wardrobe planning: winter/spring 2015

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wardrobe planning this season is about buying for the long term, clean lines, and a nuanced approach to color and texture.

in the kitchen x Natasha: tarte aux mendiants

recipe by Natasha Pickowicz | photos and styling by Maggie Prendergast

i know we're all conditioned to think of overpriced jewelry and boxed chocolates when Valentine's Day rolls around, but this year, i've teamed up again with the immensely talented Natasha to bring you a splendid recipe for the holiday. it's French, it's chocolate, it's made with love!

read on for Natasha's inspired take on the French classic, tarte aux mendiants.

year in review: 2014 favorites

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i had intended to put this together before Christmas, but holiday and travel plans got in the way. 2014 in the sartorial department was a good year marked by solid finds and minimal wardrobe waste.

inspiration: Vera on Vera

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"Getting dressed is a whole thing for me. My closet is organized by tops, pants, and outerwear, but not a lot of dresses. Like most designers, I have a uniform, and mine is a legging. And if it's not a legging, it's a pant that's like a legging. They could be from Balenciaga or Givenchy, or from Danskin or my Kohl's line. Then I throw on a T-shirt. After that I'm a complete outerwear freak. I work very hard to look casual. It's deliberate to look like you didn't try too hard, as my old boss Ralph Lauren would say."

–Vera Wang on her style uniform

essentials: snow day edition

// winter is coming is here

i'm currently living in a pretty basic loungey uniform consisting of splendid leggings (i have them in the XS; the foldover detail is pretty genius), seamless camisole, everlane cardigan, giant Acne scarf, and short black Uggs.

we just got a bunch of water and storm supplies ready for the snowpocalypse. i'm hoping the power doesn't cut out, and will be looking forward to watching the snowfall from our windows, lighting a Diptyque candle or two, and catching up on some movies. as this blizzard makes its way along the East Coast, i hope you all stay safe and warm and get to enjoy a day or two of cozy hibernation at home!

are you home today for this massive storm? what is your favorite cozy winter pastime?

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

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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 >>