This Wednesday my Aunt passed away unexpectedly. It’s been a time of shock, grief and wondering how best to support and remember our loved ones. You’ll forgive me- my schedule got out of wack and I’ve been feeling as if jumping into new (which we have!) isn’t best here. How I honor, remember and love is often through fashion. My aunt had a huge heart- and she was kind enough to give me so many amazing pieces. Like the coat above. And a polka dot Victor Costa which I’ve never photographed for the site, but may need to. Please indulge me while I take a moment to honor and remember my aunt through our shared fashion- stories. There’s never a bad time to tell your people that you love them. And if you too find yourself with an unexpected loss I hope it gets easier- because I’m hoping that it does get easier!
XO RA
My Aunt’s suede coat that she gifted me My Aunt’s Diane Fries that she gifted me
There are so many movies out that I’m currently excited to see. And a few that I had planned content around. Then. SAG-AFTRA (The acting union) of which I’m a proud member, went on strike, and we’ve been told not to promote work from a struck company. And of course I’m sure someone would find some gray area in that. But I just couldn’t bring myself to. In fact, I had some thoughts!
In solidarity with my brothers and sister working for fair pay and with you and amazing outfits!
XO RA
I will admit that I have mixed feeling about recommending/encouraging/promoting Amazon- not because I don’t love deals but because I want to move to ethical fashion. And I can’t trust that Amazon is ethical. On the other hand? I can’t deny that I shop there- from beauty to some fashion. And I also won’t keep what I’m doing for you. So, let’s just say that we’re working on getting better with our shopping choices (as we know slow is best) while participating in a deal. Complicated? Yes. A chance to really think about what we want and want to buy? Of course.
And with that out of the way, there are a few things that I must recommend to you. From the SolaWave (I’ve had mine less than a week and am amazed at the results) to red light therapy bands (recommended by my dr!) to crochet dresses (on trend and upcoming I’ll show you all the ways I’m styling mine!) to slip and sculpting dresses. There are so many things on sale for Prime Day(s), so I’ve narrowed it down to my ultimate favorites. Anything you’re loving and think we all have to have? I’d love to hear about it!
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!
Beauty
The must have item is the SolaWave, followed by the red light therapy belt, but I also love these silk pillowcases and face tools!
Fashion
Included: My new fave sneakers, crochet dress, slip dresses, and sets!
What are you buying or have bought on Amazon Prime Day? I want to hear all about it!
It’s the day after a national holiday- here in the states. As the holiday fell on a Tuesday for some this is the end of a 4 day weekend, and for others we worked Monday, had Tuesday off, and are now back to work. A bit discombobulating all by itself. Add in that it’s midsummer, mid year, incredibly hot, and so many are on vacation (in Europe and Japan according to my IG! Which I love! I wish I was with you!) and this week just feels- a little bit like a hangover.
Not like a horrid hangover. But one of those times when being productive isn’t really attractive, you kinda just want to lay in bed all day, getting dressed seems hard, and any little thing you do feelS as if it needs a reward. Basically this week, especially when it’s short or choppy, feels as if we’re moving through water. And not in the glamorous swimming way. So, what do we do? How do we cure the holiday hangover?
For me, the cure is 2 fold. First, I let myself rest and take it easy- mainly as I’ve learned from hangovers and years past that pretending as if hangovers aren’t here and pushing ahead make everything worse. (like headaches and many aspirins and avoiding to do lists with the accompanying guilt worse). We don’t like to claim that the day after a holiday is a holiday – but let’s be honest, it’s not the best work day so I plan ahead. Pre-schedule, light-schedule, whatever we call it- I do it. Second, I plan ahead, not just for the day after but the week after. I try to give myself a break down of what to do each day and plan in advance for everything from exhaustion and setbacks to breaks and post ahead- I find it helps.
Third, not a true hint but what I do, now that we’re in another odd holiday week, in the mid year mark, I try to take a step back and think: what do I really want to do this year? What do I need to get done still? What do I want to wear? Who do I want to be? And what do I need to do to get there?
These are incredibly personal questions, whose answers may change through the season. What I know is that I’m taking stock, making plans, and adjusting my wishlist.
