I write about a lot of stars.
I wear a lot of stars.
When I was born, my birth announcement was a star.
Maybe there’s just something about stars that attract. The question? What do you do after that? How do you stay Star Struck? (Cause Stars can be hard to hold on to)
My take: combine stars with a classic piece (i.e. A blazer).
Wear stars like a neutral.
Let the stars be the focus.
Let the stars be simple and complex at the same time. And when people ask if you’re a star, just smile.
This method isn’t always fool proof, but I can promise that with practice, it will let you stay star struck. And that’s just you, think of the people around you!
The moral? Maybe we should all stay a bit star struck, wear stars like a neutral, and shine a little bright. (Corny? Maybe, I can’t help it, the theme is stars!)
This blazer is from my love AAVintedge (and more specifically, my other “mom” there, Lori. I just love it. Lucky for you? I’ve linked my favorite star pieces (as well as jeans, and similar shoes and bags) for you below. Wanna be star struck together?
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links, and while that doesn’t affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Usually posts will tell you about something that I’m using, or have, that I just can’t get enough of; and how I think you would love it too. This isn’t exactly that kind of post. I don’t know about you, but the holiday season kicked my booty a little. There were parties and events and travel. There was a list of things to do a mile long. I got behind, I let things slide, I gave up on some things. And in the midst of cheer and being stressed out, I forgot to reorder my skin care.
Yes, things that I love that I use daily, I forgot.
And when I forgot, I let it go. There was just so much to do, and I was overwhelmed so I put down “order Skin Print” on my list. I didn’t get around to ordering Skin Print.
There is no one more upset than me.
This isn’t a post where I tell you I’ve been using it and I love it. This is a post where I tell you I can promise it works, because I can tell the difference when I don’t use it.
You heard me gush about Eye Deal here. The thing is, I was right. I have been out for maybe a month. I can tell a difference in my circles, my puffiness, my lines. Yes, there are great products out there, but a month without my fave made me realize just how well it works. Can you only imagine how young I would look if I had had it?
I get ill just thinking about it.
But, it made me get on the ball. And I’m saving you–get on the ball with me. I won’t gush or bribe you. I’m going to just say, I can tell I’m not using it, and I don’t like looking my age.
Another thing I hate about getting older? For some reason, I’m breaking out. (I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t have an acne problem in high school. I wish for you skin problems when all of your peers are also suffering.) What helps? This exfoliant. How do I know? While I’ve been out, my skin has been worse. And I was only using it once a week! When I get my package, that number will go up.
There are so many more products that I’m missing. The moisturizer. The sunscreen. The anti-wrinkle treatment. Moral of the story? Don’t be like me. Order your products. Make sure that you have them in stock. Use them. Let’s be on the ball together. Deal?
What would you be if you weren’t doing what you are? Me? An art restorer. Or, more scandalous, an art thief. Why? A few years ago, I began reading about the value of art, the stealing of art, the up keep of art, how Hilter coveted art, and forgeries. I can’t get enough of the topic, both fiction, nonfiction, books, and movies. (Tell me “Thomas Crown Affair” is not a great movie. I can also recommended the author David Silva and his series of art restorer and spy.)
So, think what you will of the show, when The Catch was on ABC, I loved it. An investigator, an art heist, con men–I was in! (And another note- Mireille Enos is a treasure and art, herself). About this time, you may be asking, what on earth does this have to do with a leather trench?
Let’s chat about it.
On the show, The Catch the lead character wore a leather trench all the time. I became obsessed with finding one. I love that it’s slightly edgy, classic, and able to pass for a dress (while also looking great over jeans). Being me, I looked high and low for one. (Good places to start: your local vintage store and Etsy.) Me? I lucked into one at one of my favorite places Bloomers and Frocks (you can read about them here.)
I love the classic color, I love the belt, I love that this is complete on its own. Simply add heels (yes,this would also look great with flats) and you’re good to go. Do I look like someone who would catch a thief? Or steal a painting? That’s the look I was going for!
Leather trenches can be bought vintage or new. They’re a staple that manages not to feel stale. And there are so many ways you could wear them-alone or paired with other great pieces. I associate them with spies and art work (some of my favorite things). What do leather trenches make you think of?
I’ve linked similar pieces below!
Happy Monday! XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links, and I may earn commission off of them. Thank you for your support!
I’m going to bet that not only are you seeing post after post about diets, cleanses, and detoxes, but that your feeds are full of goals. Goal setting. Goal achieving. Talking about goals. Hopefully, out there, someone being #goals. After all, tis the season, right? And I get it. We can’t work towards anything that we don’t put out there; and sharing your goals is a great way to add in accountability.
What I don’t like? All talk and no action. I feel like we can spend time talking about our goals, thinking about them, sharing them; and yet, we still have to work towards our goals. So this year, I’m not going to share my goals here. Yes, I have them, yes, they’re big. Yes, I can’t wait to show the result. But instead of just listing my goals, I’m thinking: how do I achieve them?
