floppy hats + chunky knits

File under fall 11 inspo.

Photos: FGR

diy: sophie monet geometric necklace

How fabdotcom is this DIY geometric necklace Sophie put together? Full instructions here.

p.s. we're making a how-to LEAF video on this...stay tuned!

Photo: stylehive

j. crew's fall focus

The outerwear, the brights, the oxfords, the bags, the peppered in leopard...seriously Jenna Lyons, you're good.

More J. Crew fall here.

Photos: J. Crew

recipe: watermelon & feta salad

I made this refreshing 6 ingredient (including the dressing) salad last week for a friends pool party and it was a smash hit! In fact, people were so into the watermelon/basil combo that we ended up making margaritas out of the ingredients. #win

Check out the easy breezy recipe right this way.

Photo: Fashion Intel

not mary poppins

As someone who schleps their life around I can't believe I'm saying this BUT I'm majorly into handbag downsizing right now. I mean...don't these two look great and make so much sense?

Top, Emilio Pucci Studs and Ring Trim Shoulder Bag. Bottom, Jason Wu Mini Miss Wu Satchel.

Photos: Marko MacPherson for VOGUE

pops of pink

Photos: Le Fashion, Studded Hearts & Bonea L'amor

rag & bone

Rag & Bone Durham Booties available here.

Photos: Shopbop

girl talk: makeup organization

After spending way too much time on 'Into The Gloss' browsing photos (selects above) of the well organized makeup cabinets belonging to Tory Burch, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Karlie Kloss, Lauren Santo Domingo, et al. I've decided it's time I get my makeup in order. And by that I mean empty the 10 different free-makeup-bags-with-purchase that sit underneath my sink housing dozens of products I never ever use because they're out of sight.

Any organizing tips? Would be greatly appreciated!

Photos: Into The Gloss

spice up your life!

Prints, bright colors, stripes, THOSE sunnies. Swooon!

Photos: ELLE Ukraine via TFS

miu miu noir shades

Loving these retro '40s film noir inspired with a modern bent Miu Miu fall 2011 sunnies.

Pretty certain my Great Grandma Goldie rocked identical sparkly, cat-eyed, glamorous shades in the club - that's how she rolled.

p.s. rumor is that christine centenera is working on kanye's womenswear label. i mean......can you imagine? gahhhhh!

Photos: Fashionologie

diy: 6 makeshift kitchen island ideas

I fantasize about my dream kitchen like nobody's business and one of the elements I'm particularly fixated on is the perfect island. A beautiful, fully equipped, storage friendly center piece smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. Ahhh someday! Until then, a makeshift island in my rented apartment will have to do.

Some ideas:
1. Buy a kitchen island (captain obvious!). They sell kitchen islands all over (even at Target!) in a variety of aesthetics, shapes and sizes. The downsides: dinero and versatility. These can get pricey and if the island doesn't vibe with your next place it's not as easy to use elsewhere (see #2-6).
2. Console tables. They're nice and slim and won't dominate a small kitchen. Plus, if you get over the idea you can put the table along just about any wall.
3. Desks. Secure a countertop/slab of marble (available at hardware stores and you guessed it...IKEA!) to the top of a cool desk and add on longer legs (keep the old ones if you want to drop it back down to desk height for later use). The bonus: extra drawer space.
4. Credenzas/buffets/dressers. Move your credenza/buffet/dresser into the kitchen and beautify the backside with this DIY.
5. Dining room tables. If you have an open space (lofts are great for this idea) put your dining room table in the kitchen to double up as an island.
6. Carts. Three shelf carts provide additional storage space and are nice and mobile. The bonus: can double as a bar.

Any other ideas? Please share!

Photos: Elle Decor

venice unmasked

Free People Fall.

Their lookbook game...so on point. Now, who wants to plan a trip to Venice for Carnival?

Photos: Guy Aroch for Free People

emma stone

Emma and her stylist, Petra Flannery, are killllling it!

p.s. here she is rocking a top and skirt by Giambattista Valli (fall 2011 RTW), Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato heels and Ferragamo clutch.

Yowwww.

Photos: Just Jared

new foundry sunnies

Holy ishkabobs. First the Status sunnies and now these?

I think I love you, Grey Ant!

Photos: Courtesy of Grey Ant

recipe: greek salad

Majorly crushing on this greek salad recipe and Jen Gotch's art direction on the photography. So good, right?

I made the salad this weekend and it was the bombdotcom - the white beans really add that something something that greek salads often seem to be missing. I made two slight adjustments by swapping out the parsley for basil. I'm a sucker for fresh basil. And simplified the dressing by cutting down the ingredients to lemon juice, olive oil and salt. I also toasted a fresh baguette to accompany the veggies. Highly recommend (with or without the baguette) for a hot summer day.

Mmm mmm good.

Photos: Jen Gotch for Design Love Fest

oatmeal knit

Yummmm. Perfect for a chilly summer night and a great transition pieces come fall. Available here.

p.s. also love this similar cinder (cute color name, right? take notes, essie!) Helmut Lang sweater which i've been living in for the last two weeks...

Photos: Nasty Gal