LE CATCH

I feel like I just returned from a far, faraway planet, where everything is exactingly perfect from the saltiness of the sea to the zest of the fruit to the crimson sunset hues. This otherworldly place is the Balearic Islands. My first stop was Binibeca, Menorca, where we rented a whitewashed bohemian-chic villa, just steps from the ocean. Menorca is known to be the sleepiest of the Balearics, sprinkled with medieval port towns and sandy deserted beaches. We were anything but sleepy, however: we zipped around non-stop, boating, touring Hauser + Wirth, downing tapas, and bobbing in the Med as often as possible. After a few days and multiple pans of paella under our belt, we buzzed over to Palma, Mallorca, where we circumnavigated the island on a 60-foot catamaran. To say it was an adventure would be an understatement. Check out all the highlights and details below!

My morning run in Menorca typically trailed off at a swimming hole near our house, above, or with a dip into the balmy sea, below. Navigating the sharp and treacherous lava rock in bare feet was also a work out. Success, below! (My pink bikini is by Hunza G. I also have this standout by J.Crew in terry cloth!)

The house's beautifully-accessorized outdoor sofa, above, hosted me daily for a siesta and/or a bowl of gazpacho (or three). I loved our rental's cool Ibiza-raw vibe, gorgeously decorated with earthenware and linens made by local artisans and Zara Home, including this, this and this.

The color of the water in Menorca is officially my new favorite color: a mix teal, turquoise, aquamarine and sapphire. In short, stunning. What's more, the locals accessorize this colorful sea with the most complimentary, eye-popping buoys.

Of course, we went to Isla del Rey to check out the recently-opened Hauser & Wirth, which comprises an airy exhibition space for contemporary art, an outdoor sculpture trail, an olive tree-filled garden designed by Piet Oudolf, and a delicious restaurant called Cantina, where we feasted on grilled fish, clams and pan con tomate. The dessert was also off the charts.

One day we boated up the west side of the island to Platja de Son Bou, which is not only the longest beach in Menorca (3KM) but boasts the finest white sand (along with a clan of unrepentant nudists). I flouted the beach's dress code, above, in a one-piece is by Follow Suit. Necklaces by Adina Reyter, Maison Mayle and Lisa Statt.

After working up a giant appetite from hydro-foiling and swimming, we dug into humongous pans of paella, above, on the boat. Then we hit the tapas and fish market in the port town of Mahon after, where, I promise you, there's no such thing as choice paralysis.

Our dinners in Spain typically occurred around 9 or 10PM-- my bedtime in LA!- but somehow I was always up and primed to go! Above, I'm wearing lace-trimmed Soler London maxi, which brilliantly doubles as a beach cover-up.

One night we hit Cova d'en Xoroi, a natural cave bar perched on a steep limestone mountain cliff, one hundred feet above the ocean. I recommend making a reservation for the sunset sitting to avoid the long line to get in. It's pricey but you get a million money shots in return!

On our way into the cave to get said money shots in a Marysia skirt and a cropped, hand-beaded Doen knit tank. My friend Alessandra is wearing a cute Matin Studio mini (on sale!) and Amanu sandals.

Once we had our fair share of cave-spelunking, we moved on to Mallorca and a Lagoon Catamaran that slept all seven of us, plus the captain and crew. It was a spectacular way to see the island and temper the sweltering heatwave. (P.S. The white button-down shirt, pictured, was a savior on the trip--a buffer against the sun plus a stylish cover-up! A must for all future holidays!) The first night on the island took us to Cap Rocat Hotel, a masterfully renovated ancient military fortress with secret watchtowers and canon embrasures transformed into rooms and an epic seaside restaurant carved into a rocky bay.

Our first boat stop: Gran Folies, a hip beach club and restaurant overlooking the pristine turquoise waters of Cala Llamp near Port Andratx. I seriously never tasted a better gazpacho, and the avocado and tomato salad is beyond delicious.

Nautical stripes are always stylishly in line. Mine are from H&M, but these by Rebecca Taylor, Lisa Marie Fernandez, and Ulla Johnson also work on a tender and then some.

No Mallorca trip is complete without lunch and a dip at Cala Deia.

It should come as no surprise that I packed more swimsuits than underwear! My favorites on the trip: the Follow Suit (also here) above, this statement Valentino (that I also wore with a midi skirt and denim shorts), this striking Maaji bikini and this mismatched Hunza G.

Dresses that made the cut into my carry-on had to meet a wide range of criteria: day to night ease, comfortable and lightweight, and pretty AF. Some of the winners: this sheer crochet Doen, this Charlie Holiday, this Zimmermann, this Amur and this floral Reformation. Full disclosure: I also brought along a roomy Rothy's weekender bag that not only helped me circumvent the "one-carry-on and-personal-item" rule but accommodated nearly another suitcase-worth of swimsuits, plus scored multiple compliments.

