Investment Piece – Page 31 – Everyday Editorial

Sunday Chronicles: Let’s Go See The Movies

Please read the “Let’s Go See The Movies” in the song from the musical Annie!

I’m a working actress (and yes, if asked I have opinions on the strike? and the biz) but I’m also a fan of the movies. In the pre-pandemic life I regularly went to the movies sometimes 3x times a week. From story to fashion to adventure- I couldn’t get enough of the stories that I saw on the big screen. Then, the world shut down, and I’ll admit I’m still cautious and therefore have only gone to the movies once (I KNOW!!) since the pandemic (see here). And yet, with a possible strike/work stoppage looming, with the summer in full swing, there are a handful of movies I’m just dying to see- in the theater no less!

Below I’m listing my must sees and some details about them- I’ve also occasionally added in some affiliate links for fashion that is inspired by or I want to wear to said movies (yes, those would be affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!). It’s exciting to me that I’m finally thrilled to get into the theater again, and I’m currently planning seeing these movies into my schedule.

Are you back to the movies? What are you longing to see?

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
a Dial of Destiny Poster with Indiana Jones holding a whip and in the background various women and men

I loved the first 3 Indiana Jones Movies (Kingdom of the Krystal SkullI’m still on the fence about). History, punching Nazis, the archetype of “I’m this but no one believes me”. Beginning to end, I just got swept up in all of them. SO, to end what Harrison Ford thinks of as his best character, in a way that feels true to him? I’m in. Note- I know that critics are mixed but EVERY single friend I have who has seen this movie has LOVED it (apparently there are great big swings, a pay off and a tears and a good time to be had). I plan on seeing this movie this week!

Asteroid City
I am sort of ambivalent about Wes Anderson. But everyone I know has loved this movie- and the use of the unknown as a way to understand ourselves. It feels like a film that would be just as good at home as it would be on the big screen, but the idea of seeing a movie with other people who LOVE movies is a bit too tempting to me. It’s on my list to see this week as well!
And so many people love the tints, the clothes, the ambience. London brand LK Bennett did a capsule of fashion inspired by the film. These are my faves:

Oppenheimer
a movie poster of Oppenheimer with a man in a suit and hat walking in front of fire

Pitted against Barbie by the media, I have to let you know that I’m so excited about this one! A behind the scenes war movie (I have a thing for spies) and a real life ethics issue (should anyone have made a bomb like that?), I can’t wait to see it! My personal plan is to see Barbie one day and Oppenheimer the next- but if you’re up for a double feature my recommendation is black coffee, an early Oppenheimer screening, a ton of mimosas and a change into pink, then Barbie!

Barbie
a barbie movie poster with a huge pink and white B with Barbie (white blonde woman in a pink and white dress) sitting atop the B and Ken (a white blonde man in shorts and a open shirt) sitting on. the bottom with the phrase " She's Everything. He's just Ken"
Words cannot express how excited I am for this one! Barbie was my fave (I plan on being Peaches and Cream Barbie for Halloween and we’ll be talking a LOT more about her/the movie/the fashion) and I had it all- from the dream house to the Barbie Ferrari to all the outfits. I love that Barbie got to be it all (from Mermaid to vet to astronaut to dr to princess to ballerina) and Ken adored her for it, I love that the film is true to the roots (from no one walking Barbie down the stairs to parts of the film being based on the book Reviving Ophelia– which I’m tempted to read!). There is no end to my love and thoughts on this- and yes we will be chatting about them. I’m planning to go to more than one dress up party for the movie, but if that’s not your thing I’ve rounded up some my favorite “Barbie” shirts for you to wear to see Barbie

Mission Impossible
This is where I’m honest and say I haven’t watched any of the other “Mission Impossibles”all the way through. I’m not sure which one this is. Or who the characters are other than Tom Cruise (who I love/hate). Yet. Every single ad looks fun. And big. And if we’re getting out there to the movie theater again, why not see a movie? (If there’s something you think I absolutely need to know before committing please reach out!)

A hot summer movie in the theater being swept off into some adventure or fun or other world? What could be better? At perhaps an odd time, I’ve never been more ready to get back to seeing movies. What about you?

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

Pretending to be in Paris

It was a national holiday and the weirdest short week this week. So many of my Social Media feeds are full of friends and acquaintances who are traveling- from Europe to Asia to all the islands. With the holiday being on Tuesday, the week has been so choppy, and while there are a ton of great sales (and great sales coming), I decided to join everyone. At least in spirit. I’m linking and shopping for us, but just know, at least mentally, I’m pretending to be in Paris.

