LE CATCH

My sister called me recently, raving about a new friend she had made. They had dinner together at Cecconi's in LA, after being introduced by a mutual friend. "She's blonde and beautiful," my sister described. "She's French, super smart---and she was wearing these amazing open-toe boots." Fast forward a few days later to me at my desk procrastinating and Pinteresting. I come across the picture, above. More open-toe-boot chicness! I took this as a sign to hunt down my own pair. And I scored in these Louise et Cie open-toe booties. They're perfection. They hit just below the ankle, which mitigates the leg-shortening effect that can go along with these types of shoes. They also go with short skirts, midi skirts, cropped pants, and, of course, dresses. Plus, the heel is low enough for logging laps around the city and the side cut-outs make them hot-weather breathable and sexy. I think these boots were meant to be!

Photo: Pinterest

$228, henri bendel

A girls dinner out at Nobu in Malibu last night involved major rubber-necking (Michelle Pfeiffer, Kelly Rowland, Balthazar Getty, The Murdoch Family, and an Olsen) and multiple platters of sushi and sashimi. This glamorous all-in-one wallet, bag and clutch would have fit into the scene perfectly.

1. Helmut Lang jumpsuit, $295, netaporter.com
2. J.Crew earrings, $118, jcrew.com
3. Henri Bendel bag, $228, henribendel.com
4. Derek Lam sandals, $225, forwardbyelysewalker.com

A magazine journalist recently interviewed me and asked me to describe my daily go-to look and I was stumped. The truth is I don't have one, but I do have a dozen or so pieces that are in constant rotation (and, as you know, often updated!). And I do have a daily mandate, which is to look pulled-together (even when I am just sitting at my computer all day long) and feel comfortable. The clothes I turn to on a daily basis include a striped t-shirt (which, the mother-of-three model, above, beautifully elevates with a jumble of long silver chain necklaces and a polished cropped jacket); a black cashmere sweater; utilitarian but chic flats* (which are 30% off); sleek black pumps; low-heeled ankle boots or sandals* (depending on the weather and my agenda); jeans (cropped*, slimming boyfriend, and skinny); an army jacket (I love this new parka-meets-blazer from Warehouse); a well-made, perfectly-cut t-shirt in grey and white; a polished sweatshirt; and a go-with-everything blazer and statement jacket. Also, below are some other inspirational throw-on-go outfits that are as stylish as they are easy!

shoes, Modern Vice; jacket, Theyskens for Theory (similar one here)

similar shoes, Gianvito Rossi; similar blazer, Rag & Bone

similar boyfriend blouse, J.Crew

* These items are all 30% off at Shopbop!

Photo: Vogue, Amlul, Pinterest, Columbine

$108, luisaviaroma

Just the sight of this summer-perfect clutch puts me in the mood for a festive evening out. (P.S. It's 50% off, along with a bevy of insane designer desirables at Luisaviaroma.)

1. Marni crepe top, $730, netaporter.com
2. Erickson Beamon cuff, $408, charmandchain.com
3. Shashi crystal-studded rose gold ring, $65, shopbop.com
4. Antik Batik rope and thread clutch (50% off), $108, luisaviaroma.com
5. J.Crew ankle strap pumps, $278, jcrew.com
6. Skye pants, $320, matchesfashion.com

I rarely write about beauty products on LE CATCH because I don't often wear makeup, and when I do, it's pretty minimal. In other words, I am no expert. However, I do frequently attend photo shoots, where I'm exposed to the latest and greatest in cosmetics--i.e., new lipstick hues, nail polish colors, etc. My latest source of beauty intel, however, comes from my fashion photographer identical twin sister, who essentially lives on photo shoots. She works with many of the top makeup artists, who are always giving her personalized styling tips, and since we (obviously) have the same skin tones, they work for me as well! Recently, one of these master face-painters recommended what could be the greatest find of all time in my book--most definitely the most important part of my pared-down routine: RMS Beauty Un Coverup. And to say it works like magic is not an exaggeration. This concealer (in shade 44 for me) not only effectively conceals my under eye circles (thanks in part to my children who insist on waking me up at the crack of dawn every morning to ask if they can wake up!), but can be used as a foundation (i.e., to cover up the other splotchy bits you don't want the rest of the world seeing.) It is lightweight, melts like butter into your skin and self-adjusts to your skin tone, so it seriously looks like you're not wearing any makeup at all. For me it's the holy grail of great, glow-inducing makeup. As for the other essentials in my makeup bag: I use this Chanel eye pencil to fill in my brows, this Stila smudge pot in black to line my eyelids, this Christian Dior Diorshow mascara to lengthen and lushify my lashes, and these Nars lip pencils in Mexican Rose or Dragon Girl for the perfect amount of pop.

Photo: Wit & Delight

$165, the outnet

This leather trimmed short sleeved J. Brand jacket is going to facilitate those transitional late summer to early fall days of what-do-I-wear dressing. (You may recall my fondness for these stylish problem-solving pieces last spring.) Bridge the cool/warm gap like this...

1. DKNY leopard print sweater, $295, netaporter.com
2. J. Brand leather-trimmed jacket, $165, theoutnet.com
3. Lauren Merkin saddle bag, $375, shopbop.com
4. J.Crew ballet flats, $125, jcrew.com
5. Current/Elliot cropped jeans, $218, netaporter.com

At last the wait is over. H&M is now shoppable online in America. Finally! The site will serve up more styles than any single store has, with a plethora of sizes and colors, to boot. And, yes, the Isabel Marant capsule line will be sold on the USA platform as well, come November 14. My favorite steals on tap right now include this $59 coat with quilted faux leather sleeves (above), this $79 sleek grey wool coat, and this $49 embellished sweater.

$298, club monaco

At dinner the other night, a friend of mine, who works at one of Wall Street's preeminent investment banks, lamented that her required daily "corporate uniform" (mostly pants, simple silk blouses, and closed-toe shoes) left little room for stylish expression. Well, my friend, here's a pair of classic black pumps whose edgy furry texture say "rebel", but ever so softly, of course. And they work after hours, too, like this!

1. Thakoon sateen dress, $1650, netaporter.com
2. Elizabeth Cole cuff bracelet, $153, shopbop.com
3. Lulu Guinness clutch, $93, asos.com
4. Club Monaco calf hair heels, $298, clubmonaco.com

I recently wrote a story for Refinery 29 about my ongoing obsession with printed pants (the ones I'm wearing above are by Tory Burch). And while I may look relaxed in the story's accompanying photo, above, I am secretly squirming inside with embarrassment. Which may explain why you don't see too many photos of me on this blog! And why I've considered commissioning my four-year-old son to illustrate some portraits of me instead. The one below is his most recent take. He drew it at beach camp earlier this week. I asked about the circles on my boxy torso. He answered matter of factly that they were "your boobs." He then realized that he forgot to draw my arms and laughed! While I do have arms, I really don't have much in the boob department, but he is a "guy," which I presume explains his focus!

Photo: Jessie Webster

$68, warehouse

I see this army green wrap skirt as the cooler, edgier, more feminine cousin of the cargo pant. But it's just as utilitarian and will go with everything from flat sandals to heeled ankle boots. I'd work it like this...

1. Theory lace sweater, $245, netaporter.com
2. Henri Bendel snake ring, $68, henribendel.com
3. Rebecca Minkoff bag, $195, zappos.com
4. Pour La Victoire ankle boots, $369, shopbop.com
5. Warehouse wrap skirt, $68, warehouse.andotherbrands.com