Sunday Chronicles: Being Dumb

Investment Piece: Dumb

loves, I’m laid up with allergies and a sinus infection  there’s been a lot of tea and resting, and thinking. During the times that I can’t be “fashion”, what am I? During these times when all of our schedules have been off and we may not have been our best- does that make us who we are? I wrote this when I first started this blog; I was figuring out how to write, how to shoot, how to do this. Not to mention, what my voice and purpose were. I like to think we all have come a long way. But, there are still things that remain true: like we’re layered, that loving this concept of fashion says nothing about your intelligence, and that we’re all still growing.xo RA

Does loving fashion mean you’re dumb?

If you know me for five minutes you catch onto a few things- I love fashion, especially shoes, and I’m not ashamed of that fact.  Is this the only defining feature I have? Heavens no! Although, to be fair, it is an obvious one. To me this quality is one that goes with being tall and blonde– it’s who I am, I give no thought to it.

So imagine my surprise a few years ago at a dinner party I threw, with a delicious champagne risotto I’m still proud of, that a friend of mine turned to me and said, “I’m surprised you’re a good cook, I mean you like fashion”. Really? Liking one thing automatically prevents you from having another skill set?

Know me for ten or fifteen minutes you pick up on other things- I love sports (don’t call me when my teams are playing), I’m an insatiable reader, I love true crime, cooking, am religious about my workouts, and have a weird obsession with art theft.   Do any of these qualities ultimately define me? I think not–aren’t we all really complex, layered creatures? One quality cannot define a person–and if we have to make a fashion tie in, if I was one dimensional could I love both high end shoes and sweat pants? Probably not. And I do.

But let’s examine the real issue– if we can agree everyone can have more than one interest, does liking fashion make you dumb? Is fashion dumb? I, clearly, am going to say no. Argue what you like–clothes have power. Putting on a certain outfit, a certain pair of shoes–you move a certain way, you feel a certain way, it affects you. That isn’t dumb– that’s power. Also, look a Zac Posen dress, look at the draping, tell me that’s not art– not a superior craft. I will argue for days that shoes that are well made are easier to walk in, no matter how high the heel.  If there is that much skill and power in what you put on your body, how can it be dumb? How can an interest in that be dumb?

So, somewhat proudly, I tell you — no fashion doesn’t make you dumb. If anyone tells you other wise look them in the eyes and dare them to prove it to you.

Wishing us all a week of layered thoughts and amazing shoes!

xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Rituals

Investment Piece: Rituals

I’ve been thinking a lot about rituals recently. When I think of rituals, I can’t help but think of church (specifically Catholic Church, even though I was not raised Catholic), but really, we all have so many rituals. How we wake up, and our morning routines are rituals. Our evening routines are rituals. How we pray. How we mourn. (Again, the church thing). So much of what we do as humans can be based on rituals. And I don’t know about you, but with the pandemic my schedule and my rituals are off.

I can tell you what sets me up for my best days-my rituals. Naming at least 5 things I’m grateful for, a couple of goals for the day, at least one HUGE cup of coffee, a walk, a hard workout. But lately, these rituals have been all over the place. There are days I’m ready to go at 7a, and days I sleep into 9a. (Don’t get me started on my sleep schedule in the pandemic). I’ve been thinking about how I could set a morning ritual- but so far nothing has stuck.

If you’re in the States, you can agree that our rituals for mourning (the huge number of dead) and the loss of so much (life isn’t back to “normal”) have gone completely out the window. Which makes mourning, on both a personal and a national level difficult. It can make functioning difficult.

So, if on many levels, our rituals are being disrupted, what do we do?

Honestly, I don’t know.

Do we do our old rituals half way? Come up with new rituals? Wait till we can do what we need?
Maybe? I don’t know

This is what I’m doing.
I’m trying to stick to the rituals that work for me- which means making my mornings work no matter what time I wake up. It means sticking to my rituals even when it’s just me and it’s imperfect.
I’m adapting. I’m trying new things, new routines, new rituals. Some are working and sticking. Some are not.
I’m waiting. I’m hoping there will be normal, we can mourn and do our rituals together. I’m not stopping our lives, but I’m holding space.

How are you dealing with your routines and rituals right now? Are they different? What do they look like?
I would love to know and learn from you!

Wishing us all a week of comforting rituals and amazing shoes! Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Behind

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles

I was raised by women who believe in being on time. In fact, not on time, early. 15 mins early is on time? More like 30. I was a straight A student in high school, and was also raised to be prepared.

Both lessons I’ve tried to take into my adult life as much as possible.

