Almost Missed This..

Here it is- Again February. Again in the 80s. And again, I’ve been putting off wearing these pants (and more!) as it needs to be perfect! What is with that? Why is a great outfit something I put off? NO idea of there are answers here – but is a prod to not put off great outfits in the pursuit of perfect outfits!

a woman in a grey sweater tank with black wool split waist pants and black heels
a woman in a grey sweater tank with black wool split waist pants and black heels
a woman in a grey sweater tank with black wool split waist pants and black heels
a woman in a grey sweater tank with black wool split waist pants and black heels
a woman in a grey sweater tank with black wool split waist pants and black heels

I fell in love with these wool blend split waist (yep- that hint of grey isn’t a mistake! The waist on these pants has a high and a low portion– and I just love it!) and have had them for a while. Every time I reached for them, I stopped myself– not because I didn’t want to wear them but because I worried that I didn’t have the “perfect” top to go with them. I wanted to highlight this special and cool waist band! Shirts I looked at: sheer, corset, rouched, seamed, cropped–I felt like it had to be the perfect, most perfect thing to wear.

**Sidenote: perhaps my deep need to have things be perfect explains why I’m so drawn to party dresses! Just something I’m thinking about!

Back to these pants!

Searching for “perfect” kept me from wearing and styling these pants. That I love! Then, this week (while, yes, it’s still February) the weather turned. Hot. It was in the 80s yesterday! And as stylish as these pants are– they are wool and something tells me sweating in them in the extreme heat will not be stylish. My time was now or never- so I grabbed a tank (sweater tank to be exact) and styled them. And you know what? It’s perfect. I love the ribbing matching the stripe on the sides. I love that it’s a bit winter and a bit spring.

And to think: I almost missed this. (I also thought about the double entendre that it was possible to “almost miss” the waistband!)

What are we missing out on by holding onto a way “things should be”? Or what are we missing by waiting for perfect? I don’t know– but I know we probably don’t want to miss them. Advice on how to stop letting perfectionism get in our way is not something I should be giving–I am still working on it myself. But. I know that I almost missed this great outfit (and almost missed sharing it with you!) because I was trying to make it perfect- instead of trusting that it would be. That’s not how I want to live my life. And I also want to wear these pants!

So- what if we just go for all those things? I’m in if you are!

(In the spirit of just that I’ve linked shopping options for you below!) 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!

a woman in a grey sweater tank with black wool split waist pants and black heels

Trying to be Chic….

fashion, blogger, high fashion, fashion stories, winter's last stand
fashion, blogger, high fashion, fashion stories, winter's last stand
fashion, blogger, high fashion, fashion stories,
fashion, blogger, high fashion, fashion stories, winter's last stand

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!

Investment Piece: Eclisped by Gold

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.

XO RA

World Central Kitchen

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

The YMCA and other local community centers are also accepting donations- as is LA Humane Society

Stay warm and safe and loving out there!

Going Home!

a close up of red sparkly heels on wood floor

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!

Thank you for your support during this time!

XO RA

Statements

a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots
a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots
a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots
a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots

There is a generally believed fashion “statement” that your outfit really only needs one statement piece. You can have the one- plan your outfit around it. The thought being that perhaps more than one statement would be messy. Or loud. Too much. (Note: these things are not always bad). And while I don’t disagree that this is a good rule of thumb, I also believe that rules are made to be broken.

As a surprise to no one, I love juxtaposition and a bit of rule breaking.

The thing is- I do believe that two statements can compliment each other. See above?!? This blazer with the (attached) floral appliqué is a statement unto itself. It could command and stun outfits from jeans to skirts to shorts (like here). Likewise, red boots? Was there ever such a statement? These boots were made to pop with anything you pair them with (though we know I also love to use “pops” as casual pieces). Either of these pieces could be their own statement, could be the center of an outfit.

And yet? I love them together. They balance, play off of, and make winter shorts (pair with tights or hose!) a fun thing!

a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots
a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots
a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots

So. How do you pair two statements together to make a coherent and not “too much” outfit? There is some trial and error (never be afraid to play- worse case you can change!), but here are my general guidelines for mixing statements:

-Keep most of the outfit monochrome. For example, while this blazer is a statement it is the same color as most of the outfit from shorts to tights to sunglasses. While the blazer will always be a statement, keeping it the same color allows for a bit of a blend!

-Keep the outfit “classic” and let details be the statement. Blazer and boots? Simple and classic. The statements here are the color of the boots (that are allowed to pop as the rest of the outfit is the same color) and the floral appliqué.

-Keep in mind that proportions, accessories and more can be the statement. A great brooch and a belt? Statements. Shoes and a statement scarf? Statement. The great thing about combining statements is that you can start by combining pieces you feel comfortable with- and then venture out into pieces that may be a step for you!

