LE CATCH

I have a friend, a fellow school mom, who captivates me with her rich knowledge of foreign policy--along with her intimate and up-to-date familiarity with The Real Real's latest offerings. I've casually suggested a few times that she share her painstakingly-selected favorites with me, but I know they're a guarded, (sacred) time-invested secret. As are mine. But today, I will share a few of them with you, because, (and this is kind of just sinking in) the reality is I can't buy them all for myself! Sad, but true. Let's start with the woven Bottega Veneta tote bag, above, and the beaded $35 Tory Burch cardigan, below. Also a steal (I know, because I managed to buy one before myself!) the sequin-trimmed cashmere Chanel cardigan, below, for $287! There's also the striking Chanel turtleneck, below, which is more expensive, but a good investment and easily re-sellable; the $168 embellished Marc Jacobs jacket, below; and the Dior slingbacks, also below. In the last pic is a Missoni woven tote, with its braided handle and forever-chic woven print, for $145. Also amazing: this statement Proenza Schouler jacket and these $55 Miu Miu sandals. For more, rifle through The Real Real's Editor Picks for yourself.

$49, h&m

A definite day-to-night do during the holidays!

1. Alexander Wang turtleneck, $276, netaporter.com
2. Zimmermann earrings, $177, shopbop.com
3. KNC Beauty Supa Balm in Mint, $22, netaporter.com
4. Meredith Quill link bracelet, $75, meredithquill.com
5. Longchamp cross-body bag, $860, nordstrom.com
6. Tory Burch knee-high boots, $628, shopbop.com
7. H&M sequin skirt, $49, hm.com

There's a giant hoops game going on right now that not only warrants binge-watching but suiting up and playing along. Fortunately, there are options to accommodate professionals and amateurs, alike. For those seasoned players, I recommend these statement-makers by Marni (above), Kenneth Jay Lane, Chan Luu, Bibi Marini, Loren Stewart, Foundrae, and Bauble Bar.

$44, miss selfridge

Aspen is on the horizon for me--along with its hot chocolates, truffle fries and yummy knits, just like this.

1. Miss Selfridge turtleneck, $44, missselfridge.com
2. Nanushka vegan leather coat, $425, netaporter.com
3. Izipizi sunglasses, $45, izipizi.com
4. Lano Lips Hands All Over, $24, netaporter.com
5. Tory Birch tweed boots, $478, toryburch.com
6. Ganni corduroy pants, $129, theoutnet.com

I always aspire to give the most thoughtful gifts. I really do. But I also always wait till the last minute to buy them. Not this year though! I'm getting approximately 23 days ahead of my usual analysis/paralysis and buying some of these personalized (read: thoughtful!) pieces--and taking advantage of Cyber Monday. Double Whammy! I love the Mark and Graham monogrammed jewelry cases (25% off today!), above, these Brinker and Eliza initial charm hoops and the custom Hart Hagerty necklace, below.

More brilliant ways to milk today-only sales (and holiday shop!): Hit Kirna Zabete for an epic assortment of deep designer discounts, including the Utzon trench I'm wearing below (my Veja sneakers can be found on sale here!) as well as Moda Operandi (offering an extra 30% off!). I hand-picked this Jennifer Zeuner lariat necklace, these stylish Bose headphones, this Faithfull the Brand wrap skirt, these everyday-worthy Schutz knee-high boots, this cute striped throw, this vacay-ready raffia Mizele tote, this Anthropologie marble cheese board, this elegant snake-embossed Clare V clutch, and all of Beautycounter's best sellers (15% off with free shipping)!

My sis hosted Thanksgiving yesterday, chock full of successes (the most divine homemade blueberry pie baked by my 10-year-old niece) and some mishaps (said blueberry pie dropped face-down in the oven). There was also my ornery 85-year-old aunt who refused to talk to anyone and a crippling shortage of chicken stock for the gravy. But all of that did not put a dent in the table's upbeat drama: family game-playing (we love Psyche!), bouquets of seasonal blooms picked by our kids, along with cheery linens by my dear friend JJ Martin's line La Double J (above). Which, lucky duck, is on sale today, this Black Friday, at Shopbop! I stocked up for more memory-making occasions in the future--and plan to make even more great memories with these other steals and holiday gifts from Shopbop (this, this and this), Nordstrom (look cute burning off the stuffing with this yes and this yes!), CB2 (this! this! this!), Net-A-Porter (love!), Target (one, two and three for the kiddos!), Neiman Marcus and Anthropologie. Have a happy long holiday weekend!

Let's take a minute away from turkey brining and pumpkin pie-ing and bring our attention to other delicacies, shall we? Namely this Chloe clutch, now 40% and minus the tryptophan available at Nordstrom's just-launched Cyber Sale (no sharp elbows here, folks). Other tempting pre-feast treats: this statement Kenzo sweater, this amazing Burberry cashmere blanket (under $300!), this Johanna Ortiz animal-print stunner, this Thread and Supply fleece pullover, and this Sam Edelman everyday-cool booties. Feast for yourself here.

Everyone in my house has been looking forward to this day for weeks now, for it's the Gobbler Bowl at my kids' school, the annual and always exciting pre-turkey flag football game (that steals students away from normal morning class time.) It's also the day when Shopbop preempts Black Friday with its epic, can't-miss buy more/save more sale (i.e., 25-75% off!), in which I gobble up gifts for all my peeps (and, okay, a few for myself) and also steal away from my normal morning mundane routine. Let's start with the gorgeous Ulla Johnson statement knit, above, and the cute Isabel Marant Etoile pullover, below. (Yes, those would be for me!) For my BFF's, I'm eyeing this chic lucite Backgammon set, this Octaevo Janus ceramic tray, this outfit-making Cult Gaia clutch, this Cupcakes and Cashmere woven jacket, and this coffee-table-punctuating Assouline book on Capri (my favorite place!). Kick off your holiday shopping, for reals, here!

If you're planning to travel this Thanksgiving, along with fifty-five million others, get ready for what's expected to be the second busiest travel day in over a decade. And keep it simple. Take a travel cue from Paris-based Leia Sfez, above, who wears her New Balance running sneakers on the road, leaving more room in her carry-on for more compelling cuteness. Now that normcore sneakers are all the rage, I looked into other options offering the work/werk balance and singled out these by Nike, Asics and Nike (again/below).

$150, topshop

Cozy, comfortable yet chic--exactly how I want to roll right now.

1. Weekend Max Mara sweater, $276, matchesfashion.com
2. Topshop jacket, $150, topshop.com
3. Beautycounter Lip Gloss in Bare Shimmer, $24, beautycounter.com
4. Rag & Bone high-rise straight-leg jeans, $195, netaporter.com
5. Chanel bag, $995, therealreal.com
6. Freda Salvador lace-up boots, $495, nordstrom.com