Step aside, ladies of the sizzling summer hit Sex and the City. Another long-awaited summer chick flick opens nationwide this week, and this one’s for the tweens — girls 7 to 12 years old. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, is the first theatrical release connected to the American Girl phenomenon. American Girl is a hugely popular line of products that center around fairly pricey dolls of various ethnicities who come of age at turning points in U.S. history. Each doll comes with period-specific clothes and some accessories, and there is a book about her life that involves triumph over adversity with humor, grace and loyal friendships. Though the tone is gentle, American Girl tales touch on child abuse, child labor, slavery, war, and much more. Beyond the dolls and the books, the wildly successful line comes with more clothing, accessories and furniture for additional dollars. The movie, produced by Julia Roberts, revolves around the American Girl character Kit, who lives in Cincinnati at the dawn of the Great Depression, and wants to be a “girl reporter.” Get Kit and her best friend Ruthie (on sale for $205) and the tree house ($250) where they spend much of their time. Kit pounds furiously on a typewriter ($22), that “dings” like the real thing when she gets to the end of a line. Her roll top desk ($70) has a pullout writing board. The top rolls down to hide clutter, and the set includes a swivel chair so she can take a little spin to get her ideas moving. Like all the other American Girl dolls, Kit has her own online games and downloadable computer wallpaper. American Girl also has its own magazine, line of custom Just Like You dolls, Bitty Baby for ages 3 and older, and Doll Hospital. The dolls have become such popular collectibles on eBay.com that the site offers a buyer’s guide. American Girl does have its naysayers, but most film critics, such as Roger Ebert, give Kit and her cohorts a big thumbs up. This much I know: American Girl – I was a Julie — is an improvement over the Barbie of my youth.

The Swedes, responsible for the Volvo, have a knack for engineering forms that are as functional as they are fashionable. These days one of the country’s most successful exports is in the shape of the future – the SIGG reusable water bottle. It’s good for you and the planet, and comes in 144 designs with 22 interchangeable lids. Like a fashion house, SIGG rotates or drops designs each year. But if you’re thirsty for one of those Limited Edition Lifestyle SIGGs – its most popular line – you’d better shop around. Due to overwhelming demand, mysigg.com temporarily closed shop in May. In June, several internet retailers, including this one, announced that new inventory would not be available for the next 60 to 90 days. This blogger explains – simply – why SIGGs are hot and worth the price. You can find a SIGG to get you through this summer if you buy one that’s already available – and that’s good for the planet, too. Check out the colorful Maharadsha ($30) which comes in fuchsia, violet, ruby and turquoise, the Sunray ($25) and the Classic Red Traveler ($18). Hurry, because stock is limited and going fast. Go to www.isabellacatalog.com to find Spring Impressions ($25) and www.getngreen.com for Bubble Vision ($20). At rei.com you’ll find several SIGGS in stock and the recommended tool for hand-washing them, another hard to find SIGG item. If you must have one of the latest Lifestyle Limited Edition SIGGS, take a look at what’s selling on eBay, where you can acquire Wisdom Awakens and Flower Power (or others, as offerings on eBay is always changing). If you’re quick, you might get the sure to-be a collectible I Am Not Plastic.

Each summer for six years and counting, carelessly groomed, long-haired overweight men in frumpy bathrobes and well-coiffed women dressed as spear-carrying She-Visigoths gather in Louisville, Ky. to bowl and sip White Russians – and what-have-you – in celebration of the prolifically inventive Coen brothers’ (Fargo, Raising Arizona) movie The The Big Lebowski. The film, which came out in 1998, was the first cult film of the internet age, according to the author of I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski and What-Have-You ($13.72) and this article which will fill you in on all-things-Dude and why repeating the repetitive phrases in the film is part of the fun. If you haven’t met him already: The Dude. If you can’t make it to any of the Big Lebowski festivals this summer – voted one of the Best Summer Road Trips for 2008 by FHM and Maxim – get in the spirit by creating your own celebration. First, get the movie ($20), a recipe for White Russians and a rug that really ties the room together – I like the prices of these in the Andy Warhol series. You must have a Dude Abides T-shirt ($15) and take a look at these posters. Meet other Dudists at dudeism.com, which promotes self-help materials: All I Really Need to Know I Learned Watching The Big Lebowski and The Five People You Bowl With in Heaven. To find the best bowling ball for you, read over these reviews. Grab a ball Walter would love, the Purple Pearl, which one reviewer described as “not over aggressive,” or the Ultimate Inferno ($105) , described as the “most forgiving ball I ever owned.” When you are ready to roll, grab this Smiley Faces bowling bag (on sale $17) and be sure to have snake oil ($5 for 4 oz.) on hand. Of course, if you are a true Dude, you will do none of this – am I wrong?

