LE CATCH

Are we ready for pleated jeans?

LA's summer-like weather is further eroding my quarantine-induced uncertainty about date and time--but at least it's also giving me a legit opportunity to wear a dress. Or ten! Yesterday, I busted out this brazen riot of prints and colors by Stella Jean (a score from the Real Real--also here), and later in the day this J.Crew, below. With the forecast in the 80's for the next week or so, I'll be milking the most out of warm weather styles like this fringed bias-cut Rebecca Taylor (25% off!), this linen print H&M, this safari-inspired Rhode mini, this cute Cleobella, and this floral Mango.

Everyone thought Earth Day was yesterday, but, hel-lo, it's actually 365 days a year! We need to celebrate/respect/protect the environment for the rest of time. I love that some of my favorite fashion brands are taking active measures to help. Take, for instance, Brazil-based Farm Rio, above, which plants one tree in the Amazon Forest for every purchase made. That makes the above gorgeous floral eyelet dress even more alluring, no? Same for this kimono-style sweater. (P.S. All new spring pieces are 15% off.) And Other Stories just launched a sustainably sourced collection, featuring this linen pinkalicious pretty and the below embroidered organic cotton blouse. And for another win, Shopbop now boasts a mindful edit of of responsibly-designed styles, such as this hot Mara Hoffman swimsuit, these high-waist, relaxed Reformation jeans, and this perfectly lightweight Vitamin A white button-down blouse.

$96, j.crew

LA's first heat wave of the season could use a fun frock, especially this one at 30% off.

1. J.Crew tassel dress, $96, jcrew.com
2. Roxanne Assoulin set of gold-plated and enamel bracelets, $$231, modaoperandi.com
3. Mark & Graham personalized canvas tote, $29, markandgraham.com
4. APL sandals, $150, shopbop.com

If you saw my Instagram post yesterday, then you'll already know my twin sis and I are fervent fans of ARossGirl x Soler, a timeless collection of work-to-weekend dresses, mix-and-match skirts and tops. The designer Amanda Ross, a NYC-based friend and fellow identical twin, has long inspired us with her quintessential Manhattan-chic style, fashion industry pedigree (former Harper's Bazaar editor/red carpet stylist/jewelry designer), and extensive knowledge on art. But most importantly, she has a heart of full generosity and love! We are grateful for her friendship--and her clothes that make us feel put-together, particularly now when the world is upside down. Check out her full collection here.

This weekend's thicket of binge-watching Evil Genius, baking over-ripe fruit tarts, and nursing a pulled hip flexor (a casualty of above-average sweat therapy) dovetailed with indefatigable pajama shirts/blouses (above) and nightgowns/dresses. In sum, it was pretty good, all things considering. But now that it's Monday, it's on to other wardrobe workhorses, inspired by super chic WFH'ers, including the cute-and-comfy sweater by Chinti & Parker (third pic down), this Miu Miu-spirited Shein blouse (similar to below), these animal print Sea pants (second to last photo, also great in black!), this Doen do-it-all (last pic) and the Antik Batik floral beauty, immediately below, which LA-based designer Julie Sarinana wore to the market. Well done!

Do you think it's a growing-up-in-LA thing that my 11-year-old son always asks me if he needs to put on shoes before he leaves the house? If it were up to him, he'd go everywhere barefoot. Meanwhile, I wear shoes even when I'm just sitting at my desk, and lately, it's been ones that are equal parts comfortable and cute, specifically the Havaianas sandals, above, (love the floral print options too), the vegan leather Rothy's Knot sandals, below, and Freedom Moses' molded rubber slides, last pic.

$125, nordstrom

The prettiest bunch of flowers that will last season after season. Plus, it's half off! (It's also available here.)

1. Rebecca Taylor blouse, rebeccataylor.com, $125, nordstrom.com
2. Edwin Jeans, $208, shopbop.com
3. Chann Luu gold layered necklace, $45, shopbop.com
4. Madewell beaded choker, $28, shopbop.com
5. Tata Harper Voluminizing Lip and Cheek Tint, $39, neimanmarcus.com
6. Havianas sandals, $24, nordstrom.com

I'm calling it the Big Bloom Theory: If I wear florals, I will feel light and fresh--or just less gloomy. My proof: these pics here! Truth be told, scientific studies actually back up my theory. According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, "the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed." Assuming we could all use some flower power right now, I'd thought I'd share where I picked my dress ($39!), above, and blouse, on Insta, plus these other beautiful blooms from LPA ($65), Rachel Antonoff, Warm, and Topshop ($37!).

As Sunday night's sweats hustle into Wednesday's WFH uniform, my exhausted, couch-conforming clothes might want to walk off the job post-Quarantine. Well, not so fast, at least for some recently-purchased stalwarts poised to work rigorously on the other side of the things. Namely, these loose-fitting, drawstring-waist yet still tailored Acne Studios trousers (pictured above, also here), this collared, terry-cloth Albus Lumen polo shirt (so, so flattering and now 20% off!), this puff-sleeved H&M sweatshirt (looks 10x the price!), this slip-on-and-go Reformation jumpsuit (perfect balances crisp with comfy), and this classic lightweight jersey t-shirt--all with ever-lasting staying power, which I'm hoping will rub off on me!!