by Allison Arieff, Sunset editor-at-large

Most women are addicted to shoes, right? Well, books are my weakness. Not a week goes by when I don’t buy one (or four). One could have worse vices to be sure but I was excited to discover discovered Better World Books. Because now I can buy books and have the money go to support literacy programs! And every order is shipped carbon neutral with offsets from Carbonfund.org. Founded in 2002, the organization has raised over $6 million for global literacy to date.

Better World may not have the inventory of Amazon but their offerings are substantial. There’s a broad range of books on green homes and interior design (and many are $25 or less). As my vegetable garden is on the verge of exploding so I was excited to find Ball's Complete Book of Home Preserving. For my cupcake-obsessed daughter, there’s Hello, Cupcake!

Forgive the library pun but why not "check it out?" You're bound to find the perfect beach read for this holiday weekend. Happy 4th!

By Jennie Nunn, Sunset Associate Editor

I love writing letters. And, I'm always on the hunt for good paper and letterpress stationery. That's why I was so excited to find Linda & Harriett's letterpress designs. The thank you lace cards, created by Brooklyn–based founder and designer Liz Coulson Libré, (with calligraphy by Jenna Hein), are so bright and cheery.

$14 for set of six; lindaandharriett.com.

by Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

There's something about hot summer nights and backyard dinning that begs for some bright color on the tabletop. If you happen to have some bold accessories from a recent trip to la Mexique, lucky you. If Mexico wasn't on the itinerary (or in the checkbook) this year, it's time to check out Emilia Ceramics.

Emily Brown (Emilia of Emilia Ceramics) is a San Francisco-based advertising-marketer-turned-artisan-ceramic-importer (one of those made-a-dream-come-true gigs) who launched her San Francisco-based company a year ago. She imports hand painted pottery from Mexico, Spain, Italy, and France through relationships she's fostered with local artisans in each region. —Detailed, beautiful, soulful products that support the craft of true artisans. I love it.

Here, read about the ceramic artists behind the products featured below—a collection which Brown refers to as "authentic Mexican flavor with modern sophistication." We couldn't agree more.

"El Verano" tall candle holder and "Fiesta" tall candle holder, $24 each


"Fiesta" jewelry box, $18 each


Votive candle holders, pair for $28


Short candle holders with handles, pair for $36

By Jennie Nunn, Sunset Associate Editor

There's nothing better than a great water bottle—just in time for summer. I was so excited to hear about Blue Q's new collection including this 20-ounce adorable "I heart water" design (pictured below).

$17.99 each; Available at blueq.com.

by Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

My mom, Harriet, was thrilled by our May, I Found it in My Garage story and promptly took a fresh look at the items that were collecting dust in the storage shed.

A low, sturdy iron ornate table base that she had salvaged from an alley years ago caught her eye and off she went to Garden City Granite (in Missoula, MT) to find a table top.  Garden City Granite produces tons of interior surfaces and always has left overs that can't be used for their commercial clients. Instead, they are sold to bargain hunters like my mom. She found a piece that was the right size in a color she loved and made an offer of $5. Sold!

Check out the finished product:

Pretty terrific, right? Nice work, Mom!

Check out granite or building reuse places in your area for good finds and great deals. If you are in Missoula, MT  be sure to also go to Home Resource, a non profit building reuse facility that has amazing deals on all kinds of things from table tops to door knobs to lumber.

Did you get inspired too? Send me your projects HERE!

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

Action #43: BE RESOURCEFUL from Change the World for Ten Bucks

Eugene Harvey, the author of Change the World for Ten Bucks was in town today speaking at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in San Francisco. Her book is one of those goodies that you want to buy in bulk and ship to every one of your activist friends—or ones that need a little "do something" nudge.

Some of the tips may seem obvious to those of us with good green sense (Action #12: UNPLUG APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE), but are accompanied by good facts to set you in action: "A TV that's plugged in is still using half the electricity of a TV that's tuned on."

