LE CATCH

My friend Kate splits her time between Hawaii, Sun Valley, and LA—a dream geography that certainly doesn’t hurt when it comes to maintaining that jet-set, sun-kissed glow. But lately, something’s different. Very different. Her skin has taken on a new kind of noticeable radiance—dewy, luminous, and impossible to ignore. While it would be easy to credit her lifestyle trifecta, those who know her know better. As a former beauty editor with a intrepid approach to product testing, Kate has long been the go-to for what actually works. And now? She’s clearly onto something. Is it a new serum? A skin tech breakthrough? A not-yet-launched facial protocol? After two days of living under the same roof (and okay a sneak peek into her dopp kit!), I finally cracked her code: a mix of Plated Science Intense Serum and Epicutis Lipid Serum, topped off with (and this may be the key to it all!) face-finishing Westman Atelier Complexion Drops and Sun Tone Bronzing Drops (no wonder this product keeps selling out!). Look out for my glow up, friends!

For some, summer may be synonymous with minimal--all clean lines, airy fabrics, whisper-light everything--but I'm going full more is more. Like in Mallorca, where my sister and I layered our usual Adina Reyter gold and diamond baubles with bold colorful beads and sunshine-sparkly charms from Kate Collins. Fun, no? I intend to keep piling it on for the foreseeable future-- sparkle with my jellies (see below for under $200), color ($45 lace-up sandals), lace shorts and more sheer lace, cashmere stripes, statement denim, and non-stop fringe— the kind of playful excess that feels just right with sun-kissed skin and salty hair. Have fun this weekend!

I’ve made a few more recent style discoveries too good to keep to myself. So here's a quickfire round-up of what’s currently lighting me up. First up: Johnny Was. I’ll admit, I used to associate the brand with boho-heavy maxis—but their new summer pieces? A revelation. Think: intricate embroidery, vintage-looking fabrics, and silhouettes that flatter. I snapped up the blouse and cute square-neck (Pucci-looking) one-piece, above that my sister promptly stole from me in Mallorca. (See more pics from Mallorca here!) Meanwhile, Madewell is crushing it once again in the denim department. Their new jeans, below, are a dead ringer for that elusive pair of perfectly worn-in Levi's. I also snagged a pair of Madewell's boat shoes that feel Miu Miu-adjacent but blessedly under $200. Alohas' new sneaks have the same cool vibe, but more sporty. My Theresa's sales racks, as always, are pulling off major miracles right now. I unearthed the striking Victoria Beckham dress, below, along with this, this, and this. H&M's cute leopard print mini has earned me more than a few “where did you get that?”s. Other notables: a vintage-looking Zara mosaic lamp and the studded Stuart Weitzman pouch. Yes to all! 

Let me start by admitting: I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in nearly 18 years—basically since I became a mom. During my eldest son’s baby and toddler years, he rarely slept through the night, and neither did I. When he was five, we finally got some clarity: he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. The sleeplessness made more sense after that. Once we adjusted his diet, he started sleeping better. But me? Not so much. Even with the constant middle-of-the-night wake-ups behind us, my own sleep never fully recovered. Something shifted when I became a parent—and uninterrupted rest has been elusive ever since. Until now. July 10 to be exact. Despite mom stress still very much being a (bigger-than-ever) thing, I finally found something that changed the game: The Nue Magnesium Ease Spray. A friend told me about it, and she was so right! It's no secret that up to 75% of adults are magnesium deficient--and one of the key symptoms? Waking up in the night. I’ve tried magnesium supplements for years as part of my wind-down routine, but this transdermal spray is hitting differently. I apply it to the bottoms of my feet right before bed—and I’m telling you, it truly works. Like, crazy good. I’ve been sleeping deeper and waking up feeling rested, which honestly feels revolutionary. It’s a small shift with a big impact—and one I wish I’d discovered a decade ago. Speaking of new discoveries and game-changing sprays, I recently started using Counter's Hyaluronic Moisture Mist, which cleverly doubles as a toner and daily hydrator. This fast-absorbing spray is instantly reviving my summer-dry skin and layers easily over skincare or makeup. It's ideal for mid-day boosts (hence in my bag at all times) and leaves my skin with a visibly fresh, dewy glow. Highly recommend! P.S. This isn’t a new discovery, but when I did find it, it completely transformed my hair like nothing else. Smoothing, strengthening, and instantly making everything look healthier—it’s been a staple ever since. And now? It’s on sale. Stock up.

