The Universe has your back, Madewell has your front

Investment Piece: Madewell

Loves, we know that one of the most important things in denim fit is how you look from behind. But what we often over look is how we look from the front! Madewell didn’t and got our back–on our fronts that is.

I heard about the new “magic pocket” that Madewell developed, to hold our stomachs in, (Refinery29 has a great review here), and I knew that I had to try them out for myself. I travel often, as you know, and have food sensitivities so I can swell during the day. Any reminder and help to suck my stomach in is a help! So, I tried the jeans out for myself.

Investment Piece: Madewell Review

I bought the jeans right before a trip and wore them on the plane–and a ton since then! I went with the dark rinse, as I thought it would be extra slimming, and the high waist is a must for me–my natural wasit is really high! While I love vintage denim, I do love a little stretch in my jeans, and these have the perfect amount–not too much, but just enough that they fit perfectly. But loves, the secret weapon are the magic pockets in the front. They suck you, and make the front nice and smooth.
Investment Piece: Madewell Review
Investment Piece: Madewell Review

I have to admit that I was very skeptical about the “magic” pockets, and perhaps more than a little concerned about if the attention was given to my front if my back side would still look amazing. The great news? My fears were put to rest! The magic pockets do help, they suck you in just enough, and help me remember; and loves, this is through airports, late nights, some bloating, etc. I can put these on and not worry about my front!

Investment Piece: Madewell Review

And my back? Well the universe does have that, and while there might not be magic pockets, I have to say I like the view back there too!

Investment Piece: Madewell Review

The verdict? Loves, I really like these jeans! Madewell made an assortment of rinses and cuts, so there’s a pair out there that will have your front. And if you get some, I’d love to know: do you love them?

Note: this post was not sponsored by Madewell, I bought the jeans myself, and put them through my own testing. If there is ever a review I do that involves a “freebie”, I will let you know!

You can shop some of my Madewell picks below!

XO RA

Birthday!

It’s my birthday!! I made us a little video to celebrate!

I’m off having champagne and dreaming of shoes, you can shop my wishlist picks below and raise a glass to me! I’m so excited to be in your life and spend my birthday with you!

And if you wanted a chance at the Blog Birthday Wishlist, here it is again:

Thank you for being a part of my day!

XO RA

Polka Dots

Investment Piece: Polka Dots
Investment Piece: Polka Dots
Investment Piece: Polka Dots
Investment Piece: Polka Dots
Investment Piece: Polka Dots
I say all the time that fashion should be fun and that you should wear what makes you happy. I believe in that. And what could be more fun than polka dots? But loves, I have to admit to you that even though I believe all those things, I sometimes worry that things might be too short for me. And that maybe I’m too old for certain things. Crazy thoughts, right? Mainly because if you came to me with an amazing fun polka dot dress that made you feel special and invincible, but you were worried about it being a little too short, I would want to tell you how things that make you happy are amazing! That you should wear what makes you happy. That maybe there is a such a thing as too short, but that if everything is covered and you’re comfortable, then have at it! That if a polka dot dress that is unique and you finds you that you don’t leave it. Isn’t it crazy that we forget that we should speak to ourselves the same way that we should talk to our friends?
My fears aside, I’m glad that I didn’t walk away from this dress. Putting it on simply makes me smile, and what else should fashion do?
Investment Piece: Polka Dots
There’s something I love about classics-polka dots–in a “new” way–these sleeves! This was an amazing find from Timeless Vixen (loves, I love her, she is so kind, fun, and her collection! Shop her online here) via A Current Affair (read all about my LA experience here and if you’re in NYC make sure that you visit them this coming weekend!). This dress is both fresh and timeless, all at the same time. Again, I did worry about the length, but it’s just fun! The colors, the sleeves, the personality. It makes me want to dance all night, but would be just as great at dinners, parties, and events (and loves, I hope that there’s dancing at all of those things!).

Pics are by Katy Shayne (I always remember to tag her on Instagram, but not here-she’s amazing!). My shopping picks are below!

XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Sitting Still

Investment Piece: Stilling Still
‘I am sitting still.’

Loves, I know that I talk about rest and sitting still a lot here in our weekly “fireside chats”. (See here) This is mainly because even though I’m an introvert (I am, I promise!) who loves her time alone, and a creative who needs to recharge after her bouts of creating, I have a hard time sitting still. Everything about it-from letting myself just do nothing, to active mediation, to admitting that I need some down time– has been a struggle for me to give into. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve gotten better about this as I’ve gotten older, I actively acknowledge that I’m a better person when I get some time each week to sit still, and now schedule it for myself, but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy.

And loves, May is my busiest month of the year. I have something each weekend, trips, birthdays (not only can I name someone for each day this month, both my mommy and I have birthdays this week!), graduations, and it’s the beginning of wedding season. It’s almost as if this is the month of go-go-go before summer sets in. So, when you know that you need some time to sit still and yet your calendar is completely full (and your to-do list because of said calendar is miles long), what do you do?

