Catch Me

Ever since I launched my shopping blog Le Catch in 2011, while also working as the West Coast Bureau Chief at Lucky Magazine, I've been asked (more like commanded) to offer exclusive early access to my curation of affordable fashion finds. That’s because hours after I post something on Le Catch, it typically sells out—a phenomenon that retailers and ardent online shoppers have coined “The Le Catch Effect.” While I’ve happily regarded this as metric of success, readers, from my closest friends to followers I've never met, have found it be a big bummer at times! So, I finally devised a solution: A Substack that offers subscribers first dibs on the latest and greatest, bound-to-sell-out “catches,” along with a personal invitation into my closet and on my frequent adventures abroad. My goal is to connect and share lots more with you, whether it’s via candid OOTD snaps to profound life-changing, mind-bending, age-defying hacks. Albeit, some of this (over) sharing is going to make me squirm with embarrassment (I mean, who cares what I’m wearing on a random Monday?!), but at the same time I also feel, thanks to the last few inward-looking trips around the sun, more at ease with revealing the real, unfiltered style-inspired me.

To kick things off here, I thought I’d share with you all the open tabs on my laptop—and, if you will, in my life. Let’s start with some pics from my 48-hour trip to Oahu, Hawaii, last week, where I sunned and swanned my way through foggy jet lag (fueled by copious amounts of IYKYK Kokohead smoked ahi spread).

My half-Indonesian skin apparently reads more Hawaiian, less Haole, earning me an on-island moniker: Tia Malia! More times than I can count I’ve been called Tia or Malia in a surf line-up, and I am happy to reinforce this insider identity with Local slippers and laid-back looks, like this, this and this. (P.S. The dress I’m wearing is from a flea market in St. Tropez, but don’t tell anyone who calls me Tia Malia!)

Speaking of St. Tropez (and open tabs), how cute are we all laced up for lunch at Loulou’s last month?

My return flight from Honolulu prompted LA-reality on top (La Ligne) and dreamy romance (Victoria Beckham) on bottom, plus a vintage Gucci bag with a cute and colorful Clare V strap—soon to be replaced with this new striped ribbon chain.

Back home, back to being a short-order cook to two insatiable teenage boys, and back to regularly-scheduled denim programming. The plot twist: pearls(!) on jeans, which are from Zara, and a Chanel-spirited cardigan from H&M that I accidentally bought two sizes too big but am still keeping/loving. Plus, a Chanel sandal vs. a Chanel heel sparring match! Guess who won?!

While I was away, this wintry H&M coat arrived at my doorstep and I immediately welcomed it home with my summery sandals still on. I also like this short biker jacket-inspired version for $176.

Other compelling finds making their debut here:

This pleated River Island distressed leather skirt is radically cool—and looks way more than it is. It will have people guessing and coveting, no doubt.

This holiday-festive sequin set by Topshop is synonymous with hostess with the mostest. I will be wearing the shacket-like top separately with cargo pants and tucked into skirts, both short and long.

All the cool London girls are obsessively piling on Otiumberg’s elegantly minimal (and well-priced) jewelry. The line’s hoop earrings have me completely hooked.

Scored this vintage leather bomber jacket (AKA fall must have) at the Santa Monica Flea Market for $65. Etsy has a ton of options that are under $300 like this and this.

Catch you next week!