Loves, I’m stuck in the Texas Blizzard of 2021. Our power is iffy at best and it’s affecting blog uploads. I apologize for the outage- we hope to be up and new on Friday. In the meantime, stay warm and take care of each other out there!
Xo
RA
Color of the Season
Do you love the Pantone color of the year? Where they name the color(s) of the year?
Usually I’m a take it or leave it. I wear things I love, and if they happen to match up with the colors of the season- so be it! There are years that I love the colors, years when I don’t (and I don’t wear colors I don’t like).
But. This year? A little different. The colors of the season got me excited, and I could find right in my closet!
One of the colors of the year is grey. And grey? I love. I own one too many grey tshirts, sweaters, etc. My bedding is grey. It’s my go-to color, and something that I always get excited about it. Suddenly, this year I was very excited about the color of the year.
Also different this year? Pantone did two colors of the year. Yellow being the second. And yellow- it’s hard for me. Some shades of yellow I love. Some wash me out (yellow and blonde can be hard). It’s not my go-to, but it doesn’t turn me off. It’s a color I’m willing to explore, for lack of better wording.
SideNote about this yellow. This is vintage LaPearla. And one of my favorites. The pleating, the boning, the way it’s great on its own or over anything from turtlenecks to sweaters. When I found it, I was drawn to it, but I hesitated- because of the color. I tried it on and fell in love. The moral? Even though I sometimes say differently, this corset is a case in why you should try new things. Maybe all yellows aren’t for us. But how will we know if we don’t try them?
While I love grey, these pants were also a bit of a risk. Pleated pants can feel dated (or super elegant), and can not always look great (or look superb). I kept thinking that this season, as I love the colors that this wouldn’t be an exercise in new things, but in things I’m always comfortable with. However, the colors of the season were really about me trying new things in the colors that I like. Sneaky of Pantone.
And that alone is exciting. Sometimes it’s easy to like what we like. Stay with what we’re comfortable with, only choose what we known we have worn in the past. And we should do that. There’s nothing wrong about that. The exciting thing about really loving things though? You always discover new things about them. It’s a never ending process. Within these colors of the season, what can we discover? Try? Shades? Styles?
The colors of the season? We can wear them next season too. What’s exciting me is all the fashion we can explore and wear in the meantime, in the colors of the season.
I’ve linked similar items for you below (note: these pants were also vintage!). I would love to know: are you wearing grey and yellow this season?
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!
Date Night
What’s your fantasy date night? The one that’s so over the top that it’s just too much but would be oh-so fantastic. Mine? Dinner in Paris. Gambling in Monte Carlo. Private art tours. Every much movie-type.
Over the top dates that I’ve loved? The ballet and nice dinners.
What I find irrestibly romantic? The little things- coffee made for you, running a bath. I had a boyfriend who would pause our tv shows so I could catch everything. He’d also watch things that he didn’t LOVE because I did. Romantic. Easy days just spent together.
Date night this year is different. Though still romantic- dinners in, candlelight, cozying up. Still something to get excited about!
The one thing about date night (in or out)? I still want a dress that makes me feel like the fantasy. I know this year it’s not the most practical thing. Or the most needed thing. I’ve dressed up like this to watch tv at home, and there are nights when that’s made me feel more sad than fantasy. But I keep coming back to dresses like these. I can’t help but love a party dress. Or top. Or outfit. Anything that makes me feel special. Seen. Like I’m in a fantasy.
Isn’t that the point of date night? Yes- to spend time with, celebrate, see your loved one. Even if date night is just at home. Even if date is just you doing what makes you feel special. Maybe my love of party dresses isn’t something you share, but any kind of date you have this weekend, I hope that you’re wearing something that makes you feel all the good things. We deserve it.
This year date night looks different, but let’s make our feelings the same. Let’s celebrate. See. Dress for your fantasies- my theory has always been if you dress for it, it will come. Here’s to that!
This dress is vintage Valentino- I’ve found you similar, as well as these exact earrings!
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!
Did you notice that the netting underneath is also lined in the pattern? I swoon!
Valentine’s Day
Usually I do Valentine’s very low-key. It’s not that I don’t love love, I do! However, I sometimes get uptight when we’re told we HAVE to show our love in a certain way. One of the good things about this pandemic is that this year, I’m more vocal about my love- telling my friends I love them, sending cards, planning things for me (self-love is important too!), and taking a day of love and making it a thing!
