me started), the situation is only getting worse. If there’s anything I can do to make the process less painful, I’m all for it.

Here’s an insider tip: For our recent wedding, Daniel (now, husband) and I went straight from New York (home) to DC (wedding) to Hawaii (uhhh…honeymoon!!). Rather than lug our honeymoon luggage (you know, suitcase upon suitcase of sexy lingerie) with us on top of all of the wedding paraphernalia we had already stuffed in our car, we shipped it off ahead of time using

This genius service specializes in door-to-door luggage shipping to nearly any destination worldwide. Just schedule a pickup time with the folks at Luggage Free, and they’ll take care of all of the arrangements. Exhausted after our wedding, Daniel and I were thrilled to bypass both the luggage checking and claiming process, not to mention the “I wonder if our suitcases will make it” flying stress, since we knew our stuff had arrived safely long before we even took off. Plus, since my luggage was already long gone, I saved myself the last minute packing and repacking that usually ensues when I travel.

Pricing is fair, and it’s all laid out on the easy to use Luggage Free site. You can even use the service when traveling internationally, thus avoiding customs. And you can ship golf clubs, skis…hey, even empty suitcases for shopping.