LE CATCH

I am all about beauty tricks that are easy to pull off, and the turtleneck hair tuck is one of those things that looks as good as it feels. (It also nails that effortless chic vibe that's often annoying elusive!) All that is required is a great, cozy knit, like these lovelies from J.Crew (25% off, I also love this one!), Theory (more sizes here), Everlane, Equipment, and Velvet.

Photo: Pinterest

$45, shopbop

A friend invited me to a holiday trunk show with an invitation that read "this is the time of the year when we should be thinking about ourselves" (since the perpetual giving-to-others time steps up a notch in the weeks ahead:) Okay then, I'll take a pair of these earrings for myself--and since the price is nice, buy another as a gift!

1. Giambattista Valli dress, $2750, netaporter.com
2. Luv Aj rose gold asymmetrical earrings, $45, shopbop.com
3. RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Beloved, $36, netaporter.com
4. Whistles faux fur clutch, $92, asos.com
5. Manolo Blahnik sandals, $725, nordstrom.com

I thought I was all ready to go out on Saturday night. I had selected the cocktail (vintage, almost-to-the-floor lace) dress a few weeks ago. I had my makeup done, hair pulled back and up, kids fed, iPhone and credit card in my clutch, Uber idling outside. But then as I was turning out the light in my closet, it occurred to me that I might be cold later and should take a cover-up--something cropped, fitted, slightly tough and edgy to temper my dress' frothy, feminine vibe. I must have tried on a dozen things, ranging from a creamy satin tuxedo blazer to a gold metallic cardigan. Nothing worked. What was in order was a cropped (keyword here!) leather biker jacket, one that doesn't have a million zippers, lots of shiny heavy hardware and crazy quilting, but rather, one that is sleek, supple, butter-soft and goes with everything. Something I don't have! So, yes, the search is now on, and since I know that this cropped biker will become a long-term wardrobe staple, I am up for paying the price. My faves so far include this T by Alexander Wang, this Rag & Bone (small sizes here at 40% off!), this French Connection, this Whistles, this BLK DNM, and this Balenciaga.

Photo: Pinterest

$125, nordstrom

The utilitarian button-down goes out and out glam with the help of all-over sequins. I'd love to put this guy to work!

1. Topshop sequin shirt, $125, nordstrom.com
2. Isabel Marant shearling jacket, $3910, matchesfashion.com
3. J Brand neoprene skirt, $295, netaporter.com
4. Zhuu Portrait pouch, $75, shopbop.com
5. Joe's Jeans boots, $189, piperlime.com

A Saturday night charity gala followed by a Sunday baby shower brunch meant hours and hours of high-heeling--and foot assaulting. And so, the moment I exited the door at shower-end yesterday, I unstrapped my stilettos and shuffled barefoot down the street toward my car. I must have looked quite discombobulated, for as a car approached, slowed down and then rolled past I looked up to see a couple (it happened to be Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell) staring at me from within, with looks of grave concern on their faces. On the ride home, I naturally started thinking about flats, and how, when selected and styled just right, offer quite a bit of elegance minus all the torture. I'd like to take a cue from London-based stylist Caroline Issa, who stylishly flits from around in easy-to-walk-in yet dramatically elegant lcae-up flats. (Hers are by Christian Louboutin.) Some other lacy statements include this pretty ankle-wrap flat and this suede shoe, both from Aquazurra, this leopard print Gianvito Rossi, this Free People and this Jeffrey Campbell.

Photo: Tommy Ton

$142, asos

This throw-on-and-you're-dressed-number would work well in my current hyper-social, tis-the-season schedule.

1. Asos beaded collar dress, $142, asos.com
2. By Terry Baume de Rose in Bloom Berry, $56, netaporter.com
3. Narciso Rodriguez boomerang clutch, $1195, nordstrom.com
4. Givenchy sandals, $1095, netaporter.com

I helped a friend clean out her (well-stocked) closet the other day and noticed only one but major hole in her wardrobe: no tuxedo jacket. Pity, I thought, as this classic piece is endlessly employable, whether layered over a cocktail dress or a basic t-shirt. For this reason, I own several--some cropped and fitted, others slightly oversized and long--by designers ranging from Alexander McQueen to H&M. So, I promised my friend I'd dig up the season's best iterations, which include this slightly loose-fitting Isabel Marant (which I own and swear by as it's great with both jeans and dresses!), this Michael Kors (similar vibe, less expensive), this elegantly cropped silk Stella McCartney (65% off!), this hip-grazing Alice + Olivia, this feminine MiH Jeans, this white shawl-collar J.Crew, and this cropped sequin-trimmed H&M (which I just added to my collection!).

Photos: On Abbott Kinney, Elin Kling

$155, whistles

It would be hard to go back to a plain old white tee after wearing this chic, updated version.

1. Whistles asymmetrical top, $155, whistles.co.uk
2. Chloe melton wool jacket, $1335, matchesfashion.com
3. Acne Studios boyfriend jeans, $250, netaporter.com
4. J.Crew brushed scarf, $72, jcrew.com
5. Givenchy pouch, $435, forwardbyelysewalker.com
6. Steven by Steve Edelman boots, $149, piperlime.com

As I indulged in a rare late morning brunch the other day at Republique (home to the fluffiest, tastiest French Toast ever), some friends and I chatted about one of the things I love most: vintage shopping. I shared my beloved past-era clothing sources in LA (such as Sielian's and Shareen, where I recently struck gold with several amazing dresses) as well as my new secret online spot for vintage jewelry, Chairish, which officially launches the category today. Chairish, as you may know, is an amazing home decor site, but now it features vintage jewelry and accessories. Lucky me, I was given a preview of the offerings a few weeks ago when they asked me if I would curate my favorites from the collection. I was happy to oblige(!), as there are numerous resplendently chic yet reasonably priced pieces, including these Chanel earrings from the '80s, pictured above, this Victorian braided coil bracelet, this chic mariner link chain necklace, this edgy crystal spike bracelet, this hammered metal and lucite cuff, this tassel necklace, this mid-century Pal Kepenyes ring, this Kenneth Lane faux tusk necklace, this 1940s unsigned Hattie Carnagie rhinestone necklace and this statement-making interlinked chain and pearl Kenneth Jay Lane necklace. You can see all of my selects here!

$140, topshop

I wore my gold metallic pleated skirt out the other night and raked in a slew of compliments. Thinking I might up the ante with this sequined (just-right-for-the-holidays) statement.

1. Isa Arfen embellished top, $1300, netaporter.com
2. Ariel Gordon mini diamond hoops, $250, arielgordonjewelry.com
3. Tom Ford Color Matte in Flame, $50, nordstrom.com
4. Proenza Schouler printed lambskin clutch, $875, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Schutz leather sandals, $180, shopbop.com
6. Topshop sequin pleated skirt, $140, topshop.com