LE CATCH

What started as a quick pop-in to see Amanu’s latest collection at The Sunset Tower turned into a full-on deep dive with Anita Patrickson, the ever-effortless stylist-turned-designer and longtime friend, in from South Africa and fully in her creative stride. She’s not just crafting the perfect leather sandal (above) anymore; Now it’s sculptural bags and beautiful belts. Every piece feels elevated yet practical in that far-away, barefoot-on-the-beach-meets-sunset-soiree kind of way. Not surprisingly, she was dressed to the nines too in the embellished Alexis skirt, above. I'm thinking about snapping it up in black--along with the rest of her new collection.

Oversized shell necklaces are making waves right now, and, no, they look nothing like tacky, touristy souvenirs. Think sculptural, statement-making shells that feel more runway than resort gift shop. I particularly love the bold, playful pieces from Julietta, above, and the under $300 price range. Also cute and affordable: the Anni Lu, below, this Chan Luu, and this Isabel Marant.

$295, moda operandi

Same chic shape as The Row's Idaho tote--just without the four-figure commitment. (This Amazon dupe in green works too, FYI.)

1. H&M crochet dress, $47, hm.com

2. Heaven Mayhem agate stone necklace, $120, shopbop.com

3. Staud canvas bag, $295, modaoperandi.com

4. Clare V Lip bag charm, $75, clarev.com

5. Ancient Greek Sandals jelly flip flops, $140, ancientgreeksandals.com

The calendar says spring, but my Instagram feed declares otherwise: striped beach umbrellas, not-yet-wet swimsuits, and sun-drenched views straight out of Le Sirenuse's brochure all indicate that #EuropeanSummer has already begun. So, what are we wearing? A floral-accented one piece by Le Reveche, above, and a strapless Rouje, below. Plus: green fisherman jellies, bandana prints, a backless Loulou de Saison jersey dress, a fringed Sea tunic, and short eyelet dresses (this, this, this, and this). Ciao, summer!

Photos: Mafalda Patricio, Jeanne Damas, Vic Montanari, Chloe Harrouche, Dawn Tan.

$140, next.us

Roped in by these multi-colored sandals.

1. Cos oversized batwing t-shirt, $69, cos.com

2. Maje skirt (inspired by Miu Miu), $345, saks.com

3. Lizzie Fortunato silk cord oyster necklace, $320, lizziefortunato.com

4. Chloe cashmere and leather clutch, $1030, mytheresa.com

5. Hush rope sandals, $140, next.us

It's been one of those weeks: a full-tilt blur of AP exams, running-late to appointments, chaotic photo shoots, fog-then-sunshine-then-fog, anxiety (hello, old friend), and tears (inevitable). The kind where days collapse into nights, and I'm just trying to keep it all stitched together with espresso, dry shampoo, and good intentions. But—as life so often insists—there were little flickers of light. A $99 Swarovski cocktail ring I stumbled across on my sister's photo shoot set, above, that looked triple the price and made me marvel at how crystal can feel so decadent. (I'm also wearing Thatch, Adina Reyter and Kate Collins.) A new TV series I started nibbling on (no shame, full joy). An excellent new Chloe jelly bag and a Jil Sander dupe I almost didn’t believe until it was in my hands. The cutest custom pet jewelry designer on Etsy whose rings I would imagine feel like love I can wear (I want to do one with a Palisades Phoenix, thank you Joanne Pauley). More inexpensive statement-making baubles at Massimo Dutti. A miracle-working Shani Darden facial wand (everyone told me I looked better after one use!) and this old-school MAC Cosmetics Lip Liner that's apparently making a major comeback. Lastly, Malibu-inspired board shorts to see me through less of those weeks this summer.

Lately, it's been a season of lasts — the last volleyball playoff game with my sons as teammates, the last school lunch made for my graduating eldest, the last ordinary day in a place that held years of extraordinary memories. It's a quieter (and unprecedented) kind of intensity, the emotional weight of an ending, a kind of senioritis that doesn’t inspire rebellion, but reflection. Instead of celebrating, I’ve mostly wanted stillness. Space to feel everything. But here’s what’s holding me: watching others lean into joy. Seeing friends dress up to celebrate milestones and embrace the moment—it reminds me that this season is temporary and that there are more beginnings ahead. My friend, La Double J designer, JJ Martin, above, marked the advent of her exclusive capsule collection in Venice, Italy, earlier this week with My Theresa, a kaleidoscopic line-up full of spritz-ready prints and skin-baring ease, belted in one-shouldered vibrance. Meanwhile, my sister is planning to wear this Self Portrait dress to our nephew's wedding later this month. Also launching today--and more than ready for a party invite: H&M's new resort capsule: the plisse dress, the billowy print caftan and the balloon-sleeved blue blouse. I'll take them all and debut them when the mood and the moment align...

I am not a sweatpants-outside-the house kind of girl. In fact, I barely wear them indoors. But silk track pants? Now that's a different story. Donni's iteration blurs the line between comfort and chic. Add a crisp button-down and cute ballet flats, and suddenly the whole look makes sense: relaxed, refined, and quietly styled to perfection. I love them in butter yellow, too (below). Can we segue to slipper-like sandals that could also go with? Namely Leandra Cohen's (last pic) Ancient Greek Sandals, a jelly-rendered take on the iconic Dr. Scholl's. Yes, please!

What do we think: do we need to have Hailey Bieber's legs to pull off summer's capri pants? Or can we just channel the confidence of someone who thinks they have Hailey Bieber's legs and let the pants speak for themselves? I'm betting on the latter--just ordered a pair from Frame (a solid call, given how flattering the jeans always are). I am confident I could also work these options from The Reformation (below) and The Gap. P.S. I am also confident that we could all pull off Hailey's throw-it-on-over-everything Mango trench!

$280, shopbop

Colorful blooms compensating for LA's May Grey.

1. Farm Rio dress, $280, shopbop.com

2. Julietta beaded shell choker, $275, modaoperandi.com

3. Tom Ford Rose Lip Oil Tint*, $32, nordstrom.com

4. Prada wicker mini bucket bag, $2350, prada.com

5. Aquazurra sandals $625, mytheresa.com

FYI: steep discounts on beauty at Nordstrom right now!!