1/5Hot Tropic
Craving a little bit of paradise but can’t catch a flight to the Caribbean? With Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot eau de toilette, you’ll be beachside in a flash, no bikini necessary. With hints of jackfruit, papaya, vanilla, and sugar candy, this fresh scent is both fruity and spicy—the perfect recipe for fun in the sun
—Naomi Nevitt
Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Abricot eau de toilette, $53 for 1.6 oz. Beautyhabit.com.
2/5Game Plan
Handheld gaming systems have come a long way since 1989’s notoriously bulky Game Boy. This summer, whether you’re out on the road or lounging at home, Nintendo’s DS Lite will provide first-class portable entertainment. The slimmer console (available in black, white, and pink) features two LCD color touch screens, an embedded microphone for voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi connection so that you can compete with other players. Also, PictoChat software allows you to draw and send pictures to Nintendo DS users—a bonus for those who are designers-in-training.
—Stacey Farber
Nintendo DS Lite, about $130. Nintendo.com.
3/5To Dye For
Hippie-chic gets a second life this summer as designer Tory Burch brings uptown style seaside with a tie-dye beach towel. With its groovy print and famous insignia, this blanket makes the case for a fashionable blast from the past.
—Naomi Nevitt
Tory Burch tie-dye beach towel, about $125. Toryburch.com.
4/5Dressing room
Easy, breezy, and as pretty as it is practical, this cute-as-a-button dress from Converse by John Varvatos is a true spring story. With its delicate dot print, girly shape, and form-fitting belt, this frock is spot-on for the season: put-together and party-perfect.
—Naomi Nevitt
Converse by John Varvatos dress, about $265. Darling, NYC.
5/5Tall Tale
Step up to the challenge and try on summer's hottest accessory: the strappy platform. With a sophisticated wood base and nude bands, this heel from Italian fashion house D&G perfectly illustrates how an otherwise flashy sandal can be understatedly chic. Perfect for dressing up a simple shift or paired with cuffed jeans.
—Naomi Nevitt
D&G platform sandal, (818) 291-9010.
