LE CATCH

This year my youngest son employed a 3x4-inch note to clue Santa in on what he wants for Christmas. For the record, his list consists of seven gifts, including what-in-the-world-are-they items like Colossal Blitz and Turbo Dryer! I am pretty certain the elves will know what these toys are and where to get them. But just so there's no confusion, I thought I'd spell out my own wishlist, using this (much bigger than a 3x4!) space here.

1. I truly believe that one of the best gifts you can give/receive is a book you can't put down. I hear that the following books are slam dunks: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (my father was an Olympic rower in the 1960 Rome Olympics), hence my interest!); Brooklyn, Outline, and The Nightingale.

2. I am obsessed with everything Gucci right now, thanks to creative director Alessandro Michele's quirky romantic vision. I'm thinking this statement cardigan will last me a lifetime and turn some heads all the while.

3. One can never have enough bling: this, this, this and this are pretty dreamy.

4. Or shoes: I'd love to put this Gianvito Rossi block heel and this Aquazurra lace-up pump into regular rotation.

5: Or party dresses like this Alice & Olivia, this Reformation, this Asos, this Issa, and this Proenza Schouler. I'm also dazzled by this NYE-ready MSGM top!

6. I'd really, really like to trick out my kitchen with this mood-setting modern light fixture by Jason Koharik and these delicate stemless wine glasses.

7. Like last year, the thing I really want most is something no one can shop for: Health and happiness for my family and friends! I wish you all the same!

$350, netaporter

Grey wool and gold chain mail have never looked so good!

1. Equipment cashmere turtleneck, $320, netaporter.com
2. Lipstick Queen in Jungle Queen, $24, barneys.com
3. Valentino camouflage pouch, $645, luisaviaroma.com
4. Stuart Weitzman nude patent sandal, $398, neimanmarcus.com
5. J.Crew skirt, $350, netaporter.com

This Instagram pic just stopped me dead in my denim-clad tracks. For these button-accented, high-waisted jeans are unlike any I have in my arsenal. And they're fantastically cool! They're already sold out on J.Brand's website, but I tracked them down in both black and blue here and here.

$69, h&m

While a little black dress could certainly carry you through party season, there's something distinctly cool about showing up in a jumpsuit, like this one!

1. H&M jumpsuit, $69, hm.com
2. Percossi Papi multi-stone earrings, $1070, netaporter.com
3. Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream lipstick in Black Magic, $34, nordstrom.com
4. Mango embellished clutch, $59, mango.com
5. Aquazurra lace-up pumps, $695, bergdorfgoodman.com

The dress code for Art Basel in Miami leans toward the creative, of course, and Solange Knowles, above, illustrated this art form perfectly this week in a dramatic ruffled-sleeved Ellery. I also love this less expensive version here. Oh, and the Gucci shoes aren't bad either!

Photo: Harper's Bazaar

$125, topshop

A particularly successful fly-by at Barneys the other day netted a new pair of shoes (on sale!) and this statement sweater, which I spotted on a fellow shopper and immediately purchased via my cell phone!

1. Topshop studded sweater, $125, topshop.com
2. Eddie Borgo ring, $250, shopbop.com
3. Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Hot Berry, $27, neimanmarcus.com
4. Clare V. beaded clutch, $449, clarevivier.com
5. Jimmy Choo flats, $438, netaporter.com
6. Lela Rose pleated skirt, $907, netaporter.com

An elegant holiday dinner with friends last night called for our holiday finest. My Thakoon Addition silk, floral, backless dress, a recent acquisition, was more resort-holiday than happy-holidays, but it worked. The super gorgeous Alice McCall lace dress, above, however, warrants a real tropical holiday! Take me away!

$114, miss selfridge

A bright and merry (and chic) way to sparkle this season!

1. Miss Selfridge embellished dress, $119, missselfridge.com
2. Noir Jewelry three finger ring, $150, shopbop.com
3. Lancome lipstick in Garance, $30, bergdorfgoodman.com
4. Rafe faceted minaudiere, $795, neimanmarcus.com
5. Gianvito Rossi lucite heel sandals, $1125, barneys.com

A few weeks ago when open-toe season was still in full effect, I had my new fresh-looking block-heeled sandals in constant rotation. Now that Jack Frost (the LA version at least) is nipping at my heels, I'll be stepping out in the must-have closed-toe version. Yes, that's right, I'm giving my spindly stilettos a breather to sport the new block-heeled pump, which not only looks cool and different but is way easier on the feet and perhaps even more day-worthy. I love these beauts from Gianvito Rossi, Chloe, Loeffler Randall, Topshop, Nine West, Fendi and Warehouse.

Photos: A Love is Blind, Garance Dore

Fellow bloggers Camille Charriere and Pandora Sykes prove that just a few tufts of fur goes a long way in the style department. The extra warmth is also an added bonus. (Camille is wearing a wool anorak by Saks Potts and Pandora is sporting Topshop.) I'm loving these faux fur styles by H&M, Levi's, Tanya Taylor, Loeffler Randall, and Harvey Faircloth.

Photos: Camille Charriere, Pandora Sykes