Sunday Chronicles: Goals

Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, goals, Sunday Chronicles, CA, TX

It’s that time of year! We turn the page, we start anew, we set our goals. There’s much ado about our resolutions and how to stick to them, jokes made about them, and the reality is that some of us let our goals go. My thoughts on goals? I love them! I think that they can act as a great catalyst or game plan to get us to that great live we want. However, I also think that we have to be smart about them, goals are powerful, and I truly believe that we can create anything we want–but how? Here are my tips for goal setting:

Decide What You Want
I mean really decide. Here’s the deal: General goals beget general results. This is your time to be incredibly specific. Want to lose weight? How much? How do you want your body to look? Want a great relationship? What exactly does that mean to you? The more specific, the more juicy detail you can add only helps you.

Believe You Are Worthy
Women, in particular, tend to talk ourselves out of our goals. “I’d love to be a but I’m . I’ve had acting coaches and athletic coaches alike tell me that the number one difference they see in those who achieve their goals and those who don’t is the belief that they are worthy of their goals. And loves, you are worthy of your best life. You are worthy of your best. When your goals are built on top of that, you are unstoppable.

You Change Your Daily LifeĀ 
Call it your habits, your system, your plan. Goals and results don’t fall from the sky (or if you have information on how they do–hook a sister up!). To get what we want we have to change what we do (yes, there’s more than one cliche about this). I’m the first to admit that I’m a big picture woman, I can see the big thing I’m after, and often the breaking the goal up into small steps is difficult for me. However, I’ve noticed the biggest changes in my life, the resolutions that stuck so to speak, were built on things that I changed about my routine. If your goal is to lose 10 lbs the reality is you’re going to have to change how you work out and what you eat. And every goal is like that!

It doesn’t have to be big
Here’s the good news about our daily changes: they don’t have to be big. Knowing that I can think big, I am aware that I can set myself up for failure by trying to do the impossible. The great news? The possible, small bits of possible, make up the impossible. Let’s stick with our weight loss example: 10 lbs isn’t coming off over night, and you won’t go from laying on the couch to running marathons. BUT you can move 20 mins more each day, you can make it to the gym one day, you can eat more veggies one day. Those little things add up, and can make big change.

The biggest trick of all? You just have to start. Loves, I don’t think that the beginning of the year is by any means the only time to set new goals. Any time you want to set a new goal, the world is your oyster. I think that visualizing and really believing in your goal are key (I love vision boards, I think our self talk can change our lives, I think we create the world we want by our thoughts and actions). I also believe that big impossible things can happen, but just in case we do little, possible things each day. And lastly:

Learn to be Grateful in the Hallway
When you’re waiting for a door to open, or a goal to be achieved, it can get frustrating in the meantime. It can get overwhelming and scary and seem like a great idea to give up. I don’t believe that you have to be a cheerleader all day every day. Yes, we become what we believe, but occasionally days suck. And it’s OK to admit that. Gratitude is something that we talk about, and can be trendy, I can say that it works. I have a spin teacher who I love who preaches that while you’re waiting on God to open your door, you have to learn to praise Him in the hallway. To say thank-you before you get what you want. Sound out there? Try it. I can personally testify that having an “attitude of gratitude” is life changing, and helps you get what you want faster–not to mention you enjoy the ride a little more. An acting coach I had once challenged us to keep a gratitude journal for a month-that each morning we were to write down 3 things we are grateful for; they could be small (coffee), big (family and friends) or that thing you want so much (your goal). We were challenged to see what our life was like at the beginning of a month, and then again at the end of the month of this task. I challenge you to try it!

So, how do you work on achieving your goals? Are you a resolution type? What do you think of my “methods”?

And if mine weren’t enough, I love these articles about goal-getting!
From Forbes
James Clear
And Inc

Wishing us all results and amazing shoes! XO RA

Cold Weather

Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, cold weather, vintage, high fashion, YSL , Valentino, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, cold weather, vintage, high fashion, YSL, Valentino, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, cold weather, vintage, high fashion, CA, TX, YSL, Valentino
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, vintage, cold weather, high fashion, YSL, Valentino, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, Valentino, high fashion
InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, cold weather, vintage, high fashion, YSL, vintage, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, cold weather, vintage, high fashion, YSL , Valentino, CA, TX

Is cold weather an excuse not be chic? Granted the answer to this is easier when cold is not in the teens, but I think cold weather is simply an excuse to pop your glam cold weather wear. For example? These boots–you’ve seen them so many times before, but any time I have a chance, I wear them! (See them here, here, and here, and all over my Instagram). I love that they are warm, but a complete show stoppper! And this vintage YSL trench. Velvet (on trend), warm, and versatile (it’s a little big on me, so I wrap it to make it a dress, it also looks great open over anything), it turns heads too! I just like to show the weather who’s the boss–what about you?

