LE CATCH

$300, reiss

A tech conference is not the most likely place to find fashion inspiration. But there I was in San Francisco last week, doing the rounds, when I spotted a woman, wearing a beautifully modern shift dress, just like this. She looked polished, yet comfortable, but here's the most genius thing: in the morning, she was wearing the dress with stilettos, but, later, as the day wore on, I spied her in cute ballerina flats. And she still looked impeccable. This dress, rendered in next season's sherbet hue (also available in forever-chic black), fits the conference-to-cocktail party bill and then some...

1. Reiss shift dress, $300, reiss.com
2. Maison Martin Margiela ring set, $380, forwardbyelysewalker.com
3. Loft clutch, $29, loft.com
4. Sophia Webster strappy sandals, $490, netaporter.com

J.Crew featured me on its blog today! Very exciting. The Q&A highlights my Malibu-getaway essentials that include, of course, my kids, their friends, loads of surfboards, and a golf cart for hauling everyone and everything down to the beach. You can also check out my current beach-friendly J.Crew favorites here.

$228, french connection

Simply looking at this clutch makes me feel more bohemian chic. It's exactly what I'd take to the tropics (imagine with a long, flowy sundress like this!), but I don't know that I could save it just for those too-infrequent trips. Fortunately, it also works quite nicely like this...

1. Topshop white tank, $56, topshop.com
2. French Connection white jacket, $198, frenchconnection.com
3. Assad Mounser cuff, $293, charmandchain.com
4. French Connection wood clutch, $228, frenchconnection.com
5. Isabel Marant ankle strap sandal, $730, forwardbyelysewalker.com
6. Vanessa Bruno tapered pants, $530, netaporter.com

Thanks to Hedi Slimane's first collection for Saint Laurent, felt hats are more than just a head-warming accessory. They have the power to make your outfit. In fact, Bill Cunningham of the New York Times dedicated his On the Street column this past Sunday to New York City women and their new hat obsession. (One could say LE CATCH actually scooped Mr. Cunningham on this story, with reporting from my bi-coastal twin sister!) I rounded up some of my picks from Topshop (my sister bought this one and LOVES it), Lanvin (on sale but still a splurge!), Free People and Eric Javits.

Photos: Pinterest, Harper's Bazaar

$123, whistles.co.uk

Denim? Sweatshirt? Yes--and it's as comfortable as it sounds. Plus, impossibly chic. Wear it with...

1. Whistles denim sweatshirt, $123, whistles.co.uk
2. Bing Bang skull studs, $52, shopbop.com
3. Paul's Boutique bag, $70, asos.com
4. Isabel Marant sandals, $730, mytheresa.com
5. Rag & Bone leather skirt, $895, netaporter.com

News flash: the raging arm party that's been going strong for several seasons now is re-locating to another venue: your fingers. Which is to say that now it's all about piling on rings. And like parties, the more, the merrier. I'd like to throw on these lovelies from Yves Saint Laurent (the turquoise one, as pictured above), Topshop (a good looking set for $30) and Gorjana.

Photos: Streetfsn.com, Pinterest

It's my son's fourth birthday today. He is so excited. He asked me this morning how he suddenly became four and when exactly did he turn four (when he went to sleep last night?). In any case, he literally has been waiting four years for this day to come, as he is desperately trying to catch up to his older brother, who is now six! The picture, above, (which is not of me or my son, though I wish her blouse was mine!) reminds me that while I can still carry and hold my little boy in my arms, he is no longer the little boy he was just a year ago, but he will always be my baby! Sorry for being sappy!

Photo: Milk Magazine

$29, dorothy perkins

It's a funny coincidence that this collar necklace came across my radar screen today, because I was planning to hit The Vintage Expo in Santa Monica this weekend, with statement jewelry on my wishlist. Still, you can expect to see me there mining the racks for more past-decade deliciousness--and eventually wearing this beaded extravagance with everything from an elegant strapless dress to a navy crewneck sweater to...

1. Topshop tunic, $64, topshop.com
2. Dorothy Perkins beaded collar necklace, $29, dorothyperkins.com
3. Chloe leather shoulder bag, $775, netaporter.com
4. Madewell blue beaded bracelet, $14, madewell.com; Madewell braided bracelet, $10, madewell.com
5. Michael Kors sandals, $195, shopbop.com
6. Iro printed cotton-blend tweed shorts, $272, netaporter.com

Huge for Spring: longer hemlines. Since I'm tall (5'8"), this is a trend that in theory I can easily pull off--BUT first I have to get over my fear of feeling dowdy in a calf-grazing skirt. So, for inspiration, I rounded up some pics of girls, who prove that a long skirt teamed with the right extras can be seriously sexy. Plus, I sourced some styles that can do no wrong, such as this, this, this, and this.

Photos: Stockholm Streetstyle, Harpers Bazaar, Citizen Couture, Elbows and Knees

$275, j.crew (click and then scroll down for shoe)

Not only are head-turning clothes and accessories essential for Fashion Week, but so is a razor-sharp memory. You see so much, it's almost impossible to remember every dress, coat, bag, shoe, and detail that regales the runways. Still, there are certain things that make an indelible impression on your brain. For me, it was this ankle-strap heel that I saw and immediately started lusting for at J.Crew's Spring 2013* presentation back in September. The crazy thing is it's even more gorgeous than I remembered it to be...

1. Erdem floral print silk dress, $1040, netaporter.com
2. Tom Binns pyramid stud hoops, $176, shopbop.com
3. Madewell shrunken denim jacket, $118, madewell.com
4. Deux Lux striped bag, $65, shopbop.com
5. J.Crew ankle-strap heels, $275, jcrew.com (click and then scroll down for shoe)

*You can now pre-order spring styles that are not yet in J.Crew stores. (Shipping starts in February.) Very cool. You can check out the all the pieces here.