balancing act


For date nights I try to strike a balance between the casualness of Southern California and my own desire to get dressed up…

Most recently, for dinner and a drink at a favorite neighborhood spot, this meant my go to chambray shirt made a bit more fancy by pairing with a swingy little pleated skirt (last seen here), plus a bright red lip balanced with my natural air dried hair.  And, because it wouldn’t be me without one standout piece – these statement heels.  A balancing act in their own right with the type of geo print seen everywhere this Fall (but often on casual sweaters or leggings) dressed up in shiny satin, a high heel, and sleek pointed toe.  Here they were just enough to pull the whole look together – but I can’t wait to throw these on with another print or more color next time. 

The Steele Maiden: Balancing Act

The Steele Maiden: Balancing Act

The Steele Maiden: Balancing Act

The Steele Maiden: Balancing Act

The Steele Maiden: Balancing Act




spotted: full midi skirts


Ahh, do the ladies of New York Fashion Week ever disappoint?  Some of the looks I loved most (both on the runways and on the streets) were the pairings with full midi skirts – especially as seen on this stylish duo.  While the length on these can be tricky the fullness helps balance you out and with the right pair of sky high statement making heels these can be totally flattering.  I’d pair mine with a cheeky graphic sweater to put a youthful spin on it (how fun is this one with it’s own little nod to high fashion street style?).  Thanks for the inspiration ladies.  

    

turning the page

The Steele Maiden: Turning the Page(Madewell T-shirt; JCrew Factory Belt – similar here; Target skirt – similar here; Restricted ‘Traffic’ Heels c/o)

Fall always feels like the start of a new chapter to me.  Maybe it’s the feeling of a new school year that I can’t shake regardless of the fact that I’ve long since graduated.  But with or without a class schedule, I don’t mind hitting the books with style…

And there’s nothing that says Fall quite like a leaf printed skirt and a matching pair of oxfords (this pair in particular with a grown up heel and the most perfect shade of two tone).  I’ll be adding knee socks or tights once California weather cooperates, but for now you can find me in these stacked heels next to a tall stack of books. 

The Steele Maiden: Turning the Page

The Steele Maiden: Turning the Page

The Steele Maiden: Turning the Page

The Steele Maiden: Turning the Page

The Steele Maiden: Turning the Page



weekend flashback

The Steele Maiden: Weekend FlashbackThis weekend some pretty exciting things happened in The Steele Maiden world.  I officially booked my trip to New York in October to attend Lucky FABB (Lucky Magazine’s Fashion and Beauty Blogger annual conference), an event I feel honored to have been invited to and grateful to have the support to make the trip possible.  And even more exciting, we added a new baby to our little blog family – the Canon Rebel DSLR. I hadn’t mentioned it, but several weeks back the Nikon point and shoot we had been using up until now broke (perhaps a blessing in disguise) and we’ve been making do with phone pictures while we decided our next step.  We’ve been dreaming of a DSLR – and the photo possibilities that come with it – for a long time now and this weekend bit the bullet.  While these are big investments, sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and commit to what you’re passionate about, right?  I’m happy to be taking you all along for the ride.  


from where i stand / 05

The Steele Maiden: From Where I Stand - Shanghai(original artwork by Jessica Steele)
05/ Shanghai wearing Sperry Topsiders
In the Spring of 2010 I was sent to Eastern China on a business trip.  At the time I was designing fashion jewelry and I was to spend roughly 10 days visiting factories before having 2 days free in Shanghai.  While I was instructed to dress business casual for my factory visits, I wasn’t given much guidance in the way of my days off attire.  Thinking I would appear casual and not overly flashy, I packed a pair of Sperry Topsiders and a floral cotton sundress for a day of sightseeing.  What didn’t occur to me is that in boat shoes and Raybans (not to mention tan skin and blondish hair) I would stand out as being quite distinctly American.  Where did I think I was touring, Nantucket? After having multiple locals request to either take my picture or have their photo taken with me, I wonder what they think of now when they see a photo of a slightly bewildered American girl in Sperry’s.