Investment Piece: Pretending to be in Paris
Investment Piece: Pretneding to be in Paris

Sometimes the only reasonable response to a week is to pretend to be in Paris. To find a place that gives you the feel of the city of light. A cafe with great espresso and red umbrellas. High end art and velvet couches. A dress that’s classic and red lipstick. Loves, I have a confession to make: I’ve never been to Paris. It’s on my lists, and has been at the top of my Vision Board for years, but it hasn’t happened-yet. And with all the things in the world, it may be a while till I get to go. So, while I’m determined to make Paris a reality for me, in the meantime, I spend some time making Paris a reality for me, here. This may be the part where you tell me I can’t know what Paris is like, and that might be right, but I get to create what I want, and isn’t that amazing? My Paris? Chic, fun, and has amazing wine. I get to wear amazing dresses and act like the art I love. Will the real Paris live up to mine? Well, there’s only one way to find out, and I’m willing to take one for the team, and try it out!

Loves, how can you not feel like you’re some place magical in this dress? I love the black and white, the stripe, the silk. It’s timeless and classic, and lends itself to any situation,and any magic. We may not be in Paris, but here’s hoping your Friday is full of magic–and that you get to wear something like this!

XO RA

The dress is Valentino, I got it on Vestaire Collective for less than $300 and I’ve found you similar! Shop my similar and Paris inspired picks below!

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Holiday Hangover

a woman in a black dress sits at a brown table drinking a martini in front of a burger, salad and fries

It’s the day after a national holiday- here in the states. As the holiday fell on a Tuesday for some this is the end of a 4 day weekend, and for others we worked Monday, had Tuesday off, and are now back to work. A bit discombobulating all by itself. Add in that it’s midsummer, mid year, incredibly hot, and so many are on vacation (in Europe and Japan according to my IG! Which I love! I wish I was with you!) and this week just feels- a little bit like a hangover.

Not like a horrid hangover. But one of those times when being productive isn’t really attractive, you kinda just want to lay in bed all day, getting dressed seems hard, and any little thing you do feelS as if it needs a reward. Basically this week, especially when it’s short or choppy, feels as if we’re moving through water. And not in the glamorous swimming way. So, what do we do? How do we cure the holiday hangover?

A woman in white pants, a red and white striped shirt holds a big hat over her face as she stands in front of a pool

For me, the cure is 2 fold. First, I let myself rest and take it easy- mainly as I’ve learned from hangovers and years past that pretending as if hangovers aren’t here and pushing ahead make everything worse. (like headaches and many aspirins and avoiding to do lists with the accompanying guilt worse). We don’t like to claim that the day after a holiday is a holiday – but let’s be honest, it’s not the best work day so I plan ahead. Pre-schedule, light-schedule, whatever we call it- I do it. Second, I plan ahead, not just for the day after but the week after. I try to give myself a break down of what to do each day and plan in advance for everything from exhaustion and setbacks to breaks and post ahead- I find it helps.

Third, not a true hint but what I do, now that we’re in another odd holiday week, in the mid year mark, I try to take a step back and think: what do I really want to do this year? What do I need to get done still? What do I want to wear? Who do I want to be? And what do I need to do to get there?
These are incredibly personal questions, whose answers may change through the season. What I know is that I’m taking stock, making plans, and adjusting my wishlist.

Taking it easy and shopping for who I want to be? Sounds like a great holiday week to me! Below I’ve linked everything from swim cover ups (that will double as glam dresses) to work skirts to swim I want to wear for the rest of the season. It informs where I want to go from here- and if that’s what we get from a holiday hangover I’ll call it a win!
XO RA

Note: This post does include affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you I many earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

a woman in an exercise dress and sneakers running on a trail

July 4th Schedule

close up of a shirt with a shark coming up from the ocean with a woman swimming on the surface

This is the official 4th of July weekend – and to me it’s always felt like the beginning of summer here in the states. We’ve been a bit off here at Investment Piece (see hacking issues!) but had a planned holiday this weekend (not just for the national holiday but for a little r and r!). Turns out I’m having a staycation- I plan on cleaning my closet, getting some sleep- and shooting amazing content for you! We’ll be back next Wednesday (the 5th!) with fresh content, and excited to see you. In the meantime, please shop along with me (IG, LiketoKnowIt, ShopStyle Collective- truly everything is on sale!) and get a glimpse at what I’m up to (mainly cleaning and cats!). If you’re off and celebrating I hope that you have a great holiday! If this is an average weekend for you, I hope it’s restorative! Happy Summer! Happy Outfits! Happy let’s rest a bit this weekend!

