LE CATCH

When the Getty Fire forced us to evacuate our home a few weeks ago, my husband packed up the car with, of course, important papers and photos, but also, wait for it... his ski boots! That's how meaningful skiing is to my family! My sons are equally dedicated, and with a ski trip on the books, I've rounded up the best of this season's slope style and thought I'd share. One thing I should point out: this year's assortment stands out from the past with non-ski (read: unexpected) brands offering pieces that swish equally well on and off the blue runs, such as Free People, above, and Madewell, below. Yes, they may be less technical, but they peak, style-wise. A few of my favorites include these super-flattering Perfect Moment flare pants, this Holden bib, these statement We Norwegians wool leggings, this J.Crew fleece bomber jacket, this I Love Mr. Mittens turtleneck (40% off!), and this H&M zip-up pullover ($34!--this chunkier one also amazing).

$34, h&m

I love this turtleneck's tiny pearls and big-time style.

Winter essentials--hats, gloves, scarves, and whatnot--are just that. Essential. But, for me, they are more than that: they are salt to a wound. Yes, it's cold outside but it's so cold I have to insulate every inch of my body. All of which is to say these are not things I generally get excited about buying--unless they go the extra freezing mile and look super cute. Like, say, the fringed Mango shawl, above, at home over a sweater or out in the elements atop a wool coat. Or the colorful Acne Studios poncho/jacket, below, that will perk up any drab winter outfit (this Rachel Comey is similar). These accessories actually make me excited about the cold. Now I'm like, bring it on! Other stylish (read: atypical) frost fighters: this faux fur leopard print Apparis scarf, this Eugenia Kim faux fur snood, this Joseph draped turtleneck wrap, these H&M smartphone gloves, this plush Jocelyn bandana, and these Ganni extra-long striped gloves.

$280, topshop

Slip on, have fun, repeat! Happy Weekend!

1. Topshop embellished slip dress, $280, topshop.com
2. Tibi blazer, $895, matchesfashion.com
3. Mae Cassidy pearl embellished clutch, $345, netaporter.com
4. Chanel lip and cheek palette, $60, nordstrom.com
5. Aquazurra lace-up sandals, $725, shopbop.com

A friend of mine is heading to Copenhagen this afternoon for four days, prepped with a long list of Danish design to-do's, prayers to get into Noma, and a carry-on. Her packing mandate: no bulk! To keep the cold at bay, she packed layer-friendly, lighter-weight knits, knowing that all she has to do to look stylish throughout is...tuck in her sweater! These pics prove how this styling trick actually does a lot to effect a more polished, figure-flattering look. Sweaters I suggested she take (and also wear back at home) include this And Other Stories outfit-maker (or this one), this COS zip-up jumper, this Jonathan Simkhai braided cotton turtleneck, this scalloped-striped Madewell (on sale*!), and this C/Meo Collective ball-knit sweater. P.S. Tons of cold-weather cuties just hit the sale racks (through 11/17!) over at Nordstrom (like this, this and this). Take a look here.

I like the all the pearls popping up on this winter's knits. In fact, I have my eye on more than one version--no surprise there, right?! Take a look at these by And Other Stories, H&M, Co (re-sale!), Chanel (re-sale!), Alexander Wang and 3.1 Phillip Lim and tell me which one you love best!

$198, neiman marcus

The pearl-studded ankle strap, the scalloped lace, the day-to-night flat heel and the price--seriously what more could I want?!

1. Acne Studios wool-stitched sweater, $680, netaporter.com
2. H&M faux fur jacket, $79, hm.com
3 Gorjana wrap studs, $50, shopbop.com
4. Chanel cigarette bag, $500, therealreal.com
5. Badgley Mischka flats, $198, neimanmarcus.com
6. Toteme jeans, $205, netaporter.com

Who doesn't need another pair of perfect jeans in their life? Particularly if they boast the right-now, high-waist, leg-lengthening cut--and are on sale?! I do! I've been coveting these AGOLDE jeans, above, for a while now, and due to Shopbop's just-launched sale, I'm now yearning for additional stylish winter wearables like these sleek black Stuart Weitzman boots to go with my perfect jeans (or perhaps these knee-high Loeffler Randall suede boots?), the below faux fur coat by Alexa Chung, this crazy cute Love Shack Fancy fair isle cardigan, this J.O.A. leopard-print fleece, this Lioness double-breasted blazer, this Saloni super flattering, super gorgeous party dress and these Re/Done cargo pants that will work in my wardrobe forever. Score more here!

Photo: District_Edit

This Monday morning has me in Saturday-night-party mode, having just nabbed the above fete-fab Self-Portrait dress at Net-A-Porter's first-ever Friends and Family Sale. The unprecedented 25% discount is a generous (and preemptive!) pre-Thanksgiving treat, tempting me to gobble up other desirables like this stunning Mes Demoisellles velvet gown, this sparkly Rixo dress, this fringed Nanushka coat, these cropped straight-leg Re/Done jeans, these Gianvito Rossi ankle boots, this Chan Luu multi-stone necklace, and these Adidas Originals everyday-chic sneakers. Eat it all up for yourself here!

It was nearly 8PM when my friend and I sat down for dinner last night. She looked fresh and vibrant, as if she had been napping all afternoon. Far from it, she had been working and on her feet since 7 in the morning. And she was still in her office clothes (which, for the record, were eminently stylish, particularly because of this Kule cardigan she had on). "How do you you look so radiant after such a long day?" I asked, incredulously. She promptly handed over a lipstick tube, given to her at 5PM by her work-around-the-clock, super-successful, beauty-tricks-up-her-sleeve best friend. The lipstick was Armie 33 by Tom Ford Beauty, a deep red matte shade that is said to make you look picture perfect, with blue undertones to make teeth look whiter. I swear, it did all that and then some! And now it will be my hard-working secret!

Photo: Jeanne Damas