LE CATCH

My friend (and Lucky Magazine's senior fashion editor), Elle Strauss is a constant source of style inspiration to me. She's always perfectly dressed whether in New York, LA, on location, which she often is, or even while buzzing around town with her toddler daughter. Every occasion we get together, I find myself dissecting her outfit and interrogating her about the provenance of her coat, bag, shoes, jewelry, etc. She happily participates in these Q&A's, so here are a few of my favorites from her amazing wardrobe: a statement designer bag with staying power, like this Chloe duffel; a polished-meets-edgy black leather motorcycle jacket, such as this one by Alexander Wang (on sale!); a durable, wear-with-everything pair of black booties (she swears by these fringed Steve Madden ones); along with a lot of Isabel Marant, and a good amount of lace. She also loves a good red lip (Nars' Dragon Girl is her favorite). To get further inspired as well as a few fail-proof outfit ideas, check out Elle's recent feature on Refinery 29 here.

In response to my recent posting about pursuing LE CATCH full time, I have received many supportive comments from many of you - thank you. In addition to the notes of encouragement and thanks, a number of comments have read something along the lines of "I love Le Catch, but how are you going to make any money?" The answer is yes: you can support LE CATCH by clicking through my links to products/stores when you are going shopping. The reason is that virtually all notable online fashion retailers now pay a small commission to the sites/bloggers that send them customers who buy stuff. Of course, you don't pay anything extra; the merchandise price is the same to you regardless of whether you visit the store via LE CATCH or go directly to the store's homepage. And, of course, I also only post about products that are truly my favorites on the web, and that I want to wear/own myself.

Well the answer is yes

Over lunch recently with some friends, I got a lot of questions about LE CATCH and one in particular seemed worthy of reprinting here: Can I make any money from writing LE CATCH, since it takes quite a bit of work on my end, but obviously is free to its readers (you). The answer is yes: you can support LE CATCH by clicking through my links to products/stores when you are going shopping. The reason is that virtually all notable online fashion retailers now pay a small commission to the sites/bloggers that send them customers who buy stuff. Of course, you don't pay anything extra; the merchandise price is the same to you regardless of whether you visit the store via LE CATCH or go directly to the store's homepage. And, of course, I also only post about products that are truly my favorites on the web, and that I want to wear/own myself.
xxMarlien

Some of you have asked if I can I make any money from writing LE CATCH, since it takes quite a bit of work on my end, but obviously is free to you. The answer is yes: you can support LE CATCH by clicking through my links to products/stores when you are going shopping. The reason is that virtually all notable online fashion retailers now pay a small commission to the sites/bloggers that send them customers who buy stuff. Of course, you don't pay anything extra; the merchandise price is the same to you regardless of whether you visit the store via LE CATCH or go directly to the store's homepage. And, of course, I also only post about products that are truly my favorites on the web, and that I want to wear/own myself.
xxMarlien

$198, j.crew

A denim jacket in a polished, ladylike (very Chanel Spring 2013) silhouette is endlessly versatile and forever stylish.

1. Christopher Kane silk organza dress, $3080, netaporter.com
2. J.Crew denim quilted jacket, $198, jcrew.com
3. Deux Lux striped clutch, $65, shopbop.com
4. Alexander Wang ankle strap pumps, $495, shopbop.com

I've been on the lookout for a color-block blouse,ever since I came across the picture, below, of a French Vogue editor wearing a Celine version, which I wrote about here. Her shirt is from seasons ago, but J.Crew's take, above, which just hit the racks today, is every bit as vibrant, pinstripe-y, all-purpose, Gallic-girl cool.

Photo: Grazia

$34, target

Yes, even Target is on sale right now and, as you might expect, the offerings are deeply discounted and ridiculously tempting, particularly the Target x Neiman Marcus collection, which includes this super versatile metallic Marc Jacobs pouch (it also comes in rose gold). Also compelling: a chic black lacquer Altuzzara(!) tray, a Diane Von Furstenberg yoga mat(!), and a Lela Rose lace top, all half off, all perfect for last-minute gifting! I'd throw this little clutch into the everyday mix with...

1. Dear Cashmere sweater, $364, mytheresa.com
2. Rika print jacket, $336, matchesfashion.com
3. Marc Jacobs metallic pouch, $34, target.com
4. Acquazzura cut-out pumps, $346, shopbop.com
5. Topshop jeans, $80, topshop.com

I hope you are having an enjoyable holiday. It's a special time of year, and I am feeling grateful for the opportunity to be with family and friends and to reflect on the past year and the future.

To that end, as I sit here putting the finishing touches on Lucky's March issue cover story, I am thinking about some big news I have to share with you: I am leaving Lucky at the end of the year to pursue LE CATCH full-time! It's exciting, but a little scary too, as this will be the first time in my career that I will be 100% entrepreneuring on my own and not working for a magazine.