Below, I’ve rounded up Valentine’s from your BFF to your mom to your SO. As well as things for you (and yes, black lace is for you and them!) Together, alone, I hope I’ve linked things you can love and do with people you love. I know that this year may be different (I am so ready for an average, basic year), but it doesn’t mean that what can be a sweet celebration has to be bad. I’m sending Valentine’s (like the ones we did as kids!) to girlfriends in the mail. I’m planning a spa day for me (because I love me and I deserve some pampering). Indoor champagne picnics, massages, there are all sorts of things to do with your SO!
I hope whatever you plan it’s full of love!
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!
Galentines
Your BFFS. Sister. Mom. In Laws. Remember in elementary school when we gave the whole class a little card? When we were in it together? I loved that. Friend love is just as important as romantic love- and these presents are a great way to let people know that you love them. As I said, I’m sending my friends a card, maybe some flowers and maybe some surprises. Let’s normalize telling people we love that we love them- even if it’s not romantic love!
SOs
Just because we’re at home doesn’t mean that we have scale things back! In fact, Valentine’s at home is my favorite kind of date night for this holiday. Use massage oil candles- show off your magic hands. Feed each other! Cheese plates! Champagne! Black lace! There are so many ways to celebrate at home. And these may add to the excitement:
You
Celebrating yourself is important. Taking time for you is important. I’m doing a spa day- because I’ve grown to love at home facials and sauna. What do you love? From scary movies to trashy reality shows to certain meals to hot baths. Whatever it is that makes you feel restored, do that. And if you need to buy yourself new shoes? I won’t judge!
No matter what your Valentine’s looks like- I hope that you feel loved- and all the good things you deserve!
Xo RA
Cardigan
Lounge but make it fashion.
It’s been the theme of the pandemic- finding clothes that will look good on Zooms and the like, yet will be comfy. Sweatpants and shirt sales have gone through the roof. You may be at a point where putting on hard pants gives you anxiety.I get it, I have been putting on hard pants but have yet to wear hard pants for a full day. How did we do that day in and day out?
While I’m not ready for hard pants, I’m ready for fashion. And not the lounge kind. I’ve been missing getting dressed and all the feelings it gave me. (I also miss the places we went and the people we saw)
Yet, I have no desire to give up my comfort. Work is still happening on the couch after all!
My solution? The cardigan.
Or in this case, a cardigan dress.
The purple color of my dreams, soft enough to curl up with, but a cardigan to stop traffic- in all the best ways. I found this number via Instagram, but not an ad- Sarah Jessica Parker wore it (with hot pink heels!)
You know when you can’t get something out of your mind? This cardigan was it for me. When I first looked it up, the color I had to have (I love a good purple) was sold out. I tried to wait patiently. Telling myself that it was simply a cardigan dress and I didn’t HAVE to have it. I searched for similar dresses-but I couldn’t find another that I liked. The sleeves, the fringe, the wrap, the color- I was memorized.
I could list the ways I wanted to wear it and why I love it so. But, I have to admit that part of the appeal to me was that this dress is a cardigan. It’s show stopping and versatile and stunning. At the same time, it’s a cardigan! It’s comfy! You can wrap up in it and nap if need be. It could fill my need for fashion, while letting me lounge!
Call it lack of willpower, or call it divine pairing – I got this number the second it came back in stock. And I haven’t regretted it. Life is more on the couch than out and about right now, but I feel glamorous. Maybe that’s what I was missing all along. Who would have thought that a cardigan could give it to me?
You can join me in the cardigan life! Buy yours here at Hanifa. (This is not a commission link! I just love this dress and this company! Sizing note- while the site will tell you to go by height on this dress, my first order was the small and it was way too big! This is the Extra-Small- perfect and still long enough!)
I’ve also linked similar items for you below, just in case you need more than one cardigan!
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!
Sunday Chronicles: Cheese Board
I’m no food blogger, though I like to think I’m a great home cook. And ironically I’m lactose intolerant, so I have to rely on goat and sheep’s cheese, but I love a good cheese board. Elegant. Easy. Customizable. One of my favorite things to do on Sunday is make a big cheese board, open a bottle of wine or bubbles, and snack all day. Today and next Sunday (Super Bowl and Valentine’s) are perfect for such activities. In fact, it’s most likely what I will be doing both Sunday’s!
There are “rules” and “guidelines” that you can follow when you’re making a cheese board, but I usually go with what sounds good to me. Cheese. Great crackers. Some protein. Some fruit. Whatever looks good.
