Since November I have been needing/wanting/planning to switch my closet from summer to winter.
As mentioned in so many precious posts- the work on the house (and to be fair, all the trauma and big feelings and moves and etc) made that go on that back burner.
Then this weekend- in part of need, but also wanting to help those affected by the fires- I intended to start again. Then we had meeting with contractors, and our reconstruction starts today.
Tell God your plans and make him laugh?
And yet? In the midst of all the crazy– I intend to clean out, switch out, and redo my closet. To give to those who need it. And to help me. So, once again I am looking over my own old advice- taking heed, and will be making adjustments as needed. (You know I will keep you updated!)
On Monday I wrote about staying chic (and warm!) while the weather turns cold….(get refreshed here)…and maybe I tempted the weather? We are experiencing our first real cold snap, and weather, and I have to be honest- I haven’t always looked chic while praying for snow and dealing with freezing rain. This look above? I love it (though let’s be honest- I would really need tights as cold as it is right now!) But I do believe that staying warm doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t be chic….or at least I am trying to convince myself of that and change out of sweats!
Wish me luck on that!
Lucky one of you! I found some one these exact boots in a size 38.5! I do find Miu Miu runs a bit tight so these might be best for an 8- but they are comfy and I can promise compliments!
Please note: this is an affiliate link and while that doesn’t affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
And here’s the part where I say (beyond the cold), I haven’t done much since Tues/Wed as my heart has been breaking watching my beloved LA be ravaged by fires. LA made me who I am, was home for years, and is still a part of me. To watch places I love and go, watch friends lose everything, worry about evacuations, and grieve for all the animals and history— I truly have been paralyzed and grieving. Below are links to organizations on the ground and state wide that are working to get supplies and help to the people and animals that need it. (Also, if you want a more personal gift but don’t want to go the Go-Fund-Me route, if you google Los Angeles restaurants and animal shelters may are taking donations!). We are all a tragedy away from losing everything– and I don’t know what the secret to life is– but I know the most persistent question that life asks us is “Are you your brother’s keeper?” I think we are- we are here to love our neighbors (all of them, even the four legged kind) and take care of each other. Our neighbors need our love right now and I hope you join me in giving what we can.
I feel as if you’re in 1 of 2 main groups when it comes to resolutions (or goals, or making it your year, etc)-
ALL IN:
You’re making vision boards, plans, writing lists, etc. This even applies if you’re one who thinks the “real” new years is Aries season!
Out:
You’re planning on being the same great person you are, and aren’t letting the “pressure” to be “all new” get to you. Or maybe you think that the years should start being better (and not you)- this is also a valid point!
Honestly, I’m historically a bit of both- having big goals and plans, but not going over board with being all in. Mainly, as I have usually been starting years in shapes (not just my body) that I was mostly happy with- so it was simply building on that. However, last year was a year. We are still dealing with the house repairs- which lead to some illness, a bit of depression, and me not feeling like me. So, my overall goal for the year? Get back to me- or perhaps recreate me. From putting passion back into what I love and makes me happy like (like this! Grow our community again) to getting more consistent in my workouts (I know. Cliche!), there are lists of personal (and professional) goals I am determined to work towards, change, etc. So, from vision boards to being accountable here, these below are just a few that I am becoming this year:
Getting Dressed
I know, that sounds so basic! But with how I felt for a chunk of last year- from physically to mentally to it all- there were days it was hard to get out of bed. Getting dressed at times was an impossibility. Yet, getting dressed, playing in my closet, coming up with outfits that bring me joy and tell a story? I really think it’s part of why I’m here (and not just on the blog). So. I’m getting back to. I know that there are days when it will be hard (I write this in my gym clothes that I haven’t changed out of). But we are getting dressed this year!
Consistent in the Gym/Diet
I know this is oh-so-cliche. BUT. I used to love working out- it helped my mental state, I loved the way I looked, and it was social for me. Due to (waves hands in the direction of it all), I haven’t been consistent- and yes, I will admit I want to lose the few pounds I’ve gained, and tone up again– but I also want to feel better. And I know how I eat and move my body affects that.
Beauty
Beauty as both self care and another way to play, skincare to tools, make up and more- I’m in it all.
Dry January
I also want to crush Dry January- as a little kick off (below I’m linking my fave wine alternatives!)
