Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle.

I’ve read style blogs for years now, coming back day after day to see new outfit posts, and yet when I started The Steele Maiden I couldn’t imagine getting in front of the lens myself…  

Maybe it’s being a designer?  You sort of want your end product to shine rather than yourself.  But sometimes I think it’s good to push yourself out of your comfort zone a bit – and to that end I’m going to try and post at least one real life style post a week.  

It’s taken until almost Thanksgiving but here in Los Angeles we’re finally having a bit of fall weather and I’m embracing it from head to toe, with a faux fur shawl collar, burgundy corduroys, and suede ankle boots.  I still can’t believe I’m not shivering away in my New York winter jacket already – but I’ll take it.  

Target Sunglasses
H&M collar (on sale now!)
AE denim jacket (old, similar here)
Forever21 tank (old, similar here)
Calvin Klein Corduroys (from Marshalls)
DV Dolce Vita Boots (similar on sale here!) 

I’ve read style blogs for years now, coming back day after day to see new outfit posts, and yet when I started The Steele Maiden I couldn’t imagine getting in front of the lens myself…  

Maybe it’s being a designer?  You sort of want your end product to shine rather than yourself.  But sometimes I think it’s good to push yourself out of your comfort zone a bit – and to that end I’m going to try and post at least one real life style post a week.  

It’s taken until almost Thanksgiving but here in Los Angeles we’re finally having a bit of fall weather and I’m embracing it from head to toe, with a faux fur shawl collar, burgundy corduroys, and suede ankle boots.  I still can’t believe I’m not shivering away in my New York winter jacket already – but I’ll take it.  

Target Sunglasses
H&M collar (on sale now!)
AE denim jacket (old, similar here)
Forever21 tank (old, similar here)
Calvin Klein Corduroys (from Marshalls)
DV Dolce Vita Boots (similar on sale here!) 

Head’s up.  It’s officially holiday season!  And to celebrate, I’m going to be using a couple of my usual series here on the blog to offer helpful holiday gifting tips and tricks…  

Buying for friends, co-workers, boyfriend’s sibling, etc. can prove especially tricky – you want something relatively inexpensive but not cheap, one size fits all but not impersonal.  My advice?  Stay neutral and stick to the shoulders and up.  Earrings, headphones, or a cute hat?  All perfect.  See my top picks below.     

Nest: I love this photograph of donkey ears from The Animal Print Shop.  Pick up a frame from a thrift shop and it’s ready for the wall of your vintage loving best friend.  I’d hang it in an entry way with hat hooks below. 

Dressed: Perfect for your office mate who complains about a cold commute, this hat from the Gap is a gift that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  Wrap it up with a Starbucks gift card and she’ll be warm into the new year.  I’d wear it with a parka and ankle boots for a star gazing date. 

The Rest:  Earn some cool points with your boyfriend’s college age sister by getting her a pretty pair of headphones for the walk to class (this pair from iHome aren’t too girly or flashy).  Tack on a month’s membership to Spotify Premium and you’ll be exchanging playlists with her in no time.  

P.S. Check out my all new About page.  And follow along on Instagram and Facebook!

Head’s up.  It’s officially holiday season!  And to celebrate, I’m going to be using a couple of my usual series here on the blog to offer helpful holiday gifting tips and tricks…  

Buying for friends, co-workers, boyfriend’s sibling, etc. can prove especially tricky – you want something relatively inexpensive but not cheap, one size fits all but not impersonal.  My advice?  Stay neutral and stick to the shoulders and up.  Earrings, headphones, or a cute hat?  All perfect.  See my top picks below.     

Nest: I love this photograph of donkey ears from The Animal Print Shop.  Pick up a frame from a thrift shop and it’s ready for the wall of your vintage loving best friend.  I’d hang it in an entry way with hat hooks below. 

Dressed: Perfect for your office mate who complains about a cold commute, this hat from the Gap is a gift that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  Wrap it up with a Starbucks gift card and she’ll be warm into the new year.  I’d wear it with a parka and ankle boots for a star gazing date. 

The Rest:  Earn some cool points with your boyfriend’s college age sister by getting her a pretty pair of headphones for the walk to class (this pair from iHome aren’t too girly or flashy).  Tack on a month’s membership to Spotify Premium and you’ll be exchanging playlists with her in no time.  

P.S. Check out my all new About page.  And follow along on Instagram and Facebook!

Friday I put the finishing touches on my closet organization (matching slim hangers seriously make all the difference) and baked up some pretty delicious Pumpkin Cranberry Loaf – that always reminds me of home.  Saturday was a breezy but sunny fall day and we soaked it in with a scenic drive up the coast to Malibu, stopping for lunch at Neptune’s Net.  Sunday was spent working on new blog series that I’m excited to share with you – and will be debuting later this week.  So stay tuned!