shopping – Page 49 – Investment Piece

Architectural Detail

There’s something about a piece that has such structural detail, it can be beautiful in its own right- and paired correctly they can make you feel so incredibly special. This skirt is the heaviest thing I own- and needs no help to stand out; making it perfect for everything from formal events to casual events where your presence needs to be felt. And the shoes! I cannot count the number of compliments I’ve gotten- or tell you how I’ve worn them for a week straight (with everything) – and that the only thing better than this wedge might be the heel version!

Hope that the Monday after your holiday wasn’t brutal- or that you got something special to wear to help you through the day! XO RA

Details:
Shoes: wedge, heel, and flat version Schutz
Skirt: Eddy Anemian for H&M try eBay
Shirt: Target

Causal Friday

Sometimes things don’t go the way you planned. Sometimes your clothes wrinkle no matter how much you iron them. Sometimes your hair decides to take hours to dry. But it’s Friday, and it’s gorgeous, and I found it hard to complain when I could sit in the sun, let my hair air-dry. And then there are these fabulous shoes. So sometimes things not going the way you planned still work out. I hope everything goes your way today, and your shoes make you feel amazing!

Happy Friday! XO RA

Details:

Shirt: HM, old similar here
Jeans:Citizens, old, similar here
Shoes:Clover Canyon

Airport Chic

Can we be honest? Airport outfits in the summer can be tricky. You want to arrive looking impossibly fresh–but it’s freezing on the plane, it may be super hot and your arrival, and your flight may be at 5a, making sweatpants a tempting option. There is a way to master this though–our friend from winter, layers. I found a cashmere sweater thrown on over nice shorts and a t-shirt got me from point A to point B with minimal effort. I threw a wrap and socks in my carry on for the flight. Hair in a bun for ease, glasses because contacts don’t happen at 3a. Comfy slides, snacks, reading material and a jacket just in case–and I’m ready. The real work horses here are my Pixi crayon combo–I use the highlighter on brow bone and eye corners, then use the “brighten” side in my crease and underneath my eye–that and plenty of mascara lead people to believe I’m awake. Chanel illuminating powder bronzer and Caudalie elixir (I spray it multiple times during flights, it has a great citrus scent, keeps me hydrated and tightens my pores). And even though the lighting in airports is terrible I don’t feel horrible about how I look! And was able to get off the plane and straight to lunch!

I’d love to know–what outfits do you wear to the airport? What are your travel secrets?

Happy Wednesday! XO RA

Details:

Shorts: Jcrew Top: Jcrew Sweater: Equipment Shoes:Kate Spade Backpack:sold out similar here Crayon:Target Bronzer: Chanel Elixir:Caudalie
Other travel tips:
I use this mask/scrub and this hydrating mask to keep my skin looking great when I’m on the go!

Date Night

You may have noticed Internet Friends, but I love to dress up–and really I will use any excuse to! So when a neighbor suggested that we “dress up” and have a “friend date” (aka drink wine on the back patio) I couldn’t resist putting on this flirty little number! I had been saving it for a night out–but a date, even a friend date, is a date! It was so comfy–yet the drama of the cape made me feel special, even barefoot. And there is no reason to prevent yourself from feeling special!

Happy Monday! I hope that it involves whatever makes you happy! XO RA

Details:

Dress: Zara

Fresh Start

There’s something about the change of season that feels like a new start. People usually talk about this feeling in fall- and yes- but there’s something about summer too; the days are longer, it’s sunny, and even if you’re out of school there’s a playful air about the season. It’s a time to change yourself- this week I got my hair done and found these amazing new shoes on sale. And that’s a fresh start I will take any day!

Happy Friday!! XO RA

Details:

Shirt: Jcrew
Skirt: Jcrew
Shoes: Alexander Wang

Swimsuit Season

It’s summer (officially). It’s hot. I hope that your days are being spent by a pool, or a beach, or in front of AC. And while I am a fan of throwing on a swimsuit and cut-offs, or overalls, or a caftan, or one of those specialty cover-up dresses–sometimes that doesn’t cut it. Sometimes you (I mean me) forget that you have a meeting or a dinner right after the beach. Sometimes the water source is a ways away and there are meetings on the way. And sometimes the swimsuit is just so special it deserves more than cutoffs. I can’t tell you how much I love swimsuits with midi skirts, with jeans, with shorts–sometimes the outfit is so good if you don’t make it to the water it’s ok. I’d love to know–how do you feel about wearing a swimsuit as a big part of the outfit?

