Combine 2 cups white distilled vinegar and 2 cups water. Use on countertops, kitchen floors, windows, mirrors and other hard surfaces. For tough jobs, warm cleaner in the microwave until barely hot.

THE SHADES OF SUMMER

Nothing says California more than colorful, coastal-inspired furniture, a look that retailer Russell & Mackenna (russellmackenna.com) has down to a fresh and fun science. While the company's painted pieces and new upholstered line have instant appeal (what's not to love about a dining table in robin's-egg blue surrounded by kiwi-colored chairs?), the line of hand-painted lampshades are particularly fetching.

The shades come in two styles (for hanging pendants, and for table and floor lamps), five shapes and five designs (Big Dollar, Flying Fish, Swirling Stars, Garden Party and Cabana Stripes). The colors sound downright delicious: sherbet, wild salmon, blueberry, beachgrass and sea foam.

One downside: Such cottage-y cuteness will cost you. Prices for the shades range from $230 to $320, with bases, harps and finials sold separately.

Oh, well. Here's to another fun summer ritual, window shopping.

– WASHINGTON POST

CELEBRATE THE FUTURE

The annual Gala in the Gardens always is a great summer party, as well as the year's biggest fundraiser for Quail Botanical Gardens. This year's event on Sept. 13 starting at 5:30 p.m. takes on added significance as the Encinitas gardens begins construction of a new children's garden estimated to cost $3.5 million.

This year's theme, Plant It Forward, speaks to the garden's long-planned expansion into a 4.5-acre parcel north of the existing gardens. The land, leased from the city of Encinitas, also will be home to a new Mediterranean garden.

As they stroll the gardens at twilight, gala-goers are treated to lively music, dramatic floral displays and fine food and wine from area restaurants. Silent and live auctions add to the festivities. The evening culminates with the presentation of the Paul Ecke Jr. Award of Excellence to an advocate for the garden and area horticulture.

This year's winner is Susi Torre-Bueno, a past member of Quail's board who helped spearhead creation of the new children's garden. Torre-Bueno also is the long-serving president of the San Diego Horticultural Society.

Tickets are $165 per person and must be ordered by Sept. 1. Last year's event was a sellout. Tickets can be ordered online at qbgardens.org, click on events. For more information, call Cheryl Mergenthaler, special events coordinator, at (760) 436-3036, ext. 218.

– MARY JAMES

LET'S TOCK CLOCKS

Some mornings, you just want to shoot the alarm clock that wakes you out of the dream in which you and Pamela Anderson? George Clooney? are walking hand in hand on the beach in La Jolla.

The Laser Target Alarm Clock lets you do just that – shoot it. The clock comes with a “gun” that shoots a laser at the target held aloft on the clock by a little figure of a man. You must hit the exact center of the target with a laser beam to shut off the alarm sound in the morning.

The bull's-eye turns off the alarm for 24 hours until the next morning at the same time. The alarm will always do this until manually de-activated or the alarm time changes.

When you wake up to an alarm and you have to concentrate to carefully aim the laser beam at the target, you'll be suitably awake so as not to easily fall back asleep. At least that's the theory.

Both the clock and remote laser are battery operated. $19.99 at thinkgeek.com.

If you're a pacifist, thinkgeek.com also offers a wide range of whimsical clocks, like the Water-Powered Clock (($12.99), the Sonic Boom Love Clock with Bed Shaker ($39.99), the Flying Alarm Clock ($24.99) and others.