shopping – Investment Piece

Seasonal Swim

a woman in board shorts and a strapless top and sandals on a chair by a pool

It’s no secret that I love wearing swim with EVERYTHING. Yes, part of my swim suit collection is full of swim that will never see the water as I wear them as bodysuits. (Also, there are swimsuits I have that manage both water and fashion and I love to invest in those!) However, what may come as a surprise to everyone is that I really, really love swimsuit season. Partially because I love the fashion options that come with swimsuits, but also because I love the water.

Swimsuits are not only a staple of my closet, but a season I try to lean into every year.

Investment Piece: Vintage Swim — a woman in a vintage Pucci swimsuit and bathing cap on the beach

Investment Piece: Design in the Wild — a woman in a net and black stripe one shoulder one piece swim suit and jeans in a mirror

a woman in a cropped cardigan in BLUE AND WHITE stripe and white pants — a woman in a striped swim cardigan and white pants!

Every swim season I try to update my swim closet in these 3 categories: swim that I will use as bodysuits, swim that I will wear out, and swim to keep. Pieces vary, I mix and match, but between fashion, the pool, the ocean and rivers, and just everyday swim I weed out and replenish every year. I also try to update my cover ups, my hats, and my sandals accordingly. Below I’m linking all the swim, and more, I’m currently loving this season.

Investment Piece: For the Birds — a woman in a long blue and white print swim cover up over white pants

Also included in my swim round up? Cover Ups. I love how the sheer trend can be useful here- but I also love crochet, big hats and more as well as your fashion picks over all swim!

How do you feel about seasonal swim? And swimsuits in general? As well as cover ups or my habit of wearing swim with fashion? Any questions? I would love to hear about any and all of it!

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!

Here are some of my current fave swim:

Some of my current fave swim coverups and fashions:

And what’s currently in my shopping bags:

If you need me I’ll be by a body of water, in a body of water, or in a swimsuits as a part of a fashion statement. If this weekend is the “unofficial” beginning of summer,I can’t wait to stun all weekend long and get swim to carry me through the season!

Investment Piece: diving in — a woman in a blue sweater with red swimming ladies on it, white pants in front of a lifesaver and no lifeguard signs

Color Blocked Again

a woman in a light blue and red strapless dress with nude heeled sandals in the middle of a road

a woman in light blue and red strapless dress and nude heeled sandals in the middle of the road

Some time ago, I was on Pinterest and went down a rabbit hole about how mixing the colors light blue and red were infinitely chic. I couldn’t stop thinking about it- or thinking how I could color block that way. (And much after that, even after these pics were taken did I remember that I had played around with a version of this color blocking here. Perhaps great minds think alike?)

Going through my closet, I tried every combo I could find of light blue and red- mixing tops, pants, skirts, shorts, and shoes. But nothing felt 100% right out of my options. Everything felt a bit formal and forced (not my style). Then, by chance, I stumbled upon this vintage dress-colorblocked light blue and red, enough of a party dress to be a fave, but a lot of fun with the scarf like mixing and tie back. I couldn’t resist. And as it’s turned into my go-to for late spring soirées, I can’t help but be reminded why I’m drawn to colorblocking (of all hues), especially when it comes to dresses.

-Color Blocking takes the pressure of styling off you. The mixing of colors, patterns, etc is done. All you have to do is put it on and be chic!
-Color blocking is a bit reasonless. Most color pairings are pretty versatile, so you can wear them throughout the year! In colder months, it would be incredibly easy to throw a blazer or shawl over this dress
-It’s easy. Besides color blocked dresses doing the work for you, there are so many colors that go tougher that color blocking is an easy style hack. No patterns to worry about, but color blocking often feels so fresh that it appears more difficult than it is! Need help pairing colors? I’m all yours- though currently I am partial to this light blue and red!
-The shoe choices become infinite. Match a shade in the dress. Pick a neutral. Go with black. There might not be a wrong answer and I LOVE that for all of us!

a woman in nude high heel sandals and the hem of a red dress in the middle of the road — a close up of my beloved Sarah Flint Perfect sandals

I’m sure it’s a surprise to no one that for this color blocked stunner I chose (and continue to choose) my Sarah Flint Perfect Sandals. Using code SARAHFLINT-BAINVESTMENTPIECE gets you $60 off your first pair!

