LE CATCH

A marathon-long chain group text message between my group of friends is everything right now, particularly the humorous, uplifting memes and posts. Given how much I like to travel, the one above made me giggle at 3.45AM this morning (anyone else having trouble sleeping?!)--and inspired me to fantasize about about what I'd wear to some of the exotic locales mentioned above. After all, a little laughter never hurts, right? For Costa Del Balconia--I hear it's splendid this time of year--what about this new and gorgeous Rebecca Taylor (25% off!) or this reversible Mink Pink? Ultra-plush Santa Bedroomes call for these ultra-plush Lake pajamas (the equivalent of sleeping in a Four Seasons bed, no joke), while this cozy cardigan from Target(!) will be right at home in Los Lounges. For lovely Porto Gardenas, I'd breeze around in this pretty-in-pink Warehouse (20% off!) or this floral Antik Batik blouse. No, I don't have cabin fever. OK, well, maybe just a little. ;)

A marathon-long chain group text message between my group of friends is everything right now. It's filled with humorous memes, cocktail recipes, inspiring messages, tips on how to help local health care workers, activities for kids (specifically charitable ones, like making bagged lunches for No Kid Hungry) and more--all helping to fill the void of physical/social interaction. One virtual chat centered around TK, and, of course, as you'd expect, I had a lot to say.

While filming from the basement of her home, Today Show's anchor Savannah Guthrie asked, "Is there a statute of limitations on how many days in a row you can wear the same sweatpants?" IMHO, yes! And yes, I've been watching too much TV! While comfort is indeed most desirable right now, crustiness is not. So, I thought I'd share my tried-and-true home-bound favorites, all perpetually worn by yours truly. In no particular order, they hail from Monrow (the softest and lightest french terry, hands down), Suzi Kondi (sweatpants, but make them cuff-leg, cotton-velour fashion), Plush (fleece-lined, Gucci-ish), and J.Crew (cashmere, on sale, enough said). FYI: I'm also throwing in easy (more sexy/less sloth) dresses into the mix, including the above by Sir The Label (bra too!), this bell-sleeved Natalie Martin, and this backless Free People (with a cardigan or blazer now, backless this summer.) Stay comfy, stay well!

This weekend at home had me traversing unfamiliar corners of the world wide web (read: avoiding bleak news). I discovered an amazing live auction at The Fashion Illustration Gallery, featuring works by artists like Rosie McGuinness, above. I stocked up on new yummy recipes at The Feed Feed (using pantry staples!) and Crave and Cook (zucchini carrot fritters!); indulged in a self-help, anti-anxiety podcast (The Science of Happiness: Who Would You Be Without Them?) and quickie Insta-therapy sessions via Milan-based designer JJ Martin (so helpful!). P.S. I also have to add that this weekend I received some treats from trawling my usual spots pre-lockdown, including these Topshop jeans (think ultra-comfy, cutting-edge Celine silhouette for $56!) that I will be living in for the foreseeable future, these super cute beaded rope And Other Stories sandals (as seen on my Instagram), and so, so randomly, this game-changing hair-dryer, recommended by my in-front-of the-camera friends.

Art: Rosie McGuiness

$49, h&m

In other important breaking news, spring is here!

1. H&M floral dress, $49, hm.com
2. Anita Berisha gold tone and pearl earrings, $250, netaporter.com
3. KNC Beauty Supa Balm in mint, $22, netaporter.com
4. Balenicaga woven tote, $272, therealreal.com
5. Schutz sandals, $165, shopbop.com

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.