LE CATCH

Before heading out to a splashy charity gala last Saturday night, some friends and I gathered to primp ensemble. We each came armed with various dress options, and by far the most compelling options all happened to be from UK-based designer Self Portrait. I've sung this brand's praises before, but my infatuation has intensified, due to its current line-up of fancy party-ready (and nicely priced!) pieces, including this pleated minidress, this red lace frock (my newest addition), this guipure lace dress, this white mesh midi and the paneled dress, above.

$98, pixie market

This embellished sweater cape is my kind of warm and toasty--and chic! (I'd layer it over a black cashmere knit for extra coziness.)

1. Pixie Market embellished knit cape, $98, pixiemarket.com
2. Elizabeth and James ring, $95, shopbop.com
3. Tony Moly Cherry Lip Balm, $10, nordstrom.com
4. Tory Burch cross-body bag, $250, toryburch.com
5. Isabel Marant boots, $975, netaporter.com
6. Madewell jeans, $135, netaporter.com

Alexa Chung is making a very strong case for this season's kick flare jean, proving that this fresh, new silhouette can be both funky and bold as well as classic and cool (below). I like these versions by AG (pictured above and below, also in black here and winter-ready corduroy here), The Great (similar looking), Frame, Topshop, JBrand, Stella McCartney, and Citizens of Humanity.

Over the weekend, I started to think about my upcoming annual Yankee Swap, the holiday gift exchange I participate in with some good friends. It's a high pressure event--in a good, fun way--as the gifts exchanged are very thought out and well curated. My friends and I joke that it's the best present we receive all year! If last year is any indication, Anne Sisterson's jewelry is an excellent place to start the hunt, as more than a quarter of the Yankee Swap presents were sourced from this spot-on Beverly Hills-based designer. (Her baubles are sparkly but not crazy blingy, so that you can wear them day to night. And the prices are reasonable.) Here are my favorites--husband and fellow swappers, are you listening?--and they include these dazzling diamond and yellow gold earrings, above; this under-$100 crystal and rose gold necklace, this edgy pearl studded ear cuff; these spiked gold and diamond huggies; this delicate pave ring; and these pretty, everyday-worthy branch studs. Check out the full collection here.

$485, tibi

I spotted Gwyneth Paltrow looking super chic at an event the other night in a jumpsuit just like this. Inspired, I'd like to throw this piece on with some killer heels and paint the town red.

1. Tibi jumpsuit, $485, tibi.com
2. Kenneth Jay Lane earrings, $86, netaporter.com
3. Maria Lamanna leather clutch, $795, luisaviaroma.com
4. Gianvito Rossi ankle strap sandals, $790, netaporter.com

Scarf season has yet to arrive in LA, but that being said, it's not exactly toasty out! To stave off the brisk fall breeze, I'm thinking a chic silk scarf will do the trick. I like a vibrant vintage-looking one, such as this, this and this. And it will look spot on when paired with a distinctly cool, in-between-season jacket, like this shearling lined Asos denim jacket, this A.P.C. pea coat (similar to above), this 3.1 Phillip Lim double breasted jacket, this faux fur Topshop bomber and this H&M wool cape.

Photo: Style

$109, nine west

Now here's an easy (and inexpensive) way to up the glam factor this holiday season.

1. Erdem floral dress, $975, netaporter.com
2. Nadrie earrings, $17, nordstrom.com
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, $395, shopbop.com
4. Nine West lace-up sandal, $109, ninewest.com

Those who see me regularly--and those who don't, including NYC-based designer Rebecca Minkoff, above left--can attest to my fixation with the H&M beaded fisherman sweater I've been wearing nonstop. It is now available here for all of you to obsess over. P.S. It runs big; I bought an extra small!

It's that soiree-hopping, champagne-swilling, festive-dressing time of year, and, for me, it officially kicked off last night at a dinner party at the Chateau Marmont. (I'm the fourth one in on the left, digging into my salad! You can see more pics here.) I scrambled to get dressed for the evening (as per usual!) and ultimately chose an elegant vintage (Gucci-looking) pleated lace-trimmed dress, given to me by my aunt, and while I was happy to wear it, I did think it would be nice to have several more options in my arsenal this season. This morning, I poked around and found a slew, including these by Tamara Mellon, Stella McCartney, Bec & Bridge, Self Portrait, McQ Alexander McQueen, BB Dakota, Haney, and Gucci. Fortuitously, Moda Operandi is staging a half-off sale on tons of fancy party-bound pieces, such as this Thakoon Addition floral print maxi dress, this J.W. Anderson one-shoulder top, this strapless Derek Lam 10 Crosby corset and this Saloni fluttery frock. Enter HALFOFF at checkout. View the all the sale offerings here.

Photo: Vogue

They say a leopard can't change its spots, but it can get wilder. Such is the case this season, with animal print coats and jackets looking fiercer and furrier than ever. Whether short or long, these cool cats come tricked out with contrasting collars, such as the faux fur one, above, by Shrimps, or with extra bold spots, like this Marc by Marc Jacobs and this Yves Salomon (below). I'm also purring over these warm and fuzzy options by Alice & Olivia, Topshop, The Reformation, and Asos.

Photos: Manrepeller, Gogo Luxe, Derek Blasberg