There are other goals of course- I want a creative hobby (I’m going to try embroidery!), to find some balance, get back to blogging and “influencing” (I kinda of hate that word but that’s another story!), to sleep schedules and more- maybe it’s not “new year, new me”, but it’s a better and more happy me.
What are your thoughts on resolutions and what are yours? I would love to know!
XO
I have rounded up a few things I’m buying or thinking of buying to help kick start these resolutions! Please note: these are affiliate links and while that doesn’t change the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Loves. This season. It’s been crazy! I have spent the last 10 days in a hotel (with cats. Who are still traumatized from travel!) and I have gotten home to a kitchen gutted to the studs (did I mention we are hosting for the holiday?). I so desperately want to be on top of things. And tell you that I am still working out and my best, chic self during this time. While I am doing my best- I have to admit SO SO much is falling through the cracks, from gift guides (I can’t even get my own wishlist together! My family may forgo presents all together! It’s been that kinda of crazy!
SO, instead of beating myself up- I am just calling it. WE are on Christmas Break (still shop and keep up with me via links and IG- I will do my best!). Here we will be dark starting today until 12/27, with a special NYE look on 12/30- then back (and hopefully full force! Rested! On top of things!) on 1/3.
No matter what you celebrate, no matter how your season has been- I hope that you are getting to spend time with people you love, that you are surrounded by peace, and you know how much I LOVE having you here.
To a happy holiday and an even better New Year! XO RA
Y’all. What a week. WE have been in a hotel (yes, with the cats) while our house (due to leaks and demos that involve asbestos) was worked on. Our stay (and the work) kept getting extended- and yet. JUST got the call. We GET TO GO HOME. I truly feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz! I can’t believe I get to go home. While I hope to have a semi/last min gift guide up tomorrow, I will be off till tomorrow afternoon working on moving back home!
Hi My beloveds! Good news/bad news? We have a timeline for the repair and demo due to this huge, unexpected (is there any other kind??). And I am thrilled with some plans and even like the contractor. The bad? We have to be out today (Sunday. For a week. Yes, moving into a hotel with cats. Pray. Send all the vibes!). Which means I have been quiet and frantically packing. While I think we will make it, there has been no time to do anything but prepare for this. I will be shooting and have so much to share. We will be dark till Wednesday and then will resume our regularly schedule! Thank you so much for being patient and being here and your support. I hope that – for me, instead of me- you’re out wearing something fantastic and telling stories. And please tell them to me!!
This season of my life has been— trying- to put it mildly. Getting through the days can somehow take all of me, and as much as I love my fashion I find myself in sweats more often than not. And it’s taking a toll- I yearn for party dresses and fancy shoes and all the things I love (which does include being here with you!). **
** A small house update- we are moving into a hotel (cats and all) next week while demo starts on the parts of the house affected by the leak and mold. That means this week (and last) we have been frantically packing and organizing. Again, it’s been a lot. My hope is that a week away and then the start of house work lets us settling into a routine, and let me get dressed again.
I am struggling right now, not only with all the chaos, but getting into anything looking like a routine, getting dressed for real, and staying consistent here. Honestly, I don’t know what the next few weeks will look like. But. I have things that I want to wear, and share. So- we are working to see what a sustainable schedule here for the next few weeks will look like. I will update you on that- in the meantime you can always shop with me via affiliate links in bio. And I will send out a special newsletter with gift suggestions. (You can also sign up for the newsletter here!).
Back to business? Not in the way that I would like, but we’re getting there. And we are excited to dress the part.
Thank you for staying here with me, your patience, and your support!
XO RA
BTW these “business” (yet fun) pants can be found here (yes, that is an affiliate link. Yes, I may earn commission, but it won’t affect the price for you. As usual, thank you! )
I know, we are taught that we shouldn’t talk politics (though may be we should as then we could work some things out!). And that there are those of us who would love to not be political. However, the truth is, everything is political. Even my beloved fashion.
Women in pants and suits? Political. Hemlines? Political. Slim cut for men? Political. Fashion is a language with which we tell our stories and communicate- which makes it political, and means our outfits can have oh-so-many meanings. You might not like to deal with politics, but politics deal with you.
So, knowing that, here in the States we have a chance tomorrow to get political and vote for the world that we want. I voted early- and am passionate in my beliefs- but even if you don’t agree with me, I hope that you use this chance to be a little political. Our stories and our votes matter- and here’s to a new chapter for both!
