That’s it. No waxing poetic. I don’t go on and on. This time I won’t even try to tie all sorts of things together. Just florals. Things you know: I love wearing swimsuits with everything. This is no exception. I love a great skirt, and pleats hardly ever steer you wrong. Finding rooms full of beauty are something that I wish for us all, and this shoot was one of my most favorites.
But you know all this. You don’t need me to keep telling you. So, today, we’re letting this be simple.
Florals.
Do what you will with them.
I’ve linked similar pieces for your shopping pleasure below. 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!
I write a lot about cleaning out your closet. Mainly, because it’s a process I rot to keep on top, but also because I think it’s important.
You’re not familiar with my “closet cleanout” methods and thoughts? Catch up here, here, here, and here. I’ve done attempts at minimalist closets (kinda) here.
This all comes down to some beliefs I have about our clothes, shopping, and the world. I think what we buy matters. I love clothes, I love the freedom style gives you, I want so many things. I also want the women and men and kids who make our clothes to make a living wage and work in safe conditions. There is a difference between well made clothes and fall apart clothes. But I don’t think you should have to spend a fortune on every piece, think wearing designer head to toe can be stale, and strive to get great clothes at a bargain. I can want all the new pieces, all the classic pieces, and believe that hanging onto to every piece is a habit we should break.
I don’t always know how to reconcile all these beliefs, my love of shopping, and what we’re offered. There are times when I want to go minimalist, and times when I would buy everything if I could. I don’t know what the answer is.
I’ve started this book more than once, and while it’s amazing, have struggled to get through it. Not because it’s not what I need to be reading, but because sometimes these issues are easier to ignore than to face. However, I think we have to talk about them. I love fashion and think what I spend money on matters (as do budgets). How do we let those things co-exist? What’s the best way to shop in a way where you get to express all your style and yet, shop responsibly?
I’m still figuring it out. And maybe, this is a group project. Let’s chat about it:
This afternoon I’ll be going live on Instagram (@racheladelicia) and FaceBook (RachelAdelicia) to chat all things wardrobe crisis. Like how I love Zara but worry about the people who make my clothes. How I think a closet full of clothes you won’t wear is useless, but am not ready to go minimal. If I think I’m in a wardrobe crisis, are you?
I’ll be saving and posting the conversation many places! I hope you’ll join!
This is a post about a jumpsuit. I’m supposed to tell you all about one-piece wonders are amazing. And they are–they are a huge secret to no-thought, high impact dressing. They’re chic and easy, but look sophisticated. The ONLY downside I can think of to wearing a jumpsuit is the whole using the restroom thing. And really, isn’t a great look worth that?
That was just the first page of results for jumpsuit on the site. I think it’s safe to say: I love a good jumpsuit, there’s an argument that they are a fashion staple, and you probably know all my feelings about them.
So. If we have that all covered, and we’re all on the same page that a great jumpsuit (this one is vintage and the halter is amazing) is something you need, what are we gonna talk about?
This is a post about jumpsuits. (And, yet another time when I jump around)
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what I really want my life to look like. How to make it easy, how to make it beautiful, and how to make it work for me. I’m working up to paring down till only the things that matter, that bring me joy, and that make me better remain. (No, I’m not getting rid of shoes or amazing fashion) But, I am evaluating things. Because loves, my goal is to have my be a little like this shoot-effortless, full of joy, and just beautiful. Yes. I just tied together jumpsuits, this floral room that was a dream to shoot in, and life. How’s that for a post about a jumpsuit?
I am a fan of a great jumpsuit and I hope that you are, too. I’ve linked similar looks to this vintage number (starting at $50) and shoes (these exact ones and more affordable options) for your 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.
Don’t forget! You now have the option to get sales alerts on any item you love:
Note: This is another look I shot with Katie Reilly, her new website is up and running here
Loves!!
It feels so long since we’ve been in this space together. I’ve missed you!
Real talk? It felt like such a long summer, and yet somehow, I’m still feeling behind. Is that internal pressure? Is it the truth? Is there a difference?
Even though we’re “adults”, I still love this time of year, the back to school grind. Summer is amazing, and one of my favorite seasons. However, getting back to a “routine”, settling into a schedule, brings me comfort. I think it’s a great chance to really sit back and reassess goals, time management, and make adjustments where needed.
