LE CATCH

TGIF! I am so ready for the weekend, mostly because, apart from a few children's birthday parties, we have nothing planned. I look forward to weekends like these, because they allow me to address all the odds and ends that I've been meaning/wanting to deal with. Like, for example, start reading this book, because I've heard nothing but great things about it. And I want to make this divine tasting gazpacho, which I first sampled with my friend/chef Lulu Powers. Speaking of food, I also want to check out Cerveteca on Rose Avenue (AKA Venice's next Abbot Kinney). I heard the brunch is insanely delicious. Lastly, I am seriously contemplating cutting my hair short, like the woman's length above. I should tell you that I always wear my just-longer-than-shoulder-length hair up in a bun, mostly because I can't be bothered with blowing it out everyday, but also because I have the most unruly yet lifeless yet wavy hair. So, ultimately the length of my hair is irrelevant, since it's almost always up, but if I get some revolutionary haircut, I might want to wear it down. Don't know if this particular decision will get made over the next 48 hours, but I am going to begin the mulling process. Hope you enjoy your weekend as well!

$138, jcrew.com

All-over sequins elevate this slim-fitting t-shirt, which might just be perfect for a Hamptons holiday--and beyond. I'd buy a size up for a looser, slouchier fit and wear it with...

1. J. Crew sequin chevron t-shirt, $138, jcrew.com
2. Bing Bang silver plated brass metal studs, $82, asos.com
3. Sophie Hulme leather tote, $742, my-wardrobe.com
4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison metallic flats, $195, shopbop.com
5. Diane Von Furstenberg leather shorts, $495, netaporter.com

I am looking forward to my family's upcoming annual summertime trip to the Hamptons, where we will spend a great deal of time on the beach with my parents and childhood friends (and their children!). Already, I am starting to think about what I am going to pack, because for the last few years, I've packed clothes more suitable to LA than New York--i.e., chunky sweaters appropriate for California's cool summer nights, too many jeans, and an overly ambitious amount of yoga wear. Not this year. So far, my working East Coast-ready, humidity-friendly packing list includes a pretty embroidered apres beach tunic, throw-it-on-and-go striped dress, and these new round Ray Ban sunnies, inspired by the ones worn by Moscow-born and New York-based blogger and fashion consultant Miroslava Duma, pictured above. In fact, if I can personify this whole breezy-chic look, it will make what will already be an enjoyable trip that much more satisfying.

Photo: Buro247

$115, oasis-stores.com

It's the middle of summer and I am already contemplating my go-to fall boots. (I have started rounding up some of my favorites and will share them all in a post soon.) My criteria for the perfect pair goes something like this: I want my boots to be ankle height, go-with-everything neutral, walking-friendly, around-the-clock versatile, and, of course, seriously fetching. I think that these boots have all those attributes, and incredibly, they cost $115. Wear them with...

1. Mulberry angora sweater, $564, mytheresa.com
2. Ray Ban New Wayfarer sunglasses, $139, shopbop.com
3. Zara bag, $19, zara.com
4. Oasis boots, $115, oasis-stores.com
5. Isabel Marant Etoile corduroy pants, $259, matchesfashion.com

I went to H&M's LA showroom yesterday to get a closer look at the upcoming Fall 2012 collection, and simply looking at the racks elicited a Pavlovian drool response. There were gem-studded sweaters, chunky chokers, faux fur jackets, and the most amazing cropped, butter-soft leather leggings, two of which I nabbed in oxblood and black. The leggings are perfectly stretchy and, therefore, super pliable. They will be in stores sometime next week, and put it this way: if I didn't already have them, I would stalk the store everyday till they came in, they are that good. Also on my wishlist of things that are imminently shoppable are below, with captions telling you when exactly they will be in stores. Good luck getting them!

This striking cobalt blue peplum blouse and coordinating pant will be in stores the week of July 30. I love them together and separately.

This gem-studded sweater, which encapsuates Fall's big embellishment trend, will hit H&M's racks during the week of August 13.

Here's a more subtle take on the embellishment trend. It's very Marni-esque-meets-fashion insider's new favorite Vika Gazinskaya. This sweater will debut during the last week of September.

$195, allsaints.com

I didn't think I had the guts to pull off sequin-trimmed shorts like these--until I actually did, and I was even rewarded with multiple compliments. To avoid looking too, um, outré, I recommend wearing a blazer or a long sleeve button down on top (to compensate for the lack of coverage down below)--and going out somewhere really fun. Sparkle in an outfit like this...

1. River Island tank top, $46, riverisland.com

2. Mango smoking blazer, $109, mango.com

3. Pierre Hardy suede bag, $700, netaporter.com

4. Givenchy leopard print sandals, $850, bergdorfgoodman.com

5. All Saints sequined shorts, $195, allsaints.com

I am obsessed with a fashion blog called Columbine. The author Columbine Smille (pictured above) is a Swedish fashion editor who just so happens to be ridiculously gorgeous and incredibly--but not inaccessibly--stylish. Everything she wears--a lot of Acne, H&M, and Isabel Marant--I covet, and her carefully chosen outfits inspire me to copy her to a T. She recently took this picture on a hot summer night out in Greece, where she is on holiday (lucky duck!). Now, of course, all I want to do is wear a sexy long jersey dress, just like hers (which is old H&M). So I did some research and here's what I found from Joie, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Wilt.

Photo: Columbine Smille

$8, target.com

I have a simple, classic pair of J. Crew gladiator sandals (just like the ones pictured above) that I bought a few summers ago, and I've worn them into the ground. To say that they're versatile would be an understatement. There isn't a piece of summer wear that they don't go with, from a sundress to shorts to cropped jeans--and they work around the clock. But I also love the fact that they are neither too clunky nor too Roman Coliseum-authentic (i.e., they signal "I am feeling relaxed" more than "I am ready for battle"). Most incredibly, they're eight bucks(!), and they'll look great with...

1. Iro dress, $177, theoutnet.com
2. OGJM bracelet, $60, jcrew.com
3. Chloe denim and leather bag, $1325, netaporter.com
4. Mossimo sandals, $8, target.com

A few weeks ago I interviewed actress Ari Gaynor at a press junket for Celeste and Jesse Forever (a hilarious yet melancholy yet poignant romantic comedy written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, coming out August 3--run, don't walk to the theater!) and she gleamed in a blue silk button-down blouse and red wide legged pants. The color-blocking effect was totally inspirational movie-star chic. Shala Monroque, the fashion consultant and magazine editor pictured above, also gets it right with her vibrant summer-perfect combo of yellow and red--two colors I did not think went together until now. The best thing about this look is that it employs basic but bright wardrobe staples, so no tricky styling techniques are necessary. Go forth and color block!

Photo: Harper's Bazaar

$98, netaporter.com

This pajama top's vibrant hue and red piping make it too cute to keep in the bedroom. Work it as an effortless out-and-about blouse that goes with everything from casual jeans to a structured leather pencil skirt. On any old hot summer day I'd wear it, sleeves rolled up, with...

1. Juicy satin pajama top, $98, netaporter.com
2. Topshop sunglasses, $32, topshop.com
3. Madewell canvas tote, $24, madewell.com
4. Old Navy leopard print ballet slippers, $19, oldnavy.com
5. J. Crew denim shorts, $79, jcrew.com