LE CATCH

$320, nordstrom

While the pre-Fall 2013 collections are currently being unveiled (a synopsis on these shows to come later this week!), pre-Spring 2013 styles are just rolling into stores, including this gorgeous African print peplum stunner from Thakoon Addition. All there is to say about this top is WOW! And don't wait till the weather warms up to wear it!

1. Thakoon Addition African print peplum top, $320, nordstrom.com
2. Madewell sequin cardigan, $135, madewell.com
3. Jil Sander clutch, $494, mytheresa.com
4. Tibi ankle strap heels, $435, shopbop.com
5. Rag & Bone embroidered pants, $268, netaporter.com

A few years ago, I gave away my faux fur-trimmed parka to my sister. She had been fawning over it, and though I liked it myself, she loved it, and thus clothes-karma seemed to obligate my break-up with said parka. Over time though, I began to feel that the break-up might have left a bit of a hole, if not actually in my heart, most definitely in my wardrobe. You just can't deny the goodness (i.e. practicality, warmth, chicness, foreverness) of one of these furry coat-friends. So recently, I've begun the search for a replacement. I'm looking at these ones from Topshop (on sale!), Asos, and Three Floor (my fave).

$80, topshop

A year or so ago at a party in Beverly Hills Lauren Santo Domingo shared with me her shopping strategy: Every season she buys a few big investment pieces and wears them over and over again. She proudly proclaimed herself a repeater. But, she added, the key to keeping her looks fresh each time boiled down to standout accessories. Enter this laser-cut (very Alaia) leather belt--and the endless refresh-your-wardrobe possibilities it will yield. Take for example...

1. Tibi neoprene dress, $525, netaporter.com
2. Amor Fati earrings, $42, anthropologie.com
3. Topshop leather belt, $80, topshop.com
4. Acquazurra cut-out suede pumps, $495, shopbop.com

$140, shopbop

I am all about Pinterest these days (isn't everyone?) and noticed that many of my pins involve sexy, edgy high-heeled sandals, like the ones above. The nude shoe would go well with my filmy bohemian maxi dresses and short snappy frocks (and make my legs look like they go on forever--always a plus!). And the black would go with everything else! Perhaps I need both!

$243, netaporter

I made a quick trip to New York last week and did a lot of walking around, despite the rain and cold (is it just me or is there a taxi shortage?). To insulate myself, I did some major layering, and I noticed I wasn't alone. Spotted on the streets uptown to downtown: fur vests over coats, lightweight puffers under jackets, leather vests over chunky cardigans and distressed jean jackets. This long, oversized leather vest would fit right in, a versatile piece that's not restricted to the frigid outdoors, either (i.e., how cute would it be over a floaty chiffon dress during the spring?). Plus, it's on major sale (reduced from $810). I'd wear it this very minute under and over a coat, along with...

1. J. Crew cashmere sweater, $248, jcrew.com
2. Karl leather vest, $243, netaporter.com
3. Topshop coat, $158, topshop.com
4. Max Mara floral print jeans, $219, matchesfashion.com
5. Proenza Schouler PS1 extra large bag, $2,350 forwardbyelysewalker.com
6. Rachel Comey ankle boots, $420, piperlime.com

Split skirts are getting a lot of love lately, and it's easy to see why: they're sexy, edgy, and relaxed-fitting. Check out these options from Style Stalker (similar to the one above), See by Chloe, Sportmax, Ellery, and Topshop.

$59, uniqlo

I have a trench-inspired jacket like this that I bought ages ago and what I love most about it is that it's both indoor and outdoor-worthy. Cleverly, this one has buttons on its sleeves so you can roll them up and costs a mere $59.

1. Aerie sweatshirt, $49, aerie.com
2. Uniqlo jacket, $59, uniqlo.com
3. Madewell oxford shoes, $165, madewell.com
4. Jerome Dreyfuss leopard print calfhair bag, $815, shopbop.com
5. Topshop tweed pants, $80, topshop.com

For several seasons now the fur vest has successfully served as a cold-weather layering staple. But this winter it's being rendered in new cuts and entirely fresh colors and worn under and over coats and jackets. Among my favorite faux furs are a wintry white, tasseled Topshop (which I proudly own and have been wearing over filmy blouses and under my army green parka) and its multi-hued cousin; an adorable, leopard print Alice & Olivia (imagine over a black coat or even a jean jacket--love!..and 40% off); a forever-chic and rich-looking chocolate brown Barneys Co-op, and a leather-lined black Patterson J. Kincaid (35% off).

$95, miss selfridge

What about a ruffled organza eggplant confection in lieu of an LBD? Yes, please.

1. Miss Selfridge ruffled organza dress, $95, missselfridge.com
2. Bountkit prehnite drop earrings, $430, charmandchain.com
3. Henri Bendel leopard print clutch, $278, henribendel.com
4. Acquazzura cut-out pumps, $695, shopbop.com

$130, shopbop.com

Every December some friends and I get together for dinner and (lots of) wine and swap gifts in our version of the Yankee Swap tradition. It might just be my most favorite night of the year, bonding with my besties and reveling in the joy of the season. If you aren't in the habit of doing one of these, here's how it works: we all bring wrapped gifts (the max you can spend is supposed to be $100, but everyone always seems to spend slightly more). We each draw numbers to determine the order in which we open the presents. The person who draws #1 goes first and opens a gift from the pile. The person who draws #2 goes next and opens a present and has the choice of taking the one opened by #1, or keeping the present she just opened. The person who draws #3 goes next and can either take #1's gift, or take #2's gift, and so on. After everyone has had a turn, player #1 can swap gifts with any other player. Over the years, the swap has become more competitive, as we all want to give away something dazzling and highly coveted while still being able to claim that we have adhered (sort of) to the spending limit. This has required us to become super creative in sourcing high-impact, low-budget giftables. And, the resulting bounty is proof: this year's Yankee Swap, held earlier this week, included vintage Oscar de la Renta chandelier earrings, an Hermes horn cuff (that was definitely over $100!), a gorgeous, on-sale Serpui Marie ombre clutch (above), and a studded Valentino bracelet, pictured below, along with some of the other highlights:

$85, jcrew.com

$160, stylebop.com

$168, jcrew.com

$180, saksfifthavenue.com

P.S. I won the cashmere J.Crew snood above, and yours truly gave away the Clare Vivier snakeskin embossed clutch pictured above, which, not surprisingly (it's a gem), was appropriated and and then re-appropriated by more than a few of my fellow discerning Yankee swappers.