Alexa's diary.

Alexa Chung did a diary for Chopard at Cannes. Love knowing what she though was picture worthy.

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Cheat sheet.

Want to be the post popular person at the party? Learn this trick quickly.

(via Lillies and Sparrows)

J.Crew's summer essentials.

Marissa, head of women’s design:
Panama Hat– “I pick up a new one every summer. It’s a must for bad hair days.”; Cutler and Gross® sunglasses; Bumble South surf spray; brightly colored scarves– “They have so many end uses; I carry at least two in my beach bag.”; my bike; pedicures are a must; Bhati Beads– “as arm candy to layer in with my usual gold.”

Dwight, men’s designer:
Honest Tea’s half tea & half lemonade (aka “Arnold Palmer”); J. Crew board shorts; J. Crew lightweight button-down shirts; Telescope 741 awning-stripe beach chair; Island Slipper flip-flops; Igloo marine cooler; Beastie Boys’ “Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.”

Jenny Cooper, head crewcuts design whiz:
J.Crew high-waisted polka-dot bikini with our men’s oxford popover; California Baby® sunscreen for the whole family; K. Jacques slip-ons; quirky mysteries like Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri; Lemlem® cover-up; water pistols for the boys and our crewcuts mini-diamond swim shorts– “because they look like regular shorts but they are made in swim fabric—so the boys don’t need to change to take a dip on a hot day!”

Margot, marketing honcho:
J.Crew navy blue polka-dot bikini; my new patent leather Birkenstocks® from Madewell; Murad waterproof sunblock; iPad with a great beach read; The Lion King DVD– “to play in the car for my 2-year old during the long drive to the Hamptons.”; essie® Clambake nail polish; a big straw hat.

Lizza, marketing mademoiselle:
Summer uniform: matchstick jeans and a navy-stripe bateau top with capri sandals; tomato sandwiches (heirloom tomato, white bread, mayo, salt and pepper); Sea Bags®– “perfectly sized to fit everything for a weekend at the beach.”; LIRR 10-trip pass to the last stop, Montauk; Judy Blume’s Summer Sisters; Annie Hall– “for rainy days.”; Carole King (Tapestry).

Will, doyen of marketing design:
My English Brompton titanium Superlight folding bike; Filson® medium duffle weekend bag; my grandfather’s 1963 Omega Speedmaster Professional watch with a NATO strap for summer; Ray-Ban® Caravan sunglasses; Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale; Quoddy® boat shoes; my Leica D-Lux camera.

Kim, buyer extraordinaire:
Vintage beach tote from Maine; mint chocolate chip ice cream from The Caboose in Cape Cod– “I have been going there since I can remember and cannot wait to take my daughter, Millie, there this summer. It is a family tradition!”; a straw hat; California Baby® sunscreen; Lotta Stensson’s beach cover-up; J.Crew Maryanne suede wedges in yellow; cropped white jeans with the perfect white blazer.

Trish, arbiter of online assortment:
Husband and kids; a beach; Kiehl’s sunblock; iPad; Marni sunglasses my kids got me for my birthday; my Schwinn bike; ALWAYS a hat!

Alison, web design ace:
Deborah Lippmann Yellow Brick Road nail polish; BAGGU® backpack; vintage-inspired swimsuits– “My fave is the J.Crew neon floral tank.”; Vita Coco coconut water; Salt-Water® sandals; vintage Levi’s® 501® cutoffs; my mom’s old, round Ray-Ban® sunglasses.

Holly, marketing design gal:
Worishofer sandals– “These sandals keep my feet happy when pounding the pavement.”; Turkish cotton towels; oversized sunglasses– “to keep the wrinkles at bay.”; J.Crew summer straw hat; essie® nail polish in Trombone; fresh mint– “from the farmer’s market for homemade mojitos with friends.”; plane tickets.

Dulci, catalog design chica:
Vintage Ray-Ban® Nueco sunglasses; J.Crew patent t-strap sandals– “I go for the black—they look perfect with a cherry red pedicure.”; Trader Joe’s sea salt body scrub; Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco conditioner; Presents for Purpose monogrammed travel backgammon set; Madewell Tulum dress; Nikon 3100 camera.

Check out our seven pieces to update your summer wardrobe on jcrew.com.

How to shop a flea market.

Mack:  Take me to a flea market and you might not get me out.  The article below by NY Times includes how-to tips on how to shop a market like a pro.


Alex Bell and Shira Entis know their fleas, from Elephant’s Trunk in Connecticut to Portobello Market in London. Which you would expect from the girls who started the awesome line of handbags and totes called Fleabags.
“We’ve been lovers of flea markets forever,” Bell says. “When I met Shira at Brown University, we bonded over great market deals.” Currently, their favorite markets are Chelsea’s on 25th street and that up-and-coming hidden gem Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market (406 West 39th Street) on Saturdays. As quasi professionals, however, they never venture forth without a game plan, which includes the following advice:





 1. Keep your eye on the ball. “We try to talk beforehand and focus ourselves a little bit,” Entis says. Markets are open on various days, but the girls prefer Saturdays (the most vendors turn out) and suggest arriving when the gates open (usually around 9 a.m.). Most important, know what you’re looking for before you get there.

