WEEKLY ROUND-UP

Running activewear leggings and sneakers

I’ve been feeling lately like there are a lot of tidbits I want to share with you all that I just don’t have a proper space for. Whether it’s a new brand that I’m swooning over, a can’t miss sale, a must-read article.. there are things that just fall outside of my usual style, travel, beauty, cocktail or fitness posts. If you can believe that. So I’m thinking I’ll start sharing those things on Friday. We’ll see how it goes.

And for more? You should sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Instagram. Both show content you won’t find anywhere else. 

Now, on to the good stuff:

  1. I’m running my half marathon on Saturday. While I probably won’t keep up the 10+ mile runs, I’m definitely hoping to stick to the habit of working out 6 days a week. The coral sneakers shown above are lightweight and great for cross training.
  2. One of my all time favorite TV shows since I was a kid has been the Golden Girls. The other weekend we traveled wayyyy uptown to have breakfast at Rue La Rue – a gem of a place dedicated to the show. I nearly died.
  3. Currently reading ‘Animals‘ by Emma Jane Unsworth. So far serving as a tribute to the messiness of life in your early twenties but the beauty of a great friendship amidst it all. It feels fitting before I turn 30.
  4. I’m heading out of town (warm weather bound!) and while I’ll be sharing everything I’m packing here on the blog next week, these gingham slides are too good to wait to talk about.
  5. Do you listen to podcasts? I’ve become obsessed in the past year. I listen to the NY Times ‘Daily’ every morning, plus ‘Happier’ and ‘This American Life’ weekly. Recently I burned through ‘Missing Richards Simons’ (both fascinating and heartbreaking…) and ‘S-Town‘ from the makers of ‘Serial’ may be next on my list.

Have a great weekend!

SPRING BRUNCH COCKTAIL RECIPE: BOURBON PALOMA

The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma

Without fail it happens every March – cabin fever. Adam and I spend so much of our time outside, roaming the city when the weather allows, that after a long winter I just start to go a little stir crazy in our tiny apartment. So I decided if I had to be cooped up, I may as well make the best of it and mix up a spring-inspired cocktail perfect for weekend brunch. A Paloma is usually the tequila and grapefruit version of a mimosa. But I took the mix one step further and subbed bourbon for tequila plus added blood orange and lime and finished with club soda and a dash of pink salt (have you ever used this? It’s so pretty!). The results – a burst of fresh citrus, bit of fizz and an incredibly smooth and refreshing finish. Out of all the cocktails I’ve shared on the blog so far, this may just be my favorite. Below the recipe. Cheers to the weekend friends!

SHOP THE STORY

The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma

*Original recipe found via Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

TOP 12 HAIR AND SKINCARE FAVORITES

The Steele Maiden: Top 12 Hair and Skincare Favorites

In 2017 one of my goals was to really get serious about my beauty regime. I turn 30 in a couple of months and felt like it was high time I ditched some of the random drugstore hair & skincare products that I’d been using without any real direction in favor of a few more quality products that I’ve truly put to the test. Below – the top 12 products I’ve been using daily and loving these past few months. If you have more specific questions feel free to reach out!

Anddd as a fun little add-on – I’m giving away a small bundle of some of these products so that you guys can try them too! To enter – sign up for my newsletter here or if you’re already signed up, like and comment on this Instagram photo. See exactly what I’m giving away on my Instagram stories. (US Only – will announce the winner this Sunday 3/19 at 9PM EST). Best of luck!

HAIR:

I have lots of fine hair – which means it tangles easily, plus fall flats and attract static in the winter. So I rely on lots of product that add volume and texture (in the Summer the humidity helps do this naturally). Lately I’ve been shampooing with this Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner, towel drying then adding a small handful of this Mousse and a quick spray of this Thickening Tonic. Then I blow dry and use this Texturizing Spray before styling along with this Paste for touch-ups. Later in the day (or for second day hair) I use this Dry Shampoo later in the day.

SKIN:

I have combination skin (sometimes oily, sometimes dry) – that tends towards the super dry in the winter. On my body, I’ve been exfoliating twice a week with this Body Polish and using this moisturizing Deodorant. On my face, I’ve been using this Daily Superfoliant every evening to clear my skin of the day’s pollutants, then following with this Serum 1-2 per week and this Moisturizer both day and night.  And a few times a month I use this Eye and Face Mask to look fresh faced after a late night or early morning.

