RachelAdelicia – Investment Piece

Where to Shop LA: Recess

Tariffs in the US are -well to be the most honest at best, a bit uncertain. They may (yes, I know some were lowered) affect everything from base price (Loves, NOTHING is made in the USA. It may be put together here. Made? No) to shipping. And the safest option? Resale. Vintage. Thrift. There are still oh so many ways to look oh so fabulous and get what you want (yes, I am here to help!) So occasionally I will be showcasing resale/vintage/etc stores you must shop. Without tariffs. No matter the mood in the White House. Please note that Recess has also opened a home line (a great way to decorate or give one of a kind house gifts!) One of my faves:

Lovers! If you’ve been paying attention then you know that I love me some vintage–and when I’m in LA Recess is always the first place I stop! What I love: this is a very curated shop with a mix of modern/vintage/high/low pieces that feels like a friend’s house (comfy couches and chandeliers), prices are great (seriously), and the staff is superb (not only do they know their stuff, there’s never pressure to buy, you get honest feedback–and they aren’t opposed to an impromptu photo shoot if the piece you find is worthy!).

On my most recent trip I sat down with owner Marie Monsod to get the scoop on the store and her tips for shopping vintage!
Q:What makes Recess different from other resale stores?
A: What really sets Recess apart is the mix. We don’t just sell dresses or casual, we have a wide selection of both contemporary and vintage formal and casual pieces at all price ranges, as well as a great selection of vintage accessories (shoes, hats, belts, bags, scarves, jewelry). Our inventory is part consignment/part store-owned, so there is always something new.

Q: Where do you find some of the amazing pieces that are in the store?
A: I shop everywhere: flea markets, thrift stores, Estate sales, personal closets, other resale stores. I go both low and high–really anywhere I can find things!
Q: What tips would you give to people shopping vintage?
A: Vintage shopping is so different than regular shopping–there’s no guarantee of what you’ll find so it’s hard to plan. The first thing is to know your style and what looks good on you–that way you can begin to recognize pieces that would fit into your wardrobe. However, at the same time you need to open and try things–you may find something that you wouldn’t normally go for, but the fit or the material is so special that you have to have it [sidebar–this happened on my trip to Recess and I left with a green dress that I wouldn’t have picked up, but the fit was too perfect to let it get away]. Also think about the outfit–can you wear it with jeans, dress it up/down, think about all the options. Don’t overlook accessories–a vintage accessory can add uniqueness to any outfit, and that’s what makes dressing exciting–wearing a Zara skirt with a vintage belt can set your outfit apart. Every brand has some cool pieces so find things that fit you. I think vintage shopping is special because unlike shopping at the mall you will never find another piece like the vintage one–so if you find something that is perfect and fits–buy it! Don’t let yourself be a victim of buyer’s remorse. That being said, anytime you have you vintage shop you have to be patient–you may not find something and that’s ok. I always say “don’t force it”. Here at Recess we want you to be happy–so if you need a day to think about it, put it on hold, go home, think about it. Don’t buy anything you don’t love just to buy something.

Q: What are some vintage brands we should ALWAYS buy if we see them?
A: Of course there are the usual suspects-Chanel, YSL, Armani, Gucci, etc; but I think any item that has a “Made in Italy” or “Made in France” label is worth investing in. Old department stores also made their own clothing and it is worth buying–Neiman’s, Saks. The great thing about vintage is that the construction is so superior to most of what is offered now that almost any item you can find that has been taken care of will be a great investment–and will last.
Q: What’s the one turn you think people have about vintage shopping and what you would say to them?
A: I think some people can be turned off by the price of vintage, but I think you have to take in to account everything about the piece. Again, most vintage construction is so good that you’re paying for workmanship that isn’t easily found today. You’re also paying for the rarity–some of the pieces are literally one of a kind and you’re paying for that. At Recess we try to keep our prices down, we really strive to be reasonable, but if there is a high price know it can be a combination of these things as well as brand.

