Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

from where i stand / 02

The Steele Maiden: From Where I Stand(Original Artwork by Jessica Steele)
In case you missed it, last week I introduced a new weekly series called ‘From Where I Stand’ – a portrait of a pair of shoes and where I wore them.  So today I’m back with the second edition…

02 / Philadelphia wearing two tone oxfords

For those that don’t know I attended college in the city of Brotherly Love and although I’d like to blame it on the collegiate environment, I think it was actually my love of the character Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl that informed most of my style decisions in those days.  So I took to wearing a whole lot of knee socks and finding old oxfords (along with university sweaters, and fur trimmed coats) at thrift stores.  The whole look probably ended up being more Margot Tenenbaum than Queen B, but either way, I’ll still always have a soft spot for knee socks.  

Posted on

spotted: yellow bags


If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have noticed my recent infatuation with yellow bags.  As Summer draws to a close (did anyone else see it pass by in a blur??), the color feels like it could carry all my outfits straight into Fall without skipping a beat.  At once both bold and offbeat cool, yellow bags may just be this season’s oxblood (but don’t quote me on that).  Either way, who wouldn’t want to have sunshine in a bag?


Posted on

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



Posted on

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.   


Posted on

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?