LE CATCH

This is a picture of me at a birthday party I attended a few weeks ago in Santa Barbara that was so lavish it almost felt like a wedding. Guests flew in from all over the country to attend, there was a live band and a DJ, and the celebration went on into the wee hours. My long, swishy dress, picked up at Shareen Vintage in downtown LA, even looked appropriate for a wedding. Though I don't have any weddings on the calendar this summer--a first! (I was invited to one in Bali, but, alas, I can't swing it)--I'm sure that many of you are on the wedding circuit, as I am getting emails, asking what to wear. So, I thought I'd put together a post on how to be the best-dressed wedding guest. For an outdoor wedding,

I thought they'd quickly go away. After all they're not exactly easy to wear, what with all the midriff-baring involved. But instead they keep showing up (again and again!), most recently in Marc Jacobs, Maiyet, and Stella McCartney's Resort 2014 collections. Which means they're sticking around for awhile, and thus I've been toying with the idea that a crop top--the sophisticated kind that exposes only a sliver of my upper mid-riff (like the top, above)--is something I could have some fun trying to pull off, especially with a blazer thrown over it. I also like the idea of pairing it with a high waist pencil skirt or full skirt or wide flowy pants, so it looks elegant and age-appropriate. I know, I know, it's a little out-there, but sometimes you just need to mix it up and see what happens. I just bought this Zara one, which has yet to arrive, but for $35, I'm excited to test drive it at no risk. These ones from 71 Stanton, Topshop (or this one), and Urban Outfitters are also highly tempting.

Photo: Style Sight

$110, the outnet

A whole lot of striking leopard print vivid color coolness going on in these strappy little sandals. So cute for beebopping around this summer with...

1. T by Alexander Wang jersey dress, $89, shopbop.com, or here or here
2. Han Kjobenhaven sunglasses, $134, jcrew.com
3. Jules Smith tusk necklace, $85, shopbop.com
4. Gucci gold-plated crystal bracelet, $1050, netaporter.com
5. Mar Y Sol basket tote, $94, shopbop.com
6. Pour La Victoire sandals (%50 off), $110, theoutnet.com

My husband and I kicked off the getaway season with a (return) trip to Napa, where we were hosted by great friends and joined by a handful of others, including my NYC-based pal Stephanie Johnson*, pictured with me, above. Our brief 36 hours there were filled mostly with eating, drinking, eating, drinking and eating and drinking! We did manage though to squeeze in some tennis, yoga, biking, and riding in the back of the vintage pick-up. It all went off without a hitch, except that Stephanie and I arrived with the same hostess gift: a backgammon set. Thankfully, they were different; Mine was this travel-friendly gorgeous leather Clare Vivier, Stephanie sourced her equally striking one from CB2. This coincidence prompted me to hunt down other cool and original hostess gifts, in prep for upcoming trips! Plus, I thought it might be helpful to you, too. My favorite finds thus far include this super soft pom pom-trimmed throw that can double as a beach blanket, these monogrammed linen stitch napkins, this sleek (dinner table-suitable) ice cream holder, and this chic leather catch-all for keys or jewelry (I like it monogrammed).

Check out my trip's highlights in the snaps below. Next time I go away I will try to take more pics, so I can share more (This time I guess I was just too busy having fun)!

*My friend Stephanie, as you may recall, designs super stylish, travel-friendly accessories that also make for great hostess gifts! She even has a cute little jewelry case named after me.

The table setting for an al fresco dinner.

Lunch is served (Euro style at 3PM!).

Here's the view from my bike! Beyond beautiful (even at 102 degrees)!

$350, topshop

A pretty print summer shift dress rendered in paper-thin leather? Don't mind if I do! Especially with...

1. Topshop leather dress, $350, topshop.com
2. Anthropologie drop earrings, $32, anthropologie.com
3. Bottega Veneta fringed clutch (33% off), $649, bergdorfgoodman.com
4. Alexander Wang ankle strap heels (30% off), $346, shopbop.com

My summer game plan involves some cool trips and a lot of walking. A lot. Across stretches of sandy Hawaiian beaches, a lava field or two, up and down the cliffs of Santorini, throughout New York City, etc.--all to make up for my sloth-like drive-everywhere-in-LA existence. I am very excited about all of these plans, but of course, the adventures will pose at least one fashion challenge: how I can accrue all this mileage stylishly and comfortably (i.e., without my feet falling off)? The answer (for me at least) is....sneakers! The kind, however, that don't look like they belong in the gym, but instead are made to work some fashion magic while you enjoy your summer fun sans blisters. On my shopping list are a pair of classic, low-key kicks from Superga (or these updated ones), Converse, Keds, or old-school Tretorns. Teamed with a cute dress, I'll be good to go (and go and go)!

Photos:Ryosuke Sato, Bauer Griffin Online, Getty Images

$88*, j.crew

This is an enduringly excellent chambray shirt that's poised to be a wardrobe staple. (Love the novel stripes!) Of course, my twin sister adores it, too. So, you might just see one of us sporting it, sleeves rolled up, along with...

1. J.Crew striped chambray shirt, $88*, jcrew.com
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses, $98, shopbop.com
3. Elizabeth and James ring, $225, shopbop.com
4. Shourouk embellished clutch, $855, forwardbyelysewalker.com
5. Valentino pumps, $1045, neimanmarcus.com
6. Dolce & Gabbana printed pencil skirt, $975, netaporter.com

*Get 25% off through June 9 by typing in SUMMER at checkout.

You may have noticed that I've got a white dress thing going on at present (as seen here and here) and I thought I'd share more about why I value this summer staple: No other piece of clothing feels/looks more airy, fresh and feminine during the blistering heat, and I also love how it gives me a skin-flattering glow. Plus, the styling options are endless, as I can add accessories of any shade. All of this may explain why I have a range of white dresses in my closet, including a beaded Deco-inspired one, an everyday linen, a lacey lovely, and a sexy leather number. This season's most distinct LWD's feature cool cut-outs like this one, peek-a-boo panels such as this, a sexy halterneck, a mermaid hemline, delicate broderie anglaise, a flared skirt, and slit sleeves. I want them all!

Photos: Harpers Bazaar, Garance Dore, Harpers Bazaar, Keep the Beat

$169, club monaco

A throw-on-and-go drama queen of a dress is hard to come by, but this one is all of those things, plus Malibu-to-Manhattan suitable. Wear it with...

1. Club Monaco dress, $169, clubmonaco.com
2. Iosselliani crystal and brass studs, $136, shopbop.com
3. Madewell ring set, $22, madewell.com
4. Mario Testino for Mate satin clutch, $150, netaporter.com
5. Guissepe Zanotti metallic sandals, $385, neimanmarcus.com