LE CATCH

The holiday calendar is officially in turbo mode—eight events this week alone, plus a quick out-and-back to NYC just to keep things interesting. My secret to staying sane (and looking pulled-together)? Instant glam-ifiers, all under $500: a sleek pair of (tie-on-and-go!) cropped silk pants, below, an organza wrap skirt that does all the heavy lifting, a fringe metallic tank, a sparkly Maje polo top, a printastic La Double J dress (on sale at The Outnet, excellent Simkhai, too), some pristine Doen lace (on sale) and under $100 cocktail rings. ’Tis the season for a little shimmer-saving grace!

P.S. At our annual gift swap last week, the runaway favorite was a pair of Dorsey lab-grown diamond earrings, above. Real carats everywhere, and still, we all know the easiest way to go from zero to party-ready is a throw-on (and stay-on) jolt of sparkle!

$69, h&m

Me vs. Sleeveless holiday dresses. Winner: this brooch-embellished blazer.

1. Pleats Please Issey Miyake dress. $610, saksfifthavenue.com
2. H&M blazer, $69, hm.com
3. Gucci Rosso Ancora 509, $50, gucci.com
4. ALC fold-over leather clutch, $276, saksfifthavenue.com
5. Jimmy Choo patent leather mules, $1150, jimmychoo.com

Christmas shopping with my mom has become its own kind of holiday ritual: equal parts sparkle, sentiment, and a slow-burning test of patience. She’s 87 now, her memory softening at the edges like an old cashmere sweater, and yet she still insists on dressing up for an outing at Neiman Marcus. Yesterday, she wore a pair of Chanel sandals she “borrowed” from me five years ago. We eased into the day over popovers and a salad we shared because she said she wasn’t very hungry, then promptly forgot we ordered it. And yet: there was a fleeting moment, when she grabbed my hand and squeezed it as if remembering everything at once. I’m learning to live for those flashes. And not mourn their quick disappearance. Post-lunch, I tried on a pair of Chanel boots I absolutely do not need (yet absolutely adored along with the ballet flats (above), and slipped her Cartier watch—the one I “borrowed” to complement the Cartier-inspired nail bracelet I’ve been wearing nonstop, below. This is the season of mutual borrowing, I suppose. And, in true Le Catch style, buying into more wallet-friendly finds that pass the cost-per-wear test with flying colors: statment boots (also these very Hermes-y) that won’t require a second mortgage, patent leather flats that look EXACTLY like Chanel, striped Ralph Lauren pajamas because they do double duty as loungewear and daytime “running to get coffee” attire. And framed photos—personal, lasting, forever-keeping ones—because this year, more than any other, I want to preserve what’s slipping away: the moments, the expressions, the pieces of her. Trust me, Framebridge is the way to go here--so easy, it's almost addictive! The gift I’m giving myself this season: patience, presence, and acceptance that beauty shows up in many forms—sometimes in the imperfect, irreplaceable person walking beside you in borrowed shoes!

P.S. My skin needs to borrow from the fountain of youth, still so dry from my trip to NY, so I just dipped into this.

$139, cos

Ruffles that go from day to night--and winter to summer!

1. Cos dress, $139, cos.com
2. Loewe leather clutch, $3750, saksfifthavenue.com
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Eau de Parfum, $200, violetgrey.com
4. La Double J resin ring, $70, ladoublej.com
5. Christian Louboutin sandals, $995, saksfifthavenue.com

This past week in freezing NYC boiled down to getting dressed--and getting dressed again and again. I spent more time shimmying in and out of layers than actually being outside in them. I tried on outfits not just for the day, but for future days, future dinners, future moments—trial-running looks in pursuit of that new Chanel-in-the-subway kind of slightly undone, perfectly imperfect on-the-go style (I'm executing last pic with this and these). The uncontrived vibe that winks rather than shouts, and somehow, in the dead of winter, feels like a warm breeze. I cranked up the chic heat in this navy pinstriped blazer by Gwyn, these structured Madewell jeans (every.single.day), this Attersee shoulder-baring jacket (above), this Apiece Apart cardigan with a Parker Thatch bag strap used as a belt (why not?!). For future festivities: this Christopher Esper sequin frock (below, it's actually insane!), more Maison Mayle charm necklaces and a button-neck coat, below, and this Metier carry-all.

My carry-on suitcase is all wool and faux fur for New York's bitter cold, but my accessories are actually doing the heavy lifting. This week I've been relying on my belt (below, also this one), faux fur collars (mine here and here but this one is a super wow), a look-twice clutch or bag, eyeglasses that are more than just readers (also these!), studded shoes, an elegant necklace, a brooch on a coat or a blazer, even sweaters wrapped around my neck like scarves (or a sweater with an attached scarf!). Chanel's show in the subway on Tuesday night proved that accessories can outshine a whole wardrobe--i.e, those red long gloves with a grey knit (I'd try with even a classic sweatshirt!) Bottom line: pack light, accessorize boldly!

