I’m a big fan of celebrating yourself at this time of year! I have a tradition of saving up and buying myself something special for the holidays–if you don’t who will? So below I present some of my picks and ideas on gifts for you.
It is no secret that I am a shoe lover–so, more often than not, presents to me from me involve shoes. They’re a good choice. I love these Valentino boots, but any shoe you love will do!
I love personalized items, and leather jackets are no exceptions. I love the cameo here, but there are a ton of options!
Yes, a nice bag or wallet. But, especially this year, anything Gucci. Anything
In the name of pampering yourself, a silk night gown or robe. It makes a proper lay in all the more satisfying, and is all about you. I love “For Love and Lemons”, but you can get a personalized one from Velvet California too!
In the vein of being nice to yourself, a satin pillow case or eye mask. Is great for wrinkles and keeps your blow outs! They also feel amazing!
Loves, it’s getting close to crunch time. You may be overwhelmed with parties, plans and events. You may have guests, you may be a guest in someone’s home. It’s the holiday season and as amazing as it is to be with our loved ones and celebrate with friends, how do we stay sane?
Alone Time
I’m an introvert, an outgoing one, but one that needs and craves alone time. When I was younger I would push myself to be at every party till the last minute, say yes to every invite and spend as much time out and about as possible! The result? I burned out. I’ve now accepted that I need time alone, and also know that it’s not a bad thing–I’m a better me when I have it! But every year the holiday season can lead to over scheduling and the temptation to go-go-go. My solution? I schedule alone time. From a night in to an afternoon alone, I make sure that I have time built in just for me. Everyone needs a different amount of alone time, but I think in the hustle and bustle of the season that we all need a little down time. Build it in.
Work Outs
I’ve mentioned more than once that I’m a workout junkie, and while there is a physical component to that, there’s a mental one as well. My workouts keep me grounded, in my body, and a bit more sane. This time of year can lead to over-indulging in all sorts of ways, but knowing that I have a workout planned helps me not freak out about that. It also allows me to release any frustration that I’ve let built up. My faves? Spinning, Pilates, dance, barre and boxing.
Volunteering
In this season, it can be easy to get caught up in the commercialism. What we have, what we can give, what we buy. There are those who don’t have that luxury, for whom the bare necessities are a struggle. A friend recently reminded me that giving back is the best gift. So volunteering for a shelter, with kids, sending money to those who need us in Syria; anything that reminds us that we are truly rich–and that this season isn’t about the number of presents. It’s a win-win.
To de-stress I also have a habit of watching Christmas commercials and movies. We know my favorite movie for the season is “Miracle on 34th St” but I also love “White Christmas” (the songs get me!) and this year these are the commercials I love:
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your table and heart are full. I hope loved ones near and far know how much you care, and I hope you let them know how much you care for them. I hope your football/cooking/shopping goes well, and that the left overs are even better than the meal. I hope that you pause for just a minute to realize how blessed we are: from clean water we have to friends to pie to amazing shoes, loves, we are so rich. I hope today kicks off an amazing holiday season; I’m grateful that you let me be a little part of that.
We are taking off to be with family. Follow on Instagram (@racheladelicia) and Facebook (Investment Piece) for pics and my recs for Black Friday/Shop Small Sat (as well as my football/fashion/eating shanagans).
We have a preview of Dec up on Sunday for Chronicles (check back!) and will be up and running on Monday (and loves, it’s a great look!)
In the meantime: thank you for being here and I wish you a happy holiday!!
Loves, I know this is shocking, but I’m always looking for new, and better ways to shop! And Nifty app, which I fell in love with at FWLA is one of them! Yes, there are many shopping apps, but what sets Nifty apart is their focus on proper fitting clothing. The founder, a shopper like us, grew sick of ordering clothes online but having to return them because of fit. So, she did something about it! Nifty has you enter your measurements, and then works with designers to fit items that would fit you best! Genius!
They are adding designers and bloggers (like me!) to work with daily!
Besides having items to shop, Nifty will recommend pieces based on your body type and preferences! Which is a great way to discover things you didn’t even know you wanted–dangerous, but amazing!
And of course, it’s a friendly place to shop! I love that everything is based on not only your preferences, but your measurements. Let’s be honest loves, there is no standard sizing, and it can often be frustrating to order “your size” to have it not be your size. Nifty’ s goal is to eliminate this!
And not only can you build your profile, you can follow bloggers, like me!, and shop their Instagram (and when the item is vintage, I link similar items!). A great way to get more fashion inspiration!
I love this addition to my shopping arsenal and I hope you do too!
Also, Austin, TX we have a date this Thursday! And if you’re coming, and you sign up for Nifty you will be entered in to a gift certificate drawing! Hope to see you there!
Loves, I’m so excited to be attending FWLA this year! There are so many lines, designer interviews and behind the scenes stories to share with you- please stay tuned for those! In the meantime here are some behind the scenes pics! Enjoy!