This is where I tell you that recently things have been a lot. There’s the house issues (a recap here and and even here), and semi related health issues (aka I haven’t felt great in months, which has affected my work outs and feeling great in my body- which feels so vain to say. But yep), and there are days when just getting up has been a struggle (much less getting dressed. And we know how I LOVE to get dressed!). Just. A Lot over here. (over on IG today I say the thing that I am probably not supposed to say- that this is all depressing to me, which is also affecting me).
And then. On top. Also. Even with all this. I went to my closet today. Even not feeling great in my body. Even being a little down. I was excited to get dressed. To shot. To plan. And it felt all the same.
-This is when we can chat about how sometimes fast fashion and continuous new makes us feel as if we need and need but nothing changes.
-We can chat about ruts and how perhaps we have go-to’s that serve us until they don’t. This is also where I share that I have a great friend who I used to go to sample sales with (we still would but we no longer live in the same town!)- we would shop separately and then share our picks before deciding. I had a habit of collecting grey shirts. Tees. Blouses. Sweatshirts. (I still have that habit!). And while I can tell you the difference between each one, it does lead to having a bit of one thing in your closet. And while there are ALWAYS so many, many ways to style anything – I get being tired of things. -I looked at my closet today and it was all black- and leopard. A lot of the outfits I came up with felt the same.
And it is valid to feel as if much of fashion is the same right now. That’s another conversation in and of itself. Yes, styling and your take on anything can help. But as much as I believe that, there are even times when I get it. I’m with you.
If it is all the same to you to and if it feels all the same to me, how do we get out? How do we change that? How do we make it different?
Right now I am in a season of figuring it out. I truly don’t know the answers. I am still in my closet- playing and switching, working out my life to feel great in that and in my clothes. It is a process. And takes some play. Some adventure. What I do know is that perhaps, in these last few months of the year, we can discover it together. All the same? Let’s chat about how they are different!
I owe you an apology. And an explanation. And to get back to me– and this, our wonderful fashion community here.
As I told you last week, here, we had a massive leak under the dish washer which has lead to the majority of flooring in the downstairs of my house to be replaced. It’s overwhelming on its own- and we are still waiting on insurance and workers to come. What has been happening the past week? Movers and Packers have come- by the way this house is so full of china and books, and things and that’s not even touching my closet– and begun boxing everything up. To sit in your house (that feels as if it’s falling apart) and watch others pack your things is uncomfortable at best. Awful at worst. And there have been issues- things getting packed that we need, the cats being herded (and acting out), our own big feelings about this.
**** Super side note, this has made me even more empathetic to the recent hurricane victims who have lost everything. OR are going through worse clean up than we are. IF you have anything to give I would recommend giving it. I have donated to get formula to babies and to animal rescues trying to take care of all those pets!*******
I know we have been through a lot here- but this all has felt so big and consuming and overwhelming. Days when we couldn’t use the kitchen, all of the above, and this all hitting when I thought I would get out of my slump and “restart”. My reaction? I have shut down. I have down the bare minimum, while still shopping, I have even avoided social media and friends as it was too much. Not. what I am most proud of, but what’s been happening.
The reality? I have no idea when things will get back to normal. We don’t even know when the packers will be done, when the workers will begin taking out and then replacing floors, how anything will look. Most likely for months. And it hit me this week that I can’t spend months avoiding, not getting dressed, just wanting it to be over. As you may know, I believe in our fashion because I believe in our stories. Part of mine right now is chaos. And I can lay down OR I can get comfortable in that. Get dressed during that. Pull myself out of a rut and learn to thrive in that.
Or at least that’s my plan. I don’t want to disappear on you- on us- on myself or my shoes. I am telling you right now is not easy for me. (and yes, I did think about pretending everything is aok but that’s not fair to my story. Or you) But I’m back. I’m going to tell the next few months in AMAZING outfits. And I am asking for your forgiveness and your thoughts– and maybe your grace when I feel overwhelmed.
We will be back on Sunday for Chronicles (we may be chatting about the upsides here? A bit of redecorating on ins? getting to tap dance on the floors?) and starting Monday new outfits. And yes! While we only have 2 Weds before Halloween left my top 2 fashion halloweens for this year are all ours (and I can’t wait to share them with you). In good news? I got a shower and did “get dressed” today?
May chaos is a thing we can get comfortable – and get dressed in. Here’s to doing it with you!
XO RA
