LE CATCH

Never mind Hailey Bieber's mega model looks or pop-star husband. For me, it's all about her talent for wearing men's sneakers and how she rocks them with everything from sleek leather trousers to cuffed jeans and trench coats. And makes them look feminine and chic. I'd like to kick-up my sneaker game with her go-to's from New Balance, above, and Nike (also these and these customizable ones), below.

Thank you, River Island, for this unique shirt-meets-turtleneck that yields a cool layered look (read: NOT your average throw-on-and-go knit) and costs under $100! It also comes in grey. I'll take both, please.

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have noticed that I've been in Hawaii a lot lately. It all started back in the fall of 2020, when my kids were Zoom-schooling in LA--i.e., firmly planted in their bedrooms doing everything from eating breakfast to sweating through PE to socializing with their friends. Right before Thanksgiving break, we decided to pack up our surfboards and bathing suits and remote-learn from the shores of Oahu instead. We planned to stay for three weeks but ended up there for a month and a half, splitting our time between Honolulu and the North Shore--and we could not have been happier and healthier. The kids woke up at 6AM and joined their classmates online at 6:20AM. They'd jump into the ocean during breaks and finish school by 1PM. Afterward, they'd body-surf Waimea, or skateboard around Kapiolani Park, or play volleyball, surf Kaisers, Pupukea and Velzyland. Some days they'd just make acai bowls in the back yard. Meanwhile, I reconnected with a longtime friend and former Conde Nast co-worker and spent days with her exploring private waterfalls, locals-only hiking trails, canoe-surfing, and boating. In short, it was a world away from pandemic-stricken LA. It was heaven--or at least the land of double rainbows, below. One that also inspired me to brainstorm more content sites like Le Catch with my friend. In fact, we are now vigorously working on a new site--hence my constant crisscrossing the Pacific this past year--and plan to unveil it in a few months, so stay tuned! While working--and, okay, playing--in Honolulu recently, I've made so many new friends, become well-versed in the best sunset-watching (Outrigger Canoe Club, La Mer) and vegan-dining spots (Beet Box), and I've learned how to make lei and wake surf on a tow-in surfboard off a Jet-Ski. I've even earned a Hawaiian moniker: Tia Malia! (Because I've been called both Malia and Tia in the line-up at Sandbar several times. LOL!) I also know the best place to stay in Honolulu: The Kaimana Beach Hotel (second and last pictures below). I now think of it as my home away from home, and my "ohana" there has even extended the code MARLIEN20 for my friends to receive 20% off full-priced room rates on all categories including suites (my favorite is Room 917 with view pictured below, followed by 910). Book now through March on Kaimana.com. Discount offer expires May 31. Here are some highlights from HI!

Above are my boys jumping into the ocean post-Zoom school on the North Shore, just outside Haleiwa. Below, I'm in the picturesque open-air lobby at The Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikiki, where I tend to float around in dresses like this, this, this and this. I love the avocado toast and salads at the hotel's Hau Tree Restaurant.

Check out my friend's backyard view in Lanikai, immediately below. An invite to her house always includes a paddle out to the mokes! On the North Shore, below, I stick to a strict bikini-and-cover-up dress code. Think casual and uncontrived like this, this, this and this (cute with a wrap skirt)! (FYI: My Hawaiian friends avoid beading, ruffles and OTT embellishments on their suits.) Simple rubber slippers, like these are a must!

Aloha! More highlights to come!

Right now I feel like I am winning the Covid lottery, being one of the seemingly few people in LA still virus-free. (Knock on wood!) Call me crazy, but wearing turtlenecks is one of my stay-healthy strategies. I pull it over my mask when I am at the market or other crowded spaces. I have no scientific evidence that this styling hack is actually doing the trick--but so far, so good! I'd like to keep it going with these striking options from Mango, ALC, Iris & Ink, and Acne Studios.

P.S. Meanwhile in NYC, Lauren Santo Domingo, below, is testing negative but staying positive in her do-it-all Favorite Daughter pants. I love them too!

Playing this crazy game of Covid Dodgeball requires run-for-your-life yet comfortable shoes, right? I'm kind of joking! But I kid you not about the comfortable/practical shoe part, which I have found new my pair of Wallabees, above and below! They're so easy and durable--and yet stealthily stylish, too as demonstrated by Allegra Lorenzotti, pictured, paired with Acne jeans and a vintage jacket and and designer Emily Orberg, bel0w. Stay healthy, people!

$190, boden

Seventy days till spring break--but who's counting? I can bust out this floral cotton dress today with boots and black turtleneck underneath.

1. Boden dress, $190, boden.com

2. Isabel Marant shearling vest, $695, netaporter.com

3. Gucci bag, $1700, gucci.com

4. Aeyde boots, $475, nordstrom.com

$190, banana republic

Looks like one of those decadent Ralph Lauren-in-Aspen cardigans--but for under $200!

1. Raey slip dress, $205, matchesfashion.com

2. Banana Republic cardigan, $190, bananarepublic.com

3. Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in , $38, bergdorfgoodman.com

4. Sarah Chloe stackable gold rings, $145, goop.com

5. Larroude boots, $375, shopbop.com

It's always fun to see a friend in clothes they bought via Le Catch--and even more so when that friend is a powerhouse in the media industry! She texted me a pic of herself the other day in this H&M blouse that looked as Toteme-chic as I had promised! Inspired, I thought I'd recommend a few more goodies! Besides, we might really need them as Omicron is poised to plunge us back into Zoom meetings. Let's get through these crazy times with our shirts on--specifically the embellished pinstripe by Anthropologie, above, the cult white button-down by Hommegirls, Alex Mill's ruffle neck, the asymmetric Veronica Beard, and Banana Republic's perfect Safari shirt.

I identify as a New Yorker (and always will!) but I moonlight as a native Angeleno in my car. I'm know how to get across the 405 during rush hour, am fluent in yellow-curb restrictions--and can get dressed for a black tie in the back seat. All of which may explain my deep appreciation for Blanca Miro Scrimieri's aptitude for "car-fit" selfies. Somehow she makes her outfits and sitting in her car look thoroughly glamorous--a skill I have to yet to learn! At least I can sport some of the chic clothes she wears, like the Perfect Moment turtleneck, above, the uber cute Chinti and Parker sweater and Ganni ribbed beanie hat, below, the cool Kule shawl-collared quilted jacket (last pic), the Isabel Marant Etoile fleece (on sale!), the classic Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit pullover, Lebrand poncho, and the funky Lapima sunglasses.

Photos: Blanca Miro Scrimieri