These low-key days--plus these pics here--are inspiring me to sub in beads for bling. I could use the extra jolts of whimsy, playfulness and brightness--and summer screams for colorful jewelry. As for options, there are loads: the Wald Berlin necklaces, immediately below, this puka Madewell, this Roxanne Assoulin daisy chain, this Maison Monik choker, this Oiya heart bracelet, and this gold and glass bead Scosha. For a Mother's Day gift, this custom-made Bauble Bar beaded bracelet (last pic) or this DIY necklace beading kit are cute and genius, and I'd be over the moon to self-splurge on this Jenna Blake.
Back in January, my son was assigned an oratorical project for school. He needed to choose a speech given by a historical figure, memorize it, develop an introduction and conclusion for it, and then recite it in front of his 5th grade class. A timid, quiet boy, he was not at all psyched about this. Even so, he researched speeches and ultimately selected an excerpt from Steve Jobs' commencement address to Stanford's graduating class in 2005. Day in and day out during quarantine, my son has been practicing his speech at home, which runs exactly one minute and forty-five seconds long. While he sometimes races or mumbles through it, I am consistently moved to tears when I hear this specific quote from Jobs: "When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most
certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for
the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked
myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I
am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too
many days in a row, I know I need to change something." During this raw and vulnerable time, I feel like we are collectively changing something--for the better. Personally, I have roused up extra/renewed gratitude for life. Even though I am still doing the same old--getting up every morning, making meals for my children, paying bills, eating too many gummy bears, trying to be creative and productive, and yes, even wearing a cute dress through it all--I am also readying for the new normal ahead. Happy Hump Day.
During a Zoom call with my posse of friends the other day, I noticed that many of us were wearing the same pair of black framed Caddis reading glasses. This coincidence can be explained rather easily: We all have great taste! Seriously, though, Caddis glasses flatter pretty much every face shape, plus boast blue light-blocking lenses, and, thankfully, are not so expensive. I recently bought the sunglasses version, above, which I really love because they look exactly like my beloved Ray-Bans--but, hooray, I can actually see with them! P.S. Avoid reading this post with readers so you don't see my wrinkly-looking neck!
Leave it to our European sisters to manage quarantine fatigue with fashionable finesse. Instead of cozy sweats, they're opting for thoroughly comfortable jeans, specifically those by Jeanerica (pictured here). The up-and-coming Swedish brand, designed by the former head of denim at Acne Studios, is crafted with eco-friendly materials and rendered in ultra-flattering, minimalist silhouettes (it also makes the best, perfectly-cut t-shirts, below). On top of their jeans, they're sporting effortlessly chic tank tops, like the black knit Vince, above, and the Frankie, below, plus a statement cardigan or jacket (this, this or this) for good/polished measure. The overall look strides with summer's casual cadence--i.e., good inspo!
Photos: Leia Sfez, Columbine Smille, Tamu McPherson, Natasha Goldenberg
LA's summer-like weather is further eroding my quarantine-induced uncertainty about date and time--but at least it's also giving me a legit opportunity to wear a dress. Or ten! Yesterday, I busted out this brazen riot of prints and colors by Stella Jean (a score from the Real Real--also here), and later in the day this J.Crew, below. With the forecast in the 80's for the next week or so, I'll be milking the most out of warm weather styles like this fringed bias-cut Rebecca Taylor (25% off!), this linen print H&M, this safari-inspired Rhode mini, this cute Cleobella, and this floral Mango.
Everyone thought Earth Day was yesterday, but, hel-lo, it's actually 365 days a year! We need to celebrate/respect/protect the environment for the rest of time. I love that some of my favorite fashion brands are taking active measures to help. Take, for instance, Brazil-based Farm Rio, above, which plants one tree in the Amazon Forest for every purchase made. That makes the above gorgeous floral eyelet dress even more alluring, no? Same for this kimono-style sweater. (P.S. All new spring pieces are 15% off.) And Other Stories just launched a sustainably sourced collection, featuring this linen pinkalicious pretty and the below embroidered organic cotton blouse. And for another win, Shopbop now boasts a mindful edit of of responsibly-designed styles, such as this hot Mara Hoffman swimsuit, these high-waist, relaxed Reformation jeans, and this perfectly lightweight Vitamin A white button-down blouse.
If you saw my Instagram post yesterday, then you'll already know my twin sis and I are fervent fans of ARossGirl x Soler, a timeless collection of work-to-weekend dresses, mix-and-match skirts and tops. The designer Amanda Ross, a NYC-based friend and fellow identical twin, has long inspired us with her quintessential Manhattan-chic style, fashion industry pedigree (former Harper's Bazaar editor/red carpet stylist/jewelry designer), and extensive knowledge on art. But most importantly, she has a heart of full generosity and love! We are grateful for her friendship--and her clothes that make us feel put-together, particularly now when the world is upside down. Check out her full collection here.
