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Under the Stars.


On our drive home last night (from a spontaneous road trip to Santa Barbara) the boy and I spotted a group of campers along a stretch of beach and decided that a night under the stars along California’s Gold Coast should be added to our list of Summer adventures…

While camping equipment can get pretty expensive, and I am the first to admit that I will never be a middle of the wilderness for days on end type of girl, you don’t need much for one night spent on a small stretch of beach. The thing I used to hate most about camping is sleeping in a thin, cold sleeping bag. We recently bought some new mattresses in a range of mattress sizes and I’m so much comfier!  Here, my night under the stars essentials for under $50 each.


Nest: There’s nothing like a big wool blanket to wrap around you while sitting by the fire.  This vintage one with a pretty navajo print is a steal for the size and the amount of warmth it will offer after the sun goes down.

Dressed: Comfort rules when camping, and light layers are perfect for a hot beach day that turns into a chilly night.  I can’t help but want to pick up this celestial t-shirt that looks so cozy it would be alright if I say, slept in it and wore it home the next day.  Totally acceptable when camping, right?

The Rest: A new book, The End of Night, which reminds us of the timeless pleasure of a starry night’s sky, and argues why we shouldn’t – in the age of so much light, especially in a city like LA – forget to escape and point our gaze upwards once in awhile.  I’d pull my sleeping bag out of the tent and read this one by moonlight.  



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American Woman.

The Steele Maiden: American Woman(H&M Sunglasses – similar here; F21 tank; Skirt – from my Senior Thesis Collection; Zara Heels – similar here)
 
Here’s to a country where I can wear a picnic blanket, ball gown of a skirt in the middle of the day on a picturesque little street (white picket fences, American flags and red front doors included).  Hope everyone is out there is celebrating their own little daily freedoms today.  Happy Fourth of July!

The Steele Maiden: American Woman
The Steele Maiden: American Woman
The Steele Maiden: American Woman

 

 
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All American.

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t worn red, white and blue every day so far this week.  Fourth of July just so happens to be one of my favorite holidays, and as an added bonus, it’s also my anniversary – so I figured it was the perfect time for another Boy meets Girl round up…
The Fourth of July brings together all of the classic Americana patterns I love (stripes, plaid, polka dots) and gives you the excuse to mix and match them with abandon.  For him, a plaid shirt and dark jeans are Kennedy cool, and is there any shoe more American than Chuck Taylors?  For her, a flirty little red dress proves a good starting point for shiny white heels, maybe the cutest satchel bag ever, and a pretty star spangled hair comb – perfect for keeping your hair out of your face while you stare up at the fireworks.  


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Blurred Lines.

The Steele Maiden - Blurred Lines(Madewell Top – cute blurred option here; H&M Skirt – similar colors here; Leather Belt – similar here; Nine West Heels – old, but I like this option)
 
I’ve had both this top and skirt in my closet for at least 3 or 4 years now, but never once thought of pairing them together until last week.  And blame it on the hit Robin Thicke song by the same name (I’m not usually one for top 100 music – but even I admit it’s pretty catchy) but suddenly these two blurred lines prints just begged to be mixed up…

The trick to making this outfit work is that they’re both in the same color family, and one print (in this case the skirt) is dominating, so the other print (the top) sort of just acts as a supporting role.  And, if you’re going a little wild with your outfit, I always tend to ground things with some hefty basics (a solid wedge heel and braided leather belt here do just fine).  Otherwise, blur the lines and bend the rules.  It’s only fashion after all.
The Steele Maiden - Blurred Lines
The Steele Maiden - Blurred Lines
The Steele Maiden - Blurred Lines

 

 
 
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Mediterranean Musings.

The Steele Maiden: Mediterranean Musings


If it were in the budget, I would pack my bags and hop a flight to the Mediterranean Sea right about now.  Those blue skies and that blue water as far as the eye can see.  But until then…



A few options for faking the Mediterranean life, even if you’re only in Missouri.

Nest: We’ve got plain white dishes and a dark wooden dining table, which means the simple switch of a floral arrangement or accent dish really changes up the whole feel of our meals.  For summer, I’d love to add these blue ikat place mats to make dinner feel a bit more exotic.  

Dressed:  While I’ve never been, I have to imagine that you’d be able to find some absolutely beautiful embroidered textiles in the markets surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.  And if I can’t be strolling those cobblestone streets, I may as well wear a pretty little knock off.  This dress is exactly the sort of breezy one hit wonder you can throw on time and time again in summer (and with that neckline – you don’t even need to bother with a necklace).  

The Rest: There’s maybe nothing that makes me think of the ocean more than the smell of it’s air.  And if this appropriately named Capri candle from Anthropologie can replicate even a bit of that I’ll be burning it in my apartment all summer long.