Investment Piece – Page 44 – Everyday Editorial

1930s Style

Investment Piece: 1930s Style

As someone who LOVES vintage, who shops vintage, who mixes her vintage and her modern wares- I have to let you know that there are times that I fall in love with the styles of a certain decade. Right now? For me? It’s the 1930s. It all started when I watched The Awful Truth one afternoon with my mom on TMC.

It’s about a couple who aren’t *quite divorced* who sabatoge the other’s new relationships. The move is so funny and fun and a romp- but the fashion. OH the fashion!

When I saw Irene Dunne’s wardrobe I knew 2 things- I needed new palazzo pants, and tops with peplums. I’m still searching for the perfect palazzo pants, but I was lucky enough to find this 1930s top on Etsy. Silk-satin with the perfect peplum.
-I have to admit, the rest of this outfit is modern. The pants? Commando leggings with a chic front slit- not quite palazzo, but a great balance to any peplum. The shoes? Sling backs in a color I NEVER thought I would love, but it reads both modern and vintage- and I love the slight platform. I paired them with slip clips in a deco nod.
And all together? It feels like a vintage holiday (and I love that it’s unexpected and no red to be found). All the things and details I love about the 1930s (yes, I’m still over here adding to my 1930s collection. What decade are you living right now?) and yet, it’s very chic and modern. (And any time we can make leggings a chic part of look-especially a holiday look- I’m a fan. What couldn’t you do in these?)

Did my love of the 1930s lead me to the perfect holiday outfit? Or is it that the holidays call for a 1930s look? The more I fall in love with the fashion from this decade it’s hard to tell. Maybe it’s both?

I’ve linked both these details and my current fave 1930s finds for you below. If you’re a fellow vintage lover, I would love to know- do you love the 1930s? What about it? And how are you dressing 1930s for the holidays?
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!

Shop the modern details here

Shop 1930s picks:

Investment Piece: 1930s Style

Sunday Chronicles: Traditions

Investment Piece: A Merry Little Christmas

It’s the time of year when we hold tight to our traditions. Which is silly in some aspects, as traditions are present throughout the year- how we take our tea, our routines in all areas of life, but at this time of year, it feels like traditions are the forefront and the story. At this time of year, traditions seem to be what we focus on- from the family member who insists that we have to do holidays the way we’ve always done, to the traditions we’re making new with new people in our lives.

My family traditions have changed over the past few years, and are still changing. I’m lucky that both of my parents are still active, and we still do Christmas at my mom’s. But as my sister and I change our lives (and neither of us has kids), our traditions are slowly changing.

I have to say- I don’t hate that.

As a kid, I loved nothing more than running down early on Christmas to see our Santa gifts, and open all the presents. Now that I’m an adult, I love sleeping a tad bit later, still seeing what Santa brought, but then drinking champagne and eating with my parents and sister. It’s different, but our new tradition. And who’s to say that new is worse than old? Isn’t it just different?

This is not to say that I don’t think it’s sometimes hard to change our traditions, change is never easy when it comes to long standing views. But sometimes it’s necessary. And don’t tell my stubborn nature, but sometimes different, or new, can be just as good as the old (sometimes better). When we evolve (or change) our traditions, there’s always an adjustment. A worry about what we’re giving up. But what about what we gain?

There are years when I really miss how the holidays were when I was a kid. But. There are times when I love how the holidays are now- and wouldn’t change that for the world. As we change, it only makes sense that our traditions, how we celebrate, what we celebrate changes. If we come a long way, shouldn’t our traditions?

Lately, I’ve been attempting not to hold too tightly to “how things were done” or “traditions” from my childhood. Not because I didn’t love them, but because I am making room for what I love now. The 5yo me would not love what I do now on Chrismas- but yet grown up on my doesn’t want I wanted at 5. Maybe evolving our traditions is a good thing?

What traditions have you changed? How do you feel about that?

Wishing us all a week of happy traditions and amazing shoes!
Xo RA

To all the Parties…

Investment Piece: To all the Parties

It’s officially the “holiday” season, aka party dress season. I’m sure you’ve heard me say how much I love a great party dress (or look), and a whole season where you need an excuse to wear a party dress? How could that not be my favorite?

(I know that the holiday season is about so much more than party looks. The hope, the joy,the love, and the time with people you love- all of the is real meaning of the season. The parties (really, for me, the party dresses) are the star on the tree. But if you really enjoy party dresses, it’s a great time!)

