LE CATCH

$280, netaporter

If I were heading to the tropics over the holidays, these cropped stripe pants would no doubt be in my suitcase.

1. Lisa Marie Fernandez bikini, $395, netaporter.com
2. Le Specs sunglasses, $69, shopbop.com
3. Julep Beauty Lip Oil Treatment in Obsessed, $22, nordstrom.com
4. Balenciaga leather shopper tote, $1495, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Ancient Greek Sandals toe ring slides, $220, shopbop.com
6. Mara Hoffman pants, $280, netaporter.com

This Topshop coat, complete with a built-in hoodie, makes layering up for a frosty winter day simply stylish. One and done! P.S. In case you've got the coat part down, but need a hoodie, check out this extra special one from J.Crew, lined with super soft shearling. Warning: you might need to pry it off as it's so comfy!

Holiday partying officially kicked off last week with my friends at GOOP, who hosted a gorgeous dinner party to celebrate the LA opening of GOOP Gift. The pop-up store, open through December 24, features a masterful (and far-reaching) curation of GP's go-to's, from Andrew Hughes hand-blown wine glasses to Moon Juice Brain Dust. You can check out the full assortment here. NYC-based chef Mario Carbone treated us to a delicious Italian feast finished off with post-dinner chestnuts and s’mores. While mostly everyone dressed up in winter-appropriate head-to-toe black, I opted for this white Style Mafia top and this Veronica Beard navy blazer. I rather enjoyed standing out from the crowd, color-wise, and would do so again in festive tops like these from Solace London, Proenza Schouler, Petersyn, Needle and Thread, Cynthia Rowley and Diane Von Furstenberg. P.S. You can see more pics from the party here.

$95, and other stories

A retro ski sweater is the way to stay warm this winter, and this one works on and off the slopes!

1. And Other Stories scuba wool sweater, $95, stories.com
2. H&M faux leopard print jacket, $79, hm.com
3. Acne Studios jeans, $230, netaporter.com
4. Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment, $19, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Salvatore Ferragamo bag, $1507, nordstrom.com
6. Tibi mules, $385, shopbop.com

What I love most about my seven-year-old's Christmas list this year are his postscripts to Santa Claus (above). Because they're brimming with innocence and faith. Plus a little lobbying, and it also appears that he has a little more faith in grandma than me?! The bottom line is it's positive thinking at its purest. (Meanwhile my fourth grader reported this morning that he used Google Earth to scan the entire North Pole looking for Santa's headquarters and found nothing. Hmmm...) All this gift-getting anticipation has me thinking about what I'd like Santa to bring me. For starters, I'd love this new cookbook from my friend/fellow blogger Virginie Degryse, who specializes in super tasty and healthy family meals. Everyday bling would also be welcome in the form of these Sarah Chloe personalized rings (I'd put my kids' names on them), this Yvonne Leon diamond and opal earring and this Anne Sisteron rose gold bracelet. I'm bananas about this mid-century light fixture, which I'd like to hang over my dining table and this piece of eye-popping art from Kindah Khalidy. I'd love to take this Johanna Ortiz blouse and this Splendid one-shoulder tee on my next tropical getaway. And this killer new Proenza Schouler bag to go with. Honestly, I'd be psyched with just one of these presents, but you know, there's always positive thinking...

On those days when you feel like putting comfort before style consider throw in a standout bag. It's simple enough--and yet super high impact.

$343, matches

All ready to deck the halls in this off the shoulder frock!

1. Saloni dress, $343, matchesfashion.com
2. Sarah & Sebastien diamond earrings, $330, netaporter.com
3. Edie Parker clutch, $847, shopbop.com
4. Givenchy croc-effect leather sandals, $725, netaporter.com

In my wardrobe there are sweaters--and super special, extra cozy, lusciously luxe sweaters. I have just few of the latter as they cost more, but work winter after winter. This sweater season I am obsessed with I Love Mr. Mitten's handknit cardigans and pullovers, specifically this one (pictured, above), this one, and this one.

Photo: Fashioned/Chic

$75, topshop

I'm all about a winter basic that's anything but basic!

1. Topshop tie-sleeve sweater, $75, topshop.com
2. Topshop faux patchwork stole, $68, topshop.com
3. SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker bag, $325, neimanmarcus.com
4. Michael Kors ballet flats, $125, shopbop.com
5. Mother flared jeans, $240, netaporter.com

LA's first "cold" spell deployed an army of black puffer jackets at school drop-off this morning. Yours truly included. Hence some much needed cold weather style inspo today from a truly cold place: Copenhagen. Contending with an average winter temperature of zero-degrees centigrade, the Danes are experts in fending off Mr. Frost--fashionably. Proof in the pic, above. I'd like to follow their lead in the over-the-top outerwear department. Bright colors, fluffy jackets, embroidery... why not? They're like pops of cheer in hum-drum dreary weather. At least that's my theory! So, for pick-up this afternoon (and deep into February), I'm thinking warm and cozy in any of these pieces from Sandy Liang, Storets, Topshop, Pixie Market, Tory Burch, Rebecca Taylor, J.Crew, Ulla Johnson, and Zara.