LE CATCH

Sharing a little highlight of the week: ShopMy's new magazine debuted today, and yours truly made the cut! This beautifully designed (and fully shoppable!) first-edition magazine celebrates the personal recommendations of some of the most inspiring tastemakers in the ShopMy community. It lives both digitally and in print, and being included among icons like Kelly Wearstler and super stylish friends (and high school class mate) Nikki Kule, not to mention a community of more than 200,000 creators, is truly an honor. The issue spotlights the 100 most-loved products across ShopMy, distilled from millions of creator links, shopper wishlists, and brand interactions. Of course, a few of my own stalwarts qualified, including Adina Reyter’s Groovy Initial Charm Necklace (a forever favorite) and my Gucci take-everywhere tote bag (which recently came out in soft glossy leather, too!). Because I can never resist sharing what I love (along with all my personal discount codes, you're welcome), here are a few more of my current faves to add to what’s in the magazine, below: my Maison Mayle charm necklace, Shylee Rose heart pendant and chain (use code the MR10), Burberry's fringed oversized (and incredibly decadent) reversible scarf (with a handy dandy kilt pin), Jamie Haller's Red Jasper signet ring and the coolest/cutest kitten heels (in delicious ponyhair and snake embossed calfskin), Dorsey's lab-grown diamond choker necklace, Zadig & Voltaire's button-up cashmere, Gerard Darel's knitted handbag, Sea's pompom jacket (on sale!), Khaite's pre-fall silk blend blazer and Sandro's whip-stitched turtleneck. Happy Weekend, all!

Every holiday-party invite landing in my inbox this year seems to have unanimously agreed on the same dress code: festive casual. And I’m here for it. One less thing to decode, overthink, or spiral about in front of the mirror. It's basically a gift! In my book, festive casual translates to not a dress (permission to skip the heels–coat-clutch juggle!) and a big thumbs-up to leather pants (above)--and yes, great jeans paired with something sparkly, textured, embellished, feather-trimmed, or otherwise celebratory on top. Think: this (so pretty for under $200!), this (I mean, wow!), this , this, and this. The beaded Massimo Dutti tank, below, is also a winner. FYI: I am not above, simply adding this to elevate a basic knit or button-down or slipping on this sparkle to meet dress code criterion! (In case you're wondering, I am wearing a Zara shirt, this Altuzarra origami-shaped bag and these Chloe shoes.)

Zara has been serving up non-stop winter wizardry, most recently with this scarf jacket, above, for $129, and the faux fringed scarf, below, both en route to me. Speaking of unreal fur, the Mango sweater, below, is a highly functional (and high impact) layer--add a brooch, or wear over a collared blouse. I got stopped in New York City multiple times last week wearing this Sandro topper, which everyone mistook for vintage. I'll take it! I'm into this fluffiness too, and swooning over Toteme's who-cares-what's-underneath moment, last pic.

Whenever friends hit me up for last-minute gift ideas (which is essentially the sport of December) I point them toward the things that offer a quick yet indulgent escape—not necessarily to a far-flung tropical locale (okay, if you insist, might I suggest this new travel concierge service, and a Julietta shell necklace, above, for extra electricity), but at least to a slightly more elevated version of everyday life. Case in point: a book that’s so transporting it basically counts as a mini-vacation. Heart The Lover has my friends raving and swooning, with reviewers declaring it “the best love story ever,” and its New York Times instant bestseller status suggests they’re not exaggerating. As we all know, fashion can be just as effective at bending reality. Turns out long leather gloves (surprisingly hard to find for less than a fortune but good options here, here and here) can turn any cashmere sweater or quarter-zip into a Chanel-caliber statement, below. A perfectly cut, deliciously soft t-shirt (my hands-down fave, in best-selling linen, too) elevates a daily uniform, along with a reversible cashmere beanie. Even the right pair of unbelievably soft, subtly sexy underwear can shift your whole vibe before you’ve had your first coffee (I wear this everyday, too). These pajamas make going to bed feel like an intentional activity rather than a collapse, and sherpa slippers chic enough to double as Miu Miu-like outdoor shoes? Now that’s my kind of holiday magic! Consider them tiny, wearable portals—giftable, getaway upgrades to the everyday.

The holiday calendar is officially in turbo mode—eight events this week alone, plus a quick out-and-back to NYC just to keep things interesting. My secret to staying sane (and looking pulled-together)? Instant glam-ifiers, all under $500: a sleek pair of (tie-on-and-go!) cropped silk pants, below, an organza wrap skirt that does all the heavy lifting, a fringe metallic tank, a sparkly Maje polo top, a printastic La Double J dress (on sale at The Outnet, excellent Simkhai, too), some pristine Doen lace (on sale) and under $100 cocktail rings. ’Tis the season for a little shimmer-saving grace!

