Etiquette from Gywneth's GOOP

I love this question. As ridiculous as it is, I'd love to host a party with a dress code. What? It ensures your guests match the decor..

Read more here.

Q:How do you make it clear to the guests you've invited for a get-together that you'd like them dressed in a certain way if there's not a written invitation?

A:"Generally speaking, if there's no written invitation, you've either called or emailed the details, and it's appropriate to follow up in the same manner. My suggestion: Ask a few of the more sartorially obsessed attendants what they're wearing, and readily offer your own look. They'll clearly understand the party's tone if you tell them that you're wearing, for example, jeans and a blazer, or your to-die-for, over-the-top YSL Moroccan tunic and metallic espadrilles. Then they'll pass this info on to the others as they scramble to find their own vintage kaftans."

Andy Spade Porn

I can't get enough of Andy Spade. The creative director, gallerist and raconteur invited NOWNESS into his Southampton home to explore his collection of high-low art.

The 19th-century house was originally the site of the Shinnecock Hills Summer School, a painting academy run by William Merritt Chase, founder of Parsons. His range of art is a testament to his emotion-driven collecting philosophy, which extends to his gallery/design studio with Anthony Sperduti, Partners & Spade.

Check out my post on his home in Manhattan here.


Andy Spade's Hamptons Manor from Alison Chernick on Nowness.com.

All The Single Ladies

How cute is this pink flamingo print? It's named 'All The Single Ladies', which makes it even cuter. Epson watercolor paint on Hahnemuhle paper, 11x14. Buy it on Etsy here.

Nat Sherman

If I wanted a new bad habit, I'd smoke these. Inspired by their company matriarch, Lautia Sherman, the 'Fantasia' cigarette brings both elegance and fashion to smoking that one could only expect from Nat Sherman. Buy them here (or don't..).

Quote Unquote

'don’t fall in love with your sand castle,

fall in love with building sand castles.'

- the jamie reilly

*image via mashable

That Dress

I don't know who makes it, or where I can find it, but it's perfection.

*image via the daily courtney

Object of Desire: Cactus Necklace

This 'cactus necklace' by Tory Burch was apparently all the rage at a recent showing of her latest resort collection. The perfect way to spruce up jeans and a white tank.

*image via tory burch blog

Beach Towels

Nothing's better than an oversized beach towel to stake your territory at the beach or pool. Try one of these bright options! From top: Hermes, Chance, Calypso, Paul Smith.

Jello

One more video from Modernist Cuisine. The jello cube! Read more about it here.

June Gloom

Since I moved to L.A. (coming up on my one year mark!) last July, I've been living in this cloudy, overcast Marine Layer that hangs over California beach towns (we just call it 'fog' on the east coast..).

This usually burns off by 11 am, or if it's the month of June, it sticks around all day, hence 'June Gloom.' It seems like the weather everywhere else important (Manhattan, Washington D.C. and Nantucket, of course) is 95 and sunny.

June Gloom can't end soon enough.

*image via bippity boppity boo

Gucci Loafers

Style in LA is so different than New York fashion. I doubt I'd see anyone I know out here wearing these loafers, but they're a (banker) staple back home. And I like them.

Gucci revamps their staple loafer with a green and red web insert. Buy them at Mr. Porter, which seems to be more and more the online shop for stylish menswear.

*image via mr. porter

Another Summer Drink: The Negroni

I've learned not to order an Old Fashioned or Martini at any old bar. There are too many variables for someone to mess it up. When you find yourself in this type of establishment, order the simple drink with the exotic name: the Negroni.

It's as easy as this: equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari on the rocks. Strong, bitter and refreshing.

*image via wsj off-duty

Quote Unquote

It was a lovely weekend.

*image via thx thx thx blog

Your Favorite T-Shirt

I'm always looking for the perfect t-shirt. This men's Sportswear Tee comes from the Levi's Vintage line, a division that draws from the denim company's archives. Made from thick cotton jersey, it's been distressed for a pilled effect. The cut is slightly longer than normal has a left breast pocket. Apparently, it was inspired by Marlon Brando in the 1953 film "The Wild One." Shop Saturdays Surf here.

The Best Hostess Gifts

It's summer! This means two things: you'll be visiting friends and you'll need to bring a housewarming gift. Here are some small treasures to make sure you get another invitation next year.

