i heart NY (+ giveaway winner!)

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY
(JCrew Chambray Shirt; I heart NY t-shirt; Braided belt – similar here; Madewell skirt – on sale now!; Urban Outfitters heels – I love this version here)

In case my recent jewelry inspiration or my constant musings on the city didn’t tip you off – I heart NY.  A whole lot.  While Los Angeles feels like an adventure, New York feels like home.  So on days when, despite the west coast sunshine, I still wake up missing that east coast place I figure I’ll salute it with style…. (p.s. click through to find out the winner of the Tulle giveaway!!)


This outfit basically consists of all my comfiest closet staples (easy chambray shirt, well worn t-shirt, and knit stretch pencil skirt) – yet somehow comes off looking put together.  And for a hectic workday what more can you really ask for?

**The winner of the Tulle Floral Trench Coat is Stefanie Gladden – thank you to all who entered and congrats to Stefanie! Look for an email from me today! 

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY



three way tie: printed top

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways(Ruche Printed Top; F21 bag; Gap trousers; Target Heels – similar here; H&M skirt – similar here; Statement Necklace – my own design; Ruche heels; Madewell shorts; Asos Heels)

To be honest, when I first bought this top I wasn’t completely sure how I was going to wear it.  I just knew that it looked playful, modern and still slightly feminine – so I was sold.  Turns out, this slightly boxy top with it’s neon and neutral print is a closet wonder…

With slim tailored black trousers and patent nude pumps it heads straight to work with a slightly retro feel (I like to think Megan from Mad Men may sport something similar).  With a statement necklace, (faux) leather full skirt and bright strappy sandals the look transformed completely into downtown date night – a perfect outfit for when the boy and I go out in LA.  And finally, when thrown on with denim shorts and casual accessories the top was a laidback free spirited cool.      

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways




weekend flashback

The Steele Maiden: Weekend FlashbackFirst off, this weekend flashback wouldn’t be complete without taking a look back at last week and saying how incredibly touched and grateful I feel for all of the comments, congratulations and even orders placed in regards to my new site relaunch and the start of my jewelry line.  Honestly, it makes all of the hard work that went into both so worth it – and makes me more motivated than ever to keep sharing this with you all!  So thank you.  This weekend was spent shipping out said orders, and starting up a couple of fun projects, but mainly if we’re being honest here, taking a little break.  I’m talking no cell phone (although okay, maybe I posted a picture or 2 to instagram), no computer, just me, the boy and a few long naps type of break.  

p.s. The Tulle floral trench coat giveaway is open for one more day – so get your entries in!  Winner will be announced Wednesday.   


from where i stand / 01

The Steele Maiden: From Where I Stand - NYFW yellow suede flats
(Original artwork by Jessica Steele)

Earlier in this week I promised you guys a brand new series and I’m here to deliver.  My previous ‘Happy Friday’ posts, while fun, were starting to feel a little forced and since Pinterest gives everyone enough eye candy already I wanted to offer something completely unique to The Steele Maiden.  ‘From Where I Stand’ will be a weekly series, every Friday, that shows a little sketch of a pair of shoes I’ve owned throughout my life, and a short anecdote about where I was (in location and in life) at the time.  First up…


01/ New York Fashion Week wearing yellow suede flats.
I’ve been lucky enough to attend various Fashion Week events a few times in my life, but the first was back in 2007 when I was interning for design extraordinaire Nanette Lepore.  This was when the tents were still in Bryant Park which meant that interns schlepped from the Garment District over to the Park and back again.  And backstage we got to dress those long limbed beauties that carry the clothes down the runways.  What I remember of that blur was being incredibly excited, pretty nervous and I’m sure quite a bit awkward.  I wore an off white mod little shift dress, black tights and these mustard yellow suede flats that I deemed comfortable but god willing still fashionable enough to be seen among New York’s creme de la creme.  Looking back, I still don’t regret that shoe choice.  So maybe I was cut out for fashion after all?   
    

first year favorites

The Steele Maiden: First Year FavoritesSo if we’re going to get technical – today, August 8th, is the exact 1st birthday of my blog.  And since not all have you have been here with me since the very beginning (but to those of you who have – thank you!!), I thought it would be fun to take a look back at a few of my favorite posts from the past year… 

1. This Shape Shifter series was easily one of my favorites.  With a 60’s theme and a retro hotel as the backdrop, these pictures were some of the most fun to take and pushed me outside of my usual comfort zone.  


2. An easy DIY that totally transformed our living room wall (and for practically no money), these drawer shelves were a fun take on usual frames.  Plus, this post ended up being featured on the Ruche blog – an added bonus!

3. My ‘Passing Through’ travel posts are always my favorites to write because I get to re-live some of my past adventures and this post about Austin, Texas (a hands down favorite of the places I had the chance to visit last year) was no different.  Can I go back now?

4. Featuring a skirt I made back in college (it was the statement of my senior collection inspired by the modern American Woman), this Fourth of July post was just over the top patriotic.  We took these pictures back in the cutest little cul de sac near our apartment that for a moment, I wanted to pretend we lived in instead.  Picket fences and all.  

I’d love to know what some of your favorites were?  

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter

The Steele Maiden: DIY Drawer Shelves

The Steele Maiden: Passing Through Austin

The Steele Maiden: American Woman