It’s Christmas Eve! Santa comes tonight! I hope that you’re with people you love, and that there’s joy and laughs (and maybe some wine) to go around. I’m with my family in TX and we’re baking up a storm (the secret according to my Grandma is playing Christmas music while you do it!)! My mom and sister are doing cookies and I’m doing my Mimi’s famous pecan pie. Later we will go to church, eat my mom’s infamous beef stragnoff, wear matching pjs and leave some treats for Santa! I hope today brings you the kind of peace that I get from family traditions–the comfort of being at home with people who love you, doing what matters!
Happy Holiday! XO RA
And a treat–the much loved pie recipe
Details:
Shirt can be found at Target
Apron: Salt House
Although they can be cliche there’s something about “traditional” holiday fashion that makes it really seem like Christmas. Wearing to church, family gatherings, parties, or out and about, any piece velvet, red, or plaid just puts me in the spirit! What about you? What do you wear on the holidays?
A big thanks to my mom–who styled and shot this piece–these are some of her favorite holiday looks on me and I was happy to wear them for her!
XO RA
Details:
Look One: Vintage Dress, similar here, shoes: Louboutin
Look Two: Coat (my mom’s!) similar here, boots: Hunter
Look Three: Pants: Jcrew, old, similar: here Sweater: Vintage, Shoes: Sophia Webster, old, but love these
Raise your hand if you’re still running around like a chicken with its head cut off? (Slowly raises hand). This is just one of those years where I’m a tad bit behind on my gift giving–so I’m being tempted to just buy things to get it over with–ya know? And while this time of year is not about the gifts–no one wants to give or receive a bad gift! So I’ve rounded up some of the best gifting advise I know–hope it helps you as much as it’s helping me!
DO stick to quality–the old rule my mom used to say is “don’t gift something of a less quality than you would like to receive”. A gift for someone else doesn’t have to be your taste –but it needs to be a gift worth giving.
DON’T buy to just have something. In every store there are “last minute gifts”–nail polish and make-up sets come to mind. These are great if you have someone who would like them–but if you don’t they will go to waste in someone’s bathroom.
DO consider the giftcard. I’ve already let you know I love them–and I do! I think there is nothing wrong with a giftcard–they will love that you gave them an excuse to go shopping! And if they aren’t into shopping–movie theaters and restaurant gift cards are a great idea!
DON’T fret if the item won’t ship in time. You can always print a picture to wrap or give—and I know of no one who will be mad at more presents to open in January.
Here’s to us all finishing shopping with less stress! XO RA
Not every holiday outfit has to be “traditional”. I love this combo of leather leggings and a tunic–and those amazing Sophia Webster shoes! Comfy, edgy, and good all year round–that’s a holiday outfit I can get behind!
It’s that time of year: we’re frantically shopping for others, hoping we’ve gotten the perfect gifts. Gift guides are abundant, as well as Facebook posts such as : the couple who give their kids too many presents (probably not for us to judge), the want/need/wear/read guideline (which I actually like), and ads for things no one you know wants. My mom has two grown, fashion loving daughters who shop year round and in the past few years she’s instutided this gift gifting “tradition” for our family: my sister and I get a donation to a big ticket item and then we all exchange a book (preferably one from your bookcase you want to pass around), a recipe you love (a great way to hand down family recipes), an item from your own closet, and one purchased gift. It’s made things simple- and as much as I love shopping I look forward to the personal touches I know I get on Christmas morning.
Let’s be honest- there’s always something we want (seriously if you’re shopping for me I have a list), but aren’t the holidays supposed to be about more than that? I do love presents- but more than that I love spending time with my family and friends. The gift exchange is lovely- what means more is the sitting and chatting with friends after. So this year I’m trying my best to focus on the presence, not the presents. Yes, my friends deserve the “perfect” gift- but more than that they deserve my focus, my listening, my making an effort to show up for them. I wish I could buy my sister all the shoes she wants- curling up on the couch with champagne might actually go further. Not only does it make my shopping so much more enjoyable- it gives me so much more to get.
This is not me saying you shouldn’t give gifts- we all love them! And really, my list of wants is long. This is me saying along with the presents is I hope you get all the presence you need this week, as it makes this season so much sweeter.
Wishing us all a week of presence and amazing shoes! XO RA
I know, I have new favorites all the time. It’s true, I do. But Internet friends–these are great jeans. High-waisted (best for me), amazing detail (those buttons), and enough stretch to hold everything in place. I’ve worn them non-stop and this love affair is far from over! I cannot recommend them enough.
Happy Friday! XO RA
#favoritejean
Details:
Jean: JBrand
Shirt: Reformation, old, but their year-end sale in process. If you love Reformation(and you should) shop their sale here
Shoes: Elizabeth and James, old, similar here
There’s a school of thought that says a “special occasion” dress is only good for one occasion. I disagree–for many reasons, and not just because I love me a good party dress. Some people completely disregard this train of thought and just wear what makes them feel great. No matter where you fall on this spectrum the good news is that there’s a solution, or way, to make any outfit different: your accessories, or more specifically a belt. I’m not a big belt person–but the right one, at the right time is life changing. The above dress is a treasured Zac Posen. I’d wear it all day any day–but the simple addition of a belt completely changes it. I’d love to know–what’s your take? Do you like the belted or non-belted? Do you re-wear “special occasion” outfits? What’s your belt POV?
Happy Thursday! XO RA
Details:
Dress: Zac Posen, old, similar here and here
Belt: old, similar here
No, there’s no snow in this post (sadly), but this dress made me feel like a queen. Just modest (high neck, long sleeves, semi-train in the back) to be suitable for family, enough edge (semi-sheer sleeves) and enough of the vintage feel I love (cream and texture) to be perfect. I had visions of wearing this in snow-capped mountains–but it was just as perfect at the water park, and might also work at your next holiday party or night out!
I hope your holiday shopping is going amazing! If you’re anything like me, you haven’t finished yet. Or started. Either way this list of things that are great for her hopefully helps–and if you see something you need for you that can be our little secret!
Happy Shopping! XO RA
1.
Because shoes are always a good place to start. I love these Tory Burch Sport slides. Perfect for running around.
2.
I love these Dino Yoga Pants It’s the perfect combo for someone like me–who loves her workout and dinos equally.
Sometimes with the hustle and bustle of the holidays it’s nice to have simple stand-bys to fall back on. Yes, it’s all black–but the detail on the modern boot and the camel coat keep me feeling like I look pulled together. And the simple joy of being able to throw on jeans and a t-shirt? Priceless.
