LE CATCH

I went to hear Adam Grant speak last night about his new book Vibe, which means everyone I talk to today is getting unsolicited relationship research. The book explores the science of strong connections, along with some inventive ways to keep them healthy. One couple, for example, defused household tensions while working from home by blaming an imaginary coworker named Ryan. Lights left on? Ryan! Dishes piling up in the sink? Ryan. Sometimes inventing a common enemy is a bonding exercise. Also fascinating: in one experiment, newlyweds who watched and discussed a relationship movie weekly for a month were about half as likely to separate or divorce over the next three years as those in the control group. Easy enough, right?! I left thinking about the people who make life better by sharing what they know. Which brings me to my role as a (sometimes over) sharer: Today it’s H&M’s scarf-collar blazer already on its way to me, the just-out Victoria Beckham x GAP launch, the perfect lightweight cashmere V-neck I’ve worn literally all week long, supple Zara newness worth noodling over, plus Massimo Dutti’s double layers, and September’s best-selling jeans. Different research department. Same commitment to sharing my notes. Happy Weekend!

I’d like to congratulate myself on everything I have not bought from Reformation this fall. It’s taken considerable effort. Every week, there’s something else: exactly what I’ve been looking for, or something I hadn’t realized I was looking for. The excellent styling hooks me in either way. So I put together an edit for myself–a hand-picked curation of my wardrobe gaps filled, plus familiar fall staples made interesting again, like that viral scoop-neck sweater, above, that everyone, including me, is swearing by, plus this oversized cashmere crewneck, along with the belted blazer, these embellished mules, this sleek day-to-night blouse, plus, yes, lots more. Consider this edit my valiant attempt to narrow things down. That is for both of us.

The leaves seem to have turned overnight. Or at least the equivalent happened on my laptop, which I opened this morning to find fall in full effect across approximately 27 tabs. Festive plates, above, for having people over—they’re made of paper, can you believe it?! Faux fur flying. Feathers, fringe, ruffles, checks, and enough sparkle to suggest I have evening plans I haven’t yet been told about. I’m inclined to glam up with the faux fur-trimmed velvet jacket, below, the faux fur-collared Maje parka, chocolate flats, a lot of $300 statement fringe (OMG!), the beaded rhinestone bodysuit (YES!), Zara’s (outfit-making) printed scarf, a vintage beaded Chanel necklace available to borrow at Vivrelle (use my code MARLIEN to save 80% off your first month of membership ), a satin tux Seblime shirt and Simkhai’s fun feathers.

There are outfits I screenshot on my phone, and then there are outfits I’d actually put on. You’d think there would be more overlap, considering how much inspiration I’ve collected—and how often I still wonder what to wear. Lately, I’m giving those screenshots a little more scrutiny. Where would I wear this? Could I walk in those? Would I still be happy in it at 6PM? My saved folder is getting smaller. And more useful. What’s currently inside has something very specific going for it: standout detailing, a flattering shape, day-to-night, NY-to-LA wearability. Below are the latest pieces making the cut: the faux fur Carelli, pictured above, and the print vest, below (or a less expensive alt), the vintage (forever chic) Gucci clutch ($300), this Polo Ralph Lauren corduroy shirt, these Sold Out NYC drawstring pants (I have them in khaki and LOVE), the black V-neck cashmere I wore yesterday (the best for framing my necklaces), the (en route) brooch-button Aligne cardigan, the Modern Citizen indoor/outdoor coat (fantastically renders anything underneath irrelevant), and Banana Republic x Zankov’s cashmere scarves.

Apparently, some stores have already decided it’s Christmas. I’m still buying Halloween candy—and feeling… demi-spirited. Given everything happening in the world, full-on sparkle feels like a lot to ask. But there are still places to go, people to see, and perfectly good reasons to put on something other than the sweatshirt (albeit a chic one that’s Zoom-worthy) I’ve been working in. A gold lamé jacket, like the Kallmeyer, above, with jeans feels about right. Same with a tapestry-print blazer or an elegant (throw-on-and-shine) cardigan. Sequins can check back with me in December. I’ve noticed this compromise creeping into my day-to-day: my new tiger-print satin pouch and pink Rachel Comey satin tank for a night out; an easy shoe that makes jeans and a button-down look more considered, both below. Same approach at home. I had people over last night to watch the sunset, with a Boarderie cheese board—the kind that arrives with cheeses and accompaniments that makes entertaining a breeze. I even lit the candles before anyone arrived. Practically a gala!

h&m

Monday needs this one-two brooch and blazer punch.

