Investment Piece – Page 61 – Everyday Editorial

Classics

Investment Piece: Classics

About this time every year, I begin to run around. I think I need more. I think the outfits have to be big-sequins! Color! Plaids! It’s like it can’t be the holiday season without big! Statements!

And there’s a time and a place for statements. And sequins. And big!

But it doesn’t always have to be the time for all of that. For someone who will tell you that classics and investment pieces are a part of your closet to invest in (sorry, I couldn’t come up with another word!), it’s always amazing to me how this time of year that I flat out forget about classics.

The thing is: classics can be big. And a statement. The most important thing? While they always look good, they’re always easy. You don’t have to over think them. Just put them on and go–and wow!

Black and camel (especially coats) are always my go-to’s. No matter what, they look elevated, they match, and yet they will get you compliments.

Even just running to the grocery store, it’s an outfit you can feel good in!

This year has been a doozy, right? (I know, I keep saying that, but trying to write/think/wear outfits without recongnizing that this year is not what we’re used to feels like I’m trying to pull over on you. And it’s not to say that different can’t be great, it’s just that this year is different. And it’s also aok for the transitions and loses and grief that we’re all going through to be hard!) Part of what’s getting me through are outfits that make me feel good. Especially at this time of year.

And yes, even this year, I’ll go big. However, there will also be more than one day that I reach for my classics- the tried and true pieces that I know will make me look and feel good. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with being reminded that you don’t have to go big, you can wear classics.

I’m sure that you have similar (of not these exact) classics in your closet. But if you need a refresh, or new classics, I’ve linked pieces like the ones I’m wearing below.

Let’s go big. And let’s wear our classics!

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!

Holiday Expectations

Investment Piece: A Merry Little Christmas

We are officially in the holiday season. Are you tired of people telling you that this holiday season will be different? Between the pandemic, and shut downs, I think we all know that this year may not look like years past.

And that’s okay.

It’s also okay to miss things. I’ve been honest that I miss dressing up, parties, and other holiday traditions-like going to see the Nutcracker. I don’t see the harm in being sad about things.

But just because things are different,and we might miss things, doesn’t make this holiday season bad. Right? It all comes down to our holiday expectations.

Wasn’t it Shakespeare who said that “expectations are the roots of all heartache”? He might have been on to something. Even in a “normal” year, the holidays come with loads of expectations, traditions, and nostalgia that can be hard to compete with. My dad is one of those that wants every holiday to be “the best” and “perfect” and while that’s great, the older I get the more I know that what makes something “the best” can often be little things, and perfect isn’t a thing.
Also, getting caught up in trying to recreate how things were (even sometimes outfits!) doesn’t always work out.

So, what are your holiday expectations?
I’m trying to focus on small moments-watching my favorite films, wearing things I love (even just to the living room), looking at Christmas lights, etc.
I’m making new traditions- setting up virtual parties, baking for my neighbors of having them over, and indulging myself however is safe.
I’m also changing things around here. Normally this is a time where we would do a lot of holiday gift guides, and while you can still find those (and so much shopping inspiration) over at LiketoKnowit and Shopsyle, I’ll be doing one gift guide here (really focusing on shopping small!). I’ll be sharing outfits-with not an eye towards big parties but things that are luxe and that you can lounge in! And I’ll be sharing holiday traditions – from movies to what I’m baking to all the little things that will make this holiday for me.

This year will be different. And what if instead of tensing around that, we let our expectations be high? That we get excited about what could be the perfect and best holiday?

What are your holiday expectations? And plans? Even if it’s different, how are you handling this season, and what are you doing to get excited about it?

Tell me them all!
Xo RA

Cyber Monday Sales

Loves! If it was a holiday weekend, I hope you had a good one! If it was a regular weekend, I hope it was a good one! And of course, now we’re on to the sales. I’m sure, like me, you’ve gotten a ton of emails since last week from every brand that you’ve ever interacted with, letting you know about every sale. It’s overwhelming (or maybe that’s just me). It’s part of my job to let you know about great shopping opprotunities (the irony) so I did want to round up a few of my picks. Of course the best way to follow all my sales picks is to follow me over on LiketoKnowit or ShopStlye. I also have small business picks there and over on IG!

