Multicolored anodized aluminum is back and as sleek as ever for the home. First popularized by the Art Deco movement, the process of making the metal’s surface harder and less reactive with acidic substances resulted in beautiful objects for the home like these rare English Art Deco anodized pink ($375) and green ($175) aluminum vases from Decollect. For the noncollector, we found a set of six tumblers at Sur la Table ($30) just right for outdoor entertaining. And for keeping the ice cream cold, Betty’s Attic has a retro aluminum ice cream bowl set ($18). For cocktails, Target offers sets of colorful martini and margarita (pictured) glasses ($30 for a set of six), and for nondrinkers there are juice tumblers ($20 for a set of six). Each one features a different color on the outside (like turquoise, eggplant and olive), and a mirror finish on the inside. Pour the beverages from a huge 98-ounce retro pitcher ($20). And if you’re in the market for a bud vase, TVA has a charming example of anodized aluminum that comes in your choice of red, purple or silver. Hand washing is recommended for all items.

The photography-centric Morrison Hotel Gallery, launched early this decade to deal in high-quality images of (mostly) musical icons, has flourished both online and in a half-dozen locations in New York and California. It may be named for a Doors album, but an exhibition opening this month proves it doesn’t only cater to fans of Sixties rock: “In Session at the Columbia Records 30th Street Studio” culls through Sony BMG archives of one of the most storied recording studios in history, a place where everyone from Johnny Cash to Glenn Gould made classic records. The building is no longer standing, but these candid photos (mostly shot by Columbia Records’ in-house photographer Don Hunstein) give you a feel for what a storied place it was. Beautiful black-and-white images catch Bob Dylan at the piano, Tony Bennett studying a score or jazz greats Billie Holiday (pictured) and Thelonious Monk in the middle of performances. Prints mostly range from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on size, and can be ordered with a frame for a few hundred dollars extra.

Many of those airy, floaty summer styles can make a petite woman look as if she is drowning in fabric. Capri pants turn into awkward-looking ankle-length pants on those of us who are 5-feet-4 or shorter. The solution? Shop the petite section. Both Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT have wonderful summer offerings on sale, with discounts up to 70 percent. This sleeveless mesh medallion print top with scoop neck and shirred bodice ($44, pictured) matches up nicely with the dark Lindsay denim slim-leg Capris ($68; pictured). This cotton lattice yolk dress is a charmer with its cut-out neckline, pintuck detailing and cap sleeves ($50). Ann Taylor LOFT’s empire sheath dress ($59) is a chic cotton ethnic print, perfect for those summer parties. For a glamorous evening, look no farther than eDressMe, for wow-factor Nicole Miller styles in form-fitting black satin ($330) or shimmering aqua satin ($420). Lord & Taylor caters to petites and puts fun into summer with the bold palette of the Ralph Lauren Leei skirt with a flirty flared hem ($139). The Ralph Lauren bootcut jean is a fun twist on typical denim with a screenprinted floral design ($119).

We women have a little secret for staying freshed and attractive during a trip: the makeup case/travel bag. British accessories designer Zoe Phayre-Mudge counts actresses Minnie Driver and Dame Helen Mirren among her fans. Her ZPM Zinnia make-up roll has four pockets and is small enough to slip into your purse ($41.50). The ZPM Leopard Day Tripper ($47) is larger, with a clear pouch for lotions, hairbrushes and clips and a smaller clear zippered pocket for items like hairpins and eyeshadows. Makeup artists and celebrities often use train cases for their cosmetics. The Solia train case from Folica is a rich red color and has tiered metal fold-out trays; it comes in three sizes: the Jet-Setter ($60; pictured), Can’t Makeup Your Mind ($70) and Tote-L Diva ($90). For the sleek look of aluminum, try the industrial-size aluminum Metro train case ($90), which has four tiers of trays and an adjustable shoulder strap, or the aluminum train case in either black ($50) or silver ($56) with reinforced steel corners and plastic-lined trays. If you’re on a budget, the simplest approach might be to zip up those crucial toiletries in several clear Sephora makeup bags ($4 each). But if you need a purse-sized cosmetics case for that black-tie event or red-carpet appearance, go for the small Greta Glitter Bag ($28) from Stephanie Johnson’s Sunset Boulevard.

