weekend flashback

The Steele Maiden: Weekend FlashbackThe first weekend flashback of 2014!  Admittedly I’d been in a bit of a post holiday slump ever since New Year’s Eve.  Despite setting some goals for the blog, I just wasn’t exactly feeling inspired to go out and act on said goals.  But then Saturday rolled around and my long awaited appointment at the hair salon.  I’m telling you, I feel like a new person.  My closet which was starting to feel packed – but with nothing to wear – suddenly is full of options I never had seen before.  I took time to write long overdue handwritten notes.  I cleared out my inbox.  I tackled Maid of Honor (my sister’s walking down the aisle in just 4 short months!) duties.  Sometimes, you just need to make one change and the rest will follow suit I guess.  Come back tomorrow and I’ll reveal the haircut/color that I have to thank for it. ..and in the meantime you can always follow me on facebook, instagram, or twitter!

 

on to 2014

The Steele Maiden: On to 2014
First of all, happy 2014! It took me a little longer than expected to get this post together – partially because sometimes my goals are so large they’re difficult to put into words, and partially because I wanted to draw a fine line between empty resolutions and well thought out plans for the next 365 362 days.  So below, a few thoughts on the direction I’m hoping to head this year.  And beyond these, I’d love to hear your feedback.  What makes you come back or what are you interested in seeing/hearing that I’ve yet to post?

Experiment: I’ve been doing my hair and make-up nearly the exact same way for years now and it feels like it’s time to shake things up.  I’m a complete beauty amateur but instead of just pouring over Pinterest images, I’m looking forward to trying my hand at a fresh look.  Same goes for trying new accessories, colors or styles.  It’s 2014, why wait?

Expand: Travel is something besides fashion that hugely inspires me and I want to expand on that here on the blog.  Mentions/suggestions for cities I’ve already been to, neighborhood spotlights in places I’ve lived, as well as visits to new places are all on the horizon.

Share: For the most part I stick to style commentary around here and try to censor anything too personal, but I’d like to share bits and pieces of the rest of my life.  Maybe it will be a home tour or telling you about my fitness routine or just letting you know that I’ve had a bad day – either way I’m hoping to open up a bit more.  

Search:  Don’t worry – first and foremost The Steele Maiden is about fashion and will continue to be that way.  This year one of my goals is to really continue to build my ideal wardrobe.  That means spending more time searching for unique vintage and thrift finds (something I sadly didn’t make much time for in 2013), investing in classic pieces I know I’ll wear again and again, and not getting too caught up in the trends of the moment (aka that item that every blogger suddenly owns).

Thanks for sticking around for another year (and this lengthy post..).  Be sure to check back on Monday.  I’m getting a jump start on the above goals and you won’t want to miss it!

mulholland drive

The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
When I look back at my posts from this past year, I think often they were as much about where I was that day as they were about what I was wearing.  In fact, in case you ever found yourself wondering, this blog’s name is in reference to my stylish voyage through life (plus a play on Steele being my ‘maiden’ name).  So it felt appropriate to send off the year with one last fashionable journey.  Mulholland Drive is one of the few roads in Los Angeles that I can say with honesty that I love.  There’s just a feeling in the air up on those curvy canyon roads, high above Hollywood, that makes you want to stop and take it all in (there’s a reason it’s been memorialized in countless songs and movies).  Style-wise I think Southern California has definitely had an influence on me since my arrival, slowly loosening up my previously pretty classic & feminine looks.  A Mulholland sunset and dusty ankle boots felt like a perfect pairing for watching the final sunset of 2013.
 
Wishing you all a happy & healthy New Year – see you back here in 2014!
Target Hat // F21 Romper // Gap Sweater  // Tulle Jacket – sold out, similar here // Steve Madden Boots via Marshalls  
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
The Steele Maiden: Mulholland Drive
 

a story to tell

The Steele Maiden: A Story to Tell
If you haven’t already noticed, I like fashion that has a story to tell.  A vintage skirt from the 50’s (that I searched for here and then debuted here), a necklace from my old days as a jewelry designer in New York, a denim jacket that probably has too many stories to tell at this point..  you get it.  If you follow me on instagram then you know that I lamented over having to walk away from these green suede booties a few weeks ago – only to find them under the tree with a note ‘from Santa’ on Christmas morning.  This is what you would call a fairy tale ending.  Another new piece with a story to tell is this navy vegan leather jacket.  I’d been lusting after it online before Langford Market made it mine, and it didn’t disappoint.  Way more unexpected than my black leather jacket, it’s already paired perfectly with denim, plaid, and cozy textured sweaters.  Main (wardrobe) character material if you ask me.  

Langford Market Jacket c/o // Denim Jacket – similar + extra 40% off with code SHOPHAPPY // Vintage Skirt // Timex Watch c/o // F21 Booties – now 50% off! 

The Steele Maiden: A Story to Tell

The Steele Maiden: A Story to Tell

The Steele Maiden: A Story to Tell

The Steele Maiden: A Story to Tell

The Steele Maiden: A Story to Tell



a look back: 2013

The Steele Maiden: A Look Back 2013
I read a quote once that said something to the affects of ‘there are years that ask questions, and years that answer them’.  While those years may not always be measured by January 1 – December 31, in general I think that phrase rings quite true.  When I think back on 2013, I think it was a year that answered questions.  At the tail end of 2012 I had moved to California, changed career paths and started this blog (in other words, I was asking a lot of questions..).  This year I was lucky enough to create a home here in LA, explore the west coast, and grow this blog into something that I’m pretty proud of.  And what you ask of 2014? See how I phrased that as a question?  That’s right, I’m ready to ask a few big ones this year and I’m hoping you’ll stick around to follow me on this fashionable journey.  

Some highlights…
– Explored CA (day trips to Catalina Island and Santa Barbara were my favorites)   
– Continued to evolve my personal style (these were some of my favorites – 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
– Took just one trip home to PA (far too short) and one back to New York (where I attended Lucky FABB and got to see the friends and city I miss so dearly)
– Worked with some amazing brands and made new friends through blogging – of which came really fun opportunities (like this and this)
– Started a signature jewelry line – one I’m hoping to grow much more in the coming year
– Made a foray into film (here and here)
– Had a lot of help from the boy behind the camera (who gets nowhere near the credit he deserves for his work in bringing this blog to where it is today) and so much support from family, friends and all of you – so thank you!!

It’s been a pretty great year and I’ve been so grateful to have had the chance to share it with all of you.  Here’s to the next 365!