LE CATCH

Today feels like I'm white-knuckling through one of those tense, turbulence-filled flights, trying to help fly the plane by looking out the window, listening but not really to the people talking around me. I'm thinking a little bit of distraction from the all the action could help... like diverting my focus to these Saint Laurent suede loafers, above, aptly named Le Loafer and nearly sold out. Do I really need them? Maybe I do in black!? I actually do need the bow-trimmed Zara gloves, below, because I have to have them for winter, along with a slinky party dress, plus a super (hero) cape-like coat that might fly me to another time and space?! P.S. If you need further retail therapy, check out this flash sale!

New week, new Substack! This time around it's all about what I bought myself for my birthday--and a round-up of (self) gifting ideas. After I published it yesterday, an IG friend DM'ed me to ask if I had a discount code to buy herself a big piece of birthday jewelry. Fortunately, I had one up my sleeve for her, and some for you today, including 10% off at Shylee Rose and Dehanche with the code MARLIEN10, both pictured below. Expect at least a dozen more (just in time for holiday shopping!) in my next Substack, which, if you subscribe, will hit your inboxes by the weekend!

$49, zara

Put a bow on it and you'll be good to go.

1. Zara organza bow knit top, $49, zara.com

2. Mango lace skirt, $79, mango.com

3. Justine Clenquet crystal earrings, $60, shopbop.com

4. Prada pre-loved cross-body tote bag, $1795, fashionphile.com

5. Saint Laurent patent leather wedge heels, $1090, netaporter.com

Khaite's TK bag is really showing up everywhere.

When my sister landed in Rome earlier this week, she hit the ground running. First, a 3.5-mile run winding through Borghese Gardens, followed by a meal of fried artichokes and cacio e pepe at Da Armando al Pantheon. Then she called me while shopping: "I just bought the cutest white fringed skirt at Zara," she said a little breathlessly. "You are going to love it." While I wait for her to bring it home and let me borrow it, I found some things she's going to love in the meantime: the endlessly versatile Jeanerica army jacket, below, Cos's sheer embroidered skirt, sleek wide-leg pants from H&M, along with this, this and this.

$550, my theresa

She's ready for her dirty martini.

1. Farm Rio dress, $550, mytheresa.com

2. Jane Win malachite necklace, $448, janewin.com

3. Ferragamo sequin and patent leather bag, $3650, nordstrom.com

4. Loeffler Randall velvet sandals, $295, netaporter.com

In her fall lineup Joyce Lee, Madewell's former creative director, has chosen bags that don't just enhance any outfit but also offer generous space and effortless functionality. It's a fitting selection from the mind behind the brand's most iconic/coveted products such as the best-selling Transport Tote. Her fine-tuned edit is inspiring me to add the Parker Thatch (The Row vibes!) bag, above, and the slouchy suede, below, plus another suede carry-all by Khaite and a cute bucket by RSVP.

The fall follow-up to Sienna Miller x Marks & Spencer's sell-out summer collaboration just landed, and everyone is saying it's even better than the last. Just in time for the holidays, the collection is anchored in party perfection, such as the cream suit she's wearing, above, along with the animal print leather clutch, the silk maxi dress, and the faux-fur jacket. I want it all!

For me, Halloween will be calling for head-to-toe mob wife, but for the holidays, I'll be dressing up in fancy tops and, well, that's really it! I believe those special pieces, such as the $245 ME + EM blouse, above (very Chloe!), the $138 mesh top and the embellished tank, below, can do all the heavy (style) lifting and keep everything else simple. Along with: this lace Reformation, this strapless and sexy Pixie Market, and this striking satin Aligne bow peplum top!

$39, h&m

It's everything but TSA-friendly!

1. H&M beaded sweater, $39, hm.com

2. Faithfull pants, $239, netaporter.com

3. Allurde cashmere sweater, $450, netaporter.com

4. JW Pei bag, $89, shopbop.com

5. Jennifer Zeuner hoops, $132, shopbop.com

6. The Row satin sandals, $1570, mytheresa.com