P.S. At our annual gift swap last week, the runaway favorite was a pair of Dorsey lab-grown diamond earrings, above. Real carats everywhere, and still, we all know the easiest way to go from zero to party-ready is a throw-on (and stay-on) jolt of sparkle!

$69, h&m

Me vs. Sleeveless holiday dresses. Winner: this brooch-embellished blazer.

1. Pleats Please Issey Miyake dress. $610, saksfifthavenue.com
2. H&M blazer, $69, hm.com
3. Gucci Rosso Ancora 509, $50, gucci.com
4. ALC fold-over leather clutch, $276, saksfifthavenue.com
5. Jimmy Choo patent leather mules, $1150, jimmychoo.com

Christmas shopping with my mom has become its own kind of holiday ritual: equal parts sparkle, sentiment, and a slow-burning test of patience. She’s 87 now, her memory softening at the edges like an old cashmere sweater, and yet she still insists on dressing up for an outing at Neiman Marcus. Yesterday, she wore a pair of Chanel sandals she “borrowed” from me five years ago. We eased into the day over popovers and a salad we shared because she said she wasn’t very hungry, then promptly forgot we ordered it. And yet: there was a fleeting moment, when she grabbed my hand and squeezed it as if remembering everything at once. I’m learning to live for those flashes. And not mourn their quick disappearance. Post-lunch, I tried on a pair of Chanel boots I absolutely do not need (yet absolutely adored along with the ballet flats (above), and slipped her Cartier watch—the one I “borrowed” to complement the Cartier-inspired nail bracelet I’ve been wearing nonstop, below. This is the season of mutual borrowing, I suppose. And, in true Le Catch style, buying into more wallet-friendly finds that pass the cost-per-wear test with flying colors: statment boots (also these very Hermes-y) that won’t require a second mortgage, patent leather flats that look EXACTLY like Chanel, striped Ralph Lauren pajamas because they do double duty as loungewear and daytime “running to get coffee” attire. And framed photos—personal, lasting, forever-keeping ones—because this year, more than any other, I want to preserve what’s slipping away: the moments, the expressions, the pieces of her. Trust me, Framebridge is the way to go here--so easy, it's almost addictive! The gift I’m giving myself this season: patience, presence, and acceptance that beauty shows up in many forms—sometimes in the imperfect, irreplaceable person walking beside you in borrowed shoes!

P.S. My skin needs to borrow from the fountain of youth, still so dry from my trip to NY, so I just dipped into this.

$139, cos

Ruffles that go from day to night--and winter to summer!

1. Cos dress, $139, cos.com
2. Loewe leather clutch, $3750, saksfifthavenue.com
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Eau de Parfum, $200, violetgrey.com
4. La Double J resin ring, $70, ladoublej.com
5. Christian Louboutin sandals, $995, saksfifthavenue.com

This past week in freezing NYC boiled down to getting dressed--and getting dressed again and again. I spent more time shimmying in and out of layers than actually being outside in them. I tried on outfits not just for the day, but for future days, future dinners, future moments—trial-running looks in pursuit of that new Chanel-in-the-subway kind of slightly undone, perfectly imperfect on-the-go style (I'm executing last pic with this and these). The uncontrived vibe that winks rather than shouts, and somehow, in the dead of winter, feels like a warm breeze. I cranked up the chic heat in this navy pinstriped blazer by Gwyn, these structured Madewell jeans (every.single.day), this Attersee shoulder-baring jacket (above), this Apiece Apart cardigan with a Parker Thatch bag strap used as a belt (why not?!). For future festivities: this Christopher Esper sequin frock (below, it's actually insane!), more Maison Mayle charm necklaces and a button-neck coat, below, and this Metier carry-all.

My carry-on suitcase is all wool and faux fur for New York's bitter cold, but my accessories are actually doing the heavy lifting. This week I've been relying on my belt (below, also this one), faux fur collars (mine here and here but this one is a super wow), a look-twice clutch or bag, eyeglasses that are more than just readers (also these!), studded shoes, an elegant necklace, a brooch on a coat or a blazer, even sweaters wrapped around my neck like scarves (or a sweater with an attached scarf!). Chanel's show in the subway on Tuesday night proved that accessories can outshine a whole wardrobe--i.e, those red long gloves with a grey knit (I'd try with even a classic sweatshirt!) Bottom line: pack light, accessorize boldly!