A recent Wall Street Journal, The Power of the Stiletto, discusses "heelpolitik," or why many women opt for heels for important meetings, transactions, and confrontations. If you need a pair of Power Heels, consider these Michael Kors Graffiti platform pumps. The sturdy 4" stacked heels are offset by the 3/4" platforms, so you can be extra tall (and powerful) and still maintain stability. The pumps are made from Italian calfskin, with padded leather linings and leather soles. More platfom pumps.

Perfect for bike riders with 13-14" laptops, the Samsonite Radius laptop backpack combines comfort and convenience with a low price tag. There's a padded sleeve for your laptop in the main compartment, a music pocket with a headphone gate for your iPod, a front organizer pocket, side pocket for your water bottle, and reflective trim so cars can see you at night. Available in several colors, the Radius has padded straps and grips, and costs just $25. More laptop backpacks.

Summer is espadrille season. But fashion designers have run amok with the classic shoes, adding heels, wedges, sling-backs, peep toes, and ribbons you're supposed to wrap around your legs (who wants that tan line?). Not to mention sky-high prices. If you're nodding your head in agreement, we have good news in the form of Rubber Duck espadrilles. The flat, canvas slip-ons come in both men's and women's sizes, in solids, stripes, and patterns (including camouflage, a target, and a rising sun). Grass style shown here. Best of all, the shoes cost all of $29.99 so you can get several pairs.

What's all the ruckus about Pacific Design's Ruckus laptop bags? First, they're lightweight without skimping on padding. Plus they've got pouches and lined pockets for things besides your laptop, like cables, wallet items, cell phones, iPods, and even water bottles. They'll hold most 15.4" widescreen laptops and fit comfortably on your body (the backpack version has the laptop resting flush against your back), but we're guessing from the various color schemes (and budget price points) that these packs are designed more for students than professional cube workers. More Pacific Design laptop cases.

Sometimes you feel like a nut and want to throw your laptop in your backpack; sometimes you don't, and would rather carry it like a briefcase. You can do either with the Skooba Skin. This sleek, padded laptop case goes from tote bag (left) to sleeve (just flip the flap over and the hidden Velcro tab holds it down) and back again, without any zippers, buckles, rivets, clips, or hardware. You can also use it as a regular briefcase for carrying files, papers, and magazines. The Skooba Skin comes in several sizes, colors, and materials, including ultrasuede, corduroy, and ballistic nylon. More Skooba laptop cases.