Investment Piece: To all the parties

Wanna know a secret? I don’t even go to that many parties, especially in the past few years, but I can’t stop buying and wearing party dresses. I’ve been this way since I was a baby- always in a party dress, may not be at a party. What is it about party dresses that I love so much? I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. In a year where all of us could be in sweats all the time, I kept buying and wearing party dresses (some of the time. I also wore-and still wear-my fair share of sweats). And when you’re buying things that you might never need, and then you wear them (even just around the house or grocery store), those things have to have a special meaning to you.

So I’ve thought about it. Gone through my party dress collection. Worn sweats. Changed into party dresses. Changed back. Thought about things (and my outfits) some more. Finally, this is what I have on why I love a party dress (look) so much:

It’s the hope. To me, party dresses are a physical way to express and wear hope. That anything could happen. That your dreams could come true. That the life you want is here. I’m aware that all of that is ALOT to put on a party dress- but I don’t think I’m wrong. Yes, party dresses are fun, they may show off your best assets, or maybe they just make you feel joy. Isn’t that part of the season? The joy, the hope? And if a dress can bring that to you? Why not?

To all the parties (dresses), indeed!

Investment Piece: To all the parties

What do I love about this party dress? It has that classic, vintage feel but is modern (I got it at Anthropologie,it’s currently sold out but I did find similar items for you!). It’s fun – everyone loves to twirl in tiers. Also? I love the color! Yes, this pink, the gold- it’s winter holiday appropriate; but, they also work for any other time of the year. Because hope and joy aren’t limited to this time of year.

Why do you love party dresses? What do they make you feel?
This dress reminds me of vintage Missoni so I found you some, as well as some other similar dresses!
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!

Investment Piece: to all the parties

Now and Then: Christmas Pajamas

Investment Piece: Holiday PJs

The one tradition I love more than anything (even as an adult)? My family wears matching pajamas on Christmas morning. Sometimes we stay in our pjs all day, sometimes we change right away. However the holiday goes, we start by wearing the same (at least) pajama pants (and often the matching shirts).

Investment Piece: Holiday PJs
It’s such a simple thing- and yet, year after year it makes my holiday. The pajamas are our first official “gift”. Often, they are something the family plans together, and all years it’s fun to see what we all do with our holiday pajamas.

Investment Piece: Holiday Pjs

I’ve loved family Christmas Pajamas so much, I’ve written about them before (see here) and while this year I’m excited to share what we have planned, but am waiting till Christmas per family contract. While matching pajamas have been a family staple for years, I couldn’t find vintage sets.

As in I could find vintage pjs for one family Memembers, but not all of them.

However, even just the look and feel of several pajama sets can feel vintage. And the look of an entire family matching and making merry on a holiday? That can be very vintage!

Though I’ve asked it before, I’ll ask it again: do you and your family wear matching pajamas on the holidays? What traditions in your family are your favorite?

Below, I’ve linked more than one pair of holiday pjs that I think both you and your family will love!
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!

Investment Piece: A Merry Little Christmas

The Stress

Investment Piece: The Stress

Has it hit you yet?

If you’re in the States, there’s a great chance you’ve just survived Thanksgiving (with or without family), and the planning, shopping, eating, and people have left you exhausted. No matter where you are, the winter holidays are coming, full force. The sales have started. I woke up to an inbox full of invitations to sift through. And while none of this is bad, and I’m grateful for it all- it feels like a lot.

Maybe it’s that the lockdown took the social sense out of me? Maybe it’s that things are moving too fast? Maybe it’s that the holidays always feel a bit insane and I’d just forgotten it?

I have no clue. Truthfully, it’s probably a bit of it all. All I know is sometime on Friday, the stress hit. Not the average “I have a lot to do stress” (because yes, that), but the “I have a lot to do, and should give a lot, and places to be, and feel this pressure for it all to look and be perfect” stress.
Am I the only one who gets it?

Investment Piece: The Stress

Holidays can bring with them their own brand of stress, and their own pressure for perfection. (This is where I remind us-me- that perfection is not a thing, but this is one of the times of the year when PERFECTION feels like a requirement. Hence the stress) And while I thought I had mentally and emotionally prepped for the stress, and the outfits (see here), it turns out that there are times when the stress is unavoidable.