Action #47 is "BUY A COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR A FRIEND"—admittedly a little self-serving, but action is contagious, so it's also very fitting. AND today through Wednesday, Chronicle is backing this action-item with a buy-on-get-one-free promo on their website. So, for $10 you get two copies. Might be the best five dollar book ever.

Go to the Chronicle Books website and enter the promo code CHANGE2.

by Allison Arieff,Sunset editor-at-large

Vintage car photo note card ($3.50) by "Eqinoxphoto" on Etsy

Father's Day gift ideas under $30 on Etsy

Candle lantern how to on Diggin Food

Before & After: Outdoor Hideaway on design*sponge

Weeder's digest: DIY Wedding Flowers 411 on design*sponge

By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

Miranda Jones, Sunset style editor

There is nothing more personal than a portrait taken at someone's home, especially a celebrity's home. It is fascinating window into an otherwise very private place. I find it interesting to see what people surround themselves with in terms of decor and personal touches. In fact, I can't get enough...here are a few of my favorites but there are many many more HERE.

Johnny Cash & June Carter 1969


John Lennon & Yoko Ono, late 60's


Jackie & Caroline Kennedy, Hyannisport, MA 1960

By Jennie Nunn, Sunset Associate Editor

After many months of planning for Secondhand Sunset, including personally selecting books from our archive, editing goods from photo shoots and Idea Houses, and tagging all of the items (with the help of our intern extraordinaires Amy Anderson and Brianne McElhiney), nothing could have prepared me for the huge crowds on opening day at Celebration Weekend. At exactly 10am, the gates were open, and eager Sunset devotees and longtime readers filed in for first pick on hundreds of goods ranging from woven cotton table linens to plastic ice chests from our May camping issue. The "hot" ticket items (mostly home projects that have appeared in the magazine) were the first pieces to go. The mirrored side table (an "I Found It On Craiglist!" item from our May 08 issue). The cherry red reupholstered chair. And, the chalkboard. (All of these pieces the work of my fabulous co-worker, Jess Chamberlain). Some of the other best-sellers? The Sunset Cooking Bold and Fearless book, an adorable illustrated book published in 1957 and reprinted in 2000, and ceramic plates and serving platters. We even got multiple offers on our retro office furniture (used for displaying books and cover art) that wasn't for sale! 

We sold every single item during the two-day event. And, we raised more than $4,800 for The ReUse People, a non-profit organization based in Oakland. 

                                                   (The booth on opening day just before 10am)

              (A glimpse of some of the items from wall decals to travel and garden books)

(Eco bags, candlesticks made by Sunset staffer Jess Chamberlain, and cooking utensils from our prop closet on the front table at Secondhand Sunset)

For me, the best part was meeting a woman who recognized herself (as a baby!) on the cover of "Add-A-Room," an old Sunset decorating book. She had several copies at home, but bought two more at the booth! It's stories like these that remind me of the rich history of Sunset. 

A huge thank you to everyone that stopped by (and picked up a little something too)! Here's to Celebration Weekend 2010!

by Amy Anderson, Sunset editorial intern

Since my first post for Sunset magazine was about "tweeting," I thought it would only be appropriate to end my time here with another bird-influenced blog.

I have a huge collection of little birds all over my room--paintings, sculptures, bookends, you name it. I just love decorating with bird-themed art, so I searched out Etsy for the best pieces to start out your own bird collection.

Red Hot Pottery, Christine Tenenholtz's one-woman studio in Sedona, AZ, handmakes porcelain and stoneware, including this simple, shiny vase featuring a couple of sweet love birds ($54).

Fall Down Tree's bird art print is perfect for a playful kids' room--or honestly anywhere for that matter ($20).

Get this hand painted salad plate by Aedriel Originals personalized with a family name or memorable date. Makes a great housewarming or wedding gift ($30).

The Mincing Mockingbird, aka LA-based artist Matt Adrian, did this vibrant painting titled "In This Poignant Moment of Finality, The Vibration Of Atoms Sounds Like Singing" ($25).

There's a great retro Scandinavian influence in this linen screenprinted pillow by roddy&ginger ($35).