LE CATCH

$62*, j.crew

I love nights like last night, the eve of a days-long vacation, the calm before the turkey-meets-family storm, everyone home, lingering over a yummy thrown-together dinner, wearing something completely comfortable yet eternally stylish, like this! (P.S. This sweater is 30% off--see below.)

1. J.Crew striped sweater, $62*, jcrew.com
2. She Inside faux fur trimmed parka, $62, sheinside.com
3. J Brand coated jeans, $285, netaporter.com
4. Madewell ring set, $21**, madewell.com
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs sneakers, $248***, shopbop.com

*Get 30% off any purchase through 12/1. See details and get code here.
**Get 25% off any purchase through 12/2. See details and get code here
***Get 15-25% on when you spend $250+ through 12/2. See details and get code here.

To celebrate my mother's birthday (it's a milestone number, which, of course, she would not want me to disclose), we are heading (home) to New York next week to do some Christmas shopping and dining out at new "it" spots (Omar's) and tried-and-true ones (The Waverly). I'm excited for the trip but also fretting about the frigid cold. When I look at the extended weather report (30 to 40-degree weather), I feel something inside my body curling into fetal position, fearing the arctic air. Yes, LA has thinned my blood! This anxiety is prompting me to shop for my shopping birthday trip, as true winter-proof pieces, like this big, chic plaid J.Crew scarf (30% off this and everything else), are in need! Fortunately, Shopbop appears to have anticipated my desperation and today launched a mega sale*, chock full of cold weather staples. Here's what I am eyeing: this made-for-layering, transcontinental flight-ready Three Dots cardigan (which is totally LA winter-friendly, too!), this seriously perfect (and sold out everywhere else) Ami Dans La Rue fisherman sweater, this forever-chic, zipper-trimmed Theory turtleneck, this extra warm Veronica Beard blazer, and this heat-trapping wool beanie. P.S. I'm thinking this sale might also help to put a dent in the holiday shopping I have planned for NYC--i.e., less time running around outside from store to store!

*Save 15%-25% site wide when you spend $250+. See details and get the code here.

$62, asos

This glinty sequin tank is capable of doing all the work on the holiday party circuit. P.S. I'd size up for a loose, elegant fit.

1. River Island sequin tank, $62, asos.com
2. Helmut Lang jacket, $460, netaporter.com
3. Proenza Schouler jeans, $240, netaporter.com
4. Eddie Borgo ring, $135, theoutnet.com
5. Stella McCartney embellished clutch, $1340, nordstrom.com
6. Iro leather and suede boots, $792, shopbop.com

Cropping up on my instagram feed over the weekend were numerous pics of model Elena Perminova languishing on vacation in the Madives. The glamorous images looked like they were straight out of the pages of Vogue--and made me wish I too was basking in the equator-heat, sipping smoothies in various lavish-looking beach cover-ups. Since that's far my reality at the moment, I'm going to settle for procuring the cover-up part, so on my next tropical hols I can look a little more Elena-fied. Thus far, I've dug up these lovelies from Melissa Odabash, Free People, 9seed, Charlie by Matthew Zink, Jen's Pirate Booty, and Pia Pauro.

$58, the outnet

Sometimes my holiday shopping goes a lot like this: one for you, one for me! And that would be the case with these fantastically versatile earrings. Use code THANKSGIVING at check to get this price (60% off) and save 70% off some other beauts I discovered, such as this Malene Birger jacket, this Giambattista Valli dress and this Marni top.