We had some issues with our technology and wasn’t able to get a post up in time. We sincerely apologize. Constitently providing great content is our goal and we assure you we are doing everything to get back up! We will be back tomorrow with a great post and in the meantime: happy Sunday!!
And here’s to an amazing week and even better shoes! Xo RA
Loves! I hope the last long weekend of summer is treating you well. I hope there are beaches and bbqs and friends. I hope your white is bright and your linen doesn’t wrinkle too much. We are off- soaking up the last of summer and welcoming in football season. We’ll be back Tuesday and we’re bringing fall with us!
Wishing us a week of easy transitions and amazing shoes! XO RA
Loves, I am a bit of a work out junkie. It’s how I process and “work out” a bunch, how I like to start my day, and makes me feel good to see what my body can do (amongst many other reasons). And as I’ve gotten wiser, not only do I enjoy a physically changellening workout, I want one that speaks to the world beyond the gym as well. I like hearing the messages of “yes, I can”, “be brave”, ones of positivity and working towards my dreams and letting things go. I work out not just for my body, but to remind myself that all things are possible. So, it seemed to be a natural fit that I would try “The Class” by Taryn Toomey. I first read about her on The Coveteur, and loved what I saw. Her class seemmed the perfect balance of a barre type class (which as an old dancer I’m addicted to) and the spiritual message I love. And when I had the chance to take a class with Taryn in LA, I jumped on it!
I have to be honest, while driving to the class I was a tad bit worried that it would be a little “too” meditative for me; I even wondered if I had time to fit in a run if I needed it. Loves, I didn’t need it. I got all the spiritual talking to I needed–I also got my ass kicked. Yes, you’ll shake your body out and work on breathing, there’s also 5 straight minutes of jump squats, a full song of a side lunge/squat combo, a song of leg raises (PS both of those are per side), and you warm up your abs with 5 mins of mountain climbers (with Taryn letting you know you can all the way through). It was fantastic.
It’s the type of class that really stayed with me, and not just because I was sore for days after. Some of the messages that Taryn said throughout class hit home for me. The top ones:
“You can do this, simply because You CAN do this”
We all know we can do things. We know the power of thoughts, we believe in ourselves, we visualize our dreams. However, I know I can be guilty of using the word “but” when I do all of those things. And I bet you are too. “But” is easy, it feels real, and it seems valid. The great thing about this statement? It cuts through the BS. You can do this because you can do this. Period. So you do it. Or if it’s something that you don’t want to do, don’t do it. Simple.
“Forgive yourself, forgive others, forgive yourself again. That’s the cycle”.
I’m a self admitted perfectionist. And when things work out the way I plan, I can get caught up in blaming myself-for not seeing it coming, for not doing more. What hit me about this is that when we’re told to forgive, we often forget that we (ourselves) are also in need of our own forgiveness. I don’t know many happy people who are not compassionate to themselves. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Forgive yourself again, for good measure.
I’ve been following “The Class” on Instagram (she has videos of single exercises!) and great little blurbs like the one above. I find them to be energizing–and true. I had such a great time at the Class, I love how much it stayed with me, and I can’t wait to get back!
What have you been loving this week?
Wishing us all a week of balance and amazing shoes! XO RA
Follow the Class on Instagram @theclassbytt and find them online at Taryn Toomey
I like to think that I’ve been clear about the fact that crafts that are very involved are not for me. I mean, they seem great, I have great intentions–but I don’t seem to do well with them. The same can be said for nail art, or any at home manicures for that matter. I can do the basics. And I so admire all the nail art I see on Instagram and Pintrest. But loves, the fact of the matter is that I don’t do it well myself. I can act, paint, write, style like nobody’s business–but my talents end where straight lines begin. Sad, but true. However, this Dior nail kit? It may be a game changer. I was skeptical–it is me after all, but the step-by-step guide, and tool, make this nail art completely accessible.
You simply do a regular pedicure/polish change. I choose the lighter shade, so two coats later I was ready! When your nails are dry, you place a little of the other color on a piece of paper and using the tool, make dots of your liking on your nail! It’s truly that simple!
Some notes: the more polish on the tool, the better. You can make the dots bigger or smaller by the way you press the tool, and I found it easier to press from the side of the tool!
I may no longer need to pay a professional for my nail art. In fact, this was so easy I got to thinking that I bet you could do other designs–lines, squiggles, etc. Dior may have created a monster.
I’d love to know–do you do your own nail art? How? Have you tried this?
I hope your long weekend is full of all the best: bbbqs, friends, champagne and fun. I hope you have rest and relaxation, and adventure to fill your soul. I hope there’s watermelon and strawberries, and red, white, and blue! Most of all I wish you fireworks–in all the best ways!
We’re taking tomorrow off to celebrate, but let’s meet back here Tuesday to catch up and talk fashion. Deal? Deal!
Wishing us all a week of celebration and amazing shoes! XO RA
