LE CATCH

Relishing Milan's relatively balmy, near 60-degree temps, fashion show-goers busted out their pretty pastels this past week, trial-running their new spring finery. Lucky for us, Shopbop is staging a rare two-day site-wide (!) sale*, offering both an early taste of spring's key pieces, as well as all the evergreens (like designer bags, jeans and underpinnings). My comprehensive scout of the site this morning turned up more finds than I could possibly buy (though this always seems to be the case with me!), but I thought I'd share my edit. It includes this very fashion editor-worthy pale pink Alice & Olivia blouse, these sexy Alexander Wang lace-up sandals, these classic will-be-worn-to-death Alexandre Birman black t-straps, this Ostwald Helgason color-blocked skirt, this effortlessly chic jumpsuit, these sleek metallic Tibi gladiators, this exotically cute Antik Batik minaudiere, this pretty lace (throw-it-over-your-bikini) Dolce Vita lace dress, these incredibly flattering Paige boyfriend jeans (which I actually have and wear all the time and think it would not hurt to have another!), this T by Alexander Wang night-out dress, and this Helmut Lang bomber jacket.

*Spend $250, save 20%, spend $500, save $25% and spend $1000 and save 30%. Use code BIGEVENT14 at checkout!

Photo: Josefina Andres/Vogue Espana

$68, topshop

The rich tapestry like prints on the Fall 2014 runways (think Burberry, Dolce & Gabanna) have me lusting for this top right now.

1. Topshop scuba print top, $68, topshop.com
2. Henri Bendel pearl charm bracelet, $148, henribendel.com
3. Ballin clutch, $617, luisaviaroma.com
4. J.Crew cracked metallic heel, $250, jcrew.com
5. J.Crew pleated skirt, $130, netaporter.com

These pics make a strong case for the statement choker--and my having one, stat! Celine, of course, started this trend with its austere beaded gold collar last fall. Other designers, such as Eddie Borgo and Pamela Love jumped on the bandwagon. The one above, inspired by Chanel's Spring 2014 oversize pearl choker, can be found at your local Zara (not online yet). Love! I am also swooning over these eye-catchers from Jennifer Fisher (I like how the opening is in the front!), Jules Smith (simple and inexpensive), Anneliese Michelson (pictured directly below), Kenneth Jay Lane, and Topshop (or this one).

Photos: The Haute Pursuit, The Cut, Pinterest

$164, the outnet

This Diane Von Furstenberg sequin sweatshirt is an exquisitely easy way to dress things up a bit.

1. Diane Von Furstenberg sequin sweatshirt, $164, theoutnet.com
2. Blanca Monros Gomez ruby stud earrings, $198, shopbop.com
3. Kzeniya laser cut leather clutch, $640, luisaviaroma.com
4. Diane Von Furstenberg tortoise wedge sandals, $375, shopbop.com
5. Etro shorts, $450, netaporter.com

I bought a new iPhone the other day (finally!) and when it came time to decide on the protective cover, I became paralyzed with indecision. Go for basic black or neon rubber or something with punchy graphics? I ultimately chose the latter, because... why not? A bold yet little statement never hurts. From my perspective, the smallest details can make the biggest statements, and fashion show attendees in London and Milan are emphasizing this point, brandishing all kinds of offbeat, high-impact accessories, from over-the-top shoes to quirky bags to colorful fur stoles to Crayola-hued hats. Inspired by these snaps, I set off in search of playful, outfit-enhancing accessories and turned up this rabbit iPhone5 case (similar to above), this fluffy neon Asos scarf, this cute Alice + Olivia strawberry-inspired bag, this soon-to-be-iconic (and current fashion insider favorite) Fendi fur monster bag charm (similar to the one above and below), this pastel blue faux fur Asos stole, this graphic Kate Spade striped clutch, this blue Anthropologie fedora hat, this Topshop big chain link necklace, and this Kule striped fur scarf.

Photos: Vogue Espana, Grazia, Le 21-eme, Harper's Bazaar, Style

$180, river island

The flower-embellished neckline is totally in sync with all the whimsically offbeat accents seen in and around the fashion shows. More to come on that later!

1. Band of Outsiders silk sweatshirt, $425, netaporter.com
2. River Island embellished jacket, $180, riverisland.com
3. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania clutch, $114, asos.com
4. Nine West sandals, $109, ninewest.com
5. J.Crew Selvedge jeans, $188, jcrew.com

When it comes to beauty, I've long prided myself on being a minimalist. I have always tried to get away with as little makeup, lotions, etc. as possible, even though my bathroom cabinets (and random drawers and closets around the house) are filled with expensive, coveted beauty products thanks to my years as a Conde Nast editor. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all that stuff as much as the next girl, but something about slathering all sorts of stuff of unknown chemical origin on my body dampened my enthusiasm. But I confess as of late my minimalist ways are starting to feel more like neglect! In order to keep up my, ahem, appearance, I am finding it necessary to do more: more moisturizing, more exfoliating, more serums, more makeup, more taking care. Thankfully, a friend of mine recently launched an awesome line of chemical-free skin-care products and cosmetics called Beautycounter that caters to my purist ways--i.e., they're safe, straight-forward and effective. I am officially obsessed with Beautycounter's Lip Sheer in Coral to the point where--shocker!--I will apply it every morning even when I know it'll just be me interfacing with the computer all day long. It's a gloss that's thick enough for a subtle shine yet sheer enough to feel barely there, with just the prettiest hint of orange-y red. True perfection. I also love the Rosemary and Citrus Lustro Body Oil, an intensive moisturizer that instantly soothes my winter-dry skin and has worked a miracle or two (such as on the cracked hand variety when I was skiing in Colorado for a week earlier this year). I also reach for the facial hydrating creams day and night. Without getting too infomercial on you, I have to admit that now that I have to do "more" for myself, I am glad that I am doing it with products that are clean and 100% good for me.


P.S. My twin sister photographed Beautycounter's latest campaign, including the pic, above. Clearly, this is a family affair!

$250, shopbop

I'd love to watch the minutes tick by on this delicate watch/bracelet!

1. Equipment silk tunic, $230, netaporter.com
2. Etoile Isabel Marant cotton jacket, $600, matchesfashion.com
3. Iris & Ink leather pants, $595, theoutnet.com
4. MAC Tinted Lipglass in Russian Red, $15, nordstrom.com
5. Kate Spade pave stainless watch, $250, shopbop.com
6. Vetta pearl bracelet, $58, anthropologie.com
7. Charles David suede boots, $160, nordstrom.com

There was a time where my party dress acquisition process went something like this: (1) receive invitation, (2) eventually get around to shopping for said dress, (3) run out of time, (4) settle for something good enough but often not fantastic, and then (5) repeat. And, of course, the problem worsened after I had kids and my shopping time was in even scarcer supply. Eventually, I found my solution: I just resolved to buy fantastic party dresses as I came across them, regardless of whether I had an actual party on the immediate horizon. I must tell you--it works quite nicely. Thus, when I recently stumbled upon Self Portrait, a new UK-based nicely-priced line of dresses, I did not simply bookmark the site, I immediately bought not one frock, but two (!): the lace pleated one on the left and the red cut-out, above. This sweet success put me in the mood, and I've since found a few more festive options including this BCBG Max Azria, this Milly, this Jay Ahr, this Christopher Kane, and this Victoria Beckham. Now I just need some fun invites!

$78, madewell

This striped tunic is so me-on-holiday! (Wish I was actually on one.)

1. Madewell striped tunic, $78, madewell.com
2. Forever 21 mirrored sunglasses, $5, forever21.com
3. Topshop palm tree print pouch, $20, topshop.com
4. Tibi sandals, $295, shopbop.com
5. Colette by Colette Dinnigan lace shorts, $300, netaporter.com