LE CATCH

Leave it to Kate Bosworth to prove once and for all that dramatic statement earrings go hand in hand with a casual sweater and jeans. Of course, this hard evidence demands that my blingy baubles get even more airtime and that I look into more earrings that can straddle the fancy/casual gap. So far, I have turned up these dazzling options from Kenneth Jay Lane, Isabel Marant and Juicy Couture.

$190, oasis

If this super luxe looking faux fur coat were in my closet, I'd be begging for the elements every day! I also love how it's dressy enough for those major nights out.

1. Prabal Garung dress, $2995, netaporter.com
2. Oasis faux fur trimmed coat, $190, oasis.andotherbrands.com
3. Topshop chandelier earrings, $70, topshop.com
4. Rafe New York clutch, $495, nordstrom.com
5. Vince booties, $475, shopbop.com

It's unfortunately quite rare that I get to indulge in a luxuriously long weekday lunch, but on Friday I did just that at an event celebrating jewelry label David Webb's 65th Anniversary. Of course, the getting dressed part was far from luxurious, as I managed to leave myself ten minutes to select my Erdem skirt / Louboutin heels / Asos sweater ensemble. I threw it on and off I went. I was thinking I looked pretty darn good despite my haste, until I arrived at the event and saw my twin sister, who immediately pointed out the huge stain on my sweater! Arghhhh! Miraculously though, this particular jewelry party also featured beautiful jewelry pieces you could borrow and wear during lunch, so I found the biggest honking look-at-me-not-my-sweater-stain necklace I could find and put it on. Any doubt I had about this working quickly faded when Harper's Bazaar chief Glenda Bailey complimented my style. Drama over, I finally commenced the luxuriousness part, catching up with friends over quinoa and roasted squash blossoms and sips of Domaine Ott. I also engaged in some serious table hopping (clearly that's not my place card above!), where I gleaned all kinds of useful lady-lunch info including the virtues of cooking with coconut oil and various upcoming must-see art exhibits. The biggest take-away, however, was coming face-to-face with a certain limited edition J.Crew Collection navy shearling cardigan, worn by Liseanne Frankfurt, a Venice-based jewelry designer friend, who did it justice with a filmy chiffon dress and an excellent number of self-designed baubles (check out some of her quietly elegant earrings and stackable rings). She had the unbuttoned cardigan casually thrown over her shoulders--and the effect was cozy-luxe cover-up perfection. Liseanne explained that the sweater was a recent birthday gift from a few of her friends, who consequently loved it so much on her that they each decided to buy one for themselves!

I was happy to have my twin sister as my date at a swanky cocktail party earlier this week--but it was no easy feat getting her there. An hour before the start of the party, she called me in a panic, declaring she had nothing to wear and asked me to bring her a dress. To the party. She said she'd change in her car outside the venue, near the valet stand! The idea sounded a little crazy to me, but also kind of super fashion woman-y, too, so why not?! I brought her a no-fail, super sleek Celine dress that I had borrowed from the online consignment site, Shop Hers, and told her to bring a leather jacket and black statement heels to go with. Presto-change-o, she emerged looking party-ready and, I must say, her tuxedo-like palette nicely complimented my Monique L'huiller red lace dress. Fun times! You can see more party pics here.
Photo: Stephanie Keenan

$28, anthropologie

I'm definitely combating some Halloween fatigue today, but I wouldn't mind dressing up with this big, honking candy-hued cocktail ring.

1. Suno embroidered cropped sweater, $495, netaporter.com
2. Melisma ring, $28, anthropologie.com
3. Paula Cademartori clutch, $935, modaoperandi.com
4. Reiss t-strap pumps, $340, reiss.com
5. Reiss metallic trousers, $240, reiss.com

$110, topshop

Subtle sequins and Chanel-inspired chain-link detailing take this salt and pepper cardigan into high-glam territory.

