WEEKLY ROUND-UP 4.28

The Steele Maiden at Home: Anthropologie candle and Daisy Marc Jacobs Perfume

William Morris once said “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to beautiful.” I find that quote to be so strikingly powerful that I’ve been applying it to my home, and in fact – entire life – for years now. This week it’s rung especially true as I’ve been tackling a deep spring clean. After 3 years in our apartment, my closet along with several other corners, were feeling crowded and bogged down by ‘stuff’. Stuff that was no longer useful or beautiful to me. So out it goes. It feels so good to start fresh. Here – a few more things on my mind as we head into the weekend.

  1. In Sweden, a Museum of Failures opened. It showcases the greatest commercial flops, often from very successful inventors and brands. The lesson – that failure is inseparable from success and should be celebrated. Brilliant.
  2. Do you all follow Margo & Me? Her blog posts read like beautiful magazine editorials and her style is kind of my fantasy romantic, french girl look. This post is so dreamy.
  3. I’ve been talking about my current obsession with statement earrings for the past few weeks here. They’re just such an easy way to elevate a look. This pair is featherweight and just went on sale for just $10! That’s less than lunch in this town.
  4.  I studied abroad in London when I was 20 years old and I’m hoping to finally get back there this year, a cool decade later. This restaurant would be a must visit this time around. Talk about millennial pink.
  5. Out with the old (clothes, bags, shoes… to donation they go!), in with the new. Made room in my closet for these fun heels in wear with everything black and feeling quite happy about it. Plus they’re 40% off right now.

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ST. JUDE SPRING GALA IN ASOS DRAPE BACK DRESS

The Steele Maiden: St. Jude Spring Gala with Collectively - wearing Asos drape back dress

On Saturday night, I had a real New York night on the town. Adam and I were honored to be asked to attend the St. Jude Spring Gala on behalf of Collectively. It was an evening filled with drinks, raffle prizes, delicious food from some of New York’s best restaurants, and dancing. All for an incredible cause.

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WEEKLY ROUND-UP 4.14

The Steele Maiden: Striped Top and Floral Hair Bow

If you saw my first Weekly Round-Up then you’ll know I’ve added these Friday posts as a place to play catch-up and share anything new that’s happening or interesting that I’ve spotted in the past week. This particular one has been a whirlwind since we landed from a red eye flight from LA on Monday morning and jumped straight into the work week and are headed promptly out of town again this weekend to spend Easter with Adam’s family at their lake house. In the meantime – I’ll leave you with these:

  1.  I’ve got a major statement earring obsession right now. These come in a million colors, aren’t too heavy and just feel FUN with almost any outfit.
  2. Now that my half marathon is done, my workout schedule is way less rigid. I’m still trying to stick to running around 10 miles a week and working out 6 days a week – but thinking of adding in a fun class to mix things up. Are there any that you love? I’ve always though kick-boxing sounded fun.
  3. We rented a convertible Mustang to drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs last week and it made me want to watch Thelma & Louise again. No one rocks a pair of faded Levis like Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon.
  4. Jenna Lyons, Creative Director & unexpected style icon, is officially leaving the helm of J.Crew after 26 years with the company. I like this tribute article from Man Repeller on how she’s shaped the way we think about getting dressed.
  5. I’ve started freelance blog writing for a lingerie brand I love – True & Co. Here is my debut article.

And for more – be sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Instagram. Both show content you won’t find anywhere else. Happy weekend!

WEEKLY ROUND-UP

Running activewear leggings and sneakers

I’ve been feeling lately like there are a lot of tidbits I want to share with you all that I just don’t have a proper space for. Whether it’s a new brand that I’m swooning over, a can’t miss sale, a must-read article.. there are things that just fall outside of my usual style, travel, beauty, cocktail or fitness posts. If you can believe that. So I’m thinking I’ll start sharing those things on Friday. We’ll see how it goes.

And for more? You should sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Instagram. Both show content you won’t find anywhere else. 

Now, on to the good stuff:

  1. I’m running my half marathon on Saturday. While I probably won’t keep up the 10+ mile runs, I’m definitely hoping to stick to the habit of working out 6 days a week. The coral sneakers shown above are lightweight and great for cross training.
  2. One of my all time favorite TV shows since I was a kid has been the Golden Girls. The other weekend we traveled wayyyy uptown to have breakfast at Rue La Rue – a gem of a place dedicated to the show. I nearly died.
  3. Currently reading ‘Animals‘ by Emma Jane Unsworth. So far serving as a tribute to the messiness of life in your early twenties but the beauty of a great friendship amidst it all. It feels fitting before I turn 30.
  4. I’m heading out of town (warm weather bound!) and while I’ll be sharing everything I’m packing here on the blog next week, these gingham slides are too good to wait to talk about.
  5. Do you listen to podcasts? I’ve become obsessed in the past year. I listen to the NY Times ‘Daily’ every morning, plus ‘Happier’ and ‘This American Life’ weekly. Recently I burned through ‘Missing Richards Simons’ (both fascinating and heartbreaking…) and ‘S-Town‘ from the makers of ‘Serial’ may be next on my list.

Have a great weekend!

SPRING BRUNCH COCKTAIL RECIPE: BOURBON PALOMA

The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma

Without fail it happens every March – cabin fever. Adam and I spend so much of our time outside, roaming the city when the weather allows, that after a long winter I just start to go a little stir crazy in our tiny apartment. So I decided if I had to be cooped up, I may as well make the best of it and mix up a spring-inspired cocktail perfect for weekend brunch. A Paloma is usually the tequila and grapefruit version of a mimosa. But I took the mix one step further and subbed bourbon for tequila plus added blood orange and lime and finished with club soda and a dash of pink salt (have you ever used this? It’s so pretty!). The results – a burst of fresh citrus, bit of fizz and an incredibly smooth and refreshing finish. Out of all the cocktails I’ve shared on the blog so far, this may just be my favorite. Below the recipe. Cheers to the weekend friends!

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The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma

*Original recipe found via Girl in the Little Red Kitchen