Any outfit that you may feel cautious about (from shorts to statements to everything in between) I suggest playing with- get dressed, sit at home, take some pictures, run to the grocery store in. That way you can adjust. HUGE swings (In my opinion) shouldn’t be taken on days where you can’t change if needed!

a woman in blazer with a floral appliqué , black shorts, black hose, and red boots

And speaking of statements: I have found these exact ones for you
(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!)

This exact blazer can be found here
And these boots can be found here.

I would love to know- what are your favorite statement clothing pieces and how do you/have you ever combined them? XO RA

a woman in black shorts, black hose, red boots, and a black blazer with a floral appliqué

Playing Around

a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top
a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top
a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top
a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top

I know, I know – it maybe doesn’t feel as if it’s the time of year to play. There’s so much to do, the holidays can be overwhelming (from family to travel to gift giving and buying), and if you’re like me you’re so so behind. When I start to think (or overthink) about all the things on my to-do list (and then look around at my upcoming house repairs), I truly don’t want to play. Or holiday. And yet- playing is I think what’s needed at this time of year. It’s what makes the season oh-so magical.

Here- I am not playing with holiday themes per se (though this is a great combo for a Thanksgiving outfit!) but with layers:
this is a workout onesie (jumpsuit?) under a
vintage leather skirt
paired with a chiffon leopard print top.

All of these pieces would be fantastic on their own- or paired with like fabrics. But- what if layering wasn’t just a piece under a sweater or a coat? Or what if leather went with a soft fabric?

a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top

And let’s not forget the strappy (Apple is telling me that’s not a word but Carrie Bradshaw and I would beg to differ!) gold shoes! That add just a bit of whimsy.

I am playing with all these options- and then the posing. Against a blank wall. Popped hips. Pulled shoulders.
Lately (with all the chaos in my life and the house), I have worried that I have lost my fun in both dressing and taking pictures (part of the basis this very blog is based on). And when you LOVE something – like playing dress up and wearing outfits and taking pictures of them– it is awful when you feel as if you may be losing it. The only way I know to get it back? Playing. Trying things on. Pairing things up.

Honestly? Originally, I didn’t plan to wear any of these pieces together. I started with a completely different look- hated it- was going to the gym so had the onesie on- then started to play. And I LOVED it. I ended up wearing this combo to 2! different meetings!

a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top
a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top
a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top

And the playing around didn’t stop. Yes- the blouse (linked below) is traditionally meant to be worn with the zipper in back (though that does leave you with still oh-so-much room to play as the zipper goes both ways!), but I couldn’t help but realize that put on backwards the top is still oh-so-chic. And takes a look to a completely different level!

I know – tis the holiday season and it’s oh so full and the to-dos and musts are overwhelming. But. The holiday season is nothing without magic. And magic is impossible without play. So- I hope that your shopping from food to gifts is as painless as possible. That family is easy going. That Hallmark movies have nothing on you. But I also hope that you have time to play around (and make your own magic). Even if it’s just an outfit combo. Or a picture.

This skirt is vintage, these shoes are from seasons ago- but I’ve linked options as well as this exact top and catsuit (onesie?) below. XO RA

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

a woman in a brown leather skirt, black leggings, gold heels, leopard chiffon top

StateMent Skirt

a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes
a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes
a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes
a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes
a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes

I know. A skirt can be oh so many things. But in this case? I love it as a statement!

Also this statement is absolutely a bit like Carolina Herrera- aka add a white button down to anything and love that it can be both a foil and a statement to a piece that’s a statement in itself. AKA I love that this skirt- an absolute statement- is eased and complimented with this button down. Ok. And may be the unbuttoned down of it. And these shoes? As always and forever my first instinct is to wear heels with everything and anything. And yet. I LOVE the play against what may be a party piece- and we know I love a party anything- but that flats make a bit everyday.

And who doesn’t want every day to be a party? Or dress like every day is an occasion? Or proof that an investment (this one is actually my Grandma’s!) like a button down is a must from jeans to party?

a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes
a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes
a woman in a white button down and a blueish/purple dot with red and red cage shoes

The thing about a skirt? It can be just a piece. Like. Something you wear with great: shoes (from heels to boots), tights to bare, any sort of shirt you love- including a button down. (Or a jacket or a crop or anything else – all which might be a great fit here!) AKA, perhaps a skirt which is often seen as a piece of clothing is something that can be SOMETHING.

Here? A statement. Such a statement. The colors? The folds and form? The actual structure? All Statements. And when you let a piece be a statement- A la this skirt being the focal point of the outfit (even with the red shoes that are not only a pop of color) but a bit of a statement themselves- that then alone would be a statement but in the mix are a compliment.

