I’m a bit under the weather, so I’m in bed- dreaming of what I’d like to be wearing instead. This was one of my first posts- and I still wear these pieces! So- yes- sheer is still a thing we’re doing! I’ll be posting more sheer looks this fall and I can’t wait to share them with you! Xo RA
It’s a thing we’re doing.
The past few runways have given us ample options of sheer clothing, it pops up on red carpets (Jamie King just donned a sheer dress while pregnant), and the stores are full of sheer items. While not appropriate for every situation I will admit I love it! I really like the juxtaposition of being covered and showing some skin at the same time. And here’s the great news! Sheer is up to you! Yes, the clothing may be sold or shown with little to nothing underneath, but what you wear underneath is your choice; like every trend ultimately you are in control. If you don’t want to bare all but like the sheer wear slips and shirts, etc underneath. If you are comfortable, body suits work completely–just make sure it’s appropriate, I take no responsibility for work place blunders!
We’re headed into a long weekend. Maybe you’re the type to travel and go non stop on the last “unofficial” weekend of summer. And I get that- seeing things before the routine of fall, spending times on the water, with people you love- all great options. My huge plans for the long weekend? Indulge.
Not in shopping (though there are some sales I’m excited about). And not (necessarily) in food in drink. But indulge in summer. Spend time in the water, and time doing nothing. My family will get together and I may spend an afternoon doing nothing but reading. BBQs, glasses of wine, swimsuits with everything. And what better to put over my swim and wear to everything but crochet?
Crochet has been on trend all summer (and I don’t think it’s going anywhere). But, my favorite crochet? My grandma’s. Yep, this number was my grandma’s and she passed it on to me years ago. I’ve worn it as a dress, properly, with a slip underneath and everything. But one of my favorite ways to wear it, and one that seems incredibly appropriate this weekend, is wearing my crochet (even grandma’s) with a swimsuit. (And I love that it’s ever-so-daring).
From the couch to the pool to putting my feet in the river to sipping wine. This is about what my weekend will look like. What are you up to this holiday weekend? And what are you wearing?
A little programming note- to just relax and spend time with my family this weekend, the blog will be dark Sunday and Monday. We’ll be back Wednesday September 7 with all new content and excited about the new fall trends. I would LOVE it if you join me over on IG and on the @ltk and @shopstyle apps for all sorts of sale picks and outfit posts (as well as updates on all my indulging)! In the meantime, I hope that you have a great weekend and stay safe out there!
xo RA
I know that this dress is vintage but I have found you similar and linked this exact swimsuit!
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!
It seems to me that there are 2 main types of style for the coming week: People who have a hard cut off white (pants/all white looks/etc) at Labor Day and are scrambling to get all of their last summer looks in- from swimsuits to white pants. And those who don’t abide by the Labor Day white pant rule but are so desperate for fall, and are already in the throws of school schedules, etc, that are wearing “fall” styles- even though it will be “summer” (temp wise) through October.
These 2 types may seems extreme, yet I bet we can all name people in our lives who fit these 2 types of style. And then there’s me- a little bit in between. Am I hungry for fall style? Yes. Do I have a hard line at Labor Day for my white pants? No.
So. Where does that leave me? Giving a last hurrah to all my summer styles or embracing new fall styles?
Where is the in-between? Is it combining blazers and shorts?
Or do we go all out on one last chic summer last hurrah and indulge in all of the summer fashions from swim to white pants?
Is there a correct place to land on the spectrum? Or is it up to a personal preference?
Here’s where I’m falling for this summer’s “last hurrah”:
-I am wearing white pants, but I’m not packing them up after Labor Day
-Getting in all the swim I can, but understanding it will be just as hot the Tuesday after Labor Day Monday
-Dreaming of fall sweaters and blazers but not quite ready to put them on
-Pulling out jeans and pants but being wary of wearing them just yet
-Indulging in all the shorts I can
-Scarves as tops
-ALL the linen
-Also wearing swim as tops
-All the chic Sandals before boot season
What else do you suggest? I can’t bear to rush into fall clothing (mainly because of the heat) and I can’t bear to put all my chicest summer wear away, as I know the temps aren’t changing. So, last hurrah? First hurrah? What are we getting ourselves into?
I’ve linked some of my favorite summer and transitional picks for you below. I would love to know how you’re handling the next week- and the weeks after Labor Day before it gets cool!
XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that doesn’t affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Loves! It’s that time of month again: I dish out stories from the front lines of dating and you grab your popcorn! Need more check this one and this one out!
