LE CATCH

$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.

$90, ann taylor*

With the fringe thing set to be huge next spring (a post on this trend coming soon!), why not get a jump start with this swishy skirt.

1. Christopher Kane cashmere open-back sweater, $1795, netaporter.com
2. Deepa Gurnani earrings, $99, shopbop.com
3. Ann Taylor fringed skirt (30% off)*, $90, anntaylor.com
4. Natasha Couture clutch, $280, nordstrom.com
5. Clinique A Different Nail Enamel in Black Honey, $12, sephora.com
6. Valentino patent-leather and velvet t-bar pumps, $975, netaporter.com

*Use code ANNCHIC to get 30% off all full priced merchandise and 50% off all sale merchandise.

Perhaps those of you who braved Isabel Marant pour H&M's debut last week could relate to my experience, which felt like the old game show Supermarket Sweep come to life: a white-knuckled, high-pressure shopping spree with potentially big bonuses on the line. I grabbed what I could: a grey overcoat, a pair of sequin leggings, a white t-shirt and a tuxedo jacket. I didn't bother trying anything on at the store and quickly left with my loot. When I got home, I tried everything on and decided I loved it all, but was on the fence about keeping the grey coat. It fit well, and the neutral grey shade was beautiful, however, given that I already own a neutral camel coat, it seemed superfluous to me. Besides, camel is such a classic. To convince myself that I should return the grey coat (it's harder to do this when you know others really want it!), I rounded up some snaps of stylish camel-coat-wearing women, featured here. It worked. The grey coat's been returned. And my old camel coat is my new best friend. Though, of course, I could still see myself braving the everyday winter cold in these just-out beauts from Burberry, Joseph, Theory, Oasis, and Asos.