Milly is making what might very well be the coolest, prettiest beach cover-up on the planet. You've got to enlarge the photo on Bergdorf Goodman's website to appreciate it fully. It's made of lacy crocheted white cotton, which is actually kind of groovy-graphic. There's a delicate bit of scalloped trim at the hem and drawstrings at the neckline and on the sleeves. The shape is swingy and loose, which furthers its '60s vibe, sort of like what a Rat Pack groupie would have worn poolside in Palm Springs back in the day. At $292 it's a splurge, but at least if you layer it over jeans and a silk tank or even over a brightly colored slip, it could definitely work out and about, too.

I'd be the last to guess that I'd gravitate to a top that's both ruffled and ruched—too fussy, right?—but I'm here to tell you that I have. Somehow in the case of this Y-3 racerback top the combination really works. Both flourishes are applied in small, asymmetrical doses to a sporty, slick-as-can-be tank, and the overall effect is cool and understated and just a touch edgy—three qualities I love, love, love. Pair this with something really straightforward on the bottom (the flat-front charcoal trousers the model seems to be wearing in this photo are a good choice) so that the embellishments don't get lost in the rest of your outfit.

I was immediately drawn to this sweater I saw on the website for the L.A. boutique Seaton, probably because it has pretty much the exact same shape as my favorite can't-take-it-off American Apparel sweatshirt. This would make an excellent alternative to the one I've got, since it looks like it would be every bit as comfortable, only a lot more refined in tissue-thin snow white cashmere. The slouchy fit, soft material, and goes-with-anything color give it the same addictive potential, but this one runs absolutely no risk of looking schlumpy in situations like dinner with the in-laws or evening cocktails with friends, and so on.

I'm a big fan of the long summer dress, especially when it's worn really casually, like with leather flip-flops and windswept hair. The look is incredibly glamorous and actually really easy to pull off, though obviously tracking down the right dress is key. I love this strapless one by Andrew Lauren, which comes in the prettiest frosty lemon color (and is also available in white, which I just e-mailed a friend about who's still looking for a low-key option to wear to her beach wedding in July) that would look so great with a tan. It's perfectly flowy and floor-grazing and very clean-lined, and it has a couple of chic details—side pockets, gathering at the bust—that make it that much more special.

Paper shredders are the sort of thing that everyone could and should use but no one ever really wants to buy, largely because they're usually blah-looking and take up way too much space. A friend just asked me for a recommendation, though, and I remembered the ones by Royal that I saw earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show and which were actually one of my favorite discoveries while I was there. The technology is hardly groundbreaking, but this is—by leaps and bounds—the best-looking shredder I've ever come across. With its compact size and slick minimalist design, I'd even go so far as to call it cute. It can shred CDs, DVDs, credit cards, staples, and a bundle of paper at a time, and it starts and stops automatically, so you don't have to worry about remembering to power it on and off every time you use it. This would be so handy for dealing with the mountain of junk mail that shows up on my doorstep every day, and it's only $49.99. I'm placing an order today.

Lucky's editorial assistant Alexandra Willinger, who has that undone-cool thing down pat, discovered the following Rory Beca dress—and as usual, she's on to something. There are actually two articles of clothing at work here: an outer tank that you can remove and wear on its own, as well as a light shift underneath. The styling possibilities are endless—the tank is so straightforward it can go with pretty much anything (though high-waisted jeans are what immediately come to mind for me), and by the same token you could try just about any tank/sweater/wrap over the dress or just wear that by itself too. In featherweight cotton, both pieces will feel great against your skin in hot weather and would also layer up nicely come fall. I like the dress in this deeply saturated magenta color, but if you really wanted to maximize its versatility, it's also available in basic black.

To get out of my cashmere cardigan rut, I've been looking for a little cape to wear instead. I finally found a strong contender by A.P.C., a knit version with a double row of buttons down the front that make the whole thing look a lot like a peacoat—one of my all-time favorite wardrobe staples—minus the sleeves. Even if you're a bit daunted by the thought of wearing a cape (the silhouette can get a bit dramatic at times), this one is so simple and pared-down, and throwing it on loosely over your shoulders—whether it's with broken-in cropped khakis or a colorful silk slipdress—instantly telegraphs a je ne sais quoi, gamine cool. It's classic and refined yet interesting, which, come to think of it, in a perfect world would be the common thread of every single thing I own.