With no further ado I give you:
The One Who Commented on my Weight
There isn’t one among us who hasn’t put their foot in their mouth at some point; I know that I’m guilty of that sin. However, there are times when you put your foot in your mouth, and times when you choke on it.
I met Ben at an audition. (Yes, in the running for one of the most LA things I’ve ever written). He was charming, funny, and your average LA Actor type. We exchanged numbers and decided to meet for dinner the next week after work. Nice. Normal. Nothing to be over dramatic about.
Before our date there were the usual texts, just enough to give you hope for the evening of; the only issue with hope is that it can be dashed. Now, let’s be clear, the date wasn’t completely horrid (and to this day I don’t think he meant to be malicious). We went to an improv show and laughed. We went to dinner, and things got awkward.
Dinner with actor types is always a minefield, between shoots, cleanses, and general pickiness, you never know what food issues the person you’re with has. It can be a comedy of errors or a night of horrors. The general rule of thumb though is you handle it with grace and humor, and then you can go back to your friends and complain about them. So, I thought nothing of ordering my meal with double veggies instead of carbs (it’s just what I do). However, in retrospect the carbs would have been easier to deal with.
Without waiting for an opening, Ben decided to comment on my order. He also choose to let me know that I “should try working out to control my weight problem”. Yep, that’s the quote. I don’t believe that one’s weight, workout regime, or food order are anything to comment on (unless you want to go to spin class with a person or some of their fries). Now, years later I’m still not sure what the appropriate response to this comment is (was). Ask for tips? Mention that I have it under control? Admonish anyone for thinking that weight control is an appropriate place to start?
Ben, however, took my silence as eagerness for information. The next 45 mins were spent with Ben giving me all sorts of workouts I could do. He recommended running (so I could lean out), lifting (so my arms could look great), and playing basketball (because he enjoyed it). I may have been silent but I sat there giving Ben the death stare, sighing, and grabbing my knife tightly. Ben might be a funny actor, he wasn’t the best at picking up social cues.
After dinner, we went our seperate ways. I hear from Ben occasionally (one time he even complimented my legs). I don’t wish him ill, and (again) I truly don’t think that he was trying to be mean. However, the comment and the lecture on working out was a bit much for me (side note: my day job at the time was Spin Instructor, he knew that).
How would you have handled that?
XO RA
And if you haven’t heard: We’re thrilled to be on crowd-funding and mentor site iFundWomen! Check out our presentation here And if you would pass it around I would greatly appreciate it!
Closet clean outs are not as straightforward as one would have us believe. There’s the time it takes and the emotional toll it takes (if you can just ruthlessly get rid of clothes I’m a bit in awe of you! I sometimes have a hard time letting go!). We’re about to transition from one season to the next, and it’s been a couple of tough years. Though in years prior I was always great at routinely cleaning out my closet, over the pandemic I haven’t done it at all (It’s been tough to assess if I’m not wearing something because it no longer best serves my life or because I wasn’t leaving the house!).
However, right now I’m determined to clean out my closet- and make room for fanatic new pieces! So, let’s review the Investment Piece Closet Clean Out Method! (That’s not really a thing)
But I do have opinions on how to conquer cleaning our your closet!
Here, we chat about the Process.
We chat Cleaning and Organizing here.
General Closet Detox? We’ve chatted about that.
And a great little review of everything here.
There is truly no right or wrong way to clean out your closet, but I hope that this “process” helps you!
Need some personal help–either cleaning out your closet or shopping to fill it back up? I’m here to help! Email me at racheladelciia@investmentpiece.com and we will set up a method to work together.
Wishing you an easy clean out and happy shopping!
XO RA
So I know that the series of “Now and Then” is supposed to highlight current trends that you might be able to buy vintage- which to be fair is almost every trend as everything comes back around. I usually don’t have a dog in the fight. From new to vintage, there are styles I buy new, some I buy vintage- and that’s about it. From new styles to vintage styles, I shop all decades, I shop all styles, and I usually don’t tell you what to buy.
However. This is a Now and Then in which I actually have an opinion and am going to tell you what to buy. And the topic is silk.
But here’s the thing. From shirts. To unmentionables. To dresses. If you have an option, if it’s on the table, I always recommend: buying vintage silk. It’s not only a bit cheaper. It’s usually a better quality, it’s usually a bit better.