Loves, I am behind. Not a little behind. Not 5 mins late. Behind, as in there are days when I wonder at what point am I catching up and at what point am I starting over?

The reason I’m behind? More than one. Family issues came to the forefront. In the middle of cleaning out my closet, planning more than one shoot, keeping the editorial calendar current, collabs current, personal life up, back pain, etc, etc. The last few weeks have been filled with feelings of overwhelm. And the knowledge that I’m behind, and would rather be ahead.

I’m not sure how to get in front once we’re behind. Do you? The following is what I’ve been doing, and it does help, though I’m sure that there might be better techniques (and if you’ve got them I would love to hear them!)

I’ve been honest
With clients, friends, family, whoever has asked. It’s not an easy thing to admit. That I’m behind. That I don’t think I can make that event, or deadline. That I need to push somethings back. That there’s a lot on my plate and I need some help. But. When I don’t admit it, the behind gets worse. And I’ve found that most people get it. My clients understand and need the extra time themselves! My friends and family understand I can’t make it, or pitch in and help. In fact, it’s made some of my relationships better to admit that I need a little help. Being behind as a good thing? Maybe.

Prioritize
I’m so behind there’s no way I’m getting everything done in a day. Or two. So, each day I’ve tried to limit my to-do list to 2 or 3 things I KNOW I can get done. I’m still aware of allllll the things, but actually getting things crossed off helps. And when I have too much to do I tend to do nothing. Weird? Maybe. But, true, for me at least.

Be OK with it
This may be the hardest thing. There are things I’m not getting done (though maybe I will at some point) and I’m behind. If I don’t like admitting it, I sure don’t like it. But. It’s where I am. The things that HAVE to happen, are happening. And I’m finding they all happen “on time”. And the things that may not get done? Maybe they don’t have to? I’m slowly and surely learning to be ok with that. It’s not easy, but it’s helping.

I would love to hear any and all tips you have about getting ahead once you’re behind!!

Wishing us all a week of not being behind and amazing shoes!
XO RA

Labor Day

Investment Piece: Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! If you’re in the states, I hope that you have time off (in all ways) and get to relax. If you’re not, I hope this weekend is full of amazing and relaxing moments. We here at Investment Piece are taking today and tomorrow off, we’ll be back Wednesday, Septemeber 9th with all new exciting content. From videos to new collabs, fall has so much I can’t wait to share with you! There are a ton of sales this weekend, and if you want to stay updated with my picks, please follow me on the LiketoKnowit app!

Happy Labor Day!
Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Structure

Investment Piece: Back on the Grind

There is so much going on right now. In the world. Probably in your world.
Even though we are spending more time at home I often feel like I’m busier than ever. And yet, still days when I have no time and get nothing done. A paradox, I know.

Among all the things right now, one thing I’m really struggling with is structure.

I can be bad at time management in the best of times, over and under estimating how long it will take to do something. I’ve been known to procrastinate. Working from home, like I have for years, has always had its challenges. But, in the before, I was always able to manage. Have a schedule, that if it was loose, I could stick to. My days had rhythm and were a mix of work and relaxation. I had structure.

Now, I feel like that’s all gone out the window.

Working at home, living at work, having no where to go, it’s taken a toll on my schedule. On my structure. And some of that has been great! I feel like I’m finally learning how what I want in a home and a schedule, what really makes a day great, and how to motivate myself.
But.
Some has been hard. With a schedule that can be all over the place, it has been difficult to work on some days. Things are hard to start, stick to, and little things seem to eat up my time. I’m at home more but haven’t had a true, full day off in months.
The good days are really good, but the bad days are really bad.

A friend of mine recently shared that she had started am/pm rituals for herself. They sound great-turning off her phone at 8pm, an early morning walk. I’ve been meaning to add those kind of structures to my day, but nothing has stuck yet.

I know that this post is a bit more down that I usually write. Even when I don’t have the answers (which can be often), I try to stay upbeat. And I hope that is coming through! Even on the days when I feel like I’m flailing there are good things.

But I know I do better with a little bit of structure. And I’m not 10000% sure how to create that for myself right now.

What are you doing? What’s your daily schedule? Are you able to stick to it right now?
I would love any tips you have to share!

Wishing us all a week of structure and amazing shoes!
XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: How Are You Sleeping?

Investment Piece: how are you sleeping?

How are you sleeping right now? Sleep and me? We’ve never had the easiest relationship. My mom will tell you that I started sleeping a straight 12 hrs at about a month old– but it was the 12 hours between 3a and 3p.

