LE CATCH

My kids went back to school today. Finally! As they came down for breakfast this morning in their uniforms--crisp blue button-downs and khakis--I wished that I too had a back-to-school uniform. One that would center around a white shirt, for it goes with just about everything, plus is easy to wear and transcendentally stylish. Since I don't need to abide by school rules, I can tweak this white shirt as often as I see fit, and this semester, I'm suiting up in versions that are anything but basic. They're uniform in that they all possess interesting, eye-catching details, such as flared sleeves, an asymmetric hemline, maybe even a ruffle or two. My A+ go-to's would be these by Tibi, Rosie Assoulin, Carven, Cos, Ellery, Alexis, Maiyet, Whistles, and Bailey 44. The blouse pictured above is by Moochi.

Photo: We The People

$108, boden

With Indian Summer conditions prevailing, I'd like to breeze around in these (Dries Van Noten-ish) blooms.

1. Boden floral top, $108, boden.com
2. Eddie Borgo bracelet, $325, shopbop.com
3. Nails Inc polish in Windsor Mews, $14, netaporter.com
4. 3.1 Phillip Lim bucket bag, $976, shopbop.com
5. J.Crew mules, $158, jcrew.com
6. 3.1 Phillip Lim pants, $350, netaporter.com

I have a custom of going out about once a month or so to a luxuriously long lunch with my girlfriends, the kind that calls for a glass of chardonnay, a relaxed but chic outfit (my dream sweater and accoutrements for the next gathering, above!), and lots of catch-up chitchat. At the last lunch, we celebrated a friend's birthday and we gave the birthday girl a gift certificate to a chic LA beauty apothecary. Delighted with the gift, she asked each of us to share our can't-live-without beauty products. It was genius move, because the list we created became our own take-away gifts. Which I will now share with you!

1. Charlotte Tilbury Bronzer Beach Stick in Moon Beach: A versatile lip-to-cheek color that effects an endless summer glow.

2. ReVive Skin Cream: Reportedly the be-all, end-all overnight moisturizer!

3. Beauty Counter Color Pinch Cream Blusher: Yields the most natural-looking, I woke-up-this-way gorgeous flush. And it's chemical free!

4. Eve Lom Honey 12 Radiance Perfected Tinted Moisturizer: My friend busted out this tinted moisturizer and her makeup brush at lunch and applied it to all of our faces, proving on the spot the incredible glow it renders!

5. Laura Mercier Warm Brunette Eyebrow Pencil: For flawless-looking eyebrows!

6. Tata Harper Brightening Serum: Contains arcane ingredients like Madonna Lily stem cells, Norwegian Kelp and Sea Fern extracts that work wonders (i.e., lighten existing dark spots).

7. YSL Top Secrets Eye Roll-on Pen: Table consensus has it that this eye-depuffer makes you like you've had 8 hours of sleep for nights on end. If only!

8. Dayle Breault Truthful Serum: My facialist Dayle Breault, who also works in NYC, has a line of organic skincare products that are true game-changers. (Cara Delavigne can attest!) My favorite is the Truthful Serum, which firms skin, reduces wrinkles and moisturizes.

9. Chanel Lip Gloss 204: A great everyday go-to gloss that gives your lips just the prettiest hint of color.

10. Rodin Luxury Face Oil: Like a wonder liquid--leaves skin radiant and dewy!

I'd been searching for the perfect pair of fall-worthy block sandals for weeks. My criteria: a manageable heel, a neutral, autumn-appropriate shade, and jeans-to-dresses wearability. Found! Madewell's suede shoe comes in a gorgeously rich burgundy (so fresh and different!), as well as black and beige. I recommend snapping them up before they sell out!

When I spotted these striking bracelets on a friend the other day I swooned and assumed that they were new Marni or Chloe splurges. Nope, they're actually by Mango and the set costs a mere $19. Double swoon!

If you're yearning for new fall bag, one that will instantly update your look, consider the top handle bag. Retro in appearance, ladylike in spirit, these compact bags often come with a longer strap, so you can sling it around your shoulder, or wear it cross-body messenger-style, freeing up your hands to do stuff (always a plus)! My new crop of favorites come from 3.1 Phillip Lim, M2Malletier (above), Chloe, Sole Society, Valentino, Asos, Zac Posen, Mark Cross, and Kenzo.

$44, mango

This sweatshirt will let me do the school run to the gym dash (and more!) in style.

1. Mango sweatshirt, $44, mango.com
2. Topshop scarf, $40, topshop.com
3. Elizabeth and James ring, $115, shopbop.com
4. Loewe bag, $2129, matchesfashion.com
5. Gucci sneakers, $525, netaporter.com
6. Topshop cargo pants, $68, topshop.com

As much as I wish it could be August 32, the reality is summer is over. There is a silver-lining though, and it goes by the name of fall shopping! Here are the key season pieces I am lusting after in no particular order: a gorgeous go-with-everything sweater that I can wear any day of the week without shame like this Isabel Marant or this J.O.A. Sweater weather also calls for a perfectly on-trend body-hugging ribbed turtleneck to layer under everything and a long tunic-like sweater to wear with pants and knee-length skirts. I love all these iterations by Topshop, AYR, Alexander Wang, Vince, Asos, H&M, and Zara. Also needed: at least one boho romantic dress, perhaps an Asos, or a Derek Lam and or a Gucci. A polished wrap skirt, similar to above, is also a must. Take this one or this one. Outerwear is outfit-making this season, so I don't mind spending a little more, especially if it looks like this, this or this. (P.S. I wouldn't mind having a less expensive back-up or two--Joe Fresh and Mango--to keep me warm.) Shoe-wise, I'll need backless Gucci loafers (or these or these) to look up to date, along with these kind of boots (or this pair or this pair). I'm sure I'll be adding to this list as the cold weather starts to blow in--and you can be sure I will share my updates!

For a recent Angeleno magazine photo shoot, my sister and I dressed up in fall's most wanted clothing, such as this Derek Lam suede skirt and top, above. The whole

Vogue's editors are making the back-to-work grind a little more glamorous with far from boring prints, as demonstrated by Chloe Malle, Elisabeth Von Thurn and Taxis and Selby Drummond, above. They all opt for bold graphic patterns and mixing them together--a strategy worth emulating, in my book! I'd like to slog it out in style with these pieces by Miu Miu (pictured above), Frame Denim, Warehouse, Tory Burch, Burberry, and Joie.

Photo: Elisabeth Von Thurn and Taxis