It’s a lot. And if you’re not looking for sales right now, I get it. Wednesday we’ll be out of our holiday slump and back to our regularly scheduled programming.

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: Cyber Monday
Not the time or the place for the “are leggings pants debate” but Spanx has the entire site 20% off

Investment Piece: Cyber Monday
H&M has everything 30% sitewide, and another 10% off if you become a member (it’s free!)

Investment Piece: Cyber Monday
You can shop the Nordstrom Cyber Sale and get deals up to 70% off!

Investment Piece: Cyber Monday
Chic and classic and 30% off with code CYBER30 at Paige
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Investment Piece: Cyber Monday
At 7 for all Mankind get 40% off everything with code FAM40

Investment Piece: Cyber Monday

Hope you find deals and things you love! Happy Shopping!
Xo RA

Ex Files: Holiday Edition

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles

I’ve never had the pleasure (or horror) of having a break-up happen at the holidays. Being sad over an ex? Sure. But the actual breakup?

(This may not be a sign of anything other than the guys I’ve dated knew they wanted out way before there might have been holiday expectations!)

But, as we’re coming off a holiday weekend (happy thanksgiving, if you’re not stateside and this was just a weekend- happy weekend!) and we may all be in need of some entertainment. So, I’ve rounded up these holiday breakup stories! Let’s laugh, and be extra kind out there- you never know what someone is going through!

Holiday Breakups that are neither Merry nor Bright

I got dumped at Christmas

And

Ridculous Breakups

Maybe this holiday wasn’t what you wanted, maybe there was burnt food or not enough pie. Maybe your fave thing sold out at the Black Friday sales. But I bet you didn’t get dumped. So we have one thing to be thankful for (or maybe a great story to tell!)

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

Investment Piece: Hostess Gifts

Happy Thanksgiving! I know that this year has been a doozy, and perhaps your usual holiday plans have been waylaid. It’s hard. I keep reminding myself that having a roof over our heads, clean water, and the health of myself and loved ones means that we are rich beyond measure. I’m also so grateful for you, and this little corner of the internet that we share. No matter how you’re celebrating this week (and there is no right way), I hope that you’re feeling loved–and that there’s plenty of your favorite food!

Some “programming” notes. I’ll be posting sales picks (if that’s your thing) on my LiketoKnowit and ShopStyle accounts all through the weekend- follow me there for all sorts of shopping info! There’s a special holiday “ex files” headed your way Sunday, and Monday I’ll be rounding up sales you absolutely can’t miss! Then we’re off and running into the holiday season- making merry at home.

I’m so grateful for you, and for us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xo RA

Sale Round Up

This is traditionally a week where the holiday sales start, especially Friday through Monday. However, while this year has been hard in some respects, one of the good things is that sales are starting early. Way early. Below is a round up of some of my favorite current sales. Of course, as the week goes on this list will grow and if sale shopping is your thing the easiest way to stay on top of my sales picks is to follow my shopping picks here on site, or on the LiketoKnowit or ShopStyle apps!

While this holiday week is different, I hope that you’re safe and healthy and surrounded by love!

Happy Shopping!
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: Sale Round Up
Nordstrom has started Black Friday early and you can get deals on almost everything! You can shop my picks http://liketk.it/31Gtb>here

Investment Piece: Sales Round Up
Shop my picks form the designer sale at ShopBop here

Investment Piece: Sales Round Up
H&M started Black Friday with a pre-sale, where you can get up to 50% off style picks to last the whole season. Shop my picks here

Investment Piece: Sales Round Up
The Net-A-Porter sale has all the chic designers at affordable prices, shop my picks here

Are you a Madewell Insider? Join today! It’s free! This week it gets you early access to their Black Friday Sales where you can get up to 50% off top picks. Shop my picks:

Black Friday has also come early to Verishop and these are some of my favorite things!

