LE CATCH

After a weeks-long work stint in New York, my sister and I reunited over the holiday weekend. She came over to my house, wearing a new pair of Jesse Kamm's flared, high-waist pants, and in her bag she had a second pair in a different color that she wanted me to try on. "You're going to love them," she assured me, explaining how they've long had a cult following due to their amazing fit. "They're so flattering--they suck everything in!" She was absolutely right. (Proof in the pix!) Yes, they're pricey ($395), but it all works out in the cost per wear, because my sister has been wearing them every other day--and soon, I will too! I bought them in wear-with-everything black here.

For the last three years, my girl friends and I have managed to escape to Napa in May for a mid-week, two-day getaway. This time around, our trip offered up loads of 90-degree sunshineand opportunities to bust out our newest warm weather silhouettes! Take, for instance, my recently purchased H&M dress, above, which garnered rave reviews. Also winners: this Minkpink statement suit, this Club Monaco blouse, these feather-trimmed Zara sandals and this Anna Sui strapless dress. Lucky for me, I have a few more summer getaways on my calendar and would love to take along some more standout pieces such as this Tory Burch floral maxi, this Marysia bandeau bikini, this Ulla Johnson one-shoulder blouse, this crochet PILYQ tunic, this tassel-trimmed Thurley dress, and these blingy H&M sandals. Read on for more details about my trip!

Of course, Napa excels in great wine, but also in the eye-candy department: verdant rolling hills, cloudless blue skies, ample bougainvillea and, yes, even lush dinner place settings. My good (and very talented) friend hand painted the menu cards for an extra personal touch. And how about those floral arrangements?!

Our annual game of croquet at Meadowood calls for head-to-toe whites, Pimm's Cup, and fierce competition. Unfortunately, my team was not victorious, but we did win the consolation bracket!

Dinnertime ushers in golden sunlight and festive frocks! Here I am in a tiered and ruffly H&M (that I decided to wear backwards!)

$15, h&m

Drawstring sleeves freshen up this summer white staple. And, no, the price tag isn't a typo!

1. H&M drawstring blouse, $15, hm.com
2. Scosha emerald and diamond studs, $281, nordstrom.com
3. Nadri turquoise, opal and gold cuff, $98, nordstrom.com
4. Tom Ford Lip Balm in Cruising, $36, nordstrom.com
5. Valentino clutch, $1592, matchesfashion.com
6. Miu Miu pearl studded slides, $750, bergdorfgoodman.com
7. Joseph pants, $445, netaporter.com

I just returned from my annual girls trip to Napa, where we indulged in all the usuals: magnums of rose, bike rides through the vineyards, poolside naps, post-dinner dance parties, croquet at Meadowood, fried chicken sandwiches from Oakville Grocery, and--sorry we couldn't help ourselves!--online shopping. The epic sales at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, and Matches yielded major scores all around. Some of the best finds, in my opinion: the Balenciaga tote, above, this Isabel Marant print dress, these feather-embellished Prada sandals, this Stella McCartney clutch, this Chloe blouse, this Rochas dress, and this J.W Anderson bucket bag. P.S. More deets and pics from Napa to come!

Photo: Vogue

Memorial Day barbecues will be looking a lot chicer thanks to Net-a-Porter's half-off sale, replete with amazing finds such as this Dion Lee asymmetrical blouse (pictured above), this Lisa Marie Fernandez mini dress, these Dolce & Gabbana raffia slides, this Rosie Assoulin striped tote bag, this 3.1 Phillip Lim bomber jacket, this Etro bikini, this Haney wedding-worthy maxi, and this Three Graces cover-up.

Herewith the Perfect Summer Dress: it breezes around with flats during the day then steps out with sexy (sky-high) sandals at night, all for $155! I'd crank things up even more with this dramatic red Saint Laurent lipstick, this Vince Camuto clutch, and these Adina Retyer diamond earrings.

Photo: Katherine Ormerod

If you're a fan of Chloe, I highly suggest you check out its exclusive collection for Net-A-Porter, before everything sells out. Put simply: it's amaze-balls! I'm particularly lusting after the brown bow sandals, above! Also exceptional: these perfect white jeans, this crazy decadent kaftan, and this floaty white blouse.

Photo: Lucy Williams

Meanwhile down in Australia, it's Fashion Week, and the attendees' collective decision to don faded jeans indicates it's the hue du jour. I'm betting this trend will travel to our shores this summer, so I scouted the best light-wash styles, and so far, they include pairs from Mother, Alexander Wang, Anine Bing, Re/Done, and 3x1 (pictured above).

Photos: Vogue

I'm not in the habit of partying on a Monday night, but when duty calls, like it did for me earlier this week, I took the easy way out: a throw-on-and-go dress and a splashy pair of feather-trimmed sandals. Done and done! I wasn't alone in my style cheat as another friend turned up in classic black trousers, a simple white sweater--and crazy bling-y Miu Miu slides! Letting our feet do the talking facilitated cocktail swilling! So, now more outfit-making sandals I love: these glinty Chloe flats, these tasseled Sophia Webster slides, these vibrant raffia J.Crew sandals, these sparkly Badgley Mischka gladiators, these embroidered Guccis--and all these gem-studded, plume-perfect Miu Mius, above.

Photo: Bergdorf Goodman

$128, j.crew

Stripes, straw, and fringe, oh my!

1. Apiece Apart dress, $595, netaporter.com
2. Sensi Studio hat, $120, netaporter.com
3. Cornelia Webb quartz cuff, $140, netaporter.com
4. J.Crew straw clutch, $128, jcrew.com
5. Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Psycho Candy, $18, netaporter.com
6. Madewell sandals, $69, shopbop.com