LE CATCH

Don't ask me how a cultural tour of Los Angeles with my visiting college-aged niece this past weekend ended up at Topshop in The Grove. But it did--and, thrillingly, it enriched with us with a newfound appreciation for artful, embroidered denim! We discovered a trove of it, all inspired by Gucci's pre-fall 2016 collection (above, another cool pair here). Topshop's embroidered jeans are whimsically cool, featuring both flowers (now mine) and birds (scooped up by my sister), plus they're delightfully affordable. I also adore this white floral pair and this sequined style. I foresee many more spin-offs down the road, but I like the idea of wearing them now before they saturate the streets!

Over the last few months, my weekends have been filled to the gills with kids' soccer, lacrosse, and baseball games (sometimes up until 8.30PM!), which hasn't exactly brought out my Sunday best. But this summer is going to be another story: I'll be off the sidelines, partaking in festive barbecues, beach excursions, and several getaways. However, all this glorious weekending will require a few stylish, comfortable clothes. Emphasis on few! I've boiled down my new summer weekend wardrobe to just five of-the-moment, outfit-updating pieces. Let's begin with a shoulder-baring top. I know: I've been bludgeoning you over the head with this kind of top, but (a) I am a big fan, (b) it's sexy, fun, versatile, and season-defining, and (c) it's easy to wear! My current faves include The Reformation, re:named and Chelsea 28. Another warm weather requisite: the white dress. This season, it needs to be short and snappy, heel and flat-friendly, like these by Theory, Club Monaco, and Zara. Next: an anything but average t-shirt. It should have extra flair, a cool detail or two like this Whistle's tie-trimmed tank top or this ruffle-sleeved J.Crew. Also: a denim mini. This doesn't mean I won't use and abuse my denim cut-offs, but a jean skirt is new and fresh and exceedingly more chic. Check out these by Pixie Market (similar to above), Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Draper James and Mango. Lastly, a pair of easy cropped, wide-leg pants (that I could potentially dress up on Saturday nights with a pair of block heels) is a must. Stellar examples include these by Solid and Striped, Madewell and Staud. Fri-yay, here I come!

Photo: They All Hate Us

I never really understood jewelry's outfit-making power until I started working on Lucky photo shoots with founding Creative Director Andrea Linett. In short, she is a lifelong jewelry junkie, who sincerely hopes she'll grow more fingers to brandish more rings! Her obsession (and sharp, discerning eye) has yielded a far-reaching personal collection that spans from Native American bangles to Sydney Evan's cheeky pave pendants--and an enviable ability to mix it all. Recently, she parlayed her passion into Iconery, a jewelry site featuring a masterful mix of fine (and not crazy expensive!) jewelry, including the everyday, don't-ever-need-to-take-them-off pieces that are my go-to's. Take for instance, the cutest mix-and-match mini studs, above. Andrea asked me to pick out all of my faves, which I gladly did and you should check out here.

There was a bench just outside the Body By Simone pop-up Brentwood studio, where everyone parked their bag before working out. Picture Celine after Louis Vuitton after Saint Laurent, etc. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted among the recognizable mix the most elegant, simple, never-been-seen-before bucket bag. Hermes, I wondered? I decided to linger after class to see who it belonged to, but somehow I missed whoever grabbed it. Fast forward to yesterday, when I came across the above picture of Alexa Chung on Pinterest. The bag! In all its minimalist glory. And then coincidentally more pics flowed into my feed, with others toting it (below). Evidently, not only is it "the" bag for me, but now it's "the" bag to have. Perhaps best of all, it's a quarter of the price of a Celine. You can find it here in various compelling colors.

$70, pixie market

This summer dress instantly had me with its lace-up shoulders and sharp pinstripes. (It also looks a lot like this highly coveted Thakoon dress!)

1. Pixie Market pinstripe lace-shoulder dress, $70, pixiemarket.com
2. IAM by Illeana Makri hoops, $305, netaporter.com
3. Anya Hindmarch basket clutch, $473, matchesfashion.com
4. Schutz block heels, $160, shopbop.com

Espadrilles are going to be everywhere (again!) this summer, and the ones that look a little different from years past are my favorites. Take for example, the sexy, gladiator-inspired Asos sandals, above. Or this wrap-around leather Chloe. Other cool new options: this elegant, pointy-toed Paul Andrew, this slide-like H&M, this platform Steve Madden, this sneaker-spirited Alexander Wang, and this frayed New Look. (In case you're wondering, those stylish army green chinos, above, can be found here.)

Photo: The Frugality

I am probably the rare person among us to own just a single pair of denim shorts. They've served me very well for years (and years), and I am loyal to them for their longevity, versatility and sheer ease. That being said, I'm now thinking it wouldn't hurt to have another pair this summer, a fresh alternative, one that's in line with this season's look: slightly distressed, high(er)-waisted, frayed edges and faded blue. I am eyeing these soon-to-be-staples by Levi's, Frame Denim, J.O.A., Hudson, and L'Agence.

$109, pixie market

I'd blow off summer steam in this chic, lightweight top!

1. Pixie Market top, $109, pixiemarket.com
2. Topshop sunglasses, $25, nordstrom.com
3. Givenchy bracelet, $660, netaporter.com
4. Milly raffia bucket bag, $325, shopbop.com
5. Boden flats, $138, boden.com
6. Frame Denim jeans, $240, netaporter.com

My Mother's Day is going to be fun and mom-filled, as I'll be celebrating with my mother, twin sister (who has children the same age as mine) and mother-in-law. Lucky me! Honestly, I feel blessed to have these incredibly giving, loving, and caring women in my life. And I feel grateful to mothers like my friend Clare Vivier who work to help others in need. She designed this cute tote bag to support Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization that raises funds to support maternal health programs around the world and aims to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother. The bag's message says it all!

With summer on the (not too distant!) horizon, some additional vacation style inspo seems in order. London-based fashion journalist and stylist Pandora Sykes is currently offering up fantastic eye candy from Nicaragua, exhibiting her proclivity for bold, punchy colors, kicky prints, and relaxed silhouettes. Pandora favors vivid dress-like caftans (like this, this, this and this) and rompers (hers is by Asos below) that seamlessly travel from the beach to sightseeing expeditions. Her getaway footwear smartly spans from the statement kind (i.e., the Altuzzara espadrilles, below, and the Ancient Greek Sandals, above) to the laid-back simple (Asos sandals in last pic). Her bikinis are also distinctly chic. I adore both her retro-spirited Tory Burch bandeau suit (immediately below) and glamorous Missoni (second to last pic). Ready to pack your bags?!

Photos: Pandora Sykes