Happy Wednesday! XO RA

Featured :
Jcrew and Zimmerman swim, found at Anthropologie and Net A Porter
White skirt: Asos
Mules: Jcrew on sale!
Shorts: Jcrew
Sandals: Kate Spade
Jeans: Madewell
Espadrilles: Soludos

Jcrew and Anthropologie are my fave places to buy swimwear!

Minimalist

Over night it’s summer. It’s hot. It’s sunny. Which aren’t necessarily bad things. It’s just that sometimes you’re hot, and running late–and the thought of putting on make-up and thinking out an outfit seem too much. The only thing to do? Keep easy basics like these on hand; the outfit requires zero effort and delivers maximum impact–all while keeping the chic minimalist vibe.

Hope you’re staying cool and your summer is off to a chic start! xo RA

Details:

Sleeveless Jacket:Zara on sale! I’ve been wearing it with everything–jeans, sundresses-it’s great!
Jeans: Zara, old, similar here
Top: Camisole from Target
Shoes: Emerson Fry

Star Power

Every post I tell you I’m in love with some thing–but internet friends, it’s true. This dress. Can I tell you how long I’ve wanted this dress? It’s DVF, a season old and I’ve been in love with it from afar for what feels like forever. We’ve all been there–something comes out and it’s either too expensive at the time or our size sells out–for whatever reason it cannot be ours at the time. There are solutions though! I’m a vintage shopper so I have no qualms about “recycled” clothes–and lately I can’t tell you how much I’ve been loving sites like Tradesy and The Real Real. It’s consignment shopping–so people are reselling their design wear, it has to be up to the site standards, but it’s a way to find steals from seasons past–often you can find items with price tags still on. Both of these sites have return policies so if you do buy something and you don’t love it, you can return it. I can’t tell you the deals I’ve found on both of these sites–I can’t recommend them enough.

What are your thoughts on consignment shopping?

Happy Friday! Wishing you great deals and great shoes! xo RA

Dress at Tradesy

Shoes: Brian Atwood, old, similar here

Also the crown braid I’ve been rocking all week? It’s thanks to Nicolette at Drybar Beverly Hills–she’s amazing. Her Instagram is @NICOLETTEJK_ if you want hair inspiration!

Are Monograms a Thing We’re Doing?

Yes, it’s a thing we’re doing.

I’m a Southern woman–there is no answer, but of course they’re a thing we’re doing! I know some people don’t care for them –but I love a good monogram. I think it can personalize any item; and there are so many options out there you can find elegant and classy items–and literally put your name on them. I’m from a place where we monogram towels and pillow cases (yes, I have both) and love anything with my initials on it–as a child I was obsessed with the show “Laverne and Shirley”, and am still searching for the perfect monogram sweater! Above are some of my recent fave monogrammed items. Let me know what you think! Do you like monograms?

Happy Wednesday! xo RA

Details:

Shirt: Dresshirt I’m completely in love with mine and have worn it with everything.
Skirt:L’Agence old
Night Shirt and Hat: Mark and Graham
Jewelry: Vintage pin, Max and Chloe
Other initial jewelry I love LuluFrost

Hidden Gem

I really don’t think the pics here do it justice–but ya’ll this dress. I wore it the other day to an event at Saks and got literally 100s of compliments–even salespeople wanted to know where I got it, if it was Chloe and some even if they could grab a pic of it. Flattered? Of course. And the best part–this is an H&M dress. Yes, the embroidery is beautiful, it’s a soft cotton, and it flows amazing–and it was less than $100 at H&M. There are hidden gems to be found at every “fast” fashion store. The secret to finding them? You have to look thoroughly–be it in person (not just the front of the store) or online (not just the front page). You have to pay attention to material, cotton count, etc. And you have to be consistent–most of the “fast” stores don’t have set days for new clothes and the inventory can change every week–so you may have to glimpse through more occasionally (and that’s only if you’re shopping regularly, don’t need something don’t look–just don’t cross it off your list to peruse!) . Does this sound like work? I guess so–but the pay off is you can get lucky and find hidden gems like this one!

I’d love to know–what are your “fast fashion” secrets and big steals?

Wishing us all a Happy Monday! xo RA

Dress: sold out online, was told it might be in some stores still.

I do love this one and this one
Shoes: Rag&Bone