You can leave those blinding white sneakers out of your summer vacation suitcase: Comfortable walking shoes are a fashion dilemma no more.

Early on in the new "Sex and the City" film and don't worry, we're not spoiling the plot here Carrie and longtime love Mr. Big are in bed together. A passionate interlude? Nah, they're just reading. Except they both need glasses, and there's only one pair.

Gardenias and woody florals are among the favorite notes of perfumers these days, as are scents that add a bit of masculinity to an otherwise classic female fragrance.

The U.S. Olympic Team's new uniforms will be designed to mark them not only as American athletes in Beijing this summer, but also as diplomats of sorts.

Krystal Schlegel comes from a family of Hermes fans. Her mom owns a 30-inch orange ostrich-leather Birkin, and her sister received a white one for Christmas during college. So the high school senior felt graduation would be the perfect time to get her own.

From the moment James Dean first rumbled across the screen, the biker look hulking leather coat, rugged jeans and street-wise swagger has been ingrained in America's style DNA. Designers are returning to the staple, but with a high-fashion update.

Fashion finds we think you'll love.

 For those who celebrate May Day, it's all about the ding-dong-ditch ringing a neighbor's doorbell, leaving a basket of flowers or candy and then racing to hide. Kids love it, and so do some shameless adults. Here's two fun ideas for making your own May Day baskets.

Treasures in Your Attic

Q: Enclosed is a picture of a quilt bought by my aunt on her honeymoon in Kentucky around 1938. It is in excellent condition. It is huge - queen-bed size - and it appears to be completely hand-sewn. Please comment. Thanks. G.Y., Buckingham, Pa.

FASHION FLASH

Visit the Natick Collection to see original designs by students in the fashion design program at Newton's Mount Ida College.