 2. Weather makes all the difference. “On a cold or cloudy day, fewer vendors set up,” Bell says. “That means there are fewer shoppers too. So, the vendors there are more likely to make a deal. One of Shira’s most successful excursions happened at the outdoor Chelsea flea on a cold and windy day. Only three vendors made it out and because Shira was their only customer she walked away with a huge box of YSL blouses and antique brocade fabrics. Great finds!”

3. Your outfit might, too. “When marketing outside of the city, we try not to look like New Yorkers,” Entis says. “Especially no jewelry!” When you are in Manhattan, the jig is usually up and vendors know a tourist from a seasoned shopper a mile away. Dress casual and for comfort. You don’t have to prove anything about your vintage know-how.
 
4. Let them do the talking: “Being coy is the name of the game,” Bell says. “No one is going to give you a deal if they think you’re going to turn around and sell it on eBay. But on the flip side, don’t be naïve.” It’s O.K. to eventually let them know you know Balenciaga from Target and that you’re not going to get pushed around.

5. It’s O.K. to be thrifty: “We rarely spend more than $100 during the entire day,” Entis says. “And, we always have a good bartering session with the vendors,” Bell adds. Entis scored a vintage Chanel jacket for $40, and Bell found a pair of new Oscar de la Renta heels for $15 at the Chelsea flea. “If you are buying multiple items, they’ll usually give you a better deal rather than just buying one item,” says Bell, who along with Entis stocked up on military blankets from vendors for their fall 2011 collection.

6. Go with a friend: “We like to help each other,” Entis says. And what’s more fun than shopping with a friend?

Aviators.

Good to know, right? More cool insights at TOMBOY Style.

White Linens.

White bedding makes all the difference. My staple is Restoration Hardware but I have been craving Leontine.

Images via Lonny Magazine

Macaroons.

 

I attended a fantastic wedding in Newport this weekend.  The bride gave guests these precious macaroons packaged in delicate little boxes as party gifts. Heavenly. I don't know who did hers but I found a fabulous Persian bakery with the best website called Laduree. I have been craving them all week!

Orange and white.

I love the clean lines of this shower - I also love the fact that it's packed with Hermes boxes.  I could handle this.

Vintage finds and scarves.

I recently found the best vintage place in Tuscaloosa! Thank God. I love stopping by new shops and today I was pleasantly surprised. Habitat Alchemy is located downtown across from Regions.  I found a leather visor ($7), great silk scarf ($7) and Pucci coin purse ($15). The leather visor is almost more than I can handle. I'm not over these amazing finds or ridiculous prices! If you have a chance stop by it's my new favorite!

I love a good scarf so I added these pictures of fun ways to wear scarves and a great website that gives you step by step instructions for just about any way you could dream up.

 

Click here for directions on how to tie scarves!!

Versitile Blogger Award!

Just found out I received the Versatile Blogger award from one of my favs Caroline at Leavie Rose and couldn't be more excited! Blogging is so fun! I recommend everyone start one even if it's just for the blogger friends!

Here is how The Versatile Blogger award works:

1.  Thank the person that awarded you by linking them back in this post.
2.  Tell us 7 random things about yourself.
3.  And pass on love by awarding to least 2 recently discovered new bloggers (or blogs you love!)

1. If I were stranded on an island with three things to eat they would be… a. Diet Coke b. Triscuits c. Cheese (with Wickles in a close 4th)

2. I dream about visiting Alaska and Africa. With an extra emphasis on Africa. The video below is when William (the BF) and his friends tricked me into thinking I won the lottery. Where was I going to spend my loot?   Take everyone on a trip to Africa, duh.

3. If I can’t sleep at night I will read Pride and Prejudice for the 101st time. I call it my Elizabeth Bennett complex and it's pretty sad. I go straight to my favorite parts and re-read them over and over again. The fight scene where he professes his love for herand their first (and only) kiss.  I could go on forever.

4. My last meal would be a Gray Goose dirty martini. Extra dirty.

5. My favorite vacation was when I went camping for three weeks to California and back but never used my tent. My favorite places were the Grand Canyon and Monterrey, CA.

6. I have a library card for the movies. To explain, the library is the only place where I can find my old movies. They don't make movies like they used to...

7. I don't watch much TV with the exception of Curb Your Enthusiasm, the Today Show and Modern Family. I just sit and laugh the entire time.

I pass this award along to two of my favorite blogs, Pleats+Peonies and Twelve.19 

Whiskey bar.

Fun and southern party idea! A whiskey bar for the gents... I don't know if my motley crew of boys are the kind  you openly serve free bourbon but hey the idea is fantastic in theory.

(Via Garden and Gun Blog, Southern in the City)