Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle. – Page 229 – As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.

July 22, 2013March 7, 2015

Seeing Clearly.

(1. Target frame; 2. Lulu’s Heels; 3. Saturday cosmetic case)

Maybe it started with schools and airports looking through our bags.. but fashion (like all good forms of rebellion) seemed to fight back and make see-through a trend instead…

And while I think that transparency is best in small doses, here’s a few stylish and affordable ways to see things more clearly.

Nest: I’d love to see these floating frames over a brightly painted (or even patterned) wall. Fill them with simple black and white photos and let them be a graphic, yet minimal statement.

Dressed: There’s something slightly 90’s supermodel about these to me, somehow wildly seductive but also completely understated. I’d wear them with just a silky slip dress and a swipe of lipstick.

The Rest: Call me nostalgic, but any closer to September and I find myself dreaming of school supplies. While this striped, transparent number is technically a makeup case – I’d totally use it to store paperclips and erasers.

July 22, 2013March 7, 2015

Weekend Flashback.

Another weekend, another sweet treat. Sensing a pattern? Aside from satisfying my sweet tooth I spent the weekend working on my jewelry designs (set to launch very soon!) and hanging with that handsome boy you see above. Why can’t the weekends last forever?

July 19, 2013March 7, 2015

Smooth Transitions.

(Clockwise from top: Topshop; Anthropologie; Need Supply; Urban Outfitters; Ruche; Free People; Madewell; Threadsence) ShoeMint Boots
It’s been well documented that I love a good printed dress. And when it gets to this point in Summer (when you sadly know that Fall isn’t all that far off) I like to reach for ones that are still hot weather appropriate but will easily make the turn once chillier temps come my way. Black and white is by far the best way to do that – and even better for pairing with these boots that would make everything instantly cooler. Happy Friday!

July 18, 2013March 7, 2015

Little Grey Dress.

(Tulle Necklace; J.Crew Dress – similar here; H&M Clutch – similar here; Ruche Heels)

I last talked about wedding season here (when I mentioned Bridal Shower style), but since we’re still in the season I thought I’d show my spin on attire for the main event – and also make an argument for the ‘Little Grey Dress’…
I actually wore this outfit for my Anniversary dinner a couple weeks back – but the look would translate perfectly for a Summer wedding too. This LGD (‘Little Grey Dress’) was originally purchased to wear to a wedding a few years ago and has come in handy several times since. So much softer than the ‘Little Black Dress’ for a wedding (and quite obviously I don’t advise wearing a ‘Little White Dress’ on the Bride’s big day) – the LGD can pair with almost every accessory you own, I swear to it. This time around I had some fun with it and paired the dress with a pair of bright orange strappy sandals and a matching statement necklace. Not too bold as to call yourself out in every group picture on the dance floor, but not so subtle that I can’t promise you won’t receive a compliment or two throughout the evening. Maybe the best kind of wedding guest style, no?

P.S. These pictures were taken on the rooftop of our building – with mountaintops and the downtown skyline to one side, and palm trees and distant ocean to the other. Los Angeles in all her glory from the view up there.

July 17, 2013March 7, 2015

Moody Blues.

(Image; Ruche Top; J.Crew Factory Jeans, Lulu’s Heels)

As clearly evidenced by my outfit posts, I’m a girl that favors dresses. But sometimes there’s nothing better than a faded out, worn in pair of jeans. And what could be better than an entire room that reflects that same laid back vibe?

This room has so many great elements that I tend to favor in both home and apparel design. A natural base (wood floors or neutral accessories work best), comfortable key pieces (a mid century modern couch gets softened with throw pillows as skinny jeans ease up with a faded wash), and finally a few graphic statements to catch and hold the eye (this modern gallery wall does the same visual trick as a geometric print peplum top. And in a color palette of my favorite stand-bys (black, white, shades of blue, and nude) – I’m totally ready to give my dresses a day off.