There are 22 Fridays left until Christmas. San Francisco hasn’t cracked 70 degrees all month. Summer? It looks like it's going to be a blip in time. Translation: there’s no time like the present to grab the jacket that’s about to carry me through cold snaps, early nights, and back-to-school parties. It’s the kind of jacket that makes up for grey skies. The kind that’ll still be turning heads by the time Mariah hits her first high note in November. It has a high snap-up collar (this is key, the red not so much!) and it's utterly unbothered by the thermostat. I'm getting one now and wearing it until the year turns. There are also these options from St. Agni, Gap, Massimo Dutti (above) and Zara (below).

Staying power reveals itself in the pieces you reach for again and again without thinking. By that measure, two pairs of sandals have earned front-row status in my summer wardrobe, repeatedly stepping out in the Hamptons last week. Made by Ancient Greek Sandals—yes, the same brand known for their timelessly-chic, barely-there leather classics—these are their new maximalist sisters: colorful, bejeweled, a little off-script. They made every outfit feel considered, even the ones that were clearly thrown together in five minutes (crochet dress, iced coffee in hand). They went everywhere with me. Through the grass at the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market. Across the sand to a clam shack. On the ferry to Shelter Island. To the beach club, paired with a gauzy caftan and salty hair. Somehow they made even the most sand-swept look feel finished. Easy to wear, bicycle-ready, impossible to miss, and—bonus—lightweight enough to toss in any bag for the next getaway. Which is good, because I’m already planning where they’re headed next. Snap them up here and here.

$210, moda operandi

It's a dress now and a blouse later.

1. Elce seersucker dress, $210, modaoperandi.com

2. Seree jade stone earrings, $78, nordstrom.com

3. Miu Miu raffia tote bag, $1890, mytheresa.com

4. Ancient Greek Sandals, $340, ancientgreeksandals.com

By Sunday, I had worn everything in my suitcase. Every dress, every sandal, every swimsuit. My carry-on had officially given its all. Almost. One piece remained—still folded, still waiting. A twinkling TWP shirt I packed with vague intentions and high hopes, but never quite reached for… until last night. For the beach club bonfire, I wanted something that felt new, but the novelty had worn off everything else. So I threw it on—over a pair of cotton boxer pajama bottoms that hadn’t left the house all week—and off I went. And just like that, the shirt delivered: sparkling at sunset, a little undone, somehow effortless and interesting all at once. It's the kind of piece that doesn’t need much around it. This is the magic I’m always after: something that does the heavy lifting, that makes me feel polished with minimal effort, that can shift from city rooftop to sand dune without missing a beat. Now I’m on the hunt for more like it—quietly transformative pieces that know how to take center stage, no matter where they land. So far, I've turned up this ($58!), this and this.

$104, river island

You can take a bow in this high-performance top.

1. River Island denim blouse, $104, riverisland.com

2. Donni terry shorts, $124, donni.com

3. Warby Parker sunglasses, $175, warbyparker.com

4. Lancome Soft Body Balm, $110, nordstrom.com

5. Parker Thatch nylon bag, $548, parkerthatch.com

6. Mansur Gavriel ballerina flats, $395, shopbop.com

I'm currently in The Hamptons, where “everything is easy” is more of an aesthetic suggestion than a lived reality, considering the long lines at Schmidt's Country Market and Montauk Highway's crawling traffic. Surf Lodge is basically a velvet rope with a zip code. But amid the craziness, matching sets reign supreme. Picture breezy, coordinated, pulled-together without trying too hard (even though we all are). It’s less “I planned this look” and more “I'm trying to reclaim a sliver of calm while waiting 45 minutes for an iced matcha at Jack’s.” Here are some good options from The Reformation, above and below (I suggest pouncing on the lace shorts as they've already sold out a few times), the strapless gingham Posse, the ruffled Farm Rio and the Jitney-ready And Other Stories.