LE CATCH

Every season my chic-finding sonar leads me to Heidi Merrick, an emerging LA-based designer (and avid surfer!). Simply put: she has mastered the art of casual-cool dressing, LA-style. Everything in her current collection, rife with mix and match graphic prints and languid, easy, summer-ready silhouettes, is fit for flitting around from Silver Lake to Malibu--and beyond (like a Hampton or two!). My favorites include this relaxed paisley print top, this gorgeous lace-trimmed (throw-it-over-a-bikini) shirt, and this flowy maxi dress. You can check it all out here (and get 20% off any purchase by using code HM20 at checkout). While you're there, be sure to take a look at her upcoming fall collection. I am sure you will have the hots for it, just like me!

$70, topshop

Strange but interesting coincidence: not one but six (unrelated) friends of mine have recently invested in a bright orange bag. I think they're all on to something very good. This cute tote will let one in on it for under $100 bucks.

1. Burberry Brit plaid blouse, $350, netaporter.com
2. Ottoman Hands earrings, $66, asos.com
3. Aurelie Bidermann braided bracelet, $295, shopbop.com
4. Topshop tote bag, $70, topshop.com
5. J.Crew leopard print ballet flats, $298, jcrew.com
6. Paige Denim cropped jeans, $200, netaporter.com

When you're Sarah Rutson, the fashion director of Lane Crawford, Hong Kong's most luxurious department store, you can pretty much wear any high-end designer you'd like. Even haute couture. So the fact that she sported head-to-toe Fall 2013 J.Crew during Fashion Week last spring (yes, she nabbed access to the clothes way ahead of us!) is a very strong indication of just how great the collection is. The season's first shipment just arrived online, and here's what I'm eyeing: a feminine pleated chiffon blouse that subtly addresses fall's plaid trend, a bold Moroccan-inspired print sweater (similar to the one Sarah is wearing, above), these go-with-everything ankle-cuff pumps, this work-to-dinner jeweled sweater in navy (I love it layered over a button-down), and these fun statement-y earrings. Just looking at the clothes will make you wish for chilly 50-degree days.

P.S. J.Crew is offering an additional 40% off all final sale items with the code Style40 and free shipping on orders over $100.

Photo: Pinterest

$398, french connection

I adore the idea of wearing this short beaded dress with easy summer sandals and then later in the year with tights and booties. It's beaded, graphic, swingy, stand-out perfection.

1. French Connection beaded tunic dress*, $398, frenchconnection.com
2. Asos spike stud earrings, $13, asos.com
3. Topshop clutch, $24, topshop.com
4. Loeffler Randall sandals, $295, clubmonaco.com

*Note: I called French Connection's publicist to verify the dress's length, and she said that it's "more modest" than how it looks on the model, who probably has super long legs!

It's a very personal topic, the issue of bras, and one that's rarely (if ever!) addressed here, but it is, of course, a wardrobe must-have. First, let me put forward that I don't have a lot to support in that department, so it's hard to get excited about bras and all their varieties. My favorite bra is by Honeydew Intimates, which I have in several different colors. It's not just for the small-chested. A good friend of mine--who is much more well-endowed than me--was the one who recommended it to me.

$139, nine west

For me, fall begins with a new boot (or two or three!). I need one in my arsenal that's right-this-minute looking and extremely versatile--i.e., goes equally well with a killer dress and an old pair of jeans . This black beauty pretty much nails it. Come the first hint of autumn chill, you might see me in...

1. Jason Wu striped sweater, $595, netaporter.com
2. Topshop patched army jacket, $110, topshop.com
3. French Connection cross-body bag, $68, frenchconnection.com
4. Nine West booties, $139, ninewest.com
5. J. Brand boyfriend jeans, $227, netaporter.com

I am the girl who has a pair of jeans for every occasion (weekend, professional, playground-friendly, fat day, etc)--and yet I am always on the hunt for that even better, even cooler, more flattering pair that will solve all my problems. Shopbop's two-day sale (additional 25% off sale items by using code SALE25 at checkout) is proving to be excellent (almost too good!) hunting grounds, as there are zillions of denim styles, from distressed to boyfriend to skinny, all of them perfect in their own way! Where to start? There are sleek piped white skinny J. Brand jeans (63% off and which also happen to be year-round-safe) and everyday-friendly distressed cropped Current/Elliot jeans (48% off). Also tempting are the very Fall/Winter 2014 patchwork jeans by Current/Elliot (70% off) and these Baldwin's camo jeans (48% off). And don't worry about them not fitting--take your best guess or buy two sizes--free shipping/free returns, people! Sale ends Wednesday 7/24.

