LE CATCH

My crochet craze continues with this cutie!

When a closet rack heaving with blouses suddenly crashed down on to the floor yesterday, I took it as a sign from the universe that it was time to do some cleaning out. But now that there's some extra space on the rack, I'm looking to fill it! Of course, I have already found lots of options--way more than will fit on that rack, so I thought I'd share a few with you. Let's start with the billowy Love Stories, above, and print Aureta Studios, below. I also adore the ruffled vintage-looking lace Sezane blouse in the last pic. In New York, my sister and I both snapped up the lace silk charmeuse Mayle blouses, below, in black and white, so we can swap when the whim strikes! Then there are these summer outfit-makers from Alemais, Ganni (on sale!), Jonathan Simkhai (wow!), and Valentino.

I've long been a bikini fan, but Sara Ramen, pictured here, is convincing me to slip into a splashy one-piece swimsuit this summer. In these snaps, she proves that more coverage does not mean less sexy. Quite the opposite! She makes big attention-getting statements in a playful Pucci print, above. Now I will too, since a slew of options are on sale here and here. Also compelling: the cut-out Fella Swim, below, the one-shoulder Lido (second pic down), and the keyhole Palm Swimwear, last pic. I'm also inclined to sport this Hunza G and wear it as top with a maxi skirt or shorts and this investment Missoni to breeze around Mallorca and beyond.

While watching my son play in a volleyball game at school the other day, a friend came up to me and whispered conspiratorially in my ear, "You should check out Tory Burch's latest collection. I think you'd like it." So, I did--and I do! Especially the Platonic Ideal of a white linen shirt, above: it's summer-light, crisply-polished, heatwave-friendly, and Crete to Carpenteria-ready. Plus, it can be worn as a cover-up. I also love this woven pouch bag, this gauze tunic and this pleated dress. Secret's out!

$295, saks fifth avenue

I'll be maxing out this mini north and south of the equator.

1. Farm Rio mini dress, $295, saks.com

2. Zimmermann bikini, $235, netaporter.com

3. Vanessa Bruno bucket bag, $460, shopbop.com

4. TKEES sandals, $55, shopbop.com

$245, farm rio

One hundred percent Zimmermann vibes at fifty percent of the price!

Considering that my sister racks up 100,000+ airline miles every year for work travel, I assumed she could pack a suitcase with her eyes closed! Not the case. When we were in New York together last week, it took her hours (and my expert opinion) to pack TWO check-in suitcases for a FIVE-day trip to Sweden. What??? She deliberated and deliberated the weight of her outerwear, whether to bring a dress, how many jeans and which ones, whether it was more space-efficient to roll up her clothes or fold them, etc. The one thing that required no deliberation, however, was traveling with her new bow-trimmed penny loafers, above, that go with all of her jeans and a dress--or not. For certain, I know I'll be wearing these versatile cuties from now on, too.

I didn't let a sleepless red-eye flight to New York slow me down last week. Rather, I hit the ground running, first with a 3-miler up the West Side Highway, followed by shop-hopping downtown (Mayle, Clic, White on White). Yes, I felt groggy and upside-down, but that's not the reason I wore my new Merlette dress, above, backwards. I prefer the easy, breezy deep V-neckline for day. For dinner at a friend's home later, I turned it around for a whole new polished and elegant look. Hence, it will remain steadfast in my summer-on-the-go suitcase!

Memorial Day weekend swiftly sailed by--but, thankfully, its customary sales are still in full swing. I just indulged myself at MyTheresa, laden with gorgeous, getaway-ready Zimmermann, above and below, available in loads of sizes. There's also these summer-perfect cropped Frame jeans, this throw-it-over-everything Frankie Shop blazer, this Juliet Dunn mini-dress, this flattering Ganni cardigan, and this embroidered cotton Self-Portrait. Stop right here to see it all!

$39, h&m

Toteme vibes for $40. Yes, please!

1. Everlane top, $30, everlane.com

2. H&M skirt, $39, hm.com

3. Justine Clenquet bracelet, $68, shopbop.com

4. Gucci nail polish in Peggy Sunburn, $30, netaporter.com

5. Staud bag, $295, shopbop.com

6. Lafayette 148 New York sandals, $398, neimanmarcus.com