Or at least that’s what I’m attempting to do in this season of “back on the grind”. I’m attempting to look at how I’m spending my time, where I can most effectively work, where I can cut back. It’s so comforting to feel like I’m getting back not only to a groove, but working on a schedule that works for me. They say that kids love routine, and as much as I love spontaneous things and surprises, I think I might love routine, too. So, I’m working on balancing that. Is this being on the grind? It feels like it.
(Is it normal that figuring out how to work is part of the work?)
Here at Investment Piece, we’re looking at goals, what works best, where we should be spending our time, how to give you our best, what best content you want to see. This summer we went to a restricted schedule, and I love you staying with us! It seems that you really liked us publishing on M/W/F. Did you? Do you want to stick with it? We’re on the grind and have so much to bring you, but want to find a schedule that works best for you! Because, loves, we’re in this grind together.
So! For this month we’re going to stick with a M/W/F schedule, where we will be giving you a mix of outfit posts, where to shop, our closet series, trends to try, and all of the content you know and love. On Sunday’s we’re bring back Sunday Chronicles–we’ve missed you and we hope you’ve missed us (and ex-files). We’ll see how this grind goes. Love it? Hate it? Have ideas? Let us know! Racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com or in the comments!
In the meantime: wishing us all a week full of getting on the grind and amazing shoes!
XO RA
There’s a saying from our childhood’s. Remember: If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you? This saying usually got dragged out in the “peer pressure” conversations.
And I guess that answer to that question depends. Are you leading the group? Is there a lake on the other side of the cliff? Is it hot outside? Are there situations where peer pressure is good? Is everybody’s doing it a reason NOT to do something?
By now, I’m sure you’ve seen some version of this outfit on some sort of social media. In case you haven’t, let me be the first to tell you: biker shorts are back. Yep. Everybody’s doing it. With heels, or Blazers, ankle booties, sweatshirts. As athletic wear, as going out wear.
So the question now becomes: if biker shorts are back, if everybody’s doing it, should you?
I have a space in my fashion heart full of love for athletic wear. Or wear that goes from the gym to events. Maybe it’s my love of working out, or maybe it’s my love of being fashionable, but I have a tendency to lean on the side of “everybody’s doing it” in this case.
You can see similar looks and document my love of work out leggings here and here.
Everybody doing it and workout leggings are a thing I do. The question remains, are biker shorts a thing you should do?
In all honesty? Everybody’s doing it, but if you’re thinking about outfits for your 9 to 5, this is probably not your new go-to. (Though you could try it with a blazer, for a casual Friday?) However, for weekend days, those days when you’re running from the gym to lunch, or when you can get away with a more casual look I love it. I love that these go from causal (Google Princess Dianna in biker shorts) to dressy (they look great with heels), from a casual top (this is a hoodie) to under a mini dress; biker shorts may be the fashion we didn’t know we needed.
If nothing else, they’ve come a long way from when I used to wear them with t-shirts in 3rd grade.
Everybody is doing it. Maybe you should too?
I’ve linked similar looks and pieces below. I’d love to know: are you rocking biker shorts?
XO RA
Note: this post may 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 after Labor Day. Which means there’s nothing but new beginnings, right?
I can’t be the only one who harbors the expectation that one day we’ll wake up and THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT. From birthdays (16, 21) to Christmas, to other live changing events, is it wrong to think that the new beginning will be so marked and different that it will be apparent to everyone? Just me?
Maybe new beginnings aren’t always loud and abrupt. Maybe, sometimes, the new beginnings take time, are gradual, and ease you into the new. Maybe, sometimes, they are both.
It’s about the time of year when I’m hungry for change, for new clothes (sweaters and coats), for movement on goals, and for things to generally be DIFFERNT. Here’s the thing about the new beginning after Labor Day: it takes it’s time. It will be hot (feel like summer) for at least another month or so. There’s a really good chance that when we wake up this week things are immediately new. So, if the new beginnings we seek are taking their sweet time, what can we do?
Dress for them.
This skirt is not new, but it is a new beginning that I’m excited about for fall! It’s reversible, which means it can always be new, I love the flare, and the big side pockets are perfect for all your storing needs. It’s from designer BreeLayne (you read about her on site here, seen some of her other pieces here, and can shop her here).
BreeLayne is one of my favorite designers, and her collections are sustainable, meaning that you can feel good about what you’re investing in.
If it’s my legacy to leave you with the confidence to wear your swimsuit with everything (yes, that’s a bikini top), my work here will be done. And let’s not forget how important it is to have a pop of color.