Happy Shopping! Happy Eating! Happy Whatever it is you’re up to!
Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Holiday Behind

Investment Piece: Let's get in formation

We’re headed right into the holiday season. And in a year that’s been different, with much more time at home, and a holiday season that should be pared down, you would think that I might be on top of things. Ahead of things even.

Alas, I am behind. Holiday behind. Ever since my area began “Stay at Home” orders back in March, I feel as if my schedule, preparedness, and even dressing goes in cycles. It’s as if I can have 3 or 4 days of great work, outfits, and productivity. And then 3 or 4 days where I’m not completely worthless (we never are), but everything from outfits to crossing items off my do-to list is just more difficult. I’ve managed, hopefully well, but on top of that now is the holiday season.

This holiday season should be great! It has to be laid back, you have the perfect excuse not to do anything you don’t want to, and it’s a chance to start smaller traditions or cut out traditions you hate. Have chicken or steak instead of turkey. Eat pie all day! Whatever makes you happy.

(Another story is how one of my best Thanksgivings was spent alone! Low Key Holidays are amazing)

And while I’m not traveling, there are no big parties, and my family is working on paring down and being laid back, I’m still somehow behind. On work-from calendars and posts to too many little things to mention. At life- from bills and planing to holiday cards and the like. On personal things- doing my nails (which just makes me feel better) has been on my to-do list for weeks. Is that the most important thing? Nope, but is it telling that a task that brings me joy I just can’t make time for? I hope not.

If I were writing advice to you, I would say that this is a holiday season to focus on what makes you happy. That the cards and the calendars and all those things either get done or they don’t, and that the important thing is taking care of you. Why can’t I take that advice? Probably a completely different post.

Maybe, as this is the holiday season where we all slow down, we can agree not to be behind. That behind is something we’re making up in our heads. That whatever gets put up or sent out is the best and that if we spent days in pjs eating chocolate that it’s a valid celebration.

I’m trying to think like that. And trying to get things done.
How are you dealing with this holiday season? Are you behind? Are you somehow getting things done? How are you feeling about it all?

Any tips or commiserating welcome!

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

Making Up Your Mind

Investment Piece: Making up Your Mind
Investment Piece: Make Up Your Mind

The weather where I’m at hasn’t made up its mind. Sure it’s fall, but one day it’s in the 80s, one day it’s in the 50s. I’ve worn both shorts and a parka in the same week.

One of the things I’ve always loved about fashion is that you don’t have to make up your mind (just like the weather). You can be anything you like-and if you end up hating your outfit you can always change! So, when I saw these jeans- that didn’t make you choose between styles- I was intrigued. Chic black jeans. Destroyed skinny leg. Why make up your mind if you don’t have to? If you can be it all, why not be it all at the same time?

I was worried that they might be too much. What would I wear them with (everything. The answer is not to treat them as precious and wear them with everything)? Would they look crazy?
Ironically, a pair of jeans that didn’t make up its mind had me agonizing. But I couldn’t stop thinking about them, which made up my mind- I had to have them!

Investment Piece: Make Up Your Mind

I don’t know about you but lately, in the midst of weather that won’t be one thing, and a global pandemic, I’ve found it hard to make up my mind at times. There are things that I feel like I HAVE to be– and I’m just too exhausted. Those stories you hear about high power executives that only wear black-while I would miss all my clothes, I get the relief of having one decision that you didn’t have to make.

These jeans, then, seem a little paradoxical. They couldn’t make up their mind, but in a time when big decisions seem overwhelming I was drawn to them. My rational? (Besides them just being chic) These jeans reminded me that we don’t have to choose- be one thing in the am(wear your yoga pants) and be another thing at night (no one is stopping you from putting on a ball gown). There are a ton of decisions and ways to make up your mind–but you don’t have to. And if you can have fun with that, embrace all the decisions and the in-Betweens, we all might be ok.

As well as have some amazing outfits.

