Birthday Wishlist

A woman in a gold sequin midi dress with long sleeves and black heels walks down a street

My birthday is next week. A week from today in fact! And I know, as adults, we aren’t supposed to make a big deal of birthdays, but I think they are a big deal. (though full disclosure I’ve forgotten the blog’s birthday for a few years now, even though I do think it’s a big deal!) We all get holidays, but birthdays are the one day we really get to celebrate ourselves. And while this post is about my wishlist (for the season and my coming year), I think about birthday wishlists being not only about the physical things we want (which I usually do have a lot of), but a way of making a wishlist of who we want to be in our next year. Yes, the wishlist can be about a dress or a suit, but it’s also about how we want to spend our time- the gym, at events, in dance class, on the pickle ball court, or in flattering jeans. I take my celebrations as not only day off- which I fully intend to take (full disclosure, I have no big plans and the grief and gratitude I have for being as old as I am are weirdly intertwined and probably not for this post- I’m still working those feelings out!), but a time to really set intentions for what I want to create.

As you know, I truly believe that our fashion is important as it’s a way for us to tell our stories, and our stories are important. So, what stories do I want to tell for the year that starts next Wednesday? I want to get out there again- from events (I do love a party dress) to dance class to finding joy in daily dressing. I’m love with 3 piece suits, and while I would technically never have the need for one- where could I wear one regularly? I have a list of casual dresses to throw on to my my errands chic, an update to summer sandals, and I’m looking for chic jeans. And a pair of great trousers. The new year is full of possibilities, and I’m still flushing out exactly which ones I’ll start pursuing, who exactly I want to be in the next year. It’s an exciting time. And I know that any and all of these amazing pieces will make the new me in the new coming year better. (I also hope that they inspire you and I give you permission to use my birthday as a reset for you too!)

Here’s what I’m shopping for my birthday- I can’t wait to spend the next year with you!
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!

And here is the link to one of my current wishlists (which doubles as a birthday wishlist!)
Shop here

a woman in a gold sequin midi dress and black heels

Birthday Wishlist

A blonde woman in a pink, blue, green and blue velvet gown in front of a wrought iron gate and green space

Every year for my birthday (which is next Tuesday, 5/10) I make a wishlist. Actually, I always have a wishlist and shopping list going – but it gets worse (or longer) around my birthday. It’s part wanting to make sure that my loved ones are up to date on my current tastes and wants (my sister calls this control, I call this smart) and part shoring up my own list. (Also part excuse to get myself something VERY special) But as I went to share my wishlist with you, I began to really sit and think about why I make a wishlist. I do it for every season, and to be honest I haven’t even really gotten started on my spring wishlist, stoppable ).

Though I did get my hands on those gold sandals- seen here.

And when I look back at this spring’s wishlist, and the wishlists from seasons past, I’ve realized that while my wishlists are always a shopping list (and I will tell you that shopping with a list is always best!), really my wishlists are always a wish for the season. What I want to do. Who I want to be. How I always come to those realizations is through clothes (and shoes).

When I ve help but want ALL the party dresses I know that I might need a night out. When I think about workout clothes, there’s often a gym schedule I want to stick to. But often, my wishlists can let me go a bit deeper than that. When I make my wishlists, or like an outfit, I don’t just like it- I imagine myself in it, I think about all the things I’ll do it.

For example, when I saw this outfit:

(Note: Those are affiliate links and while that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!)

I didn’t just think about how I LOVE the color and the cut, and the cheekiness of a ball skirt with a crop top. I thought about how great it would look at those parties that border the causal/fancy line. This summer I have both a garden champagne toast and the possibility of a museum “night out” (aka drinks and dancing with art) and I think this outfit would be perfect. It also enshrines how I hope to look in the coming season- confident, back out there, a bit brave, and right on the edge of classic and edgy. A lot for one outfit? Perhaps. Or maybe that’s the point of a wishlist- putting out there what we want to be, in the hope that an outfit can help us realize that.

(Also- I know that no one outfit will completely change you or your life. But I do think outfits help! That is maybe a longer conversation we need to have some time!)

What does this all mean for my birthday wishlist? There is some overlap from my spring wishlist. I’m attracted to sets right now- both for elegant work looks and party looks. I’ve never been one to show off my midriff but I’ve been drawn to crop tops (a sign I’m looking for confidence?). But overall, my wishlist is a list of outfits that will get me back out there, make my workwear a bit more elevated, and are incredibly special. With those outfits in closet, I’m looking for a year of moving forward, deepening connections, and really going after what I want. Good thing that they make shoes for that 😉

As I get new outfits, and have new experiences, I can’t wait to share them with you here. What do you think of when you make a wishlist? Would you like me to share mine here?

XO RA

Birthday Wishlist

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 my birthday! (Cue all sorts of champagne bottles popping!) However, I’m a giver, and this means that we can all celebrate. Every year on my birthday I make a little Wishlist. Sometimes I save up and get it all, sometimes it’s a jumping off point for what I want my summer wardrobe to be. Sometimes I use it as inspiration to find vintage or other picks that have that feeling. My birthday Wishlist can be a lot.

This year, I had a little bit of trouble deciding “what” I wanted. The past few years, I’ve had big items in mind, and after saving and shopping, I got those. I’ve also been feeling a little uninspired with some fashion choices, so it was a little hard to figure out what to pick. Below are things I love, or things I might like in other forms. The great thing about this Wishlist is that it’s not set in stone, but it gives me some things to keep in mind as I’m making fashion choices. And, of course, it’s a Wishlist, and my birthday, so it’s great to shop from!

I would love to know: what’s on your Wishlist? What’s inspiring you for your summer wardrobe? Where are you currently drawing fashion inspiration? I would love to hear about it!

Remember it’s my birthday-I give you permission to treat yourself!
Xo RA

Investment Piece: Birthday Wishlist
The “It” shoe of the summer? A barely there sandal. You have a ton of options, I keep coming back to this one. A sign we should buy it?
Get it here

Investment Piece: Birthday Wishlist
A white dress is fresh for the summer, and I love this one. This is one of those pieces that I might just draw inspiration from (so many similar vintage pieces!), but I really do love the shape of this one!
Get it here

Investment Piece: Birthday Wishlist
Same with this little plaid number. I love it, I love the feel of it, and who knows where shopping for summer plaid might take us?
Get this one here

Investment Piece: Birthday Wishlist
Have you heard about my quest for the perfect white crop Jean? What if these are them?
Get yourself a pair! here

Worried that my Wishlist isn’t very big? I’m still shopping and looking around, what about you?