LE CATCH

Several days of record setting triple-digit temperatures has me wanting to wear as little as possible--while still looking stylish, of course! I could go the bikini route (see last post) but I don't think that would fly at school pick-up this afternoon. The solution: easy, breezy summer dresses. I wish I had these heat wave-proof babies in my closet right now: this cut-out linen Kate Spade Saturday this eyelet JOA, this asymmetrical Asos or this short black Asos (similar to above), this floral, flowy Zimmermann, this zippered shift Madewell, this lacy Isabel Marant (or this less expensive version), and this frayed denim halter re:named dress.

$141, madewell

This cute and sunny bikini is the antidote to LA's current blistering heat wave.

1. Janessa Leone straw hat, $164, forwardbyelysewalker.com
2. Gucci sunglasses, $295, shopbop.com
3. Lem Lem romper, $210, netaporter.com
4. Princess Tamtam bikini top and bottom, $141, madewell.com
5. Ancient Greek Sandals, $215, nordstrom.com

For me, the next best thing to being in London is my twin sister working in London. She's been across the pond for the last week or so shooting several fashion campaigns, interacting with the city's most in-the-know fashion editors and stylists and getting the scoop on all things hip. And she has been diligently phoning in this intel to me! For starters, she says, it's all about oversized jean jackets. The all-American topper effectively handles London's mercurial climate--and while doing so looks effortlessly-tomboy-cool. The oversized silhouette feels new and edgy, too--and would succeed just as well on U.S. soil. I'd pair one, such as this Joe's Jeans, this J.Crew (order up two sizes) or this Topshop with just about everything in my closet from a feminine, flowy dress to a casual romper. The other sartorial must-have: clean, minimalist sneakers. According to my sister, everyone's wearing them everywhere and with everything. The girls in London might have taken a cue from their counterparts on the Continent, namely the French and specifically Isabel Marant, whose pre-fall collection (see pics below) was shown with nothing but these Stan Smith men's sneakers (subtract two sizes from your US women's size to find the appropriate men's shoe). Moving on to the food scene, my sister could not stop raving about Chiltern Firehouse, a restaurant situated in a Victorian-Gothic fire station-cum-stunning-Andre Balazs hotel. While the inventive food--"crab doughnuts," for example--was off-the-charts-delicious, the people watching--Orlando Bloom, Ralph Lauren, Lauren Bush Lauren, etc.--was equally titillating. Last I heard from her, she was plotting her way back into Chiltern Firehouse for another meal.

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$175, monsoon

My (style) sweet tooth is craving this candy-colored sequined jacket right now.

1. J.Crew linen t-shirt, $27,* jcrew.com
2. Monsoon sequin jacket, $175, monsoon.co.uk
3. Alexander Wang duffel bag, $795, shopbop.com
4. Manolo Blahnik ankle strap sandals, $665, neimanmarcus.com
5. Frame Denim jeans, $200, netaporter.com

* Get this price--or 25% off--with the code SOGOOD

At a party the other night I bumped into a friend wearing the most insane pearl earrings. They had a medium-sized pearl stud in the front and a jumbo pearl in the back, so they looked edgy, tribal and elegant all at once (both coming and going!). See them, above, on New York-City based DJ Harley Viera-Newton. "They're Christian Dior," my friend said. "They come in different colors and I want them all!" Me too! The next day I did my due diligence. They start at $410. The store in Beverly Hills just got in a new shipment and has loads of colors to choose from: emerald green, sapphire blue, hot pink, black, etc. I searched for options online, and lo and behold, came across a Bauble Bar rendition (via The Hive) for $28. I kept these in the back of my mind while I trekked over the Dior boutique, where I tried them on in pearl, green, blue, etc. I loved them all, but I didn't LOVE them on me (that is for $410). So, I went with the Bauble Bar pair in blush and gold. Double score!

$320,* tibi

This fun, throw-on-and-go dress with skin-baring cut-outs is what summer's all about. (Plus, it's 25% off!)

1. Tibi stripe dress, $320,* tibi.com
2. Saint Laurent sunglasses, $310, shopbop.com
2. Sophie Anderson woven clutch, $305, netaporter.com
4. Butter nail polish in Jaffa, $15, nordstrom.com
5. Alexander Wang cross-toe sandals, $550, shopbop.com

*Get this price--or 25% off any purchase--with the code FRIENDS25 through Thursday, May 15. I am also coveting this eyelet dress, this poplin dress, and these metallic sandals.

My husband and I are planning a weekend getaway in the next few weeks and I am looking forward to it like nothing else. The chillaxing-together part, especially. Already, I've started thinking about what to pack: my new statement Mikoh bikini, my metallic J.Crew slides, some uncoventional (but always reaps compliments) day-to-night bling, this fun-dinner-out Self Portrait dress, this never-been-worn before Phillip Lim patchwork frock, along with the funny novel Where'd You Go, Bernadette? (a good poolside read according to one of my most erudite friends).Of course, I've also startedfantasizing about all the new summery goodness that could/should be my suitcase. So far the wish list includes multiple easy-breezy dresses such as this halter neck Free People, this pretty gauzey white one, this flowy Hatch maxi, this Isabel Marant mini, plus this J.Crew pompom tunic, which I can throw over a suit or wear with a pair of cropped jeans, this embroidered Antik Batik kaftan, these Tory Burch quilted sneakers to dash through the airport, and this woven Madewell tote bag.

$235, zappos

An everyday black leather sandal looks a whole lot more interesting (and nautical-French) when there's a braided red and white ankle strap deal in the mix. SO cute!

1. Band of Outsiders chambray shirt, $295, netaporter.com
2. Ray-Ban mirrored sunglasses, $155, piperlime.com
3. Topshop bag, $50, topshop.com
4. See by Chloe sandals, $235, zappos.com
5. Diane Von Furstenberg brocade shorts, $265, netaporter.com

I've been looking for ways to spice up my most reliable, basic summer outfit. Exhibit A, above, (thank you, Leandra): work a pair of fun, whimsical sandals, such as these by Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo, Aquazurra, Givenchy or Asos. (Leandra's shoes are past-season Christian Louboutins.)

Photo: Manrepeller

In honor of Mother's Day (and throwback Thursday), I thought I'd share this old Polaroid of my mother, twin sister and me, which was featured on The Hive earlier this week. I am on the left, in the orange top, and we are celebrating our 5th birthday. Considering the smile on my face, I don't seem to notice that my sister's cake is twice the size of mine. Which is why I love this picture. It captures the innocence of childhood, the joy of birthdays (and getting older--imagine that?!), and the unconditional love I felt from my mom (i.e., cake size doesn't matter). And besides chocolate is better than vanilla, right?!