[cincopa AQHAbdtA5_Mu]This summer why not gear up with items that’ll ease and enhance the season? Here are a few hot product picks relating to fashion, functional décor, technology and travel that’ll please and appease in the months ahead.

***TECH & TRAVEL***

Courtesy of AT&T

AT&T Unite ‘Explore’ Mobile WiFi Hotspot by Netgear (www.ATT.com) – $49.99
This summer enjoy Wi-Fi on-the-go with the AT&T Unite Explore Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot by Netgear, which is the first mobile hotspot for the AT&T service. Its rugged design is perfect for traveling domestically and internationally—even while enduring tough outdoor environments. This hotspot also offers parental controls with content filtering, guest Wi-Fi with an optional timer, “batteryboost” to keep your smartphone charged, and international roaming compatibility on 4G LTE. It works like a Wi-Fi hotspot at a coffee shop or at home, except it goes where you go! You can share your 4G LTE connection and provide secure Internet access with up to 15 laptops, tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, gaming consoles and other Wi-Fi enabled devices. Even if you’re in wet or dusty conditions, the Unite Explore can withstand drops, spills and sand. So, this season you can brave the outdoors and bumps of everyday life with confidence that the AT&T Unite Explore by Netgear will keep you connected.

EasySync iPad Keyboard with Stand Cover
EasySync iPad mini Keyboard with Stand Cover (www.Kanex.com) – $39.95- $49.95
Kanex’s compact Bluetooth EasySync keyboards let you type to any Bluetooth supported device and include convenient covers that double as a smartphone or tablet folding stand. A full QWERTY layout with full-sized keys lets you breeze through emails, documents, and texts. The keys are comfortable to use and just the right size for a take-with-you-anywhere keyboard. Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity gives you the freedom to switch between your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and other devices all from the comfort of one keyboard. Designed with superior style in mind, the back of the EasySync iPad Keyboard is stainless steel, which helps keep the keyboard cool and looking great. The faux-leather and soft microfiber cover folds into a 60-degree stand for a more convenient typing experience, with powerful magnets to hold devices with up to a 9” screen in place. A built-in rechargeable battery lasts 2 months on a single charge, so that you can easily connect your life wherever it may take you.

SAGE by Hughes (www.SageByHughes.com) – Starting at $199.99
Launched in March of 2016, SAGE by Hughes is a secure, affordable, flexible and easy-to-use security and home automation solution. Created using some of the most advanced technology available, the new integrated device includes a number of features for controlling, managing and monitoring your home. To accommodate consumers’ busy lifestyles and provide a simple, user-friendly solution, SAGE can be controlled from both a TV and mobile devices through an iOS or Android App, while offering a comprehensive array of smart home and safety solutions. With state-of-the-art motion detection, you’ll instantly receive alerts wherever you are to trigger a video recording. Its MYLocal911 feature allows you to call local emergency responders if you see an issue at home, no matter where you are. These and other great aspects of this system provide much needed peace of mind. The SAGE starter kit is available for $199.99 and includes the SAGE Hub and remote control, a door/window sensor and a motion sensor.

The Plaza Hotel & Casino (www.PlazaHotelCasino.com) – $ Varies; 10% off online bookings with promo code “LUXE”
The Plaza Hotel & Casino offers guests a classic Las Vegas experience. From the lights under its iconic dome and ornate chandeliers, to the retro-meets-modern accommodations that are just steps away from a lively casino floor, to numerous dining options, the Plaza pays tribute to its history of the Rat Pack era while offering the comforts of a modern destination. For a classic Vegas evening, guests can start with a gourmet meal at Oscar’s Steakhouse inside the Plaza overlooking the famed Fremont Street Experience, and then enjoy the critically acclaimed music and comedy show, the Scintas. The show blends music of all styles and generations with relatable humor. A special “dinner and a show” package is available for $99 per ticket and includes a three-course prix fix dinner at Oscar’s and a VIP show ticket (through Nov. 2016). For fun-in-the-sun later this summer, the Plaza will re-open its rooftop pool after a multi-million dollar renovation creating a “retro Palm Springs meets classic downtown Las Vegas” vibe. The Pool at the Plaza will offer guests several new amenities, including a new wet deck, hot tub, daybeds, dining, private cabanas, recreational options (including dedicated pickle ball courts) and gaming. The Pool at the Plaza will also have space for a stage for live entertainment to include weekend DJs, concerts and special events. With so much to offer in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza is a hot place to be this season. DEAL ALERT: use promo code “LUXE” to save 10% on rooms when booking online.

