Sunday Chronicles: Gratitude

Can we be honest? We live in a world that makes it easy to get caught up in what you want, what you don’t have, and what’s wrong. There’s a time and a place for that, but again, honestly, we have so much to be grateful for–if you have running water and a roof over your head you’re rich, believe it or not. And while it’s easy to get caught up, I do my best to focus on the small things that I am grateful for. After all, a conversation with a dear friend reminded me–the small things matter a lot, and the more you’re grateful the more you have! Below are some small moments that meant a lot to me this week–I’d love to know, what are you grateful for today?

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

Good morning coffee in my lucky pig mug
image
Rereading sweet notes and getting texts from dear friends
image
Cooler weather and Football!
image
Watching one of my all time favorite movies–I was Malecifent for Halloween before it was cool
image
Getting to spend time with my sister and visit Art Museums!
image
Homemade Paleo Banana Muffins that taste even better than they look!

Happy Sunday!

 

Sunday Chronicles: Sister Road Trip

imageimageimageimageimageimage

If you’ve been following on Instagram (@racheladelicia) you know that my sister and I went on a road trip this week! We started in LA and made it all the way to TX to spend some time with family. Now, I’m usually not one for road trips but this trip may have changed my mind. It was so great to spend time with my sister, the Southwest was amazingly beautiful, and the drive was actually fun–we blasted music and sang and danced our way through the states. I truly enjoyed myself! In fact, I might be talked into doing it again.

I’d love to know–do you love road trips? What’s been your favorite vacation this summer?

Sunday Chronicles: Sister Roadtrip

image

 

Tomorrow my sister and I begin to road trip across the Southwest, from my base in LA to my base in TX. I’m sure there will be fights- over the radio, food, and hair dryer- but I can’t wait for the time alone with one of my favorite people. There’s nothing like spending time with your sister- the gossip, silliness, and someone else to laugh at your family with. Posts here will be up as usual, and follow along on Instagram (@racheladelicia), hashtags #R&Rroadtrip and #sistertravels!

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

 

Sunday Chronicles: Summer Bucket List

image

It’s August ( how can it be August already)!?! Summertime is both in full swing – long, hot days- and winding down – back to school commercials have started to air. Don’t get me wrong- I love summer, but as a football fan the closer we get to fall the more excited I get. My pro team is the Dallas Cowboys, and they hold their yearly training camp in Oxnard, not far from LA. Yet in all my years in LA I’ve never made it to camp- until this year! I spent yesterday afternoon watching practice- and while it was no game, it gave me the “football” feelings, and let me cross an item off of things I’ve always wanted to do in the summer.

Which got me thinking- with these few weeks left in the season, what else do I want to do? Beach trips, wine tasting, and homemade Popsicles come to mind. I’m making a list and would love to know- what’s on your summer bucket list?

 

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

Sunday Chronicles: Clothes as Autobiography

image

 

Over the 4th of July I got to spend some time at my mom’s house. Being a good mom, she often saves articles for me from different papers she reads- one of the articles she saved this time was a piece on Emily Post, an Autobiography in Clothes, the premise being we could learn about the woman by looking at her clothes. I love clothes, clearly, and do think that what your wear can say a lot about you- as the saying goes, “Style is a way to say who you are without speaking”. But really, can our clothes say everything about us?

In reality I doubt the answer is black and white. There are things we wear because we have to (gym uniforms), things we wear to project who we want to be (power suits to meetings, etc), and things we wear that we don’t like (the sweater Grandma gives you at the holidays).  Do these things tell who you are? Well, yes, actually. Those clothes show someone who follows the rules (or doesn’t), who strives to achieve things, and who cares about people’s feelings. And those are just things you don’t pick for yourself. So what about the clothes you do?

Above is my 8th grade prom dress, faded, but it still makes me smile. I vividly remember picking it out- I love a good party dress- and wanted something elegant and grown up, and this is what 13yo me picked. Would I buy it today? Maybe not, my definitions of elegant have changed some, but this dress can tell you about me. The princess dresses I wore as a kid, the closet of pencil skirts, designer heels, my favorite worn-in jeans- they all tell a little piece of who I am. And if clothes have this power to tell stories about us, should we be more aware of what we’re saying? Should this be a call to really let ourselves shine through our outfit choices?