HOW TO: 10 MINUTE DATE NIGHT HAIR TUTORIAL

The Steele Maiden: 10 Minute Hair Date Night Tutorial

It’s around this time every year that I get terribly bored with my hair. Winter weather leaves my fairly fine hair flat, static-y and generally lifeless and knit beanies feel like the only answer. But this year I was determined to combat the Winter hair blues. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I sought out the styling genius of my favorite hair guru Sarah Rappolt (if you’re in New York she’s at Wonderland Beauty Parlor and is the best.) to help me come up with an easy answer to date night hair. I wear my hair down 90% of the time so this feels somehow just dressy enough and like I put in loads of extra effort (even though you actually only took a few extra moments), but doesn’t feel too fussy or overdone.

The steps are above and all products used below. But her real secret? That texturing spray (I bought a giant bottle for myself before leaving the salon). Sarah says “Just when you think you’ve used too much.. use more.” The result is loaded with volume hair that still feels soft to the touch. Pair with an off the shoulder dress, statement earrings and you’ve got yourself a no fail date night look.

 

SHOP THE STORY

A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH DOVE ADVANCED CARE


The Steele Maiden: A day in the life with Dove Advanced Care

If you’ve been noticing that I’ve been a bit scarcer around here and a bit busier in real life (a concept I would have told you wasn’t even possible in 2016…) than you’d be right. I accepted a promotion to Art Director at my full time job in the beginning of the year, started training for a half marathon last week and have been making sure to still carve out time for Adam, family and friends. In short, my days are LONG. So I was in desperate need of a deodorant that could keep up.

Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant came to the rescue. Boasting NutriumMoisture that provides extra moisturizer and softness and 48-hours worth of odor and wetness protection – you kind of can’t argue with a product that has so many 5-star reviews. The one I agreed with most? “This deodorant protects all day long. Noticed a difference in the softness of my skin in one use.” – Jasmine 0112 . The switch from my old more than lackluster brand seemed simple.

Below – I take you through what my Wednesday looks like, truly putting Dove Advanced Care to the test.

6:45 AM: First alarm goes off, immediately hit snooze.

7:15 AM: Roll out of bed and quickly change into workout clothes and apply Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant . Walk to the gym for cross-training. According to my half marathon training Wednesday means I get a break from running, so it’s arm weights and a cycle ride.

8:35 AM: Back home for a quick shower, pack a lunch and run out the door.

9:00 AM: A brisk 20 minute crosstown walk to the office, picking up a large iced tea along the way. Settle into my desk to check emails and review web orders from the previous day.

The Steele Maiden: A day in the life with Dove Advanced Care

11:30 AM: Take a quick break to make a cup of hot tea. I don’t drink coffee at all so tea (and lots of water) is what keeps me going throughout the day.

1:45 PM: Time for lunch. While I try to pack my lunches (healthier and cheaper!) I always step outside for a bit of fresh air. I’ll take a stroll down Fifth Avenue or walk through the Union Square Farmer’s Market.

3:30 PM: Jump on a weekly conference call with marketing strategists. Talk spring campaign ads and influencer outreach.

4:45 PM: Meet with potential partners for an upcoming in studio event. Walk them through our studio and discuss event set-up ideas.

The Steele Maiden: A day in the life with Dove Advanced Care

6:30 PM: Dash out of the office and take the subway downtown for a Fohr Card blogging event in Soho. A great chance to chat with other bloggers and pick up a few tips and tricks along the way.

8:45 PM: No matter what else I’ve got on my plate, Wednesdays are always me and Adam’s midweek date night. I freshen up with a quick swap of accessories and touch of extra make-up but shockingly no need for a deodorant reapply. Phew! We switch turns planning these Wednesday dates and tonight is my turn. We meet at Spaghetti Incident – a cute little Italian spot in Nolita.

10:00 PM: Make it back home to our apartment in the East Village. Quickly check a few blog emails before settling on the couch for some Netflix. We’re watching Black Mirror lately but since it’s date night, we’ll watch the far sappier This is Us.

11:30 PM: Tuck into bed for the night. A good night’s sleep and I’ll be back up and ready to go again tomorrow. Thanks for keeping up with me Dove!

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.