*** FASHION & DÉCOR ACCESSORIES ***

“slow watch” Timepieces (www.slow-watches.com) – $250-$325
Here’s a cool timepiece to amp up those hot summer styles. A brand called “slow watch” boasts designs that will encourage you to slow down and enjoy life’s moments. For example, the watch doesn’t have a second-hand, which is intended to inspire you to relax and not be rushed by the seconds ticking by minute by minute and hour by hour. They also have a 24-hour dial intended to remind you that there IS time to take a minute, or more, and enjoy the day – or certainly that moment. Every time I look at the watch it really reminds me to stop and smell the roses…it’s truly made me become much more mindful of slowing down every once in a while! The watches are also extremely fashionable and aptly complement both day and evening looks. They come in three different styles with a really clean aesthetic, including the “slow Mo” that’s mainly worn by women because it’s a little smaller in size. There’s also the “slow Jo” that’s more square and “slow O” that’s circular, and all of them feature Swiss GMT Quartz movement plus 100 meter water resistance. I also love that, in addition to the cool design and unique concept, the watches have super soft Italian leather bands that are interchangeable, making it a style item that can constantly evolve!

OYOBox Eyeglass Case Organizers (www.OyoBox.com) – Starting at $135
Next is a great item to organize a quintessential summer staple – sunglasses! I have to admit that I have more pairs than I know what to do with, and keeping track of them all so I can match the right pair with my fashions or my mood can be a hassle. So this product called OYOBox solves that problem. It functions as a sleek and stylish home for glasses of any type so you can readily see your options and choose which to wear—and keep them all safe! This hand-crafted, super-durable product is engineered to protect your frames and lenses, which is very important particularly when it comes to expensive prescription and designer eyewear. It has features like a shatterproof glass top window, stainless steel ball hinges and a washable interior. The larger OYOBox houses up to eight to ten frames, and can hold everything from oversized sunglasses to more minimal readers. There’s also a mini version that holds five to six pairs of glasses. It’s also a style item in its own right that you can keep on display since it’s available in an array of vibrant, fashionable colors and sophisticated wood finishes to suit any personality and décor–everything from traditional white, black, aqua and orange to zebra, gold, silver and carbon fiber. It’s great for guys and gals, alike!

‘Just Shoes for Kids’ Children’s Footwear (www.JustShoesForKids.com) – Starting at $28
Next is a great fashion find for kids: a Web store called Just Shoes for Kids that carries super cute footwear styles for boys and girls. It’s interesting that this company was founded by a mom who had difficulty shoe shopping with her two young Autistic boys, which often ended with them hustling out of the store with shoes that weren’t the greatest looking just so they could get out quickly, without causing a scene. Because of this, she created a super user-friendly site offering top quality shoes, including top designer brands like OshKosh B’Gosh and others. In addition to offering free shipping and free returns to ensure a stress-free shopping experience, I also love that Just Shoes for Kids donates $1 from each pair sold to the ELIJA foundation, which is a non-profit organization that provides Autism community outreach. The company offers many shoe styles that are great for summer, like the Igor Jelly Sandals for boys and girls that are ideal for trips to the beach and all sorts of outdoor adventures. The OshKosh B’Gosh Jax2 sneaker/sandal hybrid is perfect for climbing trees or strolling along the boardwalk. They allow little feet to breathe while protecting those tiny toes. Your little comic book fan will embrace his inner super hero with the adorable Shooshoos “Kapow” style that features a non-slip sole and an elasticized ankle to keep them in place while he’s keeping villains at bay. And, the Old Soles Clarise Sandal for girls is a practical and easy way to dress up any outfit.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***