Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle. – Page 208 – As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.

December 27, 2013March 7, 2015

spotted: new years eve sparkle

The Steele Maiden: New Years Eve Sparkle

While I’m still coming to terms with the fact that Christmas came and went (hopefully you all had a wonderful day!) the thought of another holiday next week certainly eases going back to work so soon. I actually still haven’t made any plans for New Years Eve but whether or I go all out or have a low key night – there will be champagne and there will be a bit of sparkle. I mentioned it earlier this week, but I don’t tend to spend a ton on special occasion dresses – the one above is under $50! – and instead would splurge more on pieces I can wear again. This leopard coat would look great with a pair of ankle boots and graphic t-shirt long after the ball drops and those shoes? Picture them with a pair of boyfriend jeans and cozy sweater to add a bit of shine to dark winter days. Another mini splurge? This lipstick. But you can’t put a price on a midnight kiss.

Capwell & Co. Ring // Sole Society Bag – now 60% off! // Asos Leopard Coat – on major sale! // YSL Lipstick in Deep Raspberry // Ruche Sequin Dress – 15% off with code FORYOU // Anthropologie Heels – on sale plus an extra 25% off with code 25BELOW // image via Barefoot Blonde

December 24, 2013March 7, 2015

golden girl

Since I’m having a pretty low key Christmas tomorrow, I’ll probably be keeping things casual (i.e. pajamas for a majority of the day). But tonight we’re planning on going out to eat in Downtown LA and I wanted something that I could wear for a short day at the office and then transition straight to Christmas cocktails. In general I like things that are sort of at odds with one another. A striped t-shirt and a fur collar. Unfussy hair but with glittering statement earrings. Or a basic pair of oxfords done up in ridiculous patent gold. Things that say, I’m practical – but I don’t take myself too seriously. And it never hurts to shine a bit brighter this time of year, right? So whether you’ll be wearing pajamas or fancy gold shoes (or hey, maybe both..) tomorrow, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by the people you hold near and dear. See you back here on Thursday friends!

H&M Fur Collar – old, similar here // F21 Striped Tshirt // Urban Outfitters Leather Jacket // Gap Trousers – 20% Off with code GAPXMAS // H&M Clutch – old, similar here // GH Bass & Co. Gold Oxfords

December 23, 2013March 7, 2015

diners club

I’ve got a soft spot for anything classic Americana. Diners, old neon signs, red, white and blue combos.. all of it. I happened to be wearing my own take on the classic color combo the other day when we passed by this diner in Santa Monica and these pictures pretty much took themselves. This striped denim dress is surprisingly one of my relatively more expensive dresses (bought a few years back at Free People), but it always seemed to make sense to me to pay more for something you’ll wear a million times rather than say, a special occasion dress. When it comes to my weekend looks lately I’ve been layering up in neutrals and then adding in pops of color with accessories like this velvet bag (last seen here) or this perfectly oversized plaid scarf. Easy as pie. Preferably classic apple.

Scarves.net Plaid Scarf c/o // Tulle Jacket c/o // J.Crew Chambray Shirt – 30% off with code GIFTNOW // Free People Dress // Asos Bag c/o // Zara Boots – similar here on sale

December 23, 2013March 7, 2015

weekend flashback

Can you believe that Christmas is in just a couple of days?! We’ve got a pretty low key holiday planned, no travel, no huge meal. Just a day spent the two of us and a few thoughtful gifts, maybe a trip to the movie theater and most likely some take out food. And honestly, I’m pretty excited about it. While I’ll miss being back home on the East Coast (and the chance of a white Christmas), sometimes the simplest of holidays are the ones that you look back on as the best. I started a new tradition this past Thanksgiving but want to think of something for Christmas too. What are some of your favorite traditions? And if you’re traveling in the next couple of days, good luck and have a safe trip!

December 20, 2013March 7, 2015

london girls

While my overall style usually remains pretty consistent, throughout the year I always find myself looking to different points of inspiration. For instance in the Fall, I only want to look like New York girls – fresh faced and running from show to show at Fashion Week. And if my time in LA has taught me anything, it’s that no one does Summer style better than those California girls. And I think it goes without saying that the peak of trés chic is Paris in the Spring. But when it comes to Winter? I’d venture to argue that it’s London girls that get it right. Maybe it’s because it was Winter when I studied abroad there, but British girls have a knack for this sort of layered, tousled on purpose, school girl meets skate punk look that you just don’t see anywhere else. See here: blazer, crewneck sweater and oxford collar mixed with beanie, flared mini and metallic ankle boots. Now if only I could get back that accent I had gotten so good at faking…

Asos Beanie c/o // F21 Sweater – similar // Rogan Blazer – similar on sale // Skirt via Marshalls // Restricted Wyatt Boots c/o – 30% Off now through 12/24 with code HOLIDAY30