XO RA

Summer Formula

Investment Piece: Summer Formula

When someone tells you about a “fashion formula” they usually mean that they have a combo (usually top+bottom of some sort) that works with whatever you have. Graphic tee and jeans. Button down and skirt. Etc. None of those are bad. Or wrong. I fully believe in having outfit go-to’s that make your life easier, that you feel great in, and that always work. It’s just that sometimes the formulas I have surprise me.

Like a scarf as a top. Oldest trick in the book. I’ve written about it here, here, and you can see the same scarf as above styled as a different sort of top here). I wear this “top” all summer long- with pants, skirts, bikinis and swim suits. Only this summer, I keep pairing it with shorts. And I think I love it.

Is it a Summer formula if it’s your new go-to and it looks this good?

Investment Piece: Summer Formula

When it gets to be so hot (where I am we’ve had it good till this week. Then we’ve been above 100 every day), it can be too hard to think of what to put on. Everything feels like too much, everything is too heavy, everything feels gross. More and more my go-to summer formulas are things that not only do I think look good, but things that keep me cool. Being physically cool now counts more than any other fashion metric. And a scarf as a top? As cool as you can be- seriously sometimes my only concern is that the scarf I grabbed is a bit too sheer. That’s it.

They go with skirts. Pants (if you can handle them). Swimsuits. And shorts. No thinking. No worrying. Just an outfit that you can feel good in (literally). Isn’t that the point of a summer formula? An outfit that lets you express yourself and not sweat that much (hopefully). I’ve been living in this one. I would love to know- what’s your Summer formula?

I’ve linked the exact shorts (under $30) and scarf (under $100) but this outfit works with any scarf and shorts you have on hand! Stay cool out there!

Xo RA

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you so much for your support!

Southern Summer

We’re back! After a week of reflection and listening, we’re still in the fight but excited to bring you new content! First up: one of my all time favorite summer dresses. I pull this number out every year when the heat turns up. I stay cool. I look like a lady. And there’s something about this outfit that lets me know that summer has started!

There is something special about summer in the South. Yes, it’s hot and can be humid. There’s also magic in the air, there’s a kindness and time can slow. Spending part of my time in the South it’s an exciting time: there are bbqs, rivers, and sweet tea on the porch.

And when I got my hands on this stunner from the 1910s I knew it was a perfect fit–the tiers, the buttons up the back. This is a lawn dress, which means it’s linen or cotton, and these dresses were commonly used for everything from tea time to night gowns to picnics! We know that I love a great vintage number, and I love making them modern. Maybe it’s my height, maybe it’s the age, but I love that it’s a midi dress now. And the shoes! Gingham screams summer, and I love the mix of colors and leg wrap!

While white is most certainly a summer color, I love adding a bit of pop to it. And any color can be your pop (ya know, if gingham is not your thing). Again, the mix of traditional and non-traditional is what I love about this outfit–and summer! While this dress is vintage, and these JCrew shoes are a few summer seasons old, there are so many ways to take the idea of a southern summer and make it your own. Gingham dress with white shoes. White shoes with this summer’s gingham. Mix and match. Pop your white with a bold color. All white (if you dare). Wear what you love. Maybe that’s the trick to any southern summer.

And a note: My mom is the true star of this southern summer- not only did she do all the buttons (and snaps, because yes, there are two layers of each), she helped take these pics! Stay cool out there lovers!

I’ve linked all sorts of options for your southern summer. I can’t wait to see your take on it!
XO RA

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Want your own vintage lawn dress? I got you here:

Or maybe something more modern:

Happy summer!
And loves it’s supposed to be SUPER hot this week- please stay cool out there!

Sunday Chronicles : Chaos as Catalyst

a cat biting the heel of a woman wearing a white dress with tabby cats on its

As you may have imagined, it’s been a little crazy around here. The site got hacked, we got it back, and have been playing catch up since then. I became a Dora Maar Muse, which means that I’m still going through my closet (aka things are in disarray). And on top of that- I’ve adopted another cat. Well, I should say that I’ve taken the outside cat who has been fed and loved here for years and found a way to get him fixed (thank you PALS!!) but he got a little infection. So, I’ve been playing cat mom/nurse as he’s living in my bathroom- and of course that means we’re dealing with the other cat, the laundry I’m letting pile up, exhaustion, worry, etc.

Long story short? It’s been a little chaotic here.

And I’m wiped. Yet- I had a moment this am (around 5a when one cat was crying for me and the other wasn’t sure what to think about that) that I realized that chaos can be a catalyst for change. I need to clean out. I need to clean. And for months my rountine has needed some tweaking. While I don’t know that I would have chosen this exact path- this time of chaos may be the thing I need as a catalyst to the changes I want to make.