I told myself today would be different. A shopping cleanse. A purposeful step away from my laptop. And then… the new drops rolled in. And the “just extended” sales (this, this, and this!). And suddenly I’m right back where I started: coffee in hand, scrolling like it’s my cardio--only today I am in cold and rainy New York City, feeling like a whole new winter wardrobe is in order! It's basically Temptation Tuesday over here. Surprise, surprise, I’m not fighting it, either. Check out these compelling finds: the H&M embellished blazer, the faux fur scarf coat, the fluffy knit, the fur-sleeved And Other Stories sweater, the zipper--trimmed Banana Republic pullover (40% off!), the shaggy sleeveless top, the pink made-for-layering anorak and the crinkly Reformation blouse.

While everyone else seems to have snapped back into real-world mode, I’m still floating somewhere between leftovers and lounge sets. Maybe that’s just my subconscious attempting to justify the inevitable click, click, add to cart that today Cyber Monday brings. Yesterday I attempted a “big” closet clean-out, above, which, if we’re being honest, translated into me standing in front of my mirror wearing two different shoes—one studded Mary Jane, one practical ankle boot. A metaphor, perhaps, for my current state of being: half put-together, half still on holiday time. As I stared at the piles and racks, it occurred to me that my closet is truly insatiable—no matter how much I organize, edit, donate, or discipline myself, it always seems to want more. Honestly, not unlike my appetite this weekend. Apple pie? Yes. More brioche and butter? Absolutely. I was a bottomless Thanksgiving of a human being. So will I indulge today? Yes. Proudly. If my closet demands feeding and the sales are this good, who am I to deny destiny? Cyber Monday picks include: Adina Reyter's one-day-only archive sale (plus 20% of new pieces), My Theresa's flash sale (Khaite bag!, Toteme trousers, Chloe flats and this), Cos (cute scarf!), Tuckernuck (black cardigan), Tory Burch (so much!), Nordstrom (that $50 tote bag!), Shopbop (great, cute, yes), and, um, new Zara today too (below). Plus: the Madewell jeans I wear everyday (see above and below) are $50!!! The white leather corset belt I'm wearing above is also on sale! Happy Cyber Monday!

While I’m still full from yesterday’s everything—the cooking, the pies, the cleaning up—I’m also riding that unmistakable post-Thanksgiving surge: the mix of wanting to move, recharge, and, of course, pounce on the best Black Friday steals before they disappear into the internet abyss. This morning’s agenda? A long walk with green juice (the most civilized way to undo a slice of pecan pie), followed by an hour of hitting tennis balls to remind my body it’s not, in fact, made of gluten-free stuffing. And because I love a little balance, I’ll be pairing those endorphins with some expertly targeted browsing—today’s deals are actually really good. Think: my scarf-accented Apiece Apart, above, that friends have been complimenting, or the one my niece pinched from my closet, below, (along with the dress she wanted too); these fun tasseled flats, the jeans and easy Mary Janes that are everyday wearable (mine below at 30% off) or even the decadent pull-on leather pants (above, or these for $84!). P.S. Even my eyeglasses are buy one, get one free! I'll be digging into the most coveted beauty staples that almost never go on sale (Substack with more beauty revelations coming today or tomorrow). Black Friday is basically the universe whispering: go for it. Access all of my personal discount codes here!

There’s a certain luxury to Thanksgiving—whether you’re the one orchestrating the whole delicious production or simply showing up with an eager appetite. I genuinely love this holiday no matter what side of the kitchen island I’m on, because it always circles back to one thing: gratitude. A big, beautiful, overflowing gratitude circle—from my table to yours. Today, in between baking pies and making stuffing, I’ll be popping into the Black Friday sales here and here—because it would be downright silly not to dig in. I will show you one of my latest niece-approved Chloe scores in an IG Story later, however, I am now tempted by this non-sale piece. Please count on me soaking up LA's 70-degree-plus sunshine with family and friends, and exercising it all off on Friday morning with this Pvolve gadget (already obsessed and will gift one to my sis). Meanwhile, I’ve already started prepping my hair—not just for Thanksgiving, but for the foreseeable future with this IYKYK routine. One more thing: For those who eagle-eyed my new engraved Shylee Rose heart necklace, in the photo below, and inquired about a discount code, it is BF15. You can find my brown cashmere perfection here. Wishing you a warm, joyful, gratitude-filled holiday—no matter what side of the island you’re on.