LE CATCH

I recently discovered Eleonora Carisi's blog, Jou Jou Villeroy, where her amazing pictures illuminate her sense of style (whimsically Italian), her lifestyle (fun! parties! traveling!), where she likes to eat in Milan (Trattoria Bagutta), her favorite nail polishes (Essie Snap Happy), etc. For me, the way she layers her clothes and puts together dramatic prints, offbeat accessories and punchy hues is especially inspiring. Her most recent looks, including the one above and below, have made me want to run out and buy things I'd never considered before, such as a hot pink satin mini skirt and an over-the-top pair of statement sunglasses. Other signature elements that could nudge me into cool Eleonora-chic territory: a bright red bag, such as this Opening Ceremony tote, and a playful graphic t-shirt. Tanti baci!

Photos: Jou Jou Villeroy

$190, topshop

While buying a hostess gift for a friend at Neiman Marcus last week, I spent an inordinate amount of time ogling the designer handbags, from Celine to Tom Ford to Saint Laurent, marveling first at their iconic details and then the price tags. As my kindergartner would say: W....O....W. This leather and suede tote may not be glass vitrine-worthy but there's no denying its fetching characteristics, from its (Tom Ford-ish) over sized zippers to its basic-black goodness. Plus, there's something invaluably cool about its stealth factor--i.e, you don't know its price tag upon sight or just where it came from. And there's no touching that!

1. Madewell blouse, $108, madewell.com

2. MSGM Aztec embroidered biker jacket, $591, matchesfashion.com

3. Topshop leather and suede tote bag, $190, topshop.com

4. Ann Taylor bracelet, $39, anntaylor.com

5. J.Crew ankle-strap pumps, $275, jcrew.com

6. Citizens of Humanity jeans, $242, netaporter.com

So, you remember how I told the story of the Asos floral coat last week? Well, it actually ends here. Which is to say that I bought this coat instead. Let me explain: This paneled swing coat is everything I want in a spring coat: it's light weight, making it an ideal layering piece and everyday-wearable. Plus, it's a sharp stand-in for a statement blazer. It also happens to channel Proenza Schouler (in fact, I got stopped twice at Barneys by people asking if it was Proenza!). Lastly, I simply couldn't resist it. The End...except I do still love that floral print coat.

$39, mango

Having spent an adventurous weekend with friends in the Santa Barbara foothills--where I went running in mountain lion country (gets the heart rate up!), hiked up to a mountain-top perch that my six-year-old called "heaven," and came face to face with wild boar and bobcats--I am now back home... and re-connecting with my girly side, falling for this ruffle-trimmed blouse. It is very much in lockstep with spring's frilly looks from Balenciaga, Gucci, Givenchy. I'd give this ruffle top a whirl in the cement jungle with...

1. Mango top, $39, mango.com
2. Henri Bendel rose gold hoops, $78, henribendel.com
3. Sophia Webster clutch, $950, netaporter.com
5. Chloe trousers, $650, mytheresa.com
4. Jean-Michel Cazabat sandals, $245, shopbop.com

Herewith, three smashing totes from Old Navy that you can throw everything in, throw around, and be thoroughly psyched about, given the $24 price tag. I'm personally leaning toward the classic cream and caramel combo.

$385, tibi

People seem to like my tops and sometimes ask me what my special secret is for picking them. The answer is...I'm not sure I have one, but I do look for tops that make an impact (i.e., have eye-catching details) but are still adaptable (i.e., easy to wear with everything). This Tibi top, with its striking laser-cut sleeves, makes the cut, as it works equally well with evening-ready trousers as well as jeans (and even denim cutoffs). Oh, and it also comes in forever-chic black. Check out how this guy takes everything else up a notch:

1. Tibi laser-cut sleeve top, $385, tibi.com
2. Madewell sunglasses, $55, shopbop.com
3. Topshop stud earrings, $15, topshop.com
4. C.Wonder spiked bracelet, $38, cwonder.com
5. Asos clutch with removable front pocket, $47, asos.com
6. See by Chloe sandals, $320, piperlime.gap.com
7. MiH jeans, $175, netaporter.com

Although we're springing forward this weekend (daylight savings begins on Sunday!), it's still feeling mighty wintry out there. Consider taking inspiration from these fashion show go-ers, who all employ a heat-trapping, compulsivelytouchable, highly glamorous colored fur stole. (Don't throw eggs at me, PETA!). Whether the fur is real or not, it is a highly persuasive statement--and clearly, super photogenic. Check out these real and faux options from Sherry Cassin (available in an array of hues, and affordable, to boot!), New York & Co, and Trilogy.

Photos: Lee Oliveira, Gastrochic, Harper's Bazaar

$295, cusp

If you are in the market for an everyday bag in a non-primary color, I say go for one that boasts an array of shades, from bright to wear-with-everything neutral. This color-blocked tote (on sale!) might just be the very thing to shake up that day-to-day running-around-doing-a-million-things uniform. Some proof below:

1. J.Crew sweater, $85, jcrew.com
2. Tibi vintage wash boxy jacket, $375, shopbop.com
3. Michael Kors wrap-around watch, $160, cusp.com
4. Liebeskind tote bag, $295, cusp.com
5. Converse canvas sneakers, $50, netaporter.com
6. Diane Von Furstenberg cropped trousers, $340, matchesfashion.com

The story behind this floral-print coat starts with my ogling it on the Asos website a few months ago. I loved the pop of the pastel blooms and fantasized about the fresh, spring-y zest it would inject into a basic outfit. Weeks later, I spotted someone wearing this coat at a conference, and it looked just as excellent as I had imagined it: cool and statement-making but not overly so. Today it showed up in my Pinterest feed, modeled by Anna dello Russo's assistant. Perhaps it's a sign that it's time to pull the trigger and make it mine?

$130, topshop

Winter's leopard print coat mania seamlessly flows into this spring-perfect, rain-worthy parka. (I also love the look of this one here.) Bring on the elements in this...

1. Christopher Kane mohair sweater, $855, netaporter.com
2. Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses, $295, shopbop.com
3. Topshop leopard print parka, $130, topshop.com
4. Lancome Vernis Love, Rouge Relisse nail polish, $15, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Tasha leather wrap bracelet, $38, nordstrom.com
6. Want Les Essentials de la Vie tote, $175, forwardbyelysewalker.com
7. Valentino stud slingback pumps, $995, saksfifthavenue.com
8. MiH cropped jeans, $175, netaporter.com