LE CATCH

The Rag & Bone boots (above) that have basically taken over lower Manhattan are on sale (40% off!) along with TONS of other fall-perfect goodies at Nordstrom. Yes, it is indeed time to start shopping for fall, as the retailer is offering up next season styles at a serious discount. Some early morning recon turned up an insanely good, on-trend leather-trimmed Rebecca Minkoff trench coat, a military inspired BCBG jacket, zipper-accented leather Elizabeth and James pants, along with perennially stylish staples such as dark wash J Brand jeans and clean-cut Theory blazers. There are even some spot on leather skirts by Diane Von Furstenberg and Halogen in the mix. Chop, chop!

Photo: Hanneli

$89, mango

When I was in Athens, I popped into Mango, which was down the street from my hotel, and picked up a cute checked knit Mango cardigan that was not only on sale, but previously featured on LE CATCH. But now I want this new crochet-trimmed (very Coco Chanel) metallic one, too. Gah!

1. Proenza Schouler t-shirt, $250, netaporter.com
2. Mango metallic crochet-trimmed cardigan, $89, mango.com
3. Caroline Baggi bracelet, $85, modaoperandi.com
4. Rebecca Minkoff camera bag, $195, rebeccaminkoff.com
5. Christian Louboutin slingback pumps, $625, neimanmarcus.com
6. Current/Elliot distressed jeans, $228, netaporter.com

The idea of fall shopping right now seems so counter-intuitive--and yet soooo tempting! Of course, I have begun to assemble a mental list of next season must-have's, and among the high-rankers is a knee-length leather skirt. (I will share my complete list once it crystallizes, which will be in the next week or so!). As a well-known designer recently told me, leather is the new denim. It's amazingly versatile, and next season, it will be pretty much ubiquitous. A leather skirt is both work and evening-friendly, but, to me, it looks entirely decadent and luxurious. And, yes, that goes for a faux one, too. The question is though, which one? Pleated A-line or pencil? My options thus far: a full pleated Asos skirt (I actually have and love this sleek Asos A-line--but order a size down as it runs big), this perforated pencil skirt and this swishy oxblood Zara skirt. I do know this: I would wear them all!

Photo: All the Pretty Birds

$161, asos

Now this is a dress that will help you make an entrance--and then some. Summer cocktail party on with...

1. Asos beaded dress, $161, asos.com
2. Ginette_NY mini studded black diamond earrings, $530, shopbop.com
3. Loft raffia clutch, $29, loft.com
4. Givenchy sandals, $695, netaporter.com

As you know, I am all for an oversize clutch. But I've been thinking that a conversation-starting clutch may be in order, too! Inspired by the big statement bags going to and from the recent haute couture shows in Paris (below) and the kooky book-inspired totes spotted out and about on the streets (above), I reckon these unorthodox (and sometimes quirky) accessories will lend a fun (and labor-free) dose of pop to any outfit--even my boring basics. The best eye-catchers currently on the market include this graphic lucite clutch from Rafe, this perfume bottle-inspired bag by Charlotte Olympia (pictured below), this Pop Art Asos cheapie but goodie, this jewel box beauty by Kelly Wearstler, and the tome-like Olympia Le-Tan (I was an English major in college and wrote my senior thesis on Jane Eyre, so this seems quite appropriate!).

Photos: Olympia Le-Tan, Vogue, International Street Style, Streetpeeper

$149, french connection

I'm inclined to make a big statement in this pair of embellished French Connection shorts (that are on sale!)--along with the following lovelies...

1. J.Crew embroidered voile blouse, $350, jcrew.com
2. J.Crew Panama hat, $58, jcrew.com
3. Oliver Peoples mirrored sunglasses, $390, shopbop.com
4. Karl Lagerfeld patent leather bag, $450, netaporter.com
5. Forever 21 metallic-trimmed gladiator sandals, $14, forever21.com
6. French Connection embroidered shorts, $149, frenchconnection.com

Those aspiring to be the best dressed wedding guest--or just looking for a party-perfect LBD--can entrust this impeccably elegant drop waist number (pictured above) to do the job and so much more. Can you believe it's only $110?

P.S. Many of the little black dresses I wrote about in May are now majorly on sale (30-60% off).

$100, the outnet

Clearly, this is a heat wave-friendly lightweight that you could wear casually, but I love the fact that you could also crank it up a notch like this...

