LE CATCH

Last week was a very different kind of busy for me: I hiked to what seemed like another planet, Kauai's Kuilau Ridge Trail (see here), I bobbed for hours on end in wavy 90-degree waters, I sugar loaded on Sugar Loaf Pineapple, I tore through Three Women (best book I've read in a long time), played (and won!) Psyche with my family--and, for most of the while, threw on loads of cute dresses over my swimsuits, like the long English Factory, above. I also action-packed these pieces by Shein, Nicholas, Sea, FARM Rio and Faithfull the Brand. Aloha!

Print parade will march

I'm making the most of tank top time by wearing this season's freshest: narrowly cut on top, ribbed and fitted from H&M (in both black and white)!

You know what they say: Life's just a rodeo. Well, we now have help horsing around with fall's must-have western boots. Personally, I prefer the loose adaptations as they are more versatile and less costume-y--and the mid-heel makes it easy to walk in. My favorites so far include these by Schutz, Isabel Marant, Dolce Vita, All Saints, and Ganni.

Today's date--August 1--hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. Summer's whizzing by! I haven't metabolized my warm and sunny buzz yet! Nooooo! But then I thought about the new and fun fall clothes I'll soon be wearing: pretty knits and different dresses that would soften the cold blow a bit, such as the fall-ready Ganni leather dress, above, on sale, no less! These plush, statement knits by Asos and Cinq a Sept are also mood elevators (in fact, I retail therapied both this AM!). Topshop, thank goodness, is also helping to mitigate the summer-to-fall transition with its just-launched pre-fall collection, featuring wear-now-and-later standouts like this leather jumpsuit, these western-style boots, and this lace-trimmed maxi dress.

My identical twin sister and I were born complementary partners: her Barbie to my Ken (and vice versa!), her backhand to my forehand, her math to my English, and, of course, her photography to my writing. So, it was only a matter of (a long!) time before we joined forces to create @ouiwant, our curation of brands we love--shot, styled and steeped in our professionally-honed, distinctly unique, twin-balanced filter on Instagram. For our debut feature, we hand-picked the most fun, printastic @ladoublej pieces and action-packedvthem for the magic of Mallorca. Follow @ouiwant stories to take a look!

I know, I know: fall is far, far away. But still. When an amazing fall find presents itself, I think it's worth at least some consideration. Especially when it's something you can wear it right now! Case in point: next season's must-have belted jacket. I'm contemplating whether I should snap up the do-it-all Stine Goya, above, or simply hit up H&M's low-commitment but highly-versatile version--and while I'm at it, pick up these key wide-leg pants and these faux leather wide-leg trousers to go with. But let's not forget: it's still summer, stylishly captured in these on-point possibilities from Opt (very Zimmermann at un-Zimmerman price!), Amanda Uprichard and Pamela Munson.

$38, topshop

I'm digging the way this dress reads vintage with a whiff of Gucci. And it's $38!

1. Topshop floral dress, $38, topshop.com
2. Sydney Evan 14-karat gold opal and diamond necklace, $1510, netaporter.com
3. Gelareh Mizrahi clutch, $595, barneys.com
4. Villa Rouge sandals, $99, shopbop.com

The Reformation has just prompted me to interrupt my regular summer (dress) programming with a distinctly cool pair of jeans, specifically the dusty-blue Marine style above, the super cute daisy-print white wide-leg (so cute with a white or black tee or blue button-down) below, and the high-waist linen (!) pair, last pic! All so darn good!

And just like that, ballet flats are back--but with some distinctly cool 2019 details. For example, check out these high-cut vamp ballerinas from Mansur Gavriel (see last pic) or Everlane. Another option: add a colorful outfit-punctuating pop via Margaux or Leandra Medine. A woven Loeffler Randall is alluringly different and so is this striking metallic pointy-toe Schutz. I also love a neutral, go-with-everything snake print, like this Sam Edelman. If the budget permits, investing in the classic, forever-chic Chanel (above) is fail-proof. (Then again, leaping into this H&M is a safe $12 bet, too!)