I cannot tell you how many pieces of my own wardrobe have come through Marie and Recess, from amazing Gucci tunics to Saks dresses to hats to vintage lion belts. I always feel like I’m getting a good deal–we aren’t lying when we say the prices are reasonable! And the entire staff will be honest–tell you yes or no, help lead you to a piece that may be perfect for you, and make you feel like a friend! So LA–go shop! And if you’re not in LA, no worries! Marie ships everywhere! Make sure to follow Recess on Instagram (@Recessla) and check out their website Recess LA

And here’s a pic of me trying on everything in the store:

Happy Tuesday! XO RA

Fashion Stories: Wedding Guest

a woman in a teal and gold lame dress under string lights

One of my first posts in this series was about wedding dresses (and how we hang onto them and why) while wearing my great-great-grandma’s wedding dress (you can read about it here). So, in a way, it seems a bit full circle that I’m now writing about being a wedding guest (and what I wore and why) for a recent family wedding.

Let’s be honest: weddings are a great ritual, a great party, a great time and a stressful event for many. Recently my cousin got married (and I’m not sharing pics as it’s not my news but let me say that she was STUNNING and that the event- from top to bottom- by a lake, with gold Dinos as decorations, with family dancing- was just perfect), and like anyone else, I worried about what to wear to the wedding.

I was not a part of the bridal party, but I am who I am, and knowing that Id see family that I don’t often to visit with, when my invitation said “cocktail”, I knew that I wanted to look special (and not upstage the bride). So, below, from lunch with cousins to wedding to the morning after brunch (of which I was a hostess), I break down what I wore and why. Weddings are big stories- for all of us. I hope my choices help you in similar situations, or just inspire you to get dressed up!

Cousins Lunch
a woman in a white silk shirt and lilac corduroy pants with snakeskin mules

The day before the wedding, I had lunch with come cousins I hadn’t been able to catch up with in years! A casual affair, yes, but I wanted to look my best! My choice? A silk shirt with corduroy pants. Easy, seasonal, and yet chic- this combo would work with any color combo (I happened to choose purple and white for my college colors and CFB season!) and while I choose a chic flat, from boots to heels almost any shoe will do!

What I love: it’s easy and yet elegant. Super on point with textures, and easy to customize with colors and shoes!

What I would do differently: I did feel a bit undone. A belt would help, or adding more jewelry!

Wedding
a woman in a teal and gold lame dress on rocks by a lake

You may have read about this dress here. It’s new (to me, vintage Hanea Mori) and when I got it, I knew that I had to wear it to the wedding. I felt as if it were perfect- fallish colors, midi length, long sleeved, and cocktail. But not overpowering – it wasn’t a gown, it’s a cocktail dress- and with the right gold shoes and jewelry, I felt like I nailed it!

What I love: everything. Everything about this dress. The fit. The color. Invite me to all your events so I can wear it again! I also felt like it wasn’t so over the top that I upstaged anyone (the last thing I would want to do!) but yet felt so good in it (and got a ton of compliments!).

What I would change: Not. A. Thing.

Morning After Brunch

a woman in a Dino print button down with sleeves rolled up and black jeans

For the morning after brunch, I knew that I needed something casual (yet chic), and I wanted to make a nod to the happy couple! As the table decorations at the reception were decorated with gold painted Dinos I felt as if a Dino shirt would be incredibly appropriate! Paired with a “nice” pair of jeans (and un-pictured amazing shoes!), it was a hit!

What I loved: Such an inside joke and felt like a cute outfit, even when I was “working”

What I would change: I loved the outfit but as we had to clean before and after the brunch I wish I had brought non-high waisted comfy pants and something I didn’t care about getting dirty for that!

