magic moments

The Steele Maiden: Nordstrom Floppy Hat with Asos cardigan and denim miniskirt
If you’re looking for it – you’ll find magic in this city everyday. But there’s something about this time of year, especially, when the air has turned brisk and holiday anticipation is everywhere that feels extra special. Yesterday was the first truly cold day and it could have kept me bundled up indoors – but instead Adam and I went out to be a part of that magic. Like the moment when you turn a corner in Chinatown and suddenly find a secret little oasis all lit up with Christmas lights on a Sunday morning (the back of the Mondrian Soho in case you’re looking for it).  I’ve got this cozy cardigan on repeat (first seen here) but I added this new hat (my secret for adding a touch of glam to an otherwise basic look) and kept the rest simple. Hope you all found a moment or two of magic for yourselves this weekend.

Nordstrom Hat // ASOS Cardigan & Skirt c/o // Gap Turtleneck // Sole Society Bag c/o // Capwell & Co Necklace // F21 Booties – similar via Sole Society


The Steele Maiden: Nordstrom Floppy Hat with Asos cardigan and denim miniskirt

The Steele Maiden: Nordstrom Floppy Hat with Asos cardigan and denim miniskirt

The Steele Maiden: Nordstrom Floppy Hat with Asos cardigan and denim miniskirt

The Steele Maiden: Nordstrom Floppy Hat with Asos cardigan and denim miniskirt

The Steele Maiden: Nordstrom Floppy Hat with Asos cardigan and denim miniskirt



november sales

The Steele Maiden: Hooded cape and paige denim
Happy November! I’ve been having a quiet start to the month ever since Friday’s Halloween antics, but admittedly am feeling pretty excited about these last couple months of 2014. Before we get ahead of ourselves though, we should be taking advantage of this weekend’s sales! Early November is a great time to pick up sweaters, outerwear, boots, cold weather accessories and even holiday party-wear (all on major discount) before you need to start getting your gift giving-on.  Below, a few things I’ve got my eye on:
 
ASOS: (25% Winter-ready styles) 
 
J.Crew: (Extra 30% Off Sale styles with code FALLSALE)   
 
Piperlime: (Additional 25% Off Sale with code EXTRA)
 
LOFT: (50% off select Fall styles and extra 50% off Sale styles)

 

piled on prints

The Steele Maiden: how to mix prints for Fall
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of mixing prints. But I’ve been slowly trying to streamline things in my wardrobe (without losing my signature style of course) and so when I went to throw on this outfit earlier in the week for work I liked that it felt subtle.  I kept the colors fairly neutral overall but the hits of burgundy and navy make it feel like Fall (even though I got away with bare legs again!).  Another trick to making this look feel less busy is in the balance of the patterns – the stripes are wide, the medallion print on the blouse is small but with plenty of white ‘negative space’ and the tweed is more of just a visual print that comes from the dense texture.  Two large prints or three small prints wouldn’t have had the same effect.  And it’s funny to picture now – but I don’t think this would have worked the same with my longer messy blonde mane. Probably the first time since I dyed it that I didn’t miss those tangled locks. 

F21 Tweed Jacket // Loft Blouse // Hutch Skirt c/o // Vintage Bag // Capwell & Co. Necklace – similar // Steve Madden Booties via Marshalls – similar via 6pm

The Steele Maiden: how to mix prints for Fall

The Steele Maiden: how to mix prints for Fall

The Steele Maiden: how to mix prints for Fall

The Steele Maiden: how to mix prints for Fall

The Steele Maiden: how to mix prints for Fall

lake life

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf
There’s something about adding a hat to an outfit that instantly adds glamour.  My love of hats started as a kid when my grandmother (hi Mom-mom!) gifted me a big stack of hat boxes filled with styles from the 40s and 50s – an era when women made the effort to add that one last finishing touch. Since I typically dress really casually at the lake, the addition of a few choice accessories like this hat and scarf make the whole look feel more polished. And helped me feel a bit warmer (pretty and practical.. win, win). It should be noted – both pieces are from Sole Society, long since one of my favorite shoe suppliers their expanded selection of accessories this season is really nailing it. It also should be noted that I’ve started wearing a watch again and I’m loving not having to rely on looking at my phone all the time. What Fall accessories are you excited about? 

Sole Society Hat and Scarf c/o // Loft Sweater // Old Navy Jeans // Timex Watch c/o // Sole Society Boots – this season’s version 


The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf
The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf

The Steele Maiden: Fall accessories Sole Society hat and scarf



so called life

The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators
The first time I wore this sweeping plaid maxi dress (here) I played up the country vibe – but back in the city I’ve been taking it in a sort of 90s, ‘my so called life’ direction and layering it with a big sweater, chunky chelsea boots and this leather backpack.  To keep the whole thing from going too costume-y (although I guess if there ever was a week for it, this would be it), I added these mirrored aviators and statement stud earrings I’ve been wearing on repeat.  It’s supposed to be 70 degrees in New York today and I’m savoring these last days of sweater weather – before it’s coat, scarf, hat, gloves weather.
 
Sunglass Warehouse Aviators c/o – $5 off $25 w/ code STEELE through 11/30 // Lulu Frost Stud Earrings // F21 Sweater – similar // Backpack via TJ Maxx – similar via Sole Society // Ruche Plaid Maxi Dress // F21 Boots
The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators
The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators
The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators
The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators
The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators
The Steele Maiden: Plaid Maxi Skirt and Mirrored Aviators