Paisley in Your Lap

Xochi Collection’s new fall paisley tabletop linens, designed by Bianca Dresner of Santa Fe, N.M., will add a homey touch to your holiday table. The rayon and cotton linens are all machine washable--except for the fringed throw. They’re available in four fall hues: red, green, gray and bisque.

Xochi napkins $6, place mats $9, 54-inch-square tablecloth $38, 60-by-84-inch $58, 60-by-108-inch $78 and fringed throw $60 from Ryan’s Glasshouse, Eagle Rock and Bo Danica, La Jolla.

Perky Prunes

Lemon and orange essences are pleasant in two new flavored prunes from Sunsweet. Try them for snacking--they’re moist, chewy and satisfying--or use them in cooking. They’d be great for the holidays paired with a bit of red port wine in a rich poultry or pork sauce. Prunes are high in fiber and have almost twice as much potassium as bananas. The added flavor makes them pretty hard to resist.

Sunsweet pitted prunes in Orange or Lemon Essence, 12-ounce package $2.29 at major grocery stores.