1. H&M brooch jacket
2. Pistola straight-leg jeans
3. Guerlain L’Heure Bleu Eau de Parfum
4. Ettica Mariner Chain watch
5. Vintage Christian Dior bag
6. Polo Ralph Lauren bow-trim velvet pumps

The Santa Anas are blowing, Coco left yesterday, and I’m spending Friday fantasizing about longer hair and coats I have no climatic reason to buy. Make of that what you will. While some of our visit involved our usual joint discovery missions (see Wednesday’s post), there was also the catching up on what we’ve each discovered independently. The first was almost shockingly noticeable: her hair! Long, down to her mid-back, healthy and lush in a way that took me straight back to our Riverdale Country School days. Excuse me, we have the same DNA. What’s she doing differently? Nutrafol, she told me. I vowed to get on it. I’m also working Highbrow Hippie’s new Nutripeptide Strengthening Essence, a lightweight leave-in mist for (much-needed) hydration, and (LA’s endless) heat protection. Apparently, my hair has been getting the short end of things. My makeup bag, meanwhile, benefits from every visit: I “borrowed” her Anastasia ArchiBrow eyebrow pencil and Westman Atelier Highlight Stick, and she bought her own Laura Mercier Caviar Stick, after watching me apply it with the quickest ease. Other potential shares: the knit funnel coat she picked up for under $300, below, which I would happily wear over everything, provided the temperature cooperates. Cargo pants, which she reported were looking particularly good on the models she photographed last week (here, here and here). I pay attention to what those women wear to work! Of course, Coco’s new finds don’t preclude helping herself to my old favorites. Almost without fail, she borrows my Sold Out NYC button-downs, particularly this one, though I suspect she will also to try to pinch my pretty just-arrived lace-front H&M, below, and Schutz high-vamp flats whenever she stays. Next time I should leave them out with the towels and her favorite body wash. We also agreed there are more double-buckle belts in our future, spent time considering Dôen’s new drop (particularly the almost-sold-out jacket Lily Sisto loves, below), clocked Madewell’s refreshingly affordable take on the trendy leather lanyard (second to last pic) and swooned over White & Warren’s luscious cashmere fringe. By the time she left yesterday, I had a longer shopping list, major hair envy, and a less clear sense of what actually belongs to whom. Thank goodness she’s coming back in two weeks!

$149, M&S

My weather app and my wish list are on the outs.

1. One Grey Day sweater
2. Frame jeans
3. Marks & Spencer faux fur lined satin bomber jacket
4. Each & Every Body Wash and Deodorant in This is Love
5. Celine clutch (Use the code MARLIEN to borrow this bag and save 80% of first month of membership at Vivirelle)
6. Roberto Cavalli wraparound bracelet watch
7. Aeyde snake effect ankle boots

$44, h&m

Carolyn Bessette, with a little Conner Ives in the mix.

1. White & Warren cashmere turtleneck
2. H&M wrap skirt
3. Vintage Celine hoop earrings
4. BCBG slim oval sunglasses
5. Dries Van Noten Refillable Lipstick Case
6. Chanel Vanity Bag (Use my code MARLIEN to borrow this bag and save 80% off first month of membership at Vivrelle)
7. Schutz leather boots
8. Madewell heart stacking ring

Alex Mill’s latest fall pieces had me ogling, but the jackets stopped me in my tracks. They reminded me of the ones Coco and I wore in high school—and apparently our taste hasn’t changed much. I offered to let her “borrow” mine for a while if she took some pictures of me in it. A reasonable arrangement, considering she’s having an actual fall in New York while I’m in LA, waiting for the temperature to drop below 75 degrees. What I hadn’t factored in was her 17-year-old daughter wanting it, too. Now they’re fighting over a jacket that, for the record, still belongs to me! Thankfully, there are loads of other options for them to wear, including the pictured brown velvet ballet flats (that are somehow still in Coco’s possession post-shoot), this pretty pink sweater (now with Phoebe at Choate!) and this merino wool jacket (I love how Courtney Grow styled it!).