I’ve made them incredibly simple:
And I called this dinner. Even with just the basics- crackers, cured meat, cheese, and wine it felt decadent.
To over the top:
Grilled sausage, mustards, preserves, fruit, crackers, cheeses, all the things.
Cheese boards are both the simplest thing to make and a stunning piece of art. A snack and an event of a meal. I love mixing various cheeses (there is such a great selection of bries and cheddars and blues that don’t have cow’s milk in them!), crackers (flavored and plain), olives, meats, chips, grapes, and more. If you make it big enough, it’s both lunch and dinner, and just perfect! I didn’t really get into cheese plates until a few years ago- now I’m making up for lost time. They are one of my favorite ways to share food (with my pod) and ways to feel like I’m treating myself.
The next two weekends seem ripe for putting out food and relaxing with football or rom-coms on the couch. Bubbles. Wine. And of course, loved ones (even over FaceTime) and the day is complete. The only change? I may include this baked feta.
What are you eating for Super Bowl and Valentine’s?
Wishing us all a week of treats and amazing shoes!
Xo RA
Quilted
Quilted jackets- puffer and non-puffy- are in. And I love them. I tend to get COLD when I get cold, so puffers (even not the super puffy ones!) always make me feel warmer (yes, that’s most likely placebo, but I’ll take it!). Any kind of quilted look feels more elevated- jackets, shoes, pants, skirts. But a trend I’m seeing- vintage and bespoke stores taking vintage quilts and making them into jackets, jumpsuits, and more.
As someone who loves the look, as someone who loves the stories that quilts can tell, as someone who loves something special- I LOVE it!
Quilts can be wonderful stories. Maybe your grandma or great-grandma used scraps to make quilts for your family to sleep under (mine did!). Or maybe, someone in your family collected quilts. If you’ve made a quilt I’m simply in awe of that- no matter what the pattern or fabric- quilts are just these wonderful pieces of fashion that happen to lay on our beds. Until-
There are so many places right now to shop stunning pieces made from vintage quilts. Jackets. Jumpsuits. Bandanas. Bags. Hoods. It’s a story made anew, and there’s nothing more attractive than that!
Shop these old/new creations at:
MagPie Vintage Clothing
PottersDaughter Project
Psychic Outlaw
I’m sure that there are more out there, but these are the shops I’ve been looking at! The coat above, not from a vintage quilt. But- it was my grandma’s. The older I get, the more I love my grandma (and mom’s) style, and love wearing their vintage clothes. It makes me feel closer to them, and it’s my own way of telling a story anew.
My grandma? She did not wear this chic, colorful, reversable number with leggings (BTW these scuba leggings with split ankle openings are my new favorite. They feel like pjs and wear elegantly- I feel like they go with everything. They’re an elevated basic!), but I can’t help but let the coat be the star and pairing it over minimal black. Cap-toed flats (yes, I would normally wear heels but it’s a panic attack out there!) I like to think balance it out, while mimicking the quilting. Her coat, made my way.
Now, I just have to convince one of my parents to let me cut up one of the family quilts and maybe I can make my own jumpsuit!
What do you like to wear quilted? Do you love stories made anew?
While I couldn’t find my grandma’s exact jacket, I did find you new quilted jackets and some scuba leggings- linked 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!
Fashion Travels
I miss traveling. Trying new things. Seeing new things. Experiencing different cultures.
(Side note: I know things for many are so bad that travel is at the last of the list. So many of us are hitting walls and burned out, and this pandemic has taken so much. The loss is a lot. I don’t mean to diminish that, but share a reprieve. I’m holding space for you, and hope we all get to go to all the places, and mourn in all the ways when this is all over. )
Because we can’t travel in the way that we did in the before, during the pandemic I’ve been traveling the only way I can- through shows, food, cocktails, puzzles, and of course fashion! For National Puzzle Day (yes, it’s a thing, and in related news I would REALLY love to be a part of the Committee who comes up with all these days!), my mom and I worked this puzzle of England through the ages. It included country sides, famous people, and events that marked time. We drank British drinks, and I wore British designers.
I talked about it here:
England, and London, is special to me. My family and I lived there when I was 4-5. As you can see, London helped me refine my love of socks with shoes, and red date shoes (seen here!) I can remember the dinosaurs in the History museum, the milk man, and Laura Ashley, my favorite British fashion when I was five.
Now that I’m older, I have a more mature appreciation of British culture. From H&M to Stella McCartney to British dectective stories (one of my favorite genres to read lately has been the spy stories from WW2 and they all worked for the UK Secret Service).
