summer boots

What's your take on wearing booties during the summer? I admit it feels counterintuitive. In fact, I debated wearing my Isabel Marant Dicker boots to a Lucky cover shoot yesterday, because they felt so wintry paired with my black jeans. I ended up not wearing them, but when I arrived at the shoot, lo and behold, Lucky's fashion editor Elle Strauss was wearing her black Dickers with black jeans--and she looked as chic as can be, as usual. Here are some booties that I think are suitable for summer from Acne,  Dolce Vita and Chloe. The ones in the picture above are Rag & Bone.

Photo: Hanneli Mustaparta

leather-like jeans

$89, barneys.com

I bought a pair of zipper-trimmed wax coated black jeans from Zara last summer and they have hardly seen a day off since. The finish looks like leather, the cut is incredibly flattering, and they're as comfortable as can be. I know that I have inspired at least a dozen friends to buy the same pair and in multiple colors. They are that good and, thankfully, still available in store and online in dwindling supply in grey. Now comes this winning pair from J. Brand--zipper-free, but cut and cropped in all the right places, just like Zara's, and rendered in fall's hottest hue, oxblood. Miraculously, they're on mega sale at Barneys. I'm going to wear them into the ground right now with a simple tee, and come this fall, with...

1. Raquel Allegra t-shirt, $185, netaporter.com

2. Topshop knitted sweater, $76, topshop.com

3. Club Monaco fringed leather tote, $275, clubmonaco.com

4. Rag & Bone booties, $495, shopbop.com

5. J. Brand waxed jeans, $89, barneys.com

celine chic

If I had to choose one absolute must-have from all the resort collections, I'd, without a doubt, pick Celine's wide leg, contrasting hem trousers. I promise you: everyone is going to be clamoring for them. I suspect that H&M will come out with a derivative pair and that denim brands will design their iterations as well. In the meantime, Zara has a cropped, warm-weather friendly version for just $89.

the drop waist dress

$168, riverisland.com

I was on a Lucky photo shoot yesterday and there were more than a handful of drop waist dresses on the racks from designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs. (We can thank Victoria Beckham for bringing back this ladylike silhouette.) I seriously love this black leather one. Leather is going to be everywhere this fall, and here it yields something all-purpose, yet cool, fun and edgy, especially with...

1. River Island leather dress, $168, riverisland.com 
2. Lulu Frost crystal and resin earrings, $190, netaporter.com 
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch, $268, shopbop.com 
4. Gucci open-toe sandal bootie $960, nordstrom.com

a clean slate

There is no look that's more summery-elegant than head-to-white. It's so fresh-looking--and so simple to pull off. The woman, pictured above, looks like she's wearing a basic Hanes t-shirt, tucked, albeit, into a gorgeous asymmetrical skirt. She sticks to a clean, minimalist theme with nude strappy sandals (which also happen to make her legs look like they go on forever.) I am sure you could recreate this look with things you already have in your closet, but if not, here are some summer whites to consider from Ellery Camaraderie (an edgy peplum skirt, no less), Robert Rodriguez and Zara, and for the shoes, these beige Ann Taylor sandals will do the trick. 

Photo: Tommy Ton

the printed jacket

$90, topshop.com

One of the biggest trends to emerge from the Resort 2013 collections is the printed jacket. Lanvin, Prabal Gurung, and Stella McCartney all featured bold patterned blazers, brandished with everything from animal spots to vibrant florals. I'd go for it like this...

1. Topshop striped blouse, $56, topshop.com 
2. Topshop animal jacquard blazer, $90, topshop.com 
3. Givenchy Pandora bag, $1695, ssense.com 
4. Alexander McQueen suede loafers, $645, netaporter.com 
5. Rag & Bone waxed jeans, $255, netaporter.com

camo moment

My fashiony friends across the pond are all saying that camouflage is huge in London at the moment. Perhaps the trend is inspired by the heightened pre-Olympics security? In any case, it is a fresh update on the staple army jacket. And you know it's just a matter of time before the militant print makes its way across the Atlantic. Topshop has a streetsmart, zipper-trimmed version that will do the trick, as well as a snuggly camo cardigan. For a more subtle take on the trend, try Repetto's cute camouflage ballet slippers.

Also, in case you missed it last week, you can see me sporting my recently-acquired camo sweater here.