New beginnings? Maybe if we dress new –we try new things, or we dress for the things we want–I don’t think anything bad could happen in this skirt, the new beginnings will get here faster. I’m at least willing to try.
I’ve linked similar items for your shopping pleasure below. I’d love to know: is your post Labor Day off to a new start?
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!
You can also now save items for later (and get notified when pieces go on sale!)
Last side note: these pics are from a series I did with Katie Reilly. There’s more to come, and this one was one my fave shoots!
Loves! How is/was your 3 day weekend? Are you sending off Labor Day in style? I hope that there’s all the kind of fun that you love-from rose all day to alone time to movies in the afternoon.
Some kind of Labor Day? Labor Day Sales (Part 2, you can find my sales picks from Friday here). Labor Day sales, like anything else, are best when there’s more, and loves, there’s more!
I’ve linked some of my NEW fave sales picks (from what to transition while it’s still so hot to what to buy to prep for fall). What do we have to look forward to? I’m working on my fall mood boards, we’ll chat all things fall trends, and we won’t leave out what to wear NOW. In the meantime? Let’s get to shopping Labor Day!
XO RA
Note: this post does contain some affiliate links. While that may not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Macy’s
Take 20% off the Labor Day Sale with the code WKND
What a way to get everything you need! (I’ve linked more than one trench to get you started on your fall looks!)
Velvet by Graham and Spencer
For the Labor Day sale take an extra 40% off the sale with code 40VELVETVIP
I love these tees, and soft knit basics that seem a bit luxourious. And with the great Labor Day deal there’s no reason NOT to stock up!
DVF
For Labor Day, enjoy an extra 25% off sale with code ENDOFSUMMER. With these deals, this makes it the perfect time to invest in your own wrap dress or classic piece (most under $150 with the Labor Day sale!)
This and That
From no one place, and in no particular order, these are my fave Labor Day Sales Picks. From work-wear to cocktail to fall pieces, there’s a little something for everyone!
I not only want to know how you spent your holiday–what’s in your shopping bag?
What’s more difficult: the week leading into a holiday weekend?
This weird, in-between time where it’s still ONE MILLION degrees outside, and you’re tempted to just live in the coolest thing you can find, OR get all excited and prepped for fall?
The crazy part about this week? It’s both. And I don’t know the answer. I don’t know if we lean into summer or transition now to fall. Is there a reason why we can’t do both?
Let’s do both. The great news for this holiday weekend (besides the fact that I hope that you’re off and enjoying your time!) is that the sales this weekend have all of our summer and fall needs covered. Treat yourself to a sundress and perfect jeans. Get boots and a swimsuit. If we’re in a transition and it’s a weird time, let’s just buy everything!
Below are some of my BEST sales picks, from looking ahead to the coming season to soaking up the perfect last of summer pieces. I hope that you find something that makes all the seasons easier to dress for!
I’ll have more picks on Monday! 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 some items. Thank you for your support!
Nordstrom
The anniversary sale was amazing. Labor Day may beat it, from great boots to perfect day dresses!
Neiman Marcus
The dresses and the knit pieces at steep discounts in this sale are swoon worthy.
ShopBop
I can NOT explain to you how perfect some of these jeans are, what great deals some of these designers are, and how much I want everything.
YOOX
Designer Steals that are perfect for your fall work wardrobe!
Today is not the first time that you’ve heard me mention Amberleaf. I’ve been crazy for Blazers, and excited to share about my partnership with this amazing company (read all about that here and here). And while I love sharing pieces that stand out, this company is too special to leave things at that.
Amberleaf is an Austin, TX based company run by mother/daughter team Lisa and Liz. I first met this team of special women at a fashion event, where I couldn’t help but fall in love with not only the beautiful blazers, dresses, and now pants, but the women who made them. And then, as I got to know Liz and Lisa, and play in the clothes, not only did I find pieces I couldn’t wait to pair with EVERYTHING and women I wanted to support, I found a company designed for modern shopping. Amberleaf isn’t sold in stores*, you can get your hands on these exquisite pieces online (here), at a pop-up, or through one of the company’s stylists. (You can also enter the code RACHELADELICIA on your online orders to be added to my list and to get 15% off your order!) Liz and Lisa are incredibly hands on, they love to interact with clients and will help ensure the cut/color/fit of your Amberleaf is perfect.
Amberleaf garments are hand-made by artisans, so you can not only feel great about supporting a woman-owned business, you can feel amazing about the clothes they make!