How I’m using all of this to make it feel that I’m traveling even while we’re staying in? I’m wearing British designers (here in Burberry). I’m researching things I didn’t know about the UK from history to trivia (did you know Winston Churchhill drank 42,000 bottles of champagne in his life? That averages 2 bottles a day from birth to death!), and I’m looking at art, reading British novels, watching British shows and movies.
Is it the same? No. But it helps. And I feel like I’m getting out there- learning new things, seeing things in a different way. And the planning- the research, the making of food and cocktails, the finding of shows and puzzles and books, and of course the shopping- is fun. It does feel like I’m widening my circle.
Where do you want to go? How are you scratching the itch to be other places while staying at home?
I would love to hear about it!!
Xo RA
Below I’ve linked similar Burberry skirts for you (starting under $100!) and my current fave picks from H&M
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!
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Leopard:
Is a neutral
Is the new date night
Is found everywhere
Is my new favorite.
Is tongue- catching.
This dress is a little bit of everything I love. Comfy- stretchy, and there’s even a thumb hole for you to wear it all the way down your arms! Sexy- it makes me feel good, and enhances my curves in all the right ways. Leopard is thought of a bombshell look, but I’ve found it to be just as perfect on the couch! More than I thought it could be, this dress makes me tongue-tied in just how easily it fits into my life.
Happy Feburary! The shortest month of the year, often the coldest month of the year, Black History Month, and the month of love. I don’t know about you, but since the middle of January I’ve been getting emails about Valentine’s Day-sales, gifts, date night ideas, and outfit suggestions. (I’ve made my feelings on Valentine’s Day made known here).
This year, there’s a great chance that Valentine’s (like so many other things) will look and be different than in years before. Which may be great! Without the pressure of going out, maybe you and your loves can do something really personal and really special. (I am aware that there’s a chance you may not be able to be with your loves-both platonic and romantic- this year, for many reasons. If it’s a hard time, I’m hoping it lands gently for you, and that you get to do something for you.) Usually, outfit suggestions for Valentine’s can range from pink to red to hearts to sweet. I have a daring suggestion: leopard.
Especially leopard that’s comfy. Especially leopard that fits.
Hopefully this leopard catches someone’s tongue 😉
I’ve linked this dress 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!
Ex Files: Retrogrades
Dating can be its own genre of horror,and these stories prove it! From The One Who Wanted his Money Back to My Ex’s Friends to (sadly) many more (you can take a dive through my love life by searching ex files in the search bar!). This is part attempt to Carrie Bradshaw my love life, part commiserate, part entertain! I hope you enjoy! Xo RA
Retrogrades
If you’re not an astrology girl (I am!) you may not be aware, but Mercury (planet of communication and travel) went retrograde yesterday. During this time (to 2/20) we can expect delays, miscommunication, and you might be warned against signing contracts, etc. (Though Retrogrades aren’t completely bad! They are a great time to reflect!) Another thing that Retrogrades are known for? Having exes pop back up! For me, it’s already started.
I met Neil through a friend about 4 years ago. He was nice enough, but for me there was no spark. Our first “date”, which wasn’t really a date, he met me for a quick coffee on his lunch break while I was writing in a coffee shop. Neil mainly let me know that he was really important, and sat by me answering work emails. For some reason, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and meet him for drinks about a week later.
Neil was nice. But we didn’t click at all. Our drink date consisted of both of us trying to tell stories or make jokes, and the other person not getting it. Chemistry is hard to find when you’re having to over explain everything you’re saying. After that date, I knew that Neil and I were not meant to be.
I let him down gently, and I thought he understood. However, his response was to ask me to dinner. I declined. He asked me to go camping (I know- weird and if you know me well, I’m more glam-per than camper). I declined. He asked me to go for a night hike. Again, I declined.
Finally, I thought that Neil had taken the hint- he stopped asking me out, I had moved on and thought he had.
Till this week. Neil has been calling me every night. I never answer (I don’t think we have anything to say). He never leaves a message. It’s not bad necessarily- he wasn’t a huge asshole, and I truly wish him well– I just have no desire to have to explain everything I say. I’m not sure what Neil is wanting to happen, but it’s made me giggle every night that he’s calling.
What about you? Has anyone from your past popped up? Let’s be clear- there are some exes I wouldn’t mind hearing from, but I hoping Neil retrogrades soon!
Here’s to the right exes reaching out and the others staying gone! Xo RA