Goals are amazing. Goal achieving is what I’m after. And I hope you are, too. So in that spirit, here are some thoughts I have on going out and getting our goals done. I still would love to hear your goals, but I’m also interested in your methods. Loves, what are you doing to reach your goals?
To Reach a Goal You Have to Believe You are Worthy Of It
Do you think you deserve what you want? A simple question, but if you really put in the thought, it can be really complicated. A wise woman once told me that the difference between those who achieve goals and those who don’t is the belief that they are worthy of their goals. We’ve heard it before: we are so worthy and deserving of everything we want. But, do we really believe that? I can be as self sabotaging as I can be amazing. So, this year as I set my goals, I’m examining my thoughts. I’m thinking about the life I want, and how that would look and feel. And I’m making sure that I know how worthy I am of that fantastic life I’m planning.
Did you make a mistake? Or did something just not look like your expectation?
A woman I love asked me this question this week and I can’t stop thinking about it. When we set goals, when we work towards them; it’s so easy to get discouraged. It’s easy to feel like once you make a mistake to give up. First, there is no such thing as perfection (and as a perfectionist I have to remind myself of that EVERY DAY), and being soft with ourselves when mistakes happen is part of the process.
Second, what if it’s not a mistake? I bit on my teeth on scripts. I tend to have a picture in my head of how things should go, look, be said. And when reality doesn’t match that? I can get a little uptight. (Ok, a lot uptight. Please still be my friend). What I’m learning to remind myself of? Sometimes mistakes and things not looking the way you planned is a gift. Sometimes not having your expectation met means that something even more wonderful happened. How’s that for goal setting and mistakes?
Flow
The best way to get a goal done? Do it. I enjoy the thinking, the planning, the creating. And all of that is so important. More important? Action. Jumping in and working a bit each day, even when things aren’t perfect. There’s something about the motion that can carry us through. Or at least, that’s what the goal people tell me.
So I’m working, and doing. I’m making “mistakes” and feeling worthy. I’m trying and putting myself out there. What about you? What are your methods and thoughts about how to reach #goals?
Wishing us all a week of progress and amazing shoes! XO RA
Loves, let’s get something out of the way. I put together this look. I love this look. This look makes me think of a toy solider. Why? Too many kids books? The buttons on the vintage dress? That these boots are white?
I’m not exactly sure. And I’m not sure what dressing like a toy solider says about me. But we had to get that out of the way before we chatted anything else–this is great vintage dress, and these flat, knee high, Chanel boots are just stunning–but still, if I didn’t say toy solider, I’d be thinking it. And what if you were thinking it?
See, we had to get it out of the way. Maybe this is a toy solider look, buy my goodness, the pieces are simple and fantastic and made me believe in rocking flats. So, let’s chat about that, shall we?
Another confession? If you tell me you have these great boots, I’m just going to assume that they have heels. In fact, tell me about shoes and I will assume that they have heels. Prejudice? Maybe. I’m just a heels woman. And I have the high arches that make them comfortable. I just assume we all walk in heels.
Here’s where my prejudice fails me. Flats can be amazing, can be a statement, can be a wow factor. You can Rock flats and they can change your life.
Why it too so long for me to learn this? Who knows!! But I’m on board now, and there’s no going back.
So, rocking flats. How to rock flats? Should you Rock Flats?
Loves, yes.
I wasn’t attracted to these boots because they were flats; I was attracted to them because they are simply amazing. The color. The detail. The over the knee aspect. That they’re flats? Just a part of the fabulousness that they are. These Chanel boots (bought resale at Vestiaire Collective) are just everything that I didn’t know that I needed, so even with my flare for heels, I went for flats.
This vintage dress? Simple, elegant, doesn’t need much. It’s the perfect dress to wear with just about anything. So, amazing, white, supple, over the knee boots? The answer was in itself super easy. Wear them, love them.
Actually, loves, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: how to rock flats? The same way you do heels. Find a pair you love (for whatever reason). Wear them with an outfit you love (for whatever reason). That’s the secret, you just Rock flats.
I’d love to know: How do you Rock flats?
I’ve linked similar items for your shopping pleasure below! Happy Friday!
XO RA
Note: this post contains some affiliate links. While they do not affect price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
She was an American Girl. Raised on Promises. She Couldn’t help thinking that there was a little more life, somewhere else. After all it was a great, big world. With lots of places to run to. And if she had to die tryin, she has one little promise she was gonna keep.
Oh yeah. All right. Take it easy, baby. Make it last all night.
She was an American Girl.
Tom Petty was one of my favorite musicians, and this song is one of my anthems. Cause I am an American Girl, raised on promises. I used to play this song when I taught spin (what they don’t tell you about being a creative is that you have a career and a million jobs), and to this day, every time I hear it on the radio I can’t help but turn it up and sing along. (Related: if you were never lucky enough to see Tom Petty in concert, I highly recommend this video of his last song, the full concert is also available online).
But loves, this American Girl doesn’t sing (I’m a humanitarian). So what does being an American Girl mean for fashion?