I was very lucky as I didn’t have to travel for this wedding, meaning that if I put something on and it didn’t work I had my entire closet at my disposal. I know that’s not always the case, so a few of my wedding guest dressing tips:

-Plan in advance and take a backup. You just never know!
-Comfort and chic-ness are key. Yes, you want to impress everyone you haven’t seen in ages, but you want to move and dance, etc, with ease. There is a balance to be found!
-Look your best but adhere to the “rules”. Usually this means no white dresses, no overdressing, no upstaging the bridge, etc
-Have fun! Weddings are for the couple- and for families! Enjoy it all, from the event to what you wear!

What have you worn to recent weddings and what concerns about wedding dressing do you have? I would love to help you out with them and hear all about it!

XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Happy Mother’s Day!

InvestmentPiece: Mom's Style

A day for celebrating Mother’s is so great- and yet it can hold grief. I’m lucky today as I get to be with my book club, with my mom, and with a woman who’s like a mom to me. I also get to mother my cats, my shoes, and myself. I hope that if you’re feeling a loss, I hope there’s peace. There are so many ways to be a mom. Even without kids. There are so many ways to mother yourself. No matter what today means for you, I wish you celebration, joy, and love. May this day land gently.

Here’s to us all!

Xo RA

Mom’s Style

I’ve been posting this on my mom’s birthday for a few years now- it’s become tradition. While my mom’s birthday is on Friday this year it’s a big week of her birthday, my birthday, family in, Mother’s Day and prepping for some fun shoots, a deep house clean and family get togethers. My mom and I are close, and yet different. However, as I get older I realize I’m more like her than I think, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Especially now, as some of us are apart from our families, I think about how the women in my life shaped me. I spent the past few years isolating with my mom- it wasn’t always easy, but I’m so grateful we did! Even though we spent the better part of the years not getting dressed up- I still learned about style from her over this past year. And yes, we’re getting dressed today! Hope whatever your relationship with moms are, this season lands easy. Xo RA

InvestmentPiece: Mom's Style

Loves! It’s my Momma’s birthday! (on Friday!) If you haven’t caught on, my mom and I are close, and I can’t begin to describe how much I love her, and how appreciative I am for all she does for me. Mom is a CPA and teaches accounting, she’s our CFO, and while that’s completely different from her creative daughter who thinks shoes are a necessity (I mean I need shoes, I occasionally want to eat); Mom’s style has influenced me and helped me become the fashionista I am today. So, what did I learn from Mom’s style? Glad you asked!

Stay True to Your Style

No matter the trend or what “you’re supposed” to do, sticking to what you love and what works for you is something to be admired–and makes you look stunning! Mom is a big fan of navy. She is known for her love of navy suits, shoes, and bags. There are years when navy is “in” and years when we’ve had to search for navy for Mom. That doesn’t matter to Mom, even when the styles she loves aren’t in she sticks to them. There’s a classic-ness in that, a commitment. That’s not to say Mom doesn’t try new things, but I’ve learned that you don’t need to be a slave to trends, that sticking to things you love is something to be commended, and when you find something that fits you–hang onto it!

Proper Undergarments Matter

Mom and I have had a lot of events recently and at everyone Mom has mentioned that she thinks I might need a slip. (Side note: I have slips, I’m not great at wearing them) Here’s the thing though: Mom may have a point. Lining, slips, proper garments: our clothes fit better when we make sure these things are taken care of. Proper fit is important (Mom is big on that too) and to ensure that the fit flows, proper undergarments help. (And let’s be honest, no one likes the look of lines!)

Invest in Your Suit
Something Mom and I agree about whole heartedly? Your suit, be it an actual suit, jeans or yoga pants, is something to invest in. Mom, being an accountant, is a fan of actual suits and made it a point to invest in good ones each year. Now that she’s in a place where she’s good on suits, Mom is having fun filling her closet with tanks, tops and blouses (both classic and trendy) to wear with her suits. However, she’s always adamant that her suits are high quality, she checks seams and linings, that it’s where she spends her money. And loves, I agree–what you wear the most should be where you invest your money.

