There was a moment earlier this week when my ‘holiday’s are almost here’ stress suddenly became ‘holiday’s are almost here!’ excitement. And a lot of that shift had to do with this outfit. On Sunday evening I got all dressed up in this holiday party outfit and took a twirl along the prettiest streets on the Upper East Side. The look was centered around this gorgeous metallic-flecked tweed full skirt (seriously, Piperlime has the best selection of party-ready styles right now) plus a silk black blouse (with pretty sheer shoulders), and the ultimate glam touch – a faux fur coat. A couple of hefty gold necklaces, monogrammed clutch and nude pumps added to the uptown ladylike vibe. There’s something about those little moments of chic amidst the hustle and bustle of the season that makes me want to slow down and soak it all in.
Arguably my second favorite city in the world, London, is our 4th stop on this worldwide gift guide tour. With previous stops in New York, Austin, and Los Angeles.. London has a decidedly different vibe. A city steeped in tradition yet relentlessly forward, if you’ve got a friend with the same irreverent, creative and witty spirit as London then this gift guide is for you. For your husband with bespoke tendencies (a classic pair of brogues), for your Anglophile Aunt (a sleek tea kettle and Beatles-lyric clad mug set), and for your fashion forward co-worker ( an added edge by way of these gunmetal cuff bracelets). Happy Shopping!
If we’re being honest here, I’ve been feeling a bit stressed these last couple of weeks trying to manage the tricky balance between work/blogging/life. But today, with just 3 short days until a long weekend, Thanksgiving with family and the true kick-off to the holiday season.. I’m feeling nothing but excited. My gift-giving list is coming along (see the first of my gift guides 1, 2 + 3.. the last stops coming soon!), I’m checking off my work to-do’s, and I’ve got weeks worth of exciting holiday outfits/posts planned for The Steele Maiden that I can’t wait to share. First up – this casual Thanksgiving Day look. My family’s dinner isn’t super formal so I usually stick to cozy knits, Fall colors, and a few fun accessories. Plus a bunch of fresh flowers to bring to the table of course.
As most of you know, I spent a stint in Los Angeles before returning to New York last Spring and since we’re on the road with my Holiday Gift Guides (catch up with NYC and Austin) – I figured the City of Angels deserved a pitstop. There’s a vibe to that area unlike anywhere else in the world.. relaxed and cool, but with a definite taste for the finer things in life. Which means for that brother of yours out on the West Coast (a mid-century yet totally modern pair of woodgrain headphones), for your best friend who’s a total health nut (a fitbit or shoes that go from the yoga studio to the streets), and for your roommate who’s homesick for the beach (a dainty bar necklace engraved with LA’s map coordinates). Happy Shopping!
Brrrr.. we had a cold week here in New York (and a crazy busy week but that’s another story) and it had me reaching for lots of layers and cozy textures. There’s a tendency to pull on darker colors when the temperatures drop, but there’s something about ivory that looks so chic. This off-white wool mini skirt was the perfect blank canvas for a matching sweater – and provides such a strong contrast against my typical black tights, tweed coat and big scarf. I can’t wait for this weekend and a chance to catch up and catch my breath. The rest of my gift guides are coming up, what I’m wearing to Thanksgiving dinner and some other fun features are all on their way!