I’m learning. I’m learning that everything is a practice, from my yoga to my spin to my business to my sitting still. And this means that some days are amazing, and some days I fall out of the pose. That I have to schedule my time to sit still the same way I do my birthday celebration, and that even when it doesn’t come easy, that sitting still is still something to do.

And what do I do when I sit still? Meditate (or try to), relax, do nothing, read, recharge, Netflix and chill, look for inspiration, try to turn my mind off, try to turn inward, and most importantly, try to just be. Have I mentioned that it’s not always easy. That getting caught up in being busy and all I “have” to do is much easier? But, that when I do let myself sit still we’re all better for it.

I’d love to know: what’s your journey with sitting still? Tricks?

Wishing us all a week of stillness, birthdays, and amazing shoes! XO RA

Feeling Good Again

Investment Piece: Feeling Good Again
Investment Piece: Feeling Good Again
Investment Piece: Feeling Good Again
Investment Piece: Feeling Good Again
Investment Piece: Feeling Good Again

How are you feeling this Friday? This year has been a lot, right? And of course last year was too, I know. What I’m learning? Things are always going to be a lot; and within all of that, we all have our ups and downs of our own. Loves, I have to admit, between last year and some of this, I have been feeling pretty low. Not completely low, but but not 100% myself. And when part of what you do is put yourself and your stlyle out there, feeling not yourself isn’t great. I have no answers for that, I can tell you that what I did was solider on (I don’t know what else to do), reach out to the people I love, and really focus on how I want to feel and creating situations that let me feel that way. Can we control all the things? Nope, but we can control ourselves–and loves that’s a lot! I’m happy to report that I’m feeling good again, and I can’t wait to share all the good things coming with you!

Investment Piece: Feeling Good Again

Speaking of Feeling Good Again, it was the song playing during this shoot, and it seems to fit. (If you didn’t have the pleasure of going to college in TX, I cannot recommend Robert Earl Keen enough, and this song is a great start). This dress is one of those happy accidents, I got it on super sale at By George Warehouse Sale. ( Haider Ackermann!) It’s a little heavy for the season-wool over silk, but I love the layers (silk, the over lay, the silt, satin at the cuffs and hem). It’s simple, elegant, and able to be all on its own. I feel able to conquer the world, NY, or myself in it. I also kinda get an Olsen vibe from it, and if that doesn’t make you feel good, I don’t know what does!

Hope this Friday, and weekend, finds you feeling very good!

XO RA

Shop my picks below!

Brand to Shop: Ann Chikahisa

Investment Piece: Ann Chikahisa

There are times when you meet someone that is simply special, and that love and care that they have shines through their work. This is true with Ann Chikahisa of Chikahisa Studio, who makes amazing jewelry from organic metals and stones.

Investment Piece: Ann Chikahisa

Ann is self taught, and each piece is a work of love. The pieces are elegant, easy, and modern. There is a joy that Ann has in her work, and it completely comes through in her work!

Investment Piece: Ann Chikahisa
Investment Piece: Ann Chikahisa

This is what you can expect: great collections of necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets made with gold, silver, oxidized silver and stones–anything from diamonds to gem stones that feel organic, elegant, and most definitely non-basic. These pieces are a great way to elevate everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a little black dress, and besides being beautiful are fun!

Investment Piece: Ann Chikahisa
Some of my fave pieces: The above gold and oxidized silver necklace that I wore as a bracelet, the gold jacket earrings, stacking rings, and I have my eye on some of Ann’s diamond and hoop earrings!

I got to know Ann at Elaine Kim Studio, but you don’t have to get to LA to find Chikahisa studio! You can shop them online at Chikahisa Studio

Happy Shopping! XO RA

Farmer’s Market

Investment Piece: Farmer's Market
Investment Piece: Farmer's Market
Investment Piece: Farmer's Market
Investment Piece: Farmer's Market
Investment Piece : Farmer's Market
Investment Piece: Farmer's Market

One of my favorite places in LA? The Farmer’s Market at the Grove (and yes, the Grove is another). I love the stalls and restaurants full of fresh fruits, veggies, and other items. I love the restaurants and little shops (they have a sticker shop!). I love the fountains, the people watching, the whole experience of the Farmer’s Market.

And the best thing about the Farmer’s Market on this visit? This stunning vintage jumpsuit from the Kit Vintage. I fell in love the minute that she posted it on Instagram. It has a vague Prada runway feel-I love the shorts and the over skirt, the metallic, the jacquard, the sleeves, the buttons. It’s simply perfect. I feel like a movie star in it, and that’s a feeling that I will never pass up! Because it’s me, I love the juxatipositon of this jumpsuit at the Farmer’s Market; high fashion meets fruit stands. We had a great time roaming the stalls and playing by the fountains. The jumpsuit? As amazing as it is (and it really and truly is) and all the places it would be great at (parties, dinners, red carpets; you could seperate it and wear the pieces to fabulous things), this jumpsuit fit right in at the Farmer’s Market.