Don’t be Afraid to Accessorize

Mom is a more conservative dresser than I am, yes. However, Mom is not too conservative for a great accessory! I can’t remember a time when Mom didn’t leave the house without a scarf, jewelry, pins, or gloves. We do a high tea occasionally, and Mom is always on point with her hats (and gloves!). The lesson? You can always be playful, and the details are always a place to have fun!

While Mom and I may have different opinions about certain fashions, but my Mom has some amazing style, and I’m so grateful she taught me all she knows!

Have some champagne to celebrate!

XO RA

Tailoring in May

a woman in a navy dress with blue polka dots with a corset waist, and nude sandals on stairs with a blue sky and green trees

Beloveds, it is the first Monday in May- which means it’s the Met Gala. If you are SUPER online or super active in certain places you may be wary of supporting what may seem like a display of wealth. The Met Gala raises funds for museums and preservation – under attack right now. And the theme this year? A nod to the history we should honor. And if nothing else, a great tailor job is something to be in awe of- as you know I think a great tailor is a great investment! You can read more about the Met Gala and theme: here, here, and here. I love a great tailor and a great suit! You can look at some of my suit looks here, here, and here. As for me, this First Monday in May- am I wearing the Zac Posen for Gap? Yes. Yes, I am!

a woman in a navy dress with white polka dots with a corset waist on stairs

From suiting to draping to everything in between, a lot of what I love about clothes- a lot of what makes us look amazing in clothes in tailoring. And tailoring involves a lot- beloveds there are tomes, and forums, and spaces devoted to tailoring. My best and most general definition of tailoring is an attention to detail. It’s the nip, the pleat, the fold that makes an item not only fit to perfection- but take on a shape and life of its own. And while I LOVE a good suit (and my ladies, let me say there is nothing chicer than a woman in a great suit!), tailoring also applies to dresses.

(Cats and cool kittens, this is where I could wax poetic about Zac Posen- I have always been in awe of his command of draping and details but at risk of running on and on you can read about Zac here and his position at Gap here. And shop this dress and more of the collection I love (disclosure below) here.

The details I love in this polka dot dress? Besides the dots- and the pockets- the corset details in the waist. The pleats are so precise, the shaping so chic. I love the collar (and there are so many ways to style this- open, closed, off the shoulder, a bit popped like here). The skirt is just full enough, and while the poplin holds its shape- there is still movement. It’s a perfect day dress, and yet it feels special. Tailored to me. Detailed. Perfectly tailored for May.

a woman in a navy polka dot dress with a. corset waist on stairs

What are your thoughts and definitions and wants in tailoring? (This is also a space to chat Met!) And what do you love to wear tailored? I would love to hear everything about it! Again- relinking this exact dress- it is selling out but I can’t recommend it enough! XO RA

Please note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

a woman in a navy polka dot dress with a corset waist

Shop this dress here

Sunday Chronicles: Where do we go from here?

a messy closet with shoe boxes and laundry on the floor

This year- I know it’s May, I am technically counting from when we found the water damage in our house- has been. A. Year. Actually- we could start last summer when I just couldn’t get well, from headaches to intense nausea. The water damage. All of the construction, from our house being a wreck to being new, our things being packed up, and the now crazy process of unpacking and redoing the house. It’s a lot. We are still not together, and honestly it still feels overwhelming (did I mention we are unpacking and putting together a brand new downstairs)?

And, candidly, between being sick (and still struggling to feel my best and to feel like me), the house being in disarray (including my closet), I have been battling depression. I told a friend this was the year I just got out bed. As that it as what often felt like my biggest accomplishment some days. This is not to say that I am not actively clawing my way out and back to me. That we aren’t actively fighting to get the house in a state where we can live and enjoy it. There have been times when it all feels SO big, and it’s hard to see how and where we go and do and all of the things.

Then.