For those of you who didn't act fast enough to get a pair of those navy cotton In God We Trust shorts before they completely sold out, here's a second chance at another really cute and similar pair. In this case they come from Vena Cava, and they're a kind of dressier, more stylized version of the ones I wrote about last week. A high waist gives them a '50s pinup quality, but they're not so short nor so tight that you wouldn't want to wear them out and about. These also have a row of buttons on the side, this time in the form of squared-off gold studs. I like what the girl in this photo has going on, wearing hers with a tucked-in bright peasant blouse.

I'm kind of terrified of boiling-hot liquids, a fear that resurfaces with every trip to Starbucks. I like the coffee (especially the new, much-hyped-but-indeed-delicious Pike Place blend), but the temperature at which they serve it seems, to me at least, rather dangerous. I usually wait at least 10 minutes for it to cool before taking a sip, and I employ those cardboard cozies they have to avoid hand scalding. I just saw that an artist named Jacqueline Dufresne has come up with a chic, imaginative alternative to those standard-issue paper sleeves, made of handknit cotton—which ends up looking like a cute little scarf for your to-go cup. I love it when something so basic and utilitarian gets a designy makeover. Coupled with a Starbucks card, this would make a really sweet gift for any caffeine-addicted friend.

Hats, much like jewelry was for me until only recently, are the type of thing that I often admire on others but for whatever reason have always avoided wearing myself. But since I've been trying to walk everywhere lately (not just to enjoy the nice weather but to compensate for the fact that even with new workout clothes, I still haven't made it to the gym), and having read thousands of articles on the negative effects of sun exposure, I'm starting to reconsider. I'm not entirely sure how my personal aesthetic translates to headgear, but this Lola hat caught my eye and I'm tempted to give it a try. The cloche-meets-fedora shape is classic and feminine, and pintucking and a tortoiseshell button add the perfect bit of flair. And for mitigating sweatiness and hat head, the wide face-shielding brim and the fact that it's made of breezy, lightweight straw make this an intuitive choice.

Devotte makes the kind of shoes that people inevitably stop you on the street to ask you about. The silhouettes are different than anything else out there, and the color combinations are just as striking. You can also always count on interesting details (leather ruffles, cutouts, or maybe a handful of grommets) and beautiful craftsmanship. They just made their site shoppable, which, naturally, has me pretty psyched. I'm loving the geometric Jazzler style, which is sort of kooky and elegant at once, and comes in a very versatile warm mocha color offset by a curvy wood heel and metallic gold trim. The Helena, which was designed in conjunction with trendsetting L.A. boutique Satine, has a brilliant mix of graphite leather, a row of fish-scale-like front panels, and antiqued pyramid studs.

In the summer, at least in my free wear-whatever-I-want time, I find that shorts are all I ever feel like putting on. It gets so hot in New York City—that sticky, nasty humid kind of hot which basically means fewer clothes = better. Last year I bought a pair of paper-thin black cuffed Helmut Lang shorts and wore them just about daily, which I take as a sign that I should acquire another pair to keep in the rotation. I can already tell that these navy cotton ones by In God We Trust are it. There's a row of little white buttons running down each side that add a charming English-schoolboy-goes-sailing quality, but they're still simple enough to wear in lots of different ways. For evening cocktails somewhere in the neighborhood, I'd add a drapey silk blouse and patent leather sandals, and they'd be just as good with a heather gray tee for wandering around Central Park. And they also happen to be priced on sale at an astoundingly cheap $20. Sizes are limited, but if you're a 2, 4, or 6 you're in luck.

I can already see how this Mociun tee might be a polarizing, love-it-or-hate-it type of thing, but I am definitely in the love-it camp. Though I'm beyond sick of the skull-and-crossbones trend, somehow having a rib cage screen-printed on a simple cotton T-shirt feels entirely different. To me, it seems less about being macabre than cheeky, and the piece comes across like an anatomical chart come to life. Or something. In any case, I like the idea of throwing it on with a battered denim mini and bright ballet flats for running around on the weekends. Who's with me on this one?