I guess the lesson this is that we should lean into any combination that allows a pattern or a piece or a color to pop (and we pair those with a button down that is also both a statement and a basic), and if this means a skirt. Then we statement skirt. Here I do love the colors (fun fact! In my family of 4 we can’t decide what color these dots- yes my fave pattern are- a shade of purple? Royal Blue? A bit of both? Let me know what you see!)

Linked below is this amazing skirt- both structured and formed with an amazing color- from the JCrew x Christopher John Rogers collar, these shoes, and some options for a top(I think everyone should have more than one GREAT button down and if you need help shopping for one please let me know!)

Why be shy? Let’s all make a statement this week- and going forward! 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 the support!

these exact pieces can be shopped

a woman in a bold polka dot skirt and white button down and red flats

Boot Season

a woman in red cowgirl boots standing on a white fireplace

While the weather turns cooler (or at least I hope it is cooler where you are. We *hopefully * or *alledgedly* are getting a cool -cold!- front this week, and I for one am hoping this at least means temps in the 60s. Yep. It’s bad out there!), I know we are supposed to be talking about sweaters. And I do love a great sweater, knit, tight, etc. But truly? I am a boot gal. Perhaps it’s that I have and always will be a shoe gal- but boots- from classic to these red cowgirl boots (everything I have always wanted) to studded and more- boots are the versatile piece you need for fall that can take you from basic to statement.

What can you wear with boots? Shorts. Skirts. Dresses. Jeans. Pants. Tights. Socks. From knee high to ankle boots to the ones that go up to your thighs- your boots at this time can be oh-so-seasonal and yet so chic! Pair with a simple dress/skirt/short? Even when it’s hot, they’re on trend. Pair with tights? Those same outfits are winter coded.

Truly, there is nothing you can’t wear boots with- and there are so many boots to be worn. From classic styles and colors, to the above red cowgirl boot that you make the focal point and statement? You could fill a closet with boots and yet not be bored with any of them! I know that the same could probably be said about different sweaters (from types to patterns to lengths, etc) but boots are such a fall staple- and I love being able to tow the line with them also being the star!

Side note? Boot Season note?
The above red cowgirl boots have been on a wishlist of mine since I was 5! 5! Do I think that they might heal me? Well. They won’t hurt! And from jeans to shorts and dresses and more- I can’t wait to wear these as a basic and as a statement.

(Obligatory: 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!)

You can shop these exact same red boots here (and I think they are on sale now!)

a woman in a tan suede skirt and such boots

I don’t just love cowboy (girl?!) boots. I loved studded. Riding. Classic. Patterned. Oh so many boots- and yes. There are so many in my closet. And so many on my wishlist. Below are some that I am loving this season. I can’t wait to show you all the different pairs I have/may get and how to style them.

Do boots excite you as much as sweaters? What’s your excitement in cold weather? I would love to hear all about it!

XO RA

Uninspired

a woman in a black knit sleeveless dress with snakeskin boots
a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots
a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots
a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots
a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots

The thought pieces, blog posts, social media posts, etc that tell you to get a capsule wardrobe or to invest in investment pieces (yes, I see what I did there!)- they are merely trying to prepare you. I am all for statement pieces. Fun. Impulse. Yet- I know that time after time, investing classic (that can be fun!) pieces- a capsule if you like, investments if you’d rather- let you get dressed even when you’re uninspired. It doesn’t matter why- we all have times from personal to societal grieve that getting dressed seems hard. And days when we are too tired or stressed or uninspired to pick out “big and bold” outfits. And times when in general we just don’t have the energy. So what to do when you’re uninspired?

Rely on your closet. Your basics- elevated or not. Your investment pieces- from classic to designer. This means that even when you don’t want to, even when it feels overwhelming- you can get dressed. And look chic. Or at least put together. I get it- I have been there this week. So when I had to get out and actually be dressed- a great black knit and a pop (aka snakeskin boots) were an easy reach- but oh so chic! And most importantly, when I was uninspired low effort.

a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots
a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots
a woman in  black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots

How do you build a closet or wardrobe that lets you get away with being uninspired? IMO a ton of classics- from dresses to trousers, blazers, blouses, and a bit of black. But. A but of fun-from graphic tees to pops of color in accessories and a bit of leopard. Simply great pieces that lend themselves to being paired together. Vintage. New. All a bit of the tailored, a bit of your personality, a lot of what you can throw on and feel dressed in. There is so much to say about this- but as always I think that any piece you can buy that you can wear in oh-so-many-ways and in oh-so-many-circomstances- and oh-so-classic with just a touch oof personality. Those are the clothes to get- so those days or months or years when you are just uninspired- you can still get dressed.