I say yes.  After all, you are what makes your clothes interesting. I’d love to know- what do your clothes say about you?

Wishing us all a week of clothes with stories and amazing shoes! XO RA

 

 

Sunday Chronicles: Happy 4th!

image

Hope that this holiday you had an amazing time celebrating – that there was BBQ, real whipped cream and berries, plenty of family, friends, and fun. I got to be with my family in TX- and we had all of that in great supply. I’ve always loved this holiday – mainly because of the fireworks (once I got over my fear of them)- but I also love the feeling of togetherness and patriotism that comes along. I think it’s a great reminder that we’re all in this together.

Wishing us all a spectacular week and amazing shoes! If you’d like- don’t forget to scroll down or go to the main menu to sign up for our newsletter! XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: What are you reading?

image

Things that aren’t good ideas : leaving me alone in a shoe store with no limits on a credit card, and leaving me alone in a bookstore with no limits on a credit card. I love reading, love books, love the worlds I get to visit and be a part of, ever so briefly. I grew up in a reading household, my mom read to us at night till I was 12 or so, and that was on top of the books my sister and I read alone. I was rewarded with books, taught to love reading, and to respect books. So it should come as no surprise that my apartment is full of shoes and books. I sometimes read more than one novel, or work of non-fiction, at time (I’ve been known to be reading one book in bed and have another for the kitchen or couch), and cycle through genres.  While I think that fashion is empowering as it can make you into anyone you want to be, or let you be who you are; I think reading is magical as it lets you travel and live lives and understand so much more than you are.

Right now I’m reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I’m only a small way in, but am completely charmed by the portrait of Paris in the 1930s. I know this book is on  reading lists nationally so I’d love to know–are you reading it? Have you read it? What are you reading?

 

Wishing us all a week of magic and great shoes! xo RA

Buy the book at Amazon here

Sunday Chronicles: A Sample Sale

image

What do I love more than fashion? Fashion at a great price! Today, if you’re in LA, come see me at the Clare Vivier sample sale from 11-5!

Clare Vivier bags are some of my favorite! She’s well known for her clutches, especially the fold over ones (yes Beyoncé posted a pic of one yesterday on Instagram), but the line is more than clutches. Look for totes, satchels, shoulder bags, amazing fanny pacs (true I swear), and cross bodies- as well as wallets, key chains and duffle bags. The forms are exquisite, minilistic French in soft leather that ages like a dream. And the price point is incredibly reasonable for the quality.  Every bag I’ve had has only gotten better through the years.

So come! Have free wine! Get a discounted bag! Not in LA? Check out the merchandise on www.clarev.com!

Wishing us all an amazing week and amazing shoes!! XoRA

Sunday Chronicles : Happy Memorial Day

image

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you’re off BBQ-ing/Picnicing/Being with people you love. And I hope you take a minute this weekend and think about those who sacrificed for us to do all that. I’m all about a good time- but let’s remember why we have the day off too!

 

Wishing us all a fantastic week and amazing shoes! Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Summer Eats

 

image

imageSummer is coming – it hasn’t felt that way in LA this week (we’ve had unseasonably cool and rainy weather)- but it is. And that means summer eats are coming- I have memories of childhood summers that involve long days at the pool followed by snow cones. There were nights when my mom would serve watermelon as the star of the meal and we would eat outside. To this day both of those smells, watermelon and sugary sweet cones, put me in a summer frame of mind.

My tastes have changed ever so slightly as I’ve grown up. Now when it gets hot I want fresh berries, chips and guacamole, cerviche and Rose’ – and I don’t turn down watermelon. These things make me want to sit by the pool or beach, wear sandals and a sundress and relax. Over the years I’ve added another craving to summer- gazpacho. I love it and honestly end up making it once a week – I end up eating it by the carful, craving the tang, and it goes great with chips and Rose’ .

Above is the recipe I go off of- although I make a few changes. I don’t process the veggies- I just use a rough chop, aiming to get things about the same size. I’m not picky on tomato type – I just pick whatever looks good that day. I also sometimes add avocado and shrimp- separately or together. And if you’re entertaining a drop of tequila in each bowl spices things up! Mainly just make sure you’re seasoning to your liking- and that you let it sit for a few hours before eating.

I’d love to know- what foods are your summer go to?

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