Author: thesteelemaiden

It’s not exactly groundbreaking news that the peplum has quickly catapulted to the must have shape of the season.  Luckily it’s one of those silhouettes that totally nails it (girly yet structured, playful yet dressy…), and so I’m totally on board with putting a few of these tops into heavy rotation come Fall.  Even better, the simple shape allows you to pull off a standout collar necklace (pair it with just a pair of studs and you’re good to go).  Above are three options, proving no matter what your style – there’s really no excuse for you not to be riding the peplum wave.  

(Collars: Hope Loren classic; Leif girly; Threadsence modern)
(Studs: Kate Spade classic; Tuleste girly; Free People modern)
(Peplum: Topshop classic; Ruche girly; Madewell modern) 

Here’s to the start of New York Fashion Week, models off duty, front row editors, and runway recaps.  My favorite street style shots from outside of the shows are always the ones where the attendees look like they aren’t trying too hard.  A great dress, cool shoe, and practical bag are exactly what I would wear if I was racing to shows this week.  

(print, image)

While the long weekend is still not quite over, I’m among the chosen few who actually have to work on tomorrow’s holiday so I figured I’d keep my weekend flashback focused on the usual Friday – Sunday.  With the big cross country road trip kicking off in exactly two weeks, most of my weekend was spent preparing.  This included picking up a couple great drugstore beauty finds that will easily transition into Fall and pouring over books and magazines – and of course the Madewell Fall Lookbook – to plan outfits/routes.  Tonight however, I took a break and enjoyed Labor Day weekend like the rest of America.  A cookout with my family followed by neighborhood block party fireworks.  The boy and I are about to see a whole lot of this country in the next month, but the view from my parents backyard will always be one my favorites. 


(check out my instagrid here)

For the first few months in LA I’ll be living in a furnished sublease, but I’m already dreaming of how I’ll decorate once the boy and I settle into an apartment/house of our own.  I read once that even if the girl gets to pick out everything else in the home, choose the couch and the bedding with the boy in mind.  The above bedroom inspiration pictures seem to heed this advice by keeping things simple and neutral.  Sticking to a palette of black, white, grays and browns on the walls and bedding leaves room to add interest with industrial styled lighting and nature inspired prints (how cool is that NASA print I found on Ebay?).  A luxe black candle and a sweet little print (‘I love you to the moon and back’ .. a cheeky nod to the art selection) soften the overall feel.  Give him a comfortable yet masculine bedroom and he’ll barely even notice I’ve taken up 75% of the closet space.. right? 

(image 1; image 2)
(1. etsy card; 2. world market lamp; 3. similar nasa photo; 4. diptyque candle; 5. calvin klein sheets)

It may be the last official weekend of summer but we’re still right in the middle of that bittersweet moment in time known as Indian Summer.  The days are warm but starting to get shorter and the nights have the first hint of Fall in them.  Wispy summer dresses aren’t really still appropriate, but neither are your full out fall items.  The above picture gets it exactly right – a totally on trend varsity jacket that nods to back to school (even if you no longer attend…) and a flouncy little skirt (because honestly your tan legs deserve to be showcased as long as possible).  Happy Friday/Labor Day weekend!

(butterfly print, watercolor, girl)