It’s not going to be easy, especially when I’m overtired and needed so much, and there seems to be a lot of changes coming. On the other hand, perhaps being stuck in the fire is the best (fastest) way to get into the new. My plan to get through the chaos to the change? A step at a time. Rebel (previous outside cat) only wants to be in my bathroom- and be held a lot. He and I are going to clean my bathroom (and hopefully cleanout some makeup!) today. Then tomorrow Cartier (indoor cat) and I will start tackling my closet. Laundry both days. Snuggle breaks both days. And I’ll used this time to get to bed earlier (hopefully), get up earlier, and begin to manage my time (work, cats, home, etc) in better chunks.

Will this chaos as a catalyst work? I can’t be sure, but I know it’s what I got to use right now, do we might as well use it. The worst that will happen? The chaos just leaves me needing a nap! And the change comes later. I can also live with that.

What are you planning to use to your advantage this week? How are you handling it?

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

Dora Maar Muse

Beloveds, I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve been chosen as a Muse for the amazing curated luxury fashion site Dora Maar. What this means is that there is a new way for you to shop my picks- as in literally my closet (shop here) and that there’s another way for us to tell our stories, both together and apart. Dora Maar was referred to me (or perhaps I should say that she referred me to them!) by my love PhoebePhiloFan (who may be more chic than me!)

A Few things I love about Dora Maar: they’re white glove service. Every item is inspected and researched. It’s a community of fashion lovers. Truly. Every person -muse and non-muse-I’ve met have spanned ages and styles and yet have come together to truly appreciate fashion- and the stories it tells. Dora Maar wants you to be happy. So many sites just want to make a sale, and yet I truly believe in the work being done at Dora Maar. Not only because of all the questions that they asked me:

I love that they care about our stories, I love that Dora Maar is doing the work, and I love that they care about the pieces that they accept and sell:

I can’t say enough about how excited I am to be a part of this community and how I think you might like it too!

My closet (again) is here

So many other muses and shopping can be found here.

I hope you love Dora Maar as much as I do!
XO RA

What are Our Stories For?

a woman in a white and black satin gown running up stairs

As you probably know, the site has been hacked (apparently it’s a normal thing on WordPress and yes, we are exploring all the things to prevent it from ever happening again from switching platforms to more security to all the things), and yet- (as of now) we got it back! Yay!

In the frustration and tears and more than one screaming session (not proud of that but true), I got the advice to simply walk away from this site. From us. From our stories. It hit me like a punch. Not only because I’ve worked for years on this site. Not only because it’s my work- and what I like to think is my purpose- telling stories with fashion. But because it would mean saying goodbye to us (ironically without a goodbye), and I couldn’t do that.

For more than one reason- the stories, the work, the community- I couldn’t give up on this site, or us. But it did have me wondering- what are our stories worth? I continue to tell you that fashion is simply a way to tell our stories- and I believe in our stories. However, when it comes down to it, what do we do to protect our stories? To fight for them? What are they worth to us?

I am such a fan of our stories, I’m such a fan of fashion, I’m such a fan of us- when it came to it, I needed to face that these were things that I was willing to fight for.

Investment Piece: That 70s Vibe

Like anything else, it’s easy to say that something (stories, fashion, community) are important to you as long as those things come easily. When things are going our way? Everything works and everything matters. When things get tough? Maybe it’s that we learn what we’re made of (or what we really love to wear), or maybe it’s that we learn what our stories are for. I’ve always thought that fashion was a way to tell our OWN (aka personal) stories (that can be universal), and yet – our stories are so much bigger than that. Our stories are me. And you. And us. And all of our details and all of our generalities. Our stories (and fashion) are worth fighting for. After this experience, I truly believe that.

Investment Piece: Extra

I know that after these hacks we have to regain your trust. I know that it may have been upsetting to see the redirected scam site (it upset me too!). I promise that I will work to regain your trust, and to prevent the hack from ever happening again. I’m glad you’re here. I believe in us, in our stories, and in what we’re worth. I hope to see you again soon!

XO RA

Hacked!

a woman in white and black shirt dress with yellow polka dot ruffles at sleeve and black Mary Jane heels

So. This happened again. To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement. I’m looking into all options- but for now we are waiting for WordPress to update the admin email to me (not the hacker!) and until then I can’t in good consciousness post new posts as they will be corrupted. I appreciate you staying. I appreciate your support. If you’re in IT and have experience beating these kind of hacks, I would love to buy an hour of your time!
My beloveds, WordPress was hacked this week and we were briefly affected. While our info and yours is secure (thanks GoDaddy!), we’re taking today and part of the weekend to ensure that everything is scrubbed, updated and secure. We’ll be back on Sunday- and next week with amazing new outfits! Let this be a reminder to update your passwords ALL THE TIME!

Wishing us all a weekend of online safety!
XO RA