The best part of building a closet like this is that you can just get dressed. No overthinking. No worrying. Just get dressed. Uninspired? What if that lead you to still being oh so chic and on trend and classic? What if that’s what we strife to be? Uninspired but still able. Still chic. Still going on.

Linking all sorts of options for you belong- uninspired or not! 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!

Shop my options here

a woman in a black sleeveless knit dress with snakeskin boots

Magic in a Dress

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

As much as I believe in fashion, and our stories, and how the the two are connected- there are times when all of the things (our stories and our fashion) are just magic. Like this vintage Hanea Mori (more on her below!) that I got from Pickled Vintage (check my IG stories today for my current picks from her!) that I recently wore to my cousin’s wedding (more on that next week on Fashion Stories!). Maybe it’s the teal or the gold, or the subtle pattern- or the fitted waist and button back- but this dress made me feel magical. It was magic. And if the people who came up to me and complimented me on the dress had anything to say- it was a hit!

Another way to say that this was magic in dress- on a magical night!

So what makes a dress magic? For me, it’s part how it makes you feel (aka the fit, the color, the details) and part where you wear it to (I am one to always overdress but it helps when your outfit fits the occasion!). Also, magic is a bit elusive, some times you have a great dress and a great event- and while you look great you lack that magic. While we can’t plan or demand magic my secret for this is doing just a little bit more.
AKA:
– going to a cocktail event? Wear a dress with a bit of metallic, glam, or glitz. Just righton the edge of formal
-Wear amazing shoes (a way of life) but especially at any sort of event
-Statement Pieces. From Jewelry to the dress or shoes, there should be one piece on you that subtly stands out.

You can’t always do magic on demand, but you can create the right environment for magic to flourish!

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

About Hanea Mori:

Hanae Mori (Japanese: 森 英恵, Hepburn: Mori Hanae, /həˌnɑːeɪ ˈmɔːri/, 8 January 1926 – 11 August 2022) was a Japanese fashion designer. She was one of only two Japanese women to have presented her collections on the runways of Paris and New York, and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official haute couture design house by the Fédération française de la couture in France.[1][2] Her fashion house, opened in Japan in 1951, grew to become a $500 million international business by the 1990s. She’s a designer to know and this isn’t the first time you’ll read about her here!

a woman in a teal and gold lame dress under string lights
a woman in a gold and teal lame dress on rocks by a lake

There are times when magic just strikes. And of course, there are moments when we make the magic. In my experience the easiest way to do that is to wear things that make you feel magical (aka look amazing on you and have details that just pop! A great place to wear them doesn’t hurt either!)

So, how do you make magic in a dress? What makes a magical outfit to you?
Below I’ve linked some lame choices, some Hanea Mori choices, and these exact shoes for you!

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!

a woman in a teal and gold lame dress

Fashion Halloween: T-Rex

a woman in a cocktail dress with a tree mask on
a woman in a cocktail dresss and a T-Rex mask
a woman in a cocktail dress and a T-Rex mask
a woman in a cocktail dress and a TRex mask
a woman in a cocktail dress and a TRex mask

You may have caught on that I love dinosaurs. Like, little kid love dinosaurs. So, it should come as no surprise that I would want to be one for Halloween. In the past few years, as the inflatable costumes have become popular, I’ve thought about getting one and living out my T-Rex fantasies. The issue? How do I make that fashion (because,yes, it’s me and I would want to wear heels with it!)? How do you get around in such a big costume? And would the inflatable T-Rex let me move about?

I’ve always passed on that sort of T-Rex costume because I couldn’t figure out the answer to those questions. But, I did want to be a dinosaur for Halloween. And, because of who I am as a person thought the idea of juxtaposing my love of Dinos and my love of fashion would be fun. It was the perfect fit when I then found this T-Rex mask (though it does have the tail and little arms!). It makes the most fashionable T-Rex paired with a cocktail dress and heels, though of course would make a great T-rex paired with anything from sweats to leggings to jeans and a t-shirt (I love that it being a mask lets you have so much freedom!). And if Dinos aren’t your thing, the same idea could work with any mask you love!

Part of why I love Halloween is that it lets us be all that we want- let our imaginations go wild. And I’m so so so excited this year to be able to be a T-Rex- and a fashionable one at that!

Below I’ve linked similar T-Rex costumes, as well as some inflatables (if you go that route I would love to hear about it!). I got this exact mask at Target, but can’t seem to find it online for you! If I happen upon it, I will update shopping options asap- because a good T-Rex is hard to find!

What are you dying to be for Halloween? And how are you making it your own? This T-Rex in heels wants to know!
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!

a woman in a cocktail dress and a TRex mask