So. Two tone jeans. A wrap over a tee (that you can take off later). And some of my fave shoes. For not making up my mind, I feel like these decisions went pretty well!

I’ve linked these exact jeans (fit note, there’s really not a lot of stretch!) and similar items for your shopping pleasure below!

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: Make Up Your Mind

De-Constructing the Editorial

Investment Piece: Decontstucting the editorial
Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial

I think Editorial. In fashion. In life. I imagine outfits how they would look on runways, photo shoots, magazine spreads. Events can be like scripts to me. Outfit planning can be like styling.

It’s how I shop. It’s how I plan shoots. It’s how I work.
I’m a bit editorial. And I try not to make excuses for it.
There are upsides to thinking big (because you can always edit small)- and I love picturing AMAZING and BIG photoshoots, events, and shoes. Then, of course, working to make the big work.

When I first started this blog I had a friend who commented to me that he didn’t understand my pictures. I replied that I was basing myself on the Ralph Lauren ads of the 1980s. Remember them? Not only selling jeans and gowns, but they sold a lifestyle. I was only a child, but I remember wanting to live in the world that the Ralph Lauren ads portrayed.

The thing is that life isn’t editorial. I tend to shoot my outfits not in my life, but in set circumstances. But my outfits live in my life.

I know that you won’t buy this suit (from Target! Under $100!) and just sit in a garden somewhere.

But. You might:
Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial
Wear the blazer over bike shorts, pj pants, or anything that works for you. It’s perfect for zoom, and then you can take it off to do anything from yoga to nap.

Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial
Or throw on anything from a sweater to a graphic tee with the pants to get the mail or run to the store or anything that requires you to be dressed for real, and not just from the waist up!

Investment Piece: Deconstructing the Editorial
I think big- in fashion spreads and stories. But live small- moments and Juxatipositons.

The older I get, the more I don’t want to sacrifice either- even when it’s big, I like picturing my outfits editorial first; but I need clothes that can live in my moments. If we’re all the star of our own stories we should dress like it, but be comfy on the house.

I think the answer is to shoot big, and make sure the outfit is comfy. That way you can do both- live the editorial and deconstruct it!

I’ve linked the exact suit and shoes! Xox 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 the support!

Sunday Chronicles: Woman In Gold

In another life I would have been an art thief– or an art investigator, insurance agent, etc. I am simply fascinated by the value we place on art (it makes the living worthwhile) and the act of stealing art–and the act of recovering that stolen art. My interest began a few years ago when my mom and I began reading novels and non-fiction books about the subject–and I’m just hooked. The Gardner Museum Heist, Nazi theft of art, Monuments Men–all the stories are just spellbinding. So of course I fell in love with the story of Maria Altman who fought the Austrian government to reclaim the portrait of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer, painted by Gustav Klimt and stolen by the Nazis.

The movie got lukewarm reviews–but I loved it. I think what happened during WWII was horrific, but these are stories that we need to tell over and over again. The Holocaust was not only a mass murder of a people; it was a theft of people’s culture, homes, memories and was orchestrated by the Nazi government. I have jewelry, dishes, artwork in my home that are made special because those things belonged to my grandparents or were family heirlooms. I can’t imagine those items being stolen from off of my walls or off of my tables because of my religion. As much as the stories of the Nazis stealing from people can be down right upsetting, I found comfort in the justice that Marie Altman’s story contains. Art does make life bearable. While we can have debates about who owns what and museum’s roles in the care of art, in this particular case (and others like it) I don’t think that anyone can argue that the surviving families of the Holocaust, or those whose possessions were stolen by Nazis, should have their belongings returned.

So see the movie! Tell me what you think! I also read the book (pictured above)–it goes into way more detail, and also made me long to go to the opera in Vienna (I have shoes that would look great there). Also, because any excuse to shop, the Neue Galerie in New York (where Adele’s portrait now hangs) is selling this specialty lipstick set inspired by the painting. Of course I bought one and of course I love it!

Wishing you a week of amazing art, some history lessons, and of course fabulous fashion!