WINDFALLS

A SITTER’S SAVIOR

Don’t leave home without leaving express instructions for your babysitter. If you’re a parent on the move, you may have good intentions, but you never seem to remember to tell her all the details. Now you have no excuse: “Dear Babysitter” is a convenient, easy guide for your sitter. On one side of the folder is a booklet containing emergency phone numbers and information, plus tips such as “what to do when it’s bedtime” and “what to expect from a two-year-old.” The other side contains a note pad printed with everything you usually forget: a phone number where you can be reached, the time you expect to return, special instructions, etc. Now all you need is a sitter for Saturday night! Dear Babysitter, $8.25. Great American Cover-Up, 3213 Knox. Mon & Wed-Sat 10-5:30, Tue 10-9. 528-1321.

BEVERAGE BUNNIES

This year, why not ask the Easter bunny to stick around after the holiday? You can enjoy his cotton-tailed antics whenever you use this handmade ceramic pitcher, hand-painted by Christina Davilla and Bob Brodsky of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pictured pitcher is only one of a variety of rabbit pieces-bowls, cups, plates, vases and platters-made by the pair. Painted in soft colors with a glazed finish, the ceramic vessels are not only decorative works of art-they’re useful, too! Rabbit Artworks pitcher, $125. Museum Shop, Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood. Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5, Thur 10-9, Sun 1-5. 922-0220.

WHY KNOT?

If you’re fit to be tied about finding something really different to wear for that special occasion, this is a cinch. Memphis’ colorful cotton bow tie will make you stand out in any crowd. It’s only one of a varied selection of neckties and bow ties made by Memphis, a Milan-based group of about 40 artists, architects and designers that has produced a collection of innovative objects ranging from teapots to furniture to fabrics. Popular with both men and women, these whimsical ties go with anything from casual outfits to tuxedos. The entire collection of neckties (in either silk or cotton) and bow ties (in cotton only) includes many different patterns and colors. Silk neckties, $65; cotton neckties, $45; cotton bow ties, $30. Exclusively at Via Condotti, Sakowitz Village, 5100 Belt Line, Suite 824. Mon-Sat 10-6. 239-3832.

GROOVE CUBE

Shed a different light on your bedtime reading with the LightCube, an Italian-made lamp manufactured by Cini & Nils. The 40-watt bulb inside this ingenious box lights up whenever you open the lid and switches off when you close it-no more fumbling in the dark for that little switch. It’s ideal for reading in bed: By raising and lowering the lid, you can adjust the angle of the light to your preference, and it won’t bother your snoozing spouse. And although it doesn’t take up much space on your night-stand, the LightCube is big on looks-the slick plastic cube is exhibited at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The cube, which plugs into either a European or a standard U.S. electrical socket, is available in glossy red or white ($49) or in matte black ($56). At C.K. Aneff Center of Modern Design, Adelstein Plaza, 15501 Dallas Parkway, Suite 390. Mon-Sat 10-6. 788-0077.