By Suzy Bacino
Photographs by Mark Gilliland

red, white and brew

Host the party of the summer with a live-lobster bash! Fly in the little guys from Maine, boil up some water, crack open the beer and listen to them squeal! Le Creuset 16-quart lobster pot, $89.95; Zyliss seafood cracker, $6.95; Sateen place mat, $6.95; Boston Warehouse lobster picks, $6.95 per set of four; Cuisipro tongs with red silicone ends, $14.95; set of three checked towels, $9.95; iSi Orka silicone oven mitt, $19.95. Sur La Table, Plaza Frontenac, 314-993-0566, surlatable.com.

 

good wood

Be thoughtfully creative. Use hardwood beads, like these made from found rain-forest wood, in your next project. They’re not dyed—just polished to enhance nature’s beauty. Rosewood 15 mm and 17 mm beads, $4–$13 per 10-piece strand. Zuma Beach Bead Co., 6655 Delmar, 314-862-3345, zuma-beads.com.

 

if by sea

Hoist a sail of your own, without the queasiness of the actual boat. Recycled sails are salvaged and repurposed as one-of-a-kind totes of every size. Sail Again travel bags, $16–$80. Spicer’s of Ladue, 8859 Ladue Road, 314-721-6026.

road trip

Pop this travel system in the trunk and you’ll end up using it every day. Three removable nylon packs fit neatly into a collapsible base and can hold everything from extra sunscreen to road snacks. Are we there yet? Modular Hauler System, $69. The Container Store, 1769 S. Brentwood, 314-968-8480, containerstore.com. 

 

green peace

Feel good about what you’re wearing—for more than one reason. This local brand’s philosophy: re-created, reconstructed custom-made fashion with an edge. Add a little spirituality, and feel the good karma flow. My Favorite Peace Mexican peasant tops, $40, myfavoritepeace.com.

 

treasured chest

Stash your cash, mementos or “home movies” in these lovely, lockable lacquer boxes. Collect all three! Lacquer jewelry boxes, $75 each. Williams-Sonoma Home, 1745 S. Lindbergh, 314-983-9467, wshome.com.

 

do the rock lobster

The most versatile piece of the summer is the tunic. Over that cute red bikini, it’s a killer coverup; paired with white jeans and sandals, it’s your go-to picnic ensemble; and it’ll make you really popular at the next B-52’s show. Lobster tunic by Nilla Shields, $108. Susan Lynn’s, 130 Chesterfield Towne Centre, 636-530-7337.

raise me up

A blessing for the height-challenged and the style-conscious alike, this metallic wedge works with almost any summer outfit. After all, who couldn’t use a little lift? Anne Klein gold fabric/cork wedges, $99.99. EJ’s Designer Shoe Outlet, 8620 Olive, 314-991-0183.

 

cover story

Here’s an item to appeal to the optimist in you: If you make ’em look like boxers, maybe no one will notice the Pampers! Pair them with a coordinating T, and junior is up and running (OK, crawling, maybe lurching). Boxer diaper covers, $14, gift pack containing diaper cover and T-shirt, $28. Giggly Gear, 314-363-1176, gigglygear.com.

Ciao, Benito

With flavors like wild strawberry, amaretto and dark chocolate, this gelato makes not actually being in Italy a little easier to stomach. Benito’s Gelato, 14 North Central, 314-863-3366, and 10423 Clayton, 314-995-8595.