longa gone.

skip summer's tourist traps and lose yourself at penha longa hotel, spa and golf resort just outside of lisbon in the sintra mountains. sure, it's remote, but with everything from world-class golf and spa, to yoga and meditation classes, you'll want to get lost here. estrada da lagoa azul. linho 2714. 511 sintra, portugal. 351.21.924.9011. www.ritzcarlton.com

bo-hobo.

you've carried your heavy purse all year, so lighten the load this season with the yves saint laurent metallic roady hobo ($1,595). this lightweight wonder is free of hardware and blatant logos. and with a shape that'll go with everything, consider it your go-to for the beach and beyond. available at www.neimanmarcus.com

music man.

skip the heat of the summer festivals (and the cramped crowds that come with them) and chill out to crooner michael bublé on his nationwide tour. he'll be performing old faves and songs from his latest, ensuring one smooth summer night. for dates, visit www.michaelbuble.com

mind games.

after your fill of summer blockbusters, the killer inside me might be just the thing to quell the sugar rush. a noir mystery filled with murder, twisted cops and easy-on-the-eyes casey affleck (with jessica alba playing a stunning noir siren), it shows that summer flicks aren't all fluff. opens july 18th. www.killerinsideme.com

a dress change.

brit brand eli kishimoto's already in every boutique across the pond in londontown, but with ek jam factory ($148-228) debuting stateside, they're sure to be a crossover hit. the pattern-loving duo channeled their greatest hits into a collection of easy summer dresses and blouses perfect for any season. available at www.anthropologie.com

sting operation.

last summer you ate, you prayed and you loved, but this time around follow the girl who kicked the hornet's nest ($27.95) to the conclusion of stieg larsson's millennium trilogy (does the girl with the dragon tattoo sound familiar?). this crime drama goes across borders and into the realm of virtual espionage, just the thing to keep your kindle flipping. available at www.amazon.com

foot work.

strappy sandals are an expected choice for summer footwear, but the repetto ludmila suede sandals ($310) give your tired tootsies a rest from the height, without sacrificing style. their nude hue and sweet, simple shape means they'll go with any of your summer staples. available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

heat waves.

ditch last year's 'do and make waves with the sultra collection ($95-230) of styling irons and dryers. whether you want beach waves or shiny, straight locks, they've got the tools to help you achieve your look. and for the jet-set, their midnight travel dryer is carryon-friendly and comes with universal voltage. available at www.sephora.com