LE CATCH

I'm seeing the matching scarf-and-sweater styling combo everywhere (including Banana Republic, above, and below), and I want to pile it on, too! Ganni makes it easy for me, with its all-in-one cable knit sweater, along with The Frankie Shop, Le 17 Septembre, H&M, Zara, and Brochu Walker.

So when did "bomb cyclone" become part of Southern California's vernacular? Can't we just call it, like, leather weather instead? It sounds a lot less ominous! Besides, this season's newly wide-legged leather trousers are all I want to wear when the mercury (or as today's case may barometric pressure) dips here. I love Loulou Studio's ankle-grazing pair, above, because I can wear them with sneakers, loafers or boots, and they can be dressed up or down. These vegan leather options by The Reformation and Nanushka are also amazing, along with these up-cycled pairs by AGOLDE and Deadwood.

Photo: Leia Sfez

I may look happy below but, to be perfectly honest, it's not all that fun posing next to Carolyn Murphy for a picture! She's ridiculously beautiful! Actually, she's more radiant in real life than on all the magazine covers and runways you've seen her on. And, yes, on the inside too! An environmental advocate, painter, sculptor, avid surfer and friend, Carolyn just launched her first capsule collection for Mother on Net-A-Porter today. All the thoughtfully designed pieces--denim jackets, patchwork jeans, a cotton-poplin blouse, track pants--are responsibly made and amazingly imbued with a modern Americana style. My favorite: the army jacket, above, with a detachable hoodie and cuffs! Perfect for hanging out together in Malibu. Check out the collection here!

A friend whom I've not seen for weeks came over the other night for dinner, and before even saying hello to me, she complimented my new boots. And my body, because of my boots! My legs look longer, she said, and my butt looks lifted. Naturally, these Loeffler Randall boots are now glued to my feet! I scored them on Tuckernuck (more sizes here and here) along with this statement leather top, and this cute bell-sleeved cardigan.

Dutch artist Anouk Yve is majorly fostering my obsession with German denim label Closed Official. (Which, BTW, is currently taking Europe by storm!) Not only do I love its signature flattering jeans (particularly this one and this one!), but I'm also all into the denim-elevating counterparts such the roll-neck jumper and cashmere scarf, above, and contrasting cuff jacket, below, along with this sleek belted blazer (to wear over everything!), these cuffed trousers, this knit skirt (last pic), this cozy turtleneck, and these high-waist wide-leg jeans. Check out the new season collection here!

Photos: Anouk Yve

Whoever is styling Mango's fall campaign is seriously convincing me I need nothing more in my closet than its current hero pieces. (No, this is not a sponsored post!) Everyday effortlessness and uncontrived cool anchor all of these looks here--exactly what I strive for in my routine dressing. The mainstays: a statement coat, above, with cuffed jeans, tailored blazers, straight-cut full-length jeans (for $59!), polished loafers, stripes, stripes and more stripes. I'd supplement with some more flawlessly chic musts from Simone Rocha, Tory Burch, AGOLDE and Aeyde.

During this morning's school run, the car thermometer bottomed out at 49 degrees. "When are we going skiing?" my youngest son asked. Good question! Even though I don't quite know the answer quite yet, I did just find out where I can suit up for the slopes this season in style--and for way less. At The Outnet, all kinds of technical (yet cute!) gear is half off including this Perfect Moment base layer, these super flattering Fulsap bootcut ski pants, and this Perfect Moment retro-print sweater. Free People also has some great statement-making options including the quilted waterproof ski bib, pictured, these bold-print ski pants, this vintage ski sweatshirt and this zip-up fair isle base layer top.

Last summer I curated a "mini shop" on Modatrova that was a big hit, so I decided to give it another whirl for fall--and I am pretty certain you'll appreciate my efforts! You'll find a tight edit of standout yet everyday wearable clothes by under-the-radar designers at excellent prices. (Read: my favorite kind of shopping!) Highlights include Sold Out NYC's wide leg pants, above, and white tank, below, this Christy Lynn high-neck cardigan, these gorgeous stackable Heritage New York rings, and these Alepel monogrammed slides. Check out all my selects here!

My family flew in from all over (Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Princeton, and Dominican Republic) to celebrate my birthday in New York City over the weekend--and we definitely made the most of it. We dined at Cervos, The Odeon, L'Avenue, Los Tacos #1, La Mercerie, Double Zero, Sadelle's and Bar Pitti (of course). When we weren't eating, we checked out The Whitney, played ping pong, biked up the West Side Highway, ran along the East River, and even watched an epic movie (Stillwater). Today I am excited to participate in another enjoyable family affair, this time with Net-A-Porter's Friends and Family Sale, featuring 25% off the most desirable fall styles, including the vegan leather Nanushka skirt, above, this impeccably sleek Veronica Beard blazer, this LVIR faux leather jumpsuit, and this Stand Studio quilted coat. Shop the sale here!

Yesterday my friend Abigail threw a birthday lunch for my sister and me at her beautiful home in Greenwich Village. It provided an opportunity for us to celebrate another turn around the sun and toast (in Swedish, thanks to Lucia) to our enduring friendships. Our catch-up chitchat also yielded some much-appreciated, trustworthy intel, such as the eye-opening lash-lengthening powers of Thrive Cosmetics' mascara (and its new tubing technology), the game-changing skin-enhancing benefits of Sakara's Chlorophyll Drops, the miracle-working hair-thickening Harlinikken scalp treatment, the compact cuteness of this Boyy bag, the flattering nature of Veronica Beard's bootcut jeans, the Aspen-chicness of this fringed Zara turtleneck, and finally the greatness that is this Mayle (my namesake!) dress . Happy Weekend!