What have you color blocked recently? How at ease do you feel with color blocking? The above dress is vintage, so while I couldn’t find you this exact one, I did find color blocked dresses that I’m just in love with-linked 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 light blue and red dress

Nautical Summer

a woman in a cropped cardigan in a blue and white stripe and white pants in greenery

This post is mostly (partly) about Nautical Summer. My momma loved a great nautical- from sailor dresses to the blue and white stripe theme- and since my childhood I’ve associated nautical (all of the listed above) with summer. And who doesn’t associate summer with a cropped cardigan and white pants? This pairing really screams summer to me. From the stripes and white pants to the greens- this shoot felt like summer to me and not just because it was 100 degrees. Nautical has always meant summer to me (perhaps because nautical always meant on the water)

So Nautical Summer? Doesn’t have to mean on the water, or sailor themed, or blue and white striped. Perhaps it means the hint of all of all those things! AKA outfits that combine a bit of swim (yes, this cropped cardigan is a swim piece! I can’t stop, won’t stop wearing swim suits as outer wear) with a bit of summer. Or perhaps it means wearing all white (or at least white pants or skirts or dresses-all summer like to me as well). Or perhaps nautical summer simply means that you wear all the things that mean summer to you!

a woman in a cropped cardigan in a blue and white stripe and white pants

This post is also partly vulnerable. Fun fact? I hate my stomach. Even at my thinnest (which this is not) I hated my stomach. I hated the way it folded, I hated the way it looked. And yet- there was an acting coach I had that said that if you want people (aka your audience) to fall in love with you, you have to show them where you’re vulnerable. Also know as, ask them to fall in love with your flaws. So, maybe this nautical summer is about embracing our flaws – all those things we’re wary of showing- and being brave about showing all of us off.

So this is me showing us all what I’m vulnerable about, and this is an outfit that you can recreate incredibly easily. I’ve linked options below (including swim cardigans!) and if you need help please reach out!
XO RA

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 cropped cardigan in a blue and white stripe with white pants and brown sandals

Size and Fit

There’s a difference between the size of your clothes (the number on the tag that can vary) and the fit (proportions, where it hits on your body, etc) and while both of these things are incredibly different, both of them affect how we look in our clothes. Aka they’re both important. Weirdly, they can also be at odds with each other- for example this great skirt that’s technically my “size” but where it hits my waist, the fit is off. (Don’t worry, there are so many fixes for that- part of why I say that a great tailor is one of the best investments you can have!)

What are your thoughts on fit, and what are some pieces you have where you love the fit?

a woman in a black body suit, brown silk skirt, black kitten heels and a woven clutch

And yes, if you look closely, that is a swimsuit I’m wearing as a bodysuit. Can’t stop, won’t stop!

I’ve linked this exact Prada skirt and similar items for you below! Here’s to the size and fit being perfect!

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 black bodysuit, brown silk skirt and black kitten heels with a brown bag

for Mom

I promise there is so much exciting, new content headed your way. Birthday weeks are always a little crazy, and always make me a little nostalgic. I can’t help but look back at some of my old looks, and my old celebrations. This post is from a few years ago. I had worn this sheer dress with just a body suit to a fashion event. And though my momma loves me, she doesn’t always love the fashion risks I take. So, that year, for her birthday, I knew that I had to style this dress the way she’d love it!
As I wrote:
My mom is my biggest fan and helper (she’s actually CFO of this little venture). She’s always has my back, always supports me, always is willing to help. And she’s not the biggest fan of all the sheer that I sometimes wear, and that is so on trend this season. Literally her thoughts when she saw thisNote: 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!

