Hints of Hermes--at a High Street price.

1. Petersyn dress,
2. Chanel Rouge Allure Matte Liquid Lip in 148 Libere,
3. Soko Nene Charm Stacking Rings,
4. Soraya Hennessy woven bag,
5. Mango sandals,

Time to slip into something even more comfortable.

During a long (six-feet-apart) walk with two friends yesterday, I got a tutorial on humorous quarantine lingo. Here are my faves:

Coronacoaster: The ups and downs of your mood during the pandemic.

The Elephant in the Zoom: The glaring issue during a videoconferencing call that nobody feels able to mention. E.g., one participant has dramatically put on weight, suddenly sprouted facial hair, or has a worryingly messy house in the background.

Furlough Merlot: Wine consumed in an attempt to relieve frustration of not working, Also known as bored-eaux and cabernet tedium.

Covidiot (also called a lock-clown): One who ignores public health advice or behaves with reckless disregard for the safety of others.: The sudden fear that you've consumed so much wine, cheese, banana bread and old Easter chocolate in lockdown that your ankles are swelling.I also gleaned some new wear-now-and-later ideas (surprise, surprise), including the looks and , and heard about this incredibly !

Back in January, my son was assigned an oratorical project for school. He needed to choose a speech given by a historical figure, memorize it, develop an introduction and conclusion for it, and then recite it in front of his 5th grade class. A timid, quiet boy, he was not at all psyched about this. Even so, he researched speeches and ultimately selected an excerpt from Steve Jobs' commencement address to Stanford's graduating class in 2005. Day in and day out during quarantine, my son has been practicing his speech at home, which runs exactly one minute and forty-five seconds long. While he sometimes races or mumbles through it, I am consistently moved to tears when I hear this specific quote from Jobs: "When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something." During this raw and vulnerable time, I feel like we are collectively changing something--for the better. Personally, I have roused up extra/renewed gratitude for life. Even though I am still doing the same old--getting up every morning, making meals for my children, paying bills, eating too many gummy bears, trying to be creative and productive, and yes, even wearing a cute through it all--I am also readying for the new normal ahead. Happy Hump Day.

LA's summer-like weather is further eroding my quarantine-induced uncertainty about date and time--but at least it's also giving me a legit opportunity to wear a dress. Or ten! Yesterday, I busted out this brazen riot of prints and colors by (a score from the Real Real--also ), and later in the day this , below. With the forecast in the 80's for the next week or so, I'll be milking the most out of warm weather styles like this fringed bias-cut (25% off!), this linen print , this safari-inspired mini, this cute , and this floral .

LA's first heat wave of the season could use a fun frock, especially this one at 30% off.

A sunny getaway to my backyard this weekend had me decked out in a new dress (snapped up on sale for $50!) and my best beach-weathered hat, above. The one-two punch of chlorine and Vitamin D boosted the vacay vibes, plus inspired me to share some transporting styles that might just spark a bit of joy right now. They include this fun floral print skirt by , this dramatic embroidered organza kaftan (I also love this $39 ), this on-sale romantic dress, this organic cotton puff-sleeve blouse, and this woven bucket hat. Their prices alone are smile-worthy!

P.S. My necklaces are by (long lariat) and (cowrie charm choker).

I am well aware that retail therapy can't solve problems--but I can assure you it can mitigate a bad mood. In fact, I can vouch for this, having just bought a few giddily affordable pieces from 's new eco-friendly . Everything is made from at least 50% sustainably sourced materials, such as organic cotton and recycled polyester. For instance, the ruffled beauty, below, is rendered from a natural biodegradable material harvested from recycled denim and other used textiles. I love all these dresses here, from the striped , above, to the short , third photo down, to the short print billowy , crafted from cotton voile. Browse the whole feel-good, look-good collection, including jeans, sandals, jewelry and other accessories .

In other important breaking news, spring is here!

Future party planning starts now...