Taking it easy and shopping for who I want to be? Sounds like a great holiday week to me! Below I’ve linked everything from swim cover ups (that will double as glam dresses) to work skirts to swim I want to wear for the rest of the season. It informs where I want to go from here- and if that’s what we get from a holiday hangover I’ll call it a win!
XO RA
Note: This post does include affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you I many earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
This is the official 4th of July weekend – and to me it’s always felt like the beginning of summer here in the states. We’ve been a bit off here at Investment Piece (see hacking issues!) but had a planned holiday this weekend (not just for the national holiday but for a little r and r!). Turns out I’m having a staycation- I plan on cleaning my closet, getting some sleep- and shooting amazing content for you! We’ll be back next Wednesday (the 5th!) with fresh content, and excited to see you. In the meantime, please shop along with me (IG, LiketoKnowIt, ShopStyle Collective- truly everything is on sale!) and get a glimpse at what I’m up to (mainly cleaning and cats!). If you’re off and celebrating I hope that you have a great holiday! If this is an average weekend for you, I hope it’s restorative! Happy Summer! Happy Outfits! Happy let’s rest a bit this weekend!
As you probably know, the site has been hacked (apparently it’s a normal thing on WordPress and yes, we are exploring all the things to prevent it from ever happening again from switching platforms to more security to all the things), and yet- (as of now) we got it back! Yay!
In the frustration and tears and more than one screaming session (not proud of that but true), I got the advice to simply walk away from this site. From us. From our stories. It hit me like a punch. Not only because I’ve worked for years on this site. Not only because it’s my work- and what I like to think is my purpose- telling stories with fashion. But because it would mean saying goodbye to us (ironically without a goodbye), and I couldn’t do that.
For more than one reason- the stories, the work, the community- I couldn’t give up on this site, or us. But it did have me wondering- what are our stories worth? I continue to tell you that fashion is simply a way to tell our stories- and I believe in our stories. However, when it comes down to it, what do we do to protect our stories? To fight for them? What are they worth to us?
I am such a fan of our stories, I’m such a fan of fashion, I’m such a fan of us- when it came to it, I needed to face that these were things that I was willing to fight for.
Like anything else, it’s easy to say that something (stories, fashion, community) are important to you as long as those things come easily. When things are going our way? Everything works and everything matters. When things get tough? Maybe it’s that we learn what we’re made of (or what we really love to wear), or maybe it’s that we learn what our stories are for. I’ve always thought that fashion was a way to tell our OWN (aka personal) stories (that can be universal), and yet – our stories are so much bigger than that. Our stories are me. And you. And us. And all of our details and all of our generalities. Our stories (and fashion) are worth fighting for. After this experience, I truly believe that.
I know that after these hacks we have to regain your trust. I know that it may have been upsetting to see the redirected scam site (it upset me too!). I promise that I will work to regain your trust, and to prevent the hack from ever happening again. I’m glad you’re here. I believe in us, in our stories, and in what we’re worth. I hope to see you again soon!
Since spring I’ve been intrigued by all of the pull on jeans out there! Would they be more comfortable than a traditional waistband? Suck me in a bit more?
As you can see, I got a pair of the Spanx pull on wide leg- and I love them. They have been harder to get on/off than I thought (if you’re bigger in the hips I would suggest sizing up!), but that’s becoming easier and easier! This pair is a bit big in the waist (but my natural waist is super high and that’s part of it) but I love the way they look and how high they are!
While I can’t speak to every pair of pull on jeans out there, these I can whole heartedly recommend! I’ve linked them for you below (for reference I’m in a XS/Tall). Do you have any pull on jeans that you love?
XO
note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
This the Friday before Memorial Day and it’s the start of Summer. I’m taking off work to be with friends and family and spend time in the water. (Though you can shop along with me via the LTK or SHOPSTYLE apps!) This Weekend? I’ll be cleaning out my closet like here, wearing swim like here and being with family. Follow along on my socials and I can’t wait to see you back on Wed to share more fashion and stories!
(Also-please let me know what you’re up to this weekend! I love seeing your fashion and stories!)
Xoxxo
RA
This post could easily be about how I love the color purple (see here, here, and here for starters). Or I could tell you about how this weekend I was my mom’s date to her 50th College Reunion, where I not only had a great time but realized I’m at the age where graduations make me cry. But what this post is really about is making an outfit your own.