While that was eventually worked out, I’ve always had a hard time going to sleep, staying asleep, and was never a good napper. So, now that the world is a little crazy, sleep comes and goes for me. I seem to have no middle. There are nights when I am wiped by 9:30 and I crawl into bed in whatever I have on. There are nights when I can’t seem to sleep and it’s 2a and I’m watching “The Golden Girls”.

In fact, my entire schedule seems to be that way- days when I can stick to it, days when everything goes out the window. And my fashion too. Days when I’m dressed and look cute. Days when I’m in a combo of pjs and workout pants.

(It’s another post, but yes I’m trying to set rituals and schedules- if you have any tips, I’m all ears!)

Suffice to say, there are days when I’m exhausted and am constantly looking for ways to sleep better, and to look more chic while I do it. I came across this article, The Allure of the Nap Dress by Rachel Syme. She details the Nap dress (yes, there’s a dress called the nap dress) and the company that makes it; but most importantly the allure of sleep that wearing a dress like a nap dress can bring. (Aka the romance and sleepiness of it). I was intrigued.

By no means is THE Nap dress the only nap dress, though I have also been stalked by that one. Nap dresses (for me) bring to mind the Sleeper dresses (like this one), pj dressing (which we know I’m a fan of, see here for starters), and the ardent hope that dressing for bed all the time would make me sleep better.

Since I’ve been thinking about “nap dresses” (and yes, all of a sudden everyone calling all their dresses nap dresses has started. Or at least, I’ve started noticing it), nap dresses have been popping up everywhere I look. Vintage ones. New ones. One’s from Target and ones from Neimans. Dresses that you could just nap in and dresses made for napping.

What story is told when we dress for a nap during the day? This week, we’re looking into it. From new dresses to vintage ones, I’m taking a look at dresses that will make me look chic and hopefully make me sleep better. Im excited to have you join me!

Wishing us all a week of good sleep and amazing shoes!
Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Gratitude

Loves, there is so much going on right now. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and it’s easy to feel down. For years I’ve been a fan of keeping a gratitude journal- listing at least 5 things a day that I’m grateful for; my practice isn’t perfect, but I love that it helps me focus on how much good there is. For many reasons, this week seemed hard and I’ll be honest I didn’t know what to say about it. So, I’m choosing to share 5 things that I’m grateful for and excited about.

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!

Face Mask Chains
Investment Piece: Gratitude

Face masks are so important to wear right now, and I’m a fan of making them fashion! I made a chain for when I need to take mine off and on, simply by adding a jewelery clasp to each end of a tortoise chain. I’m loving some of the masks here. How are you making your mask your own?

New Notebooks
Investment Piece: gratitude list
I grew up in a household that loved school supplies. I’m no longer bound by the school year, but I still get a thrill when I get a new notepad or pen. (I’m also an avid list maker and these make me feel I will be able to get everything done!) Shop these here

Patio
Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles

We all know that I love my pool! But, I’m working on redoing the entire back patio to make it more company friendly, and a place to relax. It’s not the beach, but I’m grateful for a little place of peace.

Sangria
Investment Piece: Gratitude
Every week I’ve been making a cocktail and wearing a caftan over on Instagram- and it’s so much fun! (You can join me @racheladelicia, and Cocktails&Caftans happens every Saturday!) This week the whole family got into it. We made sangria, made gazpacho for dinner, made a night out of it. Having something to look forward to and have fun with has been a highlight during this time!

Pink Hair
Investment Piece: Gratitude

Not everyone in the house loves it, and it’s by no means permanent, but it’s been a fun thing to play with!

We are so lucky and there’s so much to be grateful for, even as we work towards a better world. When was the last time you sat down and thought about all the little things you’re grateful for?

Wishing us all a week of good luck and amazing shoes!
XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Day Off

Investment Piece: Day Off

It’s summer times, but the living might not be easy. The pandemic, and all the layers that comes with that, the fight for social justice and all that comes with that. I’ve been working from home for years, with a weird schedule to boot, but I have to admit that the current times–between work and caring, I’m a little exhausted.

This week I’ve found myself saying “I’m home more than ever but I’m busier that ever. I feel like I’m always running and always behind and always tired. What I wouldn’t give for a day off!”

Lately, days off have felt come to come by, so I got to thinking: what would a day off look like? What would I do with it? Would I read all day? Watch TV? Sit in the pool? How would I recharge?

I feel like I always have something to do work or home and all the other facets that make up my life. One day off, without work to do or a home project to accomplish might just be the rest I need. So, I decided to give myself one.

What am I going to do? I’m not sure. I just know that I need to relax. Books, movies, naps, drinks by the pool, I might do them all or nothing at all.

What do you do with a day off? What are you doing right now to relax and recharge yourself?

Wishing us all a week with days off and amazing shoes!
Xo RA