LE CATCH

This is the time of year when I'm running around in either a party dress or a pair of leggings. Believe it or not, the latter can come off as just as stylish, as long as they're paired with more sophisticated teammates. (I swear by Left on Friday leggings because the material is so soft with just the right amount of slick and sucks you in all the right places. Trust me!) Look to Kendall Jenner, above, and Claire Rose, below, for how-t0 inspiration. Instead of throwing on a workout-ready sweatshirt, Jenner opted for a stylish belted cardigan by The Row (other subs: this Vince, this G. Label, or this Tuckernuck), instantly elevating the laid-back into effortlessly polished. Same goes Claire Rose, below, in St. Moritz, working a pair of leggings off the slopes with a Varley fair isle knit. Her Alpine style is so spot-on that it can be worn at sea level too. Everything pictured below can be found here, but the best pieces are this jacket, this fleece bomber and this this sweater and matching scarf (third pic down) that can be worn at sea level, too!

Photos: Claire Rose

You know I am always on the move, either chasing sunshine or criss-crossing concrete jungles. That roaming spirit inspired my new necklace collaboration with Sequin Jewelry, designed to keep up with a string bikini yet also dazzle in mid-town Manhattan. To test-drive its versatility, I took the collection to Hawaii a few weeks ago, where it seamlessly transitioned from lazy beach days on the North Shore to vibrant nights out--and stayed put through each adventure. Wear one or layer them all--the styling options are endless. And the prices are refreshingly affordable. Just the way we like things. Check out the collection here--and use the code LECATCH20 to get 20% off!

'Tis the season of sleigh bells--and apparently a sleigh-load of DM's asking for "special discounts" on the Adina Reyter jewelry I constantly wear. My inbox is starting to look like Santa's wishlist, except instead of "peace on Earth," it's "Can you get me a discount on the necklace you're wearing?" I appreciate the holiday spirit, but, no, I am not running a Black Friday Hotline. That being said, I will be Santa's helper and extend, ho, ho, ho, my personal discount code MARLIEN20, good through Tuesday, 12/10! Just promise me you'll leave out cookies for the sparkle I'm adding to your gift-giving season! Shop here!

$159, zara

A smattering of sequins for some holiday sparkle.

1. Chloe dress, $3550, mytheresa.com

2. Zara embroidered jacket, $159, zara.com

3. Reformation boots, $478, shopbop.com

4. Sarah Chloe stackable rings, $145, goop.com

$69, zara

Function and fringe all in one bucket bag.

1. Farm Rio dress, $248, nordstrom.com

2. Byredo Lipstick in Reunion, $36, bergdorfgoodman.com

3. Zara bag, $69, zara.com

4. Heaven Mayhem earrings, $110, shopbop.com

5. Schutz boots, $258, shopbop.com

For me, dressing up for a holiday party this season won't require wearing an actual dress. Instead I'll be swirling around in festive pieces that will bring the party--without a single stitch of tulle in sight. In London I wore an old H&M studded cardigan with velvet trousers and a tuxedo blazer and felt perfectly (and very comfortably) at home at the stylishly opulent Maison Estelle. Other party animals in my wardrobe waiting for their invites: the feather trimmed J.Crew chiffon blouse, below, this sexy deep V-neck blouse by Courtney Zheng, this Jacques Wei embellished top, this sparkly Costerellos sweater, this gold-chain trimmed Givenchy (on major sale), and this satin Chloe tuxedo blazer (on sale!).

In between long and lavish meals at Scott's, La Petite Maison, Wild, Maison Estelle, 5 Hertford Street and The Park, there was barely time to shop in London. Still, I managed to rack up a few scores. I found the Prada-spirited embellished bomber jacket at Reserved, below, which prompted some London friends to beeline over and follow suit. I am not sure if Zara's inventory is actually better across the pond, or if my travel-induced excitement just amplifies the assortment but what is certain is the coolness of the above faux fur one-shoulder top. It's fluffy--and so fun. ME +EM's knits kept my friends and me captive in the Notting Hill store for a while, and not only did I leave with the chocolate brown layered wrap cardigan, below, but I walked out wearing it! It's that good! The Kurt Geiger bow-tie flats stopped me in my tracks at Selfridges, as they reminded me of the Chanel ballerinas I'm coveting. Lastly, if anyone finds the fringed And Other Stories, immediately below, in UK size 10, let me know! It was sold out on Regent Street when I popped in.

It's hard not to get into the holiday spirit in London, where every Christmas tree-lit corner sparkles like a scene from a holiday movie. Fittingly, my fashion sense is trying to match the festive mood, with frivolous fringe (Zara sweater, above), plush velvet pants (beyond comfortable!) and lush silk blouses, like this Maison Mayle, pictured, this on-sale Isabel Marant and this Jamie Haller. I'm even sporting mini-ornaments on my feet with these new flats. I can't leave without loading up on more festive styles, so I snapped up this (SO Gucci!), this and this to bring the holiday spirit home!

Overpacking can feel like a safety net, but it can backfire when faced with a suitcase full of options and no clear direction. Wowza, did it hit me hard this morning in London, as I stood in front of a chaotic array of "maybes." The clock was ticking, and my seven girlfriends were waiting in the lobby, ready to shop and blowing up my phone to hurry down. Meanwhile, I was trapped in a loop of indecision. That’s when I could have used the effortless 3.1 Phillip Lim outfit, above—a true throw-on-and-go staple! Thankfully, it's on sale for Cyber Monday (for next time--no more waiting, my friends!), along with a slew of other one and done wonders including this Kika Vargas dress, this Staud and this Rhode. Shop the 25% off last licks-sale here!

After sleeping off mounds of stuffing and three slices of homemade pumpkin pie, my Black Friday fatigue and my FOMO duked it out until approximately 8:10AM. Then I caved and bought the faux fur Source Uknown jacket, above, for $139! I also trawled Khaite's richly-stocked 40% off sale (jeans, jackets, dresses!). But, wait, there's even more Khaite, Toteme, Ulla Johnson, The Row, etc, at My Theresa's up to 50% off sale. Seriously, go! And while you are at it, stop by at Shopbop for 25% off site-wide: denim galore, jackets and coats, and every trendy shoe under the sun. The beauty products I really want but don't buy because they're too expensive are now on sale at Nordstrom--and I stocked up on this and this (i.e., the reason I wear my hair down more often these days!) Last stop: the highly sought-after blazers at Kallmeyer. I'll let you know if I keep going... chances are high!