LINEN BLAZER + CUT-OFF DENIM SHORTS

In general, I’m not a very casual dresser. I don’t wear leggings out of the house unless I’m going to the gym and I never got on board with the whole athleisure trend. It’s not to say I don’t think it looks good on other people, it’s just not me. That being said – one casual piece mixed into with other more classic pieces feels right for a hot summer day. Case in point: these jeans shorts paired with a linen blazer, statement earrings and neutral block heels.

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I’ve always just felt that life (and especially New York) is worth dressing up for. What if you run into an ex? Or a potential boss? Or a reallyyyy pretty West Village street. Dress for the neighborhood you want to live in, right?

In full disclosure, these jeans were Adam’s and were only slightly too small for him so he gave them to me to cut-off (I won’t dwell on the fact that we have nearly the same sized waist…), but pretty much every thrift store in America has a good pair of vintage Levi’s that you could do the same with. I say that because there are an somewhat alarming number of girls on Instagram wearing $150 cut-off jean shorts and raving about how amazing they are. Here’s an alternative.

And while I’m giving out advice – this bag has been one of my favorites since spring and is now on sale. It will be a wardrobe hero straight through fall. I tied on this vintage Liberty London silk scarf that I bought in a nearby vintage shop about 10 minutes before we snapped these photos. Even my bag’s like to dress up apparently.

WHERE MY SEBAGOS TAKE ME

The Steele Maiden: Sebago Shoes at the Lake

While life in the city typically means heels on the go, life at the lake calls for shoes that feel more laid back and comfortable. Shoes that I can kick my feet up in or toss off into the boat. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want them to still be cute. Which is wear Sebago comes in. I actually first wore the brand last summer at the lake (in this post) and fell in love with their easy going attitude and comfy fit. So this summer, I knew I wanted to stock my lake wardrobe with a few more pairs. Here – exactly where my Sebagos take me when I escape the city hustle for some peace and quiet by the lake.

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SUMMER ROUND-UP & BEST OF LABOR DAY SALES

The Steele Maiden: Best of Summer

The interesting side effect of having a blog is that you also end up having a sort of visual diary of your life. A way to scroll back through nearly every week of my life for the past 3 years. I particularly like to do this at the end of each season to reminisce through where Adam and I went, and naturally, what I wore. Above are some of my favorites and original posts are linked left to right, below. And because another thing I like to do at the transition into a new season is shopping – I’ve included a few of my favorite Labor Day sales too. Hope you’re all having a fun long weekend!

(Posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Anthropologie: Extra 30% off sale items – these lace-up heels would make any outfit instantly elevated

French Connection: Extra 50% off sale items + free shipping w/ code 50SALE – a striped top because.. never enough.

LOFT: 30% off Fall items like these slim boyfriend jeans or this knit pencil skirt

Nordstrom: Up to 40% off select styles – I have this sweater in beige but may grab a few more colors

Madewell: 30% off Fall essentials – time to stock up on plaid button-down shirts

Ruche: 30% off sitewide w/ code FUNSUN – this dress is so cute for a casual date and this one is perfect for a dressier occasion

Sole Society: Up to 60% off select styles – I’ve carried this bucket bag with me everywhere this summer

Talbots: 25% off full-priced items – I’m obsessed with this wine-hued crossbody bag for Fall

 

LACE DRESS AND CARGO JACKET

Lake Outfit - silk cargo jacket, lace dress and Seychelles wedges

 

A few more pictures from this weekend at the lake because by this point in the work week I could really use someplace zen to stare at. I mentioned yesterday but there was the slightest hint of Fall in the air and so I’ve been starting to reach for pieces like this lightweight, silky cargo jacket to make the seasonal transition.

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