As we know, I truly believe that fashion is a way to tell our stories. But, what does that say about the stories we don’t tell- aka the clothes we don’t keep. Surely there’s a story there too. So, let’s chat about it! I share clothes a very sweet family friend gave to me- they don’t fit for multiple reasons, but there is still a bunch of love in these clothes. And I’m hoping that the love gets a new story as I pass them along.
What stories don’t you keep? And what do you think happens to them as we pass them along?
I would love to know!
With my fashion choices, I like to think that I get my inspiration from everywhere. However, there are times when I just happen to be inspired by other fashion choices that I either see people making (why street style is still such a strong force) and by the fashion choices presented to me. This week?
Ok. More than a week.
I’ve been inspired by the images of Valentino Resort from 2018 that have been flooding all my timelines. (Both at the time and now!)
Especially when I realized that this patterned, all the best of the 70s look I could recreate with pieces I already owned.
Note: none of my brands here are Valentino. Though I do love that house (see here, here, and here, and search “vintage Valentino” in the search bar. There’s not a lot of Valentino I pass up).
What I love about this Valentino Resort look? It’s patterned, all mix, all bold, all subtle. It goes together, and yet, any of these pieces would be great on their own. I love the headscarf. Could we make those a thing? Please? And the loafers (heeled)? Perfection. It’s like the best of logo, the best of patterns, and the best of the 70s. (AKA those sunglasses).
Do I want this Valentino look? Of course.
But then, I realized that I could recreate it with pieces I have!
This wrap dress? (And yes, everyone should have a wrap dress, it’s a basic in my book) Vintage DVF. The pattern and the colors are seasonless and perfect to match with anything. These loafers? Gucci. And yes, I am unafraid to use this turquoise as a neutral. Even here, it doesn’t “match” perfectly, but it goes. And somehow, I had the perfect scarf and sunglasses.
Should you copy everything that comes down the runway or is in an ad? Not at all. Should you get inspired by it? Yes. Take what you love. Turn it into your own. And if you can recreate a look you love? Why not?
I’m already excited for when it’s not 100 degrees and I can put my spin on this Valentino Resort look:
Below I’ve linked some Valentino pieces I love, some DVF, some great wrap dresses, and more.
I can’t wait to see what you create and get inspired by!
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!
Loves, I have some shocking news for you. It’s summer. And I’m in a swimsuit. In fact, I’m wearing a swimsuit with EVERYTHING. Pants. Skirts. Shorts. Capes. Alone. With anything I can get my hands on. I have a thing for swimsuit fashion. So much so that I made a little video about it:
It happens every year : the temps go up and my bathing suits come out. Not just to the pool, beach, or under a cover up, but as a base for many, many outfits. This summer may see me hang out more in the back yard, but I’m still using my swim suit as fashion inspiration. As I shop and put together outfits, I’ll be sharing them with you. In the mean time, stay cool and healthy and in your swimsuit!
I’ve also rounded up some of my current fave swimsuits for your weekend shopping pleasure!
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’m a believer that seasons have themes, sometimes ones we consciously choose, sometimes we see the theme when we’re done with the season. (And a chat for another time is how we can try to choose a theme but life has other plans!) This summer I’m being conscious about my theme (cue the mood boards and wishlists- which I think help not only focus you on what you want fashion wise but experience wise!)- and I’ve decided that this summer is a Palm Springs Summer.
I currently have no plans to go to Palm Springs- though I’m open to that- but in terms of clothing and plans, it’s Palm Springs. So. What does that mean? Honestly, I began thinking of Palm Springs when
Shift Dresses
From cocktail to pool side, there is nothing chicer or easier than a shift dress. Very 60s, and very Palm Springs. I’m loving these:
Anthropologie
The store with the edit that started it all! I’m still loving the slightly vintage feel- and all of these pieces would look amazing with a scarf in your hair and big sunglasses!
I’m still working on my mood boards and I can’t wait to share with you all the Palm Springs and more looks I’ll be wearing here all season long!
XO RA
This is where I could tell you about rest. Which is important. And yet, something I’m still learning to be good at. (Are you also feeling a bit constantly burnt out? What are you doing to combat that?) I tend to work a bit each day (working on that) so I hardly ever get a full day completely off….so I tend to take my moments of peace when I can get them. And even though I’m not really a morning person, I do love taking my time in the morning. Getting in my coffee, some down time, a walk. Taking it easy is one of my most favorite ways to start the day.
