LE CATCH

Can you believe there are pumpkins already in the supermarket? And Halloween candy at CVS?! Fall is indeed happening--despite the 80-degree weather outside. So, I guess I am going to prep for it, like my forward-thinking friends over at Whole Foods, and stock up on a few new seasonal must-haves, like something vinyl (yes, I'm serious) and something faux leather. In the latter department, I just found these great Isabel Marant-spirited (see below) paperbag pants from Target and this wrap dress, plus these Pixie Market faux leather jeans, and this vintage-looking Need Supply skirt! Vinyl, on the other hand, can be hard to nail (lest we want to look, um, scary) but there are winning exceptions starting with this Asos belted blazer, these cropped pants at Topshop or these tapered trousers from MSGM.

My sister and I took some time out to have a full-on fall dress rehearsal with our favorite pieces from cult-fave Doen--and to create fun fodder for our new Insta venture Ouiwant. We mixed cute and cozy woolens, like the Doen cardigan and striped jeans, above, with a right-now bikini and the best Zara no-wrinkle $49 print pants, below. Check out all of our now and later styling here!

While it took my kids a whole week to choose their new backpacks--it is a 180+ school day commitment after all--I decided in about a millisecond that I wanted a big leather clutch. The shape is new and fresh! It's roomy and practical (often sold with a detachable shoulder handle)! And, most importantly, it will do wonders for any outfit. Everyone's going for the Bottega Veneta pouch, above, but here's where I too may need a week to choose: I can't decide between Mansur Gavriel's (way less expensive!) Cloud clutch, Khaite's envelope clutch, or Clare V's woven leather clutch.Thoughts?

I just dove head-first into end-of-summer denial by indulging in Matches' 70% off sale, rife with wear-well-beyond-2019 dresses like Dodo Bar Or's print pretty, above, this feminine and embroidered Athena Procopiou, this bell-sleeved Loup Charmant, this striped statement Loewe, this floral Zimmermann, and this silk pink Saloni. Also year-round chic bags and strappy sandals galore on sale here! It's not over till it's over!

Part army jacket, part cape. Super power statement topper with a Sacai-like twist. All for $115!

For the imminent post-Labor Day laboring, I'm going to lean in on summer hold-overs and combos (read: my current faves) like this Sezane blouse (and this cute just-acquired smocked top) and white button-up trousers (above), the year-round Veronica Beard puff-sleeve striped tee (below--nice update!), this Frame braided balloon-sleeve sweater, and this statement feather-trimmed Opening Ceremony cardigan (over party dresses now, under winter jackets and pea coats later!).

$169, mango

Perfect fall dressing in one fell swoop--okay, three: the fringe, the check print, the oversized fit!

1. Joseph cotton jersey t-shirt, $120, netaporter.com
2. Mango fringed blazer, $169, mango.com
3. Slverlake jeans, $320, netaporter.com
4. Anne Sisteron freshwater pearl and diamond necklace pendant, $600, annesisteron.com
5. Anne Sisteron diamond lock pendant, $740, annesisteron.com
6. Mansur Gavriel bag, $495, shopbop.com
7. Steve Madden sandals, $89, nordstrom.com

I'm telling you: shopping for wallet-friendly fall-ready pieces can soothe imminent-grind stress. Take for example: the $100 made-for-layering JOA leopard print fleece, below, this 525 America puff-sleeve sweater, these spot-on H&M leather loafers, this Free People faux fur jacket, this English Factory trench, this J.Crew balloon-sleeve cardigan (40% off!--I'd size up for a more stylish fit) and cute green button-down (also on sale), plus this statement Shein windbreaker (the best under a winter coat or jean jacket).

*If you'd rather splurge than save to mitigate stress--trust me, I can relate!--take a cue from Katie Holmes, above, who went all out (sexy! sophisticated!) in Khaite's cashmere cardigan (also here) and bralette combo in NYC today. Yes, please.

Back-to-school shopping kicks off for me today, with Shopbop's end-of-summer 40% off sale, cleverly stocked with do-it-all styles that make the leap from crazy lazy August to super hectic September, such as the cute striped Tibiblouse, above, along with these cropped Joe's Jeans trousers, this Citizens of Humanity jumpsuit (key for fall!), this made-for-layering Anine Bing fleece pullover, this oversize and on-point Ksubi jean jacket, and these Mother of Pearl statement slingbacks. Also on sale is the cute Self Portrait fishnet dress I've been wearing all summer, below, both in the city and at the beach. I'm thinking I can throw it over a black slip dress or a print slip come cooler temps. Browse all the discounted delights here!

I deserve major props for this pic of my sister. For starters, it's good! My highly-discerning professional photographer twin even posted it on Instagram! What's more, my handiwork nicely captures her summer glow, which I'm also semi-responsible for as I recently turned her on to Goop's Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator and clearly, it's working! Lastly, I let her keep the super cute Rebecca Taylor blouse, above, rather than steal it from her outright. I done good, right?