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

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

July 15, 2014March 7, 2015

tips for shopping summer sales

Everywhere you look right now, it seems like there’s another Summer sale screaming my name. And while, budget-wise, this is a great time to shop – I know all too well the temptation of low prices can lead to purchases you may otherwise not have made. So I thought I’d share my post-fourth of July shopping rules with you. Nothing that can’t be worn through the Fall. Hear me out on this. While there’s some people out there who are okay buying a bathing suit and only getting to wear it a few times then saving it until next year – I’m someone who (once I fall in love with an item) wants to wear it again and again immediately. So before I hit that ‘buy’ button, I ask myself – how will I wear it now? And how will I wear it later? If I can come up with a few solid outfits for each occasion – I’m free to buy. Right now that means dressy shorts instead of distressed denim versions, pretty printed tops, caged heeled sandals instead of flat sandals and simple silhouette dresses are all on my sale-section radar.

July 14, 2014March 7, 2015

all business

I read a quote over the weekend discussing what to wear to the office in the Summer that said something along the lines of “you should never look like you’re on your way to a picnic”. And I’m in total agreement. It’s easy to be fooled by the sunshine (and Summer Friday hours) into throwing on a casual cotton dress – but even in a casual office like mine I think there should be a line drawn. I usually still end up wearing bright colors and fun prints (this and this are both pretty true examples of what you’ll find me in on weekdays) but the other day I tossed on this utilitarian style black dress from Madewell and instantly felt more put together and ready to take on the work day. Plus, it’s brushed silk and loose airy silhouette meant I was just as cool as I would have been in more casual dress. Sounds like just the ticket for tackling another Monday morning.

Madewell Dress – old, love their new navy version // ASOS clutch c/o // Capwell & Co. Cuff // Sole Society Heels