The Best Bet
Too many trips to the Mister Softee truck can turn you into the ice cream’s namesake. A homemade ice pop, on the other hand, is just as sweet, even more refreshing, and when made with organic juices, genuinely healthy. These reusable ice-pop molds have a retro-utilitarian look and are especially good for children—the base catches melting juice like rain in a gutter, and there’s an attached straw through which you can slurp every last drop, saving clothing, couches, and carpets from sticky disasters ($5.98 at Garber Hardware, 710 Greenwich St., nr. Charles St.; 212-929-3030). For grown-ups, there’s no better way to evoke bygone summers—after all, an ice pop is less a dessert than a state of mind.
It’s Strawberry (Shortcake) Season
Lady M’s “Montagne de Fraises” is made with fresh whipped cream, excellent berries, and extra-light vanilla sponge cake—the secret is imported flour ($60 for a ten-inch cake; 41 E. 78th St., nr. Madison Ave.; 212-452-2222).
Look Like a “10” on the Beach
The eighteen-karat hoops with cultured Tahitian pearls from Taher Chemirik’s new jewelry line complement a deep tan and salt-water-slicked bun ($3,000 at Jeffrey New York, 449 W. 14th St., nr. Tenth Ave.; 212-206-1272).
Slouchy Seating for Lazy Weekends
Turkish lambskin pillows and poufs are softer and not as ubiquitous as their Moroccan counterparts and punctuate an otherwise drab living room or screened porch with color (from $60 at Mr. Pink, 223 W. 16th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 646-486-4147).
Stake a Claim to More Inches of Sand
Le Dauphin’s giant jade-dragon umbrella provides shade for an entire sunburned family, is light enough for easy relocation yet heavy enough to withstand a sudden gust of wind, and is near impossible to lose sight of ($595 at Mecox Gardens, 962 Lexington Ave., nr. 70th St.; 212-249-5301).
For the Gradual Tanner
This lotion protects against both UVA and UVB rays and is easily absorbed into the skin, but it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts ($25 to $27 at Bliss 49, 541 Lexington Ave., nr. 49th St.; 212-219-8970).