This weekend's thicket of binge-watching Evil Genius, baking over-ripe fruit tarts, and nursing a pulled hip flexor (a casualty of above-average sweat therapy) dovetailed with indefatigable pajama shirts/blouses (above) and nightgowns/dresses. In sum, it was pretty good, all things considering. But now that it's Monday, it's on to other wardrobe workhorses, inspired by super chic WFH'ers, including the cute-and-comfy sweater by Chinti & Parker (third pic down), this Miu Miu-spirited Shein blouse (similar to below), these animal print Sea pants (second to last photo, also great in black!), this Doen do-it-all (last pic) and the Antik Batik floral beauty, immediately below, which LA-based designer Julie Sarinana wore to the market. Well done!
Do you think it's a growing-up-in-LA thing that my 11-year-old son always asks me if he needs to put on shoes before he leaves the house? If it were up to him, he'd go everywhere barefoot. Meanwhile, I wear shoes even when I'm just sitting at my desk, and lately, it's been ones that are equal parts comfortable and cute, specifically the Havaianas sandals, above, (love the floral print options too), the vegan leather Rothy's Knot sandals, below, and Freedom Moses' molded rubber slides, last pic.
The prettiest bunch of flowers that will last season after season. Plus, it's half off! (It's also available here.)
1. Rebecca Taylor blouse, rebeccataylor.com, $125, nordstrom.com
2. Edwin Jeans, $208, shopbop.com
3. Chann Luu gold layered necklace, $45, shopbop.com
4. Madewell beaded choker, $28, shopbop.com
5. Tata Harper Voluminizing Lip and Cheek Tint, $39, neimanmarcus.com
6. Havianas sandals, $24, nordstrom.com
I'm calling it the Big Bloom Theory: If I wear florals, I will feel light and fresh--or just less gloomy. My proof: these pics here! Truth be told, scientific studies actually back up my theory. According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, "the presence of flowers triggers
happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects
social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally
believed." Assuming we could all use some flower power right now, I'd thought I'd share where I picked my dress ($39!), above, and blouse, on Insta, plus these other beautiful blooms from LPA ($65), Rachel Antonoff, Warm, and Topshop ($37!).
As Sunday night's sweats hustle into Wednesday's WFH uniform, my exhausted, couch-conforming clothes might want to walk off the job post-Quarantine. Well, not so fast, at least for some recently-purchased stalwarts poised to work rigorously on the other side of the things. Namely, these loose-fitting, drawstring-waist yet still tailored Acne Studios trousers (pictured above, also here), this collared, terry-cloth Albus Lumen polo shirt (so, so flattering and now 20% off!), this puff-sleeved H&M sweatshirt (looks 10x the price!), this slip-on-and-go Reformation jumpsuit (perfect balances crisp with comfy), and this classic lightweight jersey t-shirt--all with ever-lasting staying power, which I'm hoping will rub off on me!!
So, as you know, in this leap year, we've had 29 days in February, 300 days in March and a seemingly eternal April. Today, however, feels a bit different, because Shopbop just launched a 40% off sale--an annual event that typically occurs around Memorial Day weekend. I'm all for fast forwarding time here and taking advantage of pre-summer discounts on brand new spring styles! Think Ulla for less moola (above), and other desirables like this fluttery Isabel Marant Etoile dress, these ultra versatile Cult Gaia sandals, this crazy cute double pearl padlock necklace by Maison Irem, and this super sweet Clare V leather pouch. See it ALL for yourself here.
Buried in the back of my news feed this weekend was a story from Vogue declaring, "There's Never Been a Better Time to Celebrate the Sock!" I'd say that counts as one of the crazier headlines I've read lately. Yes, socks are good and necessary, but I believe now's the time to embrace emerging designers like Dans La Main, which launched its new website in March. Not the best timing, but they vow, "We're in it for the
long run." I predict a long run, indeed, considering, for example, their enduringly stylish straw clutch, above. Another new talent: LA-based Les Tien, below, whose elevated basics are the talk of the town (i.e., boasts a solid celeb following), due to its next-level comfort and masterfully-chic fits and fabrics. I also love Cara Cara's print-happy, summer-ready dresses, designed by my NYC friends. Certainly, we can also turn our attention to stellar styles on sale from long-established designers, like Rebecca Taylor's do-it-all scalloped lapel denim blazer, this timelessly cool Vince shirt dress, these Moussy Vintage skinny jeans, this stunning Lisa Marie Fernandez broderie anglaise dress, these wear-with-everything By Far sandals and these denim slip-ons by Loeffler Randall. Long story short: no socks here.
