Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle.

I’m not sure if it was the military style vest or the abstract printed denim, or the ankle boots that matched the sidewalk, but I felt like I was dressed in urban camo once I left the house dressed in this.  (Editor’s Note: The term ‘urban camo’ makes me think of that incredibly unsightly snow leopard colored camouflage.. so I took some liberties and named this post ‘Chameleon Cool’ instead)…



This vest (last seen here), though a little bit more rugged than my usual style has pretty much carried me through the Southern California winter.  It’s the perfect layering piece to add a bit of warmth without a lot of bulk.  And these printed jeans, while I originally thought may be too crazy,  have proved surprisingly versatile.  I wear them like they’re regular jeans, paired with t-shirts, sweaters, and chambray – they work just the same.  I wore this look for a morning of flea market shopping (which if you follow me on instagram, you’d know proved to be quite a successful day) until the winter sun turned too warm and I had to change.  The life of a chameleon.. I mean blogger.

 

The entire project ended up being easy and affordable (the best kind of DIY, right?).  To save money we printed the Instagram photos ourselves on heavy photo paper at Staples rather then ordering prints (added bonus, they have super sharp paper cutters available for free use at Staples).  The only initial hang up was finding the metal alligator clips – but in the end, Ikea pulled through on these.  Everything else was found easily at Home Depot.  The results are exactly as I imagined and I couldn’t be happier.  It’s only been hanging a few nights and already several dinner conversations have turned to a particular picture and laughing about the memories that photo holds. (Follow me on Instagram to get a closer look at these photos and many more!) 

This is always the time of year that my motivation (and general gusto) starts to wane.  You started off the year strong with resolutions (see mine here) but Spring still hasn’t fully arrived and let’s not even discuss how long it is until the next paid work holiday…

You need to find a way to Spring Forward.  While the time change this upcoming weekend will certainly help (longer days always urge me to do a little more with the hours at hand), here are a few more suggestions to kick start your March.

Nest:  Scent has incredible ties to memory and emotions – and nothing evokes Spring to me like the smell of fresh flowers.  Fake it by treating yourself to a pretty new candle to burn in the morning while you’re getting ready to face the day.  

Dressed: By the end of most winters in New York, the sight of my own camel colored wool coat and daily black tights caused me borderline emotional distress.  Even here in sunny California, my ‘winter’ wardrobe doesn’t always consist of the brightest of colors.  This peplum blouse in a perk me up coral is a welcome departure from my daily dresses.  

 The Rest: I find after a long day (or long winter) it’s the little things that rejuvenate me.  Reaching out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a few weeks.  Or changing around a vignette on a bookshelf that feels a little blah.  These Paris vs. New York postcards would be perfect for both.  

How is it that it’s March again?  The first two months of this year have flown by, and this weekend followed course.  The boy and I have been on a huge push to get some things done around the house and it finally feels like things are coming together (remember this rug I mentioned – it arrived and is seriously perfect, don’t you love it when that happens?).  The home makeover is just in the nick of time since my best friend arrives next Friday from New York, and the weekend after that my parents get into town for a week long visit.  Los Angeles has started to feel like home and I can’t wait to show them our little corner of it.  

P.S. Be sure to check back this week to get your own insider look into The Steele Maiden home and one of the easiest and most successful DIY projects I’ve done so far!