This summer, go posh or penny-wise
Some of summer's best warm-weather pleasures are free, but a few of the season's choicest finds come with a price tag you can't ignore. What's a budget-conscious beach bum to do? Well, though your finances may not be infinite, your imagination can be. Relish the flexibility to splurge or save when it comes to all your summer needs - so if you do spend, you can spend smart. We’ve gathered up a sprawl of summer goods and services below - some big ticket, some bargains, all worth a look. - CHRISTINE LIU
HIP SHADES
Big ticket: Panther Temple sunglasses by Yves St. Laurent, $320. Available at Intermix, 186 Newbury St., 617-236-5172, intermixonline.com
Bargain: Black Magic sunglasses, $18. Available at
SEAFOOD CELEBRATION
Big ticket: Hiring the Jasper White Summer Shack Clambake on Wheels for 50 people, $2,675 ($53.50/person). Jasper White Summer Shack, 50 Dalton St., 617-867-9955, summershack restaurant.com
Bargain: Lobster rolls for 50 from Kelly's Roast Beef, $847.50 ($16.95/person). Kelly's Roast Beef, 410 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, 781-284-9129, kellysroastbeef.com
HOMEMADE LEMONADE
Big ticket: Alessi Mami electric juicer by Stefano Giovannoni, $159. Available at Bliss Home, 121 Newbury St., 617-421-5544, blisshome.com
Bargain: Mexican cast aluminum hand-held juicer, $6. Available at Nomad, 1741 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-497-6677, nomadcambridge.com
PRETTY PEDICURE
Big ticket: Bella foot facial, $90. Bella Santé, the Spa on Newbury, 38 Newbury St., 617-424-9930, bellasante.com
Bargain: Express pedicure, $25. Spa Bella, 69 Holland St., Somerville, 617-628-7772, breathspasomerville.com
COVER UP
Big ticket: Bettina bandeau, $175. Calypso Christiane Celle, 114 Newbury St., 617-421-1887, calypso-celle.com
Bargain: Strapless seaside eyelet-trim dress, $78. J. Crew, various locations, including Atrium Mall, 300 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-332-0122, jcrew.com
DIP FOR A DAY
Big ticket: Rooftop pool at the Colonnade Hotel, $30 a day. 120 Huntington Ave., 617-424-7000, colonnadehotel.com
Bargain: YMCA pool, $10 a day. 316 Huntington Ave., 617-927-8060, ymcaboston.org
BEACH ACCESS
(A map and weather for local beaches is at boston.com/travel.)
Big ticket: Nonmember car pass on weekend/holidays to Crane Beach, $22. Crane Beach, Argilla Road, Ipswich, 978-356-4354
Bargain: Pedestrian admission to Singing Beach, $5. Singing Beach, Beach St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, 978-526-2040.
BATHING BEAUTIFULLY
Big ticket: Swarovski monokini, $225. Available at Oak, 31 Gloucester St., 857-362-7311, oakboston.com
Bargain: Nylon tricot Le Sport Chic swimsuit, $42. Available at American Apparel, 47 Brattle St., Cambridge, 617-661-2770, americanapparel.net
TOWEL OFF
Big ticket: Jamelia towel by Missoni, $195. Available at
Bargain: Printed beach towel, $12.50. Available at Old Navy, various locations, including Cambridgeside Galleria, 100 Cambridgeside Pl., Cambridge, 617-577-0070, oldnavy.com
SKIN SAVERS
Big ticket: Kinerase Daily Defense Lotion SPF 30, $135. Available at Sephora, various locations, including Prudential Center, 800 Bolyston St., 617-262-4200, sephora.com
Bargain: Neutrogena Sunblock Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 45, $10.
BREEZY COCKTAIL
Big ticket: Margarita, $12. Julien Bar & Lounge at the Langham Hotel Boston, 250 Franklin St., 617-451-1900, boston.langhamhotels.com
Bargain: Margarita, $6. Sushi-Teq at the Intercontinental Hotel Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave., 617-227-5150, intercontinentalboston.com
KEEPING IT COOL
Big ticket: Portable 16,000 BTU free-standing air conditioner, $700. Brookstone, 200 State St., 617-439-4460, brookstone.com
Bargain: 16-inch adjustable oscillating stand fan, $31. Dickson Brothers True Value, 26 Brattle St., Cambridge, 617-876-6760, dicksonbrosco.com
GET GRILLING
Big ticket: Weber Summit S-650 gas grill, $2,000.
Bargain: Coleman RoadTrip LXE Grill, $190. REI, 401 Park Dr., 617-236-0746, rei.com
SUMMER SOUNDTRACK
Big ticket: The Beach Boys's US Singles Collection: The Capitol Years 1962-1965, $133 (on CD). Barnes & Noble, 325 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-232-0594, bn.com
Bargain: The Beach Boys's US Singles Collection: The Capitol Years 1962-1965, $50 (on MP3). iTunes, Apple Store, 815 Boylston St., 617-385-9400, apple.com
SLEEK SANDALS
Big ticket: Prada Madras Wedges, $650. Saks Fifth Avenue, Prudential Center, 786 Boylston St., 617-262-8500, saks.com
Bargain (relative): Arial wedge by Faryl Robin, $185. Turtle, 619 Tremont St., 617-266-2610, turtleboston.com
