office hours

The Steele Maiden: Office HoursI’ve talked a bit before about dressing for work in a creative office but I realized I hadn’t really shown you what I was up to, sartorially speaking, during the hours of 9-5 lately.  Much like my desire to wear a catholic school girl uniform despite going to public school, I find myself secretly wishing I had a reason to wear crisp pencil skirts and fitted blazers even though my workplace in no way requires it.  My trick is to find a way to wear the classics, but give them a playful spin.  So I trade the button down and blazer look for a sleeveless (faux) leather shell and sleeveless trench vest.  And instead of a tweed pencil skirt – this flouncy hemmed version.  Classic pumps always work, but these are made a bit more fun in cobalt blue.  Here’s to shaking up the work week.. and really, just surviving it until Friday rolls around again.  F21 Trench Vest  // Urban Outfitters Leather top – similar on sale! // H&M Skirt // Bag via TJ Maxx // H&M Pumps – similar
The Steele Maiden: Office Hours

The Steele Maiden: Office Hours

The Steele Maiden: Office Hours

The Steele Maiden: Office Hours

The Steele Maiden: Office Hours

 

be mine

The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
As evidenced over the past few weeks here on the blog, I’ve been wearing more and more separates – skirts, sweaters, etc. that are easily mixed and matched to create an easy wardrobe that feels bigger than it is.  But then a dress comes along.  And you forget you ever wanted to wear anything but dresses.  This dress, from online boutique Scissortail Clothing, stopped me in my tracks when I saw it online.  It had to be mine.  And when we met in person?  Even better.  It’s the type of dress that just innately makes me feel happy to be a girl.  It’s the type of dress that, I wouldn’t lie to you, received not 1 but 2 compliments from complete strangers within 5 minutes of leaving the house (and if you count Adam then actually 3).  I’m in love.  And just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Ark & Co. Dress via Scissortail Clothing c/o // Vintage Bag // Lulu’s Heels    

The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine
The Steele Maiden: Be Mine

 

weekend flashback

The Steele Maiden: Weekend Flashback
Aside from getting ready for my trip back to the East Coast next weekend (and my sister’s impending bridal shower!), I still managed to find a bit of time this weekend to prep some fun things coming up here on the blog, pick up pretty flowers that instantly brighten our kitchen table, have a lunch date with friends, and go on a classic date night (that ended with a kiss atop Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris Wheel – which may in fact be the best time $5 can buy..).  Tonight we’re having a couple of friends over for dinner and Grammy watching before gearing up for another week – and figuring out what on Earth my California closet has to help me survive a polar vortex?  Hope you all had a great weekend! 

p.s. While I didn’t win the trip to WWD Magic, my heart swells with the thought of all of you that took the time to vote.  Thank you.


ocean blue

The Steele Maiden: Ocean Blue
From just the right distance and in the right morning light, this baby blue sweatshirt seemed to be a perfect match with the Pacific behind me.  While there are an innumerable amount of blue items in my closet, there was nothing in this pastel shade and in the shape of an easy crewneck it’s just the thing to toss on and soften up separates like a crisp button down and high waisted shorts.  All together this is one of my ‘anywhere’ outfits – casual day at the office, running errands, brunch with Adam, whatever.  And while the majority of the outfit is pretty simple, subtle extras like a fun floral clutch and sparkly necklace keep it from being boring.  Meanwhile, TGIF am I right? Hope you all have fun plans!

Old Navy Sweatshirt // J.Crew Shirt – similar // F21 Necklace – similar // Zara Clutch – similar // Urban Outfitters Shorts and Heels

The Steele Maiden: Ocean Blue

The Steele Maiden: Ocean Blue

The Steele Maiden: Ocean Blue

The Steele Maiden: Ocean Blue

The Steele Maiden: Ocean Blue

right direction

The Steele Maiden: Right DirectionDespite the fact that much of the country still feels firmly planted in Winter, I’m hoping that instead of seeing these pictures as torturous they serve as a reminder that we are in fact moving (however slowly in some snow covered cities today) towards Spring.  I picked up this floral blazer with the initial intention of becoming a pretty addition to my work wardrobe – but couldn’t resist tossing it on with these easy denim cutoffs and my favorite vintage heels for a few quick errands this past weekend.  And since apparently I really seemed to have changed my mind about the color pink, this ages old Coach clutch (actually it’s a wristlet – remember when those were huge? – I removed the wrist strap..) provided just the right amount of color.Are you still voting HERE for my chance to go to WWD Magic as an official blogger? If so – I seriously appreciate your efforts!  If not, there’s still time! Voting ends Friday.Forever 21 Floral Blazer // AE Denim Cutoffs – similar extra 40% Off w/ code SMILE40 // Vintage Blouse // Coach Clutch – in love with this option – on sale! // Vintage YSL Heels
The Steele Maiden: Right Direction
The Steele Maiden: Right Direction
The Steele Maiden: Right Direction
The Steele Maiden: Right Direction
The Steele Maiden: Right Direction
The Steele Maiden: Right Direction