spotted: best of summer shoes

The Steele Maiden: Best of Summer Shoes
If you’ve been hanging around here for any length of time (and thank you if that’s the case!) then you already know I’ve got a bit of a thing for shoes.  And in a budget-less, endless closet-spaced world I’d have a mile long list of Summer shoes to scoop up.  But here in the real world, I try to streamline and so I wanted to share the 3 types of shoes I’ve honed in on this Summer and a few different options no matter what your style.  First up – the slip on sneaker – a trend I’m on board with not only because of its effortless cool factor, but also because I walk everywhere in the city and their comfort factor means these are my weekend go-to.  Second only to slip-ons in their comfort, I’m loving a good block heeled sandal this season.  Perfect with everything from a pencil skirt to your favorite denim cut-offs.  And finally – the lace up – because sometimes (relative comfort be damned) only a sky high heel will do.  It doesn’t get sexier than a silky dress and lace up heels for a night out on the town.  Any shoe trend you’re dying to try this Summer?

birthday wish list with ASOS

The Steele Maiden: Birthday Wish List with ASOSSomehow another year has flown by, and I’ve got a birthday (I’ll leave you guessing as the exactly which one..) coming up a week from today.  While I don’t usually make much of a big deal of my own birthday, it comes at just about the time where I want to be changing over into a full out Spring/Summer wardrobe and so it’s a good excuse to pick up a few new items to make the transition more fun.  And even though a big party isn’t really my scene, Adam and I always plan a little day trip outing and also pick somewhere fun to go out and grab a drink.  My one stop shop for pieces no matter what the occasion? ASOS.  I pulled together a wish list of both warm weather, day trip-ready pieces as well as bright and bold items for a night out on the town.  As to exactly which ones I picked up for myself? Come back tomorrow and Thursday and I’ll be showing you!   
The Steele Maiden: Birthday Wish List with ASOSShop Day Trip:


Shop Night Out: 


spotted: spring style

The Steele Maiden: Middle Ground
For a long time I felt like it would be ‘cheating’ to have a style icon.  And while I still don’t exactly think it’s very original to have one particular person that you try to emulate, these days I think it’s great to have a short list of ‘muses’ if you will.  Stylishly smart women who are a great gauge of where you’d like to align yourself fashion-wise.  Blogger/model/photographer extraordinaire Hanneli Mustaparta is definitely on that list for me.  She’s undoubtedly beautiful and has an amazing wardrobe, but it’s more then that.  She wears the clothes, not the other way around.  The weather has been a little crazy these past few days but once we finally settle into Spring for good (and I’m really hoping that is any day now), I love the idea of a simple white crop top, swingy printed midi skirt and nothing more than cool flats and chic sunglasses.  I’d love to hear, who’s on your muse list?


  


spotted: flare leg jeans

The Steele Maiden: Spotted - Flare Leg JeansWhile I don’t suspect any of us will be ditching our skinny jeans any day soon, there’s something that feels incredibly fresh about the idea of a pair of bell bottom or flare leg jeans for Spring.  And while the style would be pitch perfect for festival season (and the sea of accompanying floral crowns), I love the way that Karlie Kloss was spotted wearing them.  Minimal and sleek, with just a few choice accessories.  Let those bells do the talking, right?Urban Outfitters Bag // Sunglass Warehouse Aviators // Mango Jeans // French Connection Mules // Karlie Kloss Image p.s. If you’re looking to do a little Spring shopping – my friends over at Ever + Mi Crush are having a great sale right now so be sure to check it out here





spotted: black and white

The Steele Maiden: Black and White Modern Graphic for Spring
Aside from the fact that as of today I’ll officially be a New Yorker again and will be starting an exciting new job on Monday, there’s one more reason I’m looking forward to this weekend.  A few months back I found out I was the grand prize winner of a ‘Trends to Try’ contest held by Glam Media/Kotex after submitting a photo from this post on a whim.  The prize?  An incredible weekend long trip to New York for 2, a seriously generous shopping spree, and a morning at the famed John Barrett salon in Bergdorf Goodmans.  Crazy, right? I actually still can’t believe it, but it is in fact happening and so we thought what better weekend to cash in on the prize than our first one back!  Since the shopping spree is for far more money than I’ve ever spent in one day, I thought I’d better have a game plan.  Aside from some pretty pastels (how good are these shoes?) and new basics (i.e. anything from Madewell), I have my eye out for modern, graphic, black and white pieces that will easily transition from the last bit of Winter into Spring, and from my new desk straight out into the city for drinks.  It’s going to be a fun weekend, and if you have any suggestions on how you would spend the winnings, what I should have done to my hair, or new restaurants I’ve got to catch up on since my time away in LA – please feel free to share! 

More black and white picks: