The best of...summer garden parties
Consumer
Automobile
“Don’t mess with success.” That’s clearly
the principle that guided Lexus’ latest re-
fresh to its best-selling vehicle, the midsize
crossover that launched the luxury SUV
segment 20 years ago and still outsells
every rival. “If we were in Lexus’ position,
we wouldn’t have changed more, either.”
The RX remains handsome and compe-
tent, and since 2010 has suffered only one
serious fl aw: an info tain ment system that
the driver has to manage with bothersome
mouse- and touch pad–like controls. Now
you can often simply tap a touch screen—
a big deal for RX loyalists.CNET.com
The 2020 RX is the fi rst Lexus to support
both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
and its suite of standard safety tech now
includes road sign detection and low-light
pedestrian detection. Lexus has also stiff-
ened the chassis by doubling the number
of weld points and increasing its use of ad-
hesives 10-fold. The resulting reduction in
road and wind noise makes the new RX “a
much more relaxing commuting cocoon.”Car and Driver
A sports car it’s not. “There’s still a good
amount of body roll in corners and basi-
cally zero steering feedback.” But this RXproves to be “nicely composed and super
quiet.” Exterior styling has been refi ned
slightly, but don’t let its aggressiveness
fool you. “This is a quiet, comfy cruiser
fi rst and foremost.”LEISURE 29
Tip of the week...
How to survive a tornadoBest apps...
For managing chores and allowanceAnd for those who have
everything...
If a 5-inch-wide micro
bag is starting to feel
too bulky, you might
be ready for Le Petit
Chiquito. A spin-off
of the tiny handbag
that recently helped
French designer
Simon Porte Jacque-
mus develop a cult
following, the smaller
Chiquito measures just 3.4 inches wide
and 2 inches tall. Like the original version
that you may have seen dangling from the
arms of Emily Ratajkowski and Kendall
Jenner, it’s made of embossed calf leather,
comes with a shoulder strap, and fre-
quently sells out. It’s also “perfect for the
fashionista who prefers to travel light”—
with, say, a single house key.
$258, jacquemus.com
Source: New York PostQFind shelter. If you’re on the road, don’t
just pull over. Seek out a sturdy building.
QForget the windows. You can’t save a
house in the path of a tornado by opening
doors and windows. That only makes you
more vulnerable to flying debris. Instead,
retreat to the basement or the center of the
first floor. Interior walls add shielding.
QSkip the overpass. Parking under an
overpass is a popular move that can actually
heighten risk because the overpass can
create a wind tunnel. Some motorists leave
their cars to climb into ditches, but the car
is probably safer. Choose a ditch only if you
have no shelter.
QDon’t just stop. Tornadoes travel only up
to 70 mph, so you can outrun it on a highway
when you know its direction. If winds get too
strong, though, pull over, keep seat belts fas-
tened, leave the car running so air bags can
deploy, then get low to avoid flying debris.
Source: Popular MechanicsQChore Check lets parents assign values
to various chores put on to-do lists for their
children. As chores are checked off, the iOS-
only app tracks how much parents owe and,
for $9 a month, enables payments divided
into separate accounts for spending, saving,
and charity. The spending money goes right
onto a debit card.
QBusyKid works similarly, but costs $25
a year and offers more payment options.
Young users can also invest their earnings
in stocks.
QFamZoo is for parents who want to give
their offspring debit cards but not bank ac-
counts, and it offers more parental controls
than most. Kids can also use the $6-a-month
app to request lunch money.
QStockpile allows the young ’uns to make
fractional purchases of individual stocks,
beginning with as little as $5. With parents’
approval, kids can even make trades.
Source: Forbes.comThe 2020 Lexus RX: What the critics say
‘A relaxing cocoon,’ from $45,000 (est.)Papier Tigre
Paper Fan
Help guests beat the
heat with colorful
paper fans in any of
three patterns. Made
by a French stationery
company, they can also
serve as party favors
that’ll remind revelers
of the fun they had.
$11 each, papiertigre.fr
Source: Elle DecorCuisinart
Drink Stakes
“Far from a table sur-
face but need to fi nish
that round of croquet?”
These colorful drink
holders can be set in
the ground anywhere
to securely hold wine
bottles and stemware
at just the right height.
$34 for four, wayfair.com
Source: FoodAndWine.comSunbeam Jackie
Bespoke Parasol
Handcrafted in England
by an artist couple,
Sunbeam Jackie para-
sols are often found
these days at top hotels
and celebrity homes.
They feature six to eight
panels of “deliciously
mismatched” vintage
fabrics, from William
Morris to Marimekko.
From $3,220, sunbeam
jackie.com
Source: HowToSpendIt.com‘Ellen’ Dress by Jaline
The hostess needs
a statement dress.
So why not a billowy
mango-orange number
inspired by vintage
resort wear? Made of
lightweight silk crepe
de chine, it has a split-
front seam, oversize bell
sleeves, corset-style
buttons, and subtly bold
fl oral patterning.
$260, net-a-porter.com
Source: CNTraveller.comLes Jardins Tinka
Solar Lantern
The party doesn’t have
to end when the sun
sets. This teak-framed,
solar-powered lantern
produces 500 lumens of
honey-colored light and
lasts up to 200 hours
between charges. It can
be dimmed and also
comes with a built-in
motion sensor.
$199, lesjardins.solar
Source: Wall Street JournalGetty