A few months back, Rolling Stones fans lucky enough to live near an IMAX theater got the treat of seeing the legendary band on a 50-foot-plus high screen — a format that was almost enough to capture the still phenomenal physical presence of Mick Jagger (pictured with bandmates). Now that movie, the Martin Scorsese concert film Shine a Light, is available for the home-theater equivalent of IMAX, Blu-ray, making it the most rock-and-roll flick on the format of the summer, at least until The Doors arrives in August. There’s plenty of other new music on standard DVD, of course, from Bob Dylan and The Clash’s Joe Strummer to The Smiths and newcomer Amy Winehouse. The musical double feature of the moment, though, is as far from the Stones as can be: the raunchy Oingo Boingo cult favorite Forbidden Zone (newly colorized or in the original black and white) and the disco-on-skates cornball extravaganza Xanadu (recently turned into a hit Broadway musical) — both of which involve true-love-inspired trips to the Underworld and a lot of very peculiar song-and-dance routines.

Thank goodness for the Web. How else would you be able to score handmade home goods from around the world? (Unless of course you’re going to pull a Phileas Fogg?) Enter Poppytalk Handmade, an online “street market” showcasing handmade goods from artisans worldwide. The key differentiator from other craft sites like Etsy.com is that Poppytalk Handmade features a monthly theme. July’s market is themed “Home Sweet Home!” and features goods to make a house a home. August’s theme is “School Days!” appropriately enough. Much like an antiques emporium, the site features a limited number of screened “sellers,” who rent their space by the month. We were drawn to artist Michelle Brusegaard’s unique take on formalwear, which includes striking, signed digital prints of gowns hanging on clotheslines ($15 each). Also nifty: Domestic Construction’s pendant lighting made entirely of tea cups ($58). Beehive Kitchenware’s bird measuring spoons ($88; pictured) and other kitchen goods are the antithesis of standard issue culinary wares. The same can be said for Flappergirl Creations’ sexy aprons and coffee cup cozys ($28, $12).

Skulls aren’t just for bikers and pirates anymore. If you thought skulls and crossbones were morbid, menacing, or just plain silly, it’s time to bone up on your fashion sense. Anyone with a pulse has to have noticed the proliferation of skeleton craniums on everything from aprons ($30) and maternity skirts ($70) to this pink skull T-shirt dress ($21) for toddlers. Skulls are about as hip as you can get, as evidenced by these Christian Audigier Charmed Skull men’s board shorts in black ($128) or these Juicy Couture men’s skull-print board shorts ($78). Girls like empty heads, too. Check out this black and white sundress (on sale for $37) or this pink bandanna halter dress ($59; pictured). Both would look mordantly good with a pair of flip skull sandals ($23). For boys, a pair of Vans Ferris skulls skate shoes ($45) might revive a fading fashion reputation. Skulls can even be cute, as on this pink skull denim handbag ($29) and this sterling silver skull and crossbones bracelet ($68). The trend is more than a bit of skullduggery. It appears to be serious business.

Office organizers with style and a green streak should take a look at a new line of goods from design giant Herman Miller: The Teneo storage system was designed by Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck (Birsel was just honored by the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design) and has earned the Silver “Cradle to Cradle” eco-certification, partly thanks to the recyclability of most of its components. Designed in modules that can be combined to fit the storage needs of workspaces both large and small, Teneo lets users decide how many shelves, drawers and mini-closets they want. It also offers a pleasing array of surface materials — from metal and wood veneer to felt and cork — and encourages customers to mix and match using an online Color Tool to visualize choices. Pricing varies, depending on finishes and options; a thorough price breakdown can be downloaded here. Teneo is availabe through Herman Milller dealers; to find a dealer in your area, enter your state or Zip code here.