LE CATCH

A frenzied last-minute Target run for more wrapping paper, gift tags, and tape, along with non-essential, never-knew-I-needed miscellanea that always ends up in my shopping cart, is as much a holiday tradition for me as is opening presents on Christmas morning. But this year has me tweaking the tradition (along with everything else!) and shopping Target's website (slightly) ahead of time--yet still netting the necessities and so much more. For starters, I scored stocking stuffers--this, this and this--but also stuff to spruce things up: the hand-woven basket, below, and this! I also made it over to Cost Plus, an unexpected bastion for original gifts (this, this and this), as well as small kitchen improvements, such as the organic stoneware mugs, above, this ceramic French Press and these bud vases.

 Among the treasured holiday traditions I'll be missing this year is my annual Yankee Swap. This customary mid-December present-swapping event has always outperformed Christmas Day by a long shot, because my besties know how to gift and specifically gift me! And, naturally, vice versa. Although we can't celebrate this year like always, I have thought a lot about what I would have brought to the Yankee Swap--and how I would have mined The Outnet for bang-for-the-buck presents! Among them: the luxe-looking Kenneth Jay Lane coin necklace I'm wearing, above and below, along with the elegantly tailored and versatile Iris & Ink double-breasted blazer and embellished Paco Rabanne skirt. More slam-dunk possibilities: this silk Equipment pajama set, this Smythson textured leather notebook, this Rag & Bone zebra-print sweatshirt, this paisley print Zimmermann bikini, and this cozy chic Ganni sweater. So many more scores here!

To close out yet another crazy week here on Earth, I thought I'd share some bright spots I came across but didn't get around to sharing with you, including my nighttime laughs watching Ted Lasso, reading Eve Rodsky's Fair Play, Nordstrom's Designer Clearance Sale (hello, 60% off Zimmermann, Valentino and Saint Laurent). Plus: gift-or-get finds like the cute and comfy $64 fluffy teddy jacket, above, this pretty print Never Fully Dressed shirt dress, this poised-to-party Asos dress, justifiable right now for $87, and this insanely chic raffia and chainmail Paco Rabanne bag. Stay safe, all!

It's what's inside that counts, right? Hence, today's focus on underpinnings--the extra special kind that moonlight in the outside world, too, peeking out of a button-down blouse, or underneath a double-breasted blazer, or on its own, doubling as a workout top or bikini top. You with me? I recently picked up the strappy Free People, above, and would love to add these by Leset, Splits59, Years of Ours, Beyond Yoga, and And Other Stories.

It should come as no surprise that a recent work visit to LA-based designer Clare Vivier, above, turned into a personal holiday shopping spree. I'm lucky to call Clare a close friend and collab partner (look out for another Clare V x Le Catch capsule in the spring!)--and reap the benefits of a guided/curated warehouse tour. Not only did she help me pick out the latest and greatest of her signature bags, accessories and clothes (see the cute swirly-print scarf that I'm also using a mask and bikini top, below, plus these monogrammed coin purses, these vibrant print masks, and this braided bag strap!), I also I got a peek at all the cuties in the pipeline. Since you readers are all a friend of a friend, I'd thought I'd share with you her masterfully-edited, whittled-down gift guide, chock full of stylish stocking stuffers and big-ticket statements, right here. Plus, a few of my own faves, like the woven tote, below, this, and this!

$49, h&m

How I will weather this winter--at home!

1. H&M cable knit sweater, $49, hm.com

2. Shashi signet ring, $55, shopbop.com

3. Diptyque Sapin de Nuit Room Spray, $45, netaporter.com

4. Gucci leather slides, $490, gucci.com

5. R13 cropped floral jeans, $425, netaporter.com

I took the above snap months ago at a Banana Republic photo shoot (helmed by my sis)--and presciently captured the current yin and yang of slipper wear. In other words, these kind of shoes now legitimately work indoor and out! And that's good for all of us--and our increasing need for comfort during these times. Turns out those Banana Republic slippers are now on sale (gift, anyone?)--along with a slew of other alluring options from Steve Madden, Vince, Sleeper and Schutz. What's more, in another serendipitous twist of fate, my sis just photographed Gwyneth Paltrow, below, in perhaps the most plush slides yet! Find them here.

Every year my sister's husband texts me asking what to buy her for Christmas. Which is essentially asking me what I want. But this year is a little different--as everything about this year is different! While we have some overlap on our lists--a membership to My Soul Vibe, which serves up personalized soul-salving meditations (much needed right now!) and skin-salving Byredo's Gypsy Water Body Lotion (OMG, the faint rosy scent!)--my sis needs jeans so she stops stealing mine (I want these back, Coco)! May I recommend the amazingly-flattering everyday jeans from Eve, inspired by Coco's friend/model/winemaker Michele Ouellet, below? Coco's daily, no-matter-what exercise routine further demands stylish street-to-sweat workout bras from Year of Ours (aptly named). She'd love anything from Maison Mayle, but specifically the beautiful dresses and jewelry, comfy but cute pajamas (this for the bedroom and beyond!) and knit pants for downtime, this NYC winter-proof (inexpensive but looks expensive) Asos puffer, and a new kitchen counter-presentable sparkling water maker. Of course, I will "borrow" some of these items in 2021. Stay safe, all!

In my book, the best kind of baubles are the kind I don't have to take off day in and day out--or for surfing, running, sleeping, etc. Lately, I've been adding to this beloved permanent collection of mine with affordable, perfect-for-gifting pieces that work everywhere and with everything, such as the Thatch hoop earrings, above, the below Brinker & Eliza chubbies (think of them as the charm necklace of 2021), and this Shashi sculpted ring (ditto). Other goodies to give and get: this layered chain choker, this dainty Stone and Strand, this Zoe Chicco chain ring, this Maria Black chain link bracelet, these mix-and-match Madewell huggies, and this pile-it-on crystal Roxanne Assoulin.