Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle. – Page 179 – As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.

July 22, 2014March 7, 2015

walking on sunshine

The Steele Maiden: Neon Sweater and Printed Shorts

If you’re ever feeling down, I suggest you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and wander about 2 blocks South until you stumble into this smile-inducing, sunglasses-required, surface of the sun-hued, mural wall. In fact, I think the only thing brighter than this block was my neon sweater, printed shorts and green bag – because you know, why stop at one bold color in Summer, right? I last wore these shorts here (in a decidedly more tame manner) and have had this neon yellow lightweight sweater since college (full disclosure – I can’t stand to part with it because it strongly enhances whatever tan I’ve acquired by the time I pull it down from the back of my closet each year) – but this past weekend, pairing them together suddenly seemed like a great idea. A few simple gold accessories and a block’s worth of color splashed bricks and I was walking on sunshine the rest of the day.

Sunglass Warehouse Aviators c/o // J.Crew Sweater // Forever 21 Printed Shorts // Asos Heels – similar via Ruche // Compassion Brand Bracelets c/o // Melie Bianco Bag c/o – similar via DSW

July 21, 2014March 7, 2015

uptown girl

The Steele Maiden: Little Mistress mini dress and nude heels

Somewhere around the age of 21 when Gossip Girl was still in its first couple of seasons and Blair Waldorf still ruled the Met steps, I decided when I moved to New York the following Summer I would have to live on the Upper East Side. Of course, the legends of Holly Golightly and Carrie Bradshaw had come before her, but it was Blair in her perfectly crisp dresses and well suited accessories that sealed the deal. These days, I’ve traded uptown for downtown and my style has considerably evolved. But over the weekend when I joined my best friend for an afternoon browsing the latest exhibits at the Met, I fell right back into old habits with this eyelet front shift dress, coordinating daisy cuff and perfectly pastel accessories. She arrived wearing a backless, floaty maxi dress and casually slung Marc Jacobs bag.. still the Serena to my Blair.

p.s. If you love this dress as much as I do, you’re in luck. I’m hosting a $100 giveaway to shop Little Mistress over on my Twitter page – so be sure to check it out!

Little Mistress Shift Dress c/o // Loren Hope Cuff c/o // Target Sunglasses – similar via Ruche // Vintage Bag // Sole Society Heels – now sold out, similar via Zappos

July 20, 2014March 7, 2015

weekend flashback

After a pretty hectic first half of the Summer, I’ve been craving a slower pace for the remainder of the season. So I stayed in the city this weekend and made some pretty good progress on crossing things off our Summer bucket list. I caught the Yves Saint Laurent movie at the Film Forum in the West Village Thursday night (its in French with subtitles, but if you can find a local theater playing it I highly recommend it!) and on Friday visited the Charles James exhibit at the Met (another must see if you’re in New York sometime in the next few weeks). The rest of the weekend was blissfully slow and spent wandering around our East Village neighborhood, pulling inspiration for the coming weeks from this month’s magazines and brainstorming a few projects I’ve got in the works. Hope you’re headed into Monday feeling just as rested.

p.s. Come back tomorrow for details on an awesome giveaway with one of my favorite new brands!

July 18, 2014March 7, 2015

summer classics

The Steele Maiden: Little White Dress and Chambray Shirt

I’ll keep it short and sweet today because its technically already my weekend (Summer Fridays are a thing of beauty..). I started out the day yesterday wearing these floral slip on sneakers and the chambray shirt over top my little white dress – but by 6 pm I’d tied the shirt around my waist, changed into these ankle strap heels (which may be the most comfortable, light as air, shoes I own) and was on my way out of the office to meet Adam for a West Village date night. While I started the week off in a little black dress – you can’t argue that its white counterpoint is a must have Summer classic in its own right. And don’t get me started again on singing the praises of chambray…

p.s. Sole Society is having a huge sale this weekend and Nordstrom just kicked off their Anniversary Sale – if you need help navigating check out this post for Summer Sale tips!

Sunglass Warehouse Aviators c/o // Free People Dress – similar on sale via Ruche // J.Crew Chambray Shirt – now on sale! // Timex Watch c/o // Compassion Brand Bracelet Set c/o // J.Crew Bangle – similar via Kate Spade // Sole Society Bag c/o // Restricted Printed Wedges c/o

July 17, 2014March 7, 2015

new traditions

The Steele Maiden: Borrowed Boyfriend Shirt and Pencil Skirt

It’s been one of those run-run-can’t catch up, blink and its ~~Wednesday~~ Thursday sort of weeks around here. And between two days of thunderstorms and one major case of ‘I’ve got a full closet but nothing to wear’ it just wasn’t working. But then yesterday I got up, the rain (and my matching gloomy mood) had cleared and I managed to pull together this look. And after doing so, realized I had taken inspiration from the most unlikely of sources.. weddings. If you knew my general aversion to anything involving traditional bridal fanfare you’d know just how surprising this is – but low and behold I was wearing something old (this vintage bag from my Great Aunt), something new (this printed pencil skirt), something borrowed (Adam’s map of New York t-shirt) and something blue (these cobalt pumps). And despite my untraditional stance, I think this formula sort of perfectly sums up my signature style. Who knew?

Men’s Urban Outfitters Graphic T-shirt // Topshop Pencil Skirt – similar // Vintage Bag – this embellished one from ASOS is cool // Vintage Bracelet – similar via BaubleBar // H&M Pumps – similar on sale via Sole Society