If you’re reading this there is a high chance I’m stressed about in no particular order:
-the work to be done
-the work completed
-the decorating for Chrismas
-the present shopping
-my shopping
-my pop-up weekend
-letting down people I care about
-letting done people I don’t care about
-finishing the library book I’m loving but don’t have enough time to read
-taking time to read the library book I’m loving but feeling like I should be working or decorating or something
-how Thanksgiving went
-how Christmas should go

Given the chance, I could go on about my stress all day. And the thing is- I know so much of this doesn’t matter, or has easy solutions. Yet. I can’t help but feel the stress.

Investment Piece: The Stress

What do you do to deal with stress? Currently, I’m working out and trying to read (but see above). I’m either wearing some sort of sweats or am dressed to the nines. To combat it all, I’m trying to come up with outfits that calm me down. Yes, I’m one of those whose coping habits is planning outfits. So, a cropped pant with a sweater (with it’s twists) and statement shoes? This outfit can’t shop and decorate and meet deadlines and make me feel like I can breathe easier. But. It does make me feel better about the day. And what to wear.

These shoes are vintage Prada. The other pieces are from seasons past. But, if you need some stress relief I found you similar items. And if I do say so myself, outfits like this make stressful days seem less stressful.

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!

Shop similar here

Happy Thanksgiving!

Investment Piece: Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m taking some time to rest, spend with family, and eat pie! Sale picks and outfits can be found by following me in the @ltk and @shopstyle apps (@racheladelicia), and follow me on IG (@racheladelicia) for a more personal look at the holiday. I’m so grateful for you and for this community, I wish you love and peace this holiday!

Xo RA

Cyber Week Sales

Is it me or do the sales start earlier and earlier each year? This year? I starting getting the sales emails last week- which in a way I love! Early and long sales give me a chance to budget, really think about what I want/need/need to gift. However, more and more sales also make me feel like I SHOULD be buying it all (which I’m not against! But isn’t always realistic).

So, I’ve developed a strategy to shop all these sales. As you may know, I keep a running Wishlist and “what I may need” list; when the sales start hitting the first thing I do is see if any of my lists and the sales overlap. If so- the shopping is easy. I also take a day or two to really “shop” the sales. See what I like. See what I still like after a day. Then, I buy- after all the thinking and scopping out I do.

What’s your cyber week sale strategy? Might I recommend following me in the @LTK and @shopstyle apps? I post sale picks (and outfits) daily, and there are several sales that have extra discount in the apps!

In the meantime, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite current sales picks. Take a look, take a think, and then happy Shoppping!

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

Madewell
Madewell has some of the best denim and bags. This week they’re all 30% off with code OHJOY. And in the LTK app you can get $15 off $75 with code LTKCYBER. Here are my picks:

OutDoor Voices
I absolutely love my exercise dress from Outdoor Voices, that and more were markdowned early and are now 50% off:

Elemis
Up your skin care routine with Elemis (high end ingredients and so luxe!). The entire site is 30% off and you get a 5 piece gift set with orders over $125 with code CELEBRATE:

FarmRio
I love the colorful patterns and whimsical designs of Farm Rio- and get an extra discount on sale with code SUPER25:

I’m starting with these sales, but will be updating my picks daily in the apps. I hope that you find what you wanted, what you needed and great gifts during these Cyber Week Sales!

Xo RA

Hostess Gifts

Investment Piece: Hostess Gifts

Starting this week, you may be attending (or hosting) holiday meals and events with your friends, family, and co-workers. As a child my mom instilled in me the importance of a hostess gift (and a thank you), and now that I’ve hosted my fair share of events, I have OPINIONS about them.

This isn’t about what side or drink you may have been asked to contribute (of course take that!), but rather a small (or big) token to let the host know how much you appreciate being in their home. Hostess gifts do make a difference and are a great way to thank the person who may have deep cleaned and been cooking for days.

While there’s nothing wrong with a bottle of wine, flowers, a plant, etc as I’ve gotten older (and hosted) I’m more touched by a hostess gift that has some thought behind it. Hostess gifts that meant that my friends and family really paid attention to my needs, decor, hobbies have stayed in the front of my mind for years.

Of course, you know your loved ones best, but I can’t imagine any host not loving a gift that was personal, thoughtful, tailored to their interests. I’m thinking personalized serving ware or linens. Games that they love. The weighted throw they’ve been wanting. Any of those I think would be such a thoughtful gift (though again, they may also love a bottle of wine to share with you!).

Below, I’ve rounded up some things I would love if I were hosting! I would love to know- what’s your go-to hostess gift?

