White Heat

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Summer isn’t being shy this year, it’s hot. But that’s no reason to let up on looking fantastic. The secret? Finding fabrics that breathe with you (and amazing shoes don’t hurt either). This Reformation top is linen, and completely breathable- you can tie in all the way around or leave it open (for air or sex appeal). These JCrew shorts are lined but incredibly light. And shoes!! These are my beloved Jaquemus Circle/Square sandals; sold out everywhere except for ByGeorge who had the last pair in my size. I stumbled across them at SXSW and couldn’t resist. And if I do say so myself they are perfect for summer!

Hope you’re staying cool! Xo RA

Details:
Shirt: Reformation
Shorts: JCrew

Fashion in TV: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

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As we all look for shows to binge, I cannot recommend “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” enough! Miss Fisher is set in Austrailia in the 1920s- and besides just sassy enough plot lines the fashion on this show is simply stunning. There are the usual 20s standards- drop waist, beading, and amazing details. I also love the pants suits and hats! In fact, I’m all for us coming together and bringing hats back. I may or may not be stalking hats on Etsy right now! What I love about the style on this show is that it stays historically accurate, yet feels modern. I still love a great pants suit, drop waist looks great on everyone, and the details are just stunning!

I’d love to know: do you watch the show? Would you wear any of these?

Happy Tuesday! Xo RA

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Crazy for Caftans

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Caftans are the perfect summer (or any season really) staple. Comfy, classic, chic–they feel like pjs and yet every time I wear one I’m constantly asked where I got it. There are so many options out there–and yet my faves come from AAVintedge and ModMelrose; they use vintage fabrics, come in various shapes, and are completely affordable! It’s a winning Monday combination!

XO RA

Details:
Caftan: AAVintedge
Shoes: old, similar here
Bag: Gucci

Sunday Chronicles: My Mimi

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Some seasons are full of loss. A little more than a month after my paternal grandma passed, my maternal grandma (My Mimi) passed away this weekend. Mimi helped raised me; she became my nanny after my parents divorced. She picked me up from school, went on vacation with us, was there for every holiday and milestone. Loss comes in waves and I know the coming weeks, months and years will be full of times of grief. But this weekend, I’m focusing on how lucky I was to have Mimi in my life. Following are just a few of the things she thought me:

Pattern Mixing
She was a master at this-blending colors, patterns, and fabrics.

Vaseline
Mimi’s skin was amazing and she swore by Vaseline- every night. She had a few wrinkles and her skin glowed. I’ve incorporated this into my routine- and am now sad I didn’t pay attention to her neck exercises.

Lipstick
A secret weapon- she believed that you really didn’t need much else

Hats
Mimi was a big believer in protecting your skin from the sun, for both preventing wrinkles and fashion. As a child I laughed, but now as an adult I know my Mimi was right- and wear hats myself.

I’m now left to do what I do: write about this, wear amazing clothes, read a great book, and maybe buy a new pair of shoes.

Wishing us all love and amazing shoes this week! Xo RA

#Star

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Throwing on a shirt and shorts is a summer staple. My favorite is when that ritual is elevated and shirts like this Vintage number help! I love the star detail-the buttons, the straps, the way it’s simple and classic all at the same time. It would go equally as great with a skirt or white pants, yet it was perfect with cutoffs. The shoes are quickly becoming a go-to, the peep toe makes them summer perfect and the color is, believe it or not, neutral enough to go with everything! What are some of your summer go-tos?

Happy Friday! XO RA

Details:
Shirt: Vintage, found at Garment Modern
Shorts: Joe’s
Shoes: About Arianne, found at Garment Modern or their website here

Pattern Mixing

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Scary and overwhelming: that’s what most of us think of when we think of pattern mixing. And loves, it can be. But like all good scary and overwhelming things, it can be incredibly rewarding. Some of the process is trial and error, and comes down to taste, but when I’m mixing there are a few guidelines I follow, and I hope that they help you!

Play with Sizes
Great combos often come from mixing patterns of the same shape- little and big polka dots for example. However, some of the biggest payoffs come when you mix different patterns- the trick is just to keep one pattern big and one small.