Photo: Pinterest

$48, c.wonder

This clutch had me at its striking animal print-graphic stripe combo, but the fact that I can monogram it makes it downright irresistible.

1. Rebecca Taylor leather-sleeved tweed dress, $475, rebeccataylor.com
2. Iosselliani brass ring set, $325, shopbop.com
3. C. Wonder synthetic leather clutch, $48, cwonder.com
4. Steven strappy pumps, $119, shopbop.com

Last month a publicist friend of mine invited me to check out the Santa Monica headquarters of Shop Hers, an upstart high-end consignment website. Intrigued, I jumped in my car and drove right over, pulled up to the non-descript industrial style building, walked inside and--and, well, nearly had a heart attack. The entryway alone was filled with pristine Celine totes, Louis Vuitton luggage, and Chloe dresses. The publicist introduced me to the site's founder, Jaclyn, but I could barely say hi, let alone converse, because all I could focus on was the masterfully curated racks (and racks and racks!) of Chanel and Hermes (Birkin!) bags, Prada dresses, Alexander McQueen blazers, Lanvin gowns, Alaia shoes, etc. all for sale at serious discounts. It was insane! Rack tour over, my first instinct was to put my dark sunglasses on, shield my face, slink back to my car, drive home, make the site my homepage, and never tell anyone (not even my identical twin) of what I had just seen. Of course, by the time I got home, the saner, more altruistic version of me had taken over. So, I emailed five friends about accompanying me on a return visit to shop the warehouse, which Jaclyn had kindly offered to host. Within five minutes I had received five positive responses, and a few days later we found ourselves back in the candy-store, champagne glasses in hand, and yes, it was as good as I remembered. Our shopping spree netted several gorgeous Chanel bags (including the two clutches in the snap, above), a Balenciaga dress I wore on LE CATCH last month, a YSL ruffled jacket, a J. Mendel floor-length dress and various other to-die-for big ticket items at great prices.

Needless to say, I am excited to share the secret with you, and although the warehouse unfortunately cannot accommodate the simultaneous physical presence avec champagne of all LE CATCH readers, the website can. Here are a few of my fave MAJOR-designer pieces from their current selection: some cheeky-sexy Dolce & Gabbana sandals, a recent season floral-lovely Proenza Schouler dress, a forever-chic mint-condition Hermes saddle bag (along with a highly coveted, impossible-to-come-by, unused Birkin), a nicely-priced, infinitely wearable Elizabeth and James LBD, and a major, mouth-dropping Tom Ford-designed Gucci dress. Yes, amidst the deals there are, of course, some bank-breakers as well, but I suspect that diligent monitoring of this site over time will likely yield some investment pieces at rock bottom prices.

P.S. One good shopping tip: I've found that searching by designer turns up more desirable, easy-to-wade-through results. For example, check out the best of Chanel offerings here.

$68, warehouse

Clean, fresh, easy--but also thoroughly sophisticated. The zippers are very Phillip Lim, and the jacquard texture gives it just the right amount of heft. It's definitely the kind of sweatshirt I'd live in!

1. Warehouse zipper-trimmed sweatshirt, $68, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
2. Bing Bang skull studs, $52, shopbop.com
3. Bauble Bar stud wrap bracelet, $26, baublebar.com
4. Bauble chain link bracelet, $26, baublebar.com
5. Asos quilted cross-body bag, $30, asos.com
6. Aquazzura mesh sandals, $735, shopbop.com
7. Christopher Kane camouflage silk skirt, $860, netaporter.com