Weekend Flashback.

The-Steele-Maiden-Weekend-Flashback

Apparently, in Southern California, Spring starts in January.  You won’t hear me complaining.  My weekend was spent in bare legs taking long walks on the beach and roaming around the downtown streets (which landed us upon this pretty little park).  Even though you may not have had the same weather I’m having, hopefully you still had the chance to explore a local area of your own and maybe even had the luck of finding something new.  

Punctuation Mark.

The-Steele-Maiden-Payday-Series-Punctuation-Mark
The end of the week always deserves an exclamation point.  And what better punctuation than one that’s black, white, and bold all over?!…
I’ve been drawn to this door ever since seeing it on Pinterest a while back.  And if you’re going to walk through a door that good, you may as well be wearing an equally standout dress.  These from Prabal Gurung for Target (available February 10) will do the trick.  And on your arm?  A see through tote – with a few graphic lipsticks thrown inside of course.  Happy Friday!  

(PS. For more inspiration from my Pinterests boards, follow me here!)

Brooklynite

The-Steele-Maiden-Real-Deal-Series-Brooklynite-Post

They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do.  So when in Silverlake (the quickly gentrified, hipster-y neighborhood of northern LA often compared to Brooklyn), I say do as the Brooklynites do…

For an afternoon spent browsing the record/vintage/cheese shops of Silverlake that meant a nineties style button down maxi dress (one of the most surprisingly versatile pieces I’ve bought in a long time), layered under a plaid button down (the calling card of hipsters on either coast), and a utility vest (ditto on the versatility of this piece).  This is one of those outfits that combines several pieces that aren’t typically my style (vests are few and far between in my closet and this is honestly the only maxi dress I own), but somehow manages to still work.  Just don’t try and get me to wear ripped tights.  

The-Steele-Maiden-Real-Deal-Series-Brooklynite-Post

The-Steele-Maiden-Real-Deal-Series-Brooklynite-Post

The-Steele-Maiden-Real-Deal-Series-Brooklynite-Post
American Eagle Shirt (old, similar here)
Ruche Dress (no longer available, shop dresses here)

Dooney & Bourke Bag (Vintage)
Dolce Vita Shoes (old, similar here)
CrewCuts laces (old, similar here)

All Eyes on You

The-Steele-Maiden-Clip-Art-Series-All-Eyes-On-You-Post

First it was in a mod inspired feature in Matchbook Magazine.  Then it was this post from blog ‘A Piece of Toast’.  And by the time I was browsing the Urban Outfitters bedding section, I officially felt like I was being watched.

Eyes, it seems, are the new lip.  While kiss prints seem to cycle through fashion fairly often, the eyes motif feels fairly novel.  From closed eyes on pillow cases to heavy lashes on loafers to cat eyes on a clutch, the key is to keep it bold in black and white (with maybe a touch of baby blues).  They’re the perfect accent to other bold pieces – carry that clutch with a houndstooth dress, hold that phone case while you text with glitter covered nails, and wear those flats while you sport swiss dot tights.  I promise, all eyes will be on you.

(1. Urban Outfitters pillowcases; 2. Kate Spade iPhone cover; 3. Modcloth flats; 4. Etsy notecard; 5. Kate Spade Clutch)

Lady Liberty

So it’s safe to say my goal of outfit posting didn’t really get off the ground last year.  After my inaugural post, life (like moving, holidays, work, house guests…) sort of got in the way.  But now that we’ve turned the calendar page I’m more committed than ever to make my ‘Real Deal’ series in particular stick. 

In New York I always wore neutral coats.  Since you had to wear them every single day for practically three months straight I was afraid to buy something colorful that I’d tire of or wouldn’t match with my whole wardrobe.  But since moving to Los Angeles, and realizing I would only need a “winter” coat a handful of times, I decided to go with something really fun and bright.  To play up the girly, retro style of the coat, I added a mix of patriotic patterns, trusty ankle boots, and my favorite vintage clutch.  






































































































Double Breasted Military Coat
 
H&M Dress (old, similar here)
Forever 21 Blouse (old, similar here)
Zara Heels (old, similar here)
Vintage Clutch