LE CATCH

$217, asos

This is my version of Coachella chic. I'd also like to throw it over a bathing suit and call it a day!

1. French Connection tassel top, $217, asos.com
2. Illesteva sunglasses, $290, neimanmarcus.com
3. Mar y Sol tote bag, $125, nordstrom.com
4. K. Jacques sandals, $255, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Madewell shorts, $64, madewell.com

I just snapped up this asymmetrical Zara dress and am looking forward to its myriad repeat performances with weekend-casual sandals, work-appropriate heels and evening out shoes.

$398, french connection

I'd like to weather mercurial spring in this sleek suede shift.

1. French Connection suede dress, $398, frenchconnection.com
2. Balmain bone and rose gold bracelet, $2390, netaporter.com
3. Nars Nude Scene lipstick, $27, nordstrom.com
4. Givenchy clutch, $375, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Aquazurra booties, $850, shopbop.com

All those perfectly old and worn-in-looking t-shirts I've been collecting over the years are being put away this spring for perfectlybrand-new-looking t-shirts (see above)! I'm talking: tees that look crisp, sophisticated and elegant (not distressed). Ones that go with both fancy statement skirts and everyday jeans. Ones that fit like a glove (note the close-to-the-neck collar) and are almost preposterously comfortable. Sound hard to find? On the contrary. I discovered these holy t-shirt grails from Crippen, Frame Denim, Adam Lippes, Lady & The Sailor and Toteme.

Photo: Zimbio

$101*, shopbop

I love this dressed-up take on the gladiator sandal. The chunky heel and neutral hue make it incredibly wearable, too!

1. Iro dress, $560, netaporter.com
2. Illestevia mirrored sunglasses, $175, jcrew.com
3. Alexis Bittar cuff bracelet, $175, shopbop
4. Oliveve cross-body bag, $315, shopbop.com
5. Joe's Jeans sandals, $101*, shopbop.com

*Get this price or 25% off with the code here

Thanks to my recent trips to tropical climes, I've reacquainted myself with summery clothing, and the ones I'm liking best go everywhere without breaking a sweat. I'm talking plane-to-train-to-automobile tops, breathable trousers, day-to-night shorts, sandals that work with beach tunics and cocktail dresses. These are the season's most versatile and reliable pieces, and it happens that loads of them are 25% off today (along with pretty much everything else through April 9!) at Shopbop courtesy of their Friends & Family Sale--get code here! Seriously, people, this is the time to stock up on all things sunny and 80-degrees! Here's what I'm loving: these party-ready lace-up Aquazurra heels, this knockout Mara Hoffman maxi dress, these cute L'Agence denim shorts, this work-to-weekend Splendid lace-up blouse, this breezy lace Madewell top (similar to above), this chic canvas Hershel Supply weekend bag, these metallic gladiator sandals, and this sexy PilyQ halter bikini.

This is the time of year when my army jacket gets a lot play, because it's just-right lightweight and seems to go over everything and anywhere. A friend of mine recently took advantage of these special qualities, wearing hers on a flight down to Tulum, where she then proceeded to layer it over filmy dresses at night. I love how stylist Natasha Goldenberg makes this spring staple look fresh-as-ever with a belt. Some compelling versions (that look spot-on vintage-y like Natasha's) include these by Sundry, Current Elliott, River Island, Anine Bing, NLST, and The Great.

Photo: Natasha Goldenberg

$78, asos

I have a similar looking exotic-meets-elegant metal clutch that I bought many moons ago, and I'm telling you, it still hasn't gotten old. I wear it all the time. This one is even more gorgeous than mine!

1. Warehouse suede dress, $196, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
2. Noir Jewelry earrings, $35, shopbop.com
3. Ilia Lip Gloss in Peekaboo, $24, netaporter.com
4. Asos metal clutch, $78, asos.com
5. Prada metallic leather sandals, $750, bergdorfgoodman.com

St. Barths has long been on my bucket list for several reasons: it's a place where lounging on the beach, swimming in the turquoise ocean, drinking rosé at lunch, eating dinner late, shopping, and dancing on tables are pretty much everyday routine--and all up my alley! It's also a trop chic playground, where things happen a little slower, the food tastes a lot better and life feels carefree. A few weeks ago, my husband and I spent some time with some frequent-St. Barths-visitor friends on this French-speaking 9.7 square-mile isle for some bon temps. We all stayed at Le Sereno, a tranquil, minimalist-chic resort designed by Christian Liaigre, situated on the beach, above. The hotel has a mellow, intimate vibe, as if you're staying at a friend's perfectly-appointed, elegantly laid-back estate. This works for me.

Le Sereno's entrance, above, featured some seriously chic symmetry. I especially love the lipstick red doors.

Open-air lobbies are usually a sign that you have deplaned in the right latitude.

A quick trip to our room yielded outfit change No.1! St. Barths' dress code centers around a striking bathing suit and a head-turning cover-up--my favorite kind of outfit! Here, I'm wearing a past-season dress by Thakoon, Chanel sandals, a Lisa Marie Fernandez bathing suit and an H&M hat. If only I had these standout cover-ups by Loup Charmant, Tory Burch and Melissa Obadash in my suitcase!

And here is the above-mentioned room. It was airy and serene--well suited for our early morning idleness and late afternoon naps.

I easily tore through my book on our balcony's well-positioned chaise lounges. On windier days, kite-surfers reign on this bay, known as the Grand Cul-de-Sac.

Breakfast was my favorite meal of the day, mostly because of where it was served: in an open-air, thatched-roof dining room, steps from the sea. I also think the perfectly crusty croissants may have had something to do with it!

Lunch at Nikki Beach, the island's most famous club-like seaside restaurant, kicked off with a ginormous magnum of rosé wine. In fact, the bottle was so big and heavy, the waiter had to rest it on his shoulder to pour the wine into our glasses. As you might expect, our lively lunch was capped off with dancing on the tables. It turns out at least some of us must dance pretty well, as one of my (male) friends was asked more than once if he was a paid dancer.

To cool off, I proceeded to take a glorious dip in the ocean. My bikini is by Kiinis. It's super awesome--girls kept stopping me to find out what it was.

Rosé in the afternoon can be hard work--and requires rest. I will never get tired of this view though.

One day we chartered a boat to circumnavigate the island and snorkel. We anchored near the former Rockefeller House, just off Colombier Beach. The triangular structure in the distance is the estate's guesthouse studio, designed by Nelson Aldrich. I am just about to jump in to swim with the technicolor fish.

After another sumptuous lunch, I shopped at Poupette, by far the island's best boutique, and bought the crochet dress, above.

As the sun set, we would gather for drinks and/or dinner each night at the hotel bar, above, before heading into the night. There are all sorts of dining options on the island, some low key and some that end up with your drinking several cocktails called "Don't Feed the Models," outfit changing into a Laker cheerleader uniform, and then, yes, dancing on tables. No pictures of that shall appear on this website, however.

I actually took this photo on the flight in, but I think it works well as a parting shot, too. St. Barths is awesome. Go there!

While lately I've been all about wide leg jeans (this pair in particular), relishing their virtues (long, lean silhouette! vintage-y detailing but right now looking!), I haven't completely given up on straight-cut jeans, and if I had my druthers, I'd have this Point Sur pair in my denim arsenal. That's because they possess the same qualities I love about wide leg jeans: a flattering high waist, standout pockets and buttons, and an everyday-cool sensibility. LOVE!