1. Michelle Mason striped silk dress, $100, theoutnet.com
2. Helmut Lang blazer, $460, netaporter.com
3. Joomi Lim studded bracelet, $220, shopbop.com
4. Mary Katrantzou clutch, $462, forwardbyelysewalker.com
5. Pierre Balmain mesh sandals, $450, shopbop.com

More striped dress cuteness.

I was in Greece over the 4th of July weekend to attend the birthday celebration of a close friend. The awesomely decadent affair in Mykonos was bookended by time in Santorini and Athens. I made the trip with my good friend Stephanie, and to say we lived it up would be an understatement, given the amount of Domaine Ott consumed, plus the feta cheese-laden Greek Salad, Greek (full-fat) yogurt, spanakopita, and fried calamari we pretty much ate around the clock. Here, the highlights...

Steph and I did a whirlwind tour of Santorini, and our hotel, Aigialos, a former nunnery built in the 18th century and one of the oldest hotels in Europe, was a great place to start. We had views of the Aegean caldera and some might argue the best sunset in the world. That's the hotel's entrance (it had me at its red door!), above.

Located in the town of Fira, perched high atop the island (approximately 1,000 feet above the sea!), the hotel's rooms are connected by steep but picturesque stairways. I marvelled at the room service guy who climbs these steps all day long bearing heavy trays. Many of Mykonos' narrow cobbled "streets" wind up and down the island, and walking them can amount to a legit workout.

Another epic high altitude sea view.

Ascending and descending Santorini's harrowing cliffs can be facilitated by these vibrantly-accessorized donkeys!

I opted for walking over donkeying, as I had to compensate for all the fried octopus and bread baskets. Plus, one cannot shop while sitting on a donkey. I scored a few quintessentially Greek embroidered tunics, leather sandals, a crazy sexy one-piece bathing suit and volcanic rocks for my boys. (In this snap, I'm wearing a little solar heat-proof floral dress I recently picked up for $39 in New York. You can find it here.)

On arrival in Mykonos, we had the first b-day event seaside. The tables were practically in the water (so cool!) and yet somehow the crashing waves did not splash you. Greece has been around along time, so I guess they have had plenty of time to master such things.

My Mykonos itinerary was filled with swimming, boating and paddle boarding in the salty Aegean Sea, which, by the way, is the perfect temperature. Here, I am about to depart from our hotel's dock to have lunch on a friend's sailboat. (My cover-up is an old Zara, but here's a pretty option from Free People.)

Greek salad number...? It's hard to explain how good it tasted.

It's all about mirrored sunglasses in Greece. They're everywhere you look. I picked these up from a Greek street vendor, but you can find great options from Ray Ban and Topshop. (My embroidered vintage blouse is an oldie but goodie. Here are a few similar ones from Mango, Velvet and Anthropologie.)

Stephanie may just be the most well-traveled person I know. Of course, she parlayed her travel bug into an amazing eponymous cosmetics/travel bag line Stephanie Johnson. (You can also hear about some of her journeys here.) Over the years vacationing together, she has taught me how to pack a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on roller. However, between the two of us, we managed to use every hanger in the hotel room closet!

Celebrating, Mykonos style: hard-core dancing after a late afternoon, several-course, rose wine-steeped lunch. Based on her party-animal body language above, it would be logical for you to assume that Stephanie (far right) is headed off on a complete bender, but in fact she is a serious teetotaler and just high on life. Later, after dancing on a few tables, she made her way to the DJ booth to help spin tunes.

After completing our island adventure, we spent some time in Athens, scaling the Acropolis and seeing the Parthenon. It was truly breath-taking. And a suitably monumental way to wrap up our amazing journey!

$98, topshop

I traveled to Greece over the 4th of July (I will share pix/details of my trip later today!) with my friend Stephanie, who managed to beat Athens' 90-degree heat in a series of cute, wear-everywhere, day-to-night rompers, just like this.

1. Topshop floral romper, $98, topshop.com (also available in petite size)
2. Selima Optique sunglasses, $385, netaporter.com
3. Kelly Wearstler cabachon band ring, $295, shopbop.com
4. Alexander Wang bucket bag, $875, shopbop.com
5. MAC All About Orange Nail Lacquer, $16, nordstrom.com
6. Ancient Greek sandals, $390, modaoperandi.com