a week of style: day 1

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie
And suddenly, it’s the end of 2014. I thought I’d end this year, and begin 2015, with something a little different around here – and so over the course of the next few days I’ll be re-mixing some of my closet classics for a week of style.  First up, a day of shopping in the West Village – which translates to this plaid maxi dress layered with a chunky turtleneck sweater. Wearing a dress as a skirt is one of my favorite style tricks and an easy way to get more wear out of your closet – and pairing with accessories like this fur pom beanie and sturdy ankle boots brings a casual feel to the look. Come back tomorrow for a completely different take on this dress.

Aerie Pom Beanie c/o // Sweater – old, similar via ASOS // Anthropologie Dress – found (on sale!) in stores this week // Dagne Dover Bag c/o // Cat Footwear Boots c/o // MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo // Essie Nail Polish in Penny Talk // Kendra Scott Ring c/o

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie

The Steele Maiden: Anthropologie Plaid Midi Dress with Pom Beanie



old habits

The Steele Maiden: Sole Society Hat and Boots with Vintage Tshirt
It usually only takes me a couple of days spent back in Pennsylvania to revert to my old habits. That means easy outfits like skinny jeans, cozy sweaters and vintage t-shirts met with days spent lounging about local haunts. These train tracks run through the main street of my hometown and I’ve crossed them more times than I’ve crossed any street in New York. I’m heading back to the city tonight, but until then I’ll be soaking up these quiet country moments. 

p.s. There are some major online sales happening right now – my favorites include:

Sole Society with up to 60% off – these boots and this hat are at the top of my list

-Up to 50% off at ASOS – including this cute plaid skirt and this NYE ready frock 

-50% off sitewide at LOFT – I’m scooping up this cute pom hat and quilted sweatshirt

– Major markdowns at Talbots – this crisp blazer and shearling bag are must haves

 The Steele Maiden: Sole Society Hat and Boots with Vintage Tshirt

The Steele Maiden: Sole Society Hat and Boots with Vintage Tshirt

The Steele Maiden: Sole Society Hat and Boots with Vintage Tshirt

The Steele Maiden: Sole Society Hat and Boots with Vintage Tshirt

The Steele Maiden: Sole Society Hat and Boots with Vintage Tshirt



christmas casual

The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps
As you read this, I’m making the drive back home to PA (armed with presents and a bag full of shoes) to spend the next few days celebrating the holidays with family. And hopefully you’re doing the same – give or take mode of transportation and number of shoes packed. This season always passes too quickly, so I’m lucky enough to have off work until the New Year to really spend time slowing down and reveling in the last of 2014. The holidays at my parents house are casual so I’m packing easy denim, cozy sweaters and coats and a few festive touches like this lace top that reminds me of poinsettias and these tweed heels (last seen here). See you back here the day after Christmas! 

Tulle Lace Top // ASOS Cardigan c/o // F21 Coat // Faux Fur Collar – old, similar via ASOS // Gap Jeans // Sole Society Bag c/o // Talbots Heels c/o – now on sale + an extra 40% off through 12/25! // Lulu Frost Necklace


The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps

The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps

The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps

The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps

The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps

The Steele Maiden: Christmas Casual with fur collar coat and tweed pumps



fit for a fĂȘte

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories
One of the million reasons to love this time of year is that you’re usually given at least one or two occasions to really get dressed up. I’m talking the dress, the hair, the shoes, the lips – all of it. Needless to say – I jump at the chance.  A trip to the ballet, a formal dinner, or a party with friends and family all call for a little extra shine this season.. and of course the most major party – New Years Eve.  I’m not sure if I’ll be dancing the night away this NYE or staying in with close friends (if so, I’ve got an outfit option for that coming up later this week) – but if it’s the former you’ll find me in this look. An unexpected green leopard dress, in a classically flattering shape and the quintessential black pumps (I swear I’ve been searching for these exact shoes all my life) and sparkly clutch. A non-fussy side ponytail and matte red lip and I’ll be ready to celebrate my way right into 2015.

Loft Dress – 40% off right now! (*note: I found this to run pretty large, so I suggest sizing down) // Missguided Faux Fur Coat c/o // Lulu Frost Earrings // Essie Nail Polish // MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo // Sole Society Clutch & Heels c/o

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories

The Steele Maiden: NYE Holiday Party Look with Loft Dress and Sole Society Accessories



shake it off

The Steele Maiden: Plaid miniskirt and Sole Society Booties
It’s a toss up here whether my incessant listening to the new Taylor Swift cd or whether my lifelong love of uniform-style is to blame for me dressing the part of a schoolgirl again.  Either way, it turns out that no matter how many years pass I never can shake off my desire to pair short plaid skirts with button down shirts.  It feels kind of fitting though, since I’m so excited for Christmas break from work I feel like I am in fact back in school.. just waiting for that last bell to ring.  4 days and counting my friends. Now go enjoy your last weekend before the holidays – I’ll be picking up last minute presents, attending a couple of holiday parties and getting ready to share my NYE look with you all next week!  

The Steele Maiden: Plaid miniskirt and Sole Society Booties

The Steele Maiden: Plaid miniskirt and Sole Society Booties

The Steele Maiden: Plaid miniskirt and Sole Society Booties

The Steele Maiden: Plaid miniskirt and Sole Society Booties

The Steele Maiden: Plaid miniskirt and Sole Society Booties