The lesson? Wear what makes you feel special, no matter where you go. What did you wear to the famer’s market this week?

XO RA

This jumpsuit is vintage, from my love The Kit Vintage, I’ve picked some similar options below!

90% off luxury consignment

Morning After

Investment Piece: Morning After
Investment Piece: Morning After
Investment Piece: Morning After

Shopping can be like a wild night out. You never quite know how things are going to go, what you’re going to find, or who you’re going home with. You might wake up the morning after with regret, or you migh wake up the morning after loving what you did. Yes, here we buy into the theory that the morning after can lead to a long and happy relationship– but we limit this theory to shopping. So my tips for having a great morning after? Stick to places you love that treat you right (this number is from RecessLA and we know that they are one of my favorites). Know your limit (not always fun, but your bank appreciates it). Choose wisely (dresses like this Prada number won’t steer you wrong).

If it’s another kind of morning after I recommend coconut water and low light. A great burger doesn’t hurt either!

Loves, let’s chat a minute about lingerie dressing. There are so many versions of it, there are so many ways to wear it, there is so much to love about it. This Prada dress is what I consider the best of high end lingerie dressing. It combines the classic “little black dress”, a little lace, and a hint of nude. Silky and Lacey, but perfect for a cocktail party, though I won’t judge you for wearing this around the house! The result? Not your average dress with just a hint of lingerie. Sophisticated, fun, and not a thing to regret in the morning.

When there are many, many things to not like about the morning, it’s always nice to have purchases like this to make the morning after easier (and give you something to look forward to in the evening!)

Investment Piece: Morning After

Investment Piece: Morning AFter

Last I checked, this dress was still available at Recess (love it? You can check their website or contact them via Instagram to inquire), or shop my picks below!
Investment Piece: Morning After
Hope this morning had no regrets!

XO RA

Art of Dress

Investment Piece: Art of Dress
Investment Piece: Art of Dress
Investment Piece: Art of Dress
Investment Piece: Art of Dress
Investment Piece: Art of Dress

We know I love fashion. We know that I love Art. We know that I think fashion is Art. We know that a goal of mine is to be Art. Is it any surprise that I love this dress?

I love going to museums, and I also like dinosaurs (yes, like a kid!); so the tar pits in Los Angeles hold a special facisnation for me. I love the thought of walking on history! And though you can’t play in the tar (which would require a different outfit entirely) the scenery is beautiful! The tar pits are connected to LACMA, which makes this art inspired dress a perfect fit. I love the abstract faces, the color blocking, the cut out. It’s classic, but it’s edgy. This dress is silk, but a Topshop find-so it’s completely affordable!

This piece is perfect for gallery openings, museum days, cocktails, dinner, or 9-5. I like to think it brings me a bit closer to being Art, and that I will take every time!

Happy Friday! XO

This Topshop dress is sold out (Their Unique and Boutique lines are worth a look!) I love this one , this one, and this one. Shop my other picks below!

Events

Investment Piece: Events

Loves! There are many, many things I love about my job. I love the shopping and the putting together of outfits. I love finding things to share with you, and interacting with you on social media, and the site. And one of my most favorite things about this job are the events. I get to meet you and other vendors. I get to be with you and shop! It’s amazing!

Investment Piece: events

I’m also incredibly lucky that I get to host and attend events in more than one state. In my current tour through Texas, and specially this past weekend, I got to attend two amazing events: Bloomers and Frocks/Lively Collective held a Ladies Lounge in Austin, TX, full of tarot/henna/amazing fashion; and in Tyler, AAVintedge held a “Cool Collective” benefitting rescue dogs with amazing vendors/food/music.

Investment Piece: Events

Both events were amazing! At the Ladies’ Lounge I got to meet Solaris, who was simply amazing at reading tarot cards, as well as got to shop my some of my two fave stores in Dallas. In Tyler, I got to be with my love AAvintedge, and got to know amazing new vendors: Jesse Roberts (@jlr_leathers on Instagram, her bags are dope and so affordable) and Vanessa from Cade Republic Design (Cade Republic), and Beetle Rose (@shopbeetlerose, amazing shorts and undies!)Events leave me feeling so energized and full of inspriration. I love seeing what people wear, what people are selling, and what people are saying. I love getting to know you and getting to know people I think you should know.
Investment Piece: Events
Investment Piece: Events

If I haven’t made it to your neck of the woods for an event, don’t worry! I have events (and am planning events) for this summer in both CA and TX. Got an event you want me to visit? Have an event you think I should host? Let me know, I’d love to make it!

I’m busy recovering from my wild weekend, I have great things to show you this week, and make sure you’re following me on Instagram to see what goodies I got at these events!

XO RA