Some other reasons to love Amberleaf like I do:
Affordable Luxury
Amberleaf prides itself on the quality of the clothing produced, and with good reason. From cashmere coats to impeccably cut pants, dresses, and Blazers, (all lined), the selection here is outstanding. All of us want the classic pieces that we buy to last. Quality is important and something to pay for. However, Amberleaf allows you to get the quality you crave at a price that won’t break the bank.
Sustainability
Amberleaf is changing the conversation regarding fashion sustainability in more than one way. And yes, this is an important convo to have– did you know that the US alone produces 26 BILLION lbs of clothing waste a year?!?! (People who throw away your clothes, what’s going on there?) Amberleaf strives to counteract this problem by producing amazing clothes that last a lifetime. By focusing on classic shapes (and who doesn’t need a great blazer?) with great construction, Amberleaf hopes to eliminate the need for “throw away” clothes in your closet.
Another way that Amberleaf is sustainable? Their business model. Most fashion companies produce a set number of their collection pieces, which are sold to various stores who then sell to the consumer. At Amberleaf? The company buys bolts of fabric, so that any of their patterns can be made in any of the colors available. Essentially, they aren’t forcing a certain color down your throat.
Quality
The thing about classics is that we all want them to last. That’s what makes them great investments, right? But even a classic that isn’t made with quality in mind isn’t always an investment piece. You should care about the fabric, cut, and lining of your clothes. Amberleaf does.
Non-Generational
Like the mother-daughter team at Amberleaf, I work with my mom. And it’s amazing. And it’s hard. What I love about a line like Amberleaf is that it’s one Mom and I can agree on. The designs are non-generational, meaning that not only will the clothes last, you can style them for every stage of your life. The company makes sizes 00-16, so there is someone for so many of the women in your life!
***** BIG NEWS!
If you’re in Austin and eager to try on some of the Amberleaf pieces, I have great news! Amberleaf has just placed a few pieces in Altatudes (1717 East 12th St), so feel free to head over and try some things on!
And watch for their cashmere coats in the winter! (Don’t forget to put RACHELADELICIA in your shopping notes for 15% off when you shop online!)
I truly hope that you fall in love with Amberleaf the way I have. I’d love to know, what are your favorite pieces?
It’s not Sunday, so it must seem odd to read a Sunday Chronicle. Right? However, for me, this entire summer has been odd. I’ve literally been living in chaos. From helping my mom deal with my grandma’s apt (boxes) to moving all my homes (boxes) to settling into temporary digs to breaking my toe this week (yes, ouch!). It’s been chaos. And some chaos is great! A lot of chaos, is overwhelming. With clothes and things spread out, I’ve been out of wack, and I’m not going to lie, this venture of ours has been hard to shoot. Living in chaos takes it toll. So, I couldn’t help but look back at this and remind myself that chaos is nothing that I haven’t conquered before.
The good news? The boxes are almost dealt with (for now). Next week there’s all new content, and it’s amazing. This weekend all looks from Instagram will be updated and shoppable here, on Shopstyle, and on Pintrest. Have I beaten chaos?
For the moment, it feels like it. In the meantime: a look back at living in chaos.
I’m moving (more on that in a coming post) and am completely overwhelmed –if nothing else because my apartment is currently filled with boxes, furniture, and varying stacks of items to take, sell or store. This makes my little Type-A, really organized, neat heart anxious. Let’s be honest–moving and packing are draining, and I have a hard time relaxing when things aren’t in their place.
This isn’t to say I’m used to everything going swimmingly all the time. I’m no stranger to bad days (both hair and personal), outfits that don’t work (even with prior planning), and the general mess that life can bring. And I’m a control freak (in the best way!)–and I’ve always used keeping things neat (and my work outs) to feel like I had some sort of power over what was happening in life. So living in a state of constant unrest is not just super settling. So what do?
There is no right answer right? Or if you know one please share! What I know is I’ve been working on keeping my sanity – my schedule, my to-do list, my priorities. My things might be in boxes but that’s no reason to stop functioning as myself; as much as I can I’ve been doing what I need to do for self care- workouts, seating aside time for relaxation and friends, etc.
Let’s be honest, I wish life wasn’t complicated. I wish here were times and situations that didn’t make us uncomfortable. I wish things were always smooth. But. the uncomfortable and unsmooth times allow us to grow. They prepare us, make us strong, make us better. And if that’s the endgame, a few weeks with boxes is nothing, right? Right. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping for.
Wishing us all a week of good change, no boxes, and amazing shoes! XO RA
