LE CATCH

A friend of mine only had a minute to change out of her beach attire to catch a bullet train back to the city yesterday. When she re-appeared, 59 seconds later, she was wearing the cutest Rebecca Taylor puff-sleeve blouse (one I happen to have and is now on sale!) with jeans and sneakers. She looked perfect--and ready to go. Her presto change-o had me thinking that the puff sleeve top (i.e., a new fall must-have) might just be the answer to our hurry-up-and-look-cute quandaries--particularly helpful/strategic during the painstaking back-to-work transition. Other excellent options come from Isabel Marant Etoile, Ulla Johnson, Frame, Veronica Beard, and H&M. But wait, how cute is this one-and-done Asos puff sleeve jumpsuit?

Among my new favorite NYC discoveries: Jennifer Creel's adorable and highly addictive candy-colored enamel pendants, above, every single thing at Maison Mayle (I spent hours trying on the entire stunning collection--you'll see much more of this beloved brand on Le Catch!), the random but incredibly stocked Dolce & Gabanna, Balenciaga, and Christian Dior sample sale pop-up on Broadway in Soho (next door to Zara), Il Buco Alimentari's crispy artichoke (crazy yum!), these Steve Madden snakeprint sandals (in green, trust me), this tiger-print And Other Stories fleece, and this Bauble Bar mini hoop earring set that looks Madison Avenue-decadent at a Canal Street price. Happy Friday!

Photo: Jennifer Creel

Oy. I promised myself I wouldn't shop in New York. I even promised my sister. But once I landed downtown yesterday, I heard the siren call of Lower East Side/Noho shopping: hard-to-find labels, la ti da! Less expensive, oooh yeah! My go-to stores, clued in to fall's biggest trends, were chock full of leather, including the more budget-friendly, la-ti-da faux kind! And with images like these impressed in my mind, I could not resist buying this $119 balloon-sleeve blouse from Frankie Shop. Even my sister got sucked in with this pretty Rebecca Taylor bow-tie top. Also tempting (and not only LES-accessible!): this faux patent Ganni jacket, these Nanushka vegan leather pants, this Cedric Charlier midi dress, and this H&M button-down.

After a seven-year-old boy threw up (and up and up!) in the center aisle an hour into my LAX>JFK flight yesterday, I sought refuge where I could: underneath my oversize jean jacket! (I just had to block the whole scene out!) Today, it looks like my wardrobe workhorse will keep on giving, particularly during the warm-to-cold turbulence ahead. It will welcome with open arms my back-to-routine knits and jeans as well summer stragglers (skirts and dresses). I highly recommend these denim do's from Madewell, Re/Done, Levi's, or, if you like things with your name on it (me!), hit up Zara to get a personalized jean jacket.

What happens when your beautiful model friend, above, turns up at the beach wearing a new beautiful dress that she designed? See below! I literally had to buy one on the spot! (Leave it to me to shop, seaside!) Rendered in vintage (wrinkle-proof!) silk chiffon fabric, the Chasseresse dress is perfect over a swimsuit or a slip, and who better to show off its dreamy fit than its Malibu-based designer Raychel Roberts? (I mean, seriously!) BTW: She also sells the most gorgeous feminine-leaning vintage pieces from her masterfully-edited, decades-honed collection (see here). So, of course, I dipped into that stockpile too, and was further inspired by other beach style I spotted including this Outerknown men's blanket shirt that another friend bought for her husband and then borrowed to wear over a bikini (so Malibu-cool!), this summer-to-fall Eugenia Kim bucket hat, this tribal print Shein dress, and these pink Clare V sunnies. Busy beach day!

I'm totally digging summer's hottest hues. (Pastel proof here!) How could I not? They're candy-bright and sorbet-sweet--total mood-lifters! Plus, they are 100% suitable for fall! Of course, the color-loving Copenhagen girls are currently rocking these cool hues--and I'd love to, too, in any of these pretties by Rixo, Asos, Le Superbe, Bytimo, J.Crew, and Topshop (on crazy sale--see me already wearing it!)

P.S. The Danes are also going for white-bright sunnies, specifically these from Celine (sold out everywhere but here, pictured below) Saint Laurent and (less expensive) Le Specs.

What's big right now at Copehagen Fashion Week is... BIG! Clutches, dresses, blazers, prints--everything is large and in charge. Take for example: Bottega Veneta's oversized butter calf Pouch, pictured above and below (and everywhere in between!). However, less pricey options from Clare V and Zara are equally desirable. Also immensely tempting: maxi dresses from Baum und Pferdgarten, Keepsake, and Ganni; menswear-like blazers by Madewell (I also love the check print), H&M, and Rebecca Vallance , plus super splashy prints from Ulla Johnson, Lioness, and Topshop. (Yes, it helps that all the Danish girls are also whoppingly gorgeous!)

$129, h&m

Just think: you'll be so prepared and on point come fall's first chill. (Size down for a sleeker fit and consider subbing in a leather belt instead.)

1. Sea floral dress, $385, netaporter.com
2. H&M fringe coat, $129, hm.com
3. Clare V jaguar-sac, $299, shopbop.com
4. Kosas Kosasport Lip Fuel Lip Balm in Rush, $18, goop.com
5. Sydney Evan unicorn studs, $265, shopbop.com
5. Aquazurra suede knee-high boots, $1195, shopbop.com

I've only worn these truly great faux leather H&M pants once, and already I've had a handful of friends rebuke me for not highlighting them earlier on Le Catch. For the record: I did point out this score last week here! And now I'm giving you all another chance to pounce on them before they inevitably sell out.

$313, anthropologie

Another glorious summer day, another gorgeous dress!

1. Misa dress, $313, anthropologie.com
2. Bauble Bar ear cuffs, $32, shopbop.com
3. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in Patsy Red, $31, netaporter.com
4. Jerome Dreyfuss clutch, $230, barneys.com
5. Alexandre Birman sandals, $595, nordstrom.com