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 isn’t till Tuesday, this is a big week for us- Mom’s birthday, my birthday, we celebrate my mom’s 50th college reunion this weekend as well as Mother’s Day. 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 Tuesday!) 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

Put a Pin in It

an articulated leopard pin holding together a red and white tube top over a white skirt
a woman in a red and white tube top with a leopard brooch and a white skirt and leopard wedges

close up of snake wedges and a white skirt

Part of Put a Pin In It is VERY literal. Brooches are coming back. (And I’ve always had a thing for them and the stories they tell! Here’s a fashion stories on infamous brooches that have always inspired me here and here and here) Brooches are such an easy way to add a little something to an outfit. Here I’m literally (yes, literally) holding the top together- yes, it needs to be altered- with a brooch (the same articulated one! It’s just a fave of mine!). And it’s a way to put a pin in it.

Other ways to put a pin it? Revisiting outfits or ideas that didn’t work the first time around. Let’s be honest, not everything fits or works all the time. Is it wrong to wait and try again? Not according to me. Sometimes I think it’s best to let an idea – or outfit or post or writing or etc- lay for a bit if it’s not perfect or doesn’t fit right, etc the first time. With space and time we can come back, make it (all the things) work. Or we come back and make adjustments that make whatever we we were working on better.

The last way I know to put a pin in it? To make something- in this case an outfit your own. White is so chic for the season, but pairing it with wedges are a bit edgy with snake and gold accents? All me. A tube top? You can find one anywhere. Pairing a vintage one with a brooch? All Me. I think the trick is to take any outfit or any outfit formula, and put your own spin on it. That can be so small from your favorite colors to big things like accessories or statement pieces (shoes and brooches are the examples here, but there are so many to be worn!)

I loved pairing these vintage pieces together in a way that felt that was a statement to me. This brooch in this way? New and exciting to me! And yet, a way to make a too big top a fit for me. This outfit would call for sandals but picking ones that are a statement took the outfit from usual to all me. There are so many ways- from sticking to thinking outside the box – put a pin in your outfits. My wish for you this spring and summer is that you find all your own ways to use all the pins. And you need help I’d love to offer mine!

This outfit is made of vintage (skirt, top, brooch) and resell (sandals) pieces, but I’ve linked similar ones for your 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 red and white tube top and a leopard brooch with a white skirt, and snake wedges

Birthday Wishlist

A woman in a gold sequin midi dress with long sleeves and black heels walks down a street

My birthday is next week. A week from today in fact! And I know, as adults, we aren’t supposed to make a big deal of birthdays, but I think they are a big deal. (though full disclosure I’ve forgotten the blog’s birthday for a few years now, even though I do think it’s a big deal!) We all get holidays, but birthdays are the one day we really get to celebrate ourselves. And while this post is about my wishlist (for the season and my coming year), I think about birthday wishlists being not only about the physical things we want (which I usually do have a lot of), but a way of making a wishlist of who we want to be in our next year. Yes, the wishlist can be about a dress or a suit, but it’s also about how we want to spend our time- the gym, at events, in dance class, on the pickle ball court, or in flattering jeans. I take my celebrations as not only day off- which I fully intend to take (full disclosure, I have no big plans and the grief and gratitude I have for being as old as I am are weirdly intertwined and probably not for this post- I’m still working those feelings out!), but a time to really set intentions for what I want to create.

As you know, I truly believe that our fashion is important as it’s a way for us to tell our stories, and our stories are important. So, what stories do I want to tell for the year that starts next Wednesday? I want to get out there again- from events (I do love a party dress) to dance class to finding joy in daily dressing. I’m love with 3 piece suits, and while I would technically never have the need for one- where could I wear one regularly? I have a list of casual dresses to throw on to my my errands chic, an update to summer sandals, and I’m looking for chic jeans. And a pair of great trousers. The new year is full of possibilities, and I’m still flushing out exactly which ones I’ll start pursuing, who exactly I want to be in the next year. It’s an exciting time. And I know that any and all of these amazing pieces will make the new me in the new coming year better. (I also hope that they inspire you and I give you permission to use my birthday as a reset for you too!)