And I know I’m not supposed to say that. I’m supposed to show you all of the most expensive silk that’s new and hot. Yet, I can’t help but tell you that if you want great silk, in classic cuts- from shirts to dresses, you’re best off shopping vintage first. (And if you can’t find what you’re looking for let me know and we’ll find it in a modern cut!). Some of my favorite silks are vintage, not only because of the quality (which is an issue), but because of the selection. The patterns. The choices.
One of my current favorite vintage silk designers is Flora Kung (more to come about her!) but vintage can be found in so many ways. I’ve linked some of my favorite vintage silk pieces- from Flora Kung to shirts to dresses to nightgowns. Truly, I think that whatever silk you’re searching for you can find it in a vintage from. If not- we can find it together! OR you can search Equipment!
I know this segment is Now and Then but what if then is the better choice?
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!
It’s been a rough (to put it lightly) couple of years, right? And I know that things aren’t over, and we’re still going through it. But. I’m ready for joy again. For fashion to be fun again. To dance all night again (ok, I’m not 18 so maybe not ALL night, but a good portion of the night!)
Perhaps it’s cliche, but I can’t stop listening to Beyonce’s You Won’t Break my Soul. A great dance song? Yes, of course. Also, a great little message- that no matter what happens that we can remain unbreakable, we can remain in our joy, we can wear a great dress and dance a little. Yes, I’ve been dancing in my living room. And yes, I’ve been thinking about the things I can wear that bring me joy- such as halter dresses (from the 70s and disco itself!) that twirl in ways that make me smile. I’ve also been thinking about how joy, true joy, is a radical act. One that we maybe don’t pay enough attention to.
Joy may be the way to keep us all sane. So, from joy in our clothes to joy in our actions- why is joy something we can be willing to deny ourselves?
I don’t know the answer to that. I know that some think of You won’t Break my Soul as just a fun song (and it is!!), but I also think of it as a call to guard our joy. To indulge in our joy (from dresses to shoes to dancing (even in your living room). Because our joy (And our souls) are something to celebrate. And if you do that in a fantastic dress? All the more joyful (and less likely to break your soul!)
Some fashion notes: This dress is a true disco era dress! From the 70s, you can tie it so many ways (but I love a dramatic bow on my back!). It’s jersey so hugs in all the right places without being too difficult to upkeep. Gold sandals that have become my party go-to (yes, you can dance in them all night-or part of the night long!)
Fun fact about this shoot: I was a bit behind, so it was just me in the camera and this stunner of a dress. I can’t help but dance in it. The weekend was a bit rainy (as in pouring one minute and then dry) and this shoot happened in a break in storms. It started raining right after I got the last shot, and then I danced for a bit in the rain (lucky for us all, jersey dries quickly!). A little bit of luck, a little bit of joy, and a whole lot of dress. Not bad for a shoot that was a bit last minute!
I’ve linked these exact shoes and similar dresses for your shopping pleasure below. Go out there and feed your soul a bit today!
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!
I can’t remember the whole quote, or who said it, but someone once said something like:
“Making things beautiful, that will be my life”.
And I get that beauty isn’t everything. But I have to admit that I seek it out, that I like it, that I love to find beauty in the everyday- from my garden to flowers painted on a wall. Beauty as a, value can seem a bit at odds when I’ve told you that my style is more “classics with an edge” (see here), but isn’t beauty classic? And isn’t finding beauty- even in the most ugly places- one of the most classic tales of all time?
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about beauty. What it means to me, what it means to seek it, what it means to be beautiful and yet not completely conform to “standards”. Yes, those are big questions. Which I won’t make us get into! What I will say is that the more I’m open to finding beauty, the more I see it- everywhere.
This is a wall I’ve driven by at least a million times, yet, I never noticed the mural until recently. It’s not that I was stopped or going any slower. It’s just one day I looked over, and there was a mural of beautiful flowers. I’m sure it’s not new, in my car I’m often in my head, singing along to the radio, talking to myself (if you say you don’t I won’t believe you!), all the things that distract us. Then, occasionally, I make it a point to really take in what’s around me. It’s amazing all the beauty out there that we just pass by! Because I can’t resist a little beauty, I had to stop and take pics- because the beauty we find should be celebrated. And shared.
Isn’t that what beauty is for?
On a fashion note- yep, I’m wearing all white. I know there’s a “rule” that we don’t wear white after Labor Day, but I don’t know that I’m really following that rule to a “t” anymore (sorry, Mom!). This skirt is linen, which eventually I will trade in for more fall clothes (because hopefully the temps turn much cooler!). But, I don’t know that I will rule out white bottoms. Turns out, that rule isn’t always the boss of me! I wrote about the “white after Labor Day rule” here (a great read if you didn’t grow up with that rule!). In the meantime, and these last few weeks of summer- let’s wear all the things that keep us cool and help us find the beauty!