Though the Fourth of July brings to mind fireworks, barbecue and a day off for many of us, it’s also a time to contemplate the spirit of American freedom and independence as it is expressed in so many mediums. Think of Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA , James Brown’s Living in America, Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream (read lyrics here), Janice Joplin singing Me and Bobby McGee, Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, Howard Zinn’s book, A People’s History of the United States: 1492 to Present, and David McCullough ’s narrating the audio version of his Pulitzer Prize-winning 1776 (pictured). At the National Archives, review the the history of July Fourth and download, high resolution, printer-friendly copies of the original Declaration of Independence. Browse excerpts from books on the American Revolution at Questia. At PBS, check out Liberty! The American Revolution (three-DVD set $50), hosted by news anchor Forrest Sawyer and featuring reenactments about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of 13 loosely connected states to become a nation. More recently, the acclaimed HBO series John Adams is now out on DVD ($39). Also consider Thomas Jefferson (on sale for $17.76) starring Sam Waterston and directed by Ken Burns. Take a look at The American Film Institute’s list of the 100 most inspiring American Films (scroll down). Fourth of July sales offer an excellent opportunity to exercise your patriotic right to shop. Check out the Independence Day sale and discount coupons at HerCoupon.

I have been known to crack, break and shatter delicate things, both at home and at the homes of friends. Fine china handed from generation to generation. My wedding dishes. Vintage glass. And so, I am familiar with Replacements, Ltd., the online super glue for friendships strained by the untimely loss of a beloved dish or bowl. An actual storefront in North Carolina with more than 400,000 square feet of tableware, Replacements, Ltd. has the “world’s largest selection of old and new dinnerware, including china, stoneware, crystal, glassware, silver, stainless, and collectibles” and services klutzes young and old the world over. There are 12 million pieces in more than 286,000 patterns, some over 100 years old, but if they don’t have what you’re looking for right now, just fill out an online pattern/piece request form and you’ll receive first notice when they find it. The site bears the logo of the Better Business Bureau’s Online Reliability Program, and everything is guaranteed by a 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy. You can even sell to the company if you’re holding pieces you’d like to get rid of, although they will not purchase china that is chipped, cracked, stained or showing excessive wear. Pieces that are “crazed” or show minor flaws are acceptable. And for those getting married, there’s a bridal and gift registry. According to the frequently asked questions page, the registry is most helpful for newlyweds who want to complete a pattern. If you’re in a hurry and can’t find what you need at Replacements, Ltd., try Dishes From The Past or ebay, where I recently averted trouble after demolishing a forest green glass cereal bowl at a friend’s house. Replacement cost: $7 plus shipping.

Serving trays are not just for butlers carrying silver spoons or grandma’s turkey during the holidays — and you don’t have to wait until your bridal shower to get one that’s showy. Transform a simple moment into a gracious one by using this rectangular Towle Silversmiths tray ($50) to serve your guests iced tea on a hot summer day. Use this hand-hammered copper tray ($169) to serve wine for two. Trays can also be used as decorative accent pieces that express your personality and tastes. Besides, who’d want to put a bowl of popcorn on top of the Bianca Governess (pictured) or Bernardo Conquistador tray, inspired by archival imagery and created by a family in Southern France ($175 each)? And you wouldn’t want to place anything on this pricey limited-edition tray made of exotic zebra wood, quilted birdseye maple, wenge and African mahogany ($1,680). This wooden tray features a reproduction of John Ross Key’s 1914 oil painting of the North Lawn of the White House, with lush red and pink peonies in full bloom ($38). This lacquered tray ($110) features a painting of Singapore’s famed Esplanade from the collection of the National Archives of Singapore. The “Heart Tray” ($95) is a piece of art. It is made of fused iridized glass and is signed by the artist, and though it looks delicate, it is food safe. This retro tray ($50) would work propped up on a midcentury dining buffet. This vintage piece ($18) is suitable for hanging on the wall, as is this charming antique bar tray ($25). Consider these collectibles: the Coca-Cola 1953 Menu Girl serving tray ($39), the Century Bottle Beer tip tray ($385)and this 1926 serving tray ($150).