LE CATCH

I woke up at 3:34 Monday morning because my right arm had lost all feeling. Panicked, I sat up. As the nerve-needling slowly began perforating the numbness, trickling down from my shoulder to my hand, I smelled smoke. It was coming from outside, streaming in through an open window beside my bed. I looked out to see a huge fog-like cloud hovering just above us in the night-black sky. Thus, my day began. After following LAFD's Twitter announcements, checking the wind forecast (again and again), and then finally receiving a mandatory evacuation order text, we started to pack. It was 5AM. Family photos, irreplaceable art, passports and jewelry first. I'm not going to lie: I spent a good chunk of time in my closet, figuring out what really needed to go in the car pronto, and, truth be told, it wasn't a lot. (Yes, some exceptionally great/old Zara made it into the suitcase, along with one-of-a-kind vintage and my most beloved investment pieces.) While my kids loaded up their favorite possessions--two teddy bears and a drawer full of Nerf bullets among them--I thought about the irony of Architectural Digest featuring our recently renovated home on its website just three days ago and how, worst case scenario, it would be immortalized in some fashion. Right now, though, all I can think is how grateful that we, our bodies and those in our community, are safe. Thank you, Los Angeles Fire Department.

This River Island belted denim jacket lined with puffer-padding, effectively making it the coolest denim jacket I've seen in maybe... ever. (The faux fur collar and cuffs are removable, too!). More High Street highs: the corduroy Topshop jacket, below, this zebra-print statement-making Pixie Market dress, this Storets tweed set, and this amazing Asos (but doesn't look Asos!) dress and this one, too!

My twin sister has a daughter, below, whom I like to pretend is mine. I get to play with her hair, co-doodle, and bake muffins with her. Other fun to-do's on our agenda: necklace-making with the above super cute tropical-themed DIY kit by Venessa Arizaga. I definitely would make and wear one myself. (P.S. Themed bracelets are available, too, like this dessert cutie. Also: Aunt/Niece matchy-matchy dressing in these Vans sneakers, this Fiorucci t-shirt, and this Kule bag, similar to below. Happy Weekend!

When a friend hits her business out of the ballpark, you might want to stand up and cheer! As a fan (and high school classmate) of NYC-based clothing designer Nikki Kule, I want to clap--and clad myself in her super successful eponymous line of striped knits and accessories. Kule's fun yet stylish pieces are gloriously versatile--equally at home in Manhattan and in Malibu, where my sis and I shot these pics! The just-launched resort collection is a home run, featuring all the distinctly cool signatures its known for: cheery, crowd-pleasing colors, luxe, cozy knits, and whoop-whoop, outfit-making accessories! See it and shop it all here!

$128, shopbop

I've been wearing charms around my neck non-stop. Why not on my ears, too? (These personalized cuties can also work on my necklaces!)

1. Ganni floral dress, $235, netaporter.com
2. Brinker & Eliza personalized hoop earrings, $128, shopbop.com
3. Hayward chain bag, $714, shopbop.com
4. Dolce Vita boots, $172, shopbop.com

I don't know if this happens to you, but for me it's (annoyingly) routine: whenever I need to buy a cute gift, I have no clue what to buy! But then this happens: I come across the greatest options when they're not imminently needed. With the holidays coming up, however, I could stockpile some under-$100 giftables I recently discovered, including the $25 monogrammed jewelry cases, above, the vibrant-print set of Baguu bags, below, these $47 Mystique toe-ring slides, this spot on Meredith Quill chain link necklace, and this pom pom-trimmed blanket. (P.S. Good on-sale self-gifts include this Hemnant and Nandita dress, this Sensi Studio tote (last pic), these Le Superbe pants, and this incredible Viktor & Rolf trench coat!

I think it's necessary to point out all the runway-inspired goodies poised to sell out at H&M pronto! It seems the rest of the world has not caught on yet to these giddily-affordable scores, but I'm officially letting the cat out of the bag--or at least into my shopping bag! Let's start with the red paper bag pants, above, and the totally amazing Celine-spirited hounds-tooth culottes, below. Then check out the following: the pleated gold-flecked skirt (that in real life looks--no joke--fancy designer) along with the terrific suede western boots, the chic fringed woven blazer as well as the boxy Chanel-like one (I'd size up for a cooler, oversized fit), the pearl-embellished ($19!!) sweater, the tapered high-waist jeans, the perfectly pastel knit hoodie and the metallic puffer jacket (last snap). I'll drop the mic now.

Shopbop comes in with the win (again) today, offering literally thousands of fall staples on sale. I mean, take the slam dunk Kule jacket, above, to be worn everyday (it's faux, FYI)! Also incredibly compelling: this totally Chanel-looking knit by Paul & Joe (below), these J Brand high-waist jeans, this Autumn Cashmere statement turtleneck (I'd size up for a roomier fit), this floral Faithfull The Brand blouse (to be worn under a blazer now and over a bikini later), these zebra-print Miaou jeans, and these Phat Buddha camp exercise leggings. Snag more (and more!) steals here.

Russian stylist Natasha Goldenberg's Miu Miu blouse-and-sweater set not only reminds me of my childhood Ralph Lauren obsession but re-kindles it! In fact, her look inspires me to do my own DIY knit layering with a lace-collared blouse. While this combo is a strong trend this winter (thanks to Celine!), it utilizes pieces that can be worn separately for seasons to come. So good all around. I particularly adore these cute collared options from Opt, Doen, Sandro (minimalist and on sale), Rebecca Taylor, and, yes, Ralph Lauren.


Photo: Elle France

LA's 80-and-sunny weather has me vicariously vacationing via model Rocky Barnes. Her perfect bathing suit-and-cover-up wardrobe makes me want to elevate my heatwave habit--or at least stockpile staples for my next who-knows-when tropical getaway. (P.S. She's currently six months pregnant and looking as hot as ever--so inspiring!) I mean, how cute is her shell-trimmed Lily & Rose one-piece, above, which could also be worn as a top with a denim mini or beach-to-street wrap skirt. And her below robes/dresses from Rhode Resort (on sale!), Kai Collective, Hemant and Nandita, and We are Hah!

Photos: Rocky Barnes