XO RA

Street Style

InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, street style, CA, TX, high fashion
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, street style, high fashion
InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, street style, high fashion InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, street style, high fashion
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, street style, high fashion

If you’re like me, you love the street style pics that (often come during fashion week) get shared on all of our social media outlets. I love getting inspired by the outfits, the outrageous style, and the way people make the street their runway–I aspire to that. So, is there a formula to street style? After careful study I think the biggest thing is to let your personality shine through, and have some fun! And for me–fun is proportion and color! I fell in love with these Solace London palazzo pants at my trip to Austn’s Le Garage Sale, and had to have them. The silk is incredibly soft, the length is amazing, and the volume is so fun! They go with so much–from tees to blouses, but I love the contrast of a sweater. I kept it thin, and in the same color to minimize any bulkiness. And then. Fun shoes! You know me–I love my shoes, and these Velvet mules are no exception. The color is amazing, they’re comfy, and they add pop! A great outfit for work, play, or being on the street! What do you think of my street style?

XO RA

Detox

Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, new year, Detox, resolution, CA, TX

How are those resolutions coming? I find that there are some different camps when it comes to resolutions: those who make them, those who think they are stupid, those that stick, those that break them fairly quickly. The process of goal setting and achieving is one that I find fascinating, and one that isn’t always so cut and dried. I’m a believer that any day is a good day to start over, but the beginning of the year can provide a fresh start that lends itself to goal setting. And like many of you, one of my first goals for the year is a detox. What do I mean by that?

Detox means so much in our society. We’ll have friends who simply live on juice, who forsake social media, who cut things like sugar and carbs out of their diets. Detox is seen as both a punishment for eating poorly and a great reset. It’s both trendy and decried by some experts. So my detox? While I’m longing for more veggies after the holidays I don’t think of this as punishment. As one of my favorite spin teachers (yes, again, I’m a Soul Cycle junkie) will tell you punishing your body doesn’t work. This is a chance to give my body what I need, to reset, and regain habits that help make me look and feel great. And loves, I’m not just detoxing my diet.

Yes, there will be more juice, veggies, and excercise this month; less sugar, alcohol and carbs. But after last year and the holiday season I’m ready to look at all areas of my life, cut out what I don’t need, and build on what makes me the best me. I, and you, have goals to achieve, trips to take, shoes to buy. And I want to make sure that I help myself out! So I will be “tightening” my diet, paying attention to what makes me feel good, giving myself what I need (and long term yes that means treats now and again!). I’m a shopper, which means budgeting is not always fun, but I’m determined this year to master my budget and include the trips, shoes, fun, and yet become financially stable (repeat after me: savings accounts are sexy). I’m going to detox my closet, get rid of things I don’t need–and repeat this method throughout my house, and life. None of this is about punishment, but in order to be the best version of me I can, I’m willing to detox and get rid of anything that doesn’t serve me.

Sounds intimindating? Maybe, but I’m looking at this as fun! I hope you’ll come along for the ride! I’ll be sharing some of tips I pick up–I’m meeting with budget experts and skin care specialists! We’ll clean out our closets and get inspired with our remaining clothes (need a reminder on how I clean out closets? Gotcha! here and here Need help with your clean out? I’m available for consultations? Email racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com)

What are your thoughts on detoxing? Raise a juice with me?

XO RA

Easy

InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, CA, TX, easy, Chanel, Jcrew, relaxed
InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, CA, TX, easy, Jcrew, Citizens Jeans, relax
InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, CA, TX, easy, Chanel, Jcrew, high fashion InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, CA, TX, Chanel, easy, Jcrew, InvestmentPiece, Fashionblogger, Chanel, easy, Jcrew, boots, high fashion

Loves! It’s 2017! We made it! Did you have a good holiday? Are you back at work? I can’t wait to hear everything! Today may still be a bit of an “in between day” for some. The holidays are over, but it’s not as if we’re in the swing of things. We’re working on swinging–going back to work, taking down the holiday. Days like today it’s tempting to stay in PJs all day (and I’ve been known to do that), but when you have to get dressed I love outfits like this one–easy, comfy, but pack a punch! And yes, let’s talk about these boots! They’re Chanel and I got them on Vestaire Collective, and loves, they are perfect. Buttery soft, I love that they are flat–but the length gives them a pop! With a great pair of jeans and a classic blouse (with a color pop of its own), I’m reading for swinging!

What are your go-to outfits for easy days?

