Easing into It (AKA Slippers with Everything)

Investment Piece: Slippers with Everythign
Investment Piece: slippers with everything
Investment Piece: Slippers with Everything
Investment Piece: Slippers with Everything

What are you wearing to get you through the day? Are you staying in pjs? Rocking yoga pants? A mix of “fancy on top/casual on bottom”? Going all out? Or, like me, are you easing back into things?

I’ve been in a rut lately. While at the beginning of lockdown I found it easy to get dressed, the longer we’re inside, the easier it’s been to not worry about what I’m wearing.
Which taught me a lot.
Mainly that I miss my clothes. And that I still think in terms of what I can wear things to, and how to style different things!
And, I do love my yoga pants, but as things have been feeling kinda stale over here, I decided to challenge myself today. My goal: get dressed, feel comfy, but look good. No need to go overboard (you won’t see me in a gown), but let’s get back to getting dressed. Ease into it.

Investment Piece: slippers with everything
Investment Piece: Slippers with everything

I discovered that in all my worry about what to wear lately that I’ve been overlooking a very important truth. Slippers. They’re comfy, essentially a part of pjs, but can be incredibly chic.

Paired with what might be the perfect white pants (wide legged, just enough structure, but oh so comfy) and a summer sweater (this is technically “menswear” aka I bought it in the men’s section for me, but it’s also the perfect summer sweater. Just sexy enough, but also just a great sweater!), slippers here make me feel like some sort of vintage hostess (while sipping champagne) and remind me that I don’t have to rush to wear everything. And that I can easily mix my pjs and my “real” clothes.

There’s a lot happening right now, even though we’re at home. Easing sounds good, doesn’t it? Let’s start with our slippers 😉

I’ve linked similar items for your easing below.

Happy Friday!
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: Slippers with Everything

Fashion in the Wild: Summer Inspiration

What are you doing about summer plans? Are you making them?
I’ll be honest, I’m trying to make peace with the fact that I think we might be in lockdown/quarantine/etc for a long while. And that’s both ok and not okay. I’m not booking trips, which makes me sad. But I’m planning home projects that I’m hoping make staying in fun. And of course, I’m looking for ways to keep up with friends and all the things.
So, now for another important question: what are you gonna wear this summer? I’ll be honest, there are days I’m not really changing from yoga pants, and days when I change outfits 2-3 times as I want to wear so much. My goal? To put together a summer wardrobe that feels chic, keeps me cool, and makes me feel like I’m getting dressed each day.

Inspiration can come and go, even in the best of summers when it gets so hot. So, every year around this time I take a look back at the summers before and see what worked. What inspiration can I gleam from past outfits? (It’s like window shopping but in your own closet, so you can also see what pieces you might need or outfits you can throw on today!)

Here are some of my outfits past that I keep going back to for summer inspiration:

If you need me I’ll be looking through my closet and the current sales to see what kinds of stories I want to tell this summer!
What inspires you?

XO RA

White Hot

Investment Piece: White Hot
Investment Piece: White Hot
Investment Piece: White Hot
Investment Piece: white hot
Investment Piece: white hot
Investment Piece: White Hot
Investment Piece: White Hot

What do you wear when the temps go up? Shorts? Bathing suits? White? Crop tops?

I have a confession: I think there are different kinds of heat. When I lived in Los Angeles full time there wea a dry heat: a heat that cooled off but still called for breathable fabrics. And yes, it’s a city you can wear white pants and shoes year round, but the summer gives you an excuse to!
Texas, where I’ve also lived, can have unbearable heat. Humid. Over 100. (There are good things about Texas I promise!) BUT it does have the kind of heat that makes you need to get away. The kind of heat that can be hard to dress for-the only thing that feels ok is swimsuits.

What do you wear for white heat?

I’ve gone back and forth between the two places for a while, though I’m quarantining in Texas. And it’s already hot here in Texas. As in I’m praying for rain and grateful for AC hot. I’ve been cooling off with a little pool in the backyard, but there are times when I have to “dress”. My solution for white hot temps? A white hot outfit. Linen tops (a crop/tie top works here but anything will do!) Shorts. (Anything that feels cool really). And then, the pop- white heels. These are a bit special and graphic-but a formula that works. (And it’s after Memorial Day-there’s no excuse to not wear any kind of white while all of our Southern grannies would approve)

So.

