LE CATCH

$59, mango

A winning combination of slouchy and sexy. Yes, please!

1. Mango cut-out turtleneck, $59, mango.com
2. Alexander Wang X Earrings, $350, shopbop.com
3. Loewe satin bag, $1132, nordstrom.com
4. Christian Louboutin boots, $1495, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Tory Burch skirt, $350, netaporter.com

$320, moda operandi

Earlier this week I had lunch with a swimsuit designer friend who had just returned from Australia. Along with her Southern Hemisphere summer glow, she had on a cute new top by Aussie brand Acler. As soon as I returned home, I wandered the web to find one for myself but found this striped Acler dress instead. Score, mate!

1. Acler asymmetric dress, $320, modaoperandi.com
2. Elizabeth and James sunglasses, $175, shopbop.com
3. Isabel Marant beaded bracelet, $305, matchesfashion.com
4. Kayu basket bag, $125, netaporter.com
5. Gianvito Rossi sandals, $695, bergdorfgoodman.com

I thought I had the high-waist jean situation nailed in my wardrobe (with pairs by J.Crew, Eve, and Citizens of Humanity), but then these pics of French designer Jeanne Damas convinced me more colors are in order. Tout suite! The ones she's wearing are here, here and here. I also like these options from Topshop, Rachel Comey, and A.P.C.

Photos: Jeanne Damas

I love how this Sea top is all striped business up front and seriously happening party in the back! The unexpected lace-up detailing and eyelet shirting takes it to next level.

If you missed out on getting a LE CATCH xo Haney dress before they sold out, you'll be happy to know that designer Mary Alice Haney took the same cut and and did another run for her label, this time rendered in amazing holiday (both the merry and getaway kind) fabrics, from cotton pinstripe, above, which I'd throw over a bathing suit, to red silk, spot on for champagne swilling till the wee hours. Enjoy them all here!

$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...