Photo: Tommy Ton

farm fresh

$225, jcrew.com

On Saturday evening, my husband and I and two other couples went to Malibu Farm, owned by chef and author Helene Henderson. She stages quarterly 80-person dinners in her four-acre backyard, filled with goats, chickens, lush orange trees and vegetable gardens. (Most of the organic rustic-gourmet fare is made from the just-picked herbs and vegetables grown on Henderson's farm!) The only hitch to the fantastic evening was figuring out what to wear to the farm. Flats and jeans, for sure, but since the dinner was al fresco, and knowing how Malibu can get very chilly at night, I wanted to wear a blouse that looked summery and festive and yet was easy to layer. I so wish I had this vibrant print tunic, because it would have been perfect for the occasion. But now I am thinking it will work some magic on July 4th, paired with shorts, of course...

1. J. Crew silk print blouse, $225, jcrew.com 
2. Eugenia Kim hat, $260, netaporter.com 
3. Linda Farrow for The Row sunglasses, $363, shopbop.com 
4. Nine West feather-trimmed sandals, $49, piperlime.com  
5. Old Navy cut-off denim shorts, $17, oldnavy.com

best beach blankets ever

$48, stevenalan.com

Usually I write about things you can wear, but I just had to share this with you. We had some friends over this weekend and along with a bottle of Domaine Ott, they gave us two gorgeously striped beach blankets, like the ones above. They're big enough for several people to sit on yet compact and easy to roll up and tote in your beach bag. Now that's what I call a genius hostess gift. 

fringe benefits

$262, kirnazabete.com

Yes, it's Lanvin, and no, the price listed in the caption is not a typo--it's on sale. And, obviously, it's in-the-heat-of-the-summer perfect. Wear it with...

1. Lanvin jersey top, $262, kirnazabete.com  
2. Gemma Redux rose quarts earrings, $220, charmandchain.com  
3. Miu Miu glossed leather tote bag, $1595, netaporter.com  
4. Ann Taylor heels, $154, anntaylor.com  
5. 3.1 Phillip Lim floral print chiffon trousers, $446, matchesfashion.com

bigger is better

Come next fall bigger will be better. You can expect to see loads of oversized jackets, such as the motorcycle jacket from Balmain, above, along with cocoon-like sweaters, coats and wide, billowy pants. I am getting a jump start on this one, with this summer-light oversized white cotton jacket from Topshop. I am figuring I'll wear it now and well into fall, since I'll be able to layer at least two sweaters underneath it.

$150, topshop.com

hello, dress!

$284, theoutnet.com

I am heading to a summer soiree tonight, and I am looking forward to seeing the parade of pretty dresses. I found this eye-catching maxi online (and on sale!) yesterday, and if I had it in hand, I would wear it with the following (or, more casually, with flat sandals and a faded and very fitted jean jacket).

1. By Malene Birger chiffon dress, $284, theoutnet.com 
2. Mia gold plated topaz earrings, $195, charmandchain.com  
3. Pucci tasseled satin clutch, $670, barneys.com  
4. Zara sandals, $49, zara.com

the day dress

$59, gap.com

I was at a friend's house yesterday afternoon for a kids' play date. While our kids were scootering around together in her backyard, we took a quick break from motherhood to sift through her closet and whittle down outfit options for a summer bash she's hosting this weekend. The one thing I noticed as I was going through her wardrobe was the high concentration of simple, easy, daytime dresses, many of them preppy striped cotton variations. She's lucky to have them all, because they're so wearable and transcendingly stylish. She doesn't need much else for summer. Except maybe this one from Gap to add to her inventory--and mine, too. I love the classic stripe and relaxed, minimalist silhouette. It would work with flip flops or a dressier wedge heel, both in the city or at the beach.

tux blazer

$134, warehouse.co.uk

A classic tuxedo jacket like this never goes out of fashion. It's also infinitely versatile. I would love to see it paired with cut-off denim shorts, or over a sleek black evening dress, or with the following pieces for a date night out with the hubby:

