essentials: spring travel uniform // sale PSA

at the magical Fushima Inari shrine, Kyoto // 

wearing my spring travel uniform: utility jacket layered over ryan tank and drapey hoodie (also here), black jeans, Nike frees, camera case, and Balenciaga bag.

*weekend sale update: 25% off (FRNFAM) the completely essential Ferragamo varas (and many other styles)!

the big friends & family / best sale ever is now on (INTHEFAMILY14)! (an excellent opportunity to get some of my favorite travel essentials for less.)

 i will do a more detailed post on Japan later, but here some of my favorites:

wardrobe planning: spring travel essentials

via tumblr

my spring wardrobe planning themes of sportif/comfy/simple pretty much apply to packing for Japan. the travel m.o.: bring only tried-and-true favorites that are functional, comfortable, and stylish.

style notes: on feminism and fashion

via the epitome of quiet

"I had learned a lesson about Western culture: Women who wanted to be taken seriously were supposed to substantiate their seriousness with a studied indifference to appearance."

–Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 
"Why Can't a Smart Woman Love Fashion?"

lookbook // the cropped sweatshirt, II

dressing up/down // boatneck sweatshirt (in the XS) // current/elliott jeans // 

object & totem necklace // corso como heels (similar here and here) // everlane petra tote

part two in my styling the classic sweatshirt mini-series.

foundations: big bag theory

in the bag (reviewed here): something old (7-year-old CdG wallet) // something inspiring (the power of habit) //
something new & something blue (large zip pouch c/o everlane)

my desk is usually messy, but i like to keep my bags organized.

wardrobe planning: spring 2014 update

photo credit: tommy ton

this photo pretty much sums up my inspiration for spring.

essentials: March monochrome

classics old and new – adidas superstars + everlane petra bag

travelogue: spring in Japan

via 

i'm so excited to go to Japan next month (hopefully in time to catch the cherry blossoms!). my bf and i will be mostly splitting our time between Tokyo and Kyoto. dear readers, please share your recommendations for favorite places / good eats / shopping!

P.S.: i'll be doing a post or two on packing for Japan soon. please chime in if you've any travel/sartorial tips as well :)

foundations: the chic guide to wearing Birkenstocks

via Vogue UK

in light of the the comfy-chic movement, 2013 was The Year of the Birks. love them or hate them – they're longtime wardrobe foundations in my book.

here are my tips on how to choose and wear birks in a minimalist chic way.

wardrobe planning s/s14: the chic caftan

we're due to get another snow blast this weekend. i'm responding by dedicating this post entirely to the caftan.

Q+A: Wallace // writer & blogger

this month's conversation is with the gorgeous and multi-talented Wallace – writer, blogger, world traveler and sometime-model whose literary tastes are as stellar as her personal style.

read on for the interview!

sale PSA // loeffler randall tall boots

a short and sweet sale PSA for your Monday: 

my all-time favorite elegant Loeffler Randall boots are on sale! 

(i find them TTS, very comfy for long city walks, with room for thin socks and leggings/jeans.)

be prepared to get tons of compliments when you wear them...let me know if you get a pair :)

PS Tuesday update: the big sale for everything that never goes on sale (BIGEVENT14) is now on! perfect time to get those Karen Walkers, rag & bone black skinnies, and Ferragamo varas.

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style notes: what women want / or, practical luxury pt. II

the epitome of chic // via

“The desire to be comfortable is profound, shaping attitudes and markets."

–Cathy Horyn

lookbook // the grey sweatshirt, I

a reader asked for ideas on how to style a simple sweatshirt, so i think i'll do a mini series on this theme. 

this week: in the mood to pair my cropped grey sweatshirt with a statement costume necklace. harmony in contrasts.

//

what do you think? how do you like to wear your fave sweatshirt?

wardrobe planning: spring 2014

via

spring planning this year is about filling a few major wardrobe gaps that will elevate the rest of my go-tos. the back to basics palette continues.

foundations: the seasonal scarves guide

via tumblr

January's back-to-back blizzards and the two snowstorms on tap for this week have meant one thing: my scarves have been the hardest working accessories in my wardrobe.

inspiration + wardrobe update // January

i don't know about you, but of all the '90s supers, Christy was always my favorite.

lookbook // cashmere friday

staying warm and comfy on a casual Friday with favorite grey cashmere pullover, go-to black skinny jeans, minimalist work tote (reviewed here), rose gold watch and dieppa loafers.

what's been in your style rotation lately?

essentials: the chic sneakers

via 

the theme of my 2014 so far: new year, new balances with everything.

review: the minimalist work tote

my everlane petra tote arrived the other day.