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.

Trolling through Urban Outfitters' site just now I spotted these oven mitts ($12) and pot holders ($8) in vibrant '60s-ish prints and can't get over how cute and inexpensive they are. They'd make such excellent hostess gifts—I'm already planning on running out to the closest store today to pick up a mix and match pair to take to my friend's dinner party this weekend instead of the usual bottle of wine or flowers. To finish it all off, I'll box them up and wrap the package in equally adorable wrapping paper. I keep a supply of Jack and Lulu's dotted and striped wrap sheets at home; they really make any present feel that much more special and a million times more fun to open.

I'm not sure when the Brooklyn boutique Ylli launched a shopping website, but I just came across it—and I'm thrilled. I've loved the store because the lineup of designers extends way beyond the usual suspects, so I always discover new labels, and of course this holds true for the site as well. An example: Objet Trouves, whose one-shouldered silk dress in muted rainbow stripes is kind of to die for. It's definitely one of those pieces it takes some guts to wear (horizontal stripes in an all-over-the-place palette? Not something you throw on when you're in the mood to disappear into a crowd), but it would make for an amazing party dress. There are a couple of other items I've been fawning over by the same brand, like this short-sleeved shift with a playfully exaggerated scalloped hem. And from Ane Verit, another new-to-me designer, I'm loving this everyday-wearable baby-doll dress (which also happens to ring it at a very reasonable $88).

I've been wearing the same gray American Apparel pullover on an alarmingly frequent basis lately: It's so light and soft and comfortable that it's really all I ever want to put on. One could argue that it's cooler and a bit more stylized than the typical fleece hoodie, but at the end of the day there's no denying that it's just a sweatshirt. I've been layering mine over silk and/or lace-trimmed camisoles to counteract its tomboyish-ness, but I think that accessories might work even better. A dangly, statement-making necklace could be perfect for making this look more feminine. I like this one from the six-month-old, environmentally friendly San Francisco boutique Eco Citizen. It's made of laser-cut recycled wood that's sliced into octagonal charms in varying sizes and colors, and the effect is very earthy-slick and just a touch offbeat—which I love. If I'm careful about rotating it in every so often, hopefully it will help detract from the fact that I'm still wearing the same sweatshirt every single day.

Ordering flowers online can be tough, mostly because so many of the offerings out there are, well, bordering on cheesy (stuffed teddy bears as garnishes, margarita glasses used as vases, etc.). But Martha Stewart and 800-flowers.com just unveiled their new collaboration, and the results are really brilliant. There are scores of legitimately chic, sophisticated arrangements to choose from, like these tropical-hued ranunculus that come bunched in a silver julep cup. So pretty! Or these spiky, coolly alienish orange pincushion flowers (which, incidentally, last just about forever) that arrive in a slick art deco-inspired black vase. Some options are even available for same-day delivery, so keep this gorgeous combination of green mums and white hydrangeas in mind next time it suddenly dawns on you that today is your mom's birthday.

Another item that falls into the category of things I really shouldn't buy more of: trench coats. I have four in my closet already—three of them by the same designer (Gryphon's Aimee Cho, whose label I am hopelessly obsessed with). But I recently spotted another undeniably cool one, this time by Trovata alums Shipley & Halmos, which is definitely unlike the trenches I've already got. So now, like a proper obsessive, I'm tempted to acquire a fifth. This one's shape is swingier than a traditional trench; there's a little belt that cinches in the back, which accentuates your waist (and keeps the look from being too tent-like), and it has perfect-for-spring cropped sleeves. And perhaps best of all, it's got straps that hang down the front, which would look so cute knotted like a men's necktie or worn in a bow for when you're feeling more girly.

This chic, boxy little jacket looks like it could have come out of a Holly Golightly time capsule. The crisp silhouette and three-quarter-length sleeves are very cocktail-party-in-the-Camelot-era, and when you zoom in on the pattern of the lush, gleamy material, you'll see it's reminiscent of both taffeta and faux bois—either way, pretty cool. I like the idea of pairing it with skinny jeans to modernize the look, but if you want to play up the throwback vibe, just add a full skirt and kitten heels.

I know I'm not supposed to buy any more stationery, so I'm going to have to live vicariously through the rest of you: Dempsey & Carroll, the posh New York City paperie that's been in business since the 1800s—producing stationery for people like Katharine Hepburn—just started its annual sale on personalized note sheets. You can choose from scores of different fonts and colors for the engraving; I like the idea of having my name printed in bright cherry red with a clean, modern typeface (like Copperplate or Gothic Medium) as a counterpoint to the old-schoolness of having custom notepaper in the first place. The sale price for 100 sheets with coordinating envelopes starts at $195 (as opposed to the usual $305), and if you really want to go all out—I'm getting excited just thinking about it—you could spring for the tissue-lined envelopes (an extra $150) in an unexpected, nonmatching color like pink or light blue. Okay, the stuff is expensive, but if you think about how much you might spend on an article of clothing you will doubtfully ever wear 100 times, it's actually not that bad. Right?

I love this Vena Cava dress, in part because it's an amalgamation of three of my favorite big trends for spring. The wide, chain-bedecked collar has an exotic quality (trend no. 1: tribal-inspired fashion) and makes enough of a statement that you wouldn't need to accessorize with any other jewelry. The dress itself is bright persimmon silk (trend no. 2: bold colors—everywhere right now, including at MoMA, where I went this weekend to check out the Color Chart exhibition), with a groovy honeycomb print (trend no. 3: geometric motifs). Plus, it's bare yet not too showy, which isn't exactly a new trend but a great one, nevertheless. And despite the fact that it's truly of-the-moment, it feels like the type of thing you could wear season after season—to summer weddings, cocktail parties, and on and on.