LE CATCH

A few weeks ago when I was in Hawaii, a friend offered to help me load my suitcase into the car. He asked, "What's in here? Flower dresses and bikinis?" Why, yes! I love how my friends, even the male ones, know me so well! I've been maintaining my signature style lately with the dress above from Shein, and also these from Mango, En Saison, Mille and Misa.

My deep dive into summer has me feeling more relaxed--and my style suitably laid back. Which means an easy, breezy daily uniform of shorts, an oversized button-down and, of course, a cute bikini. (Evidently, by the look of things here, I am not alone!) I found these super versatile, most flattering shorts from Ganni, Madewell, and ALC, and, to go with, these roomy button-downs by Good American, Kule and Toteme. All set for the month!

A bonfire at the beach last night conjured up so many childhood memories of jumping in the ocean and wrapping up in a warm terry cloth cover-up. I loved that warm and fuzzy feeling on my sea-chilled skin. And I love that I can re-create it with some modern-day, grown-up versions that are currently flourishing, like this set from Alex Mill, Terry Toweling, Dannijo and Suzie Kondi.

Photos: Columbine Smille, Leandra Cohen

I am one of those people who goes to Walmart to buy one thing and leaves with a cart full of stuff I never knew I needed. Among my latest finds is some great fashion! Take, for example, the cute square-neck dress, above, which garnered compliments aplenty the other day in Malibu. I also snapped up this tiered maxi, this tropical print wrap, this short-sleeve print dress, these on-trend, do-it-all drawstring shorts, this surfer-inspired shirt, and this ruffled maxi. Take a look for yourself here!

My summer-thinned blood (and foggy weather) had me in a light sweater yesterday--for the first time in weeks! The unusual chill prompted me to seek out knits I'll be psyched to wear full-time come fall. My faves are all cute and happy, on trend for next season--and some totally wearable starting now! I love And Other Stories' strawberry sweater, above, along with these by The Frankie Shop, Tory Burch, J.Crew, and Staud. But while it's still summer, how cute is the $59 H&M dress, below??

I'd say I'm pretty proficient in discerning a good dress from a not so good dress. But I know I've truly hit the bullseye when my twin sister outright steals one from me. Such was the case last weekend on Nantucket, where she actually took all the dresses in my suitcase and put them in her closet, including the Doen, above. You can see her caught red-handed (and slightly sheepish looking) in the Farm Rio, below. She also appropriated these by Ulla Johnson, Asos, Chufy x Mango, Cleobella, and Merlette. Yes! All of them! P.S. My friend Sasha, pictured above, is also clearly talented in dressing up. Hers is by Borgo de Nor.

A few months ago when I was surfing Old Man's on Oahu with an LA-based friend, we struck up a conversation with a local surfer, an older gregarious man, who helped us navigate the waves. Every time a set would roll in, he'd yell to us, "Battle stations, ready!" Which was our cue to paddle to the right place to catch a wave. It made me laugh so hard and doubly enjoy the ride. Today, I'm declaring "Battle stations, ready!" because you all need to jump on the swell of amazing on-sale Zimmermann and Ulla Johnson hitting The Outnet, including the under $200 dress, above, and the red one, below (which I like to wear backwards). Also super desirable: this leopard print Ulla blouse, these print cotton shorts, this Zimmerman floral dress and this embroidered midi. Shop it all here!

Okay, so not only is Prada's raffia bag this summer's MVP, but so are its seemingly inextricable teammates: oversized white shirts (Vince and H&M), short shorts (Ganni, Staud and Citizens of Humanity!), and bucket hats (this and this).

And yet another way to brandish my monogram, name or any message I see fit sharing! Thank you, Brinker & Eliza, for indulging me. I also love the pile-on charm situation, below. Peruse the options for yourself here!

$255, rothy's

Sustainably crafted with hemp, recycled water bottles, and marine plastic, this cute bucket bag will sail away with me on my summer adventures. (P.S. It's super roomy and the shoulder handle is the perfect, easy-to-carry length.)

1. Banjanan dress, $345, shopbop.com

2, Rodin Lip & Cheek Oil, $35, nordstrom.com

3. Isabel Marant earrings, $140, shopbop.com

4. Rothy's hemp pail, $255, rothys.com

5. Staud ruched sandal, $250, netaporter.com