board shorts

 

I'm pretty sure only California-based model Kristen Kiehnle can pull off a pair of men's board shorts--and make them look sexy. (Warning: do not check out her Instagram feed unless you're prepared to seethe with body envy.) At least I can mitigate the board short envy by suiting up my boys in Aloha Marina's super cute, Hawaiian-inspired board shorts, below. I might just try to "borrow" them at some point! P.S. I'm also loving Billabong x Salty Blonde aloha-spirited collab, available at Nordstrom (which, BTW, just kicked off its half-yearly sale. Go get 'em here!)

 

 

 

 

in short order

 

All that time lounging around in gym clothes has made some of us masters at making them look super chic. Claire Rose Cliteur, who splits her time between New York and Barcelona, is one of them. Her strategy is to pair her gym shorts (now a veritable summer trend) with more elevated--and unexpected--pieces, such as a polished button-down or stylish stripes. Of course, the right gym shorts (and their distant relatives) are clutch. So I boiled it down to these guys from Vince, Year of Ours, J.Crew, Theory, Donni, and The Frankie Shop.

sale into summer

 

 

The anticipatory build-up to Memorial Day Weekend is proceeding normally (unlike last year!), and I'm so grateful! Thank you, LA, for delivering on the early heat--and Shopbop for the epic pre-holiday sale, generously stocked with out-and-about summer styles. The discounted Zimmermann, above, is particularly compelling (also this! this! this!), along with this embroidered Sea blouse, this ruffled Isabel Marant Etoile denim shirt, these versatile JW Anderson sandals, this puff-sleeve Staud dress and this Brinker & Eliza necklace. Shop the whole enchilada here!

match point

 

After enduring an incredibly difficult year (understatement), designers are now at least facilitating getting dressed, by offering up easy-to-wear, ready-to-go outfits. Thank you, H&M, for the floral get-up, above, and Marysia, and Mango, below! Also amazing are these matching sets from Ganni, Theory, River Island, Warm Fun and Apiece Apart. 

 

clean and simple

\

$145, pixie market

 

This white-hot dress will see me through summer scorchers.

1. Pixie Market, $145, pixiemarket.com

2. Kule sweater, $498, kule.com

3. Charms Company gold enamel ring, $1140, netaporter.com

4. Clare V market tote, $185, clarev.com

5. Isabel Marant sandals, $625, shopbop.com

all mine

 

 

A Gucci wallet is one thing. But a personalized Gucci wallet is so much more. And then some! By now, you know I'm a sucker for anything with my initials on it. The only challenge is choosing the color and material of the monogram. I went for the above! What do you think? All options here! (Custom knitwear is also on offer!)

love game

 

 

I grew up playing tennis with my twin sister. The sport was ideal because I always had an opponent and a doubles partner. She had a wicked backhand and I was all about a down-the-line forehand. I recently started hitting again, and while my consistency is slowly improving, my court style is not! I want to up my game with Marysia's new Sportclean skirts and dresses, above, along with other cute pieces that straddle the court and the gym. Like these from Nike, L'Etoile Sport, Warm, Asos, and Splits 59. My goal: Queen of the Court!

tasseled top

 

$39, h&m

 

This statement top screams all tassel, no hassle. (Sorry, I couldn't help my self.)

1. H&M tassel top, $39, hm.com

2. Alexa Leigh earrings, $80, shopbop.com

3. J.Crew raffia bucket bag, $68, jcrew.com

4. Rachel Comey slides, $425, shopbop.com

5. Valentino pants, $1200, netaporter.com

shimmering suits

 

Looks like we're seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel--showing up even in this season's sparkly, lustrous swim suits! (The above is by Elysiian.) Made with glitter knit lurex, these shimmering suits certainly make a splash and--not to get too deep here--reflect our newfound glowing optimism! The one-piece below is by Beach Riot, which. P.S., could also work as a top with jean shorts or an A-line denim skirt. I also want to dive into this Mikoh, Good American, Oseree, Rumi and Bound by Bond Eye Australia.

 

 

Photos: Natalie Zaceck, Beach Riot

short and sweet

 

 

 

And just like that, it's summer in the city! Yippee! The temps are rising--and so are the hemlines. These beauties show how it's best done: with a good amount of leg, but not too much, bare shoulders here and there, and most importantly, teamed with casual, dressed-down accessories (this, this and this). I am so excited to run around in these minis from Essential Antwerp, Scotch & Soda, Faithfull the Brand, Wayf, and Love Shack Fancy. (Dress, above, is on sale by Guiseppe di Morabito and last dress is The Reformation.)

 

 

Photos: Jelina Marija, Gala Gonzalez

slipper exchange

 

My best friend in Hawaii calls them slippers. I call them flip flops. But we both agree they are a summer wardrobe staple. Given her beachy lifestyle, she has a sizeable and masterfully curated collection, ranging from the OG Locals ($15!) to the studded Christian Louboutin to the decidedly more elegant The Row, above and below. (I prefer this streamlined version I spotted Ashley Olson wearing the other day in NYC.) Zara, of course, has come out with a pretty good riff! I also love these from Gucci (last pic) and Birkenstock, because you don't see them everywhere.