And when we talk about that, it usually means that the styling is very you. However, this time I made this dress my own when I altered it on the fly! Yep! I did!
You’ve seen this dress before here, it’s a sweet homemade number from the 1970s that’s always made me smile. Yet, as easy as it is to throw on and go, the top kept fitting me oddly. Not TOO big, but a little off.
It didn’t bother me at first, but over the night it began to be a little obvious (to me) that the fit of the dress would improve if the straps were a little shorter/tighter. The issue could have been solved with a safety pin, or even a paper clip, but I didn’t have one on me. As I was my mom’s date I didn’t want to make a scene, but was beginning to worry that my fit might turn into a fashion emergency. While sitting through a presentation with my uncle, I happened to ask him if he had a pocket knife (desperate times, desperate measures), but he had something even better- scissors.
I discreetly slipped out to the restroom, cut the straps of the dress, and tied them in a halter around my neck. (I tied the ends in slight knots till I have a chance to hem those!) My look and my night was saved – all by a slight alteration!
While altering the state of your outfit on the fly can be risky- sometimes it’s needed. And if it makes you feel best in the look, isn’t that what counts? Have you ever altered your outfit on the fly? From cutting straps to taping hems, I want to know all about it!
This dress is vintage, but I found you some similar ones- hopefully you don’t have to alter them on the fly!
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!
As someone who has background in theater, I have mixed feelings about reviews. I have friends and peers who avoid them like the plague, colleagues who take every word of every review to heart, and the elusive person who is somehow able to take the constructive criticism out of reviews and forget about the rest. I strive to be like the last person, but honestly? Getting reviewed is hard, especially if it’s a project that’s personal.
So, what does that have to do with fashion? Beyond the similarity that having someone criticize your outfit can be awful, reading reviews is how I’ve recently upped my online shopping game.
I have always loved online shopping-the convenience of buying at anytime from anywhere, it’s like getting a gift in the mail from yourself, and you can avoid dressing rooms (which I have a love/hate relationship with). There are so many good things from online shopping. And yet- there are some downfalls too. Even though I sometimes hate trying clothes on (I know, it’s weird- I think it’s the combo of getting undressed/dressed, body issues, and poor lighting), not being able to see (or feel) what you’re buying in real life can be annoying. And lead to even more annoying returns.
Yes, even though I can hate trying clothes on I do recognize that it is an important part of getting clothes you love and will wear! Part of what I love about online shopping is that I can do the try on in the comfort of my own home!
Usually, my online shopping is on point, but lately I’ve had a few orders that were just off. The size was completely wrong, the material felt so much cheaper that I was expecting, the tailoring was undone. Returns are often annoying and time consuming, and to save myself the pain of that, I have made it my mission to become a better online shopper. How I’m doing that? By reading reviews.
It’s not that I never read reviews before, but I often let my desire for the item be the driver of my purchase. But now? I’m paying attention to the reviews, I’m loving seeing how others react to pieces, and I’m grateful for the input of amazing strangers! While I don’t always go solely by the reviews, I’m finding that there are a few things in reviews that really help me shop better!
Pictures
Reviewers who post pictures are saints among us. It’s so helpful to seee pieces on real bodies, as sometimes the models have been pinned into the clothes! When I’m looking at pictures, I look to see fit, how the garments drape, if there are any obvious issues. It’s so helpful to see the item being worn!
Consistency
We’re all different, with different body types, preferences, etc. Naturally, that can lead to varying reviews. However, if I find that a bunch of reviews have the same comment or concern, I take it seriously. Recently, there was a skirt I loved-yet every single review said that the waist seemed to run small in comparison to the rest of the skirt, leading to bunching. It wasn’t just one or two reviewers, but a consistent review. I didn’t buy the skirt, as I trusted all the reviewers!
Details
Often reviews can be incredibly general. Simply “fits great!”. I know it’s so easy to be that general, and I find myself sometimes doing the same thing. So, anytime a reviewer adds details, ie the waist is high, the darts aren’t even, etc I take it into account! Details are incredibly important (And I’ll try my best to add them in here!), and can make or break a garment- or shopping decision!
Obviously, when I’m online shopping I still think about how much I love the item, how I can style it, price, etc- but reading reviews has really helped me in my shopping. Do you read reviews? What do you look for in reviews?
