the gift guide: best friend edition

via Vanity Fair

BFF. best mate. sister-i-never-had. partner in crime. late-night confidante. 

a best friend is all of these, and this gift guide is dedicated to best friends everywhere.

raw denim diary: 1 month

favorite tee and A.P.C. jeans (also here) // everyday gold necklace // favorite ballet flats // trio crossbody bag

[second post in a series. see my first post + review]

i've been wearing the A.P.C.s about 5 days a week since my last post. it has now been a month and a week. 

the gift guide: gentleman edition

gentlemanly with a side of cumberbatch

one of my favorite things about the holidays is gift-shopping for loved ones, and there's nothing quite as fun (and just a bit challenging) as shopping for the man in your life.

sale find // emerson fry

hello hello, 20% off (EF20) going on now -
so many beautiful and dreamy coats, knits, and other wardrobe foundations all in one shop...
go! (and let me know if you get anything!)

the gift guide: burgundy edition

via

burgundy is the best color. to me, it will always be the color of fall, of winter, of holidays, and an ever-sophisticated, ever-rich alternative to plain red.

sale find: holiday month

*the big one (BIGEVENT13) just started today! 

my picks are this minimalist work tote, my favorite sunnies, the downtown ankle boots, and the ever-gorgeous all-occasion bow pumps.

more great sales of the season:

*forward's 50% off sale - some pretty luxe and fantastic selection here - THIS dream shearling coat by you know who

*this never happens - 30% off all CdG leather wallets

*the big NAP sale for all the luxe things on your giftlist

*$10 off any $50 purchase + free shipping at TOMS (maker of my favorite easy slip-ons)

*20% off sitewide at ASOS (GIMME20) - ideal for that chic but inexpensive party dress or fun gifts & stocking stuffers

*j.crew 30% off sitewide (HOLIDAY)

*madewell  25% off sitewide (FEAST25)

*ssense 50% off sitewide – ahem, those golden goose boots and repettos...and the Carven gems!

stay tuned here as i'll be updating with more great holiday sales this week :)

Q+A: Julia // rennes

my latest conversation is with the lovely Julia, who wears hats as deftly in her personal style as she does in her work as founder, designer, and maker of her own line. the fact that she's a fan of quality BBC television and reads up on quantum mechanics for fun just makes her a kindred spirit in my book.

read on for the interview!

year in review: 2013 favorites

via la mariniere

November is the shortest month. or that's what it feels like anyway. 

foundations: the minimalist work tote

via tumblr

this season, a roomy, supple, and simple leather tote is really appealing to me as a work-to-weekend hold-all.

sale find: the gamine essentials

the annual steven alan sample sale is on! 

my picks are the classic r/s shirts, this chic clare vivier petit duffel, and this lovely everyday gold necklace.

happy shopping! are you getting anything? :)

reading // November

via

current mood: cozy.

foundations: fall uniform

in which all my fall foundation faves harmoniously come together: 

zara peacoat, rag & bone black skinnies, saint james breton, PS1 satchel, frye penny loafers (currently on sale)

wouldn't it be great if you could confidently walk out the door every day wearing your go-to favorites, head-to-toe? i think this is really the ultimate reward of having a wardrobe that really works.

read on for my quick reviews of two budget-friendly key foundations...

Q+A: Natasha // pastry chef

November for me is all about cozy style and comfort foods, so i'm excited to kick off this month's conversation series with Natasha – Brooklyn bon vivant, supremely talented pastry queen at Marlow & Sons, and all-around cool girl who counts Peggy Bundy and Maggie Cheung as inspirations. 

read on for the interview!

review: A.P.C. raw denim for women

via 

at the top of my fall wardrobe planning post this year was a pair of true-blue, fade-it-yourself, straight-leg raw jeans. last month, i finally found them.

foundations: the peacoat

who else? the inimitable Jane Birkin

the peacoat is, in my estimation, the holy grail of coats.

lookbook // casual friday

leopard and a neutral, TGIF edition

currently wearing emerson slangbacks with favorite blue jeans and A.P.C. sweatshirt. these are gamechanger shoes that can go from downtown brunch to conservative workplace. (see my review re fit and quality). a dear friend swears by them as her go-to comfy-chic work shoes. but of course!

what are your go-tos lately?

PS: EF sale gems roundup: slangbacks in several colors here and here, also i love these elegant wedge sandals and alabaster vheels...all significantly marked down.

happy weekend!

sale find //

your short and sweet sale find of the week is this pretty rad 25% off promo (INTHEFAMILY25) going on now. perfect for those splurgey items on your wishlist that just don't go on sale.

i'm loving these perennial classics: everyday diamond stud earrings, the ever-chic Ferragamo bow pumps, and my favorite rag & bone jeans.

happy shopping! are you getting anything?

lookbook // textures and prints

currently in the mood for variations on textures and a feminine take on camo print – 

camo silk blouse // favorite rag & bone black jeans // simple gold necklace

emerson fry slangbacks (on sale in taupe and more colors) // PS1 satchel

P.S. some great sale prices on an array of chic and colorful equipment silk blouses here and here.

what about you? any fun textures or prints in your daily rotation?

Q+A: Julie // object & totem

via design sponge

one of my favorite finds this season is my object & totem necklace (if you follow me on instagram, you know i've been wearing it pretty much nonstop). this month's conversation is with Julie – the lovely and über-talented lady behind the designs.

read on for the interview!

essentials // the top 5 stylish flats

comfy elegance à la Audrey Tautou

in my last post, longtime reader Erica asked me what stylish flats she could wear to dress up a comfy outfit.

read on for my picks!