Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle. – Page 219 – As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.

September 30, 2013March 7, 2015

tip of my hat

My love for this hat is twofold. First, because I just love the idea of hats – they remind me of a time when women fully accessorized before taking on the day (and I think in general it’s nice to put a little bit of effort into the appearance that you share with the world). And secondly, because my hair is in desperate need of a cut and color but this was a much more budget friendly option. While it remains warm here in Los Angeles, I’m finding that accessories can satisfy my urge for Fall dressing without the threat of overheating. So bare legs continue, but a berry lipstick and this outfit-maker of a hat allow the whole thing to feel like we’re headed straight into October. Can you believe it? Apparently Southern California can’t either.

Wool Hat bought downtown LA- similar here // Target Cardigan // MinkPink Dress – similar here // Vintage clutch // DV by Dolce Vita Boots

September 30, 2013March 7, 2015

weekend flashback

This weekend – despite LA’s resistance – I took to full fledged Fall activities. Pumpkin bread was baked, knee high boots were worn, sunset strolls in the park were taken. The whole nine yards. Aside from reveling in the season, I also joined the inaugural meeting of the SoCal Blogger Society (an inspiring group of girls all banded together in this sometimes bizarre blog life). As September closes and we get ready to start a new month, I’m more excited than ever for some of the things coming up here on my own blog – so please stick around. It’s going to be a great Fall.

September 26, 2013March 7, 2015

between the lines

(Tulle Coat; F21 t-shirt – similar here; Urban Outfitters Shorts – similar here; Seychelles Heels)

I’ve got a thing for stripes. And black and white. And lucky for me, this Fall graphic black and white prints are everywhere. So I’m doubling up for good measure…

I wore this striped boatneck t-shirt and high waisted shorts throughout the day and loved how these ankle strap heels (which nail it in terms of comfy yet still stylish) gave the look a slightly retro vibe – but since evenings are finally starting to feel like Fall I had the chance to toss on this show stopper of a jacket and the whole thing transformed into something totally modern. Perfect for an evening stroll (or strut) around the neighborhood.

September 25, 2013March 7, 2015

day to night: los angeles

It’s hard for me to believe, but as of next week I will have been living in Los Angeles for an entire year. And while I’ve talked a bit about my day to day life here, I haven’t really done a proper guide to the city at large…

This city, so sprawling and dynamic, demands far more than just one post but to begin I wanted to spotlight one of my favorite things about living here which is the view. Drastically different depending on where you are, both of the views shown here are within roughly 30 minutes drive from where our home is. Meaning by day you can take in the Pacific ocean, iconic Pier, bustling shopping and distant mountains in Santa Monica. And by night, you can look out across the Hollywood Hills, lights of the city and downtown skyline from the perches of Griffith Park and the accompanying Observatory. There are few other cities in the world that I’ve traveled that offer such opposing views (and relative ways of life), but I’ve come to feel lucky that for the past year I’ve had the chance to take it all in.

September 24, 2013March 7, 2015

trail blazer

(Ruche Dress; Deux Lux Bag via Marshalls; J.Crew Factory Belt – similar here; Restricted ‘City Search’ Boots c /o available here)

Remember back when I was dreaming of this slightly western, rugged yet wearable, and all around perfect for Fall pair of boots? Well the universe (with a little help from my friends at Restricted) made that happen for me…

I took the subtle southwestern vibe of the boots and ran with it, pairing the look with this new printed shift dress and a deep burgundy bag that is always a Fall favorite of mine. And while the Santa Monica sun afforded me the chance to wear this sleeveless number with bare legs, I can’t wait to wear the exact same look later in the season with a pair of tights and a cozy cardigan. There’s nothing like a new pair of boots to leave you feeling like you can blaze new trails – or at the very least, conquer transitional dressing.