There is no standard look for an American Girl. She doesn’t have to do or say or wear one particular thing. Isn’t that what we’ve fought for? That an American Girl can be whatever it is that she wants to be. And that extends to fashion. Like something? Wear it! Love who you are? Express it with your outfit choices. Want to be something different every day? There’s nothing more American Girl than that.
My only rules:
– Leopard is a neutral
-Concert Tees go with anything
-Great Heels take you places
You could take the pieces of this outfit, combine them in a thousand different ways and make the outfit as casual or as formal as you wanted. You could rock a look just like this, and be a little rock and roll. Anything you choose is perfect for the American Girl that you are that day. How’s that for magic?
I’d love to know: how you do define being an American Girl (or Woman, as we should have been using)? What do you think makes one? And what does an American Girl wear?
I’ve linked similar items (and these exact pants, which are now on sale!) below.
Take it easy, baby. Make it last all night. She was, an American Girl
XO RA
Note: This post does contain some affiliate links, and while they do not affect the price for you, I may make commission off of them. Thank you for your support!
I, like you, often have conflicting feelings about holidays that aren’t about shopping being a huge sale day. However, when the deals are good should we restrain ourselves? What if we did good in our communities, loved each other really hard, and shopped great sales? I think that might be a great compromise. And in that spirit, I’ve picked some of my fave deals from today for your shopping pleasure! Shop my picks and love someone, now that’s a great holiday!
How do we feel about a holiday weekend barely half a month into the new year? Gift? Curse? I hope it finds you resting, enjoying loved ones, and settling in. I also hope this MLK Day you take a minute to think about love. What unites us is so much more powerful than what divides us. Love is something we all need, deserve, and strive for; and love is the only thing that can move us forward. Let’s choose love this weekend, and in the coming weeks.
Wishing us all a place at the table and amazing shoes! XO RA
Nights in LA can be just as magical as the mornings. There is always something going on: from premiere to event to just a great burger. You might have to watch yourself on a LA night, there’s the tempation to think you might be left out, that maybe you’re not at the right event or venue, but I really don’t buy that. My experience has been that any night, any place can be amazing, if you’re with the right people. And lucky for us all, I’ve been known to bring my own drama (the sleeves on this dress!); and I’ve found that if you’re looking for magic LA nights will give it to you. Look at that light!
We can talk about any event, but let’s talk about this dress. It’s all statement: the low back, the sleeves, the length. Part witchy, part goddess, all magic; just the way I like it! And the great thing, this dress is deceptive. It’s the softest jersey, so while it can turn heads, it’s a throw on and go type of dress. I promise. What I love about statement dresses (or statement anything) is that they don’t need a lot of help. Wear your hair natural. You can throw on flip flops if you need to, I did. You don’t have to try too hard, the dress does it for you. This dress is a Norma Kamali, I love that her style is drama with out the fuss. Her jersey is some of the softest that I have ever worn, the cut is always great, and there’s always an “it” factor: sleeves, a deep back, or both! (You’ve also seen some of her swimwear here)
This night in LA was indeed magical, but there was no special event. My photographer, Katy Shayne, and I simply were craving a great burger, and may be a martini or two. The light was perfect, and I was in the mood to wear this dress. And I was able to talk Katy into shooting me. That simple. Nights in LA are magic, but the best kind of magic is the kind you bring yourself: a great dress, a great friend, a great meal, a great laugh. Premieres can be fun. Events make me happy. But there are a ton of LA nights that have left me breathless, and all that was needed was a great dress!
I’d love to know: what’s your brand of magic, or statement dress for Nights in LA (or anywhere)?
Loves! I’m so excited to announce our new personal shopping services! From simple outfit consultations to help finding the perfect piece for you or your loved ones, I’m looking forward to shopping with you!
(Note: While I specialize in finding you the perfect addition to your closet, and with the new year in full swing, I’m excited to help you “revamp” your closet!
How it works:
Email me: (racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com). We’ll chat about what you need, what you’re looking for, and your timeline. After we agree to work together, we’ll set up a time to skype or FaceTime (in person appointments are available, depending on in city availability. Price varies.)
I get to work! Whether it’s helping you put together an outfit with the items you already have, or I hunt for the perfect time for you, I will get to work! My goal is always to find you the best pieces (within budget) that make you feel great, add joy to your life, and are a great fit. Each situation and timeline are different, so if we’re working together for a day, weeks, or month(s), I’m always available to chat, provide you with updates, and use your input to narrow my search!
You Get Something You Love! From the perfect fitting jeans, to an enviable wedding outfit, to a fantastic vintage piece, to a great gift for your loved ones, we shop till you are happy!
What sets us at Investment Piece apart from other personal shopping services is that we do the heavy lifting. There’s no need for you to meet us out, or go from store to store with me! (Unless you want to!) I’ll present all my choices via email or text, and if we don’t find what you love, we keep looking! I also specialize in finding rare, vintage, and items from past seasons (these pieces are the backbone of my own waredrobe). While it may take time, if there’s an item you love, I will do my best to find it for you; or help you begin to vintage shop and curate your own vintage collection.