Topping my list of favorite spots was Sa Calobra, above. I actually never even stepped foot on the remote cliff-flanked beach called Torrent de Pareis or the surrounding hiking trails (shame!). The lustrous U-shaped cove was bewitching enough with its underwater caves, clear turquoise waters, and soaring-mountain backdrop. Heaven on earth, truly.

Thought I'd end this post in the way all my days ended in the beautiful Balearics: with a breathtaking, ball-on-fire sunset!

Interrupting your Sunday to point out some jeans you're going to want to wear Monday through Friday--and maybe even next weekend, too! They're a high-waist, straight-leg pair by Everlane that accentuate your waist and give you longer-looking legs. (At least they do for me!) They're also rendered in an organic cotton that molds perfectly to your body. Plus, they say Los Angeles on the back waistline, which I think is a cool detail. I've been wearing mine with these fun new sneakers and these Celine ballerinas. Topped off with this Helmut Lang blazer, I'm good to go every day of the week!

I'm just back from a hot and hedonistic adventure in Menorca and Mallorca (hence the radio silence) and intend to share loads of pics, insider tips and packing details once I stop swaying like I'm still on a 60-foot catamaran in the Med! Had I ended up marooned on a Balearic Island, however, I 'd easily get by with Cecilie Moosgaard's simple yet stylish outfit, above: a barely-there, heatwave slip dress, such as this, this and this (I have in pistachio), and an oversized button-down shirt like these by Hommesgirls (obsessed with its man's shirt-like fit!) and Velvet. If you're going to Europe (or anywhere!) this summer, pack these two indefatigable staples. I now swear by them!

Of course, Amanda Sanchez, Chanel's in-house model, takes impeccably-chic Instagram selfies wearing (duh!) Chanel. But she ups the ante with accessories that happen to be totally accessible, affordable and arrestingly cool. Take, for example, her statement-making Chaos star phone strap and the colorful marble chain one, last pic or this inspired Roxanne Assoulin. (Both have chic Chanel vibes, n'est pas?) Throw in her punctuating Vans in unexpected prints and vibrant shades, like this and this. Et voila!

My newest and most stylish antidote to excess sun and saltwater comes from Sandro's men's line. This psychedelic-print terry cloth hoodie doubles as a post-surf towel--and extra cute and cozy beach statement.

My sister called me while she was strolling around Nantucket the other day to provide me with--what else--a live-on-the-ground fashion report. "Everyone is wearing ballet flats instead of sandals this summer," she noted. "With shorts, dresses, jeans--they are definitely the shoe of the season!" With that confirmation, I set out to find a pair (or two) and will soon be slipping into these classic Porte & Prairie and these colorful J.Crew.

Sincerely Jules x Bandier's recently-launched collection just boosted my motivation to exercise this Thursday morning! And then some. Inspired by vintage Southern California surf style, these fitness-meets-fashion pieces are game too work overtime this summer--and beyond. I especially love the matching floral leggings and bralette, immediately below, and the orange striped terry situation. So cute!

I thought I had my beach bag game nailed until I discovered these striking crochet straw totes from Kilometre Paris. Launched by Jalouse magazine founder Alexandra Senes, the label collaborates with artisans in Mexico, Morocco and India to parlay Senes's far-reaching wanderlust into vibrant, eye-catching carry-alls. Each of these destination-inspired bags look handmade, like it was snapped up in a groovy market. I'll take the Positano, please--and take me back there while you're at it!

It's not everyday that I have a Cosori Air Fryer, a Mark Cross equestrian blanket, an Ulla Johnson swimsuit and a set of four mid-century dining chairs all in one shopping cart. But today is Amazon Prime Day. Read: the most epic (and seemingly endless) sale, offering a colossal amount of compelling stuff. Yes, it is completely overwhelming to sort through, to say the least. But I managed to root out some stellar and seriously-discounted finds, including the Ulla tank, above, these miracle-working under eye patches by Wander, these Tom Dixon high-ball glasses, these perfect Hanes t-shirts ($8!), and these high-rise, extra-tight Lululemon leggings. Deep dive into the sale here!

My youngest son loves a foggy summer day. Me? Not so much. But this past weekend there was a silver lining to the unwanted chill: a new and very-much-wanted Merlette sweater poised to stand out and stave off the chill. Plus, it worked like a charm with my very summery bikini, thanks to the pretty peekaboo, hand-crocheted yoke. As my son would say, it's "gwas!"