LE CATCH

$195, shopbop

I have a friend who's always flawlessly dressed and whenever I see her I want to run home and change my outfit (and try again). Such was the case when I visited her last summer at her Sag Harbor home and her breezy tunic and eminently cool rope-accented shorts completely outshone my dress. Now, if I turn up at her house this summer sporting these lovelies, I am certain I will not want to run home and change.

1. Helmut Lang blouse, $220, netaporter.com
2. Sole Society straw hat, $34, solesociety.com
3. Saint Laurent cat eye sunglasses, $295, shopbop.com
4. Clare V leather clutch, $210, shopbop.com
5. Vince Cammuto metallic sandals, $68, nordstrom.com
6. Tory Burch embroidered shorts, $195, shopbop.com

Every summer needs a breezy, backless dress like this or (this or this), along with fresh new staples--i.e., a flattering bikini, a flowy blouse, gorgeous sandals. Today would be a good day to stock up on these warm weather essentials (along with year-round basics for that matter) as Shopbop is staging a site-wide 25% off sale through Thursday (use code INTHEFAMILY14). I'm eyeing this sunny little dress by Antik Batik and this ruffly one too, these fierce Aquazurra lace-up sandals, this picnic-ready Clare V. tote bag, this fun fringed Endless Rose mini and this sweet Patterson J. Kincaid floral print romper.

$198, the outnet

There's a lot going for this denim staple, primarily the frayed edging, faded wash and forever-good cut. Added bonus: it's 60% off.

1. J.Crew wool blend top, $130, netaporter.com
2. MiH Jeans denim jacket, $198, theoutnet.com
3. M Missoni canvas clutch, $146, shopbop.com**
4. Forever 21 fringed sandals, $19, forever21.com
5. J.Crew leather shorts, $450, jcrew.com

**Get this price and 25% off almost everything else at Shopbop now through Thursday during their Friends & Family Sale...get code here! I am doing a round up of my favorites from the sale now, so check back later to see the post!

As I danced like crazy with some great friends at an epic birthday bash on Saturday night, I felt in those minutes nothing but pure joy. And all that mattered was the next best song. I love those magical nights, when everything lines up: the company, the music, the setting, and of course, the festive outfit. I busted out a sexy summery Balenciaga dress that I last wore almost a year ago in Napa for an equally fun soiree. It's a dress that, I think, demands a whirl around on the dance floor, and I adore it for that reason. I'm always on the lookout for these dance-worthy dresses as they don't come along that often. And I think perhaps the more I have, the more boogie sessions in my future! Here's what I am currently coveting: this Tamara Mellon, this BB Dakota*, this Lover, this findersKEEPERS*, this T by Alexander Wang*, this Zimmermann, and this Solace London.

*Get these and almost everything else at Shopbop for 25% off now through Thursday during their Friends & Family Sale...get code here!

$198, french connection

Laid-back denim mixed with flirty cut-outs. Both right up my alley.

1. French Connection denim cut-out dress, $198, frenchconnection.com
2. Sacai lace bomber jacket, $1360, netaporter.com
3. Asos embroidered clutch, $52, asos.com
4. Manolo Blahnik sandals, $725, bergdorfgoodman.com

You may recall that my husband dislocated his shoulder a few weeks ago while surfing and, unfortunately, he will need surgery. And I'll be helping him tie his shoelaces (among other things!) until his arm is healthy again. In the meantime, I'm thinking about putting the spotlight on my own shoulders, thanks to spring's new crop of shoulder-baring dresses and tops. The look is outright sexy, and I love that it can be executed via a festive cocktail dress or an everyday sweater (see last pic) and even in between. Some current off-the-shoulder stunners include this Preen satin-crepe dress (pictured in the third image below), this versatile Blaque Label top, this Tbags blouse, this ruffled Isabel Marant maxi, this dramatic Rosie Assoulin cotton top, this vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress, and this Mes Demoiselles eyelet blouse.

$68, j.crew

Crochet transforms this tank top into something summer-special.

1. J.Crew crochet tank top, $68, jcrew.com
2. Frieda blazer, $599, matchesfashion.com
3. Isabel Marant cotton pants, $440, netaporter.com
4. Topshop quilted cross-body bag, $80, topshop.com
5. Daniel Wellington Exeter watch, $198, anthropologie.com
6. Steven buckle sandals, $129, shopbop.com

I've spent every night of the last week watching season one of Homeland and I am thoroughly hooked. I know, I know, I am egregiously late to the party, but fortunately I still have no idea what's going to happen to Brody, Carrie, and friends, (so no spoilers, please!). All I know is that I have many more nights of gripping plot twists ahead of me, and my viewing pleasure will be just as good as it was for those who've watched before me. Sometimes, I think, it doesn't hurt to be a little behind and to let other people do the quality control testing for you. For me, this is also the case with the shirtdress: a spring trend that's already all the rage, but one that I am late to sample. However, from what I see, I like! Clearly, a shirtdress is a breeze to wear, and I like the idea of enhancing it with feminine, elegant accessories (see Olivia Palermo in a past season BCBG dress in the last pic, below). Of course, I delved into a little market research and discovered a bevy of stellar options from Equipment, 10 Crosby Derek Lam, Splendid, Vince, Joseph, Theory and Emerson Fry (directly below).

$168, madewell

I love this fresh update on the denim jacket--and its boundless versatility.

1. Jay Ahr dress, $2265, netaporter.com
2. Madewell denim bomber jacket, $168, madewell.com
3. J.Crew floral clutch, $150, jcrew.com
4. Loeffler Randall scalloped sandal, $295, neimanmarcus.com

With many of my friends on spring break in places I wish I were (i.e., St. Barths, Hawaii, bobbing around in the Bahamas, etc.), I'm feeling a little deserted--and jealous! So I spent the morning licking my wounds and fantasizing about what I'd be wearing if I were frolicking in the deep tropics. For starters, I'd want the outrageously pretty Dolce Vita lace top, above, to throw over a sea-salted bikini. Then I'd have these caftans by Christophe Sauvat, Anna Kosturova, Issa de Mar, Mango, Jen's Pirate Booty, and PilyQ, at hand to wear should I be struck by the whim to peel myself off a chaise lounge and get a pina colada or go souvenir shopping. I'd definitely pack at least a few vibrant tunics like this Basta Surf or this Mango to pair with shorts or white jeans. Lastly, I'd love a serious beach bag such as this one from Charlotte Olympia and a striking hat like this Melissa Odabash wide-brimmed topper to shade me from the intense sunlight--and, of course, make a glam I'm-on-holiday statement!

Photo: Pinterest