What I’m wearing for white hot temps: some sort of cool shorts. All the linen. All my white.

What about you?
X0 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: White Hot

Solo Samba

Investment Piece: From then to now
Investment Piece: Solo Samba
Investment PiecE: Solo Samba

Remember going places? Remember getting dressed to go places?

Even for a food truck, there were times that I could make an event out of an outfit. I won’t say I don’t miss those times, and hope that one day we get back to them (safely).

However, there is something to be said for solo outings. Sambas, if you will.
(I can’t help it, this outfit combo has always made me thinking of sambas and shaking and all the things. Yes, even in a food truck park)

Investment Piece: Solo Samba
Investment Piece: Solo Samba
Investment Piece: Solo Samba

Maybe we all wish things were different, but it turns out there are HUGE perks for doing things solo. Or at home.

– you can be more free. In what you wear! (Really, wear the gown that you couldn’t if we were at a dive bar, wear sweats. Or nothing but a bikini!) In what you eat and drink! (You’re not driving. And we all have a food combination that grosses other people out. This is the time to indulge!)
-You can samba. Whenever you like. In my house I’m known to have mini little dance breaks, shake it while I’m doing the dishes, and in general do things that I would NEVER do in public. Yes, there has been more than one solo samba at home during these times. But I can! So why not? It’s not like many people can see you (and I’m all about grabbing joy where and how we can!)
-You can try new things. No one is there to judge or pressure. And if you don’t like it? You try something else. From shows to drinks to food to outfits, this is the time to experiment.

Do I miss samba-ing in public? Well, I don’t know that I ever have. But. A great outfit full of summer staples (white pants, wrap tops, and earrings and sandals to match) is my way of samba-ing. And yes, there are times when I miss the public part of showing off my outfits.

But. There are things I’m learning to love (and will miss) about getting dressed and samba-ing solo during quarantine.

What about you?

I’ve linked similar items so you can re-create this samba ready look wherever you are!
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: Solo Samba

Ocean, Baby// Ocean Baby

Investment Piece, high fashion, vintage, blogger, ocean, baby, LA, TX
InvestmentPiece, high fashion, blogger, LA, TX, ocean, baby,
Investment Piece, high fashion, vintage, ocean, LA
InvestmentPiece, fashion, blogger, ocean, baby, LA, TX, ocean baby
Investment Piece, vintage, high fashion, blogger, ocean, LA, TX, baby
Investment Piece, high fashion, blogger, vintage, ocean, LA, TX, baby
High fashion, ocean, baby, Investment Piece, vintage, LA, TX

What a week. What a time. What to say?
With so many high emotions and the desire to say the right thing, I’ve been a little overwhelmed. If you follow me on Instagram (@racheladelicia) you know some of my thoughts. We at Investment Piece believe that Black Lives Matter and while I (as a white woman) may never understand, I am committed to standing with you. I’ve been taking a step back, seeing where I can be of service, assessing how we should be handling the events here in the US, and what space we should take up. I’m not sure of the answers. I believe that this conversation and the humans matter, I also believe that fashion matters. Balancing the two is a bit hard. I appreciate you forgiving me for the mistakes I’m sure I make. In life, I’m working on learning and being a better ally. Here we’re working on telling our stories with fashion – because that’s what we do.

When things get stressful I want a few things: the ocean and fashion. This shoot was always the best of both. While we find our way this week I’m grateful for you’re being here.
Investment Piece: Ocean Baby

This is a week for finding what to say and what to focus on. And the ocean, amazing fashion, vintage, community, and you top my list. Thank you for visiting my little corner of the Internet, interacting with my fashion, and building a community here. I love juxatipositons, so shooting this gorgeous silk and sequined dress by the ocean was natural to me. And having a post full of things I love on a week where we pause to say thank you seemed even better. Here’s to many more shoots,more inclusion, more stories, more fashion, more us!

Hoping you and yours are safe and wishing us all peace and justice!
XO RA

Dress: Vintage from Garment Modern

Ex Files: Tinder on an Airplane

It’s one of my favorite times of the month: Ex-files. Where I share horror stories from the dating world. Because if I (and others) have to live through it, we might as well laugh at it. Right?

