#Traditions

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It’s Christmas Eve! Santa comes tonight! I hope that you’re with people you love, and that there’s joy and laughs (and maybe some wine) to go around. I’m with my family in TX and we’re baking up a storm (the secret according to my Grandma is playing Christmas music while you do it!)! My mom and sister are doing cookies and I’m doing my Mimi’s famous pecan pie. Later we will go to church, eat my mom’s infamous beef stragnoff, wear matching pjs and leave some treats for Santa! I hope today brings you the kind of peace that I get from family traditions–the comfort of being at home with people who love you, doing what matters!

Happy Holiday! XO RA

And a treat–the much loved pie recipe
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Details:
Shirt can be found at Target
Apron: Salt House

Last Minute Gifts Dos and Don’ts

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Raise your hand if you’re still running around like a chicken with its head cut off? (Slowly raises hand). This is just one of those years where I’m a tad bit behind on my gift giving–so I’m being tempted to just buy things to get it over with–ya know? And while this time of year is not about the gifts–no one wants to give or receive a bad gift! So I’ve rounded up some of the best gifting advise I know–hope it helps you as much as it’s helping me!

DO stick to quality–the old rule my mom used to say is “don’t gift something of a less quality than you would like to receive”. A gift for someone else doesn’t have to be your taste –but it needs to be a gift worth giving.

DON’T buy to just have something. In every store there are “last minute gifts”–nail polish and make-up sets come to mind. These are great if you have someone who would like them–but if you don’t they will go to waste in someone’s bathroom.

DO consider the giftcard. I’ve already let you know I love them–and I do! I think there is nothing wrong with a giftcard–they will love that you gave them an excuse to go shopping! And if they aren’t into shopping–movie theaters and restaurant gift cards are a great idea!

DON’T fret if the item won’t ship in time. You can always print a picture to wrap or give—and I know of no one who will be mad at more presents to open in January.

Here’s to us all finishing shopping with less stress! XO RA

Sunday Chronciles: Getting in the Spirit

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Some years the holidays come and it’s so easy to get in the right frame of mind- festivities and gifts. Some years getting into the spirit of things takes more work- you have to search a bit more for that holiday feeling. I’m a fan of not forcing anything but it can be hard to have the holidays come and not be in the mood. My sure fire fix? Looking at Christmas lights and watching “Miracle on 34th St”. Those activities scream holidays to me- and somehow get me in the spirit. What about you? What are your holiday fixes? Are you in the holiday spirit yet?

 

wishing us all a week of holiday magic and amazing shoes! XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: in Progess

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It’s the time of year where we not only have jammed schedules- holiday parties, end of school year tests and activities, family commitments, and the pressure to make this “The BEST holiday ever”- but are compelled to look at our progress, to see how far we’ve come this year. By no means am I anti-goal setting, or the awareness of progress. In a few weeks like most of you I will sit down and think about what I’ve accomplished and what I want to get done next year. Progress will be measured, perhaps tactics reassessed, maybe goals changed. I’m not against this. What I do have a problem with is our (okay, maybe my) tendancey to use the last few weeks to beat ourselves with the measuring stick, to look at what we failed to do instead of our accomplishments, to try to cram someting in just so it can be crossed off a list.
Some goals are hard- they take longer than we thought, meander in a crooked line. Sometimes new goals pop up and we accomplish things we didn’t set out to. Sometimes life gets in the way and getting by is all we can do. I hold myself to a high standard but in the past week I’ve watched friends and loved ones use the winding down of the year to beat themselves up over “yearly goals”. And that’s not a holiday tradition I want a part of. Yes, let’s reach high, but let’s recognize that slow progress is progress. That sometimes enjoying yourself on the journey is just as important as the journey.
This year one of my goals was to paint more,I’ve had this canvas for months, know what I want to do with it- and yet it’s blank. This week while fighting a bad cold, determined to make perfect posts, decorate the house impeccably, and have the “best holiday ever” I felt pressure to get it done- if nothing else just to have it done. I resisted (clearly) but there was some guilt. Then I was forced to do nothing for a day but take cold meds and I was really able to take stock. Yes, I have goals and paintings to do- but if they don’t get done in the next 3 weeks no one will die. It won’t be counted against me.
That maybe the way to make progress is to let go of the measuring stick and live. Enjoy the holiday season, which will in turn make it the best! To do what progress we can, realizing that working toward the goal is part of the goal. And if that means canvases stay blank for a week longer,so be it. In progress is not a bad place to be.