This skirt and shirt are from past seasons- but I’ve found you similar- and these shoes were my summer splurge and I wear them all the time!
What are you wearing for the last few weeks of summer and how are you finding beauty?
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!
I came home from my Aunt’s funeral and have been under the weather since! My best nurses? The cats! Yep, besides my love Cartier I currently have a former stray I fed for years in the house- Rebel. He went from being skittish to being a cuddle monster. They give the best hugs and the best care! And look amazing on a dress. Here’s to us feeling better ASAP and getting all the love we need! XO RA
One of the highest insults to a woman of a certain age? A fear for some women? A lazy way for men to demean women?
Crazy. Cat. Lady.
It can mean a lot of things- from perhaps someone who keeps too many pets (there is a limit) to a woman who’s single. I’ve had men use the phrase as something I should be scared of- and yet, much to my own surprise, a crazy cat lady is what I may be.
(As in I’m crazy about my cat.)
(And I’m unafraid to wear chic dresses like this one with cats on it)
The ironic thing? Growing up I wasn’t a big cat person growing up. My sister was- she begged and pleaded for a cat until my mom gave in. And it wasn’t that I didn’t love the cats we had-but I was never as passionate about cats as my sister. In fact, there have been times when I’ve teased my sister about loving cats so much. And- here I am. I have a kitten named Cartier that’s become the light of my life -I spend a lot of my days singin to her, playing with her, and I miss her when I have to leave.
(If you’ve followed me for a while you may know that last year, we lost my beloved cat, Dreamer. We got her while I was in college. I loved Dreamer, but she and I got really close the past few years. She passed when 21 -ancient for a cat!-and it was devastating. I got Cartier last August, I wasn’t sure I was ready, and Cartier was my first kitten for me. Little did I know how much Cartier would mean to me. I’ve become someone that I used to tease my sister about- I take way too many pictures, call her my baby and treat her as such, and fill my days with her. I am the crazy cat lady they warned you about!)
One of the misconceptions about crazy cat ladies, or at this this crazy cat lady, is that they dress poorly. Yet, this dress is one of my new favorites. It’s Dolce and Gabbana (I know) from a few seasons ago that I got second hand (one of the absolute best ways to shop). I love the classic cut with flares- the pleats, the sleeves, the slip that occasionally peeps out. And of course the print! Who could resist these sweet cats playing? (As someone who can’t resist her own cat it’s not me!)
It’s lady like and a bit cheeky and that’s one of my favorite combinations! We haven’t event chatted about the shoes- some of my favorite Guccis- the platform, the stripe, the lion on them. I love to think they’re a pop against the dress!
Is wearing your pet on your sleeve the new thing? Maybe for crazy cat ladies!
While this dress is older, I’ve linked you similar below. I ALWAYS want to see pics of your pet and things you love to wear so please share them!
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!
We’re headed into a season change, from summer to fall. And usually, just based on our schedules, it’s also a time to go from a more unstructured schedule (and maybe wardrobe) to a more structured (and maybe wardrobe). Fall is a time for routines (see here), for rich colors, new trends, textures, and perhaps a more business like approach. I’ve been thinking a lot about my style- any posts- what works, what doesn’t, what I want to keep, what to cull out. The thing about structure (which I am a HUGE fan of – from suits to routines), is that to balance it, you need a bit of whimsy.
When I look back at all of the looks I’ve shot and talked about here, my faves are the ones where I’ve swung big. Because if you’re going to dress, let’s DRESS! Big chances, big editorials (it’s a style I like, see here), big outfits. And big doesn’t mean that you go wild, it just means that you tell your story in the boldest and best way you know how.
We’re heading into a season of new trends. You and I will chat about them. It’s also a season of sweaters and boots- I’ll wear them too. But as we move away from our swimsuits, I’m asking us to keep a sense of whimsy. Your wardrobe should be functional. It should also be fun. Maybe it’s just a bold color. Maybe it’s a flying pig purse. Either way- whatever whimsy suits you- don’t feel like a more buttoned up season needs you to leave all your personal choices at the door. It doesn’t!
Our whimsy, our fun, our creativity- it all serves our best fashion. I can’t imagine wearing something that didn’t make me smile, in small or big ways. As we put on our suits, let’s not leave the best of us behind.
