For such humble spaces, sheds tend to inspire big dreams. In every house I’ve lived in, I’ve wanted to turn the dark, cobwebbed shed into something else—a clubhouse, bedroom, music studio, Lego oasis. But where else were we going to put the bikes and lawn chairs to collect dirt and dust and filth and rust? Such desires never really do go away, though, so if you’re like me, take a look at the Backcountry Hut Company. Founded in 2015, the B.H.C. specializes in simple-to-build, streamlined cabins for remote living, ranging in design complexity and space. The largest structure, or “System,” as they call it, is the 02, which, starting at two stories and 185 square feet, is the most customizable kit, and can be built, by professionals, in around two weeks. For those with less access to the rugged wilds and must make do with their own backyard, consider their System 00—an A-frame designed with deeply elegant simplicity and that can be assembled in a matter of days with minimal equipment. Light-filled and lofty, it’s the shed I’ve always dreamed of. ($33,249; thebackcountryhutcompany.com) —Alex Oliveira

“Dorothy Stratten was the focus of the dreams and ambitions of three men. One killed her.” This is the opening line from the Pulitzer Prize–winning Village Voice article about the life of Playboy model Dorothy Stratten, published in November 1980. It’s a story that’s now been given the podcast treatment, in the six-episode Death of a Starlet, on Wondery. Told using narration and re-created scenes and conversations, co-hosts Tracy Pattin and Josh Lucas bring to life how, in a city overpopulated with beautiful women, Stratten stood out in every room she entered. The three ambitious men—Dorothy’s husband, Paul Snider; Hugh Hefner; and film director Peter Bogdanovich—all loom large, but thanks to the diaries Dorothy left behind, the narrative is never one-sided. (podcasts.apple.com) —Bridget Arsenault

If you’re anything like me, you’re always in need of a new way to show off your pet. When you’ve exhausted your iPhone camera roll (and your friends’ Instagram feeds), opt for immortalizing your pet’s likeness with a custom portrait. While options abound—it’s a self-gift that hits the sweet spot between vanity and virtue—our favorites come courtesy of artists Brynn Wallner and Carly Beck. Wallner’s are simple, single-color-background paintings that brim with personality, while Beck imagines Fido in the environs of his human’s fantasies. (Think dachshunds nibbling petits fours in Bergdorf’s, Shiba Inus at Zabar’s, or hounds in Aspen, complete with wool cardigan and ski poles.) Go ahead, treat yourself. Or, at the very least, throw yourself a bone by tossing these pet portraitists an Instagram follow. (@brynnpaints, @thisiscarlybeck) —Sarah Nechamkin

Been cooped up inside for long enough? Ready to explore the outdoors but not sure how to fashionably carry everything you’ll need? Fortunately, Adam Atkinson at Utility Archive has created a modern yet ergonomic bag that marries functionality and aesthetics. The Fold Rolltop Backpack is perfect for commuting to the office or hiking on the trails. Made from recycled plastic bottles and covered with a waterproof finish, this sustainably designed bag also has plentiful padding to protect your laptop and other belongings, plus an easy-to-access compartment for snacks, your phone, and the like. If getting off the beaten path is a new ambition, this bag will keep you comfortable and stylish—just don’t forget your hiking boots. ($237, utilityarchive.com) —Nicole Matthias

When Alessandro Michele’s “More is more” mentality extends to fine jewelry, the results are electric. Take Gucci’s second high-jewelry collection, Hortus Deliciarum (Latin for “Garden of Delights”), which is inspired by flora, fauna, the animal kingdom, and even the colors of the sky at various times of day. The collection comprises 130 pieces—many of which are one of a kind, and likely selling out this very minute—and they draw both on the symbolism and the Gucci iconography on which Michele has built the brand’s fortune. Opal colliers, a gem-studded rivière necklace, and bangle watches are all covetable, but we’re especially drawn to these celestial opal earrings, set against sunset-hued gemstones. (Price available upon request, gucci.com) —Ashley Baker

Editor turned retailer Amanda Ross knows the importance of a solid summer bag that won’t weigh you down. Enter her collaboration with Habanera, a capsule collection of six corn-straw basket bags (in different sizes), made in the ancient tradition of stitching and stretching the circular seam of a single ribbon. They’re lined with beautiful fabrics—colored and printed linens, cotton florals, and romantic embroideries—fastened with an external drawstring and finished with a bright shoulder strap and contrasting leather, so that they can be paired with a matching dress or even an off-kilter print. ($450, arossgirl.com) —Ashley Baker