The world. Beloveds, math isn’t my strong suit, I have no economic experience, and will not fear monger with future worries. But. At least, fashion and other wise, we are looking at a period of rising prices and disrupted supply chains. It’s a weird time to be someone who encourages you to shop- a part of me wants to tell you that anything you want now is the time to buy it. Another part wants to tell you to save (I am not a saver when it comes to money). How and where we go from here? Feels just about as overwhelming as the house some days.

Yet, the question remains? Where do we go from here? And how? I know the big answers are: I unpack, get back to myself (another post), and collectively we build community, explore everything from shopping resale to darning to saving. And still? I know simply saying that seems trite as none of those things come quick, or even easy at times. Being aware of all we have to do and where we want to get, doesn’t always mean that we know how or where to start. Or that starting doesn’t feel too big to do.

From my personal to the big stuff- maybe that’s it. This all feels so big. So, where do we go from here? We start. We get out of bed. We do a box, or whatever a day. We resist, we make a new friend. We explore options. And even when the steps feel smaller than a baby’s, we go in the direction we want.

Beloveds, I truly don’t have any answers- and truly am fighting a bunch of my own demons. Yet. I am in this with you, can’t wait to explore and find new things (even if they are new-new) for us, and to be in this with you. Where ever we go, I want to be together.

Wishing us all a week of steps that feel doable and amazing shoes! XO RA

Fashion Stories: I Miss Abandon

Investment Piece: I miss Abandon

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we dress for our days has changed within the past years. Dressing for joy, dressing for function, dressing for bed.
Some disclosures:
-I’ve always had a thing for party dresses and not always enough parties to wear them. Now, I’m getting DRESSED to go to the store, but there is a section of my closest that’s not getting enough wear right now. Yet, I have more than one party dress on my current Wishlist.
-I want to write about how we should buy and wear whatever makes us happy. I DO believe in that. I’ve also ordered a bunch of leggings this week (they’re pants now?) and there are days when getting dressed at all is hard.
-While I love going into stores and finding something I didn’t know I wanted, I also love shopping online. In fact, I’ll tell you online shopping is so easy (and it’s like you get presents!). Right now I’m missing in person shopping.
-Things are difficult for everyone right now. Budgets. Stress. It all. Dressing for anything may not be at the top of our lists. I do think it helps, though.

These pictures are old. From years ago, on a Los Angeles spree, one afternoon in RecessLa (you can read about them here), on a whim I spent several hours trying on things. We took pictures and laughed and just enjoyed the fashion. It turns out, I had a ton of these on my phone. Looking through them made me smile. And for all my thoughts about fashion right now it made me realize:

I miss abandon.

Investment Piece: I miss abandon

I miss spending hours falling in love with new things and trying them on. Imagining where to wear them. I miss finding a thing I didn’t know I needed and walking out of a store feeling new.

There are friends of mine who are already planning to dress BIG whenever they can-from concerts to movies, and I’m with them. Any chance I get I’m DRESSING. And I’m on board with that. But I do worry that I will still miss abandon. The random. The surprises.

I miss good surprises.

So. Now. With what we have. How do we invite abandon in? Order something exciting online? Try a new online store? Shop all the vintage on IG and Etsy? I’m in. But I’m open to all ideas.

How are you dressing with abandon right now? How do you think we should invite it in?

This was a vintage dress, I didn’t get it, but I’ve found similar and have linked them below for us all.

I’m wishing us all a little abandon this week, whatever that looks like!
Xo RA

Investment Piece: I miss abandon

Designer to Know: Pierre Cardin

Investment Piece: Pierra Cardin
Investment Piece: Pierre Cardin

A few weeks ago I got lucky with a vintage find. I stumbled across this darling Pierre Cardin and snapped it up, ironically the day before we lost the great designer. Fate? Luck? Good Vintage Shopping? Maybe a combo of all three. And while I love the whimsy in the pattern of this dress, the way it moves, and the neck tie- from now on I’ll always think about how lucky I was to find it, right when Pierre Cardin (a towering designer before) became an icon past.

