LE CATCH

I am so proud of my friend Mary Alice Haney, who launched her debut dress collection on Net-A-Porter today. Starting a business is no small task, especially in the clothing biz, but she is making it happen. The dramatic red dress, above, is my favorite. I envision myself wearing it at one of Mary Alice's signature over-the-top destination parties (she had her last big birthday soiree in Capri!) or for fun girls nights out in LA (like below), which are, thankfully, frequent. All of her evening-ready dresses perfectly reflect the out-and-out glam star that she is, along with her exuberance for living large (hence the high-end prices). Check out the collection here.

$286, shopbop

Since getting through the holidays sometimes feels like it takes a superhero effort, I think this cape, which is super and chic, may fit the bill.

1. Alice & Olivia top, $242, aliceandolivia.com
2. Lovers + Friends cape, $286, shopbop.com
3. J Brand skinny jeans, $170, netaporter.com
4. Peter Som x Anthropologie bracelet, $308, anthropologie.com
5. Clare Vivier clutch, $226, shopbop.com
6. See by Chloe boots, $360, piperlime.com

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I have soft spot for sequins. They work for me day and night--and especially around the holidays. So, when I came across this picture of this striking reversible gold and silver sequin top yesterday, I set out to source it and ultimately discovered that it's sold out in most sizes (namely mine!). Adding insult to injury, it was a very reasonable $72! Drats. Now I am on a mission to find a similar high-octane top and have so far found this Whistles navy stunner, this Veronica Beard tuxedo-inspired peplum top, this embellished Biyan blouse, and this J.Crew matte sequin tee (60% off with code!). I love how they all impart high-glam with little effort!

Photo: Sincerely Jules

Ages ago my mother gave me a fur stole that now all of a sudden she keeps trying to take back. She'll ask to borrow it for a cold weather getaway. Or she'll casually pluck it out of my closet and wear it around my house, complaining that's she cold and "forget" it's on when she leaves. She's obviously aware that this fur stole not only has amazing heating power, but can transform any old jacket, blazer, sweater or even a dress into something way more elegant. Having tried to find one for herself to no avail, I'm putting on my own search party and giving her a a lookalike for Christmas. I think one of these from TK, TK and TK is the ticket.

$225, netaporter.com

Just a few gold studs prove that a white blouse need not be boring. In fact, quite the contrary.

1. Michael by Michael Kors blouse, $225, netaporter.com
2. Warehouse faux fur trimmed coat, $169, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. J.Crew cargo pants, $89*, jcrew.com
4. Sole Society vegan satchel, $59, solesociety.com
5. Guy Bourdin limited edition NARS lipstick in Fire Coral, $26, sephora.com
6. Topshop leopard print heels, $95, nordstrom.com

*Get this price and 30% off everything (and 40% of sale items). Details here.

A couple of years ago my twin sister introduced me to Natalie Martin, prefacing our meeting with, "You are going to love her." Natalie is one of those women who always looks like she just came back from a spa somewhere in the tropics (see below). She has this opulent Bain de Soleil glow (with barely a stitch of makeup) and an effortlessly glamorous style, due in part to her namesake line of breezy kaftans, flowy dresses and embroidered tops, all made by hand in Bali. Her latest collection--which includes a long silk block-printed dress named after me!--makes me want to abandon my snowbound holiday plans for a deserted beach south of the equator. And on that fantasy vacation I'd also take this halter maxi dress, this floral print dress and this wrap dress! Trust me, you are going to love Natalie and her line, too.

$119, mango

This evening-ready jumpsuit is the definition of one-step dressing. Genius!

1. Mango jumpsuit, $119, mango.com
2. Rag & Bone velvet blazer, $550, netaporter.com
3. Kotur clutch, $238, theoutnet.com
4. Aurelie Bidermann gold cuff, $905, shopbop.com
5. Jimmy Choo sandals, $925, neimanmarcus.com

Lately, I've had more glasses of eggnog and gingerbread cookies than I care to count but the holiday festivities have also presented some--surprise, surprise!--stylish treats. A publicist friend of mine recently staged a Christmas party that felt more like Halloween, as guests were given a sleek and rather large leather tote bag, courtesy of Everlane (see above), and ordered to stuff it with all sorts of goodies, ranging from a Mara Hoffman romper to a Parker sequin blouse to a pair of James Jeans (in the perfect charcoal wash). Joy! And then our annual Yankee Swap was flush with desirables from a Clare Vivier clutch to a Jennifer Fisher bracelet to next season Lena Wald diamond sliver earrings (I want!). I walked away with a seriously cute Sydney Evan necklace. My holiday partying, however, did involve a sour moment or two, most notably the other night when I committed one of the ultimate party fouls: I accidentally spilled a glass of red wine (or, um, two) all over someone. It was my first glass of wine of the night and it was perched on a table in front of me next to my sister's full glass. I was talking to a friend's husband, probably gesticulating more than necessary, when I knocked both glasses over, dousing a woman, an innocent bystander with her back to the table. Fortunately, she was wearing all black. But she was sopping wet. I remember looking at my twin sister and seeing the panic/sympathy in her eyes. She handed me a stack of paper cocktail napkins and I proceeded to pat down this woman from head to toe, concentrating, for some reason, on her butt. (I was nervous!) I kept apologizing, telling her I'd take care of the dry cleaning bill, and she repeated over and over again that she was okay. Finally, her husband interceded and stood between me and this woman and told me that his wife was fine. Then they literally ran away from me and off into the dark of the night. Without missing a beat, my friend's husband, bless his heart, tried to resuscitate our conversation, but it was... awkward would be an understatement. I am still so mortified, but hoping the next few soirees go a little better and a lot drier!

Photo: Stefanie Keenan

$525*, rebecca taylor

Marked down by 25% (for three days only!), this Rebecca Taylor coat is still a splurge, but it's the type of gift that keeps on giving and giving.

1. Warehouse top, $64, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
2. Rebecca Taylor tweed coat, $525, rebeccataylor.com
3. J Brand studded boyfriend jeans, $295, netaporter.com
4. Nila Anthony cross-body bag, $48, nordstrom.com
5. Campbell Tornado ring, $85, clubmonaco.com
6. 3.1 Phillip Lim velvet and patent leather sandal, $495, netaporter.com

*To get this price--or 25% off your purchase use the code HOLIDAY25 at checkout through 12/19.

I used to have the perfect pair of oxfords: not too masculine, super comfortable and thoroughly versatile. Hence, they were worn to death and ultimately rendered unwearable. These pictures make me want a replacement ASAP--such as this patent leather Lanvin (40% off!); this slip-on J.Crew; this navy one from The Gap, and this buckled Pour La Victoire (50% off!). All seriously good ones--eek!