The good news? This month’s dating horror story didn’t “happen” to me. But I was there (and got free drinks because of it). It involves Tinder (judge all we like, people meet there) and an airplane (because what makes a bad date worse? Not being able to leave). Without further ado, I give you: Tinder on an Airplane.

*Note names and some details have been changed/omitted to protect people. However, people own what you did to them. You want them to write warmly about you? Behave better.

Investment Piece: Ex Files: Tinder on an Airplane

A few months ago, I was taking a girl’s trip with a friend. We were flying out on a Friday night and were looking forward to a row to ourselves (she’s a window lady, I prefer the aisle) and in-flight drinks. The dating horror gods, as luck would have it, had other plans. As the plan boarded, the announcement was made that the flight was full, and that people should take any avaible seat. You know, what no one wants to hear on an airplane when they’re in a row with an empty middle seat. My girlfriend caught the eye of a woman and her adorable puppy and motioned for her to sit with us. And our adventure began.

The woman’s name was Jane and she introduced her dog, Oliver, letting us know that while he’s cute, he can be an asshole. I replied by saying, “Aren’t all men?”

Don’t at me. See here, here, here, and here. More under the search “Ex Files” in the menu.

Someone who did want to debate that thought? The guy sitting in front of us. He turned around claiming “Not all guys”, and proceeded to promise to buy all of us a round during drink service. We laughed it off, but he was a man of his word. He got us all a drink, and that’s when things get really good.

We all exchanged names and basic details. His name was Ben, and he’s a scientist. Our friend Jane made sure that scientist meant that Ben worked with science, which was just a tell of things to come. As we were all chatting all of a sudden, Jane asked Ben if he had a dog named Benji. Ben did. Ben also rode bikes and had a house in a certain part of town.

It turns out that Ben and Jane had matched on Tinder, chatted, she gave him her number and he never called.

And now, we were all trapped on a plane together, drinking.

My girlfriend and I were amused. It soon became apparent that Ben and Jane were not a match.
She wanted to do shots and asked the flight attendants repeatedly why we couldn’t do whiskey shots.
Ben drank wine–and paid for drinks.
Jane didn’t seem to understand science or basic math (she couldn’t add 1+0), while Ben tried to explain a theory based in physics to us.
Ben was super friendly and kept buying drinks, Jane got jealous and increasingly upset that he never called her.
Jane thought that when she looked out the window and could no longer see the lights, that’s where the land ended.

There was no drama, no overt act of confrontation. Though Jane brought up the non-call more than once. Ben was a trooper, bought more than one round for everyone, including one after the flight at the bar in the airport. Somehow, even though she complained more than once about the lack of whiskey shots, Jane didn’t get cut off in the air. But it might have been one of the best flights I’ve been on, and the best Tinder date I’ve witnessed.

As we were all saying goodbye, Jane gave Ben her number again and asked my friend and I if we thought he would call this time. I hate to say it, but I somehow doubt he did.

Wishing us all a week of free drinks and amazing shoes! And great Tinder dates! Xo RA

For the Birds

Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds
Investment Piece: For the Birds

Loves, we know that I love me some swim suits, and have no problem wearing them as “regular” fashion. (Reminders: Leather Swim, Vintage Swim, Bikini Days, Swim Cape, and if you’re still looking for a great swim suit check out my Swim Round Up). Well, it seems like my problem has expanded to all things swim: now I’m wearing swim cover-ups as “regular” tops. And I’m not the least bit sorry about it!

This Mara Hoffman (one of my fave designers, she’s ethical, sustainable, and her pieces are chic and versatile!) swim cover up has quickly become a favorite for the summer. I’ve worn it to the pool, over shorts, over skirts–but love it with these side slit pants and lace up pumps. It’s the perfect combination of flowy and structured, cover-up and showing. It feels very elegant , but is perfect for the heat as it’s such a breathable outfit! We know I’m a big fan of juxatipositons, and this hits all the right notes!

Investment Piece: for the Birds

Most of us think of Investment Pieces as pieces that cost a lot, however, I would add to that definition: an investment piece is any piece that you can get a ton of use out of! I can think of no better expample than this stunning birds top: from pool side to date night, it’s got you covered (literally).