XO
RA

Sunday Chronicles: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope the last bit of 2016 was good to you, and that the first moments of 2017 are painless. I hope there was great fashion and champagne, and that they keep flowing today. It’s the new year! Let’s set some goals, let’s crush them. Let’s wear amazing shoes, and be amazing to each other. Let’s grow, and let all the joy/pain/laughter that comes with that carry us!

Wishing us all a great day, happy new year, and amazing shoes! XO RA

Year In Review!

Loves! We made it! 2017 is almost here, and it’s a time to look forward with hope and look back with gratitude! I am so, so thrilled that you let me share my little space on the Internet with you. Thank you for helping me grow this community. I have so many things in the works for you–I’m truly excited about what the new year will bring! And I’m thinking about you! What do you like? What would you like? This space is partially about you! So on that note:

On our Fashion Posts:
More writing, and how-to’s? Less writing? No writing on outfit posts?

Personal Shopping! We’re working on getting packages together so we can shop together! Are you interested?

Anything else (constructive) we can do to better your experience?

Leave a comment below, on our Facebook or email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com!

Again, thank you for a great year–here’s to many more!

XO
RA

Some of my faves from this year:













InvesmentPiece, fashion, floral, pink, vintage, blogger, CA, TX
Cape, Saks, blogger, atx, la, vintage, Stuart Weitzman, Ft Worth, Texas, designer, fashion, high style,

Returns

You’ve given, you’ve gotten. And now, with the presents all unwrapped comes the fun–the returns! I hope that you don’t have many, but, every year there seems to be some! (And I know a lot of people had a difficult year (my family included) and while I am so grateful for so much–if there are gift receipts for some of these experiences, I’d love to know!) So, how do you handle returns? Well, as a seasoned shopper I have some ideas –no matter if you’re the giver or the returner!

Don’t Take it Personal
So, you gave a gift that didn’t work out. Or you got a gift and worry about hurting the feelings of the gifter. Loves, I hope that the point of the gift was to show that you care. And I hope both parties remember: returns aren’t personal. Sizing, taste, need–all these can contribute to a gift needing to go back. There’s no need for hurt feelings, there’s no need for drama. My suggestion: if you’re the receiver handle the situation with grace, offer as much honesty as you can (although maybe skip the part where you hate it), and keep your sense of humor. The gifter–handle it with as much grace as you can, try to learn something about the receiver, and keep your sense of humor. Now, we all know that there are gifts that can’t be returned. If you’re in that sitation: again grace, fake liking it as much as you can, say thank you, and get over it!

Make the Return Time Spent Together
I love online shopping –and online returns are easy too! However, if you have to return something, and you’re with the purchaser, this a great opportunity to go shopping together. Yes, it may be crowded, but you’ll be together, and that may be better than any gift.

Keep Your Sense of Humor

I repeat this, because it’s that important. Gifts can be hard, and it can be a pain to return them. However, there’s wine and new shoes, and time with loved ones. Returns don’t sound too bad, do they?

XO RA

NYE Dressing

Loves, we’re at a point where we can be honest with each other, right? I have a love/hate relationship with NYE. On one hand, as a lover of fashion, and on a night where anything goes (as well as a lover of champagne!): I love it! On the other hand–the crowds, the pressure to have “the BEST TIME EVER”, the over-price on every thing (and if you’re over 21 you can go out any night and drink champagne till 12a. I promise): I’m not a fan. In fact, one of the best NYEs I’ve ever had has been a dinner party in sweat pants. But, as someone who loves a good party, and a great outfit, I can’t help but offer some outfit inspiration! The best news? This is a night where anything goes! So fringe, sequins, boas–you do you!

Here are my tips from last year, and I still stand by these!

Without further ado:


Metallic skirts with anything (but love them with sheer-ish shirts) In fact, I’m always a fan of sheer (see one of my first posts, here for proof) Also, I may reshoot that dress for y’all–thoughts?)

Investment Piece, fashion blogger, high fashion, vintage, 1920s, fringe, CA, TX
Fringe, all the fringe

investment Piece, NYE
Colors, all the colors

Cape, Saks, Stuart Weitzman, vintage, high fashion, blogger, InvestmentPiece,
Sequins, all the sequins


Velvet, again, Velvet


Gowns

And if you’re going causal: you can’t go wrong with great jeans:
Investment Piece, Fashionblogger, sass, vintage, Levi's, custom, Stuart Weitzman, CA, TX

I’d love to know: what are your plans for NYE? And what are you wearing????
I promise I will show my look on Instagram (@racheladelicia)!

XO RA

Holiday Sales

Loves! I hope Santa was good to you! I hope that you felt love, saw family, friends, and are too much pie! And now, it’s time to get what you really wanted! I’ll update this throughout the week but below see my picks from Nordstorms and Saks!! Happy Shopping!

What are you getting?
Xo RA