6 Summer Buys

Nature celebrates the sunniest season of the year with a riot of color. Deep leafy greens party with shades of purple, pink, red, blue and yellow as coneflowers, hydrangeas, crape myrtles and day lilies happily bloom their little heads off.

We’ve taken a cue from the great outdoors and gone on a hunt for a pop of color to brighten up our homes and ourselves. A few recommendations.

Nail Polish

Who needs a gel manicure with polishes as tough as the ones in this new Nars collection.  This 43-shade palette of enamels (including 19 new ones, such as tomato red, cherry red and rose gold; skip the vampy ones for summer) features a high gloss finish for a fresh lacquered look that stays that way. Launching July 15 on www.narscosmetics.com and  August 1 at specialty and department stores, each bottle is $20.

Placemats

Elevate your next dinner party — indoors or out. As much charger as placemat, Chilewich‘s Dahlia surrounds and prettifies plates with its open-lace cutwork.  Until now only available in black, brass, gold, silver and gunmetal, this summer the company has added lime and orange to the durable, easy-to-clean line. Measuring 14.25 x 15.25 inches, the Dahlia is available for $10 each at  Timothy Paul, 1529B 14th St. NW; (202) 234-2020 and 2910 District Ave, Suite 140, Fairfax; (703) 992-9494, as well as on www.chilewich.com.

Beach Towels

No need to wiggle even one toe in the sand to feel as if you’re on vacation. Just dry off in a lime-aid, blueberry or cherry pie towel. Red Barn Mercantile’s Beach Candy towel is made of 100 percent Turkish cotton, which is thin enough to wear as a scarf or use as a sarong, let alone pack in your suitcase. Machine washable in cool water, each yummy-colored one is $49 at Red Barn Mercantile, 1117 King Street, Alexandria; 703-838-0355 and online.

Driving Shoes

Cole Haan has added sole (in rubber) to flat-footed driving moccasins, resulting in more support and a comfier feel. We’re partial to the pearlized and patent versions in a range of colors from maple sugar and melon to marquis pink and med green. Inner padding is a plus. $118 at Cole Haan, The Shops at Wisconsin Place, 5320 Western Ave., Chevy Chase, (301) 654-9122 and www.colehaan.com.

Tray Table

TV dinners were never this fun. Tune in to your Netflix favorite and enjoy your next movable feast on this bright red lacquer tray positioned on a sleek, folding chrome base. Or lift up the waterproof and heatproof tray, using the carrier cutouts, and transport it to any desired location.  $49. 95 at CB2, 3307 M St. NW, 202-333-6204 and www.cb2.com.

Champagne

Want to celebrate summer but need a palate/palette refresh from color?  Moët Ice Impérial is the only champagne created to be poured over ice. Take a chilly reprieve from the D.C. heat and serve at  your next barbecue or soiree. For flavor, think a fruit salad combined with the tang of grapefruit and ginger.  For 750ml, it’s $69.99; a magnum is $199.99 at 1 West Dupont Circle Wine & Liquor, 2012 P St. NW; 202-293-9463, www.pstreetwines.com.

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