1. For your mom, a vintage oyster plate @ French Treasures.

2. For your college friends, The Original Moonshine whiskey, $40 @ Moonshine.

3. For the fashionista, a collection of coffee table books 'Hotel Il Pellicano'; 'Poolside With Slim Aarons'; 'Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time'; 'Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun,' all $85 @ Abrams Books.

4. For beach bums, a 'reserved' cotton beach towel. $65 @ Chance.

5. For happy-hour lovers, monogrammed linen cocktail napkins. $20 @ Wisteria.

6. For kids, a psychedelic bodyboard. $149 @ Wave Skater.

7. For design aficionados, four silver Josef Hoffmann corn-cob holders. $280 @ Neue Galerie.

8. For the lazy, a hammock hand-woven in Brazil. $120 @ The Conran Shop.

*image via wsj

Greyhound Greeter

I've been looking for a cute ceramic dog statue to have in my hallway near my front door and coat rack. This Greyhound one is adorable, but I'm still holding out for a bulldog. Shop Modern Chic Home here.

Object of Desire: D&G Silk Chiffon Dress

My favorite dresses always have the same two qualities- a deep V in the front and backless. This one reminds me a black Elizabeth and James dress I wore a couple of years ago. I love Dolce & Gabbana's take on it in this fresh summer color. Shop Net-a-Porter here.

Quote Unquote

'i have two types of activities.

one is my real work, which is dreaming.

my subconscious delivers me all of the concepts-

finished, completely done.

i just have to print.'

-philippe starck

American Fashion Travel

Taking into account that the best vacation tips are usually offered by the most stylish of friends, the Council of Fashion Designers of America asked its members to share their favorite travel secrets- from hotels and flea markets to secret island beaches and tucked-away restaurants- for their latest coffee table book collaboration with Assouline. With a scrapbook-style look and hand-written recommendations, this new book offers an intimate peek into the globetrotting lives of some of America's most prominent designers.

Nanette Lepore

The restaurant I would go farthest for: Da Adolfo in Positano, Italy. It can only be reached by boat, and I love it for the sexy sailors, the sandy floor and the delicious pasta con sarde.

Diane von Furstenberg

Favorite beach: Pink Sands in Harbour Island, Bahamas.

Phillip Lim

Jet-lag remedy: Sleep, water and Shiseido eye patches one hour before landing.

Tory Burch

Always in my carry-on luggage: A picture of my children, my D. Porthault baby pillow and a red ribbon for good luck.

Peter Som

Always in my carry-on luggage: Bose noise-reduction headphones, Clark's Botanicals lip balm, Moleskine sketch pad, Leica D-Lux 3, Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars.

Billy Reid

Jet-lag remedy: Bath and beer.

Vera Wang

My favorite beaches: Cala di Volpe in Sardinia; Venice Beach in California; Sandy Lane in Barbados; Las Ventanas in Mexico.

Sue Stemp

My favorite market: The handicraft market in Plaza de San Jacinto, in San Ángel, Mexico City. Embroidery heaven.

Catherine Malandrino

The restaurant I would go farthest for: Le Chalet de la Plage on the beach at Essaouira, Morocco, for the best whole fish in salt, olive oil and lemon.

Donna Karan

Best place to stay: Como Shambhala in Bali, Indonesia.

Christian Francis Roth

My favorite beach: Tetiaroa atoll in French Polynesia (Tahiti). It used to be Marlon Brando's island. Early morning, I love to take the speedboat from Papeete, after one hour on the high and rough sea, the amazing site of Tetiaroa. The shade of the blues, the delicate sand barriers, the calm of this destination, it is just magic and heaven!

Cynthia Rowley

My favorite travel writing: Truman Capote's "Local Color."

John Patrick

I am always searching for the perfect: Straw hat. I could just travel and buy them, no house needed—just warm places to hang out and wear them.

Sophie Buhai

The perfect souvenir: Any kind of special hot sauce from where you have been. Lip balm from foreign countries and hotel stationery.

Café Belle

I'm giving in to my coffee addiction and researching espresso makers (I'm looking at you Intelligentsia, Farm Shop and Caffe Luxxe). This video by Modernist Cuisine makes it look even more delicious by slowing down the pouring of cream into black coffee at 1000 frames per second. If you haven't seen their cookbooks, the "cutaway" photography shots are fantastic.