LE CATCH

I've always despised reading instruction manuals. I would do anything to avoid them, relying instead on my intuition to assemble and/or make things work. I just didn't have the patience, and I usually found I could figure it out on my own, get my husband to do it, or just concede defeat: do I like having the GPS feature in my car--yes! Can I use it--nope! But in recent years, I have finally begun to succumb to the torture of the dreaded manual, mostly due to the invasion of my home by Lego, remote control helicopters and the like that absolutely positively required me to read a manual. And guess what--it's not that bad, as they actually make the process easier! Who knew?? Anyway, my warming up to this form of literature has had one massive side benefit: it has spilled over into following cookbook recipes, which has opened up a whole new world for me. All of a sudden, I am really into cooking! And what I am cooking actually tastes good! Newly inspired, I took a cooking class with some friends last week. One warned me to come to the class hungry because we'd be eating (and drinking lots of red wine) as we cooked. (It was a good thing I wore my new favorite Paige jeans, which are not only perfectly, comfortably stretchy, but as my friend commented, "They are truly skinny jeans--as in they make you look skinny." Even, I guess, when you are pigging out!) We made date chutney, leek cream cheese, cilantro pesto, chili carrots (my fave, pictured above, recipe below!), curried beet polenta, quinoa caviar and the best Angel Food Cake. At home, in the last few days, I've whipped up slow-cooked kale with pancetta and gluten-free bread crumbs, spicy black bean soup, sesame noodles, and creamy chicken quinoa and broccoli casserole. Tonight I will take on a vegan-friendly roasted cauliflower and caper situation with garlic aioli, a recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter. Hopefully, all this tasty food won't make all the well-fitting clothes in my closet obsolete!

Chili Carrots (recipe from Lulu Powers)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (you can also use coconut or canola oil)
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
A splash of Cholulua

In a large skillet cook garlic in oil over medium-heat for 30 seconds. Add carrots. Cook and stir for 6 minutes. Add 3 teaspoons of water. Cover. Cook 4 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper and a splash of hot sauce.

$110, topshop

When I wrote about the mule--A.K.A. spring's must-have shoe--in January, some of you predicted that Zara would come out with a good one. Turns out Topshop did--and it's perfection.

1. Burberry embellished sweater, $1595, netaporter.com
2. Topshop satin embroidered bomber jacket, $130, topshop.com
3. Warehouse scuba skirt, $57, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
4. Monki clutch, $33, asos.com
5. Sam Edelman bracelet, $50, piperlime.com
6. Topshop mules, $110, topshop.com

While pretty much everybody's eyeballs are still trained on last night's Oscar-glam turnout, I've refocused my attention on Paris, where even though the Fall 2014 collections are winding down, there's still plenty of glam on display, albeit of the streetwear rather than ballgown variety. Generally, it's the individual instant-getting-glamour touches that make these outfits work their magic. Some of these details are entirely unexpected, others more predictable, but it's these nuances--the special sauce, so to speak--that make all the difference! The most inspirational (i.e., doable) among them include: a bold-hued bag such as this red Rebecca Minkoff, this yellow mini Givenchy, or this lilac Annabel Ingall; a graphic skirt like this monochrome one by Whistles (similar to yet less pricey than the black and white Proenza Schouler skirt below) or this striped lovely by Halogen; a cascading coat (I like this grey one by Asos); a vintage-looking jean jacket layered underneath under an ultra sleek coat; an embellished pair of flats such as these by J.Crew or Manolo Blahnik; a dramatic cape like this Mango or this Lover + Friends; and, yes, even a pair of socks teamed with statement pumps (a trend that seems to be cresting right now!).

Photos: Collage Vintage, Garance Dore, Style, Harper's Bazaar, The Cut

$175, madewell

I bet many of those actresses who walked the red carpet last night wouldn't mind slipping into this cute schmatta today. I'd like to slip it over a swimsuit ASAP.