1. Capitol Couture by Trish Summerville, $415, netaporter.com

2. Noir Jewelry earrings, $72, theoutnet.com

3. Sibila gold wave cuff, $228, henribendel.com

4. Asos clutch, $32, asos.com

5. Prada cut-out ankle strap heels, $790, neimanmarcus.com

I like dinner out at a fancy restaurant. But I LOVE play dates at my friend Annie's home. You see, she throws the mother of all play dates, which typically include a decadent cheese platter, grilled salmon, the finest wine (for the adults, only, of course!), and gorgeous flower-laden tables, even for the kiddos. It is a sight to behold and experience for everyone, child and mom alike, and her skills, of course, are applied to throwing fantastic adult-only soirees as well. Therefore, I am pleased to tell you that she and another consummate hostess friend of mine Benton (the always gracious Southern Belle type who has a delicious drink perched on a tray when you enter her home) have launched a how-to entertaining site called Set Sip Serve, an amazing and inspiring resource for delicious recipes, creative tablescape ideas, and chic party-friendly wares. Already my at-home soirees, including a recent pastry-laced tea party, featured today on the site, are benefiting greatly! Check out Set Sip Serve here, along with shoppable products inspired by the above spread.

P.S. How pretty are those flowers on my table? I got them and the brass vessels at Botany.

$98, madewell

Madewell describes this shimmery top as "no-brainer holiday dressing." I could not have said it any better, so I won't!

1. Madewell gold tee, $98, madewell.com
2. Zouzou earrings, $58, anthropologie.com
3. Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg, $25, nordstrom.com
4. Sarah's Bag satin clutch, $980, modaoperandi.com
5. Jimmy Choo fringe sandal, $1050, neimanmarcus.com
6. Helmut Lang satin pants, $240, netaporter.com

The girls in Milan, like Wallpaper editor-at-large J.J. Martin, above, and blogger Tamu McPherson, below, are not letting the cold get between them and their sandals (Prada heels in this case). Nor is Lucky editor-in-chief Eva Chen who instagrammed her tootsies, also swathed in Prada, in a taxi cab, below. This styling trick boils down to a good pair of opaque tights and some standout shoes, such as these from Dolce Vita, Fendi, McQ Alexander McQueen and L.A.M.B..

Photos: J.J. Martin, Tamu McPherson, Eva Chen

$559, forward by elyse walker

A friend snapped up this perfect Proenza Schouler jacket on sale a few weeks ago and boasted about it on Instagram, inducing deep envy among her followers (me included!). So, when I came across the same jacket at 75% off (originally $2150!), I did a victory dance and decided to feature it here today, because, my friends, there are more jackets to be had--along with deals aplenty here, such as this Acne Top, these Current/Elliott jeans, and these Alexander Wang heels, plus free shipping and free returns.

1. Acne tie-neck silk top, $134, theoutnet.com
2. Club Monaco stud earring set (I'd mix and match them!), $50, shopbop.com
3. Proenza Schouler jacket, $559, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Le Frame jeans, $200, netaporter.com
5. Iomoi monogrammed leather tote bag, $398, iomoi.com
6. Prada platform sandals, $950, neimanmarcus.com

As we march ever closer to the holidays--and ideally a warm weather vacation ahead--I thought I'd pick up again on the getaway wardrobe. In my first installment, I covered essentials such as swimwear and cover-ups. In this post, I will concentrate on apres-beach dresses, accessories and sandals. Actually make that sandal, because I really believe you only need to pack one flat versatile sandal that can go from the sandy shores to the cobblestone streets. Prime examples include this K. Jacques, this J.Crew (every woman should own a pair of these!), this Gianvito Rossi and this Lanvin. If you're planning some festive and more formal evenings out, then crank things up a notch in either this metallic Aquazzura stiletto or this comfy Via Spiga block heel--both of which go with flowy dresses and sleek pants. I personally love to wear breezy, short dresses in hot weather and gravitate toward ones that are either simple like this, this (which you could easily wear post-vaca with tights and boots!) and this, or exuberantly colorful such as this Camilla hottie, this Topshop knock-out or this Kenzo coolness. I always like to pack a fun little pouch or clutch like this embroidered Asos (it looks like a souvenir from a past holiday!) or this statement-y yet wear-with-everything Claire Vivier. I put these in my beach bag during the day (to hold/keep my phone, sunglasses, and cash sand-free and dry) and then wear them out at night. The last essential? A non-stop ticket to sunshine.