style notes: buying for keeps

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is it just me, or is this so common that it's becoming a cliché? [insert designer name here] builds loyalty and acclaim around gorgeous, great pieces, customers flock to the brand, brand buzz builds to the point of hype, prices increase, and...quality decreases.

in the kitchen: winter hot pot + sukiyaki

the kaiseki dinner presentation when we stayed at a ryokan in Japan last year

i consider November through March to be prime cozy eating season.

#askLAM: the best minimalist wallet?

last month, reader Tammy asked for recommendations for a great minimalist wallet.

foundations: the chic leather slip-ons

wearing everlane sweater and tank, old current/elliott jeans, lucky necklaces (similar), rebecca minkoff bag, and vince slip-ons (also here)

new year, new shoes (and a review!).

wardrobe planning: holiday/travel 2014 essentials

source: tumblr

October and November have been a bit of a blur this year. my inspiration/mood this holiday season: laidback essentials that go from airport to holiday gatherings to Christmas morning.

sale PSA: everything you want to wear

to round out the holiday weekend, a short and sweet sale PSA to kick off your December:

20% off full-price (EFMONDAY14) going on now at Emerson Fry, 

one of my favorite designers of seasonless, easy chic pieces. 

i'm springing for these favorite slides in black, which will be the perfect lounge + travel shoes. 

what's on your wishlist? let me know if you get anything :)

sale PSA: the Black Friday edit

gamine-approved.

an edited and sweet BF sale roundup for your Thanksgiving week/end 

(check back for updates throughout this week!):

the best big designer selection (up to 25% off // GOBIG14)
the best high street shop for fun + festive pieces (30% off // TGIBF)

the best super luxe designers - including my fave GG boots (extra 20% off sale // BF2060E)

the best darkly elegant leather classics + those tdf leggings (40% off)
the best parisienne silk blouses (25% off // THANKS)
for the dapper gentlemen in your life (30% off)

***
i hope you all have a safe and deliciously cozy Thanksgiving! 

currently // November

current mood // loungey in the pre-holiday calm.

current favorites // my EF cobra slides – took about a week to break them in, and are now super comfy, i sized down to a 36 (i'm usually 6.5/37). my newbark slip-ons scored on major sale. 

currently wishlisting // these amazing midi boots just marked down.

currently reading // Laurie Colwin everything (how did it take me so long to discover her writing??)

currently listening // Serial. so. addictively. good. 

currently making // preparing to brine and roast my first turkey. combining the wisdom of Alton Brown and Ina Garten, wish me luck!

what's current for you?

wardrobe planning: fall 2014 [update]

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now that it's November, all i want to wear are oversized scarves, cozy coats/knits, and boots. my updated wardrobe list is mostly about adding a few dressier pieces and filling in some gaps in the f/w basics department.

Q+A: Kareen // designer | Kostome

silk textures and prints | Kostome fall 2014

one of the best things about running les anti-modernes* is the opportunity to meet and interview brilliant and creative women from all over the world. recently, a mutual friend and former professor of mine invited me to the trunk show and launch of Kostome. i was intrigued and excited to meet Kareen Smith, the creative force and one-woman atelier behind the designs. 

read on for the interview!

#askLAM: the best slouchy black pants?

readers often write or comment with questions on finding a particular piece or a wardrobe recommendation. starting this month, i'll be doing a regular mini-series titled #askLAM. hopefully you'll find this to be a useful and fun regular feature :)

inspiration: Kate Young

photo credit: Jed Root

"The most important thing to me is that people feel really good. And there are definitely times where I say, 'I think you need to push your comfort zone here. I know this doesn’t feel right, but I feel very strongly about it, and I think you’ll be happy with how you look and with the picture.' But I really want their clothes to be representative of who they are. My clients don’t look alike, for the most part. I don’t come in and make them look a certain way. That doesn’t really interest me. I really want it to be the best, most flattering, most clean and chic version of them."

–Kate Young, interviewed by The Cut

in this age of cookie cutter Celebrity Fashion, i really love her considered, rigorous approach to style and styling. and yes to Hillary Clinton rocking a jumpsuit. read the rest of the interview here.

what's inspiring you lately?

Emerson Fry x les anti-modernes* // fall essentials

is there anything better than a great coat and luxe accessories to usher in fall? this month, i've teamed up with the lovely folks at Emerson Fry on my fall essentials edit.

i'm particularly inspired by a textured take on seasonless classics, and these are my favorites from the EF Fall 2014 collection: the gentlewoman's tailored coat, easy luxe slides, and a convertible portfolio.

sale PSA // the big 2-5

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a short and sweet sale PSA for your mid-October // 

the big 25% off sale (FAMILY25) on wishlist classics like this leather jacket and these sunnies

(and everything else that's rarely marked down) going on now!

are you eyeing anything? :)

wardrobe building 101: fall classics

nothing makes me happier than breezy, low-60s crisp fall weather. currently living in my go-to fall classics: trusty A.P.C. trench (similar here and here), ryan tank, black rag & bone jeans, dicker boots, and petra tote.

do you have a classic fall favorite?

P.S.: new markdowns at the closet cleanout shop >>

Q+A: Grace // copywriter

i've always been fascinated by the evolution of media and how we communicate. naturally, when i connected with the lovely Grace earlier this year, i was super curious about her take on writing in the digital age, and her globe-trotting path to working in advertising. 

read on for the interview!

wardrobe planning: fall 2014

photo: la modella mafia

the September issue this year: add key/special pieces to amplify and complement wardrobe foundations.

review: the Filofax planner

my Filofax finsbury (personal size) // (other styles)

i love everything about September – but, sartorial matters aside, it's the back-to-school stationery that gets me every season.

foundations: the olive utility jacket

via Garance Dore

recently, a reader emailed me to ask for recommendations for a good olive utility jacket.

essentials: early fall uniform

hello, September //

feeling ready for fall with my trusty everlane swing trench (in XS), favorite r&b black skinnies, and varas. the sleeves on the jacket are a little long on me, but i'll be cuffing them up while it's not too chilly. i like the midweight, slightly sculptural quality of the treated cotton, and the silhouette makes me feel just a little like Anna Karina...

what are your early fall favorites right now?