I will truly miss Lucky and my colleagues there and am so grateful for having had the opportunity to work with so many great people (Editors Kim and Brandon and so many more) from Lucky's founding to the present. The magazine was an innovator from the start, and its early success was a key catalyst for fashion magazines across the board (even Vogue!) transforming themselves into more accessible and shop-able publications.

LE CATCH has been an amazing experience for me, and I want to thank you for reading and supporting it. I honestly would not have the confidence to dedicate myself to it full-time without your loyal readership and your supportive emails and comments. I look forward to continuing the journey with you!

xxMarlien

As I sit here writing Lucky's March issue cover story, I am thinking about some big news I have to share with you....so here it is: I am leaving Lucky at the end of the year to pursue LE CATCH full-time! It's exciting, but a little scary too, as this will be the first time in my career that I will be 100% entrepreneuring on my own and not working for a magazine.

LE CATCH has been an amazing experience for me, and I want to thank you for reading and supporting it. I would not have the confidence to dedicate myself to it full-time without your loyal readership over the last year and your supportive emails and comments.

Some of you have asked me if I can make any money from writing LE CATCH, since it takes quite a bit of work on my end, but obviously is free to you. The answer is yes: you can support LE CATCH by clicking through my links to products/stores when you are going shopping. The reason is that virtually all notable online fashion retailers now pay a small commission to the sites/bloggers that send them customers who buy stuff. Of course, you don't pay anything extra; the merchandise price is the same to you regardless of whether you visit the store via LE CATCH or go directly to the store's homepage. And, of course, I also only post about products that are truly my favorites on the web, and that I want to wear/own myself!

I will truly miss Lucky and my colleagues there and am so grateful for having had the opportunity to work with so many great people (Editors Kim and Brandon and so many more) from Lucky's founding to the present. The magazine was an innovator from the start, and its early success was a key catalyst for fashion magazines across the board (even Vogue!) transforming themselves into more usable and shop-able publications.

Thank you again for reading and supporting LE CATCH!

xxMarlien

$278, the outnet

One of most favorite gifts under the tree was a J.Crew tunic, which I had written about a few weeks ago. Even though it will be awhile before I can throw it over a salt-encrusted bikini, I know that ultimately I will get major mileage out of it. Plus, there's something about having to wait to wear it: when the time finally comes, it will feel like a new present all over again. Which brings me to this Missoni playsuit. It seems like an obnoxiously inappropriate proposition right now, not only because we're all a bit shopped out from the holidays, but, of course, it's the dead of winter. But then again, think about its intrinsic delayed gratification--and how utterly chic--i.e., strikingly different from a garden variety kaftan or tunic--it will be. I can so see a bronzed Italian girl wearing this over a black bikini, or even a white filmy tank, with lots of gold jewelry and a cute straw hat. Wearing this may even make me look (more) like one! And, lastly, most temptingly: it's on sale (reduced from $795!).

1. Missoni jumper, $278, theoutnet.com
2. J.Crew straw fedora, $58, jcrew.com
3. J.Crew bikini top, $48, jcrew.com; bottom, $48, jcrew.com
4. Jules Smith cuff, $100, charmandchain.com
5. Wendy Mink turquoise wood bracelet, $98, charmandchain.com
6. Lancome Vernis in Love nail polish, $15, saksfifthavenue.com
7. K. Jacques thong sandals, $245, shopbop.com

Believe it or not, high on my list of things I'd like for Christmas is a simple white t-shirt. Except it's not all that simple: it has to fit perfectly, have a flattering neckline, look slightly distressed, feel comfortable, not be overly sheer or too thick and heavy--and go with everything I own. In other words, it is the type of thing my hubby could never pick out for me, unless I find it first and then publish it on LE CATCH of course. That being said, do any of you have a favorite? I'm studying these guys from Splendid, Helmut Lang, and Vince. If and when I find the perfect match, I will let you know, and of course buy multiples of it (and one in gray, too)!

$68, nasty gal

Loose and relaxed, these trousers are as comfy as sweatpants, but the bold and so-right-now tribal print gives them a polished, wear-everywhere edge. I like them styled just the way I found them on Nasty Gal, cardigan unbuttoned...

1. Kain tank top, $85, netaporter.com
2. Madewell cardigan (unbuttoned!), $69, madewell.com
3. J. Crew distressed leather belt, $48, jcrew.com
4. Kenneth Jay Lane 22-karat gold link bracelet, $125, charmandchain.com
5. House of Harlow bangle, $80, charmandchain.com
6. Diane Von Furstenberg suede pumps, $194, shopbop.com
7. Nasty Gal tribal print pants, $68, nastygal.com