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Last week Chris Benz hosted an L.A. soiree to celebrate his Fall 2010 collection, but the designer also offered some timely advice for those of us looking to amp up our spring wardrobe. “The key piece is definitely a colorful shift dress. Throw a jean jacket over it and wear it all day, then put on heels and a necklace and it’s perfect for night,” said Benz, whose colorful creations have been worn by Eva Mendes and Gwyneth Paltrow. “It’s all about exuberance, youth and fun!” Interior designer Nathan Turner, who hosted Benz’s party at his West Hollywood boutique, shared his quick tips for brightening up a living space. “Accents like lampshades and pillows are the key. I was just in Ikea and saw these red picture frames, you could do a whole wall of those,” the decorator brainstormed. “And paint is the easiest way to totally transform a space. It’s inexpensive and it’s a day’s work. If I see one more beige room, I’m going to throw myself out a window!”

Just when you thought winter would never end, Target comes to the rescue with a whimsical new collection from Liberty of London. The venerable British brand has been producing its signature floral prints for over 100 years and has an avid celeb following (Naomi Watts, Sienna Miller, and Kate Moss are among the many fans). The Target line ranges from retro-style floral bicycles and peacock-patterned coffee cups to breezy sundresses and beach bags. Totally affordable (score a teapot for $13 or swimsuit for $35) and garden-ready, these finds will make you feel like summer is right around the corner. The Liberty of London collection hits Target stores nationwide and Target.com this Sunday (if you’re in NYC, check out the pop-up shop where Watts was spotted at 1095 Sixth Avenue, open through tomorrow, March 13^th). Click on to see some of our favorites picks!

—Kate Donovan

We’re having a Giada moment! With a new line of affordable and lustworthy kitchen tools launching this month at Target and a new book, Giada at Home out in March, de Laurentis makes it easy to entertain with style. Enjoy an exclusive look at one of our favorite recipes from the cookbook, cheese-stuffed dates with prosciutto:

Ingredients:
1/4 cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup (2 ounces) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 Medjool dates (12 ounces)
8 thin slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise

In a small bowl, mix together the cheeses and basil. Season with salt and pepper. With a knife, make a lengthwise incision in each date. Gently open the dates slightly and remove the pits. Spoon about 1 teaspoon cheese mixture inside each. Close the dates around the filling. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each date and secure with a toothpick. Arrange the stuffed dates on a platter and serve with a crisp white wine as the ideal before-dinner tidbit.

— Kate Donovan

The setting in Tom Ford’s new film, A Single Man, is a visual tableau of mid-century style. Fashion luminary Ford makes his directorial debut with the film (based on the 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood), in which Colin Firth plays a grief stricken professor who has lost his longtime lover. The suburban Los Angeles home (currently for sale!) is the ideal modernist retreat for Firth’s reserved, soul-searching character. Designed by renowned architect John Lautner in 1949, the house is a gorgeous blend of natural wood, concrete and glass that merges seamlessly with the surrounding forest. More

Cutting-edge company Savant’s new ROSIE home control systems are perfect for tech lovers who fantasize about a streamlined and modern lifestyle, and the super-sleek equipment is now showcased in a loft apartment in N.Y.C.’s Soho. Apple technology is used throughout the entire space, and the lush interior, designed by Thom Felicia of Dress My Nest and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, perfectly complements the futuristic vibe. Touch panels control everything throughout the home, and an iPhone will do it too (turn off the lights from 3,000 miles away!). More