LE CATCH

$198, french connection

It's as festive as a fancy frock but has the laid-back ease of a t-shirt. Genius in my book.

1. French Connection sequin top, $198, frenchconnection.com
2. River Island faux fur and suede coat, $180, asos.com
3. Issa tapered pants, $227, netaporter.com
4. Lizzie Fortunato clutch, $380, shopbop.com
5. Michael Kors leopard kitten heels, $187, shopbop.com

Lucky me, I was in New York over the weekend to celebrate my mother's birthday. Though we were staying downtown, she really wanted to do lunch at an old favorite Upper East side French restaurant, so we battled our way there through the rain and traffic. I was secretly wishing we could have stayed closer to home (or Balthazar)--until we sat down to eat. Everything about lunch was grand, from the glass (and a half!) of champagne to the creme brulee to the basket of bread and salted butter in between. And, of course: elegantly-attired diners everywhere. Men and women, young and old, decked out in sophisticated Upper East Side-meets-Euro classics: cashmere sweaters, generously oversize coats, tailored blazers, delicate silk blouses, etc. The glamorous scene made me want to add more of these refined, always-chic pieces to my wardrobe, wear-again-and-again staples like this feminine lace-trimmed Valentino sweater (40% off), this sleek and neutral Alexander Wang coat (40% off) this glinty (Chanel-ish) crochet metallic cardigan by Topshop (which I bought post-lunch!), this classic Chloe leather tote (40% off), this tweed Isabel Marant jacket (40% off), this lavish parfait of a Jimmy Choo clutch (35% off), this dashing Zara cape, and this polished Elizabeth and James button-down blouse (60% off).

$125, topshop

I am obsessed with this superglam cardigan that I bought on Friday in New York. I've been wearing it (non-stop) like this...

1. Joseph bow silk blouse, $395, netaporter.com
2. Topshop shaggy faux fur cardigan, $125, topshop.com
3. J. Brand jeans, $200, netaporter.com
4. Givenchy Satin Lipstick in Elegant Rouge, $32, barneys.com
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs double wrap chain bracelet, $98, shopbop.com
6. Vince booties, $396, shopbop.com

This year my youngest son was more excited than ever to give me his holiday wish list, above, because for the first time he could write (and illustrate!) it himself. While I'll leave all the toy requests to Santa's elves, I personally would like to fulfill his request for new "black, green and grey" socks, as I empathize with his desire for specific colored accessories! In fact, I have a few specific colored accessories on my own list, which is as follows:

1. Valentino studded sandals in Tan or Burgundy (I can't decide which color as they're both so good and versatile! Last year I bought myself a pair of Chanel sandals for Xmas, which I wore like crazy all last summer. Though it seems wrong to buy sandals now, it's actually wise because the best designer sandals always sell out before spring actually arrives!)

2. Rimowa carry-on in silver (indestructible, utilitarian chic)

3. Jawbone Wireless Bluetooth speaker in white (for days and sunsets spent on the beach!)

4. An unapologetically decadent party dress such as this blingy Kate Spade, this sequined Alice & Olivia or this beaded Gucci

5. Resort-ready super chic caftans like this, this and this (all on sale!) for warm getaways this winter

6. Art like this framed cityscape photograph, this Picasso print, and a fashion-y illustration by Donald Robertson (all hung together, gallery-like, on a wall)

7. Monica Vinader rose gold diamond bracelet (so delicate, so beautiful!)

8. Eberjey pajamas: comfortable but cute, plus the top can be worn outside the bedroom

9. Plenty More: the long-anticipated vegetarian cook book follow-up to London chef Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty

10. My biggest and most desired wish, however, is something no one can shop for: Good health for my family and friends! I wish you all the same!

$275, shop latitude

This bohemian-chic cardigan is winter's best (and coziest) answer to all my summery embroidered tunics.

1. Etoile Isabel Marant cut-out top, $455, netaporter.com
2. Carolina K hand-knit cardigan, $275, shoplatitude.com
3. R13 skinny jeans, $335, netaporter.com
4. Mayle suede tote bag, $99, clubmonaco.com
5. Tory Burch charm bracelet, $195, shopbop.com
6. Aquazurra suede cut-out bootie, $486, neimanmarcus.com

There's no denying that boots are the ultimate wintertime wardrobe workhorse--but there's a time, actually right about now, when they just start to feel a bit Groundhog Day-ish! Enter the lace-up ankle bootie--executed so stylishly, so refreshingly, so alluringly on Paris-based fashion editor Capucine Safyurtlu, above. They even look sexy--and yet still manage to be workhorse-y! Particularly these options from Sezane, J.Crew, 10 Crosby Derek Lam (40% off), Steve Madden, Madewell, Sam Edelman, Fratelli Rossetti, and Saint Laurent (40% off!).

Photo: Sandra Semberg

$55, miss selfridge

This embellished clutch proves that more can be more--and then some!

1. Zimmermann silk dress, $995, netaporter.com
2. Jacquie Aiche rose gold and stone ear cuff, $1045, shopbop.com
3. Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Party Pink, $26, nordstrom.com
4. Miss Selfridge embellished clutch, $55, missselfridge.com
4. Aquazurra suede booties, $565, modaoperandi.com

I first started wearing plum lipstick this fall, when I visited my sister on a fashion shoot for GOOP and the makeup artist applied this Beauty Counter Lip Sheer on me, telling me it should be my new go-to daytime hue. It's sheer and subtle yet still statement-making enough--and refreshingly different from shades I've worn in the past. Over the weekend, I discovered, thanks to an unerringly stylish friend, a new evening-appropriate plum lipstick that's matte, bold, and equally dramatic as my usual night-out reds. It's called Hourglass in Nocturnal. If there ever was a one-color-fits-all lipstick, it would be this one. This became clear to me when this friend, a blonde, and another, who has tawny-colored long-hair--and yours truly all wore it. Possibly the prettiest berry shade ever, it made us each dinner party-ready in an instant!

$325, tibi

Sweater weather just became a lot more appealing thanks to this seriously cool lace up knit.

1. Tibi lace-up sweater, $325, tibi.com
2. Ariel Gordon diamond earrings, $792, shopbop.com
3. Lizzie Fortunato clutch, $380, shopbop.com
4. J.Crew wing tip oxfords, $189, jcrew.com
5. Neil Barrett mini skirt, $222, netaporter.com

Just in case that upcoming holiday party isn't reason enough to buy a new cocktail dress, Cyber Monday is here to save the day. Some gorgeous, go-all-night-long frocks I'm considering: this silk printed Burberry (40% off, pictured above), this beaded 3.1 Phillip Lim, this lace Lover, this embroidered mini Needle & Thread, this sleek and modern The Row, this checked French Connection and this goddess gorgeous crochet Missoni.