I know: I'm slightly obsessed. But I can't help but share this one I found at Cole Haan. The combination of white patent leather and silver piping comes across as both futuristic and sporty, two qualities I don't typically strive for but happen to really love in this case. It comes from the company's G Series, which is all about creating shoes that are as comfortable as sneakers, though you wouldn't necessarily know it from looking at them. These have flexible, ergonomic rubber soles; and since I try to avoid the subways in the summer (waiting on a steamy, stiflingly hot subway platform is true misery as far as I'm concerned), these will serve me really well while running errands all over the city on foot.

On a mission to find a nice-looking lidded hamper that doesn't take up too much space (harder to track down than you might think), I wound up combing the aisles at Bed Bath & Beyond. Feeling a bit dejected after totally striking out on the hamper front, I wandered past the bedding department and was pleased to find that DKNY has just launched a new collection exclusively for the store. The line offers everything from duvets to shower curtains to soap dishes, and it's all cute, well made, and refreshingly affordable. Case in point: These lush cotton sateen Black Glamour sheets have a 350 thread count and a chic geometric print—and $130 gets you a complete queen-size set. In the bath section, this plush lilac bath mat ($35) with a raised floral motif would look great as a little area rug at the side of your bed.

My friend Annie was at Nordstrom last week and stumbled across these spot-on elegant Calvin Klein medallion-embellished sandals. There's something so rich about the combination of shimmery metallic leather and intricate laser-cut details. They're brilliantly designed (dressed up but in a subtle way, so they go with just about anything), and with cushioned soles they're more than comfortable enough to wear every day. Best of all is that though you'd never guess it, they cost less than most tennis shoes: $90.

Here's another piece that's inspiring me to want to wear more jewelry: this woven metal cuff by De Couture, which is made up of a bunch of really fine metal chains that are braided together and bound by caramel-colored patent leather straps with elegant little gold buckles. There's definitely a glamorous, Cleopatra-at-the-disco aspect to the whole thing, but somehow the overall sensibility doesn't strike me as too over-the-top, particularly if you keep the rest of your outfit simple (I'm picturing earthy flat sandals and beat-up jeans).

After seeing the umpteenth photo of Kate Moss looking unbelievably amazing in skintight Superfine jeans (to refresh your memory, check out Denimology for snapshots of her rocking some seriously great denim), I was inspired enough to track them down online for a closer look. They're not that easy to find, but chickdowntown.com has a few pairs, the best of which is this jet black, slim-cut straight-leg style. What I love most is the simplicity: There's none of the usual contrast stitching or distressed bits, and the indigo wash is so clean and deeply pigmented. They're made of cotton with a hint of stretch, which is always key. Before I take the plunge, though, are there any non-supermodel types out there who can vouch for their fit?

I've been eyeing the Deere Colhoun bag line ever since it came out around this time last year. The pieces are beautifully crafted and not at all fussy, and come equipped with lots of pockets to keep the interior from looking like a landfill by the time you get all your stuff inside. This one is made of subtly textured washed lambskin, which I've found to be more supple and lighter in weight than calf leather, though somehow just as durable. It's pretty much devoid of embellishment—no logo, no hardware that screams of any specific designer—and though you can tell just from looking at it that it's well made, its origins remain appealingly anonymous. This particular shade of soft, watercolory gray would transition perfectly from season to season. At $616 it's an investment, but since my tendency is to buy one nice bag to carry every day for the next couple of years, I don't feel too bad about splurging on something that's this classic and versatile.

If you haven't already seen the site shopadele.com, take my word for it and bookmark it immediately. It's a clothing boutique in Laguna Beach, California, founded by two New York transplants, and it's got a carefully edited inventory made up of sleek and just-a-touch-unusual pieces by some of the best independent designers. There's amazing stuff by House of Dagmar, like this sheer dove gray blouse that initially looks rather simple, but upon closer inspection actually has tons of interesting details (epaulets, elaborate pleating, voluminous sleeves, detachable scarf); it somehow all works really well together. And from Whyred, this great little cap-sleeved Cilla dress is so chic and neat it reminds me of the type of thing a Hitchcock heroine would have worn. Take your time combing through the rest of the site. There's a ton to see, including a pretty outstanding selection of jewelry, and you definitely don't want to miss anything.