Living

Things I’m hooked on, obsessed with, can’t live without...

Beach Pavillion

An utterly charming, absolutely delightful beach pavillion, from The Well Appointed House

Jellyfish Pool Lights

Battery-operated floating jellyfish pool lights unleash a kaleidoscope of color. At Frontgate.

Summer Buzz

This whimsical beehive vase in warm amber brings the summer indoors. Visit Sea Cloth.

Silver Seashells by the Seashore

Hand dipped silver shells make a wonderful gift for a summer-loving friend.

Rain Happens.

Take a stroll in a summer rainshower under this clear vinyl bubble umbrella. Frankford Umbrellas.

Cool Cucumber

The sweet, summer scent of fresh cucumber...in a candle by Illume

Salboat Pops

I am totally in love with this clever Sail Pop Kit from The Bakers Catalog

Pedestal Terrariums

I've always had a thing for terrariums, so these elegant pedestal versions hit the spot. At Smith and Hawken

I've gotta hand it to the folks at Electra Bicycle--their impossibly cool bikes can't help but make you smile. My favorites are the Daisy, and the Fashion. Jerry's torn between the Rat Fink (shown) and the Straight 8.

Low Beams

Use low beams with or without a bra, to put the brakes on your brights. At www.herlook.com

Sandcastle cake pan

Who can resist a slice of a sweet sandcastle cake? At The Bakers Catalog

For your frog-loving friend

This water lily scented, frog-shaped soap makes an adorable hostess gift. At Marmalade.

Livingstones

Soft lounges and sofas designed to look like smooth river stones. At smarindesign.

Lisa Hall Jewelry

Beautiful seaglass jewelry in cool, ocean tones. At Lisa Hall Jewelry

Paintings by John Harris

Water surfaces, perfectly captured on canvas. At artjohnharris

Reef 'Fanning' Flip Flops

With a built-in bottle opener in the sole, nothing will stand between you and an icy, cold beer. At Reef

Bobbi Brown 'Beach'

This sweet, summery fragrance smells like a day at the beach. Available at Bobbi Brown

Whale Tail Hooks

Iconic (and adorable!) whale tail hooks for hanging wet towels, at Frontgate

Mr. Crab Zipper

A summer kitchen 'must-have'. Zips opens lobster & crabs with ease. From Bendal Seafood Utensils, Inc

Dubost Oyster Knife Set

Opens those tenacious bivalves in a snap. Available at Sur La Table

Charbay Vodka

In summerliscious flavors like Key Lime, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Green Tea & Pomegranate. From Charbay

One of the great joys of summer is untethering yourself from four-wheeled, gas-guzzling vehicles and replacing them with two knobby tires powered by two underutilized legs. Beach bikes—or cruisers, as they are sometimes called—are one-speed bikes designed with the beach in mind. With fat, grippy tires to get you through wet sand, simple coaster brakes, and a thick, padded seat, bike riding doesn’t get more comfy. Or, if you’re looking for the classic bike of yesteryear for cruising around the village, consider a “Townie.” Townies are more upright than beach bikes, have thinner tires, three speeds, and a basket up front for stowing Toto.

We practically live on our beach bikes in the summer. We track the tide and plan our trips accordingly, since the last thing you want—and believe me, we have learned this from experience—is to find yourself caught three miles down the beach with a rising tide between you and home. As a rule, you should head out an hour or two before low tide, allowing plenty of time to ride before the ocean shifts again. Along the way we stop to refuel with a basket of salty tortilla chips and a bowl of guacamole from the cantina down the beach, and wash it all down with a puckery margarita or two.