LE CATCH

I've literally become attached to my new custom mini cross body bag--thanks to Clare Vivier! I find myself wearing it around the house with my (always misplaced) phone and lip gloss in it. It's super cute and lightweight. Clare has other ones like it, such as this and this. Oh, and my luscious sweater--a cheapie but goodie--can be found here.

$79, mango

Every wardrobe could use a do-it-all denim dress that's equal parts chic and relaxed.

1. Mango denim dress, $79, mango.com
2. IAM by Ileana Makri earrings, $180, netaporter.com
3. Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet in 300, $38, neimanmarcus.com
4. Fendi raffia bag, $2450, nordstrom.com
5. Tabitha Simmons sandals, $625, bergdorfgoodman.com

Zara takes the corset trend into everyday wearable territory with this versatile yet statement making tee. Yes, please!

$385, moda operandi

Ruffles and stripes add up to spring perfect, in my book!

1. Sea ruffle dress, $385, modaoperandi.com
2. Gucci sunglasses, $119, tjmaxx.com
3. Katerina Makriyanni bracelet, $290, netaporter.com
4. Ethnique tote bag, $200, shoplatititude.com
5. Ancient Greek Sandals toe-ring sandals, $340, shopbop.com

Despite the scarcity of California sunshine, I'm crushing hard on these Gucci cat eye sunglasses, the current go-to's for the fashionable likes of designer/model Jeanne Damas, above, model Camille Rowe, below. Stylist Pernille Teisbaek, last pic, favors the smaller retro-chic version. Happy day! A reader just tipped me off that these sunglasses are available here for 75% off! Total score!!

I continue to work on my ski game, and it's coming along slowly but surely. (Kudos to ski instructor Alan Bush with his Stanford physics degree, who most recently helped me make sense of all the technical to-do's. Try him, he's awesome if you are in Aspen!) Of greater importance though (in these pages at least) is that my ski fashion game has made significant progress. This season it's been all about the ski sweater! Now made with technical, sweat-wicking fabrics, these sweaters make it possible to look chic and keep the cold at bay. For me, the style high is equivalent to finessing perfect S-turns down a double black diamond, particularly these fun, retro-inspired knits by Maje, Perfect Moment, Fulsap, Tory Sport, Orcival and Sweaty Betty--all of them can swish on and off the slopes!

I've long associated designer logo t-shirts with conspicuous tackiness, but this season, for some reason, I'm warming up to them. For starters, they look vintage-y, not glitzy. Slightly distressed and not at all precious. And I like how they're being worn: nonchalantly rather than reverentially, with casual jeans, under blazers, tucked into skirts--pretty much thrown on. I especially dig these versions from Gucci (or this one), Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, and Kenzo. The primo price? Not so much, but given this t-shirt's endless wearability, it "could walk itself to the washing machine," affirms journalist/stylist Pandora Sykes, pictured immediately below.

With LA shrouded in rain and clouds for days on end, the sunny sight of a friend wearing this beautiful blush-hued coat was most welcome. "Chloe?" I asked. "Club Monaco," she said with a smile. I'd like to wear it, rain or shine!

$88, five story

Leather trim makes this basket bag year round chic.

1. Whistles sweater, $180, whistles.com
2. Saks Potts shearling jacket, $1027, matchesfashion.com
3. Seagrass basket bag, $88, fivestory.com
4. Golden Goose sneakers, $460, shopbop.com
5. Current/Elliott jeans, $210, netaporter.com

Some more good lace, this time in spring-perfect (or vacation-ready), shoulder-baring form. It's very Zimmermann-ish sans the hefty price!