This is also where we could chat about your style not only being the stories that you tell to the world, but the ones you tell at home, for you. AKA I sometimes forget that besides our outwear, our lounge, shape wear, and sleepwear tell our stories. (Or it’s not so much that I forget but that we don’t chat about it) For many of the above I LOVE a matching set. They make me feel grown up, put together, and a bit chic- even while sleeping. (It’s also a myth that sets have to cost a ton, I’m loving this boldly one – especially thinking about wearing the top and robe out- and all pieces are under $40! Linked for you below of course!).
This is also where I may tell you that all of these things: taking it easy, caring for yourself even when you’re just at home, matching sets, and feeling accomplished don’t have to be separate things. Perhaps taking it easy, feeling chic at ease, and telling stories that are just for us help us tell our stories when we’re out and about. Put simply, I’ve been thinking that the things that we do for ourselves, the ways that we take care, what we love to wear when alone, what we’re willing to do to make ourselves feel good- the ease with which we treat ourselves help make us better story tellers (aka better people).
I’m still working on being better at rest and taking things easy. And sometimes my matching sleep sets (even though I love them) are an afterthought. But, I’m working on the stories that I tell myself too, in the hopes that they enrich all my stories. And that being easy is a peace that could help us all be strong for when we need it?
At least this is all that I’m hoping- and this outfit is one that brings me hope. What do you wear to lounge in? What are your thoughts on matching sets? And how good are you at taking it easy?
I’ve linked this exact outfit for you below! I’m also linking to this explanation of Juneteenth (which the USA nationally celebrated for the first time yesterday). An important day for freedom (and yes, as someone who wants to honor but knows the day is not about me in any way)- I’ll be working on how to talk about it for next year. In the meantime- here’s to our freedom and working towards a more equal land!
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!
Loves, we know that I love gowns, prints, juxatipositons, and special pieces. But let me be clear, I also love simple. I love pieces that can take you from the beach to cocktails, that are effortless, and that speak for themselves. Simple doesn’t need bells and whistles. Simple doesn’t have to mean boring, or plain. Case in point? This easy tank dress! It’s perfect for wearing over your swimsuit, with sandals or sneakers, but would also look great with heels, a jacket, a scarf. I love the slightly faded color, the slits, the draped arm hole. (And though I know you can’t feel it, I promise it is so soft!).
There is a time for drama, but there is also a time for simplicity. There’s a time to let things be, and appreciate them for what they are. Summer is a great time for simple. The heat, the water, the casual air. So let’s give in. There’s no reason to make anything more complicated than it needs to be! And I promise with great simple pieces like this, you will love simple like I do.
Especially in this heat, there’s no need for complications, no need to overthink, we could all use a bit simple.
I’m also a big fan of magic and love. We could all use a bit more of those, so let’s give more of those this weekend!
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 tell you how to style your style (no matter what boundaries are). But what is your style?
I have a feeling that question is harder to answer than we would like to admit! Even for me- if I had to give an elevator pitch for my own style I don’t know that I could.
So. How do we figure out our own style? Is is part look for inspiration? Is it part play in your own closet? Is it look at what fits your life and part what you want your life to look like?
And with those questions I have a challenge for you: meet me here in a moth ( July 13 or so!) and let me know or see what a perfect outfit is for you. AKA what is an outfit that let’s me know who you are and what the story is you’re try to tell. I’m cultivating an outfit to show you and I hope what you can show me here an outfit that is You. What do you think your style is? What do you think is your perfect outfit? I can’t wait to share with you!
Isn’t it funny that white pants are a summer staple (aka yes, we need some) but they always feel a bit daring? As in- what will I spill on white pants, what stains will I attract, and how can I go from looking pulled together to looking like a mess in the least amount of time?
Maybe it’s just me that has those thoughts (or fears) when I put on white pants.
And again, white pants are a summer staple. Perhaps it’s that they look so chic and cool that they make us feel chic and cool. Maybe it’s the essential summer feeling that makes white pants such a staple. Or perhaps it’s that (even if it’s only temporary), in white pants you can’t help but feel as if you’re pulled together, a “lady”, a bit elevated (whatever that means to you- to me it means the kind of person who can manage not to spill on themselves!).
