Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle. – Page 182 – As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.

June 30, 2014March 7, 2015

american spirit

Is there anything more American than denim cut-offs, a white tee, and Sperrys? Just a few days away from the Fourth of July and I’m in full Americana mode. It might just be my favorite holiday, not only because of the fact that it falls at the height of Summer and involves fireworks and delicious food/drinks, but also because most of my warm weather wardrobe naturally happens to be red, white and blue. It just never goes out of style. And speaking of timeless – I picked up this fresh pair of Sperry sneakers just in time for another weekend at the lake. They’re pretty much a requirement if you’re going to be hanging out on a boat, right? I couldn’t resist lining them up with my friends old pair of Sperrys which have weathered quite a few storms at this point (one of them literally caught fire once.. and they still managed to survive). Incredibly resilient without losing their cool – just like America.

Madewell T-Shirt // Sole Society Scarf c /o // Zara Cutoffs – similar from Urban Outfitters // Timex Watch c/o // Vintage Belt // Sperry Top-Sider Sneakers c/o

A few more of my favorites from Sperry Topsider:

June 30, 2014March 7, 2015

weekend flashback

Even though we swore we wouldn’t travel again this weekend (we haven’t spent a full weekend here in the city in a month now..) the opportunity to head back to Adam’s family’s lake house in the Poconos proved impossible to resist. So for the last 3 days I’ve been busy mastering paddle boarding, swinging in the hammock, laughing until I cried with all of our friends from back home in PA, and working hard on my tan (#nocomplaints). That being said, I’m pretty happy to be back to our little East Village apartment tonight and to tackle another week. I’ve got some fun Fourth of July posts to share with you over the next few days (it’s maybe my favorite holiday!) and finally no plans to leave this wonderful city again for a couple of weeks.

p.s. ASOS is having their huge Summer sale right now and if you’ve had your eye on something (this and this have been patiently waiting on my wishlist ) now is the time to scoop them up!

June 26, 2014March 7, 2015

wedding (re)wear

The Steele Maiden: How to re-wear wedding guest attire

A bridal shower, bachelorette party, 2 rehearsal dinners and 3 wedding laters and I’ve officially made it through the season of nuptials this year. But now the question remains.. what to do with all of those dresses? While even the most stylish may not be able to find a way to re-wear those bridesmaids dresses – there are plenty that I’ve sported as a guest that deserve more than a couple of hours on the dance floor. This particular number (last seen all dolled up here) was a contender for my sister’s rehearsal dinner, but now that the event has passed it’s just been lingering in my closet. So I decided to defiantly take it to the streets. By buttoning up my denim jacket, the dress can practically pass for a bright and playful pencil skirt – and paired with more casual cognac leather accessories and vintage inspired stud earrings the whole thing felt more coffee break than cutting the cake.

AE Denim Jacket – similar via Gap // Lulu Frost Earrings – similar budget friendly option via Sole Society // Darling Dress c/o // Vintage Bag // Kenneth Cole Sandals from Marshalls – similar via Forever 21

June 25, 2014March 7, 2015

left bank

The Steele Maiden: pleated midi skirt and statement necklace

Among a sea of crop tops and kimonos this Summer (which don’t get me wrong.. I love as much as the next girl), there’s something to be said about taking a less trend-centric approach to seasonal style. This black pleated midi skirt and striped t-shirt have been seen around the blog before – and paired with mostly minimal accessories (save for one statement making piece) they’ve got a certain Parisian air of ‘I’m not going to try very hard but I’m still going to look chic’ that I always find myself aspiring to. I especially like these neutral color-blocked sandals that sort of pull everything together and balance out this over the top necklace I picked up at the Lulu Frost sample sale last week. A top knot and natural make-up finished things off without any fuss. Lulu Frost Necklace – now on sale via Gilt plus a steal option via Bauble Bar // Forever 21 Striped T-shirt // Ruche Midi Skirt – similar via Boohoo // Sole Society Bag c/o // Restricted Heels c/o // Armour Lip Gloss in Nina c/o

June 24, 2014March 7, 2015

chambray summer

The Steele Maiden: Chambray dress and Asos sandals

You all know my ~~unhealthy~~ well-documented obsession with my chambray shirt by this point (last seen here plus 6 ways to wear it here), but now that it’s really getting warmer (and officially Summer – woohoo!) I decided to try a different version. This dress has been in my closet for awhile now, and it’s the perfect throw on and go answer to looking polished but still feeling comfortable. And since I spent the past 3 days on a bachelorette party/bridesmaid-duty/out of town wedding whirlwind, an easy take on my security blanket of a chambray shirt was seriously all I could muster. Anyone else still in the trenches of wedding season? I’ve made it out alive – after 3 weddings in 6 weeks – and am really looking forward to just taking it easy for the rest of the Summer!

Sunglass Warehouse Aviators c/o // Tulle Dress – very similar via Ruche // J.Crew Factory Belt // Ever & Mi Crush clutch c/o // Timex Watch c/o // Loren Hope Cuff c/o // Asos Sandals c/o