Investment Piece: Pierre Cardin

Pierre Cardin , born Pietro Costante Cardin[a] (2 July 1922 – 29 December 2020), was an Italian-born naturalised-French fashion designer. He is known for what were his avant-garde style and Space Age designs. He preferred geometric shapes and motifs, often ignoring the female form. He advanced into unisex fashions, sometimes experimental, and not always practical. He founded his fashion house in 1950 and introduced the “bubble dress” in 1954.

Cardin is responsible for many of the trends that were popular both in the 50s-70s, as well as today. As Wikipedia tells us:

Cardin’s fashion career began in the 1940s, after WW2. Cardin moved to Paris in 1945. There, he studied architecture and worked with the fashion house of Paquin after World War II. He worked with Elsa Schiaparelli until he became head of Christian Dior’s tailleure atelier in 1947, but was denied work at Balenciaga.
Cardin founded his own fashion house in 1950. His career was launched when he designed about 30 of the costumes for a masquerade ball in Venice, hosted by Carlos de Beistegui in 1951. Cardin inaugurated his haute couture output in 1953 with his first collection of women’s clothing and became a member of the Chambre Syndicale, a French association of haute couture designers. The following year he opened his first boutique Eve, and introduced the “bubble dress”, which is a short-skirted, bubble-shaped dress made by bias-cutting over a stiffened base. He was the first couturier to turn to Japan as a high fashion market when he travelled there in 1957.

As haute couture began to decline, ready-to-wear (‘prêt-à-porter’) soared as well as Cardin’s designs. He was the first to combine the “mini” and the “maxi” skirts of the 1970s by introducing a new hemline that had long pom-pom panels or fringes.

Beginning in the 1970s, Cardin set another new trend: “mod chic”. This trend holds true for the form or for a combination of forms, which did not exist at the time. He was the first to combine extremely short and ankle-length pieces. He made dresses with slits and batwing sleeves with novel dimensions, and mixed circular movement and gypsy skirts with structured tops. These creations allowed for the geometric shapes that captivated him to be contrasted, with both circular and straight lines. Cardin became an icon for starting this popular fashion movement of the early 1970s.

Investment Piece: Pierre Cardin

Inspired by space travel and exploration, Cardin visited NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1970, where he tried on the original spacesuit worn by the first human to set foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong. Cardin designed spacesuits for NASA in 1970.

Cardin resigned from the Chambre Syndicale in 1966 and began showing his collections in his own venue. He also designed uniforms for Pakistan International Airlines, which were introduced from 1966 to 1971 and became an instant hit.

In 1971, Cardin redesigned the Barong Tagalog, a national costume of the Philippines, by opening the front, removing the cuffs that needed cufflinks, flaring the sleeves, and minimizing the embroidery. It was also tapered to the body, in contrast with the traditional loose-fitting design, and it also had a thicker collar with sharp and pointed cuffs. A straight-cut design was favored by President Ferdinand Marcos.

In 1975, Cardin opened his first furniture boutique on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. In 1977, 1979, and 1983, he was awarded the Cartier Golden Thimble by French haute couture for the most creative collection of the season. He was a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Prêt-à-Porter from 1953 to 1993.

Like many other designers today, Cardin decided in 1994 to show his collection only to a small circle of selected clients and journalists. After a break of 15 years, he showed a new collection to a group of 150 journalists at his bubble home in Cannes.

Pierre Cardin designed everything from swim to bags to clothes. He sought to sell his brand in the late 1990s, but no sale ever went through. You can still shop his designs in vintage stores, and you can read more about his iconic career (and see his designs!) here, here, here, and here.