I’m not the first, nor I will be the last, to let you know that white pants (and dresses and skirts and shoes, etc), it’s not even the first time we’ve chatted about all white outfits this season (see White Dress Season) here. So, if white pants summer is a thing we’re doing, how do we do it?
White pants can be really casual (currently I’m loving white distressed jeans or shorts with a tank) or a bit more formal. For example, paring a pair of white pants (a bit structured) with a wrap top, fun earrings, and kitten heels- perfect for work and play. Of course you could go VERY formal in white pants, but that’s another outfit! I’m the first to admit that wearing white pants can make me a bit nervous (I am a klutz which can lead to spills), but I’m also the first to admit that nothing makes it feel like summer like white pants.
What kind of white pant outfits do you love? Dressed down? Dressed up? A mix with a bit of fun? I don’t think that there is any right or wrong way to wear white pants, but I do know that it always feels like summer when I wear them. Even when it’s not the first time in an outfit-You can see some different thoughts on this outfit here. Yes, this outfit was a pairing I made years ago, and it’s one I still wear today! I have found similar pieces for you to shop below- and I can’t wait to see and hear about your white pants summer!
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 barely June, and yet it’s been over 100 every day this week (and this is expected through next week as well). Is it too early to be this hot? Maybe, most likely that’s a questions for someone else. What I can debate is what do we wear in heat like this? Intense, unrelenting heat is so hard to dress for, partially because there are so few things that are completely sweat proof, partially because how do you stay chic in the midst of that.
There may be many answers for how to dress for riding out heat- from linen to swimsuits- but my most consistent fashion answer to dressing for heat is to keep it simple. And what is more simple than shorts and a tee shirt?
Here’s the thing about keeping things simple- there’s no rule that simple means boring. Or not a statement. In all honesty, I saw this combo on someone in a store- a simple one shoulder tank, denim shorts, lace up sandals- and she looked so great, so chic, so cool, that I knew that I had to recreate the look.
And the thing is, the gal I saw with this outfit (whoever you are you’re a genius!) wasn’t wrong. A simple but impactful tank (who doesn’t love a one shoulder moment?) and a great pair of denim shorts (I like mine a bit longer but if you love them they work!) along with great sandals (you can never go wrong with statement flat sandals) are my new favorite way to beat the heat (ironically even though this tank is black it is surprisingly cool). Who says riding out the heat has to be basic, boring, or bland? Not me- I’m all for simple statements in the heat. It’s the only way to ride out the heat in style (or what’s left of style when you’re done sweating!)
While this outfit was created with pieces I had, I’ve linked new pieces for you below. Maybe riding out the heat means we do it together?
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 fear this may be another trend to try that’s not really a trend. Because summer bags? We know them, we love them.
There is no way I will be the first to tell you that a basket bag is something you should get. Not only is it perfect for every summer occasion (beach, bbq, rose) as you can hold all the things, it gives an air of casual-ness that I love. And yet, it’s pulled together. Basket bags are just a classic.
Is there any one brand of basket bags? Nope. Not at all. Bag in the middle. Open. Latched, unlatched. Your options are endless, and another thing I love about a basket bag.
Another summer bag trend to try?
White.
Because as we know, I think that white accessories (and dresses, and jeans) are great for the summer. So why not a summer bag? They’re classic, but give off a little bit of an edge. Also, with white there is always the chance of spills, so there’s an air of danger.
*Side note, you can also use white bags in the fall. I won’t judge you. In fact, make white not only your summer bag, but your go-to color. Do you.
My favorite summer bag, though? The net. Yes, this style gained popularity last year (that’s when I got this number). Yes, there are all sorts of verisions: from the plain net (I throw a clutch or wallet in mine), the net over a bag, the net in a bag. What I love about this summer bag? It gives off the casual vibe of summer, yet manages to not be just basic. Oh, and you can use it for your groceries!
When it comes to trends and summer bags, you have options. Beach bags, tote bags, and of course, my picks! I would love to know: what kind of summer bag are you carrying?
I’ve linked bags I love below, let’s get to summering!
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!