1. Warehouse tuxedo jacket, $134, warehouse.co.uk 

2. Elizabeth and James satin top, $295, netaporter.com 

3. Vanessa Mooney necklace, $75, shopbop.com 

4. Manolo Blahnik sandals, $995, barneys.com

5. J. Brand wax coated jeans, $195, netaporter.com

maison scotch

Yesterday I battled bumper-to-bumper traffic to downtown Los Angeles (at 2PM, no less!) to check out Maison Scotch's fall collection. The aggravating trek was well worth it though: there were oodles of amazing color blocked jackets (like the one above, which I HAVE to have), leather sleeved parkas, leopard-trimmed puffers, printed jeans, sequin-collared blouses, and on, and on. If you're not familiar with Maison Scotch, it's an Amsterdam-based line that launched in 2010, and has a store in New York on Prince and Lafayette. The prices are reasonable, and everything is spot-on trendy. Here's a peek at some of my favorite looks, and some key pieces coming online and into stores in the next few weeks.

color block tee

$150, barneys.com

Every time I go shopping with my mom, she'll find something comfortable yet stylish and proclaim that it's great for wearing on an airplane. She travels a lot, (as I write this, she's en route to Bali(!), where she lived before I was born), so I can understand why she looks at clothing through a frequent flier's lens. This color blocked top, my mother would agree, would make the cut for a summer sojourn. It's easy as a t-shirt but way more sophisticated--perfect to wear on the plane or wherever you may be going. I'd wear it with...

1. O'2nd top, $150, barneys.com 
2. The Row sunglasses, $445, netaporter.com 
3. Pierre Hardy tote bag, $734, matchesfashion.com  
4. Madewell sandals, $59, madewell.com  
5. Goldsign jeans, $180, netaporter.com

out and about

Last Saturday night I co-hosted a party along with Shiva Rose and Minnie Mortimer to celebrate the opening of LA bag designer Clare Vivier's flagship boutique. As you know, I am a huge fan of Clare's buttery leather clutches and bags. And her new store means more fodder for my ever-growing clutch collection. Post-party Clare staged a lovely al fresco dinner, attended by lots of LA lovelies. I decided to wear my new distressed Paige jeans with a French Connection sequin-sleeved dress (which I made into a top by tucking it into my pants--and is now on super sale), and my new Christian Louboutin heels. You can check out more fun party pictures at Vogue.com

Photo: Donato Sardella

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statement sweater

$89, jcrew.com

Summer has only just arrived (actually the official start is tomorrow, June 20, at 4:09 EDT)--and fall clothes are already trickling onto store racks. I'm seeing furry jackets, leather-trimmed everything, and statement sweaters from the likes of Stella McCartney, Markus Lupfer, and Isabel Marant. Wear this cute J. Crew one with...

1. J. Crew sweater, $89, jcrew.com 
2. Bing Bang rose gold studs, $48, amazon.com  
3. Asos color block bag, $74, asos.com 
4. Givenchy animal print sandals, $960, netaporter.com  
5. See by Chloe printed jeans, $302, mywardrobe.com

my closet visit

Many of you have asked to see my closet, but I've been slow to make it happen, perhaps because it's not as organized as I would like, contains many things past their prime, and could use some help in the aesthetics department. That being said, in all honesty, I do love it. So when LA-based photographer and Closet Visit blogger Jeana Sohn asked for a tour, I enthusiastically complied. I knew she'd work her talented magic on me and my messy shoe shelves. Below are some of my favorite photos from the feature. To view the whole story and her interview with me, click here and also be sure to check out the many amazing closets she has visited before mine - very inspiring.

good jeans

$235, revolveclothing.com

The other night I had drinks with a publicist friend of mine. She works for a high-end, LA-based denim brand, so it would be accurate to say that she lives in jeans, and judging from her appearance, she knows better than many of us how to optimize them (i.e., style them to look dressier, more work-appropriate, etc.) The night we met she looked especially fetching, pretty much just like this... 

1. J. Crew striped t-shirt, $49, jcrew.com 

2. Topshop blazer, $70, topshop.com 

3. Alexander Wang tote*, $480, alexanderwang.com

4. Converse sneakers, $45, zappos.com 

5. Paige zipper trimmed jeans, $235, revolveclothing.com

*This bag is on sale, people!

roaring into style (again)

Stella McCartney unveiled her Resort 2013 collection at an East Village cemetery on Monday. Despite the solemn location, the clothes were awash in playfully bold patterns, including the perennial favorite, the leopard print. It brandished McCartney's coats, jackets, and pants (see pic of models above), and was further spotted at the resort collections of Derek Lam, Celine (see below), and Just Cavalli. If you want to get your paws on this wild print now, consider this leopard print blazer by Phillip Lim (on sale for half off!), or these cropped leopard print trousers from Zara.

Photo: DNAinfo