Play with patterns in the same color
Love navy, stripes, and flowers? Play with that combo- it would go great together!

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Chose colors that compliment each other
I love a great pop of color- red shoes for example! And when mixing our patterns it’s aok to play with color, just make sure they compliment each other. Black/Red. Blue/Yellow. Green/Pink. All classic combos- but I loved this combo of blue and white check and cream and black. They don’t match- but the colors compliment!

Have fun!
Most importantly- have fun! I am really a fan of trial and error in this process. The guidelines are great- but if there’s something you want to try go for it. Mix and match. Try it on- worse case? You have to change. Best case? It works! It seems like a win/win to me!

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I’d love to know- do you mix patterns? What do you stick to?

Happy Thursday! xo RA

Foot Scarf

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While pursuing some online shopping recently I saw this image on FreePeople and was obsessed! I’m a fan of the neck scarf (as evidenced here ) and thought, “what a fresh way to think about it”. So I’ve begun tying a scarf around my ankle!
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And I love it! I think it’s great with jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses. It’s a pop of color, a little something, and an easy elevation to an outfit.
I’d love to know- are you willing to try this trend?
XO RA

Summer Black

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I love pieces that are multi-seasonal–and this black jacket from Zara is a perfect example. I’ve pinned it and worn it over shorts, making it great for summer. I’ve also put it over jeans. It’s great open, it’s great closed. And while it’s light weight (and sheer on bottom), it’s great for fall (I’m picturing it over pants and even layering a sweater over it). And these shoes–I’m a fan of all things red!

Happy Monday! XO RA

Details:
Jacket: Zara
Shorts: Zara, old, similar here
Shoes: Gucci

 

Sunday Chronicles: RLvsOnline

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We currently live in a world that’s driven by our online prescences. We document our lives, edit them, filter them, share them, and pray people like them.  People and companies worry about clicks, likes, shares; there are now studies about the effect of being on social media too much, but we as a society continue to post. At its best social media is a great way to stay in contact with friends, provide distraction, and engage everyone in a conversation. At its worst social media can be consuming, overwhelming, and can make you feel inadequate.

Social media is a big part of my daily life, much of our business is done via social media, and it’s a great way to grow the blog. It can be fun and I love keeping up with you and my friends online. It can also be draining. I worry about my brand online, I think about sharing, I want you to like my pictures.  If I’m honest I will also admit that there’s pressure about what to post, how often to post, and how honest to be about my private life. There’s been a lot of loss in my family lately, and everyone has bad days, but I don’t want my social feeds to be full of depressing thoughts. I genuinely enjoy sharing my fashion with you, and during this time it’s been a much needed distraction. But is it honest to pretend that everything is hunky dory online? Does it matter?

I’ve been thinking about these questions a lot lately; and unfortunately loves, I have no answers. I think our vulenrabilty is part of the journey (sometimes the best parts) and sharing that with others can strengthen us all. I think that we all get to choose our boundaries on posting, there is no right way to do this. But I think above all, we are all human behind these beautiful photos- with flaws, good days and bad days, and a need for connection. I think social media can help with bad days, and I also think there’s nothing wrong with sharing your struggles online. Perhaps the challenge for us all is to find the balance in the posts, and to figure out how to share the best bits of ourselves when we share, even if those parts are the vulnerable ones.

I’d love to get your input! How do you handle your social media? Do you share your struggles? What are your thoughts on people who do?

 

Wishing us all a week of journeys and amazing shoes! XO RA

#bareshoulders

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I’m still obsessed with this season’s off the shoulder silhouette, but love this fresh take on it with split bell sleeves. It looks amazing with these perfectly torn Levis, but looked just as great tucked into black pants with heels. And speaking of these jeans- Levis married the perfect combination of their vintage fit and modern fit (read great butt with a hint of stretch) and the rips in the knees are just right!

Hope your Friday is going swimmingly!
Happy Weekend! XO RA

Details:
Jeans: Levis
Shirt: MVe
Shoes: Louboutin