Note: It does come a little far down on the side so if you’re worried about your bra showing, make sure you adjust or use fashion tape to keep the top up!

XO RA

This swim cover up is from a few years ago, but I’ve linked you similar below, as well as some current Mara Hoffman I 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!

Shop my picks here!

Investment Piece: For the Birds

Fashion Stories: Fashion History 1920s

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how we will look back at the fashion of 2020. Most houses will not be showing a new collection in the fall, so much of our shopping has become online, and with everyone at home the majority of the time fashion could be anything from pjs to yoga pants to anything you love. There’s a lot of freedom. And a lot of stories.

As someone who deeply believes our stories and our fashions are intertwined, I’m fascinated by fashion history. Yes, it’s a thing! It’s in museums and you can get degrees in it! When I wrote about Dior, you could argue that it’s a lesson in fashion history. Dior’s “new look” defined a period in time. What will this period be defined by, fashion wise? I can’t help but think about this, there are days when I’m dressing up and days when I’m in the same pjs on end. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that sort of dressing. How will we be written about? How should I be writing about it now?

Loving stories means I love history, and in the past few years have led me to develop a deep passion and appreciation for fashion history. I’m not a historian-but I love learning about it! And with all of these thoughts about what the history of 2020 will say, I’m looking back to the fashion history of the 1920s.

Some of my favorite video resources:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kc5SJxr4tHA

And

(These are just a sampling of what you can find on YouTube. I’ve spent many an afternoon lost in these videos! I high recommend it!)

As a vintage lover, I love the ease of the 1920s, the way that people redefined themselves and expressed that with their clothes. Which brings us back to my question: how will we define this era in fashion history? If you knew that you would be documented would you change how you dress?

I don’t know the answers. But as I ponder this, I can’t help but want to be more intentional with my outfits, even the ones with yoga pants. What about you?

I would love to hear your thoughts, what you’re wearing, and your take on fashion history!
Xo RA

MDW Sales PT 2

Loves! I spent yesterday relaxing, watching classic movies, I went for a hike, and I perused sales for you! This is another round up of what I’m loving, as always the ‘My Looks” tab to the right is full of more!

This Memorial Day I hope you find some peace, some time to relax, and I appreciate you shopping with me!

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: MDW sales
Sandals for summer might not be groundbreaking, but these are all an extra 30% off with code MEMORIAL30 and I love that!
Shop my picks here

Investment Piece: MDW sales
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been living in my lounge/workout wear. These picks are chic and up to 80% off. Shop Here

Investment Piece: MDW sales
Get an extra 40% off sale at Kate Spade with code SUNNYDAYS. These are my picks!

Investment Piece: MDW Sales
I love a great summer dress, and love a great sale dress more! These are the perfect combination. Shop Here

I’ll be shopping today-if you want to join me I’ll be posting in the LiketoKnowIt and ShopStyle apps!

Stay safe and healthy out there! Xo RA

MDW Sales

My loves! Does it feel like a holiday weekend? It’s different this year, and that’s ok. Hopefully there are some good different bits- more rest, more peace, more health. One thing that’s staying the same? It’s a big sales weekend. While I am spending time this weekend resting and being offline, I couldn’t help but shop a few sales. I’ll be rounding some of my favorites up today and tomorrow here, but I’ll be updating so feel free to check the “My Looks” and “Shop my Site” tabs (or follow me on the LikeToKnowIt app for my “up-to-the-minute” picks.

In the meantime, I hope this weekend is peaceful and full of love! Thank you for shopping with me!

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

Investment Piece: MDW Sales
Swim and Sandals are an extra 60% off-let’s summer chicly (even if we’re only in the back yard!)
Shop my picks: here

Investment Piece: MDW Sales
It’s officially white Jean and shorts season. And these picks are 40% off with code SUMMER.
Shop here

Investment Piece: MDW Sales
Get an extra 40% off all sale at Intermix, no code needed!
These are my picks!

Investment Piece: MDW Sales
Get an extra 60% off sale at Current Elliot!
Shop my picks here

Happy shopping! There will be more sales posted tomorrow, as well as updated in app! In the meantime, I’m going to go pretend my backyard is the beach!
Xo RA