LE CATCH

Happy Halloween! Both my sons will be trick-or-treating in Ghillie suits--easy and effective, one-and-done costumes. (A sign, perhaps, that they've inherited my style-hack gene?) California kids through and through, they gravitate toward surfer clothing; In fact, they define formal as putting on a polo shirt! At least right now, I'm down with their version of dressed-up, in light of how cool collared tees currently look teamed with more sophisticated pieces. I'd twin with my kids in these polo shirts by Lacoste (I have the men's small!), Ralph Lauren, Nobody Denim, Monki and In Wear.

The fires, the smoke, the hurricane-force winds. While I'm infinitely grateful that we could escape to safety, I wouldn't mind a mental escape, even just for a few moments, far, far away to a carefree, soot-free, coconut-laden beach. Like, say, Mauritius--and prepped for it exactly like Emili Sindlev, pictured here. I'd breeze around in sarongs, tied around me as tops and skirts, like Faithfull the Brand, above, and Chanel, below. I'd keep cool in a polka dot bikini and bucket hat (like above) and when the sun starts to set, I'd slip into a pretty pastel dress such as this floral one and this one, both below, and this Hemant and Nandita mini. Au revoir!

A friend from London recently DM'ed me, wondering if I had any easy-to-layer tissue-thin turtlenecks to recommend. Specifically, she wanted one she could wear under dresses like this and this. While looking for some good options and finding these by Veronica Beard, Theory, 1901, and Alex Mill, I came across creative director Jen Azoulay rocking not only a versatile knit turtleneck by Cos, but an insanely chic sautoir Ginette pearl necklace. (P.S. She also wears it in her hair like a ponytail holder!) Immediately, my search pivoted to necklaces that I could top turtlenecks with and then some and I landed on these gems by Jennifer Zeuner, Lizzie Fortunato, and Brinker & Eliza.

Photo: Jen Wonders

I woke up at 3:34 Monday morning because my right arm had lost all feeling. Panicked, I sat up. As the nerve-needling slowly began perforating the numbness, trickling down from my shoulder to my hand, I smelled smoke. It was coming from outside, streaming in through an open window beside my bed. I looked out to see a huge fog-like cloud hovering just above us in the night-black sky. Thus, my day began. After following LAFD's Twitter announcements, checking the wind forecast (again and again), and then finally receiving a mandatory evacuation order text, we started to pack. It was 5AM. Family photos, irreplaceable art, passports and jewelry first. I'm not going to lie: I spent a good chunk of time in my closet, figuring out what really needed to go in the car pronto, and, truth be told, it wasn't a lot. (Yes, some exceptionally great/old Zara made it into the suitcase, along with one-of-a-kind vintage and my most beloved investment pieces.) While my kids loaded up their favorite possessions--two teddy bears and a drawer full of Nerf bullets among them--I thought about the irony of Architectural Digest featuring our recently renovated home on its website just three days ago and how, worst case scenario, it would be immortalized in some fashion. Right now, though, all I can think is how grateful that we, our bodies and those in our community, are safe. Thank you, Los Angeles Fire Department.

This River Island belted denim jacket lined with puffer-padding, effectively making it the coolest denim jacket I've seen in maybe... ever. (The faux fur collar and cuffs are removable, too!). More High Street highs: the corduroy Topshop jacket, below, this zebra-print statement-making Pixie Market dress, this Storets tweed set, and this amazing Asos (but doesn't look Asos!) dress and this one, too!

My twin sister has a daughter, below, whom I like to pretend is mine. I get to play with her hair, co-doodle, and bake muffins with her. Other fun to-do's on our agenda: necklace-making with the above super cute tropical-themed DIY kit by Venessa Arizaga. I definitely would make and wear one myself. (P.S. Themed bracelets are available, too, like this dessert cutie. Also: Aunt/Niece matchy-matchy dressing in these Vans sneakers, this Fiorucci t-shirt, and this Kule bag, similar to below. Happy Weekend!

When a friend hits her business out of the ballpark, you might want to stand up and cheer! As a fan (and high school classmate) of NYC-based clothing designer Nikki Kule, I want to clap--and clad myself in her super successful eponymous line of striped knits and accessories. Kule's fun yet stylish pieces are gloriously versatile--equally at home in Manhattan and in Malibu, where my sis and I shot these pics! The just-launched resort collection is a home run, featuring all the distinctly cool signatures its known for: cheery, crowd-pleasing colors, luxe, cozy knits, and whoop-whoop, outfit-making accessories! See it and shop it all here!

$128, shopbop

I've been wearing charms around my neck non-stop. Why not on my ears, too? (These personalized cuties can also work on my necklaces!)

1. Ganni floral dress, $235, netaporter.com
2. Brinker & Eliza personalized hoop earrings, $128, shopbop.com
3. Hayward chain bag, $714, shopbop.com
4. Dolce Vita boots, $172, shopbop.com

I don't know if this happens to you, but for me it's (annoyingly) routine: whenever I need to buy a cute gift, I have no clue what to buy! But then this happens: I come across the greatest options when they're not imminently needed. With the holidays coming up, however, I could stockpile some under-$100 giftables I recently discovered, including the $25 monogrammed jewelry cases, above, the vibrant-print set of Baguu bags, below, these $47 Mystique toe-ring slides, this spot on Meredith Quill chain link necklace, and this pom pom-trimmed blanket. (P.S. Good on-sale self-gifts include this Hemnant and Nandita dress, this Sensi Studio tote (last pic), these Le Superbe pants, and this incredible Viktor & Rolf trench coat!