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

#LaceTights

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Chanel presented its Pre-2016 Runway show (I loved it! You can catch it on Instagram or their official site Chanel And while you have to wait to get your hands on it, there were so many elements we can incorporate now to refresh our wardrobes- mainly the lace tights that were everywhere. (sidenote- I Loved the messy beehive and make-up, but am way more qualified to shop rather than do hair!) As the weather turns colder, tights are a great option anyway- but I loved the way these lace ones changed the outfit by becoming the focus. All you need to recreate this look is a black dress- and of course lace hose!

I’d love to know – do you love wearing tights? Will you be trying this look? As for me, I’m off to buy some lace tights!
Happy Thursday! XO RA
Get lace tights:
Chanel
Wolford
And even some very budget friendly ones at Target

In Defense of Gift Cards

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It’s the holiday season and besides eating turkey this weekend there’s above average chance that you went holiday shopping–for others and yourself! Every site has a list of gift suggestions, don’t worry-ours is coming–but among the knick-knacks, sweaters and clothing, there is often an item that goes ignored–the gift card. I know, gift cards have a bad reputation as a cop out–the gift that’s not personal or thought out. However, in defense of the gift card I have to tell you Internet friends, I love them!

I am a shopper–and I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that most of you are as well. Which means that more often than not, I have already bought myself what I want. The items on my Christmas list are usually the big ticket items, experiences (trips), and of course I do love the personal gifts that I didn’t even know I wanted (like my dino collection because if you know me well, you know that I love them!). However, what this means is that to me, a gift card is a personal, thoughtful gift. A gc to my fave store, or just one of those MC/Visa ones, is usually a way to contribute to the big ticket item I want. Movie Theater or Airline gift cards allow me to have great experiences that I love. And I’m grateful for that. I take gift cards as a way of the giver saying not only do they get me–that they support my love of shopping (big ticket items and all). So when they’re in my stocking or under the tree–I love it!

What’s your take? Do you like gift cards? Do you give them?

Happy Tuesday! XO RA

Brand to know: ASOS

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I hate to call Asos a brand, it is an online store, but it does carry it’s own brand—and for as great a find as it is, I’m always surprised at how many people don’t know about it! Asos is based in the UK, and I think they can best be described as a mix of Zara/HM/Anthropologie/Depeartment Store. As previously stated they do have an Asos brand, but also carry other UK/US brands, both low and high price points. They have a great, on-trend, collection of clothes, shoes, swimwear, sleepwear, and make-up–and some of my posts have been full of their offerings!

Great Things:
– They offer both free shipping and free returns
– Have a wide selection of on-trend items, but everything is very well made!
– Because they carry so many brands at so many prices you can find almost anything there!

Not-so Great Things:
-Sizing can run a little small (I find this to be true at many UK/Australian brands) so make sure that you check the measurement guide!

Tips:
-New inventory is added all the time so if you’re looking for something particular make sure you check Asos!
-They also restock, so if an item you love is out of stock make sure that you check back
-The site doesn’t offer a true wishlist, but you can “save” items for 30 days
-I absolutely adore their dresses and can’t recommend them enough!

I’d love to know–do you shop there? What are your “things to know” about Asos?

Happy Tuesday! xo RA

Posts from Asos:
Ladylike
Devil’s In The Details

My Picks:
I may need to buy this dress
Love this jumpsuit
I think this skirt is perfect for winter
and love these shoes

Sunday Chronicles: All Roads Lead Home

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This weekend I got the pleasure of attending my college homecoming. It’s such a treat to get to catch up with old friends. The older I get the more value I see in friends who know your history. Not to mention the great football and general nostalgia the weekend produces. Up there with pumpkins and cider it’s become one of my fall musts. I’d love to know- what’s on your fall bucket list?

 

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