Here’s what I’m shopping for my birthday- I can’t wait to spend the next year with 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!

And here is the link to one of my current wishlists (which doubles as a birthday wishlist!)
Shop here

a woman in a gold sequin midi dress and black heels

Tonally Sheer

a woman in a cream sheer skirt with short under and a cream halter top and snakeskin sandals

I have a thing for sheer. It was one of my very first blog posts (see here: Is Sheer A Thing We’re Doing? note: I still have most of these sheer pieces and still wear them!), and I’ve also chatted this season about the sheer trend (see here. And this sheer pencil skirt is high on my spring wish list!)
Sheer is something I’m constantly drawn to- and when I think about it, it’s probably because sheer gives you the power to choose what you show, and what you reveal.

With wearing sheer you can show it all- or you can play hide and seek. A new favorite tip I got for wearing sheer is to put tonal leggings (or in this case biker shorts) underneath. It gives the illusion of being completely sheer, and yet, you’re completely covered.
(I also don’t judge if you show more with your sheer-there have been times when I have! But I love this tip as it’s a work and “proper” way of wearing sheer that leads to the illusion that you’re showing more than you might be!)

As for tonal? Tone on tone is so so chic- and yet adds to the mystery of sheer. Really isn’t that all that sheer is – a mystery or an illusion?

a woman in a cream sheer skirt with shorts under and a cream halter top with snake skin heels

Perhaps my attraction to sheer is that it can be anything you need it to be. Sheer. Opaque. Classic. A bit more un-classic. I know you know that I truly believe that fashion is a way in which we tell our stories, and sheer gives us so much power over that. And sheer keeps changing over the seasons (we do too). It makes sense to me to keep playing with what we show, what we keep hidden, what sheers we wear and how we work them into our lives.

a woman in a cream sheer skirt and shorts under with a cream halter top and snake heels

This skirt and this top are both years and years old. The shoes are resale – but I’ve found you similar for all! Here I’ve worn nude Spanx under the skirt- but there are so many other nude options, as well as leggings in all of the shades of the rainbow for all of your sheers! If you need help styling your sheer- both tonally and a bit more risqué- I would love to help! In the meantime I’ve linked options for this look for your shopping pleasure 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 cream sheer skirt with shorts under and a cream halter top with snake heels

FBF: 2 in 1

My psoriasis (a recent development that I mentioned here) has flared up this week (and may be spreading!), making everything from getting dressed to taking pics a bit more difficult than it should be. I’m currently working on the rash- in the meantime I’m looking back at what I want to wear and this dress tops the list! I do love a good 2 in 1! xo RA

Investment Piece: 2 in 1
Investment Piece: 2 in. 1

Know what makes a great investment piece? Something that’s classic. Something that lasts. Something that’s 2 in 1.

This is one of my current favorite dresses. You’ve seen it more than one time on Instagram. And one of my most favorite things about this favorite thing? It’s 2 in 1, in more than one way.

Yes, it’s a great plaid maxi dress. The v cuts make it stand out, and it’s perfect coloring for both fall and spring. But look a little closer. See those Palm trees? There’s a whole other print going on, and I love how it peaks out, giving the dress another dimension. 2 in 1. I love pairing it with this metallic bralette. And heels. But I also love throwing a jean jacket and my sneakers on with it. 2 in 1.

Investment Piece: 2 in 1

Why settle for a dress that is less?

Investment Piece: 2 in 1

This 2 in 1 dress is via BreeLayne, who specialized in substainable fashion. You might have read about her here. The label has shut down (sadly), but I can’t resist going back to it over and over!

Any time I find a dress that is a great investment, 2 in 1, and a deal I can’t help but fall in love. When that same dress is good for the environment and designed by someone who is a doll, I can’t help but go back to it over and over.

While this brand and dress is no longer available, I have found similar dresses 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!

Investment Piece: 2 in 1