Investment Piece: Pierre Cardin

I don’t need all the history to know that I love this dress. But I love getting to know designers, recognizing their works, seeing how much of what I wear has been inspired by and affected by those who came before me. On Etsy (and other vintage sellers) you can find so many Pierre Cardin pieces- from very mod skirts with cutouts to swim to bags to dresses like this one. I’ve linked some of my faves below.

I’d love to know: are you a Pierre Cardin fan? Love knowing about designers?
Xo RA

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: Pierre Cardin

Sunday Chronicles: Living with Wounds

Sunday Chronicles, Investment Piece, wounds, editorial

This was originally posted about a few years ago. I began thinking about this very topic this week when I looked down and realized that some of these very same scars were barely visible. Some are still there, very bright. And I’ve added some new scars. And then there are the scars we can’t see- the emotional and mental ones. It got me thinking about healing, about moving on, about how we live with our scars. In the past year I’ve healed. I’ve gotten hurt. I’ve learned. And when I’ve need them, the people in my life have been there for me. As I think about my scars, and re-read this, I can’t help but think that maybe living with our scars isn’t a bad thing.

Originial Post:
Loves, as you may know, this year has been a doozy when it comes to loss. And in the midst of this, last week there was a small grease fire in my kitchen and I burned my arms. Badly. It’s not pretty. (yes, this was a few years ago, and then this year has been full of sickness and a bit of depression. Which is worse? I am not sure!)

Sunday Chronicles, Investment Piece, wounds
And this is the “good” arm. Loves, it was painful. It is painful. And yet, after the shock and the first aid, my thought was how it would look. And later in the week I again worried about outfits, about shoots, about the fact that right now, unless I fully commit to long sleeves (and even those failed Friday night) I can’t hide the fact that I have wounds on my arms. I’m sure we could chat about my need for perfection, if it’s good that I worry about how it looks, and if those conversations say something about career choices or society as a whole- maybe we’ll get to those later, but for now–wounds. I’m living with them.

And loves, it’s uncomfortable. No matter what our wounds are, having them in the open can be difficult. It’s painful, sometimes on many levels. It invites questions. It can leave you feeling vulnerable. But loves, the only way for wounds to heal are to have them heal, and often that means having them in the open. And while it can be a struggle to live with wounds, it’s brave. It means willing to be vulnerable, to live with questions, to be honest about where you are-pain and all. There’s bravery in that, there’s beauty in that. And while that’s hard for me, I’m learning to live in that space.

I can do nothing about the fact that I have these burns/scars on my arms for the time being. They will be in some photos, as much as I may not like that. But this is where I am. So I’m learning: that being honest about where you are is brave, that being vulnerable about questions and situations is freeing, and that flaws can be beautiful. I’m giving my wounds time to heal, because you can’t rush that, and I’m living there.

I just may have to wear amazing shoes to balance it out.

No matter where you are I’m wishing us all a beautiful week and amazing shoes! XO RA

Fashion Stories: Swim as Street Wear

I love the water, which means that I often am in need of an updated swimsuit. BUT more often than not, when I am shopping for swim I think about fashion. More often than not, when I am shopping for swim I am thinking not about the pool or the beach but about fashion. I have mentioned more than once that I wear many of my swim wear as fashion. From one pieces to bikinis tops, there are so many swim suits that I wear as either body suits or crop tops. Swim as fashion or street wear is nothing new to me- in fact my swim “close” is divided into swim I wear in the water and those I wear with fashion. As we head into not only holiday weeks but into the heat of summer I am looking to update not only swim for the water but swim for the fashion.

I know this is not the only time I have written or worn my swim as fashion (truly, are the two separate?). Every year, once the temps heat up I slip into something a bit swim- and I think my outfits are better for it. (this is usually where I link all the swim I love. I will in future posts! there are also a few cover ups I have my eyes on- and in my cart!)
How do you wear your swim? What do think of wearing swim as fashion?
If you (like me) wear your swim as fashion I would love to see how to style it!
XO RA