LE CATCH

Although my hostessing skills are quite rusty from Covid's time-off, the small luncheon I had at my home last week went off, thankfully, without a hitch. Of course, a great party always kicks off with a great invitation (Thank you, Evite, for the plethora of newly-designed animated options. I chose this one by Phoebe Tillem!). For the table linens, I went with a vibrant, earthy vibe, inspired by the flourishing lemon, lime and passion fruit trees in my backyard. Naturally, I hit up my friends at La Double J to provide the most exuberantly colorful floral-print tablecloth and napkins. For place cards, I used Clare V's hand-painted monogrammed luggage tags, knowing guests could bring them on summer trips. The festivity flowed like the ice-cold El Vino rose: We toasted the start of summer, the re-commencement of gathering together, and the anticipation of long, sunny days ahead. All in all, it was a success. One summer party down, many more to go!

I spent this past week in Hawaii (Big Island!) squealing with delight, above, while celebrating (and sporting) Carolyn Murphy x Mother Denim's new eco-minded collection. The surf-loving activist and model (and friend!) drew inspiration from vintage California surf and skate culture and personal trips to Hawaii. The upcycled 12-piece capsule, called Surf's Up, features one-of-a-kind patchwork tapestry ponchos (above), Hawaiian Aloha shirts, fitted ribbed knits, board shorts, and a beach tote, with a portion of sales donated to Saves The Waves Coalition (STW). I'll be wearing the lightweight print hoodie, above, like crazy this summer, along with these super cute shorts, this striped tee and this vintage-looking shirt. Check out the entire collection here and more fun action-packed pics here and here.

I am not missing cold weather. I repeat: I am not missing cold weather! But I am completely looking forward to wow-ing in the insanely chic fringed wrap-meets-coat, above, by Whistles. It's one of those unexpected yet tantalizing pieces discovered off season but destined to be worn like crazy when the time's right. Read: the kind I hesitate buying and then pat myself on the back for. To tide me over, I did indulge myself in some right-now-fringe with the H&M, below. Sorry I am not sorry.

Summer's go-to dress boasts lots of straps and sex appeal. And yes, it's also day-to-night wearable. Sign me up! The beauty, above, is by Christopher Esber and below is Cecile Bahnsen. Get strap happy in these compelling lovelies from Ulla Johnson, Joslin, Matteau, and Astr The Label.

Teaming a tailored blazer with cut-off denim shorts may seem counter-intuitive, but Zara proves it's perfecto, as exhibited here. The $69 linen blazer, below, in either gray or beige, will also go over a dress, with jeans--or anything for that matter!

Europe's weekend heatwave precipitated some haute summer looks, all anchored in bare-minimum basics. Makes me want to strip down, too--into crop tops, strapless dresses, flowy shorts, billowy maxis, and slits up to there! The sleek pleated shorts and oversized shirt and voluminous dress, below, are by Cos and the slit skirt is from Coperni. Other simple yet hot-to-trot options: this open-back English Factory, this not-too-cropped Cotton Citizen t-shirt, and this sheer lace L'Agence dress.

If you're like me and have a thing for broderie lace dresses, be sure to check out the delightfully affordable stash of options I recently discovered at Asos, including the very decadent black maxi ($230), above! Also stunning: this red wrap, this tiered pink and this statement puff-sleeve shirt dress.

My pro-beach bum status hits an all new high today, thanks to these water-proof Mark & Graham monogrammed pouches that will keep my phone and other essentials dry when I'm on the water and the sand at bay.

Thanks to Sara Ramen, pictured, I now need a Missoni mini dress in my summer rotation--one that goes from Paris's boulevards to Malibu's beaches. I found a bunch of options on sale at The Outnet--and these new styles here. P.S. This solid Ref dress could do the short and sweet trick too!

$225, thakoon

Five months before Covid struck, Thakoon presciently pivoted his namesake luxury label to a direct-to-consumer brand anchored in comfort and ease. Think clothing one lives in rather than dresses up in. I'll be living in this wrap dress this summer (and beyond) and wearing it a million different ways. P.S. It also comes in white!

1. Thakoon wrap dress, $225, thakoon.com

2. Adina Reyter gold necklace and chars, $4495, adinaretyer.com

3. Adina Reyter beaded bracelet, $1998, adinareyter.com

4. Hat Attack woven bucket bag, $148, shopbop.com

5. Porte & Paire metallic wedge sandals, $245, netaporter.com