Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle. – Page 171 – As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.

October 3, 2014March 7, 2015

going green

The Steele Maiden: ASOS midi skirt and Old Navy sweater

Anddd I’m back. Sorry for the silence these past couple of days but it took a few boxes of tissues and most of the week to finally get over this cold. Now to the good stuff. I originally picked up this hunter green midi skirt before Fashion Week with the thought that it would be a perfect match to Fall’s traditional colors (burgundy, navy, camel…) – but it turns out it, this color goes with practically everything. I first paired it with a bold cobalt blue here and this time took a spin with a monochromatic look, adding this fuzzy mint green sweater (a total steal from Old Navy). It’s like black, but somehow so much better. A few neutral accessories and a messy ponytail (note to self: time to tame this mane) and I was out the door.. and running towards the weekend!

Sunglass Warehouse Sunglasses c/o // Lulu Frost Earrings – now on sale! // Old Navy Sweater // ASOS Midi Skirt // Fossil bag via TJMaxx // Sole Society Booties c/o – similar via Piperlime

September 30, 2014March 7, 2015

red, white and new

The Steele Maiden: Plaid Jacket and Polka Dots with Knee High Boots

Call me extra patriotic, but my favorite classic color combo has always been red, white and blue. I find myself wearing the trio most in the Summer time when blue denim and white cotton just beg for a pop of red – but as we get into the swing of Fall I wanted to try taking the colors in a slightly less traditional direction. This plaid sweater coat from Sheinside is perfectly boxy and adds a sort of mod feeling when paired with these knee high navy boots (think beyond brown and black when it comes to boots this Fall – I promise you won’t regret it). I paired it with these burgundy red suede shorts (last seen during NYFW here) and a polka dot blouse I’ve had in my closet for years and years then threw on this powder blue cross body bag for an unexpected touch. I’m a firm believer in dressing how you want to feel – and since so far this week I’m feeling terrible with a bad cold, this outfit was just enough fun to perk me up for an hour or so the other night. Before promptly returning to my pile of tissues and the couch. Sheinside Plaid Coat c/o // Polka Dot Top – similar via Modcloth // Ruche Suede Shorts // Miche Bag c/o // Ruche Knee High Boots

September 29, 2014March 7, 2015

home grown

I spent the weekend back home in Pennsylvania, spending time with family and friends (and unfortunately picking up a cold while I was at it..). I love living in this city, cut I’m always so grateful that I have these wide open spaces to escape. This particular space is just a small corner of Adam’s backyard – and their horse Molly (caught in a few shots) is just one of the animals we were up very early on Sunday morning to feed. I could have used a few more hours of sleep, but catching this dreamy morning light and sharing a few peaceful moments was totally worth it. Also worth it? This equally dreamy plaid maxi dress. I plan on layering it with tights and a turtleneck sweater come cooler days. Hope you all found a moment or two of quiet over the weekend before the start of another noisy, busy week. Ruche plaid maxi dress // Capwell & Co. Bangle // Restricted Booties c/o – 30% off site wide with code THESTEELEMAIDEN30 through 10/31/14!

September 25, 2014March 7, 2015

fall must haves

These seasonal round-ups of must haves are always some of my favorite posts because it gets me excited for the months ahead but also gets me thinking about all the ways I’ll be able to mix and match the key items in my wardrobe for endless options. This season there’s a lot of this 60’s mod feeling that I happen to love mixed with your staple leopard and plaids. Mix in a few jewel tones and a few stand out accessories and you’ve got the makings of some really good sartorial options. Below are just a few of the outfits I’ve got in mind. P.S. just hover over the above image to see more about each item!

Outfit #1: Nordstrom Hat, Mango Sweater, J.Crew Drawstring Pants, Sole Society Loafers, Bauble Bar Pearl Ring

Outfit #2: J.Crew White Shirt, Ruche Leopard Coat, F21 Denim Skirt, French Connection Studded Heels

Outfit #3: Topshop Printed Dress, French Connection Studded Heels, Old Navy Bucket Bag, Bauble Bar Pearl Rings

Outfit #4: Ruche Scalloped Top, Loren Hope Necklace, F21 Denim Pencil Skirt, Seychelles Boots

Outfit #5: J.Crew White Collared Shirt, Ruche Leopard Coat, Oasis Printed Shift Dress, Old Navy Bucket Bag, Seychelles Boots

September 24, 2014March 7, 2015

grey area

The Steele Maiden: Grey quilted Old navy dress and Sole Society snakeskin pumps

I picked up this grey quilted jersey dress over the weekend and already know it’s going to be a total closet chameleon. Here, it’s fit for the office with a collared shirt and sleek black accessories – but with a plaid skirt tossed on over top, tights and ankle boots it will be weekend ready in a flash. Speaking of versatility – these Sole Society snakeskin pumps came just in time for Fashion Week and I’ve already managed to wear them tons of different ways (with a pencil skirt and t-shirt here, with cuffed denim here, and with all black everything here). And want to know a secret? Both the dress and the shoes were – wait for it – on sale for $25 each. I still can’t believe it either. And if you’re looking for even more Fall Essentials – be sure to check back tomorrow when I share my full list of the season’s must haves!

Old Navy Dress // F21 Collared Shirt // Sole Society Bag c/o // Lulu Frost Earrings // Sole Society Heels