LE CATCH

While cooking dinner the other night, I received a text from a health nut friend, sharing her personal stay-strong measures. One of her easy-to-follow strategies: get dressed in the morning! Mind over matter, she explained, saying that doing something you'd normally do helps you feel normal (i.e., less stressed, better for your immune system!)--and ready to face the day. I could not agree more. After all, I feel empowered when I wear something I like and even better when the clothes and accessories are designed by friends and locally-based brands, knowing each style is imbued with imagination, inspiration and hard work. My girls over at Doen, above, just launched their gorgeous spring collection, and in light of the times, are offering 15% off and donating a portion of the sale proceeds to Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides health care to all. I snapped up the striped blouse, above! Another designer friend Jenna Blake (coveting this and this) is donating to No Kid Hungry, which works to end childhood hunger. Then there are my much-loved locals extending deep discounts (read: shopping incentives) on their prized goods like Haney, offering 35% off site-wide (this and this) and Beautycounter, below, (stocking up on this and this). Even the big-wigs are jumping into action, like Net-A-Porter offering 15% off brand new spring silhouettes as well as Nordstrom featuring 25% off desirables like this, this, this and this. There are so many businesses, small and big, currently struggling and I know not everyone can shop right now or even wants to, but I hope my spreading the word can help foster communal support.

A few months ago, J.Crew shot its new spring collection in L.A., featuring my twin sister and me (see below)! As J.Crew explained via Instagram, "Although our world has dramatically shifted since then, we still wanted to share it with you. We love its optimism and colorful spirit, and we hope it brightens up your day, even just a little." Ditto! Plus, I really, really love the collection, with its re-kindled, cool-again styles, reminiscent of its Jenna Lyons heydays. And all of it is 30% off right now with this code!! Like the tie-back striped tee, above, that I'll wear forever, this pretty pansy-print dress, this Coco-inspired tweed-striped, jeweled button cardigan, this wear-everywhere ruffled wrap dress, these cute sailor jeans, and this punchy one-shoulder print maxi. Check out the entire collection here.

I realize that pining for the past (and far-away, carefree locales like The Brando, above) won't get me anywhere, but I must confess that escapting to Sale Land--where both real-life and getaway clothes are aplenty--is pretty transporting. At least for now. Shopbop woos with up to 70% off new spring/summer styles that we'll look forward to wearing and let us self-high-five right this minute. I'm gravitating toward pieces that work extra hard currently like these do-it-all slim-fitting Paige Jeans, these fashion girl-favorite SLVRLKE jeans, or these high-waist, wide-leg AG jeans, plus these cute bandana-print Adam Selman leggings and this one-and-done C/Meo Collective jumpsuit. Soon-to-wow (and in the meantime mentally whisk-me-away) statements include the similar-to-above Farm Rio lovely, this pretty Hemant and Nandita, this floral Warm beauty, this Rebecca Taylor toile top, this woven Clare V tote (inspired by the collab I did!), these Lele Sadoughi drop earrings, and this aptly named "Bali Dress" by Ibiza-based designer Celia B. Shop the whole deal here!

Like you, I spent the weekend hunkered down at home, fretting, reading, cooking, cleaning, waiting for the rain to stop, eating too much ice cream (why though??), and yelling at my kids to get off their devices. Despite my social (i.e., physical) isolation, I connected with friends via text/FaceTime to exchange recipes (the BEST chocolate chip cookies and yummiest carrot ginger soup), family-friendly board games (Monopoly Deal, Rummykub, Mad Gab, and Taboo), binge-worthy shows (McMillions, Dark, Little Fires Everywhere), and page-turners (Giver of Stars, Conviction). We also discussed how we can best help those in need around us (Baby2Baby, Feeding America). During this new normal time, I figure I will keep serving up fashion content to provide hopefully welcome distractions and do my little part to help retailers and designers stay in business. For now, I hope you all stay healthy at home.

Just FYI: Johanna Ortiz's just-out collaboration with H&M is not yet sold out!! Score while you can with the eyelet embroidered lovely, above, and this $34 one-shoulder swimsuit that can be worn as a top. Check out the entire collection here!

Considering the news' non-stop curve balls, I thought you'd might enjoy some of my recent uplifting discoveries. First, Glennon Doyle's just-out memoir Untamed is all I can think about when I'm not reading it. In short, it's about self-love, self-acceptance and self-trust, and all of it is so inspiring and universally resonant. (For the Cliff Notes/condensed version, listen to Goop's podcast "When You Quit Being Good.") Also feel-good because it makes me look good is Beauty Counter's cult product Brilliant Brow Gel. I just started using it and I'm loving how it makes my brows look fuller and thicker, but most importantly, totally natural. Seriously, obsessed! And since there's no place like home right now, I'll be cozying up with True Botanicals' new glow-inducing Clay Detoxifying mask, Beauty Chef's Well Kit to bolster my immune system, these Clare V x Anthropologie pillows for lying low, and Vitamin D-ing in the above floral Rhode top. For future big nights out, I'll be prepped with this giddily affordable Paco Rabanne-spirited disc-sequin dress (worn under an oversized black blazer). Stay healthy!

$42, gap

An everyday shirt that goes the extra ruffly mile, plus complements my new favorite jeans, or this...

1. Gap ruffled shirt, $42, gap.com
2. Staud leather pants, $406, matchesfashion.com
3. Bottega Veneta sunglasses, $385, ssense.com
4. NARS Lip Lacquer in Freestyle, $26, nordstrom.com
5. Justine Clenquet bracelet, $90, shopbop.com
6. Jacquemus basket tote, $460, netaporter.com
7. Jaggar sandals, $152, shopbop.com

Boom! And just like that I not only own the best jeans to date, but two pairs: black and dark denim, both by Citizens of Humanity. They boast a straight-leg silhouette, high waist and crop that hits ever-so-flatteringly just below the ankle. I can wear them with sandals, heels and boots--truly everything!

$119, mango

Future party planning starts now...

1. Mango polka dot maxi, $119, mango.com
2. Luv Aj Diamonte Hoops, $65, shopbop.com
3. Gucci Baume a Levres in Penelope, $42, netaporter.com
4. Gucci tweed wallet on chain, $1450, neimanmarcus.com
6. Gianvito Rossi lace-up sandals, $775, netaporter.com