1. Mango blouse, $59, mango.com
2. Jovonista chain link cardigan, $110, topshop.com
3. Each x Other velvet tuxedo pants, $415, netaporter.com
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs print tote bag, $78, shopbop.com
5. Henri Bendel twin ring, $118, henribendel.com
6. Madewell flats, $118, madewell.com

There is nothing more luxurious than packing a bag and heading off on a tropical winter getaway--except for, of course, packing a very large bag and heading off on that same getaway! For my recent trip to Careyes, Mexico, a few weeks ago, I brought along more swimsuits, dresses, and kaftans than I could possibly wear in a week, but it felt so indulgent to have those options with me (and, as it turned out, unpacked for me as well!). With the holidays coming up--and high hopes for warm weather vacations ahead--I did some reconnaissance on all things resort wear and came up with a list of the latest and greatest must-pack items. Because the list is quite lengthy, I thought I'd break it up into two parts and start with swimwear and cover-ups today. For starters, the array of swimsuit options is immense, but I love that you can get a bunch of styles to try on from sites like Netaporter, Asos and Shopbop with free shipping and returns--and avoid the harsh lighting of a department store dressing room! I tend to bring a mix of staple suits (i.e., the solid black bikini) with more adventurous styles (the cut-out one-piece) and wear according to mood/agenda. I actually just bought this crazy sexy Asos suit, which I fantasize wearing on a far-away beach with just my hubby, but I also fancy this one-shouldered lovely and this floral gem, all of which would be suitable at a family resort! Bikini wise, I still swear by this Victoria Secret's hipkini (I took it with me to Mex!) as it's perfect for all sun, sand and sea outings, but I also love these just-out stunners by Lisa Maree, Vix Swimwear, Charlie by Matthew Zink and Asos. Statement-y kaftans and tunics that go from the beach to the bar, such as this one (on sale!), this one and this one are fantastic in my book, but the easy ones you can throw on over a wet swimsuit and feel dressed are also practical, like this one, this one , this one, and this one. Stay-tuned for winter-getaway part deux, where I will cover sandals, apres beach wear and accessories!

$170, topshop

The party begins as soon you slip into this swishy metallic fringed dress. And then, of course, you sashay the night away.

1. Topshop fringe dress, $170, topshop.com
2. Wilhelm feathered caplet, $465, wilhelm-nyc.com
3. Emma Cassi earrings, $198, anthropologie.com
4. Sylvia Toledano clutch, $1650, netaporter.com
5. Sergio Rossi t-strap sandals, $995, shopbop.com

While doing some "window shopping" on Shopbop yesterday I came across a new line called Cooper & Ella that stopped me in my tracks. Founded by New York-based fashion exec, Kara Mendelsohn, the line specializes in stylish tops that are designed for work, date nights, girls dinners, and everyday life. In other words, they do it all--and they're priced between $78-$150! Cooper & Ella's crepe t-shirt, above, is my favorite of the bunch, thanks to its elegant, minimalistic, infinite-versatility. It's the kind of thing I'd buy two of as I know I'd get so much wear out of it. I'm also smitten with this sexy lace-trimmed tank (great under a blazer or a super chunky cardigan). Oh, and while you're at Shopbop, you might be interested in knowing that a slew of desirables just went on sale including these cultish Rag & Bone boots, this Haute Hippie beaded jacket, this gorgeous resort-ready Indah tunic, and this Kara shearling clutch.

$71, asos

I love the spiky, glinty craziness going on here--and how it pretty much demands a fun night out on the town.

1. Preen satin and chiffon dress, $796, theoutnet.com
2. J.Crew jean jacket, $128, jcrew.com
3. Makeup For Ever lipstick in Matte Lip Red, $20, sephora.com
4. Eugenia Kim rabbit snood, $285, netaporter.com
5. River Island embellished bag, $71, asos.com
6. Aquazurra peep-toe bootie, $595, shopbop.com