Xo RA

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

Thanksgiving Outfits

Investment Piece: Happy Thanksgiving

I’m a football fan, and there’s a phenomenon called “playing ahead”, it’s where a team gets so focused on an upcoming opponent that they “forget” about the team they’re playing the current week. In football it can lead to losing games you “should have” won. While we might not chat about it, I think it happens in fashion too. Though, for outfits it’s not so much that you “lose” a game, it’s more that you get so focused on what to wear later that you forget about the outfits you could be wearing now.

Aka, I get so caught up and excited for all the party dresses that the holiday season brings, I forget to think about what to wear on Thanksgiving.
And I like Thanksgiving. It’s objectively one of my favorite holidays: the food, the merriment, the way you can make it what you need (from Friendsgiving to a big deal to low key eating pie!).
So, why can’t I remember to outfit plan for Thanksgiving?

Investment Piece, high fashion, blogger, gopurplefriday, Mary McFadden, CA, TX

And it’s not that I forget every year. There have been years when I have had plans that involved outfit planning. A few years ago, my family and I were doing a feast at hotel and I wore the above purple dress for Thanksgiving. I planned it out, got excited, and made my sister take 1000s of pics with me as my family and I were grateful someone else was cooking.

But, so many years I’m at home- or my parents home. We make plans but I forget to think about an outfit in advance. Or even an outfit as a statement. I get SO excited about all the party dresses to come, that often when it comes to Thanksgiving, I’m simply in leggings, or a simple skirt and shirt (which you can never go wrong in).

Investment Piece: Thanksgiving Outfits — Simple leggings with a button down

Investment Piece, fashion, style, Jcrew, how to, Ca, TX — Skirt and top

If I’m planning my outfit the morning of Thanksgiving (because if we do have big plans I do tend to think about what I’m wearing) I usually think about a few things while getting dressed:
-looking good but being comfy (especially as at some point at home we migrate to the couch for football and pie!)
-something I can cook in
-something I’m not embarrassed for pictures in (because I somehow always take a picture!)
– sometimes I add a statement item (because I’m always grateful for my closet)

What about you? What do you wear to Thanksgiving? Do you plan out your Thanksgiving outfits? Do you dress up or keep it casual? Please tell me all about it!

I’ve linked some pieces that I’m thinking about (or similar) for Thanksgiving below, from chic lounge sets to holiday dresses!
Xo RA

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

Luxe Gift Guide

I know, I know. Sometimes our holiday wish lists that we give to our family and friends are full of things we need, things we want within budget, and things that don’t reach too far. Yes, I get it- budgets are important, we don’t ever to burden our loved ones, and getting things you need is fantastic.

But there are times when that’s not the most fun thing. Why not wish for things completely out of reach? Why not dream about pie-in-the-sky beautiful and unique things? Maybe it’s because I’m a shopper or a dreamer or can’t help myself from wanting, but especially after the years we have, I have been dreaming of luxe gifts. There’s a huge chance that we won’t get any of these, but it doesn’t hurt to dream or to ask.

And if you’re wondering, yes, having my eye on expensive things is part of why I’m always such a big fan of
gift cards.

Below, I’ve linked some of the luxe gifts on my list- from the semi-reasonable to complete fantasy. This holiday lets dream a little and give a little luxe 😉

Awake Mode
This British designer is a bit, edgy,a bit classic, and a bit within reache. On my Wishlist?
Investment Piece: Luxe Gfit Guide
I love how these gloves have a manicure! SO chic and just the right amount of cheeky!
You can buy your own pair (or a pair to give) here

Investment Piece: Luxe Gift Guide
I also love the fringe on these shoes! Perfect for making the holidays special, and will even keep away the January blahs. Shop them here

Lipstick
Investment Piece: Luxe Gift Guide

I know, lipstick doesn’t seem luxe, but this lipstick from Carolina Herrera is! You can chose your shade, add a tassel, add charms, make it an ACCESSORY! And I’m all about little neccesities that become luxuries! I’ve picked matte red but you can customize your own here

Of course, it wouldn’t be a luxe gift guide without some REAL luxe items, so from Cartier watches to gowns to shoes, I’ve rounded up some things I LOVE that are a bit out of reach (because we might as well dream!)

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 would love to know: what’s on your luxe Wishlist? We all have things that we would love that are a bit- big, for lack of a better word. I want to hear about yours- after all this is a safe space! And who knows, maybe one day we’ll get them!

Xo RA