 

 

cool collabs

 

 

A few highly-anticipated design collaborations launched this week, and I am all over them! Chufy x Mango, inspired by creative director and front row regular Sofia Sanchez de Betak, above, features her signature gyspet-chic dresses, all rendered in sustainable fabrics. My favorites include this, this and this. Target also teamed up with several cool designers: Rixo (below, this one also cute!), Alexis and Christopher John Rogers. Quick, before they sell out!

new white jeans

 

Yes, white jeans are now a year-round staple (thank you, French Vogue editors), but every summer ushers in a new must-have silhouette. This time around, it's high-waisted, relaxed-fitting, straight-legged and just a wee bit cropped. Exactly like these flattering ones from Alex Mill, Veronica Beard, AGOLDE, and Toteme. These full-length ones from The Row are next level though!

crochet time

 

Shape Magazine's June cover featuring Rose Byrne perfectly captures summer's luminescence and bubbly vibes--and so does the Zimmermann crochet dress, above, aptly named Candescent! I love its vintage Topanga-cool vibe--but not so much its hefty price. So I found a few similar options from Etsy (read: affordable yet original!) to lighten up the warm and sunny months ahead, starting with this, this, this and this. Zara and Free People also good!

taylor made

 

 

The last time I shopped at Ann Taylor was.... I don't know when! So, I was delighted, okay, more like shocked to see all the cuteness currently available, specifically these barely-there, go-with-everything sandals (similar to above), these print slides, this floral dress, the ruffled pretty, below, the pink maxi, below, and the ruffle-trim blouse, last pic. (P.S. This is NOT a sponsored post!)

slip and skirt

 

 

Lingerie as outerwear? Sure, why not! After being confined to our homes and cocoon-like sweatsuits, this skin-showing summer trend makes sense. Plus, it's easy to pull off (and temper) with a more demure full skirt, like the $295 organic cotton midi, below, or this belted Mara Hoffman. Zimmermann's lace-trimmed bodysuit, below, is perfectly sexy, but I also love these under $100 options by Flora Nikrooz, Free People and Simone Pirele.

major marant

 

 

The wildly discounted Isabel Marant situation going on right now at The Outnet is totally worth checking out. The striped tie-neck blouse at 60% off is just one legit standout among the just-in sale stock. I'm also swooning over this printed mini dress, this vintage-inspired tee, these broderie anglaise denim shorts, this floral print bikini, and these fun everyday slides.

flower delivery

$74, river island

 

A one-and-done jumpsuit that manifests spring's flower power. 

 

 

 

1. River Island floral jumpsuit, $74, riverisland.com

2. Stone & Strand birthstone earring, $135, netaporter.com

3. Kule tote bag, $178, shopbop.com

4. Gucci slides, $490, gucci.com

 

sale to summer

 

Ulla Johnson for less moola always gets my attention--and I'm thinking the same goes for you. If so, Shopbop is staging a preview sale, rife with right-now pieces (Ulla sweater, above) and summer-ready staples (Freedom Moses sandals, bel0w). Also up for grabs: these Brock Collection jeans, these tie-waist Amur shorts, this striped Ganni pullover and this pretty lace Waimari dress. Check it all out here!

 

 

best dressed

 

 

It's officially time to dress up again--but without past effort! So, I'm zeroing on do-it-all dresses that don't need any extras to look best dressed! Case in point: the sequin Monique Lhuillier, above, even works without shoes! LOL! Meanwhile, Coco is currently working the under $500 ML Monique Lhuillier in the last snap, with an everyday zip-up hoodie, no less. Other options to shine in this spring come from Asos ($43!), By Timo, La Double J, Diane Von Furstenburg, Farm Rio, and Ba&sh. You can find the strapless floral dress, below, here!

 

 

lemlem x h&m

 

I love Lemlem's just-out collab with H&M, rife with staples for easy summer days and exotic escapes. My favorites include the airy organic linen blouse, above, this striped crop top, and this seersucker swimsuit, all under $50! Shop the collection here!

it takes two

  

The ready-to-go skirt/top combo situation that's happening this season completely mitigates the head-scratching outfit-choosing guesswork, and I am very psyched about this. Zara cashes in on this trend with the above, but so does Staud, The Reformation, Alexis, A.L.C., and Three Graces London. Bonus, of course, is pieces can be worn separately!

heritage jewelry

Mother's Day splurge, anyone? Count me in! I recently indulged in Heritage Jewelry New York's Family Circle necklace, below, which has my birthstone in the pendant's center, surrounded by my sons' stones in the surrounding slices. I also adore the cute script rings, above. More Mother's Day treats on my wish list: this crochet Ulla Johnson dress, this one-shoulder Bassike tank, these Gucci slides, this cherry-print Yumi Kim, and this Valentino raffia clutch.

 

 

sparkly stripes

$138, the outnet

Stripes that sparkle? Yes, please!

 

1. Maje sequin sweater, $138, theoutnet.com

2. Mango shorts, $39, mango.com

3. O'Neill canvas tote bag, $20, nordstrom.com

4. Bottega Veneta sunglasses, $385, netaporter.com

5. Gucci slides, $350, gucci.com
 
 

eyelet candy

$86, river island

I'm starting off this week dressed to impress!

 

 

1. River Island dress, $86, riverisland.com

2. Shashi earring set, $112, shopbop.com

3. Clare V tote bag, $475, clarev.com  

4. Aquazurra metallic leather sandals, $650, netaporter.com