LE CATCH

I love a dress that looks like it has stories to tell. This one looks vintage, or might have been unearthed on a trip to Marrakesh, and has in the last few years gone to a music festival or two. Well, dear readers, this red embroidered dress is by Free People, and it will soon be mine. And the stories it will tell in my case will be about going to the beach with two little kids and family barbecues while still looking sexy despite the ketchup and ice cream stains from the little hands tugging on it. Is it not gorgeous?

$295, allsaints.com

I'm heading to New York in a few weeks and I am so looking forward to the heat and humidity and wearing light, breezy dresses. (There's been an inordinate amount of cold, foggy days here in LA and I am still wearing three layers!). Here's a summer-perfect dress to take with me. The flirty drop waist is one of spring's biggest trends, and the dress' unusual details--the laced seams, embroidery--make it stand out. Wear it with (a slip underneath) and...

1. All Saints dress, $295, allsaints.com
2. Topshop cat-eye sunglasses, $45, topshop.com
3. Balenciaga animal print pony hair bag, $1595, barneys.com
4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals, $235, netaporter.com

P.S. I was on a Lucky photo shoot yesterday and showed this dress to two super talented stylists. They oohed and ahhed over it.

We've seen so many bold and sparkly statement chokers lately. What about wearing a big, honking pendant necklace like this instead? Don't you think it makes the outfit? It's such an easy styling trick: jazz up a classic ensemble with a defining long necklace. Here are some wallet-friendly options to consider from Asos, Topshop, and Bauble Bar.

Photo: Luxuryshoppers

$200, madewell.com

Last summer I was on a boat off the coast of Capri with friends, frolicking in and out of the Med. While the scenery was strikingly awesome, I found it hard to peel my eyes off of one (very fit) woman wearing a simple black one-piece swimsuit--in a sea of string bikinis. Her suit had strategic cut-outs on the side, but it was simple. And insanely sexy. This halter suit reminds me of it. It is sure to make a splash. Wear it with...

1. Undrest strapless maillot, $200, madewell.com
2. Ondademar kaftan*, $210, matchesfashion.com
3. Foley & Corinna straw tote, $198, endless.com
4. Guiseppe Zannotti beaded sandals, $995, netaporter.com

*This kaftan looks way more flattering than it would appear, and vintage-y cool, too.

I love people watching. It might just be one of my most favorite things to do. I am happy to be the wallflower at a party and just observe. Lucky's FABB conference on Monday indulged me in some great rubbernecking. The bloggers who attended were DRESSED in neons, florals, prints, and more neons--and often all mixed together. You can check out many of them here. I decided to stick to a black and white palette (as you can see in the picture above with my good friend Elise, editor-in-chief at Beso, on the left). There was a parade of looks I coveted, but the one thing I wanted most was a nubby boucle blazer by Tucker, pictured below. This picture, which is from Tucker's website, does NOT do it justice, but jewelry designer Ariel Gorden, who wore it to the conference, mastered it, with a vibrant print blouse and a crisp pair of jeans. I've looked everywhere for this jacket to no avail (but in doing so I discovered that Tucker has some cute print tops as per usual as well as solid blouses this spring). Anyway, if anyone comes across the jacket, let me know.

$76, topshop.com

When I came across this studded denim blouse a few days ago, my quick buy-it-now instinct kicked in. And then when I saw my good (and always-chic) friend at lunch yesterday, wearing a studded Opening Ceremony denim dress, very similar in spirit, I knew my instinct was dead on. I'll be wearing this one with...

1. Topshop studded denim blouse, $76, topshop.com

2. Rebecca Minkoff sunglasses, $150, shopbop.com

3. Proenza Schouler PS1 suede pouch, $1225, proenzaschouler.com

4. Jimmy Choo woven sandal, $895, nordstrom.com

5. Altuzurra perforated leather and cotton skirt, $1230, netaporter.com

This gorgeous photo was taken by Jeana Sohn, an LA-based photographer and blogger extraordinaire (she has two totally addictive and visually stunning sites, Closetvisit and Jeanasohn.blogspot.com). Jeana is one of those uber cool, ridiculously pretty creative girls, whose signature style is anchored in clean, minimalist yet feminine clothing. Jeana photographed Lucky's FABB conference in Santa Monica yesterday, shooting the decked-out blogger attendees in a street-style way (the story will appear in Lucky's September issue). Of course, she, herself, looked looked preeminently hip in a billowy vintage dress that skillfully camouflaged her second trimester pregnancy (see it below along with the other tactical pieces that made up her outfit). The finishing touch was her lipstick: Mexican Rose by Nars. It's a moisturizing, velvety gloss in a jumbo lip pencil. And the color is a not too-bright but buttery hot pink. I just bought my own. It's my new go-to gloss.

Photos: Jeana Sohn

$249, warehouse.co.uk

The clothing racks at a Lucky cover shoot are always rife with the next big things--i.e., the pieces you'll be craving to wear next season. At Lucky's June cover shoot, there were vests aplenty, denim ones to leather styles. And I loved them all. I also adored how they were styled, with super floaty, delicate, feminine dresses. Wear this leather one (in a Kate Bosworth-meets-Isabel Marant kind of way) with...

1. Warehouse leather vest, $249, warehouse.co.uk
2. Mango broderie dress, $74, mango.com
3. Mulberry mini patent leather bag, $435, netaporter.com
4. Alexander Wang, $525, barneys.com

Isabel Marant's spring 2012 collection was awash in tie-dye. I like tie-dye--but in small doses (as in this pair of Isabel Marant jeans), and if I wear it, I always counterbalance it with more polished pieces, so I don't look like I am running off to a Dead show. The jeans below, from Topshop, are a good way to get in on the trend without going overboard. I'd wear the jeans (I prefer the black/white version on the left) with classic pieces, like a tailored blazer, or a black knit sweater, or a crisp white top. Doing so will tame them, make them less loud and rocker-y.

$76, topshop.com

$24, anthropologie.com

I own a pair of spike stud earrings in gold that I wear incessantly. My twin sister has the same pair and she wears them day in and day out (she even sleeps with them in!). I've bought these same earrings as gifts for friends, who too have found them nothing short of amazing. Their perfection lies in the fact that they simply go with everything. And so will a nice new pair in silver. Wear these guys with...

1. A.P.C. blouse, $195, apc.fr
2. Jenni Kayne safari jacket, $595, shoplesnouvelles.com
3. Anthropologie silver stud earrings, $24, anthropologie.com
4. Prada pointy toe pumps, $620, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Miu Miu star-print cropped jeans, $550, netaporter.com