wrapped up
Thursday, January 9
I love an oversize scarf that also works as a shawl. Especially right this freezing minute! (The one featured above is from Zara, last fall.) Some cozy options to curl up in: this super cute blanket stripe maxi scarf from Urban Outfitters, this tasseled chunky knit from Asos, and this basic black wrap from Guess.
Photo: Mango and Salt
lovely lbd
Thursday, January 9
This is the kind of go-to, fail-safe, forever-chic dress I'd like to have in my wardrobe. It's also 55% off.
1. Tibi matelasse satin dress, $247, theoutnet.com
2. Givenchy shark earring, $470, netaporter.com
3. Givenchy shark tooth bracelet, $580, netaporter.com
4. David Galan wristlet, $328, shopbop.com
5. Vince Camuto bootie, $128, nordstrom.com
winter wonderland
Wednesday, January 8
Over the holidays, my family and I headed back to the powdery slopes of Aspen and Vail. This trip to the Rockies definitely amped up my newbie confidence and aptitude, which is to say I can almost keep up with my sons, though my 4-year-old did manage to beat me in an official slalom race (truth be told, I performed so terribly I missed a gate and got disqualified!). Those heart-thumping, white-knuckled jaunts through steeper terrain were padded by numerous hot chocolate breaks, yummy lunches at lodges perched high atop the mountains, and an apres-ski glass of red wine at the bottom. Herewith, more of my Rocky Mountain-high moments.
We were blessed with mostly good weather throughout our trip--cobalt blue skies, lots of sunshine and temps in the low 30s with an occasional night of snow as well. All of which made the snowy scenery even more sublime.
The runs in Aspen were so beautiful I had to stop mid-action to take pictures, which drove my speed demon ski mates (i.e., my kiddos!) a little crazy.
We celebrated New Years Eve in Aspen with friends and children by watching fireworks, drinking champagne, indulging in mounds of caviar, and sporting some cool new eyewear. Fun!
On New Years Day we arrived in Vail, where a snowstorm had just dumped several inches of powder. The excellent conditions emboldened my first foray to the back bowls, which had an other worldly feeling to it.
Venturing into new steeper territory meant higher chair lifts, some of which afforded the most amazing views. A part of me, namely my quadriceps, wanted to tour Vail via chair lift rather than my own two skis.
In Vail, we lunched every day at a friend's club, above, which, in order to get to, required skiing some steep runs or hiking up to with your skis (one could take a snow cat, but my adrenalin-seeking co-skiers would not even consider it an option!). Once there, you are greeted with a cup of hot mulled wine and slippers to change into. That mulled wine was like my carrot on a stick--the idea of it lubricated my engine and courage!
At 8,150 feet above sea level, I pretty much forsook most of LE CATCH's style tenets to stave off hypothermia. In Aspen, I borrowed a friend's US Ski Team puffy jacket, which, sadly, did not have the effect of making me look more like an expert, as my skills screamed intermediate skier! In Vail, I borrowed another friend's light blue puffer, which made me look less US Ski Team, more Apollo Mission.
However, off the slopes and even with ski pants on, I tried my best to make a style statement. A classic black cashmere turtleneck and lush fur trapper hat like this helped a bit!
white aid
Wednesday, January 8
A contrasting black trim and a zipper slit add the perfect amount of edge to this all-season skirt.
1. T by Alexander Wang striped t-shirt, $140, netaporter.com
2. Warehouse coat, $113, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. Club Monaco zipper skirt, $149, clubmonaco.com
4. Kenzo bag, $685, modaoperandi.com
5. Alexander Wang sandals, $222, neimanmarcus.com
6. Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Matte Lacquer in Attitude, $32, nordstrom.com
deep freeze defense
Tuesday, January 7
With arctic air in the air--and the country's average temperature hovering around 14.4 degrees today!--I, like most people, have coats on my mind. Specifically on the statement-making, mood-lifting kind. Ones that say, "Bring on the elements!" Take for example: Club Monaco's graphic stripe topper with leather pockets, above. (This is the kind of outerwear I would not want to take off!) Also super cute: this checked biker Warehouse coat, this marbled calfhair Club Monaco coat, this sleek leather-sleeved Mackage coat (30% off), and this Isabel Marant Etoile double-breasted pea coat (60% off), and this Adam Lippes fur-trimmed convertible wool coat (80% off!).
top coat
Tuesday, January 7
Record-breaking cold (and the most unwelcome polar vortex!) demands we bust out our winter finest. This neon-zipper coat is a good place to start.
1. H&M denim blouse, $39, hm.com
2. Topshop snood, $32, topshop.com
3. Miss Selfridge coat, $137, missselfridge.com
4. Frame Denim jeans, $200, netaporter.com
5. Dooney & Bourke satchel, $318, nordstrom.com
6. Gianvito Rossi pumps, $620, netaporter.com
the new top
Monday, January 6
A new year calls for a new top. One that is strapless, equal parts edgy and elegant and day-to-night wearable. Designers from Lanvin to Isabel Marant to Zara are serving up different iterations of the historically sexy bustier, and this spring I'll be tempted to try all of them. For starters, I'll work one that's a bit loose and flowy like this Alice & Olivia. Then I might up the ante in this leather Tibi (30% off) with sleek black wide-leg pants. For a night out with the hubby, you could catch me in this nicely-priced lace Devlin, under a structured blazer, with my favorite pair of jeans.
zipped up
Monday, January 6
It's going to be 77 and sunny today in LA, but yesterday I was freezing in Colorado's sub-zero temperatures (pics to come). This stylish zipper-trimmed turtleneck would have helped!
1. Whistles zip neck sweater, $225, whistles.co.uk
2. Moncler leopard and flannel jacket, $916, matchesfashion.com
3. Current/Elliott cropped jeans, $240, netaporter.com
4. Asos leather back pack, $108, asos.com
5. Nine West suede booties, $64, ninewest.com
bloomsville
Friday, January 3
This floral sweatshirt nicely tempers winter's wallop--and dovetails perfectly with spring's trendy blooms.
1. Pixie Market sweatshirt, $129, pixiemarket.com
2. Balenciaga shearling and leather coat, $3656, matchesfashion.com
3. Helmut Lang matte satin pants, $240, netaporter.com
4. Pretty Ships woven clutch, $38, nordstrom.com
5. Schutz metallic strap sandals, $180, shopbop.com
old faithful
Friday, January 3
It may be the time of new, but right now I am really appreciating the old. Specifically my several years-old ankle boots. I am just not over them. I love that I can wear these boots wherever I am, with just about anything. Friends often ask me if they should invest in the original Isabel Marant Dicker boot and I, wholeheartedly, say yes. They are a classic. And so are these inspired guys from Madewell, Aldo, and Steve Madden.
Photo: Frank Vinyl