weekend flashback

The Steele Maiden: Weekend Flashback Aside from working on a few projects and debuting a new pair of Fall boots (warm weather be damned), the real excitement of this weekend came from our overnight camping trip in the Mojave desert.  While I’m always up for an adventure, this trip was mainly a labor of love since the purpose of posting up in a desolute and dry area for the night/day was so the boy and his friend could kick up dust driving their cars along desert trails.  And there was plenty of dust.  Making my all black outfit not only a poor choice due to the incredible heat of the desert sun, but also because by the time I returned to Los Angeles I was vaguely the color of sand myself.  Payback for all the times I’ve had him come shopping with me perhaps?


from where i stand / 02

The Steele Maiden: From Where I Stand(Original Artwork by Jessica Steele)
In case you missed it, last week I introduced a new weekly series called ‘From Where I Stand’ – a portrait of a pair of shoes and where I wore them.  So today I’m back with the second edition…

02 / Philadelphia wearing two tone oxfords

For those that don’t know I attended college in the city of Brotherly Love and although I’d like to blame it on the collegiate environment, I think it was actually my love of the character Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl that informed most of my style decisions in those days.  So I took to wearing a whole lot of knee socks and finding old oxfords (along with university sweaters, and fur trimmed coats) at thrift stores.  The whole look probably ended up being more Margot Tenenbaum than Queen B, but either way, I’ll still always have a soft spot for knee socks.  

spotted: yellow bags


If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have noticed my recent infatuation with yellow bags.  As Summer draws to a close (did anyone else see it pass by in a blur??), the color feels like it could carry all my outfits straight into Fall without skipping a beat.  At once both bold and offbeat cool, yellow bags may just be this season’s oxblood (but don’t quote me on that).  Either way, who wouldn’t want to have sunshine in a bag?


i heart NY (+ giveaway winner!)

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY
(JCrew Chambray Shirt; I heart NY t-shirt; Braided belt – similar here; Madewell skirt – on sale now!; Urban Outfitters heels – I love this version here)

In case my recent jewelry inspiration or my constant musings on the city didn’t tip you off – I heart NY.  A whole lot.  While Los Angeles feels like an adventure, New York feels like home.  So on days when, despite the west coast sunshine, I still wake up missing that east coast place I figure I’ll salute it with style…. (p.s. click through to find out the winner of the Tulle giveaway!!)


This outfit basically consists of all my comfiest closet staples (easy chambray shirt, well worn t-shirt, and knit stretch pencil skirt) – yet somehow comes off looking put together.  And for a hectic workday what more can you really ask for?

**The winner of the Tulle Floral Trench Coat is Stefanie Gladden – thank you to all who entered and congrats to Stefanie! Look for an email from me today! 

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY

The Steele Maiden: I Heart NY



three way tie: printed top

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways(Ruche Printed Top; F21 bag; Gap trousers; Target Heels – similar here; H&M skirt – similar here; Statement Necklace – my own design; Ruche heels; Madewell shorts; Asos Heels)

To be honest, when I first bought this top I wasn’t completely sure how I was going to wear it.  I just knew that it looked playful, modern and still slightly feminine – so I was sold.  Turns out, this slightly boxy top with it’s neon and neutral print is a closet wonder…

With slim tailored black trousers and patent nude pumps it heads straight to work with a slightly retro feel (I like to think Megan from Mad Men may sport something similar).  With a statement necklace, (faux) leather full skirt and bright strappy sandals the look transformed completely into downtown date night – a perfect outfit for when the boy and I go out in LA.  And finally, when thrown on with denim shorts and casual accessories the top was a laidback free spirited cool.      

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways

The Steele Maiden: Printed Top Three Ways