LE CATCH

$129, nine west

With its low, easy-to-walk-in heel, cool zipper detail and sleek silhouette, this boot could just be this fall's most valuable player.

1. Etoile Isabel Marant dress, $390, matchesfashion.com
2. Chloe gold tone marble bracelet, $405, netaporter.com
3. Dolce & Gabbana lipstick in Delicious, $34, nordstrom.com
4. Asos faux fur clutch, $54, asos.com
5. Nine West ankle boots, $129, ninewest.com

It's my birthday today and I awoke to discover the most excellent gift: the Shopbop Friends and Family Sale! The deal: 25% off on almost everything, including just-in, winter-ready pieces through Thursday. I'm eyeing this birthday-party ready McQ Alexander McQueen dress; this crazy sexy Flynn Skye blouse, this shearling lined Sea jean jacket (from yesterday's post); these Sam Edelman knee-high boots, this Antik Batik embroidered blouse (you know me and my affinity for peasant blouses!); these sleek faux leather BCBG pants (I also like these real leather AG ones); this cool Stylestalker asymmetrical sweater; these dark wash Baldwin jeans and these standout Loeffler Randall flats (similar to above). Get the code here to shop the sale!

LA's relentless heat is keeping me in my breezy striped Breton t-shirts (my current fave is this cute boyfriend-inspired one by Kule), but I'm hoping it won't be too much longer before I can swap them out for some more winter-worthy stripes. I'm referring to comfy striped sweaters that go with just about everything and always look polished. This season offers up particularly excellent iterations, the best of which are by Joseph (pictured above), Isabel Marant, The Kooples, Iro, Alexander McQueen, and J.Crew (30% off today only!).

Photo: Fashion Me Now

No doubt, you'll be pleased to know that all it will take to look up-to-the-minute chic this winter is--thankfully!--a pair of high-waisted cropped jeans, a fantastically cozy sweater and feminine mid-heel pumps. Fashion show go-ers worked this new cold-weather uniform aplenty in London and Paris, relishing, no doubt, its comfort factor, too. To get in on this easy, breezy look, consider these jeans by Madewell (I have and adore them!), MiH, and Alexa Chung x AG, along with these standout knits from J.O.A., River Island, BCBG, Stella McCartney, Joseph, Vanessa Bruno and No. 21 (my friend wore this to meet for drinks in Paris and it is truly awesome!). Shoe-wise, I love these by Chloe, Topshop, Nine West and Jeffrey Campbell (inspired by the Chanel pumps in the last two pictures!).

$160, the outnet

A basic, everyday sweater that is far from basic looking is a true find in my book!

1. Iris and Ink sweater, $160, theoutnet.com
2. Michael Kors barrel ring, $125, shopbop.com
3. Lipstick Queen Lip Gloss in Lust, $24, netaporter.com
4. Zeus + Dione leather bag, $355, netaporter.com
5. J.Crew leopard print flats, $145, jcrew.com
6. Isabel Marant Etoile faux leather pants, $270, matchesfashion.com

Sightseeing and people watching are synonymous in Paris, and for me, the mass of pretty midi skirts was one to behold! Of course, French women are always "dressed up" by American standards, but it's captivating to actually see this chicness executed in daily, rue-running action. Inspiring too! In fact, I'm now convinced I don't need an occasion to wear a midi skirt; like a pair of jeans, it can be a part of my everyday routine, particularly these ones by Rosetta Getty, C/MEO, Leith, Proenza Schouler (third to last pic), J.O.A, Tanya Taylor, Topshop, and A.L.C.

Photos: Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, New York Times

$60, topshop

The other day I spotted what could possibly be the coolest t-shirt ever: it tied in the front and had a long dramatic sash. Turns out the t-shirt was actually a dress by Free People, which a woman had stylishly tied around her abdomen, transforming it into a dramatic top. Then along came this fantastic discovery: a Topshop tee that ties cutely/discreetly in the back.

1. Topshop tie-back t-shirt, $60, topshop.com
2. Lady Grey cuff, $288, shopbop.com
3. RMS Beauty Lip Shine in Sacred, $25, netaporter.com
4. Chloe fringed bag, $2230, nordstrom.com
5. Repetto flats, $340, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. Topshop suede culottes, $280, topshop.com

My trip to Paris was a whirlwind of fashion shows and incredible meals (L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Prunier, L'Avenue, Le Perchoir, Ma Cocotte), mixed in with shopping, chateau-ing (Vaux le Vicomte), Kir Royal-ing and Left to Right Banking, and, fortunately, the clothes I packed stood up to it all. The true saviors were my various white blouses, which I wore day in and day out (and sometimes at night, too!) with everything from cropped jeans to fitted black pants to navy wide-leg trousers. In the pic, above, taken after flea marketing at Le Marche Aux Puces, I'm wearing a tie-accented top by Zara, which I snapped up right before I left for my trip. The other one I brought garnered multiple tres jolie compliments. Since I can't ever have too much of this good white blouse thing, I hunted down some more and found these stylish globe-trotters from Tibi, Theory, Vanessa Bruno, Derek Lam, Ellery, Warehouse, and Anna Sui.

$34, h&m

I just got back from Paris where sweater weather was in full swing (details to come!). I wish I had this beaut with me.

1. H&M fringe sweater, $39, hm.com
2. Madewell ring set, $28, madewell.com
3. Sisley-Paris Lip Twist in Coral, $50, barneys.com
4. Clare V. patchwork clutch, $225, shopbop.com
5. Chloe ballet flats, $550, neimanmarcus.com
6. Alexa Chung xAG jeans, $255, netaporter.com

What do you get when President Putin comes to Paris during Fashion Week? Gridlock and a high concentration of chic walking-friendly flat shoes. In the mix: the new must-have Gucci loafers (seen above, left, and below, also available here), ankle boots, strappy flats and good old Adidas sneakers. Other Paris-worthy picks include these by Rochas, Vince Camuto, Jeffrey Campbell, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Isabel Marant.

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Photos: Collage Vintage