Inspired by Parisian Jeanne Damas, above, my work-from-home style will now employ a French accent. Instead of work from home, it'll be more like work de oooh la la maison! To start, I'll need Jeanne's perpetually pretty pout. Thankfully for me, she recently launched her own line of iconic French-hued lipsticks called Rouje that--voila--can also be used on cheeks and eyes and layered as well. On top of that, I'll be recruiting a few more sexy-cut, super soft t-shirts by Monrow and The Reformation (now $19!), plus Breton stripes (Kule, da best!) and high-waist sailor-inspired jeans like these by Rolla's. Bien sur, a soupçon of seduction (this, this and this) is necessary, and to finish things off, a pair of Chanel-spirited flats (these, these and these) will effect flawless Francaise.
This might be a good time to swap out those sweats for some new comfy jeans. Because all of the best ones are on sale now. Slvrlake jeans--which, if you know, you know--are supremely flattering, hit just the right vintage-inspired notes, and boast the best high-waist, butt-boosting silhouette. They're (shockingly) 40% off right now here! Nordstrom also has a staggering array of denim marked down by 60% (!), such as these tried-and-true cult faves by Re-Done and Frame. Over at Saks Fifth Avenue you'll find my my go-to's by Mother and AG reduced by 30% along with a ton of new spring styles like this, this and this--and even cute undies and rarely-on-sale beauty (um, La Mer!). Hel-lo!
Photo: Monikh
My staying on top of things these days means successfully sporting a head-to-toe outfit--on the top half of my body. Read: Zoom meeting-worthy. Of course, a great statement blouse makes this daily task a cinch. Some of my recent winners include this And Other Stories bead-cuffed button-down, this scalloped Anthropologie, this floral Antik Batik, and this tie-neck Polo Ralph Lauren. Would also love to add the above on-sale Ulla Johnson to the mix! On top of my tops, my everyday jewelry also gets to shine right now, from these versatile yet striking Adina Reyter hoops and Scosha hearts to this chain-link Laura Lombardi and eye-catching Beck pearl choker. P.S. My secret sauce for a filter-like polish is GOOPGLOW Body Luminizer (A.K.A. neck enhancer).
If I were motivated to take my lounging to the next level, like designer Aimee Song, above, I'd live it up with this Soho Home blanket (on sale) or this chic towel that looks like it was pinched from a glam hotel on the Amalfi Coast, this comfy H&M dress, this page-turner by Amanda Eyre Ward and these sparkling drinks (I'm obsessed), plus wear the same statement-making Celine sunglasses. In reality, I'm taking cues from my 11-year-old son, whose daily uniform consists of sweats, sweats and more sweats. He even turned me on to these $17 sweatshirts from Amazon (yes, Amazon has a private label), which come in a million colors and are as soft as James Perse (no joke). Reportedly, they're a "thing" right now (perhaps an add-on to the toilet paper everyone's buying??), and apparently, I'm the last to know. So there you have it.
P.S. A friend of mine joked that Le Catch should be called Le Couch these days. So true!
Photo: Aimee Song
For pacing my living room...with a bit of flair.
1. Mayle blouse, $425, maisonmayle.com
2. JBrand jeans, $228, shopbop.com
3. Sandro jacket, $575, sandro-paris.com
4. Eliou Forli pearl and bead necklace, $170, shopbop.com
4. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil in Candy, $22, nordstrom.com
5. Miss Selfridge sneakers, $49, missselfridge.com
I may not be going anywhere for a while but, trust me, when the coast is clear, I'll be toting this straw Mark & Graham cutie ($89) everywhere. I monogrammed mine in sunshine yellow.
A sunny getaway to my backyard this weekend had me decked out in a new Topshop dress (snapped up on sale for $50!) and my best beach-weathered hat, above. The one-two punch of chlorine and Vitamin D boosted the vacay vibes, plus inspired me to share some transporting styles that might just spark a bit of joy right now. They include this fun floral print skirt by Asos, this dramatic embroidered organza H&M kaftan (I also love this $39 wrap dress), this on-sale romantic Reformation dress, this And Other Stories organic cotton puff-sleeve blouse, and this Anthropologie woven bucket hat. Their prices alone are smile-worthy!
P.S. My necklaces are by Thatch (long lariat) and Trish Becker (cowrie charm choker).
Back to Top