1. Madewell embroidered dress, $175, madewell.com
2. Le Specs mirrored sunglasses, $65, netaporter.com
3. J.Crew paisley bikini top, $52, jcrew.com; J.Crew bikini bottom, $44, jcrew.com
4. Loeffler Randall sandals, $195, piperlime.com

I finally did it! I chopped my hair a few weeks ago when I was in New York at the John Barrett Salon. Some of you might have already seen my new 'do on Instagram (my handle is marlienrentmeester), but if you haven't, here it is! In its last-Sunday-afternoon, no-blow-dry, no-product glory. Yes, I love it, and it's exactly what I asked for. Which was, to be specific, a haircut like Beyonce, but more real-girl-on-the-go than major-pop-star. Since John Barrett actually cuts Beyonce's hair, I was in the right hands, and he gave me a cut that I've always wanted but have never had: one that goes out of the shower straight to wherever I'm going without much, if any, primping (yes, my minimalist ways rearing its ugly head again!). In other words, the miracle cut! While I love the length, it's taken a bit of getting used to. For example, it feels weird to have the back of my neck not covered by hair. Even my children have had to adapt. When I first came home, my five-year-old son told me I looked funny and that I needed to get my old hair back immediately. My oldest childhood friend said I looked like Lady Edith from Downton Abbey... "but in a good way." (Is there a good way??) My husband grew a kooky mustache in retaliation. Nonetheless, I adore it. With less hair, showers seem to be shorter and drying takes so much less time. I also look different, which is kind of fun. And I am enjoying how I can choose between wearing my hair up or down with various outfits (you know how much I appreciate options!). Let's just see how long I will go without reverting back to always pulling my hair up and back!

Photo: Coliena Rentmeester

$98, shopbop

The unexpected combo of pearls and spikes makes for a distinctly cool everyday earring.

1. Stella McCartney dress, $1247, matchesfashion.com
2. Fallon spiked earrings, $98, shopbop.com
3. Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Lost Cherry, $45, nordstrom.com
4. Asos pony hair leather clutch, $56, asos.com
5. Steve Madden calf hair flats, $99, nordstrom.com

Another week, another Italian girl crush. Mamma Mia! However, I do think you'll agree with me that Giorgia Tordini's style is pretty compelling. The Milan-based fashion designer embraces clean, classic, almost all black silhouettes, simple gold jewelry, and statement shoes (these pics prove her penchant for white heels). She believes every woman should own a Chanel bag, a pair of leather pants and an Alaia dress. You'll never catch her wearing anything but red nail polish and the only designer who could make her wear prints is Dries Van Noten. Inspired by her Euro-refined, pared-down style approach, I hunted down some of her bellissimo hallmarks (most of which transcend trends) to integrate into my own repertoire, including a structured top handle bag such as this Dolce & Gabbana or this Proenza Schouler (similar to above), a streamlined wear-with-everything black Sophie Hulme clutch, a tuxedo blazer like this one by Alice + Olivia, killer white pumps, a pair of loose-fitting leather pants, eternally stylish cropped black trousers like these by Jenni Kayne, and a classic pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

Photos: Le 21-eme, Collage Vintage, Pinterest

$175, tory burch

This straw fringed bag is so spring break-bound. Of course, I'd use it all summer long too!

1. Cool Change floral top, $306, matchesfashion.com
2. Spektre mirrored sunglasses, $140, matchesfashion.com
3. Anthropologie cuff, $48, anthropologie.com
4. Tory Burch raffia clutch, $175, toryburch.com
5. Isabel Marant leather sandals, $510, matchesfashion.com
6. Paige jeans, $199, netaporter.com

$198, j.crew

Over the years my closet has turned into a lending library to close friends, who borrow clothes for various events. After suiting them up, I always find myself saying to them, "Now all you need is a good barely-there metallic heel and you're done." This is exactly the kind of shoe I'm talking about! P.S. I'd also seriously consider buying it in gold, too. It's just that forever good.

$198, club monaco

This jumpsuit is, to quote my five-year-old son, "easy peasy." And seriously cute too!

1. Club Monaco silk polka dot jumper, $198, clubmonaco.com
2. Mango linen boyfriend blazer, $99, mango.com
3. Pierre Hardy bag, $750, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Carrera by Jimmy Choo sunglasses, $199, shopbop.com
5. Sophia Webster sandals, $595, netaporter.com