Someday, way in the distant future, I hope to score an invitation to a state dinner at the White House. One, I can't think of anything that would be more awesome, and two, the style quotient would arguably be much lower than say, the Oscars, and thus, finding the perfect dress wouldn't be all that stressful. I mean, wouldn't it sort of blow to go to the Oscars? (Unless, of course, you've been dressed by Dior and Harry Winston.) So, let's talk State Dinner. I think I would take a cue from Marisa Tomei at the Golden Globes (I know, I know, she was a little bit piratey, but I think anything that can conceivably end up on both worst and best dressed lists is a good choice) and go for a full floor-length skirt and a simple white button-down. Like this skirt, but fancier. What would you wear?

I've already acknowledged my scarf obsession, so it should come as no surprise that I'm kind of freaking out over the awesomeness of the following pieces, all half off:

Dear Universe,

I really am looking forward to the day when my face isn't freezing off, my legs cease feeling amphibious and scaly, and I can retire my leg warmers and (at this point life-saving) floor-length sleeping-bag coat. When that day comes, I will not let you down. I will be wearing a flowy little dress; a pretty, lightweight scarf; bright flats; and a shrunken brown leather jacket like this, this, or

Signing a confidentiality agreement is what one does, I imagine, when one gives little Suri Cruise a blowout or sleeps with Leonardo DiCaprio. I signed mine in Milan at dinner for Dolce & Gabbana's new makeup line. The big reveal would be the celebrity "face" of the brand: everyone around me guessed Penelope Cruz, Beyonce, Madonna; darkly, my mind wandered to a corseted Ali Lohan.

We signed during pre-dinner cocktails in a lobby swarming with glamorous people wearing black, as well as tuxedoed male model-waiters asking mysterious Italian questions ("Mm-hmm!', I' answered, lamely, every time).I also met either Dolce or Gabbana (I can't remember--I was TIRED, okay?, )--who was predictably tan, dapper, and fantastic-smelling.

Finally, we entered a grand banquet hall hung with--TADA!--massive posters of Scarlett Johansson--the "face". Half of the guests (including the Lanvin-clad French editors meant to be seated on either side of me) ignored Scarlett completely and instead charged for their place cards so they could upgrade to chicer tables. The food was unmemorable, but luckily, fashion editors don't eat. (JOKING!) (Sort of.)

The next morning I flew to Rome for the Gucci party. More on that (and meeting the ridiculously chic Frida Giannini) tomorrow. Ciao!

—Cat Marnell, associate beauty editor

I have a blind date next week. And I know nothing except his first name, his cell phone number, and his height, which is approximately the same as mine (5'10'). Normally—and probably ill-advisedly—I always wear heels on first dates. In fact, I always wear heels, black jeans, and some sort of flowy, not particularly revealing blouse. In honor of the fact that we have a change-embracing new president, perhaps it's time to rethink my approach. I'm considering flat boots, tights, and some sort of simple dress with a cardigan and lots of accessories. Perhaps this one, or this one, or this one. Oy, I don't even know. Is one of them better? Am I taking the totally wrong approach to begin with? What do you guys wear on first dates?

Over the weekend, my husband and I had an annoying conversation we have often. It's the one where I attempt to explain a new vision I have for our apartment, how we absolutely need to rearrange things and buy a new table or chair or paint color, and that this will magically make everything better. I'll spare you the Everybody Loves Raymond details, but basically what happens next is he says, "The problem with our apartment is that you have too many clothes," and stares over at my mountainous pile of laundry (which is so big that if I affixed it with two googly eyes, it would resemble the talking Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock). Though I protest—citing bad closets and how we really need that *"ELF" system thing and how I haven't really bought anything in three weeks—I know he's kind of right. I like variety, and I hate wearing the same outfits all the time, and I buy inexpensive pieces, and they add up. Even though I clean out every season, what's left behind—the items I love and wear—is still too much. How does one know when one's wardrobe is too big? Do you have to get rid of things you actually like? I shudder at the thought.

*By the way, The Container Store's Elfa closet organization system can be found in bits and pieces all over eBay, at really good prices.

I'm freezing. And though I definitely have a few stay-warm tricks—like my puffy coat, leather Chucks and cashmere socks, wool camisoles and tights, all documented in this column—I'm pretty much tapped out and am desperate for another to get me over this brutally chilly winter hump. Yesterday my pal and colleague Jennifer posted something about leg warmers under boots, which I thought was very clever. Is there anything else you guys have in your closets, or do you have any good layering tips that really keep you cozy without sacrificing style?

Jeannie Lee, who owns cult-favorite L.A. boutique Satine (which is so ragingly successful she recently opened an outpost in Tokyo, too) has teamed up with Forever 21 to produce this quite adorable, limited-edition collection of tees. Emblazoned with images of bunny and deers, the Shibuya Mon Amour collection of t-shirts are priced for under $20 a piece.

I'm not sure why—or how—they photographed every piece in the Vera Wang for Kohl's collection so it looks like it's floating, but I'm sort of into it anyway. I think this tuxedo-inspired cutaway jacket could be an extremely versatile addition to my wardrobe, and over in petites, I'm a huge fan of this fluttery top. Even though I'm not even remotely a petite, I think all that material might work well on someone of my height, so I'm going to give it a try anyway.

My vegan friend Jen is hardcore—no meat, no dairy, no leather shoes, no down feathers in comforters or coats—but she's also a lawyer in Boston, which means she can't swan around wearing "hempadrilles" and organic caftans (note: no disrespect! I grew up in Berkeley, and have an abiding affection for an organic caftan!). She also wears makeup—but only from makeup companies stridently against animal testing. Her favorite: Sue Devitt Studio. First off, the products work. And they're chic and pretty. More than that, it's apparently common for vegans (or at least lawyer ones) to ask for more details about a company's animal friendliness—and Sue Devitt Studio writes back RIGHT AWAY to explain its policies and ingredients. I looked through Jen's makeup bag (nosy, I'm sorry), and there's a lot from Sue Devitt (lip gloss, foundation, this cool slate-gray eyeliner), but her favorite is the concealer (which I borrowed and can now vouch for its awesomeness).

So, vegans and vegetarians—do you have other organic/vegan/animal-friendly makeup companies that you like?

—Cristina Mueller, senior beauty editor